Welcome to a brand new season of CAYA Conversations, Talk It Out for Teens! This season, we’re getting real about the stuff that actually impacts your day-to-day life. Each episode brings honest conversations, relatable stories, and practical tips you can actually use, not just the usual “self-care” talk. We're kicking things off with Episode 1:Why The Feed Hurts, a deep dive into how social media shapes what you think, feel, and see every day.

Feeling worse after you scroll isn’t a personal failure, it’s a feature of the highlight reel and the algorithms that shape it. In this episode we dive into the loop that links FOMO, doomscrolling, and anxiety, then map out how to reclaim attention, protect self-esteem, and make social media work for you instead of against you.

We start by naming what really happens to your brain and body online: the perfect snapshots that distort reality, the rage bait that spikes arousal, and the subtle costs to sleep, focus, and motivation. From there, we offer practical, low-friction tactics you can try today: silence nonessential notifications, switch to grayscale to reduce novelty, and move your charger out of the bedroom to break the bedtime scroll. We also talk through replacements for reflexive checking—books, journaling, small stretches, and using curiosity and questions to strengthen in-person moments where a phone often fills the silence.

The heart of the conversation is curation. Think of your feed as a digital garden worth tending. Unfollow, mute, and block accounts that drain you. Use like and not interested to teach the algorithm what to serve. Seek communities tied to your real interests, and reframe excellence online as instruction, not a verdict on your worth. We share quick self-checks—why am I opening this app right now, and what need am I trying to meet—that turn mindless scrolling into a conscious choice aligned with your values.

If you’re ready to swap comparison for inspiration and rebuild a healthier relationship with your phone, this episode gives you concrete steps and a compassionate mindset to start. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a quick review to help others find us.

Whether you have a question, want to share your thoughts, or just want to dive deeper into an episode's topic, you can now text us directly. Your feedback helps shape future episodes, and we can't wait to hear from you!

Explore the various services available in our community to support parents and students facing social and emotional challenges at https://chs.clarkston.k12.mi.us/counseling/emotional-support

For Talk It Out episode questions contact David from Giesken Counseling Services - Clarkston at 810-626-5191.

For Parenting Under Stress episode questions contact Trish from Ellie Mental Health - Clarkston at tbrown@elliementalhealth.com or 248-308-5535.

For more information on Clarkston Area Youth Assistance visit https://caya-mi.org/ or call 248-623-4313.