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It’s one of our favorite episodes to record each year, and we have a feeling it might be one of yours, too! We’re sharing what we’ve been reading lately, from fiction and historical fiction to nonfiction and everything in between. These aren’t necessarily “school counseling books,” but as school counselors, we can’t help but notice the themes, characters, relationships, struggles, and life lessons woven throughout the stories we read. So grab your TBR list (and maybe make some room on your bookshelf!) as we talk about the books we’ve loved, the stories that have stuck with us, and the counseling connections we’ve found along the way. Whether you’re looking for your next great read or just want to hear what two school counselors are talking about when they’re not at school, there’s something here for you!

What happens when we stop looking at challenging behavior as simply a behavior problem and start looking at what’s happening inside the brain? In this episode, Kim sits down with Anthony “A.B.” Brooks and Joy Winchester for a conversation about the connection between neuroscience, trauma, student behavior, and the way we work with young people. Anthony is the author of How to Eat an Elephant: Inspiring Youth by Facing the Elephant in the Room, a practical look at building trust, influence, and meaningful relationships with young people. His experience working with and mentoring youth brings an important perspective to the conversation: before we can influence a student, we have to build a relationship with them. Joy brings her deep knowledge of the brain and trauma-informed practice, helping educators understand what may be happening beneath challenging behavior. She is the author of Hey, You Got a Minute? and When in Doubt, Assume Brain: Stories of Aha Moments from the Front Lines Where the Brain Meets Behavior. Together, Joy and Anthony explore what happens when we understand the why behind a young person’s behavior—and how that understanding can change the way school counselors and educators respond to students. If you've heard Joy on Counselor Accents before, you already know she has a way of taking complicated neuroscience and making it make sense in the real world. But this conversation brings something new to the table: what happens when a brain-based perspective meets the practical work of mentoring, building relationships, and connecting with today's youth? For school counselors, this conversation offers practical insight into student behavior, trauma-informed school counseling, brain-based strategies, and building stronger relationships with students. Whether you're a school counselor, teacher, administrator, parent, coach, or anyone who works with young people, this is a conversation worth having. Sometimes the behavior you're seeing isn't the whole story. Sometimes, you have to understand the brain behind it.

Our first-ever live, completely unedited episode is here! 🎙️ We affectionately call it our "Rawdog" episode because what you hear is exactly what happened- no edits, no second takes, just an honest conversation. Inspired by the TV show What Would You Do? and John Quiñones' keynote at the ASCA Conference, this isn't a recap of the conference. Instead, it's a conversation about what his message taught us about stepping up when students need someone in their corner. We explore how the question, "What would you do?" applies to school counseling every day and share some practical ways we're planning to bring those lessons into our counseling programs this school year. Whether you're a school counselor, educator, or someone who believes one person can make a difference, we hope this episode leaves you asking the same question: What would you do?

School counselors wear a lot of hats, and we always say one of them is that of an investigator! In this episode of the Counselor Accents Podcast, we sit down with Barbara Ladd, a school resource specialist whose counseling instincts helped solve a decades-old cold case! As counselors, we're constantly gathering information, noticing patterns, asking thoughtful questions, and building trust. Those same skills proved to be the missing piece in a REAL criminal investigation! Join us for a fascinating conversation about the power of observation, curiosity, and putting the pieces together. Learn how the skills you use every day can have an impact far beyond the walls of your school. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Some days as a school counselor, you leave work feeling like you've changed a life. Other days you're wondering if graduate school somehow forgot to mention this part of the job. In this episode, we're introducing a brand-new segment: Stories from the Trenches. Laugh along with us as we read your submissions, share our own reactions, and invite you to play along with our new "Pick Your Response" moments. Whether you're choosing between staying professional or questioning your life choices, we promise you'll see yourself somewhere in the answers. So grab your coffee, buckle up for the commute, and remember: you are definitely not the only counselor wondering, "Did that really just happen?" Have a story from the trenches? We'd love to hear it! Send us your funniest, most unbelievable, "you had to be there" school counseling moments. Your story might just be featured in a future episode (anonymously, of course). Emails us at [email protected]

Talking about suicide can feel overwhelming, but avoiding the conversation isn't the answer. This week on the Counselor Accents Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome back our longtime friend, Steve Sharp! In fact, Steve officially holds the record for the most appearances on the podcast, and every time he's joins us, we leave challenged, encouraged, and equipped. This time, he's joined by his coauthor, Dr. Perri Rosen, to discuss their book, Lives Worth Living: Applying Zero Suicide as a Prevention Approach for Schools. Before we jump in, a little behind-the-scenes confession: We recorded this conversation back in November, and during a little summer cleanup of our podcast files, we realized this gem had somehow never made it to you! We couldn't let that happen, because the wisdom in this conversation is just as timely today. Together, we explore how schools can move beyond simply responding to crises and instead build systems that promote hope, connection, and safety for every student. Steve and Perri share practical strategies for implementing the Zero Suicide framework in schools, discuss the importance of collaboration and early intervention, and offer tangible ways counselors can lead meaningful change on their campuses. This conversation isn't about fear. It's about hope. It's about creating schools where every student feels seen, supported, and reminded that their life has immeasurable value. Whether you're a school counselor, administrator, psychologist, or anyone who works with students, you'll walk away with practical ideas, fresh perspective, and renewed confidence to help build a culture of care in your school. We're so glad we rediscovered this conversation, and we think you'll be glad we did too.

Minute meetings can be one of the most effective tools in school counseling, but only if you understand what actually happens when you try to implement them in a real school setting. In this episode, we’re sharing the lessons we learned the hard way after rolling out minute meetings with intention, planning, and structure… and still running into challenges we didn’t fully anticipate. We’ll walk you through the biggest adjustments we had to make, including: Why your schedule will need to be flexible (no matter how well you plan)How small changes in question wording can completely change your dataThe truth about how long “minute” meetings actually takeWhy getting through your entire school takes longer than expectedWhat happened when we tried having teachers lead the meetings, and what we learned from itThis isn’t about doing it wrong. It’s about refining the process so it actually works in a busy, unpredictable school environment. If you’re using minute meetings, or thinking about starting, this episode will help you plan smarter, adjust faster, and avoid some of the things we didn’t see coming. minute meetings school counselingschool counseling strategiesstudent check in systemstier 2 interventions school counselingdata collection school counselingcounseling organization systemsproactive school counseling

Ever had a student completely shut down and refuse to do any work? You’re not alone! And it’s not just about motivation. In this episode, we’re breaking down student refusal behavior strategies that actually work in real school settings. Whether you’re a school counselor, teacher, or administrator, you’ll walk away with practical tools you can use immediately. We’ll talk about what’s really behind student refusal behavior, because it’s rarely just “laziness," and how to respond in the moment without escalating the situation. You’ll hear: What to say when a student refuses to workWhy traditional motivation strategies often fall flatWhat not to do when students shut downHow to support students while still maintaining expectationsWe’ll also share honest insight into what progress actually looks like. Because sometimes success isn’t full engagement right away… it’s just less resistance. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know what else to try,” this episode is for you. Virginia Small Group Conference student refusal behavior strategiesstudent refuses to workunmotivated studentsstudent disengagementschool counseling strategiesclassroom behavior managementstudent avoidance behavior counseling interventions

In this episode, we sit down with two school counselors from Mississippi whose work took an idea from our Teachers Pay Teachers to a national stage. After purchasing our Coping Skills Café, they adapted it to meet the needs of their students. What happened next was something none of us could have predicted. Their work went nationally viral after being picked up by the Associated Press and featured across multiple news outlets. What we love most about this story isn’t just the attention, it’s the collaboration behind it. These counselors took an idea, made it even better, and implemented it in a way that authentically served their school community. Even more meaningful was the grace and professionalism they showed by crediting the original resource while sharing their work publicly. This conversation is all about creativity, collaboration, and what’s possible when school counselors share ideas instead of guarding them. It’s a reminder that our best work often happens when we build on one another’s strengths — and that there’s room for all of us to succeed. If you’ve ever adapted a resource, wondered what happens after you click “purchase,” or needed encouragement that collaboration truly matters, this episode is for you. Coping Skills Cafe

In this important episode of the Counselor Accents Podcast, we sit down with Angela Avery, a seasoned middle school counselor from Maine, to discuss one of the most challenging and critical topics facing schools today: suicide prevention. Angela shares practical, proactive strategies school counselors can use to address suicide in developmentally appropriate, ethical, and trauma-informed ways. This conversation focuses on prevention over reaction, highlighting everyday practices that quietly save lives long before a crisis occurs. Listeners will gain insight into: How to talk about suicide safely and responsibly with students Proactive suicide prevention strategies School counseling protocols and response planning Protective factors counselors may already be strengthening without realizing it Ways to build a school culture of connection, trust, and emotional safety Angela also reassures counselors who worry they’re “doing it wrong” that many effective prevention efforts are already happening through relationship-building, SEL lessons, and consistent check-ins. This episode emphasizes that suicide prevention is not one program or lesson — it’s a system of care woven into daily school counseling practice. Whether you are a school counselor, administrator, or mental health professional, this episode offers grounded guidance, encouragement, and realistic tools for navigating an incredibly sensitive topic with confidence and compassion.

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program – Parent Power Sessions 🎃 It’s the final episode of our Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program series, and we’re closing it out with something every school counselor knows is both powerful and challenging: parent communication. 🍂🎃 In this episode, we’re diving into simple, meaningful, and practical ways to build strong connections with families—without overwhelming yourself in the process. We’re talking about: ✨ Meet & Greets that help parents see you as a real, approachable human✨ Newsletter features that educate families while celebrating your work✨ Parent sessions on relevant topics (yes, including the big one… cell phone usage📱)✨ Easy communication strategies that build trust and partnership✨ And how to create “Parent Power Sessions” that empower families and lighten your load Because here’s the truth: when parents feel connected to you, they feel connected to the entire school community. And when that happens, everyone wins—students, families, and you. Join us as we wrap up the Pumpkin Spice season with encouragement, ideas you can use immediately, and a whole lot of heart. 💛

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program- Episode 4: A School Counseling Data Board- Making Your Impact Impossible to Ignore 🎃 In this episode of Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program, we’re stirring in one of our favorite ingredients for strengthening your school counseling program: a data board. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing incredible work but no one really sees it… this episode is for you.A well-designed data board can:✨ showcase your impact✨ help stakeholders understand what you do✨ advocate for you even when you’re not in the room✨ and add a little “pumpkin spice” flair to your counseling space! We walk you step-by-step through what to include, where to put it, how to keep it updated, and how to make it visually appealing (even if you don't feel like a graphic designer). You’ll leave with practical tips, creative ideas, and the confidence to start building a data board that turns your services into a story worth noticing. Whether you’re brand new to data or just want a fresh way to share your impact, this episode will give you exactly what you need to spice things up!

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program – Episode 3: Game On! Engaging Students with Quick Wins 🎃 Sometimes the best connections with students happen in the smallest moments. In this episode of our Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program series, we’re sharing how to use quick games and engaging questions to build relationships, spark conversations, and add energy to your counseling program. From Plinko boards 🎯 to spinning wheels 🎡 to simple “Would You Rather” questions, these fun tools make counseling approachable, break the ice, and create memorable moments without taking up a lot of time. We’ll cover: 🍁 How to set up easy “pop-up” counseling stations with interactive games 🍁 Question prompts that get students talking (and laughing) 🍁 Ways to use games for SEL check-ins, coping skills practice, and career chats 🍁 How these playful strategies can double as powerful data-collection tools If you’re ready to add some fall flavor, boost student engagement, and show that counseling can be both meaningful and fun, this episode will give you practical ideas you can try tomorrow! ☕️ Grab your pumpkin spice latte and tune in for quick, game-changing strategies!

What if you could give students a taste of real-world careers in just the time it takes to sip a pumpkin spice latte? ☕️ In this episode of our Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program series, we’re talking about the power of Micro-Mentoring with Local Professionals. Instead of a full-day career fair that leaves you drained, micro-mentoring offers short, meaningful connections between students and community members. Think of it as a career espresso shot—small, energizing, and packed with impact. We’ll share: Simple formats for in-person or virtual mentoring sessions How to invite busy professionals with a time-friendly ask Interactive ideas to make each session engaging and memorable Ways to collect quick data and showcase impact How this idea positions you as a leader and connector in your school community If you’re ready to add some fall flavor to your career readiness efforts and brew up stronger community partnerships, this episode will inspire you to make micro-mentoring part of your school counseling recipe.

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program – Episode 1: Pop-Up School Counseling It’s time to add some fall flavor to your counseling program! In this brand-new series, Pumpkin Spice Up Your School Counseling Program, we’re sharing creative, practical, and fun ideas that will freshen up the way you connect with students. In this first episode, we’re talking about Pop-Up School Counseling—unique ways to bring your support out of the office and into the spaces where students naturally are. From hallway check-ins to surprise lunchtime activities, we’ll explore how “pop-up” counseling breaks stigma, increases visibility, and creates meaningful connections in unexpected places. If you’re looking for fresh ideas to meet students right where they are, this episode will leave you inspired (and maybe craving a pumpkin spice latte). ☕️ Tune in, take notes, and get ready to spice up your school counseling program!