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Feeling stressed all the time and not sure what to do about it? Here’s what almost nobody tells you: stress isn’t the problem. Stress is actually your body’s check engine light. In this solo episode, Leslie breaks down what’s really driving your stress and shares three simple habits to start before midterms and finals, that can make a significant difference. Resources mentioned: College Countdown Roadmap - free download Episode 203: The 2-Minute Body Trick That Calms Your Anxiety Fast Need support right now? Talk to a parent, school counselor, coach, college health center, or doctor. If you ever feel hopeless or think about hurting yourself, call or text 988 any time, day or night. Mentioned in this episode: College Countdown Roadmap If you’re a high school senior heading to college next fall, or you’re the parent of one, this one’s for you. I created a free College Countdown Roadmap, and it’s not your typical checklist. Yes, it walks you through the logistics, from applications all the way to move-in day. But it also covers what no checklist does: the real-life skills your student needs to actually thrive once they’re on campus. Parents, it takes the “did we forget something?” off your plate. Students, it helps you walk in feeling ready instead of scrambling. Don’t wait until move-in week to figure this out. Grab the roadmap link in the show notes and download it right now.

Ever wonder if your relationship with food is actually okay? In this episode, registered dietitian Jessica Setnick joins Leslie to talk about the early signs that eating has become more than just eating — the connection between stress and food, why body image gets distorted, and how to know when it's time to talk to someone. This one's for anyone who's ever felt confused, guilty, or "off" about food. [01:19] Why diet culture messaging is louder than it used to be [03:45] How eating problems actually start [07:31] Two questions to ask about any "should" message about your body [10:49] Why stress affects your eating [15:24] Yellow flags in how you think about food [19:01] Why your brain doesn't show you an accurate picture of your body [27:34] What's different about high school and college [31:43] How to know when it's time to get help [36:48] Can you actually have a healthy relationship with food? Resources mentioned: Freshman FormulaParent Masterclass - for parents of high school students planning to attend college or college freshman already on campusFree Clarity Call with Leslie

Why college can feel so hard and what to do about it. Feeling homesick weeks into college and wondering if something's wrong with you? It's not — and it's incredibly common. In this episode, Leslie breaks down "the dip," the very real adjustment phase that hits after the initial excitement of college fades, plus 3 beliefs that quietly fuel homesickness anxiety and 3 things you can actually do about it starting today. Listen now if you've been feeling off, out of place, or unsure whether what you're feeling is normal — it is, and this episode will help. Chapters: [00:00] Is it normal to feel this bad right now? [02:17] Why it hits so hard right now: "the dip" [04:12] 3 beliefs driving your homesickness anxiety [06:38] 3 things you can actually do about it [10:08] How long transition really takes [10:42] When it's more than homesickness — getting extra support [11:40] Free resources for you and your parents Resources mentioned: Episode 197: What Nobody Tells Freshmen About the First Semester of CollegeFree Clarity Call with LeslieFree "Four Conversations" Guide for parents

Been going to therapy for months and still feel stuck? You're not alone — and it might not be you. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Krauss explains why weekly one-on-one therapy doesn't work for many teens and college students, how group therapy and higher-frequency care can actually move things faster, and how to speak up when sessions aren't landing. If you've ever thought "therapy just isn't for me," this one might change your mind. Chapters: [00:00] When therapy feels like it's going nowhere [01:33] Meet Dr. Stacey Krauss [02:40] What to do when therapy isn't enough [04:23] Why one bad fit makes people quit therapy [05:41] Speaking up when sessions aren't working [07:40] How group therapy shifts the dynamic [09:29] Mental fatigue and bouncing between therapists [11:42] What group therapy is actually like [13:29] Why session frequency matters [15:22] Fitting it into a packed schedule [20:51] Who group therapy works best for [23:16] When individual therapy is the better fit [24:55] How to find group therapy options [28:07] College mental health services as a starting point [29:48] Dr. Krauss's final advice: start with your future vision About the guest: Dr. Stacey Krauss is CEO of Transitions Counseling and Consulting, an intensive mental health clinic helping adolescents and families navigate severe clinical crises without hospital stays. She's a double board-certified clinical psychologist, Bronze Star recipient, and former Chief of Behavioral Health at Fort Bragg, where she led the Army's largest behavioral health program, overseeing mental health services for thousands of soldiers and their families. She now applies that crisis expertise to adolescent care, helping teens and parents understand when IOP or PHP may be the right level of support between weekly therapy and hospitalization. Resources mentioned: Transitions Counseling and ConsultingDr. Stacey Krauss on LinkedIn Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here for support helping your high school teen or college student build healthy life skills and independence for college and beyond. Website: leslierosecoaching.comInstagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoachingFacebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

Stuck in a loop of "I need to do better," "I need to be more organized," "I need to stop procrastinating"? In this episode, we flip the question. Instead of asking what you need to fix, ask who you actually want to be — and why that one shift changes everything about how you make decisions. Leslie breaks down a simple 4-step framework plus two action steps you can start today to discover who you want to be. [00:00] Why "I need to do better" is the wrong question [02:21] Your daily choices are building your identity [03:39] Step 1: Know Yourself [05:09] Quick mention: The Freshman Formula [06:01] Step 2: Trust Yourself [07:27] Step 3: Choose Yourself [08:53] Step 4: Lead Yourself [09:51] Coming back to the question: who do you want to be? [10:42] Your 2-step action plan for this week

Dealing with roommate drama right now? You're not alone — approximately 7 out of 10 college students go through some version of it. In this episode, I break down the 3 phases every roommate relationship hits (honeymoon, annoyance, and get-along-or-bust), the one communication shift that actually defuses conflict, and what to do if it's truly not working -- there are options like a roommate agreement. Plus my own freshman year roommate story and what I wish I'd known sooner. What you'll hear: [00:00] The "are we fighting?" moment every freshman knows [01:56] Reality check — how common roommate conflict actually is [02:36] For high schoolers: how to pick a good roommate before move-in [04:34] For current students: why getting along actually matters [05:44] The 3 phases: honeymoon, annoyance, get-along-or-bust [08:44] Quick mention: The Freshman Formula [09:33] The 4 things that actually fix roommate friction [11:32] Worst case scenario — RA, agreements, room changes [12:33] The one takeaway to remember RESOURCE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Freshman Formula details Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie HERE to help your teen or young adult build healthy habits, confidence, and prepare for the transition to college so they can live well, Follow me on Instagram: @leslierosecoaching SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more teens, college students and parents who need these insights. Thanks for your support and see you next week!

Ever notice your shoulders creep up to your ears when you're stressed, even when nothing's actually wrong? Your body still thinks it's being chased by a tiger. In this episode, somatic practice expert Annie Vinje breaks down what's really happening in your nervous system when you're anxious — and simple, science-backed ways to calm it down in real time, no 20-minute meditation required. Listen now to find a somatic reset you can actually stick with. Then leave a comment - what tip was most helpful for you? [02:10] What your body does when you're stressed [04:17] Why daily somatic practice matters, not just on hard days [06:10] Why this generation of teens especially needs this [10:09] Doom scrolling vs. "hope questing" on social media [14:58] Simple body check-ins you can do anywhere [18:18] The breathing technique that resets your nervous system [21:21] Meditation myths — it doesn't have to look "perfect" [23:14] Finding your thing: yoga, journaling, and restorative rest [29:07] Alternate nostril breathing to wake up your brain RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Annie's website: annievinje.com Why am I tired checklist (free) Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie HERE to help your teen or young adult make healthy choices on their own. Website: leslierosecoaching.com Follow me on Instagram: @leslierosecoaching SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more teens, college students and parents who need these insights. Thanks for your support and see you next week! Disclaimer

Has this happened to you: your body goes into full panic mode over something small — and you can't figure out why? That's your nervous system talking. In this episode, Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge breaks down exactly what your nervous system does, why stress builds up like water filling a cup, and how to empty it before it overflows. We get into why some people bounce back from stress fast while others stay overwhelmed for hours, and Dr. Roseann shares three simple, science-backed tools you can use today. LISTENER OFFER: Dr. Roseann is offering a FREE Nervous System Starter Kit for listeners! You can grab it HERE Listen now to learn how to calm your body down quickly. Then try this today — pick one tool mentioned in the episode and use it 3 times today. Then leave a comment and tell me how it felt. [01:48] Why nervous system health matters for teens [02:50] What is the nervous system? Sympathetic, parasympathetic & the "stress cup" [05:11] What dysregulation actually looks like (over- vs. understimulation) [07:38] How to tell if it's really your nervous system — not just "being dramatic" [11:10] Why some people calm down fast and others stay overwhelmed [19:24] 3 simple reset tools: breathwork, the "heart hug," and humming [26:21] Using positive mantras to retrain your nervous system [27:59] How to know if your nervous system is actually healthy [36:22] Simple ways to start today — and finding an accountability buddy Dr. Roseann's website: droseanne.com Book: The Dysregulated Kid Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or young adult learn to make healthy decisions, care for themselves and navigate life with confidence. Website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

Ever lose track of time doing something you love — then completely dread starting your homework two minutes later? That's flow, and you can actually trigger it on purpose to help you do the things you want to do. In this episode, I'm talking with Laurie Smith, author of The Flow Habit, about how to get into a flow state even when you have zero motivation. We break down her 4-step FEAL method (Focus, Engage, Equalize, Listen & Let Go), why perfectionism is on the rise in teens, and how flow can quiet that inner critic voice for good. Listen now to find your own flow habit and finally get out of your head. [02:20] What "flow" really means [03:27] Why flow quiets your inner critic [06:04] The rise of teen perfectionism and achievement culture [07:38] Flow as a "rebellious act" — connecting to your own joy [14:10] The FEAL framework: Focus, Engage, Equalize, Listen & Let Go [17:10] Finding your sweet spot (not too much pressure, not too little) [22:06] Real flow habits — vacuuming, doodling, and the "floatovator" [25:56] Laurie's book, The Flow Habit, and the free 28-Day Flow Challenge [27:10] Using flow to break free from social media and phone scrolling Resources mentioned: Laurie's free 28-Day Flow ChallengeThe Flow Habit (book) Connect with Leslie: Parents - schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie HERE Website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoaching

We just hit 200 episodes — so which ones actually stuck with you? In this solo recap, I'm counting down the top 5 episodes of all time and breaking down why I think each one hit different. From body image and comparison, to resilience after hard stuff, to why procrastination isn't really a focus problem — this episode is basically a highlight reel of everything that's helped you most so far. Here are some of the topics that interest you most: Body image and size acceptanceBuilding resilience after adversityWhy teens need more fun, not lessThe real reason you procrastinateMorning routines that actually reduce stressFood, fitness, and recovery for teen athletesDitching caloric deficit thinking for good Listen now to catch what you missed — or revisit the episode that hit hardest the first time. Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or young adult resolve weight and unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Grab Leslie's free guide: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better Without Making Things Worse Website: leslierosecoaching.comInstagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoachingFacebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

If you're using AI to knock out your homework in five seconds so you can go hang out with your friends, this episode is for you. Not to lecture you. To show you what's actually at stake in a few years when you're applying to college and trying to get hired, and why the way you're using AI right now is quietly deciding which side of that transition you land on. Today's guest is Amy Love, a Harvard MBA, former Fortune 500 chief marketing officer, and founder of Discovering AI. She's a nationally recognized speaker who helps parents, students, and schools navigate the age of AI with clarity, confidence, and connection. Amy runs an AI summer camp for teens and the AI Irreplaceable college and career readiness workshops that teach the human and technical skills you'll need to thrive alongside AI, not get replaced by it. In this episode you'll hear why the difference between using AI to answer your homework vs. using it to actually learn is the single biggest decision you're making about your future right now, and the exact mindset shift that will make you stand out to employers instead of getting leapfrogged. Plus: Why teens today have zero experience baseline to know how to use AI responsibly (and why that's not your fault)The parenting shift from "did you get your homework done" to "how did you get your homework done" and what it means for youWhy AI writing tools like Grammarly are quietly changing what an A actually meansThe Socratic method AI prompt that makes AI your personal tutor instead of your homework shortcutFree tools you can start using this week: Khanmigo, Google Gemini Guided Learning, ChatGPTWhy Georgia Tech encourages AI on application essays and Santa Clara bans it (and what that means for you)Why 23% of Harvard MBA grads didn't have a job three months after graduation (and what that tells you)The "gig learning" idea and why it might matter more than your GPAHow to use AI to start a real business (T shirt design, marketing) that gives you a story to tell employersWhy grades and school name are becoming less relevant and what's replacing themThe "create more, consume less" mindset that separates the teens who will thrive from the ones who won'tAmy's one specific AI prompt to start using tonight (spoiler: it's not "give me the answer") Connect with Amys' Discovering AI Social: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discovering.ai3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discoveringai1LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/discoveringaiinfo/ Connect with Leslie Website: leslierosecoaching.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslierosecoaching/

If your mornings feel like a chaotic scramble the second your feet hit the floor, or you start the day already stressed, foggy, grumpy, or behind before school has even started, this episode is for you. There's a specific 10 minute morning routine that changes everything, and summer is the perfect window to build it before school starts back up. Today Leslie walks you through the exact morning routine she recommends to teens and college students. It's not the basic "make your bed and eat breakfast" version most people talk about. It's a nervous system informed routine that helps you set your day up on your terms so you're in control of it instead of being run by it. In this episode you'll hear why summer is the ideal window to build a new habit (the 21 day myth explained), why teen sleep naturally shifts later during these years and what that means for school mornings, and the enhanced 10 minute morning routine that most experts don't talk about but that changes the entire day. The basic morning routine most students already follow and where it falls shortWhy night before prep (clothes, backpack, breakfast) removes 80% of the morning stressThe 10 minute nervous system morning routine step by stepWhy physically writing your intentions beats typing them (there's real science behind this)Why your phone doesn't belong in your bedroom (and what to put there instead)The "who do I want to be today" question that changes how you show upHow to give this a two week trial run as a summer self improvement project Parents: This is a great episode if your teen's mornings tend to be rushed, stressful or they're anxious. This morning routine is teen sized (10 minutes), grounded in nervous system regulation, and doesn't require a giant lifestyle overhaul. The bonus for parents: kids who wake up and journal instead of grabbing a phone are more grounded, present, and are often easier to live with in the morning. Ready to prepare your teen for the biggest transition of their life so far? Whether they're heading off to college as a freshman or transferring from a two year school, the Freshman Formula is a 5 day, self-paced program that covers everything they need to actually thrive on campus, not just survive. Life skills, finding friends, managing time, and how to get support before things ever hit crisis mode. Check it out HERE Connect with Leslie: website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslierosecoaching/

Getting to college is one thing. Thriving there is a completely different skill set, and most freshmen figure it out the hard way while they're also trying to keep up with huge lecture halls, new schedules, and an unfamiliar campus. This episode is the roadmap nobody puts in your orientation packet. Today's guest is Cynthia Coufal, a life coach who spent 36 years working with teens and young adults. She started as a special education teacher, became a school counselor, and now helps young people build the tools to manage anxiety and grow into capable, confident adults In this episode you'll hear tips from both Leslie and Cynthia on: The 4 phases of first semester (honeymoon, dip, defining window, recovery) and what to expect during eachWhy the dip that hits around week 3 to 6 does NOT mean something is wrong with youThe Stockdale Paradox and why blind optimism is actually the thing that sinks freshmen the hardestWhy reframing your anxious thoughts changes what your brain looks for evidence ofHow to make friends when you don't know a single person (and why signing up for a bunch of clubs is smarter than picking one)Why routines and schedules matter way more than they feel like they shouldWhy "showing up for yourself" is a life skill that starts in college and never stopsThe sleep and academic performance research that will change how you think about pulling all nightersHow the pace of college testing is different from high school and what to do about itWhy you should map out the counseling center, tutoring center, and office hours BEFORE you need themHow to self advocate the second something starts to slip instead of waiting until it falls apart For more on Cynthia Coufal: Website: https://www.betterregulatethannever.com/ Podcast: The Teen Anxiety Maze Grab Leslie's free guide: The Ultimate College Move-In Checklist Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or young adult resolve weight and unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Website: leslierosecoaching.comInstagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoachingFacebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching

If you're a teen seeking more independence and you want to start handling things on your own, or if you're planning on moving into your own place and feeling a little unsure of how to prepare, this episode is for you. Katie Kimball, founder of Raising Healthy Families, breaks down the three life skills that will change everything about how you show up in the world once you leave home, and how to start proving to yourself (and your parents) that you're ready. Today's guest is Katie Kimball, a former teacher, two time TEDx speaker, mom of four, and the creator of the Teens Cook Real Food course and the Life Skills Now virtual summer camp. She also blogs at Kitchen Stewardship. Her mission is to connect families around healthy food, teach every kid to cook, and instill the life skills that make young adults actually thrive when they leave home. In this episode you'll hear the three core life skills every teen needs before leaving home -- which skill unlocks the others, why one third of teens are struggling with anxiety right now and how life skills work as an anti-anxiety tool. You'll also get the exact script to use with your parents when you want more independence. Plus, Katie's simple formula for making killer introductions so you're the favorite person in any room. Here's what you'll discover: Why communication (without your thumbs) is the number one skill most teens are missing The simple question-asking habit that makes you great at conversation instantly The "art of awesome introductions" formula that makes you the person everyone wants to be around Why cooking is the gateway life skill and what "cooking" actually means (hint: not the microwave) The bucket of proof concept and how it builds real confidence you can actually feel Why failure in the kitchen is one of the best gifts your brain will ever get The UCLA research on teens with a sense of purpose (and how cooking gives you one on demand) Why "bank account balance budgeting" is destroying your money and what to do instead How compound interest works and why understanding it as a teen changes everything The Venn diagram approach to earning independence with your parents The exact line to use when you and your parents are not on the same page about how much freedom you should have Why the friends you keep matter (make friends with people who care about their lives) Parents: This is a really useful episode to listen to alongside your teen. Katie unpacks why the "failure to launch" pattern is so common right now, what actually builds resilience and confidence in a teen (spoiler: not being told they're strong, but proving it to themselves through real skills), and how to think about the gradual separation of the teen years as a healthy process instead of a stressful one. Her three-part framework (communication, cooking, finances) gives you and your teen something concrete to work on together this summer or this school year. Connect with Katie here: Teens Cook Real Food eCourse Kitchen Stewardship eBooks Website: https://raisinghealthyfamilies.com/HealthyTeenLife Connect with Leslie: Parents: Ready to talk through what your teen is navigating and what kind of support would actually help?  Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or college build healthier habits, while improving confidence and self-esteem. Headed to College? Grab Leslie's Ultimate College Move-In Checklist   Website: https://leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/leslierosecoaching Facebook: https://facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

If you've ever lost weight, gained it back, and convinced yourself it must be a willpower problem, this episode is for you. Kamy's whole message is the opposite. Excess weight in a teen is almost never about willpower, the food itself, or how much you move. It's a symptom of something deeper that nobody has helped you name yet. Today's guest is Kamy Moussavi, founder of Step Together, an organization that helps families address the true roots of children's excess weight (which Kamy sees as emotional stress, undiagnosed ADHD patterns, family dynamics, and life overwhelm, not just food). Kami grew up overweight and spent more than two decades cycling through Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, restrictive diets, fasting, binge eating, and bulimia before he finally realized none of it was working because none of it was addressing what was actually happening underneath.   In this episode you'll hear why weight is a symptom and not the root problem, why diet and exercise alone don't break the cycle, the simple pattern recognition tool you can start using tonight, why your developing brain literally cannot do this work on its own (and what to do about that), how to have the kind of conversation with your parents that actually helps, the dopamine rerouting tools that can stand in for food when emotions hit, and why parents have to lead with role modeling instead of lecturing if anything is going to change.   Why excess weight in teens is almost never about willpower or food itself The yo yo cycle and what actually drives it underneath Why parents focusing on the food alone keeps the loop going The pattern recognition tool (catalog what happened before the ice cream, not just the ice cream) Why your frontal lobe is still developing into your mid 20s and what that means for impulse control How to ask a parent for support without making it worse Why "hold the space, don't jump to solutions" is the most powerful thing a parent or friend can do The dopamine rerouting list (touch, play, creativity, movement, social connection) Why connecting how food makes you FEEL is more powerful than counting calories Why a strong "why" matters more than any meal plan How a parent role modeling new habits rewires what their teen absorbs at home   Parents: This is one of the most important episodes for any parent of a teen who is struggling with their weight, with restrictive eating, with binge eating, or with the sense that food has quietly become bigger than it should be. Kamy's central message is one that almost every weight focused program misses: the focus should not be on your child at all, it should be on what the home environment and the emotional ecosystem are teaching them. He shares specific ways to role model the behavior you want to see, hold space when your teen is struggling, and become the parent your teen comes to instead of the parent your teen hides from. Listen with your teen if you can.   Heads up before you dive in: This episode talks openly about excess weight, binge eating, bulimia, restrictive dieting, weight shame, and the emotional roots underneath all of it. If any of this feels heavy for you right now, please take care of yourself and come back when you're ready, or listen with a parent or trusted adult nearby. If you've been struggling with these patterns for months or longer, please reach out to a professional for support.   Step Together website:  steptogether.com   Connect with Leslie: Ready to talk through what your teen is navigating and what kind of support would actually help? Book a free clarity call with Leslie at leslierosecoaching.com/chat/   Grab Leslie's free guide: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better Without Making Things Worse Website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoaching Facebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer