Teen Vibes Unleashed

This episode is a MUST-LISTEN for all the teen athletes & parents out there. Inspired by Zoey’s recovery from a concussion and Phoebe’s challenge of balancing soccer and volleyball, I started wondering: how can teens stay strong, recover well, and manage the demands of sports, school, and life? To help us figure it all out, I’ve brought in a special guest – my awesome trainer, Hannah! Hannah i...

In this episode, we dive into the highs and challenges of starting high school with a special conversation about the first month as a freshman. We discuss expectations vs. reality, managing the demands of school, volleyball, church, and social life, and the impact of a concussion that forced some unexpected time off. We cover everything from balancing priorities and peer pressure to overcoming set...

In this episode of our back-to-school series, we’re thrilled to have Timmy, another bonus kid, join us for an in-depth conversation about his unique journey as a homeschooled student who’s also active in public school sports. As we dive into Timmy’s homeschooling experience, he opens up the pros and cons of  his experience and reflects on what he might be missing out on by not attending a tra...

Our special guest today is Kaden, our neighbor who has become like family and one of our beloved “bonus children.” In this episode, we kick off our back-to-school series by chatting with Kaden about his recent switch from public school to charter school. We begin by sharing what "bonus child" means to us, and how Kaden has become such an integral part of our lives as we spend so much time together...

Join us as we explore the emotional journey that follows a transformative church camp experience. In this episode, we reminisce about the highlights of camp—the friendships, spiritual awakenings, and personal growth. We ask important questions to understand what made the camp experience so impactful and how it shaped our faith and relationships. Transitioning back to everyday life can be challengi...

Join us for an insightful episode of "Blended and Blessed: From the Parents' Perspective," where Cody and I share our personal experiences of blending our families. We dive into the unique challenges of merging two boys with three girls, navigating the ups and downs of parenting three teenagers at once, and managing conflicts that arise along the way. With heartfelt stories and practical tips, we...

In this episode of Teen Vibes Unleashed, we dive into the raw and honest experiences of Jamison as he navigates life in a blended family. Jamison shares his journey of going from being an only child in a boys-only household with his dad to adjusting to a new family dynamic that includes sisters and a bonus mom. He opens up about the real challenges and unexpected moments of building relations...

In this heartfelt episode, Phoebe shares her unique perspective on growing up in a blended family. She takes us through the challenges and joys of blending our families. From adjusting to new siblings to finding her place in a larger household, she opens up about the personal experiences that have shaped her journey. Join us as we explore the dynamics of stepfamilies, the importance of communicati...

In this special 4th of July episode of "Teen Vibes Unleashed," we celebrate the spirit of independence by delving into the dynamics of blended families. This episode features an intimate interview with my 14-year-old daughter as she shares her unique perspective on having a bonus parent in her life. We’ll explore the challenges and rewards of integrating new family members, focusing on her persona...

In this episode, Zoey and I talk about my dating choices after the divorce and all the lessons we both learned along the way.  She also shares her insights on how my experiences have influenced her choices in who she dates.  Zoey mentions two "God Moments" in this episode that warm my heart!  Parenting is a delicate balance between fulfilling your children's needs and honoring your...

Phoebe was just 6 years old when we got divorced - that's half her life. Now at 12 years old, she's sharing her unique journey of growth, challenges, and resilience over the years. In this week's episode, we'll dive into her perspective on how she felt about the divorce and how things have changed over the years. Don't miss this heartfelt discussion on how navigating life after divorce from her po...

Zoey talks about writing an essay in the 7th Grade with the headline of "life isn't fair." She shares what she wrote and shared with the class and says that writing helps her process her feelings. Enjoy this extremely vulnerable bonus episode of Zoey sharing her story.

In this episode, I begin by sharing with Zoey the story of how her dad and I met and got married - details she had never heard before, which made me wonder how many kids are unaware of their parents' stories!! Then we dive into some of the highs and lows of our 12 years together, 11.5 of which were spent married. I discuss the lessons I’ve learned in hindsight that could have helped us along the w...

In our introduction episode, meet the Mother-Daughter Co-hosts Julie & Zoey, as we kick off our journey into the highs, lows, and everything in between of teen life. In this episode, we wanted to share what inspired us to start this podcast and highlight some of the topics we must talk about! Whether you're a teen or a parent, we'll give you a taste of what's to come—real vulnerable chats, adv...