Counselor Accents

We’ve been doing a LOT of traveling lately, and one of the best parts has been getting to meet school counselors from different states, different districts, and very different school settings. And while there are definitely some differences across the country, we’ve also noticed something pretty interesting: school counseling has a whole lot in common no matter where you are. In this episode, we’r...

In this episode of Everyone Has a Story , we talk with Holly Wilcox about her experience with childhood trauma and the impact those experiences can have long after the moment has passed. Holly shares her story openly and honestly, giving educators an opportunity to think differently about the students sitting in our classrooms and the stories they may be carrying with them. As school counselors an...

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...

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: Insp...

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...

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. Th...

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...

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 joine...

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 yo...

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...

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 feature...

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. Thi...

🎃 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 wit...

🎃 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...

🎃 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 counse...

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 stu...

🎃 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...

School counselors know the truth — “lunch break” often just means eating over your keyboard, between classroom visits, or while making copies. In this episode, we’re serving up quick, easy, and delicious low-prep or no-prep lunch ideas that will keep you fueled for the whirlwind of your day. From grab-and-go protein options to creative bento box combinations, these tips are designed for busy schoo...

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of being a school counselor: clearly communicating your school counseling role to the staff you work with every day. Whether you're tired of being asked to cover classes or want to build stronger, more collaborative relationships with teachers and administrators, this conversation is for you. You'll h...

Is your desk more "paper avalanche" than productivity zone? You're not alone—and we've got you. In this episode, we're talking all about how to turn your school counseling workspace into a well-oiled, stress-reducing, task-tackling machine. 🧠✨ From creative storage hacks to time-saving desk zones, we’re breaking down what actually works in the real world of school counselin...

🎯 Feeling buried under a never-ending to-do list? You're not alone. In today’s episode, we’re diving into game-changing tools that help school counselors manage the chaos, prioritize what matters most, and stay focused on the heart of the work—kids. 💛 Whether you're a sticky-note warrior or a digital planner pro, these tools will help you work smarter, not harder. ✏️📋⏳ 👉 Tune in and f...

In this episode, we’re talking about Open House—but not the old-school version where you hand out a few school counseling brochures and hope for the best. We’re reimagining this traditional event as a powerful opportunity to advocate for your role , build relationships , and set the tone for the year ahead . You’ll hear fresh, creative ideas for how to make your presence known and your purpose cle...

In this powerful and inspiring episode of the Counselor Accents Podcast , we welcome back our dear friend and brilliant colleague, Steve Sharp . Steve joins us to talk about his latest work, Redesigning Schools to Be Antiracist , where he introduces a practical framework for creating meaningful, lasting change in schools. From understanding why systems often resist change to learning how to disrup...

If you still have a few weeks of summer left, listen to this episode to find out our recommended reading list for school counselors (Fiction Edition). We each are sharing a few of our 5 star fictional book choices. We try to tell you why these books might appeal to you as a school counselor. Let us know if you've read any of these, or if you have a book to suggest! Check out our post about the...

In this powerful and heart-wrenching episode, we speak with Dave Neese, the father of Skylar Neese—a bright, spirited teenager whose life was tragically cut short when she was brutally murdered by two girls she considered her best friends. Dave shares Skylar’s story with honesty, courage, and a deep commitment to preventing similar tragedies. This episode is intended for school counselors, educato...