Counselor Chat Podcast

August doesn’t have to feel like a whirlwind of late nights, unlaminated posters, and cold cups of coffee. I'll share the 10 intentional steps I'm taking this summer to avoid the dreaded back-to-school chaos—and how you can do the same. From organizing your counseling office (yes, both paper files and those prehistoric Google Docs) to prepping data tools, small group plans, and even your go-to “co...

Are you navigating a new caseload structure this year? Wondering how to divide the work with a co-counselor without splitting the heart of your program? In this episode, I'm sharing practical strategies and real-life examples of caseload division that works—plus the bumps to avoid. You’ll learn: 📚 The most common caseload split models (Alphabet, Grade-Level, MTSS, and more) 🧠 The benefits—and dr...

This week on Counselor Chat, we’re taking a break from the heavy stuff and diving into a little mid-summer magic. It’s a personal episode full of recommendations, reflections, and fun finds that are keeping me grounded, growing, and even a little more organized during these sunny months. Here’s what I’m sharing: 📚 What I’m Reading 🎧 What I’m Listening To 📺 What I’m Watching 🥗 What I’m Cooking...

In this candid solo episode, I get real about mid-summer counselor burnout. If you’ve been feeling tired, guilty for not “doing more,” or wondering why you’re not excited for back-to-school season—this conversation is your permission slip to hit pause and actually recharge. I'm sharing personal stories, actionable reflection questions, and why summer isn’t a competition for productivity—it’s a cha...

In this inspiring guest takeover, Kansas-based counselor Cassie Good shares how starting an Advisory Council changed everything—from how her role was viewed to how she spent her time. What You’ll Learn: Why advisory councils aren’t optional—they’re transformational Real-world examples of using data to advocate for your time and impact How Cassie reduced non-counseling tasks with support from admin...

🎙️ Episode Title: That One Student – Ending the Year with Impact In this powerful episode of Counselor Chat , Carol shares the emotional story of “that one student” — or in her case, an entire family — who made a lasting impact during the school year. From crisis to resilience, you'll hear how four siblings reminded her why school counselors do this work, even when it’s messy, hard, and uncertain....

This week on Counselor Chat , we’re getting personal—and a little behind-the-scenes. 🎧 Episode 114: Conference Confidential – The Backstage Tour of the Summer Counselor Conference In this episode, I’m sharing how the Summer Counselor Conference came to life—from the spark of an idea to a community of thousands of counselors learning together from the comfort of their homes. ✨ Inside this episode...

In this heartfelt episode, I'm sharing a mix of laughter, encouragement, and reflection for school counselors wrapping up the year. Drawing from letters written by real counselors, this episode offers wisdom to tuck away for ...

What happens when grief becomes your unexpected companion—but also your teacher? In this heartfelt  Podcast Takeover , guest host  Carol Colao  opens up about guiding children through grief in her school counseling role, sharing signs,&nbsp...

As school counselors, we tend to spotlight the big moments—graduations, awards, and final grades. But what about the  small wins ? The quiet growth, the subtle progress, and the unseen impact? In this uplifting episode, I'm sharin...

Surviving school counseling? Sure, it’s doable. But thriving in it? That takes intention. In this episode, Carol shares the 5 non-negotiables that help counselors stay grounded, confident, and impactful—no matter what time of year it is. Whether you're wrapping up the school year or planning ahead, these five foundational pillars will support your work (and your wellness). What You’ll Learn: How b...

Between testing, field trips, and students bouncing off the walls, May can be chaotic. But even during the busiest weeks of the school year, you can make meaningful moves for Mental Health Awareness Month—without adding more to your calendar. In this episode of Counselor Chat, I’m sharing quick, creative, and practical ways to promote mental wellness at school without burning yourself out. What Yo...

In this episode of Counselor Chat, we’re exploring one of the most important (and exciting!) aspects of school counseling: promoting self-discovery . Forget the "find yourself in a forest" narrative — we're talking about real, practical strategies to help students uncover who they are, what they're great at, and how to channel that into meaningful goals. What You’ll Learn: Fun and effective ways t...

In this heartfelt episode of Counselor Chat , we’re diving into something every school counselor faces: when a student you once saw regularly suddenly fades from view. Whether it's due to schedules, emotions, or avoidance, reconnection is possible—and often starts with something small. 🧠 Here’s what we’ll explore: Common reasons students stop checking in—and why it’s not about you How to send a l...

In this episode, we’re cracking open the (possibly chaotic) game closet to help you survive and thrive this spring with low-prep, high-impact games. 🧠 What You’ll Learn: Why spring is the perfect time for play-based counseling Go-to games like Feeling Charades, Coping Skills Memory Match, and Compliment Circle Quick & easy activities for those zero-prep, five-minute-group days (Four Corners,...

It’s that time of year again. The sun is trying to shine, test season is in full swing, and your to-do list just grew its own to-do list. Before the end-of-year whirlwind sweeps you away, it’s time for some spring cleaning —but not just for your desk. In this episode, we’re talking about: 🧹 How to declutter your calendar by identifying what truly matters 📬 Strategies to clean up your email inbox...

Feeling like May and June are just a chaotic blur of testing, field trips, and students who’ve forgotten how to sit in chairs? Same. But believe it or not, it’s actually the perfect time to run small groups—and in this episode, I’m sharing exactly why. ✨ In this episode, you'll learn: Why spring is secretly the best time for small groups 3 small group themes that make a big impact fast Quick idea...

In this episode of Counselor Chat , we’re doing a mid-year check-in to reflect, reassess, and reframe our approach so we can make the rest of the school year impactful and fulfilling. What We Cover: Reflecting on Goals: What were your original goals, and how are they holding up? Celebrating Your Wins: Why it’s essential to recognize small victories and how to celebrate them. Addressing What’s Not...

March is Self-Harm Awareness Month , and as school counselors, we need to be prepared. In this episode, we cover how to recognize the warning signs, approach students with care, and provide them with real, effective coping strategies. This is a heavy topic—but you are not alone. By the end of this episode, you’ll have practical steps to confidently support students who self-harm, without feeling o...

Want to make your lessons fun and engaging without feeling like a stand-up comedian? The energy you bring into your classroom can make or break student engagement. In this episode, we dive into simple ways to bring enthusiasm, structure, and interaction to your lessons—without adding extra work to your plate. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ Why your energy sets the tone for engagement ✔️ The easiest way to...

🎉 100 episodes! Can you believe it? This milestone is all thanks to YOU—our amazing community of school counselors who tune in, take action, and make a difference every single day. Whether you’ve been listening since episode one or just found Counselor Chat , I’m beyond grateful for your support. This podcast started as a simple idea—to create a space where school counselors could get practical s...

Crisis situations in schools are unpredictable—but your response doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Counselor Chat , we’re diving into Crisis Management 101: what to do before, during, and after a crisis to ensure the best possible support for your students, staff, and yourself. From grief and loss to natural disasters and mental health emergencies, we’ll cover the key steps to handling crises...

What if making your counseling program more effective didn’t require a total overhaul? In this episode of Counselor Chat , we’re talking about small, strategic changes that can create major improvements—without adding more to your plate. From simple check-in boards to five-minute classroom visits, these easy tweaks will help you better connect with students, streamline your work, and make a lastin...

Self-care has been marketed to us as bubble baths, spa days, and green juices—but let’s be real, school counselors don’t always have that kind of time. In this episode, we’re breaking down what self-care really looks like when you’re juggling a full caseload, endless emails, and back-to-back student crises. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The truth about self-care that no one talks about Why sa...

Happy National School Counseling Week! While we’ve already talked about ways to celebrate (check out Episode 94 if you missed it), today we’re taking it one step further—by creating a vision board for your school counseling program. A vision board isn’t just a fun craft project; it’s a powerful tool for goal setting, advocacy, and intentionality in your counseling program. Whether you’re focusing...