Embers

For the May edition of Embers, we are elated to be joined by two amazing athletes and Mainers, Eavan O’Neill and Skyler Samuelson Espinoza. In 2020 Eavan was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Stargardt's Disease that causes vision loss. Following her diagnosis and the onset of the pandemic, Eavan took to the outdoors by running, which soon grew into a passion. A year later, Eavan ran th...

Earlier this month our Embers podcast hosts, Levi and Lyla, led a workshop at the New England Youth Identity Summit showing other teens the power of podcasting. The usual hosts took a backseat in this month's edition and allowed the workshop’s participants to engage in a meaningful conversation which was recorded and compiled into the most recent episode. Give it a listen to get a glimpse into the...

This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with Bowdoin student, writer, and New England Youth Identity Summit keynote speaker, Weatherspoon. Together they discussed the role of art and expression in emotional wellbeing. Tune in to hear from this inspiring author!

This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with marathon runner and Olympic gold medalist, Joan Benoit Samuelson, along with Maine Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year, Ruth White. Together they discussed the role that movement, community, and sports can play in our emotional wellbeing. Tune in to listen to this inspiring episode!

In the latest episode of our podcast, Embers, the Valo teens sat down with author and environmental activist, Rick Bass, for a conversation on the role that young people play in climate activism. Together they explored climate anxiety, the importance of empowering youth, and the energy that comes from focusing on what stirs your heart. You won't want to miss this episode!

The core of our program's work is creating meaningful connection through conversations. Any time we have a chance to partner with a nonprofit and talk, all the better. In this month’s episode of our podcast, Embers, we sat down with our friends at Maine Boys to Men. Together, we had an important conversation about male vulnerability and explored the impact it has on emotional wellbeing and the way...

This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with three folks from NAMI Maine who are a part of the NAMI Teen & YA Help Line. Together they discussed the importance of peer support and ways that young people and adults can help those youth who are struggling with their mental health. Whether you are a teen looking for support, or an adult hoping to learn more about resources to benefit t...

This month, Valo teens connected with a youth ambassador at the Yellow Tulip Project! Together they had an insightful conversation about their organizations, youth mental health, and how adults can support them. You won't want to miss this episode!

In this episode, Valo teens Levi and Lyla explore the impact of social media on the lives of young people. In the episode, they field parent questions about Snap Maps to screen time boundaries - and everything in between. Those with youth in their lives won't want to miss this candid and insightful conversation!

This month, the Valo teens share reflections of their experience at the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, and the impression that it left on them. They also had the chance to sit down with Valo's Executive Director, Dana Anderson, and to hear her talk about how it felt to be the beneficiary, a decade since Valo's very first retreat.  Finally, they all shared their optimism about the ways the TD Beach to Bea...

This month, the Valo teens sat down to ask each other questions from our teen conversation prompt deck (Curious? You can grab a digital copy here: https://shorturl.at/mDG25 We have been using these prompts as a way to keep the conversation going outside of Valo retreats. They're great to bring to dinner, while traveling, or heading out for a walk! Curious about what questions they asked and what t...

As we dive into summer, our teens sat down to have a conversation about their daily habits connected to exercise, sleep, and nutrition. They talk about setting rhythms to support their emotional wellbeing. Curious about what they had to say—and what we might learn from them? Come along!

In honor of raising awareness and reducing the stigma, the Valo teens share a bit about how they support the mental health of their friends and loved ones. What they share is potent and can help us reflect on how we can all care for those in our circles. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this month’s episode, the Valo teens share a bit about their experiences at the New England Youth Identity Summit, including what inspired them following their enlightening day. Come along!

This month on the embers podcast, the Valo teens shared about their wellbeing and described ways that Valo supports their emotional health. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, Valo teens share their views of climate change and actions they are taking to do their part. They also describe how they stay hopeful amidst the crisis. Together, they explore what they find challenging and where they find light in the darkness. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, Valo teens share their thoughts on new year's resolutions. Together, they consider how resolutions can feel both empowering and challenging. They also reflect on the impact of intentionally shifting our routines to benefit emotional wellbeing. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, the Valo teens talk about what it looks like to be yourself–spaces where they feel they can show up as themselves, and other situations where it's harder to. The perspectives they shared left us reflective and hopeful for the ways that we can help everyone to feel seen and heard. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, the Valo teens talk about social media and the ways it influences their lives, including body image, relationships, and their overall sense of mattering. The perspectives they shared left us reflective and optimistic, as we look to this generation to lead the way in how we cultivate intentionality within our digital lives. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!

our relationship with our phones by Valo

In this episode of embers, the valo teens share their perspectives about mental wellbeing. In their conversation, they explore the many layers of mental health and the various avenues to support their own and others' emotional wellness. Their thoughts and ideas left us feeling ready to continue to engage youth in conversations about this important topic. Curious? Come along!

In this episode of embers, the teens dove into the topic of social media and how it feels to push pause. Through their conversation, these insightful teens uncover some of the benefits of having digital connection available at our fingertips, but also (and more enlightening to us!) how boundaries can help us feel refreshed. What they said left us feeling intrigued and optimistic. Curious? Come alo...

In this episode of embers, our teens discussed the topic of friendship between people of different genders. Together, they explored what can make those friendships difficult as well as rewarding. They also shared their hopes for ways society can support these relationships, and how we all might shift to become less judgmental. What they said left us feeling lifted and optimistic. Curious? Come alo...

In this episode of embers, our teens dove into the topic of perfectionism...together they explored why so many teens feel the need to be "perfect" and the impact that can have on mental health. What they shared left us curious and hopeful... Wanna hear what they had to say? Come along!

In this episode of embers, we're giving you a glimpse into our new book, valo: lighting a pathway to teen connection, launching on May 5th. After the valo teens read a short passage from the chapter, Gather Round: Two Ears, One Mouth, they each share how it lands with them...curious about what they had to say? Come along!