Secrets for an Awesome Life

Social media, video games, YouTube—they’re designed to be fun, right? Sure. But they’re also designed to trap you . Tech companies don’t just hope you stay on their platforms… they engineer them to be addictive. In this episode, Joey Mascio exposes The Hooked Model from Nir Eyal’s Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and reveals how apps and games use triggers, variable rewards, and investm...

Are you living in defense mode , constantly reacting to stress and pressure? Or are you in discover mode , where curiosity and courage lead the way? This week, we’ll learn how to shift out of survival mode and into thriving mode, unlocking more confidence, motivation, and fun. Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check it out on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@sidekickt...

Too many young men today feel lost—no purpose, no mission, no direction. But why? And more importantly, how do you fix it? In this episode, Joey Mascio breaks down the crisis of masculinity , the loss of heroic values, and the rise of passive living. Drawing from Jordan Peterson, Viktor Frankl, and the principles of CBT, Joey gives young men (and the parents raising them) real, actionable steps to...

Gen Z traded real-world play for endless scrolling—and it left them anxious, lonely, and stuck. This week, we’re talking about free play —why Gen Z lost it and how bringing it back can make you more confident, socially smarter, and emotionally stronger. If you want to break free, it’s time to put down the phone and start playing for real! Loved this audio? You should see the video version! Check i...

Season 6 Begins!! Struggling to get your tween or teen to do the hard things in life—like homework, chores, or even just stepping out of their comfort zone? In this episode, Joey Mascio dives into why avoiding difficult tasks makes life harder and how tackling them head-on makes it better. Using a hilarious real-life story about his 9-year-old refusing to take medicine, Joey explains why some thin...

In the final episode of this series, Joey Mascio breaks down the third Great Untruth from The Coddling of the American Mind: “Life is a battle between good people and evil people.” Joey explains why this “us vs. them” mindset is harmful and how to see people as more than labels or groups. Learn how to practice civil discourse, build understanding, and connect with others—even when you don’t agree....

In this second episode of the Great Untruths series, Joey Mascio explores the dangers of always trusting your feelings. Using the metaphor of the elephant (emotions) and the rider (logic), Joey breaks down why emotional reasoning can lead us astray and how to take back control. Learn how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you guide your “elephant” and why assuming the best in others is ke...

In this first episode of a three-part series, Joey Mascio tackles the first Great Untruth from The Coddling of the American Mind : “What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker.” It is often suggested to teens today, either directly or indirectly, that they should avoid difficult experiences, but avoiding hardships can actually prevent you from growing stronger. Joey explains why facing challenges is cr...

Have you ever wondered who you truly are? In this episode, Joey Mascio dives into how to uncover your values, discover your mission, and become the "most accurate" version of yourself. Through practical tips, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tools, and Sidekick to Hero principles, Joey explains how to identify your purpose without the influence of outside pressures. Learn how to live by your val...

In this episode, Joey Mascio dives into the truth about failure: it’s simply when reality doesn’t match our expectations. Learn why failure feels personal and how not to let it define you. Through stories from Apple’s early struggles, actionable advice, and wisdom from thought leaders, Joey offers a fresh way to tackle failure for tweens and teens. Discover how to turn setbacks into comebacks and...

Change is a constant part of life, especially for teens. Whether it’s something small like a schedule change or something huge like moving to a new school or dealing with a family breakup, change can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Joey Mascio breaks down two levels of change: the small, everyday disruptions, and the big, life-altering events. Learn how to roll with the punches, handle shiftin...

Ever feel like someone else always gets the cool stuff, and you’re left behind? In this episode of Secrets for an Awesome Life , we’re talking jealousy—what causes it, how it messes with your confidence, and how to kick it to the curb! Plus, I’ll share one powerful secret for turning those envious feelings into something awesome instead.  -- My gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to...

Imagine losing everything–job, family, money, home, even your ability to walk... could you go on? Jason Mow did. That kind of resilience is something Jason calls being a true warrior. He shares his story and how teens can rise up when life knocks them down on today's show. Jason Mow is a military veteran, a former police officer and army SWAT member. He is an author of the book series "The War Cha...

Feeling down because of gloomy weather? In this episode, I’ll break down the science behind why rainy days mess with our moods and, more importantly, how you can turn it around! From pulling out your own "sun" to simple mood-boosting hacks like eating certain foods and moving around, you’ll get 7 tips to brighten any dreary day. Perfect for teens (and their parents!) who want to learn how to contr...

Your parents, teachers, and other adults will often give you advice that is sooooo cliché! But, it's also kinda true. Being able to find the truth in even the most cliché phrase like "believe in yourself" is a useful skill. Clichés are cliché for a reason. They work! You just have to find how it works for you. -- My new gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! G...

Special guest Nicholeen Peck talks to teens about how life is about more than just what we want. We gotta throw in what we ought in there as well. If not, we are likely to miss the mark on important things in life, like relationships, success, happiness, and more. Nicholeen talks about the importance of balancing what we WANT with what we OUGHT, which is that part of us deep inside that knows what...

Cell phones are starting to be banned in schools across the country. Teens are revolting! But, having a cell phone with you while you're trying to learn is kinda like having a flamethrower on while you're trying to ice sculpt. It's counterproductive. Become more okay with not having a smart phone in class, or even one at all, and you'll be happier, more focused, and more effective. -- My new gamif...

Not knowing who you are can cause a teen to feel lost, confused, and unmotivated. But, a simple separation of your core qualities from your character can help teens retain a powerful sense of who they are while they grow, change, and adapt throughout life. Katie Shields, coach and mentor to families, teaches an effective way of viewing your identity that will help teens know who they are. Connect...

A teen's life does NOT need to be full of drama. Drama is conflict and the bulk of it comes from or is magnified by our minds. As much as movies, music, and tv shows glamorize drama, it's not helpful or very fun. Teens can and totally should minimize the drama in their lives. -- Check out the new Crucial Life Skills Classes for homeschool tweens and teens produced by Sidekick to Hero at www.joeyma...

Many tweens and teens are afraid of going back to school for lots of reasons: social pressure, boring classes, hard work, awkward moments. But these things shouldn't be feared, they should be embraced! They are a part of life and if you're experiencing them, that means you're living. Stop being afraid of going back to school and start getting excited for all the potential and possibilities life pr...

We all make mistakes. We all feel embarrassed. But, turning that embarrassment into shame is something that none of us has to do. Today, I talk to tweens and teens about how we level up embarrassment into the deeper, more personal feeling of shame, and how to stop from doing that. -- My new gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktohero.com to...

Before a performance, or taking a test, or talking to someone new, you can pump yourself up using awesome strategies called visualization and embodiment. I talk with teen life coach Lindsay Law about how to imagine your way to more success! Connect with Lindsay at www.youthrisingcoach.com -- My new gamified mindset training app for teens, Sidekick to Hero, is available now! Go to www.sidekicktoher...

Things are easier when you clearly communicate what you want from your parents, siblings, and friends. But teens often fall into the trap of "dropping hints" and hoping that other people can read their mind. Speaking clearly is more than just not mumbling quietly, it's content communicating. I cover how to do that and why you should in today's episode. -- Watch this week's Message 4 Monday video o...

There will be plenty of people out there willing to tell you how you can make lots of money without doing any work. Those people are liars and are trying to take your money. Nothing comes without hard work! Money, relationships, education, nothing! In this episode, I share a story of how I was duped last year by a ponzi scheme and I share the lesson I (re)learned from it (and how much money I lost...

In today's episode, discover the top tips from Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad Poor Dad" that teens need for lifelong financial stability. Learn the difference between an asset and a liability, which one to focus on, and how to improve your cash flow. Boost your financial confidence and future success with these essential money management strategies for teens. -- Get 50% Off the first three months of...