Abby and Mary check in for the summer and reflect on the past two years of the Ellement podcast. It has been such a journey of personal growth as we've learned through such amazing interviews from some of the best people one could ever meet. We're also going to take this next season to pause and reflect. We will be back as we want to continue to be a positive voice to teens, as well as giving voice to you the issues you care about the most.As you reflect with us, let us know what you want to talk about in future episodes!With much love, Abby and Mary---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!

Gun violence in schools is becoming normalized, and especially teens in schools are processing the news of these regular events in different ways. This episode gives a voice to an often unheard feelings of students. ---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!

Gun Violence, especially when it happens inside of a school, is unfortunately becoming a common occurrence. Not only is it a traumatic experience, it is unimaginable that we have to live with sense of fear in the back of our minds in a place that should be safe.Abby and Mary share a raw conversation about what they feel when they hear the latest news about current shootings.

"When you are a teenager, you know you're trying to find your own way. You're trying to grow into independence, but not quite an adult yet. Do not blow off the adults who do take an interest in you, you know, that teacher who's trying to get the best out of you, the neighbor, it could be the shift manager on your job. Those people are there to support you. And even in the name of independence, that doesn't mean you don't need a mentor, even as an adult. I need a mentor. I'm a motivational speaker, but I need another motivational speaker in my life who's already internationally renowned. I've spoken internationally, but I need people who are beyond where I'm at, who've already been where I'm trying to go. And I think that that's so important not to take the mindset of being so Oh, I've got this I got this. I'm gonna do it myself until you're not taking wisdom from people who can really support you and be part of that village."Wyjuana Montogomery shares how mentorship can be one of life's greatest gifts as we can learn from people who have braved the paths before us. When mentors show up in our lives, Wyjuana shares how we can embrace and honor those who see us and want to invest into who we are working to become.---Wyjuana Montgomery is a highly regarded motivational speaker and conference producer, working with individuals, groups and organizations to empower themselves and their clients to show up authentically and present to the world the best version of themselves. Wyjuana is also the author of The Pain of Being Destined for More: Getting to the Next Level Spiritually, Professionally or Personally.wyjuana.com---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!

A follow up to Abby's interview with Sara Cravens, Abby asks for an impromptu voice lesson on how to make a commercial. Here's what she came up with!

There is significant pressure in our teen years to make a decision on what we want to do for the rest of our lives. From doing all the right things in the right order, to choosing the right college or career path, the weight of these decisions can be overwhelming.The reality is that this burden is make us feel like we have to make all of these decisions perfectly. The paths we choose lead us to continued new paths our entire lives. This story holds true for Sara Cravens, who when she was in high school, didn't even know that voice acting was an occupation. Sara's path unexpectedly led her to becoming a voice actress, and for the last twenty years has worked in a career she loves while being her most authentic self.---Sara Cravens has voiced 1000s of commercials for cars, banks, grub, beverages, tech and a heckuva lot more.You can hear her on Big City Greens on Disney as Skids, TripTank on Comedy Central voicing several characters including Cinderella, Harriet Wolf in Monster High, Emma Stone's voicematch in The Croods and Reese Witherspoon's voicematch in The Good Lie. She is Princess Maribel in Disney's feature The Snow King. And, anime crowds love her as Sachiko in Erased and Child Emperor in One Punch Man and Ghost in the Shell 2045. Sara won Best Supporting Actress in an Anime Movie for her work as Miyako Ishida in A Silent Voice.Sara loves yoga, country music, building stuff in her backyard with power tools, and makes the best from-scratch buttermilk biscuits you've ever tasted. For real. You don’t even know.saracravens.comInstagramTwitter---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!

Self Care is a phrase that many of us have heard, and in recent years, we've begun to learn how important self care is as a part of meditation and practice in our everyday lives. But have you ever focused on self adoration? To take a moment to give yourself feelings of love and celebration? Adoration takes love to a different place and to adore yourself is to create moments of both self love and self care.Laura McCann of ADORAtherapy helps us to understand that we are all divine beings and when we realize that and find the reason we are meant to be here, the world starts to feel very different.---Laura has been an entrepreneur and senior executive in the Fashion and Retail industry for over 20+ years. With a degree in Fashion from Parson’s School of Design Laura has continuously reinvented herself as a CEO, Supply Chain and PLM consultant, Digital Marketing Expert and Startup coach.ADORAtherapy was founded upon the belief that Mother Earth’s abundant resources offer the ability to transform the human experience. Our aroma perfumes lift and shift your mood in the moment, allowing you to tap into your best self. When we have the presence of mind and heart to be more adoring and compassionate with ourselves, this very feeling cascades into the world and all we touch within it. As we individually transform into the best version of ourselves, we weave a new tapestry for humankind, ultimately elevating our collective consciousness.InstagramTikTokadoratherapy.com---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!

The power of positive thinking is incredibly important to understand, especially as we navigate life's hardships. How we think really affects how we feel, how we feel affects how we think, and we all have the power to make the world a better place. But, we each have to bring our own uniqueness to the world in order for everyone to fully receive your gifts. Understanding how our minds are deeply connected to our bodies, and making efforts in learning to choose positivity can provide space for us to be our best selves - even as we learn who our best selves can be.---Deb Mahan is a philanthropist with a background in neuropsychology. She serves as the Executive Director for the Gazette Charities Foundation, providing opportunities to thousands of individuals and families by encouraging self-sufficiency and self-responsibility through community-based impact philanthropy.Connect with Deb Mahan on LinkedIn---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Our lives are complex, and when we are wrestling with questions about important decisions, the answers are not often found by a simple Google search. They are often discovered through a number of one on one connections with other people. Sometimes our friends can help us navigate our tough moments, but when we have access to people who are experts in areas of psychology, health, well-being and sexuality, we can be more equipped to make our best life choices. Elise Schuster is the co-founder of the OkaySo app, which connects users anonymously to different experts, creating a safe and knowledgable space for teens looking for deep wisdom and counsel.---OkaySo is a nonprofit that provides teens with barrier removing access to trained health experts they couldn’t reach any other way using innovative technology and human-centered design. We envision a world where all individuals know and love their bodies, identities, and selves so that they can live freely and authentically as who they truly are. Elise believes that we can grow as human beings only when we have a space where we can be vulnerable yet safe. They've spent their career building these types of spaces. Primarily Elise has done this in sexuality education but has also spent time in comprehensive youth development and medical education.Elise is a skilled facilitator and trainer, systems thinker, communicator, and collaborator. They love building new things and helping them become the best thing they can be. They're always looking for what needs to change in order to make something more efficient, effective, or equitable.okayso.orglinkedin.com/in/eliseschuster---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Black, white, smart, funny, athletic, anxious, confident, short, tall, spiritual, care free… we all wear different lenses of how we see the world. These shape who we are, build into our identity, and each perspective plays an important role as we grow into who we aim to become.We welcome Teah Stern, an Ellement Ambassador to talk about her different intersections of identity and how digging deep into her own self awareness helps her to embrace her beautiful uniqueness.---Hi, I’m Teah! I am 16 years old and attend George Washington High School, where I am part of the IB program, my school's speech and debate team, and vice president and co-founder of the Self-Defense club (We partner with a Krav amigo studio to teach students how to defend themselves in dangerous situations). I am French, fluent in the French language, but I was born and raised in Colorado. My interests include being an avid reader and going on adventures with my friends and family.TiktokInsta---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

When we hear the word sensuality, we tend to think of sex and/or sexuality, even if only subconsciously. This conversation is not centered around either of those things, but instead it is about connecting to our senses - becoming a sensual being. Abby talks with podcast host, author, and sensualist Ev’Yan Whitney about the myths of sensuality, what sensuality means to them, and ways for us to be more in our body and present with our senses. Ev’Yan shares practices that help us to not only hold space for ourselves but to claim our body as our own. ---Ev’Yan Whitney is a Sexuality doula®, somatic practitioner, and sensualist. Since 2011, Ev'Yan has been dedicated to sex education and sexual activism for women and non-binary folks, helping individuals reclaim their unique sexual expressions and reconnect to their sensual bodies. Ev'Yan's work focuses on decolonizing, unshaming, and liberating sexuality at the intersection of identity, pleasure, and embodiment. Ev'Yan is the author of Sensual Self, a forthcoming self-guided journal that will help you come home to yourself through your senses. She also hosts a podcast of the same name. For more about her work go to evyanwhitney.com and follow her on Instagram @evyan.whitney.Instagram---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Have you ever felt anxious about giving a speech in front of a class or inadvertently becoming the center or attention? This version of anxiousness called social anxiety is not a form of introversion or about being shy, rather it is a feeling like everything in a social situation is pointing towards us. Social anxiety comes to life and begins to present itself the most as we become teens. Today we hear Sami share ways to identify the ways social anxiety can show up, as well as give us invaluable tools of how to work through our anxiety in these situations.---knowingup.comSince she was in her teens, Sami Halvorsen has been an expert at feeling anxiety. If there was a world contest for the person who has felt the most anxiety, she just might be the champion! If you’ve ever experienced anxiety, you know how horrible it feels. You also know how it affects every part of your life. In her journey to feel better, she has tried so many different things. (Because when you feel horrible, you basically will do just about anything to feel better!) She studied relentlessly to find the answers and tools that eventually changed her life. She fell so in love with these tools that she knew she had to teach them. She worked very hard to become a Certified Life Coach through the Life Coach School (best program ever). She has taken the knowledge, tools, and skills she has mastered and put them together into programs adapted for teenage girls and young adult women. Instagram---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Music is such a powerful force that connects and brings us together. Bella Wright tells us about how this has inspired her to write music and pursue music as a career.Bella shares what inspires her, what keeps her going, how she listens to the "doubters" in pursuing a career as a songwriter, and even lets us know her "backup plans" if music doesn't work out :)---Bella Wright is an indie folk pop songwriter 🌼🌙 Native to Montana and now studying music composition in Liverpool!InstagramTikTokYoutubeSpotify---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Sex Education has come a long way in the last century, and yet it still has a ways to go. Abby talks with Inclusive Sex Educator Mariah about some things that are often left out of the classroom, and the home. She shares how comprehensive sex education goes beyond sex and the body, it includes conversations, education, and resources that expand to media literacy, consent, pressures, body awareness, relationships, communication, identity (gender and orientation), and more. It is important to know that this conversation does bring up abuse and may be triggering to some. We encourage listening with a trusted adult or friend. If you are needing support or know someone else that is needing support you can call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or get more info at https://www.thehotline.org/. ---InstagramMariah advocates for trauma-informed, pleasure-centered, comprehensive sex ed & shares anonymous Qs from youth!---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Issues being voted on in our local and federal government matter, but it's hard to feel like you can do anything about them - especially when you aren't old enough to vote. Maria Yuan of issuevoter.org helps us navigate how we can play an important role in our politics and how we can have influence right now with issues we care about for today and for our future. ---Maria Yuan first envisioned IssueVoter while managing a State Senate campaign in Iowa, a battleground state known for its voter engagement. Having previously worked for a Representative, she knew how little contact voters have with legislators year-round despite the fact that reps really do count every constituent contact. She thought, “How can we extend engagement beyond elections and keep elected officials accountable? How can we help everyone understand new laws that will affect their daily lives?” Maria founded IssueVoter to give everyone an effective, easy-to-use digital platform to voice their opinions and play an active role in the policymaking process.TikTokInstagramYouTube---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Words are powerful. For non-binary individuals, the use of proper pronouns is a sign of respect and can help them feel seen and heard. For many cisgender people who are working to become advocates for others, there can be a learning curve when it comes to using new pronouns for those who identify as non-binary.Silen Wellington shares their experiences of exploring personal pronouns, making mistakes and learning advocacy. Through their stories and work, Silen sheds light on how the act of using proper pronouns can uplift others in the LGBTQ+ community.---Silen Wellington is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and is striving to make the world a better place as the Alliance for Suicide Prevetion’s LGBTQ+ Youth Outreach Coordinator. Silen believes every young person needs a space to explore who they are and be witnessed for their unique gifts.Silen’s background is in psychology and music composition, and they are passionate about mental health, advocacy, and community building. Outside of work, they enjoy world-building through performance art, harvesting stories, continual transformation, and unhinged-unfettered-unapologetic dance. Silen’s superpower is creating spaces where people feel safe to come closer to their authentic selves.silenwellington.comallianceforsuicideprevention.orgmypronouns.org/what-and-why---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

At any given moment in our lives, we are required to tap into a deep inner strength to see us through. These moments can often surprise us, and they make us stronger. Ellement Teens reflect on some of these key moments in their own lives when GRIT gave them the strength to stand up and push through. ---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Grit… what is it and how can it help me as a teen? Abby brings Charlotte Wasserman of the It’s A Girl’s Life podcast and nonprofit back onto the podcast to dive deeper into this way of being. Charlotte breaks down every aspect of what it means to live with G.R.I.T… Having guts, being resilient, embracing imperfections, and finding your team. Share a time with us that you’ve been gritty to get featured on our next episode.---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Some take challenges in their middle school and high school years and make something of it later in life - today's guest Charlotte, on the other hand, started a non-profit AND a podcast. Her non-profit, It's a Girls Life, is geared at helping young women build resilience and motivation younger in life. Abby and Charlotte talk about how these two things have shown up in their lives and how you can work with them.---Charlotte Wasserman has always dreamed of creating change and impacting other girls. She started a blog for girls in 2015 after facing the typical middle school challenges socially and academically. She wanted to learn how to build confidence, how to stop feeling the need to be perfect, how to find a core group of friends who supported her, and how to bounce back from setbacks.She created It's A Girl's Life because she wanted to share the tools and skills she was learning with other teens. She partnered with a California-based organization to create the first of three GET GRITTY Cleveland events for teen girls. She hosted events in 2019, Spring 2020, and the first virtual event in Fall of 2020.In early 2021, Charlotte decided she wanted to focus her mission and share her vision and passion even further, creating her own 501c3.  It's A Girl's Life was granted official non- profit status in August 2021. It’s A Girl’s Life empowers girls to be R.E.A.L (Resilient, Empowered, Authentic, Leaders) through local and national events and other initiatives.Through this nonprofit, Charlotte and her team continue to create programs, events, and content to connect, support, and motivate teen girls to be unstoppable. ​Charlotte will know she has succeeded once “our educational platform is one of the top resources for teen girls in the nation, and our basic program is available to all girls for free through their local middle and high schools.”---> itsagirlslife.org---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!

Music likely holds some meaning to all of us in different ways. What does music mean to you? Teen musicians join us on this episode as they reflect on just that, the role that music plays in their lives and what motivates them to play. ---In Your Ellement is a teen-hosted podcast covering conversations with teen allies. Sixteen-year-old host and TEDx speaker, Abby Jones, chats with some of the most inspiring educators, creators, and changemakers reflecting on their teen years, what makes them feel the most “in their element” on the daily, and things they wish they had known as a teenager.------> Check out our website!---> Join our sister organization the ellement collective at their next workshop in Colorado!