The Generation Youth Podcast with James McLamb

Ep. #141: Can Teens and Young Adults Master Their Future? With Sai Vasam

Can Teens and Young Adults Master Their Future? With Sai Vasam
 
🔥✨ Why do so many young people feel stuck, even after doing “all the right things”? 🎓💡 In today’s episode, James McLamb connects with Sai Vasam, an educator, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Self-Investor. 🚀 Together, they uncover surprising truths about the challenges facing today’s teens and young adults. 🎤📘Their conversation 🎧🌍 shines a light on what’s beneath the surface of success 💎 and invites listeners to rethink what it really takes to move forward with confidence. 💪🔑 If you’re a student, recent graduate 🎓📈, or a parent guiding the next generation, this episode will challenge assumptions 🧩 and spark a fresh perspective 🌱🌈.
Learn more about Sai Vasam:
🌐Website: https://www.saivasam.com/ 
💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sai-vasam/ 📗Get your copy of Self-Investor on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3V8VkKl 
Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:08) Sai Vasam’s story
(4:58) Quarter-life crisis support
(9:22) Identity over results
(11:40) Role models for young men
(14:07) Spotting when someone’s stuck
(21:18) First client transformation
(25:56) Four keys to growth
(32:05) Parent tips for struggling young adults
(35:55) Outro

Ep. #140: How Do Kids Really Find Purpose? With Shannon Anderson

How Do Kids Really Find Purpose? With Shannon Anderson
 
What if kids could see how today’s learning 📚 shapes tomorrow’s future? 🌟 In this week’s inspiring episode of The Generation Youth Podcast, James McLamb talks with Shannon Anderson about purpose 🎯, motivation 💪, and building resilience 🔑. From sparking curiosity in the classroom 🏫 to guiding young adults 🎓 toward direction, you’ll discover practical insights to help the next generation grow with confidence ✨.
Shannon Anderson is a children’s author ✍️, TEDx speaker 🎤, professor 🎓, and brain coach 🧠 with over 25 years of teaching experience. Recognized nationally 🏆 for her impact in education, she now inspires students, educators, and parents through books 📖, keynotes 🌍, and coaching 💡 that unlock potential and spark lasting growth 🌱.
Find out more about Shannon Anderson:
🌐Website: https://www.shannonisteaching.com/ 
💬Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.b.anderson.58 ✍️X: https://x.com/Shannonteaches 📸IG: https://www.instagram.com/shannonisteaching/ 
💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonisteaching/ ▶️YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShannonAnderson/featured 
Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:20) Shannon introduces her background
(4:40) Connecting schoolwork to real careers
(7:19) Ikigai: The four keys to purpose
(11:53) Why mentors matter more than lectures
(16:10) Real-world experiences shape direction
(26:19) Purpose helps kids find belonging
(29:59) Praising effort Vs praising ability
(38:14) Helping young adults who feel lost
(42:30) Growth mindset through children’s books
(48:41) Outro

Ep. #139: Can Teachers Truly Save the Next Generation? With Justin Pickens

✨ What if the hardest seasons of life revealed your true calling? In this moving episode of The Generation Youth Podcast, host James McLamb 🎧 chats with Justin Pickens 🌱, who turned his story of adversity into a message of hope 💡. From battling the effects of a high ACE score 📊 to rediscovering his passion for education 📚, Justin shares powerful lessons on overcoming burnout 🔥, embracing purpose ✨, and creating lasting impact 🌍. Together, they share honest reflections and practical advice that will encourage teachers, parents, and anyone who feels stretched thin to find strength 💪 and meaning in their work.Justin Pickens is a teacher 📚, coach 🏀, storyteller 🎤, and encourager ✨ with a gift for turning hardship into hope. Having grown through adversity 🌪️ and come back stronger 💪, he now pours into educators and leaders with wisdom born from experience. His mission: to help others rediscover the joy of teaching 🎓, the strength of calling, and the quiet power to change lives, one student at a time 🌍.
Connect with Justin Pickens:
🌐Website: https://justinpickens.com/ 
📧Email: justin@justinpickens.com 
💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-pickens/ 
📞Call: 913-238-7668
Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:55) Who is Justin Pickens?
(3:20) Overcoming adversity and ACE score
(5:48) Leaving teaching and lessons learned
(14:29) Teacher burnout Vs. Human burnout
(19:30) Permission to be “above average”
(28:54) Prayer, breathing, and perspective
(32:22) Ripple effects of teaching
(40:46) Outro

Ep. #138: Why Are Teens Struggling So Much with Discipline? With Dave Christensen

Why Are Teens Struggling So Much with Discipline? With Dave Christensen
 
🔥 How do you build rock-solid discipline and resilience? 🤔💥 In this episode, 🎙️ James McLamb links up with Coach Dave Christensen—legendary football coach 🏈 turned keynote speaker 🎤 and leadership expert. 🏆 With 40 years of molding athletes into champions at powerhouse programs like Missouri, Wyoming, and Texas A&M, Christensen knows exactly what it takes to build a winning mindset. 💡💪
 
🚀 They dive into the power of discipline, daily habits 💯, and why structure is the secret weapon for young people—even if they don’t see it yet. ⏳🔑 Plus, Coach Christensen breaks down his ADAPT game plan 🏁—a next-level strategy for bouncing back from setbacks and unlocking success. 🎯🔥
Learn more about Dave Christensen:
Website: https://www.coachchristensen.com/ 
Email: dave.christensen18@gmail.com 
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/CoachChristensen 
Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:28) Who is Dave Christensen?
(3:27) How mentorship shaped Dave’s life and career
(6:01) Discipline, expectations, and accountability for teens
(11:03) Building better habits in youth
(17:21) The ADAPT game plan explained
(21:23) Practical tips for parents to instill discipline in kids
(24:10) Helping young adults who struggle with discipline
(27:20) Breaking bad habits, developing self-awareness and accountability
(30:25) How to connect with coach Christensen
(32:35) Outro

Ep. #137: Are We Teaching Kids the Wrong Way to Handle Bullying? With Justin Larsen

Are We Teaching Kids the Wrong Way to Handle Bullying? With Justin Larsen
 
🔥 What if how we teach kids to handle bullying is making things worse? 🤯 In today’s episode of The Generation Youth Podcast, 🎙️ James McLamb welcomes Justin Larson 🏆, a speaker, educator, and founder of LarsenMotivates 🚀, who shares his raw and powerful journey from being bullied 😞 to becoming a voice for youth empowerment 💪✨ specializing in conflict resolution and anti-bullying strategies 🛑📢.
 
Together, they expose why “just ignore it” doesn’t work ❌, how bullying affects confidence into adulthood 😰, and a game-changing 🕶️ method that helps students stand up for themselves—without making things worse. ⚡💡 Whether you're a parent 👨‍👩‍👦, educator 🎓, or teen 🏫, this episode will challenge what you think you know 💭 and give you honest, practical solutions 🏁🔑.
Get in touch with Justin Larsen:
Website: https://www.larsenmotivates.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larsenmotivates/ X: https://x.com/LarsenMotivates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LarsenMotivates TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@larsenmotivates LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsenmotivates/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarsenMotivates 
Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:06) Justin’s story: From bullying victim to speaker
(5:43) Why conflict resolution matters more than ever
(8:09) Is bullying just a part of growing up?
(10:47) The mistakes Justin made in handling bullying
(16:58) How parents can spot the signs of bullying
(19:55) What parents & educators can do to help
(23:33) The D.A.E.S. method for responding to bullies
(29:33) How to handle cyberbullying effectively
(34:20) Where to find Justin for more resources
(36:49) Outro

Ep. #136: Are We Raising Resilient Kids or Setting Them Up to Struggle? With Kwesi Millington

🔥 Are today’s teens struggling more, or are they facing tougher challenges than past generations? 🤔 In this powerful episode of the Generation Youth Podcast, 🎙️ host James McLamb jives with Kwesi Millington 🎤—keynote speaker, coach, resilience expert, author, and former RCMP Police Officer 🚔—to uncover what’s happening with youth today. Kwesi breaks down why many young people hesitate to push through adversity 💭, how social media 📱 fuels self-doubt 😟, and what parents 👨‍👩‍👧, teachers 🍎, coaches 🏆, and mentors 👏 can do to help build genuine resilience 💪. From practical mindset shifts 🧠 to simple daily habits 📅, together, they unpack fundamental, actionable strategies. 🚀 Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation—because how we support youth today will shape their future tomorrow 🌎✨!
Link up with Kwesi Millington:
Website: https://kwesimillington.com/ 
Email: kwesi@kwesimillington.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kwesimillington Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/kwesim 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speakshareserve 
X: https://x.com/kwesispeaks 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwesispeaks 
Episode highlights:(0:00) Intro
(2:15) Kwesi’s background & mission
(3:52) Are today’s youth less resilient?
(7:30) More choices, more confusion – How abundance creates stress
(10:16) Doing nothing and lack of patience
(12:29) Building resilience: Practical steps for youth
(17:48) How parents can support their kids
(22:20) Controlling screen time Vs. Being controlled by it
(25:31) Why praising effort matters more than results
(29:09) Kwesi’s work
(31:29) Outro

Ep. #135: What’s the Secret to Raising Strong, Confident Kids in Today’s World? With Paul Plotkin

🎙️ What if the secret to raising confident, resilient kids is letting them struggle? 🚀 In this episode, host James McLamb sits down with Paul Plotkin, founder and creator of Mission Grit™, to explore how intentional challenges and hands-on experiences shape the next generation of leaders. 💪 Paul shares his inspiring journey from military service 🌟 to creating innovative youth programs that build confidence, character, and resilience. 🌍 Together, they uncover how struggle can become a powerful tool for growth ✨ and why today’s kids need more than just encouragement to thrive. 🧗‍♂️ Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation that might change how you view youth development! 🌟🔥
 
How to connect with Paul Plotkin:
Website: https://missiongrit.com/ 
Email: info@missiongrit.com 
Phone: 704-733-9103
Episode highlights:(0:00) Intro(1:55) Paul’s journey: Soviet Union to the U.S. (5:41) The four pillars of development
(8:37) How mobility and mental activities boost confidence and teamwork
(11:05) Importance of social skills and character development
(15:09) Three services: Adventure-based learning
(22:38) How team challenges teach leadership and budgeting
(24:31) Behavioral improvements and increased confidence
(27:58) The role of veterans as instructors
(33:42)  Mission Grit’s approach and plans
(35:50) Outro

Ep. #134: How Can We Empower Young People to Speak Up, Seek Help, and Thrive? With Zion Givens

🌟 How do you help youth build confidence to speak up about their struggles? 🤔 In today’s episode, host James McLamb 🎙️ connects with Zion “Z” Givens, a mental health advocate 🌈 and co-founder of Up To It, a platform helping youth 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 and adults connect and thrive 💪 while unpacking the critical topic of mental health in youth. 🧠 Together, they discuss the importance of self-advocacy 🗣️, breaking the stigma around asking for help 🚀, and guiding youth toward healthy coping strategies. 🛠️ Learn practical tips for building trust 🤝, starting meaningful conversations 🗨️, and empowering young people to navigate life's challenges. 🌍 This heartfelt discussion ❤️ offers parents, teachers, and mentors 📚 invaluable tools to create stronger, more resilient connections 🔗 with the next generation. 🌟✨💬🎧
Learn more about Zion Givens:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zion__givens/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zion-givens/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/485935524118616 
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/up-to-it-parenting/id1674940041 
Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(2:14) Zion's background and work with Up To It
(4:00) Encouraging self-advocacy in youth
(6:38) Recognizing the difference between bad days and deeper issues
(8:38) Spotting early signs of mental health struggles
(12:49) Youth comparing challenges and traumas
(15:03) Unhealthy coping mechanisms in youth
(19:55) Why youth need trusted adult mentors
(27:49) Building trust through small, fun conversations
(34:47) How to respond to youth sharing struggles
(39:29) Handling serious mental health challenges calmly
(43:48) Outro