A weekly podcast where we research teen culture so you can focus on connection with the teenagers in your life. Join Karlie Duke, Tobin Hodges, and Caleb Hatchett for fun conversations, trends, and tips for how to best connect with teenagers. This podcast is perfect for parents, teachers, counselors, church or school staff. Subscribe and join us today!
Most teens don’t need more time… they need better rhythms.
Summer brings freedom—but it can also quietly bring disconnection, late nights, and days that all start to feel the same. Most teens don’t need more time… they need better rhythms.
In episode 193, we unpack why summer doesn’t naturally create growth—it amplifies whatever patterns are already there.
We'll also address how you can help your teen build a summer that actually feels meaningful, without controlling every moment, but by guiding a few simple habits that shape who they’re becoming.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about creating a perfect summer. It’s about helping your teen build a life.
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In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:
- Science Daily - Creating Daily Habits (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260305223226.htm)
- Psych Today - Teens and Habits (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201201/adolescence-and-the-development-habits)
- Modern Parenting - Having the Best Summer with Your Child (https://modernparentingsolutions.org/make-this-the-best-summer-ever-with-your-child/)
- Teen Life: The Ultimate Guide to Summer with Teens (https://www.teenlife.ngo/the-ultimate-guide-to-summer-with-teens/)
- Teen Life Blog: 5 Ways to Keep Teens Safe This Summer (https://www.teenlife.ngo/5-ways-to-keep-teens-safe-this-summer/) | Summer Bucket List for Families (https://www.teenlife.ngo/summer-bucket-list-for-families/) | Navigating Your Teen Through the Summer (https://www.teenlife.ngo/navigating-your-teen-through-the-summer/)
- Teen Life Podcast: Summer Bucket List (https://www.teenlife.ngo/chatgpt-summer-bucket-list/) | Summer Ideas (https://www.teenlife.ngo/stealing-summer-ideas/) | Summer Jobs (https://www.teenlife.ngo/college-experiences-summer-jobs/)
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Visit our website: www.teenlifepodcast.com (https://www.teenlifepodcast.com/)
Subscribe to get the episodes in your inbox: www.teenlife.ngo/subscribe (https://www.teenlife.ngo/subscribe)
Watch the podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RVsSLFk8WnRqQcGGKooxA)!
Follow Us: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/teenlife_ngo/) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/teenlifengo) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/teenlife_ngo)
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Podcast Music by: Luke Cabrera (mailto:%20luke@thehills.org) & Tobin Hodges
Hosted by: Karlie Duke (https://www.instagram.com/karlieduke/), Caleb Hatchett (https://www.instagram.com/caleb_hatchett54/) & Tobin Hodges
Produced by: Karlie Duke (https://www.instagram.com/karlieduke/) & Kelly Fann (https://instagram.com/kellyacrosstheocean)
5 May 2026TRANSCRIPT
Talking to Teens About Porn | Ep. 193
Hosts Karlie Duke, Caleb Hatchett, and Tobin Hodges interview industry experts on fostering open conversations with teens about pornography to promote healthy relationships and digital wisdom.
28 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT
Helping Teens Land Their First Job | Ep. 192
A first job is about so much more than earning money.
It’s often where teens begin learning responsibility, confidence, communication, and independence.
From showing up on time to learning how to talk to adults and handle challenges, work helps teens build the kind of competence that shapes long-term confidence. But many parents struggle to know how much help is too much. Should you step in and fill out applications, or should your teen handle it all on their own?
The goal isn’t to take over—it’s to coach. Helping teens practice interview skills, build responsibility at home, and think beyond just the paycheck can make all the difference. When teens take ownership of the process, they gain more than a job—they gain confidence in themselves.
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In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:
- Boys & Girls Clubs: How to Be First Job Ready (https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2024/August/interview-tips-for-teens-how-to-be-first-job-ready/)
- Youth Job Center: Interviewing Skills (https://youthjobcenter.org/interviewing-skills)
- NIH: Teenage Employment and Career Readiness (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3567440/#:~:text=Many%20teenage%20jobs%20are%20not,interaction%20and%20mentorship%20with%20adults.&text=These%20jobs%20may%20not%20only,a%20number%20of%20important%20skills.&text=The%20benefits%20of%20teenage%20employment,will%20lead%20into%20a%20career.&text=Given%20that%20youth%20from%20low,career%20development%20for%20these%20youth.)
- Evolve: Teenage Jobs: The Pros and Cons (https://evolvetreatment.com/blog/teenage-jobs-the-pros-and-cons/#:~:text=Is%20Working%20Good%20for%20Teenagers,work%2C%20play%2C%20and%20school.)
- NIH: The Benefits and Risks of Adolescent Employment (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2936460/#:~:text=Youth%20themselves%20think%20that%20employment,satisfaction%20(Mortimer%2C%202003).)
- Your Teen Magazine: How to Get Your First Job: Tips for Teens (https://yourteenmag.com/teenager-school/how-to-get-your-first-job)
- Crew: The Ultimate Job Guide for Young Teens (https://www.trycrew.com/blog/the-ultimate-job-guide-for-young-teens)
- Teen Life Podcast: Summer Jobs (https://www.teenlife.ngo/college-experiences-summer-jobs/)
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Visit our website: www.teenlifepodcast.com (https://www.teenlifepodcast.com/)
Subscribe to get the episodes in your inbox: www.teenlife.ngo/subscribe (https://www.teenlife.ngo/subscribe)
Watch the podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4RVsSLFk8WnRqQcGGKooxA)!
Follow Us: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/teenlife_ngo/) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/teenlifengo) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/teenlife_ngo)
.
.
Podcast Music by: Luke Cabrera (mailto:%20luke@thehills.org) & Tobin Hodges
Hosted by: Karlie Duke (https://www.instagram.com/karlieduke/), Caleb Hatchett (https://www.instagram.com/caleb_hatchett54/) & Tobin Hodges
Produced by: Karlie Duke (https://www.instagram.com/karlieduke/) & Kelly Fann (https://instagram.com/kellyacrosstheocean)
[…] Well, I feel like, too, when I talk to counselors and especially when I was leading groups on alternative campuses, they got nervous around holidays or breaks because they were like, someone, they're going to have too much time on their hands. They're going to hang out with people they don't know. They're going to get bored. We talked about that a little last week. They're going to get bored and try to fill it with something that is not good for them. And so I do think when you have unlimited amounts of free time, that that can sometimes lead to choices where you're like, what are you doing? Why would you ever do that? […]
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