All Episodes
The Power of "I Won't"
Saying “I can’t” sounds controlled. Saying “I won’t” sounds unstoppable. In this episode, I explore the life-changing difference between the two, teaching teens how to...
The Danger of Debt Dragons - Message 4 Monday
Why is debt so dangerous, and why do so many people fall into it? We’ll cover the myths teens hear about “good debt,” credit cards, and borrowing from friends or famil...
Own Your Flaws
I met a girl last week who had the absolute best way to look at her acne. She was the embodiment of owning your flaws. I share her story and one of my own from this pa...
Buy the Thing or Be the Thing - Message 4 Monday
This week, it’s all about spending wisely. Teens will learn how advertising and peer pressure lead to impulse buys, and how to decide if something is really worth thei...
Save Like a Superhero - Message 4 Monday
Emergency funds aren’t just for adults. Teens will learn how to build a savings habit even with small amounts of money—and why starting now gives them superpowers late...
Don't Believe the Mob
People love to judge and the internet makes it easy. But just because the mob says something doesn’t mean it’s true. In this episode, Joey Mascio unpacks why we’re so ...
The Broke Brain Reboot - Message 4 Monday
We’ll talk about how most people grow up learning bad money habits—like impulse spending, borrowing for stuff they don’t need, and assuming debt is “normal.” We’ll ide...
It Won't Always Feel Like This
When life gets hard—like, failed-a-quiz-fell-into-a-locker hard—it can feel like you’re stuck there forever. But that feeling of being stuck is just your brain playing...
Hero Tool #3: The Reins - Message 4 Monday
Heroes feel fear, anger, sadness, and doubt just like everyone else—the difference is, they don’t let their emotions run wild. This week, we’ll talk about how to handl...
You Get What You Give
Have you ever wondered why people treat you the way they do? In this episode, Joey Mascio dives into how the data you give off—your attitude, your words, your eye roll...
Get Outside
In this episode of Secrets for an Awesome Life, we explore the rejuvenating power of the great outdoors. As spring unfolds, it’s the perfect opportunity to swap screen...
Hero Tool #2: The Pen - Message 4 Monday
Every hero has a defining moment where they realize they aren’t just a character in their story—they’re the author. This week, we’ll talk about the power of reframing,...
Hero Tool #1: The Flag - Message 4 Monday
No great hero waits for someone else to save them. They take ownership of their actions, their mindset, and their results. This week, we’ll plant our hero flag and lea...
The Story You Tell Yourself - Message 4 Monday
Before you can become the hero of your own story, you have to see yourself as the hero. But too many people walk around thinking they’re the side character—or worse, t...
The Strongest Game Plan - Message 4 Monday
Hey teens, want to be stronger than the last generation? It starts with a plan. I take the action plan from the end of Jonathan Haidt's best selling book, The Anxious ...
Creating Purpose in Math Class
“Ugh, when am I ever gonna use this in real life?” If you're a teen who has ever muttered these words in math class, you’re not alone. But what if the real lesson in m...
Surviving the Digital Zombie Apocalypse - Message 4 Monday
Gen Z fell into the screen trap and became the walking unfocused, the socially starved, the sleep-deprived, and the endlessly scrolling. But you don’t have to turn! Th...
Hooked: How Tech Companies Reel Teens In
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 pla...
Escape Defend Mode - Message 4 Monday
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 lea...
Lost Boys: Why Young Men Feel Directionless & How to Fix It
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...
How Gen Z Got Stuck - Message 4 Monday
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 brin...
Take Your Medicine!
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 epi...
The Great Untruths Part 3: Us vs Them
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 ...
The Great Untruths Part 2: Always Trust Your Feelings
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) a...
The Great Untruths Part 1: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Weaker
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 weak...
Finding Your True Self: Discovering Your Mission and Values
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" ver...
Oops, I Failed! Learning to Bounce Back
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 ...
Change Happens: How to Master the Unexpected
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 w...