The Generation Youth Podcast with James McLamb

How Does Self-Talk Affect Young People’s Stress? With Matt Kovatchis What if the stress young people feel isn’t about workload, but about perspective? 🎧 🎙️In today’s episode, host James McLamb welcomes Matt Kovatchis, an expert in vulnerability and compassion, dynamic keynote speaker, former corporate banker, mental health podcast host, and certified executive coach. 🔥Together, they unpack teen stress, young adult mental health, self-talk, and the daily habits shaping how adolescents and emerging adults respond to pressure. The conversation challenges hustle-first thinking and points toward healthier ways to build resilience, emotional regulation, clarity, consistency, and character under stress. It’s a grounded listen for anyone seeking stronger decision-making skills without burnout. 🔍 If you care for, guide, teach, or influence young people, this episode will sharpen how you support youth mental health, leadership development, and long-term well-being for the next generation. 🌱 Reach out to Matt Kovatchis: Website: https://mattkovatchis.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kovatchis-cpcc-1b74b3aa/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/mkovatchis23/?hl=en Episode highlights: (0:00) Intro (2:14) Success without purpose leads to burnout (6:04) Why self-criticism increases stress (9:37) What self-compassion really means (11:26) Three parts of self-compassion (13:52) Signs adults should watch for (17:29) Helping youth respond to stress (23:55) How friends can support without fixing (30:38) Regulate first, then change habits (35:17) Outro

What Will Help Today’s Youth Grow Strong Again? With Tom Horner 🎯 What if the key to helping the next generation grow stronger starts with simple, small steps? In this episode, James McLamb talks with Tom Horner, an educator, speaker, endurance athlete, and Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for Pine Island Schools, about how schools can build confidence, teach life skills, and support kids through hard moments. 🌼 Tom shares how his role came to life, why students need steady tools for real challenges, and how small habits can shape character, courage, and community. 🌿   🔥 Together, they shine a light on what kids need most and open a clearer way of thinking about how we guide them. This conversation invites parents, teachers, coaches, and caring adults to see the hearts of young people more clearly and to help them grow into capable, confident, resilient leaders. ⭐ Get to know Tom Horner: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/tomhorner-wellness/home LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-horner-b988b857/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/mr_horner_/ X: https://x.com/HornerPe Episode highlights: (0:00) Intro (2:50) Tom’s role and mission in schools (6:36) Creating a wellness role from scratch (8:44) Post-COVID confidence, mental health, and how Hope Squad saves lives (12:04) School-wide wellness and prevention ideas (15:50) What makes a school truly healthy (21:09) Doing hard things and growing confidence (28:30) Helping youth face fear instead of avoiding it (31:46) Where to find Tom and learn more (33:54) Outro

What Breaks When Coaches, Athletes, and Parents Stay Silent? With Janine Tucker and Tracey Currey 🎙️ In today’s special episode of The Generation Youth Podcast, James sits down with Janine Tucker and Tracey Currey for a powerful look at the pressure young athletes face 🏅 and the unseen weight carried by the adults guiding them 🤝. This conversation opens the door to the heart-level moments that shape confidence, identity, and connection in youth sports ❤️. It is honest, human, and full of insight that can shift how families and coaches support the kids they care about 🌱. Janine Tucker and Tracey Currey are the leaders behind ISNation 🌈, a growing movement supporting the mental and emotional health of young athletes, parents, and coaches 🧠💬. Janine is a celebrated coach with more than 30 years of athlete-centered leadership at Johns Hopkins 🎓. Tracey, ISNation’s founder, built the platform after witnessing the quiet battles her own children faced in sports 💛. Together, they are creating a connected community where no athlete, coach, or parent has to navigate the journey alone 🌍. Learn more about: 🌐 Website: https://www.isnation.com/ Connect with Janine Tucker: 📧 Email: [email protected] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-tucker-52865336/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/janinetucker1/  Connect with Tracey Currey: 📧 Email: [email protected] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-currey-b4a08622a/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/tm.currey/  Episode highlights: (0:00) Intro (2:32) Coach Janine Tucker’s mission after 30 years (4:40) The real pressures young athletes carry (7:25) A mother’s story that changed everything (11:35) How coaches can support mental health (15:45) When sports become numbers over people (18:51) The shift toward connection and community (22:42) Coaches’ mental health and rising burnout (26:09) Parents and coaches as partners (35:11) ISNation’s daily tools for support (38:40) Outro

Why Are Young Athletes Hiding Their Mental Stress? With Tracey Currey 💔 What if the strongest young athletes you know are carrying silent battles you never see? In this episode, host James McLamb 🎙️ welcomes Tracey Currey, founder and CEO of ISNation LLC. ✨ Tracey is a purpose-driven leader known for her heart-centered approach to strengthening the mindset and emotional resilience of youth athletes. 🌱💛 She brings years of leadership experience, a deep commitment to service ❤️, and a mission to help kids feel grounded, confident, and connected in a high-pressure sports world. 🏆🌍   Together, they pull back the curtain on the mental stress hiding behind performance culture ⚡, the quiet weight kids carry 😔, and the simple shifts that can change how young athletes see themselves. 💡✨   If you care about the next generation, your child, your team, or your community, this conversation will stay with you. 🚀🔥 Reach out to Tracey Currey: 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: https://www.isnation.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-currey-b4a08622a/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/tm.currey/  Episode highlights: (0:00) Intro (3:25) The birth of ISNation (6:13) The hidden mental load of athletes and the real enemy (9:19) Identifying sports-related stress (12:15) How parents can spot stress and the impact of mentors (17:29) Why struggle isn’t failure and how ISNation works (21:03) Athletes inspiring athletes (23:27) Bringing connection face-to-face (29:34) What schools are missing (36:10) Outro

How Do Injuries Shape Young Athletes' Confidence? With Tami Matheny 🔥 What happens when an injury suddenly sidelines a young athlete? 🌟 In today’s eye-opening episode, 🎙️ James McLamb talks with Tami Matheny 🧠💡, a Mental Game Coach, author, certified Jon Gordon Team trainer, and founder of Refuse2LoseCoaching, LLC, about the emotional and mental challenges kids face when they can’t play the sport they love 💛💭. They discuss why confidence often drops after injury, the mindset shifts that help athletes return stronger 🌱✨, and the practical ways parents can support their child without adding pressure 🙌💬. This episode gives honest guidance, real hope, and a simple plan to help young athletes turn setbacks into strength 🚀🌈. Link up with Tami Matheny: 🌐 Website: https://tamimatheny.com/ ✍️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tami.matheny.9 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-matheny/ 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/tamimathenycoaching/ 📧 Email: [email protected] 🎙️ Podcast: https://apple.co/4oQgRVd Episode highlights: (0:00) Intro (2:03) Who is Tami Matheny? (5:39) Why the injured athlete book was needed (9:45) Identity loss when an athlete gets hurt (13:34) Visualization as a secret recovery tool (16:45) What parents should actually say and do (23:43) How negative self-talk slows healing (29:25) When injuries damage confidence beyond sports (32:04) Helping athletes reconnect with their purpose (38:37) Outro