In this episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine Connell sits down with Shannon Thompson, founder of Dream Bigger Publishing. After aging out of foster care, becoming a young mom, and spending time in prison, Shannon had to learn every part of “adulting” the hard way – from rent and credit to careers and money management.

Now she’s turned those painful lessons into a practical life skills curriculum that helps teens (especially those aging out of systems) understand what life really costs, how to build a dream career, and how to avoid the financial traps she fell into.

You’ll hear:

• How aging out of foster care with no safety net shaped Shannon’s path

• Why so many young people feel 10–20 years “behind” in adulthood

• The 3 core pillars of her Dream Bigger curriculum

• Her message for any teen who feels like their past defines their future

• Website: https://www.dreambiggerpublishing.com

• Books on Amazon: search “Dream Bigger Shannon Thompson”

• Instagram & Facebook: Dream_bigger_publishing

• LinkedIn: Dream Bigger Publishing / Shannon Thompson

Description: Join us in this powerful episode of Leaders of Today as we dive into the inspiring journey of Naomi Andrick, founder of Thrive Meals. From a challenging childhood to becoming a successful entrepreneur and coach, Naomi shares her story of resilience, transformation, and the power of vulnerability. Discover how food, movement, and mindset can create lasting change and why finding your "why" is crucial for a fulfilled life.

Key Takeaways:

Naomi's early struggles and how they shaped her work today. The importance of vulnerability and self-acceptance. How to transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

Connect with Naomi:

Email: fittolivenutrition@gmail.com

Facebook: Thrive

Instagram: @ThriveMeals1

Location: Rawlinsford, NH

Hashtags: #Resilience #ThriveMeals #Vulnerability #Transformation

What if the very things you’re most ashamed of are actually your superpowers?

In this powerful conversation, business coach and podcast host Katie Grimes opens up about growing up in a home impacted by alcoholism, being relentlessly bullied, hating her body, and surviving sexual assault, and how she turned all of it into fuel for the life and business she has now.

Katie now helps entrepreneurs (especially those with ADHD) build businesses that feel safe, spacious, and wildly successful, without burning themselves out or abandoning their needs. Together, we explore how the patterns we learn as teens, people pleasing, perfectionism, hyper-independence, and hiding our feelings, quietly shape our leadership as adults… and how we can change the story.

If you’re a teen, parent, educator, or leader who’s ever felt “too much,” “not enough,” or like your past disqualifies you from leadership, this episode will hit home in the best way.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How bullying, body image struggles, and growing up around addiction shaped Katie’s self-worth

• The moment she realized perfectionism is not a flex, it’s a survival response

• What no one tells teens about nervous systems, freeze/people-pleasing, and why we pretend everything is “fine”

• How Katie rebuilt her life after sexual assault, grief, and being let go from corporate

• The shift from “I’m a burden” to “I’m allowed to ask for help”

• Finding safe and trusted adults, and what that actually looks and feels like

• Why the things that come easiest to you are your greatest leadership gifts

• How Katie went from all of this… to building a $550k+ coaching business and helping 100,000+ people

Connect with Katie Grimes

• Instagram & TikTok: @kg.katiegrimes

• Podcast – Anything for Love: https://www.katiegrimes.com/podcast

• Website & Coaching: https://www.katiegrimes.com/

If something in this episode resonated and you’d like a free coaching session with Katie, email support@katiegrimes.com and mention this episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans.