In this inspiring episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine speaks with Cassie Crosby, CEO of Iterata Solutions and founder of Vertex Leadership Lab. Cassie, a 24-year army veteran, shares her incredible transformation from a rebellious teenager to a powerful leader in both the military and the corporate world. With expertise in leadership development, Cassie now helps ambitious executives build confidence, master organizational dynamics, and cultivate their executive presence.

Join us as Cassie recounts her journey, including overcoming early challenges, navigating male-dominated leadership arenas, and learning that leadership is not a title—it’s a behavior and responsibility.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Cassie’s Teenage Years: From a “rebel without a cause” to a determined leader, Cassie shares the defining moments that led her to join the army and start her path toward leadership.
• The Power of Nurturing Potential in "Disruptive" Kids: Cassie and Lorraine discuss the importance of believing in kids who may be overlooked, a trait often seen in successful individuals.
• Navigating Leadership as a Woman in Combat: Cassie talks about her time in the military and the challenges she faced as a woman in traditionally male roles, from logistics to combat positions.
• The Evolution of Self-Confidence: From shy beginnings to becoming a confident leader, Cassie discusses how therapy, a shift in mindset, and the influence of compassionate leaders helped shape her journey.
• Leadership and Decision-Making: Explore how Cassie’s leadership philosophy evolved from strict military hierarchy to a focus on collaboration, questioning, and understanding the “why” behind decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is a skill that can be cultivated—it's about behavior and willingness to take responsibility.
• Teenagers with rebellious or disruptive behaviors may have untapped potential—it's crucial to have someone believe in them.
• Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s developed through self-reflection and surrounding yourself with strong leaders.
• Good leaders empower others, and leadership decisions should always have clarity and purpose behind them.

Resources Mentioned:

• Cassie Crosby’s Leadership Development Firm: Vertex Leadership Lab
• Iterata Solutions: Iterata Solutions Website

In this episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine Connell speaks with Josh Colwell, a leader in the recovery and criminal justice support space in New Hampshire. Josh shares what his teenage years were really like growing up in instability, entering the juvenile system, and navigating environments that didn’t feel safe.

They explore how early experiences shape identity, the survival habits teens develop, and what it takes to rebuild trust, purpose, and leadership later in life. Josh also opens up about the turning point that led him into long-term recovery and how he now creates safe spaces for others through advocacy and recovery support.

In this episode, we cover: • Josh’s teenage years behind the scenes • When systems meant to help cause harm • Survival mode and identity • The shift that led to recovery and leadership • Why finding the helpers changes everything

Hear more of Josh’s story: “From Chaos to Purpose: Josh Colwell’s Journey from Biker Gangs and Addiction to Leading a Life of Impact” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xZqoxvGI6A8VvAGL7Ghg9?si=csqv8-7YS_aZiP4E19apPQ

Connect with Josh: Email: www.brighterdayrecovery.com

In this episode, Lorraine Connell sits down with Rebecca Minor, a queer clinician, consultant, and educator, to discuss the complex interplay of trauma, gender, and sexuality. Rebecca shares her personal journey and professional insights, offering a compassionate perspective on supporting trans and gender nonconforming youth.

Key Topics:

Rebecca's early experiences with mental health and identity The founding of Prism Therapy Collective The importance of trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming care Challenges faced by trans and gender nonconforming youth How parents can affirm and support their children

Guest Bio: Rebecca Minor is a gender specialist dedicated to creating spaces where young people feel seen and heard. As a published author and lecturer, she brings both personal truth and professional expertise to her work.

Resources Mentioned:

Prism Therapy Collective Rebecca's upcoming book: "Raising Trans Kids: What to Expect When You Weren't Expecting This"

Follow Rebecca on Instagram: @Gender.Specialist

Subscribe to our podcast for more insightful conversations and visit our website for additional resources.

#TraumaInformedCare #GenderDiversity #LGBTQSupport

In this episode of Leaders of Today, Teens to Titans, Lorraine Connell sits down with Jack O’Connor, a devoted dad of two and recovery advocate who has spent the last decade supporting individuals and families in New Hampshire.

Jack shares his story from being a “middle of the pack” teen battling anxiety, to coping through substances, to hitting a turning point in college and eventually finding long-term recovery. You’ll hear what helped him change, what sober living actually looks like, and why the most powerful step is often the simplest one: asking for help.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How anxiety can show up as “being fine” on the outside

• Why addiction does not discriminate

• What a sober house is and how structure supports change

• The myth that you need to know the “why” before you can heal

• Jack’s biggest message for teens and parents: talk to someone, ask for help, start small

If this conversation resonates, share it with a parent, educator, or teen who needs to hear it.

Phone: 744.402.0225 Website: https://livefreerecoverynh.com/ Manchester location: https://livefreerecoverynh.com/locations/detox-inpatient-rehab-manchester-nh/ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jack-oconnor-behavioralhealth

In this episode of Leaders of Today, Teens to Titans, Lorraine sits down with Leah Rothchild to talk about the hidden reality of teen depression, substance use, and what it actually takes to heal. Leah shares how she went from being a joyful, high-achieving kid to silently struggling with depression, self-harm, and addiction, all while still “looking fine” on the outside.

Leah breaks down why substance use is not always obvious, how stigma and shame keep people from getting help, and why mental health care must be integrated into everyday pediatric care. She also shares what ultimately changed her path, what teens and parents need most, and why hope can still exist even when it feels like it doesn’t.

• What Leah was like as a child and how her mental health shifted around age 10

• Why depression can show up even when life looks “perfect” from the outside

• How guilt and shame can fuel substance use and keep the cycle going

• The misconception that addiction is always obvious or immediately “destroys” someone’s life

• The difference between feeling hopeless and being hopeless

• Why stigma is dangerous, even inside healthcare settings

• How Leah’s lived experience shaped her path toward pediatric and psychiatric care

• What parents can do to support teens without judgment, fear, or shame

Feeling completely hopeless is different than being completely hopeless. If you do not get help the first time you ask, ask again. The right support exists, and it can change everything.

Leah Rothchild

• Email: rothchild.leah@gmail.com

What if the things you struggled with as a teen became the exact reason you can help others now?

In this episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine Connell sits down with Kelly Hurd, a health coach, life coach, and educational consultant with 20+ years of experience teaching K–8. Kelly shares her personal story of growing up with anxiety, navigating a chaotic home environment, and becoming a high-achieving people pleaser just to feel “good enough.”

Then she breaks down the tools that helped her heal and the practical strategies she now teaches teens, parents, and educators to build resilience, self-compassion, and emotional regulation.

• How people-pleasing and overachieving can become a coping strategy for anxiety

• Why avoiding hard things can reinforce stress and make it grow over time

• The powerful “wind and trees” metaphor and why challenge builds strong roots

• How parents can support teens without accidentally sending the message “you can’t handle this”

• Simple nervous system tools, including breathwork and noticing your body’s cues

• Why self-compassion works better than self-criticism (and the research that backs it)

• How life coaching differs from therapy and why some teens benefit from future-focused tools

• “Walking toward the monster”: a practical way to face stressors with support and strategy

• How adults modeling self-respect and confidence teaches kids to do the same

• You don’t need to eliminate the hard things, you need the tools to handle them.

• Your body gives you early warning signs when you’re shifting into a stress response.

• Confidence grows when teens learn, “I can feel this and still move forward.”

Kelly works with clients in person (Dover NH area) and virtually.

• Website: uplevelformore.com

• You can also find her on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook (search “Uplevel For More”). Kelly also offers a free conversation to help people understand what coaching looks like and whether it’s a good fit.

In this episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine sits down with Whitney Cardosi to discuss her transformative journey from struggling with self-worth to becoming a passionate advocate for nutrition and mental health.

Inside This Episode: 🔹 Whitney’s personal struggles with self-esteem, addiction, and family challenges as a teen 🔹 How the pandemic led to her epiphany about the connection between nutrition, emotions, and mental health 🔹 The impact of food choices on family well-being and how parents can model healthy habits 🔹 Equipping kids with social and emotional skills through nutrition and conversation tools 🔹 The role of authenticity, self-acceptance, and resilience in personal growth

Whitney also shares insights from her work, including her kids' cooking classes, her Mom & Tween conversation cards, and the upcoming Bloom Retreat for girls and their mothers.

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how making small, intentional choices can transform our well-being and leadership.

Follow Whitney on Instagram at @whitney_cardosi and @bloomnorthshore

#LeadersOfToday #Podcast #TeenLeadership #NutritionAndMentalHealth #SelfWorth #ParentingTips #HealthyEating #GrowthMindset

In this inspiring episode of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, Lorraine sits down with Keyana Cellucci, entrepreneur and podcast host of Trust Me, to explore the transformative power of self-discovery, asking for help, and redefining leadership. Keyana shares her personal journey from a middle child who often overlooked her own needs to a leader who empowers others to embrace self-discipline, inner strength, and the courage to seek help.

Together, Lorraine and Keyana discuss the significance of reshaping leadership perceptions in schools, the power of delegation, and the importance of facing challenges head-on.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How her teenage years were shaped by the question, “Who do I want to become?”
• The impact of being a middle child and the lessons she wished she had learned about asking for help earlier in life.

• The need to redefine leadership beyond academic and athletic achievements to include delegation, humility, and teamwork.
• Why parents and educators should model vulnerability and normalize seeking help.

• Keyana’s experience moving from Pennsylvania to Maine and how it taught her to trust others with responsibilities.
• How delegation helped her business flourish and broadened her leadership perspective.

• Keyana’s decision to follow her instincts rather than conventional routes, and how this led to her becoming a leader by example.
• Lorraine’s affirmation that leadership is about making intentional, goal-aligned choices.

• Why showing up for yourself, even on hard days, is essential for growth and leadership.
• The difference between self-discipline and fluctuating motivation.

• Keyana’s advice to teenagers: Everything you need is already within you—embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth.
• The powerful analogy of a buffalo running toward challenges to illustrate resilience.

• How overcoming struggles can become a defining strength.
• Keyana’s personal story of resilience and how it fuels her passion to help others.

Key Takeaways:

• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Leadership is more than a title—it’s about behavior, trust, and collaboration.
• Self-discipline is the foundation for achieving success and navigating challenges.
• Facing challenges directly can lead to quicker resolutions and greater personal growth.

Resources Mentioned:

• Keyana’s Podcast: Trust Me
• Connect with Keyana on Social Media:
  • Instagram: @KeyanaCellucci
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustme_the_podcast
  • LinkedIn: Keyana Cellucci

Connect with Us:

• Peers Not Fears: www.peersnotfears.com
• Instagram: @PeersNotFears
• LinkedIn: Lorraine Connell

Don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories of leadership, growth, and resilience!

Thank you for listening!