Plugged In - The Official Podcast for JSerra Catholic High School

Cara Morales returns to the JSerra podcast studio, this time to share with parents of teen and tween girls the causes of and solutions to a growing social epidemic: mean girls. Having spoken to the entire JSerra female student population, Cara shares her approach to reaching the hearts of young women who are often both suffering from and contributing to the mean girl culture. In her trademark manner, Cara analyzes some of the major causes of the sharp spike in nastiness among young female teens with laser-like precision and offers insights that can help parents and educators curb this ever-growing American phenomenon.

In his sixth appearance on the podcast, Dr. Leonard Sax takes on what it means for parents to be the first and most important educators of their children. "Kids are not born knowing what's right and what's wrong," attests Dr. Sax. Accordingly, parents serve the foundational role in the life of their sons and daughters of teaching them how to live well, that is, how to live virtuously. As always, Dr. Sax offers insights that will embolden parents of adolescents and younger children alike to embrace the primacy of their God-given role as their kids' most necessary and respected role models, while suggesting practical tips for shaping the minds and hearts of their sons and daughters with confidence.

Adolescence does not end when young men and women go off to college. In a sense, their education for life has only just begun. That's why it is crucial to send our sons and daughters to universities that understand how to complete the comprehensive education they need to live a flourishing life. Join University of Dallas President Jonathan J. Sanford as he talks to parents about the essential role the college years play in forming young men and women of virtue, and what makes some Catholic colleges and universities more suited for that than others.

Every parent and every educator who has tried knows that getting teenagers interested in daily prayer requires perseverance and a commitment to the long game. Getting Gen Z-ers to put down the cell phones and turn to contemplation makes that task even more daunting. Now they don't have to give up one for the other. Hear Hallow App co-founder, Alessandro DiSanto, walk us through the genius of the technology that is marrying social media and the interior life and helping millions to return to Christ through prayer. Alessandro explains the personal crises that led him and two friends to begin seeking God at a deeper level, why he believes they were able to create a platform that would resonate with over 14 million subscribers, and the warp speed with which Hallow has taken not only the Catholic world, but the digital world by storm.

"You don't build the house; you give them the foundation." In this inspiring podcast, the "Dynamic Deacon" and father of five outlines practical tips for how to build your sons' and daughters' spiritual muscle memory. Engaging, entertaining, deep, and practical! Listen to Deacon Harold, the "Dynamic Deacon," as he coaches parents in concrete ways to lay the foundation for their sons' and daughters' growth in personal maturity. Pulling from talking points he shared the evening before in his presentation to JSerra parents, Deacon extrapolates on: What ;"e Church means when it calls parents "educators"; the importance of one-on-one time with children as well as weekly family time; modelling Christ-like behavior; taking full advantage of "teachable moments"; and the what and the why of discipline in the life of our kids. You will walk away from this conversation edified, inspired, and full of ideas for how to be the primary educator your children need… and God made you to be!

In this second part of our series on, "Parents as Primary Educators," Catholic school leader, Debbie Nearmeyer, shares some basics on how to move forward confidently in our vocation as mothers and fathers. In this second episode of "Parents as Primary Educators," mother of five and Vice President of Faith and Mission, Debbie Nearmeyer, elucidates with detail the meaning of being a "primary educator." With gentleness, depth, and humor, Debbie explains what it means to educate in the real sense of the word , while sharing examples from home and school life that serve to make the task realistically accessible. Tune in to this month's podcast and hear how Debbie steers parents towards success and fulfillment in their number one vocation.

In this first episode in our series on "Parents as Primary Educators," former JSerra teacher and personal counselor, Cara Morales, LMFT, explains why that is more than an overused cliché. Cara attests that God has chosen all moms and dads as the ones he has specifically ordained to raise the children he has given them. And she assures them that He will also provide the help needed to fulfill that unique responsibility. With an eye to the practical, Cara shares tips on how to parent through the trying teenage years with confidence, serenity, and fruitful results. Always original and engaging, Cara recommends concrete steps parents can take to stay connected to their teens even while they seem to be pulling away, and to ensure they remain their kids' number one confidants.

On this month's episode of Plugged In, Emily Wilson talks about the difficulties she faced as a young Catholic woman going off to an enormous public university with the goal of keeping her faith and her ideals intact. As she faced those difficulties head on and navigated those challenges, Emily found her faith and her convictions intensifying. Those experiences shaped a desire in her to help other young women prepare for the onslaught of temptations and the assaults on faith and moral principles that characterize so much of college campus life today. Emily's practical advice for parents of young women (and for high schoolers themselves) inspired hope that it is indeed possible to thrive in college without forsaking the Christian beliefs and values you hold dear.

Sarah Sax, a rising junior who completed a 30-day NOLS wilderness expedition, shares raw trail experiences and lessons from living off-grid. Dr. Leonard Sax, physician and psychologist known for books on adolescence and parenting, discusses resilience, risk-taking, safetyism, screens, and pornography’s effects on youth. They explore how controlled hardship builds strength and practical steps parents can take.

"Parents," says Fr. Mike Schmitz, "are the prototype." In this lively conversation, Fr. Mike shares about what inspired his vocation and gives parents advice on how they can best equip their children to be life-long disciples of Christ. With his well-known wit and wisdom, Fr. Mike talks about his call to the priesthood, his work with college students, and the origins of his media ministry and #1 Spotify podcasts. Always determined to lead by example, he explains how parents can best pass on the faith by looking at their own practice and devotion, and by trusting in the God who loves their children more than they do. Don't miss this special edition on Plugged In! ABOUT THE GUEST Fr. Mike Schmitz is the Chaplain of the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He is best known for his series of short videos on faith and culture by Ascension Press and for being the host of two of the top religious podcasts of all time: The Bible in A Year and The Catechism in a Year. He has published several books, including How to Make Great Decisions and Untroubled by the Unknown: Trusting God in Every Moment. Fr. Mike speaks around the country to a variety of audiences but places a high priority on the young adults he is called to serve on campus.