In this series, we highlight activists, innovators, and leaders who used their voices and actions to create real change, reminding us that you are never too young to make a difference. At its core, this series is about showing that change doesn’t have to start big. Sometimes, it starts with one idea, one passion, and the courage to act on it. Today’s guest is someone who truly embodies what it means to turn passion into action. That is why I’m so excited to welcome Benton Schroeder.

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The teenage years are full of change. We’re asked to think more seriously about our futures, take on more responsibility, and define who we want to become. But somewhere in the middle of all that, motivation can start to feel unpredictable. You might feel incredibly driven toward one goal, and completely stuck in another area. Instead of assuming that inconsistency means something is wrong, I started wondering: Is fluctuating motivation actually a normal part of adolescent development? What’s happening beneath the surface when our drive shifts? To help us unpack these questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Chris Hulleman.

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As we move through our teenage years, emotions can feel heavier, more complex, and sometimes harder to understand. For some teens, those feelings go beyond stress and become something deeper: something harder to explain, like a lingering sadness or a sense of disconnection. These concepts made me start to wonder: Why do depressive symptoms often increase during adolescence? How do stress and identity development shape the way teens experience depression? To help us explore these questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Michael Scheeringa.

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One thing that comes up again and again in life is how complicated self-esteem can feel. There are moments where you feel confident and secure, and others where your self-worth feels tied to things like grades, friendships, or how you think others perceive you. Because of this, I started to wonder: what truly is self-esteem? And what is connected to make those emotions so severe? To explore these questions, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Ronald D. Siegel to Growing Forward.

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Dr. Siegel's Book: The Extraordinary Gift of Being Ordinary, Finding Happiness Right Where You Are.

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In this series, we highlight activists, innovators, and leaders who prove that meaningful change often begins with a single idea and the courage to act on it. These stories are meant to inspire you, because no matter how small your beginnings seem, your voice and actions can ripple outward and create real impact. Today’s guest is someone whose story truly embodies this idea through multiple components of her life. Without further ado, I’m thrilled to welcome Sagarika Sriram.

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Something I notice constantly, in my friends and in myself, is how unpredictable motivation can feel during the teenage years. Unfortunately, motivation is not something adolescents can ignore as it shapes our academic performance, ambitions, friendships, and even self-confidence. So, in this episode, I wanted to explore questions like: What actually causes motivation to fluctuate so much during adolescence? What helps young people stay engaged and persistent, especially when things get difficult? And how can teens better understand the internal and external forces that influence their drive? To guide us through these questions, I’m excited to welcome Dr. Kaplan.

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As we grow into our teenage years, life becomes fuller and more complicated. School and hobbies get harder. Expectations rise. Social dynamics shift. And sometimes, the small, natural acts of kindness that once felt easy begin to feel harder to prioritize. It’s not that we stop caring; it’s that life feels louder. In all, that made me wonder: Why does kindness sometimes feel more difficult during adolescence? And how can teenagers continue growing their compassion, even during stressful years? To help us explore these thoughts on a scientific level, I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Daniel Fessler.

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Today’s episode feels especially grounding, literally. When we think about teen well-being, we usually address topics such as friendships, school stress, social media, or family dynamics. But we don’t always think about something much quieter, and maybe much more powerful: our connection to nature. What does it mean to feel connected to the natural world? How does time outdoors shape mental health, resilience, or even identity? And what happens when access to nature isn’t equal for everyone? For this episode, I wanted to explore how the spaces around us influence who we are becoming during adolescence, and to help us explore just that, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Caroline Harvey.

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