Big Mama's House Podcast | A Podcast for Teens

In Season 2, Episode 5 of Big Mama’s House Podcast, we examine a phrase well-intentioned adults in your life may use when speaking to teens: “This is the best time of your life.” Just the fact that adults say this at all, proves that they’re not understanding the reality of what you’re dealing with, just on an average day. Play this episode for the older adults in *your* life who don’t get it (we see you Boomers) and let Big Mama do the explaining. With a mix of truth bombs, jokes, and some jaw-dropping stats, we answer the biggest and challenging questions your generation is facing:Why (this generation’s) teens have more pressure than any other generation in history. In the United States, teens are the loneliest age group (yep, worse than your grandparents).The upside down “attention economy” makes likes and followers feel like currency.By the end, you’ll know you’re not alone, why your future is gonna get better, and what to keep in mind in the day-to-day. Go to the webpage for this episode and grab all the free downloadable extras to help make it a bit easier.If you wish you could talk with a friend or family member about some of these issues - share this episode and let Big Mama be your ice-breaker. If you have a comment, or something to add email us at info@bigmamashousepodcast.com. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your feelings of loneliness - or for ANY other reason - please reach out to one of these organizations - there are people interested in hearing from you. Do it right now. In the US - just call or text a message to 988In the UK - call 116-123 In Australia - call 131-1141 Episode Highlights0:00 - “The best time of your life”... or not.1:10 - Big Mama’s story about her husband’s favorite (annoying) saying2:40 - Why your life is going to be SO much better as you get older!3:10 - PSA for Boomers: Here’s why adults can’t compare their teen experience to today’s teens. 6:35 - Do teens have it easier than adults? No, they do not. 7:15 - First reason why being a teenager now is harder than ever before: Your generation has more pressure than any generation ever.8:00 - The AI problem: what if your future career disappears?8:45 - Second reason why being a teenager now is harder than ever before: Loneliness levels are off the charts, teens have the highest rate of loneliness in history12:00 - How much social media use is too much? How much social media use impacts mental health? Shocking stat: Being lonely can hurt your health like smoking 15 cigarettes a day.13:45 - Third reason why being a teenager now is harder than ever before: How the “Attention Economy” messes with self-esteem.14:58 - Self-esteem can only come from self. 16:10 - Your entire world will be better as you get older. Here’s why.16:50 - You are enough as you are, right now (Listen to this before you leave for school every day)17:45 - Use the episode to start awkward conversations. Let Big Mama be your ice-breaker. 

SummaryIn this episode, Big Mama talks about spotting when big organizations (like schools) say one thing but do another—like throwing a school health fair and then bringing in a cupcake truck. She shares funny personal stories (including her own “weird superpower”) and gives real-life examples from schools, colleges, and more. Teens get an easy 3-step plan for teens to speak truth to authority, respectfully and in a way to make change happen. And just to keep it real, she ends by sharing her own biggest contradiction - it’s a story of woe involving hugging cows and eating lunch. Timestamp Highlights00:00 Big Mama introduces the idea of “institutional hypocrisy” — when an organization says one thing but does another — and shares her “garbage superpower”02:00 Funny sixth-grade story: a health teacher warns kids about smoking… while sneaking smoke breaks behind the school dumpsters.3:59 The Health & Wellness Day gig — great activities like cooking classes and goat yoga… but then the principal makes an announcement7:11 Why the cupcake truck matters: how it works against the school’s own goal of promoting good nutrition.8:45 Why Big Mama’s House Podcast doesn’t use social media to promote the podcast, even though it’s meant for a teen audience9:27 Other real-world examples: schools closing libraries, colleges partnering with betting apps, and hospitals stocking vending machines with junk food.10:46 The social media hypocrisy: schools warning about screen time while using social media to promote events.11:22 Why this kind of hypocrisy is dangerous — how people either don’t notice at all or notice and lose trust in the organization.13:00 Big Mama’s 3-step method for respectfully pointing out contradictions.14:12 Her personal confession: Penelope the Cow15:30 Send in your examples of organizational hypocrisy and what you did about it to info@bigmamashousepodcast.com. Remember: “Eat more dirt and avoid moist dudes in basements.”ResourcesDo you think you might have body dysmorphia? Take the quiz from the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation. https://bddfoundation.org/Another resource just for teens - it’s from the International OCD Foundation.https://bdd.iocdf.org/teens-young-adults/

DownloadSquids - get the free download here print it, and give it to your parents as a reminder that YOU CAN'T PAUSE A LIVE GAME!!!!SummaryIn today’s episode, I’m going to help the Squid Squad teach their parents why you cannot, in fact, pause a live game. So Squids, make sure you’ve grabbed mom or dad to listen, and make them put their phones down in the other room. Moms and dads, if you’re listening - thanks for being here - and buckle in because the squad has a bunch of things they want you to know.  HighlightsWhy our kid fans are called SquidsGrab the free download (see below)Explaining to parents how live games work, because they're LIVEUsing Fortnite as an example of an unpause-able MPGExplaining Battle RoyaleHelping parents imagine how it feels to be yanked out of their world - like by a Magic ClawNOTE: Hey mom, don't be your kid's Magic ClawExplaining loot, game rank, what AFK meansReminder that gaming is *way* better for the brain than social media (moist dudes in basement notwithstanding)Explaining the social aspect of MPGsExplanation of the downloadable flowchart plus two other solutions/strategiesDOWNLOADGrab a copy of the digital flowchart for parents of gamers. (https://www.overnightgeekuniversity.com/download-no-mom-i-cant-pause-a-live-game/) It’s a literal step-by-step decision flowchart for parents to decide whether or not they should talk to you while you’re gaming.FREE – We’ll email you a black & white 8.5″ x 11″ copy of the poster that you can print out at home (and leave all over the house so that your parents won't forget.BUY - the full-color, glossy, lovely 11" x 17" version - maybe for Mother's Day? (https://www.overnightgeekuniversity.com/stickers-posters/big-mamas-house-podcast-posters/poster-should-i-ask-my-squid-to-pause-a-video-game/)Hire Jesse Weinberger - Internet Safety Speaker for Students -(https://www.overnightgeekuniversity.com/who-is-the-best-internet-safety-speaker-for-schools/) to come and speak at your school or organizationFind us at BigMamasHousePodcast.com - a Podcast for Teens (https://www.bigmamashousepodcast.com)

What can we ALL do to reduce device time? (Parents too!) Strategies to reduce phone pickups via using Do Not Disturb and using gamification (kids v parents) to see who can use their devices for the least amount of time. We also debate the usefulness of Apple Watches (Big Mama is NOT convinced).Co-host: Big Mama's cousin GeorgeHow to reduce phone pickupsStupid trivia activity usage statsApple Watch - yes or noHow George's children became vicious CandyLand players. What's up, Princess Frosty Face?Create a competition between kids and parents on device usage (spoiler alert - kids will probably win)Board games George and his family loveWhy just the term Do Not Disturb triggers anxiety & marital strife in George's houseWhy Big Mama isn't a fan of Apple WatchesWhy parents shouldn't be texting kids during the school dayKids are already under immense pressure - added pings and notifications make life more dramatic and complicatedUsing dumb/flip phones as a partial solutionGeorge catches himself getting distracted by the SILENCE coming from his phone.Getting stuck in a reward loopPutting your phone, in a different roomLinks to products mentioned:BOARD GAME: WingspanBOARD GAME: Ticket to RideBOARD GAME: Hues & Cues

If you're sick of getting yelled at about your phone use, but your parents are doing the same things, this episode will give you some strategies in how you can confront your parents (in a good way) about your THEIR device overuse. Also: download the Teen Family Contract to give to your parents.Co-host: Big Mama's cousin George  We know that most adults are just as addicted to their devices as their children. The rule at the dinner table is no phones - but somehow dad or mom have theirs because they're "working." The idea that only kids are making mistakes with technology is absurd. George reveals his 3.5 day usage on his phone showed that he "picked-up" his phone 469 times. Why? His son, Luke, confronted him about his device usage in a way that stopped George in his tracks and made him more aware of his phone usage.Download:Big Mama put together a family contract written from a teen's perspective which kids can use to confront their parents in a positive way. It includes items like: I can't pause a live game, and please ask me before posting pictures of me on your social media. You can download the teen family contract here.

A new season, a new beginning. Too many parents either don't engage or don't believe that their teens (and elementary school kids) are suffering. That’s why Season 2 of my podcast, and all future seasons will be focused directly to the students - to teenagers. If we’re going to make even the slightest dent in digital safety we need help from a population who doesn’t need to be “convinced” that there’s a problem in the first place.  Kids - make your parents listen to this episode. Here's what they'll hear: Your children want YOU, they want you to spend more time with them. Your children want for you to SEE them, to care about what’s going on in their lives. They want you to use YOUR phone less, to listen when they’re trying to talk to you.They want you to STOP posting about THEM on your social media. They want you to STOP asking them to pause a LIVE GAME They’ll do almost anything to avoid “getting in trouble” including giving in to an online predator’s threats. They want you to know that they’re under immense mental health pressure. They want to stop being used as the world’s scapegoat - the nonsensical idea that kids are the only ones struggling with device usage. As if parents aren’t just as addicted - because they are. And as always - Be careful and avoid moist dudes in basements

Show: Web of Lies    Network: Investigation DiscoverySeason 1: Episode 6  Farmville HorrorPremiered 2/12/2014https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/web-of-lies/full-episodes/farmville-horrorBay Area suspect allegedly bludgeoned victimshttps://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Bay-Area-suspect-allegedly-bludgeoned-victims-3217121.phpQuadruple-murder suspect’s sister has received death threats over Virginia slayingshttps://www.mercurynews.com/2009/09/25/quadruple-murder-suspects-sister-has-received-death-threats-over-virginia-slayings/  UPDATE: Details emerge about weapons used in Farmville killingswww2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/young_calif._man_indicted_for_farmville_killings/303376/P0/    Services held for Farmville slaying victimshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/FARM041_20091003-222407/297346/Services held for slain Longwood professorhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/FARMGAT03_20091003-164201/297261/Father made futile trip in search for slain daughterhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARM30_20090929-222402/296385/The unfolding of a cruel crime in Farmville, and a strange onehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARM27_20090926-221606/295789/A timeline of the Farmville killingshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARM27G1_20090926-195801/295730/Farmville suspect told of confrontation, cab driver sayshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARM26_20090925-222606/295597/Slain W.Va. teenager mourned at servicehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/FARM26S1_20090925-222201/295585/Suspect told cabbie he confronted girlfriendhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/suspect_told_cabbie_he_confronted_girlfriend_over_text_message/295462/Rapper, suspect's mother provide slayings case detailshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/FARM251_20090924-232001/295416/Slain pastor remembered as gifted and compassionatehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/FARM251S1_20090924-233803/295422/Services for Farmville slaying victims begin todayhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARMGAT24_20090924-062601/295167/Graveside service scheduled today for slain pastorhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/FARM24S1_20090923-221002/295108/Gruesome music genre becomes subject of scrutinyhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARM24_20090923-222604/295120/Police tell of encounters with Farmville suspecthttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/FARM231_20090922-233601/294871/Teen victims were drawn to macabre musichttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/site_elements/tags/tag/farmville+killings/Farmville victims died from blunt force traumahttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/farmville_victims_died_from_head_injuries/294667/Suspect's sister expresses remorse in Farmville slayingshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARM221_20090921-235202/294638/Excerpts: Farmville suspect's sister writeshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARM22S_20090921-222608/294591/Calif. police raid home of quadruple murder suspecthttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/hearing_for_man_accused_in_farmville_slayings_to_be_held_by_video_conferenc/294463/Appomattox church fondly recalls slain pastorhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARM21S1_20090920-223603/294428/Police look at role lyrics may have had in slayingshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/FARM21_20090920-223409/294416/Longwood professor ‘loved her work'https://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/FARM20S1_20090919-222405/294216/Suspect may have been in contact via Internet with professor's daughterhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/FARM20S2_20090919-222603/294224/Suspect arrested in four Farmville slayingshttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/FARMUP_20090919-234403/294271/Quadruple slaying suspect arrested at Richmond airporthttps://web.archive.org/web/20110828131950/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/four_bodies_found_in_farmville_home/294109/