Speak Out Stand Out by Green Communications

Elizabeth Green
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out by Green Communications / My Speech and Debate Coach, the ultimate podcast for enhancing your child's communication skills.   Join us as we explore effective strategies to empower the younger generation in making a positive impact on the world. Whether you're a parent, educator, or passionate about today's youth, this podcast is your guide to nurturing confident voices for a brighter future. Tune in to unlock the power of communication, one voice at a time.

  1. 9h ago

    Supporting Your LGBTQ Child Starts With Listening

    The first thing you say after someone comes out can either open a door for the rest of their life or quietly slam it shut. We sit down with Heather Hester, host of More Human, More Kind and author of Parenting with Pride, to talk about what real LGBTQ allyship looks like inside a family. Heather shares the moment her oldest son came out and how fear, relief, and love collided at once, then walks us through the long stretch afterward: supporting an LGBTQ teen, parenting other kids at the same time, and learning how to communicate when you realize your “normal” way of talking isn’t working anymore. We get specific about the phrases people blurt out when they’re caught off guard. Heather breaks down why “Are you sure?” is one of the worst questions you can ask, why “I’m worried about your future” can translate as “something is wrong with you,” and how to repair when you’ve already said the wrong thing. You’ll also hear simple, practical alternatives you can use immediately, including a go-to response that keeps the moment loving while you catch your breath: “Thank you for telling me.” Because silence sends a message too, we also talk about Pride Month, Christian allyship, and how to have age-appropriate conversations with kids without making it weird, scary, or overly detailed. If you want your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend to feel safe with you, this conversation gives you language, mindset shifts, and next steps that actually work. Connect with Heather Subscribe to Heather's Substack here, find her on Instagram @morehumanmorekind, or on LinkedIn here.  Subscribe for more honest conversations, share this with someone who wants to show up better, and leave a review with the one sentence you want every kid to hear first. Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green. I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you. Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts.  And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.  Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+. Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

    32 min

  2. Jun 8

    Confidence Grows When You Practice Small Risks

    “Get out of your comfort zone” sounds inspiring until it lands your kid in full panic. We sit down with Lorraine Connell, TEDx speaker, author, and founder of Peers, Not Fears and the Speak Boldly Showcase, to talk about a more realistic way to build confidence and communication skills in kids and teens without pushing them past their edge.  We break down Lorraine’s three-circle model of the comfort zone, the challenge zone (growth zone), and the panic zone, plus what panic can look like in real life: shutting down, avoiding, hiding, or snapping in anger. From there, we get practical. Lorraine shares how she uses simple games to help students take safe risks, reflect on what worked, and discover that confidence is something you can practice into existence. We also talk about how the same task changes difficulty depending on the environment, and how parents can “scale” challenges so kids keep moving forward.  You’ll leave with concrete parenting strategies like giving your family a shared language for anxiety, building small daily reps (ordering food, asking a question in a store, starting a conversation), and using conversation starters to prepare for stressful moments like a new school lunchroom. Lorraine also explains tools from her workbook, including values work, scripts for difficult conversations, and a relationship web that helps kids see which friendships feel balanced and which ones drain them. If you care about youth leadership, social skills, and public speaking confidence, this one is packed with doable next steps.  Connect with Lorrainne Find her on LinkedIn, join her "Leadership for our Kids" Facebook group, or find her on Instagram @peersnotfears. Grab your freebie: 10 prompts to help teens think through challenging situations before they happen. If this helps, subscribe, share it with a parent or teacher, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. What’s one “challenge zone” step you want to try this week? Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green. I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you. Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts.  And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.  Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+. Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

    29 min

  3. Jun 2

    You Can Train Your Brain To Chase Better Rewards

    Your brain isn’t broken, lazy, or “addicted to the internet” in some mysterious way. It’s doing what it evolved to do: chase rewards, seek safety, and size up social status using a handful of powerful chemicals. We sit down with Loretta Breuning, author of *Habits of a Happy Brain*, to translate dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and cortisol into real life, especially the messy reality of raising kids while trying to stay grounded yourself. We talk about dopamine as the feeling of “I’m about to get something I need,” why that shows up as scrolling, snacking, or shopping, and how to replace one narrow dopamine source with healthier options. Loretta also explains mirror neurons and why kids mirror what we do when we’re stressed, soothed, proud, or checked out. If you want children to build a calmer relationship with technology, the starting point is often modeling what balanced use looks like, including intentional breaks and clear stop points. From there we dig into serotonin as the fast, fleeting “I’m winning” signal that drives social comparison for adults and kids alike, plus oxytocin as the reward of earned trust rather than instant connection. We close with cortisol, your brain’s built-in reverse gear, and why a 20-minute cooldown can beat any lecture in the middle of a blowup. If you’re looking for practical brain science, parenting tools, and a more realistic definition of happiness, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a quick review so more parents can find it. Connect with Loretta Get your free 5-day happy chemical jumpstart here, or visit Loretta on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green. I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you. Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts.  And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.  Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+. Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

    34 min

  4. May 19

    The Five C’s Of Communication

    Your teen is upset, you’re frustrated, and suddenly a simple “no” turns into a full-blown argument. That moment can feel impossible to recover from, especially when you’re trying to hold boundaries and still keep your relationship intact. We wanted a practical, real-life way to bring the temperature down without shutting the conversation down. We’re joined by Amy Saloner, a parent and teen coach focused on adolescent well-being, resilience, and helping young people grow into confident, on-purpose adults. Amy shares her Five C’s of communication: calm, consent, communicate, curiosity, and clarity. We talk about why you can’t solve problems from an escalated emotional state, how asking “Is now a good time to talk?” prevents unnecessary blowups, and how a simple nonviolent communication map (observations, feelings, needs, requests) can turn blame into collaboration. We also dig into what many parents need most: rupture and repair. When you react out of fear, you can still go back, take responsibility, apologize, and reconnect. Amy explains why “connect before correct” matters, how reflective listening builds emotional safety, and why these skills shape everything from friendships and college transitions to leadership, negotiation, and healthy boundaries. Subscribe for more practical parenting tools, share this with a friend raising teens, and leave a review so more families can find these communication skills. What’s the hardest part for you right now: staying calm, getting consent, or staying curious? Connect with Amy Get your own copy of The Cs of Communication and The Communication Map here, or find her on Facebook or Instagram.  Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green. I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you. Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts.  And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.  Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+. Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

    29 min

  5. May 12

    How Parents Can Teach Kids To Speak Up

    Your child says “fine,” shrugs, and disappears into their room, and you’re left wondering what you missed. We sit down with international conversation coach Jackie Bailey to unpack why kids and teens often stay quiet even when parents are trying hard, and how small shifts in everyday parenting communication can rebuild confidence fast. Jackie shares the three conversations every child needs but rarely gets: “I see you,” “Let me try,” and “You’re safe with me.” We talk about how judgment, quick fixes, and big emotional reactions can accidentally silence kids, then we replace those habits with practical tools like curiosity questions, calm responses, and letting kids solve problems with support instead of rescue. You’ll also hear why “How was your day?” is basically a courtesy question, and how better prompts can unlock real stories, feelings, and trust. We also dig into the modern barrier of phones and social media, including the body-language message we send when we keep a device in our hands. Jackie explains simple connection practices that build self-esteem and communication skills from the inside out: using your child’s name, making eye contact, listening for keywords, and reflecting them back so kids know they matter. If you’re raising a shy child, dealing with school stress, or just trying to create a home where honest conversations happen, this one gives you a clear path forward. Subscribe, share this with a parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review. What’s one question you’ll ask your child today to help them open up? Connect with Jackie Find her on her website here, check out the Speak Feed Lead Facebook page or Instagram page, and listen to the podcast In The Groove with TJ.   Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green. I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you. Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts.  And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.  Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+. Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

    31 min

  6. Apr 28

    What If Connection Matters More Than Being Right

    Your family might not have a “communication problem” as much as a nervous system problem. When stress spikes, logic detaches from emotion, tone sharpens, and we start speaking to win instead of speaking to connect. That is where this conversation with Jan Talen, a licensed marriage and family therapist with decades of experience, gets incredibly practical and oddly relieving. We dig into why words are only a small part of the message, and how pacing, eye contact, posture, and tone can either invite cooperation or trigger defensiveness in a partner or a teenager.  Jan walks us through Dan Siegel’s “hand model of the brain” and the real-world meaning of “flipping your lid” so you can spot it in yourself and your kids. We talk about what to do in the heat of a moment: the kind of deep breath that actually helps your brain work again, how long it can take to reset, and why most problems can wait long enough for you to calm down. If you tend to overexplain, rebut, or chase the last word, you will love Jan’s straight question: do you want to be right or do you want the relationship?  We also unpack Jan’s DNA method for family communication: Decide what you need to know and where you want this to end up, Notice what you need to get there (calm, info, alignment with a co-parent, better connection), then Apply your words in a way that fits the person you’re talking to. Along the way, we share simple connection builders, “redo” language you can use immediately, and how modeling healthier communication with a spouse, partner, or ex shapes your kids more than any lecture ever will.  If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a parent friend, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. What’s the hardest moment for you to pause before you respond? Connect with Jan Find Jan through her website, take her free Marriage Making Moment quiz or schedule a Conversation Connection.  Want your kids to practice great communication skills? Check out our live virtual classes here. Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green. I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you. Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts.  And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.  Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+. Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

    28 min

  7. Apr 7

    Grammar Without Shame

    Grammar shouldn’t feel like a black hole that sucks the joy out of writing, yet that’s exactly how many of us learned it: memorize, label, correct, repeat. We sit down to teach our kids and suddenly realize we can “hear” what sounds right, but we can’t explain why, and worksheets only make everyone frustrated.  We talk with nationally recognized literacy consultant Patty McGee about a different way to teach grammar that actually sticks. We dig into why red-ink, correction-first instruction became the norm, why spoken English and standard written grammar operate by different expectations, and how a mindset shift can turn grammar into a meaning-making tool rather than a shame trigger. Patty shares practical strategies for teaching sentence structure, punctuation, and style through conversation, curiosity, and reflection over time, which is especially helpful for homeschool families and for learners who struggle with handwriting or dysgraphia.  You’ll also hear hands-on, low-cost grammar manipulatives you can try immediately, plus why AI writing tools make grammar knowledge more important, not less. If you want kids to write with clarity and voice, and you want grammar practice that feels like play rather than a test, this one gives you a concrete path forward.  Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a teacher or homeschool friend, and leave a review with the grammar topic you want us to tackle next. Connect with Patty Read her new book, Not Your Granny's Grammar, visit her website, or find her on Instagram @pmgmcgee Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green. I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you. Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts.  And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.  Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+. Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

    33 min

  8. Mar 24

    How To Spot Dyslexia Early And Help At Home

    Your kid is bright, curious, and full of ideas, yet reading feels like a daily fight. That mismatch can leave families stuck between “maybe they’ll grow out of it” and the heartbreak of watching confidence slip away. We sit down with dyslexia therapist Faye Casell to get clear on what dyslexia looks like, why it’s so often missed, and what parents can do right now to help at home. We dig into the data on dyslexia prevalence (think 1 in 5) and the reality that many children never get formally identified. Faye explains why dyslexia screening can happen as early as age five because it’s rooted in phonological processing, not effort. We talk practical early signs parents can spot, including trouble with rhyming, difficulty blending and segmenting sounds, slow progress with letter-sound mapping, and why waiting until a child is “failing enough” creates unnecessary social-emotional damage. If you’re a homeschool family, we also cover a key detail many people miss: you can often request testing through the public school even if your child is not enrolled. Writing comes up too, especially dysgraphia, the handwriting and written-expression struggle that can hide behind a verbally gifted kid. Faye shares why cursive can help some learners and how assistive technology like speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and audio tools can let students show what they know without turning every assignment into a stamina test. Throughout the conversation, we keep coming back to a steady message: trust your gut, get a baseline on skills, and use structured literacy and explicit phonics support that is beneficial for all and essential for some. Connect with Faye: find her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or her website. Find Dyslexia Breakthough home intervention info here, and download the Free Dyslexia Road Map for Families ebook here. Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green. I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you. Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in Thanks for listing! Be sure to check out the show notes for additional resources including a free public speaking lesson and 52 fun practice prompts.  And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please give us a follow.  Thanks for Listening to Speak Out, Stand Out Like what you hear? We would love if you would rate and review our podcast so it can reach more families. Also - grab our free mini lesson on impromptu speaking here. This is ideal for kids ages 6+. Interested in checking out our Public Speaking & Debate courses? Find more here!

    33 min
See All (83)

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out by Green Communications / My Speech and Debate Coach, the ultimate podcast for enhancing your child's communication skills.   Join us as we explore effective strategies to empower the younger generation in making a positive impact on the world. Whether you're a parent, educator, or passionate about today's youth, this podcast is your guide to nurturing confident voices for a brighter future. Tune in to unlock the power of communication, one voice at a time.

Information