In this heart-opening conversation, youth mentor and wellbeing practitioner Marilou Coombe joins host Leonie Du Toit to explore how awareness and emotional intelligence can transform the lives of our children — and us as parents. They dive into the realities of raising emotionally intelligent, highly sensitive, and tech-saturated children in a disconnected world — and how awareness, modeling, and communication can bridge the gap. 💫 About the Guest Marilou Coombe is a Youth Mentor, Coach, and Wellbeing Practitioner with a background in social science and more than 15 years in the travel industry. Having lived in five countries and traveled the world, she brings a rich, global perspective to her work. Marilou blends NLP, hypnotherapy, energy work, and mindfulness to help young people — and the adults who support them — build confidence, emotional resilience, and authentic self-expression. She is the founder of the Empowered Youth Coaching Academy, where she mentors youth and trains other coaches to continue this vital work. 🧭 What You'll Hear • Marilou's journey from war-torn Lebanon to Australia — and how that shaped her passion for youth empowerment • Why cultural awareness matters when supporting young people • The effects of technology and dopamine overload on emotional regulation and focus • Awareness as the first step in emotional healing for children and adults • The power of modeling: why our kids do what we do, not what we say • Practical tools for parents to build awareness, balance technology, and restore connection • Supporting sensitive and empathic children — how to help them see their sensitivity as a superpower • How to hold space for teens without fixing or rescuing • Inner adolescence work — why your teenager might be mirroring your own unhealed teenage years • Awareness and intuition as everyday parenting tools 🕰 Time-Stamped Highlights 00:00 Welcome & introduction 01:00 Marilou's global journey and cultural influences 04:00 The power of mentoring and why she works with youth 08:00 War, resilience, and life lessons from Lebanon 10:00 How technology impacts focus, mood, and wellbeing 14:30 Awareness: 50% of the problem is solved when you see it 17:00 Modeling behavior — kids learn through energy, not words 20:00 Real parenting moments: meltdowns, awareness, and repair 24:00 When your teen shuts down — holding space vs. fixing 31:00 Reparenting through adolescence: healing your inner teen 35:00 Empathic and highly sensitive children — how to support them 40:00 From self-criticism to empowerment: modelling emotional truth 43:00 Words of wisdom for young people — "You are the most powerful person in your life." 🪞 Key Quotes "50% of your problem is solved just by being aware." — Marilou Coombe "Children don't need perfect parents — they need present ones." — Leonie Du Toit "Our kids do what they see us doing, not what we tell them to do." — Marilou "Awareness and intuition are the spirit senses that guide our next generation." — Leonie "If you think you're dumb, and you believe it, then it becomes true. Your words create your world." — Marilou 💡 Practical Takeaways for Parents Model awareness: show your child how you calm yourself, apologise, and take responsibility. Hold space: listen without rushing to fix or advise. Invite reflection: ask questions like "What do you need from me right now?" or "How does your heart feel about this?" Balance technology: involve kids in decisions and explain what happens in their brain and body when they use screens. Normalize emotions: let your children see you feel and express — calmly, consciously, and responsibly. See sensitivity as strength: teach children how to clear their energy and see empathy as a gift, not a flaw. 🌱 For Young Listeners "Stop listening to what the world tells you about who you are. Go inwards — you are powerful, capable, and wise. Whatever you believe about yourself becomes your truth." — Marilou Coombe 🔗 Connect with Marilou Coombe Instagram / Facebook: Empowered Youth Coaching Academy Programs: 1:1 Youth Coaching, Family Coaching, and Youth Mentor Training Website: Coming soon — follow her socials for updates 📘 Connect with Leonie Du Toit Book: Spiritual A.I. — The Authentic Intelligence: Awareness & Intuition, Your Inner Technology Available on Amazon - https://tinyurl.com/3jprfw9b Podcast: The Spiritual A.I. Podcast — Awareness & Intuition Revolution Website: www.leoniedutoit.com Socials: @coachhealerleonie
