Life Is The Future

Scott Todnem

Thoughts from the Health Education classroom, brought to you by Scott Todnem and his middle school students.

  1. Jun 7

    Seniors Revisit Middle School - Teens React to Their Younger Selves (2022 to 2026)

    High School Seniors react to their old 8th Grade podcast! Previous Life Is The Future hosts, Nonye, Debo, and Connor (S4 2021-2022), return to revisit the podcast they recorded back in middle school. Plus, as an added bonus they open their Letters to the Future and share a few things their 8th grade self wrote to their Senior year self. Cool concept, right? We are fortunate these alumni were still in the area to analyze their prior opinions on life as teenagers. Focus points include academics, mental health, dating relationships, global issues, and social life all as they relate to growing up through high school. Do you agree with their opinions? Which were “good takes” and which were “bad takes” from four years ago? How has the world changed in the meantime? Make sure to subscribe to keep up to date on our podcast episodes as we begin the 2026-2027 school year and Season NINE of the Life Is The Future podcast! RESOURCES "Middle School Issues Commonly Faced By Kids"⁠⁠ https://www.greatschools.org/gk/parenting/academics/fixes-for-7-common-middle-school-problems/ "⁠What is High School Really Like?⁠" https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/starting-high-school.html "⁠⁠Advice for High School Freshmen from Departing Seniors" https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/advice-for-high-school-freshmen-from-departing-seniors1808.html BOOKING & CONTACT 🛒 Shop & Gift Ideas: https://www.amazon.com/shop/scottampersand 🗞️ Email Newsletter: ⁠http://tinyurl.com/LifeIsTheFutureNewsletter 🎙️ Partner Program: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com/partner-program 📲 Teaching insight, blog posts, books, and more: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com

    20 min
  2. Jun 3

    Goodbye Middle School, Hello High School - 8th Graders Interview Seniors 2026

    Throwback Episode! Season 8 hosts interview Season 4 hosts. Cool concept, right? This is a special opportunity where previous 8th grade podcast hosts return to visit our current middle school hosts. Maddie, Piper, and Mwanashe (S8 2025-2026) welcome back Debo, Nonye, Sparsh and Connor (S4 2021-2022) to reminisce about the last 4+ years. The 8th graders ask the graduating seniors all about life after middle school. Focus points include life balance, sports, academics, stress, friendships, extracurricular activities, emotional maturation, college hopes, and recommendations for surviving and thriving through teen years. What did you think of this conversation? We'd love to hear feedback. Did the group miss any main points about middle or high school? Make sure to subscribe to keep up to date on our podcast episodes as we conclude the 2025-2026 school year and Season 8 of the Life Is The Future podcast! RESOURCES "Middle School Issues Commonly Faced By Kids"⁠⁠ https://www.greatschools.org/gk/parenting/academics/fixes-for-7-common-middle-school-problems/ "⁠What is High School Really Like?⁠" https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/starting-high-school.html"⁠⁠ Advice for High School Freshmen from Departing Seniors" https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/advice-for-high-school-freshmen-from-departing-seniors1808.html BOOKING & CONTACT 🛒 Shop & Gift Ideas: https://www.amazon.com/shop/scottampersand 🗞️ Email Newsletter: ⁠http://tinyurl.com/LifeIsTheFutureNewsletter 🎙️ Partner Program: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com/partner-program 📲 Teaching insight, blog posts, books, and more: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com

    42 min
  3. Jun 1

    Behind the Mic: Teens Unpack "Life Changes Before High School" | Podcast Understudy

    We present to you our 7th grade understudies! These students are a part of our Health Class Media Crew and help record raw, unedited footage of our podcast AND live, on-the-spot reflection both during and after each episode. Watch the behind-the-scenes of “Growing Up Fast - Teens Talk Life Changes Before High School” - Life Is The Future Podcast - S8 E11. BACKGROUND This video series provides the public with a look into our recording ins-and-outs while simultaneously allowing younger students to learn from our 8th grade hosts. Imperfections are part of the learning process! We are witnessing the development of adolescents as they practice life skills and navigate the ever-growing internet world— all with a positive lens. 🎙️ Full podcast episode: Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/_-64bZ1AMe8 Audio Only: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nbMOW9gyhyyKkNR3QmIIj DETAILS This season's 8th grade hosts, Piper, Mwanashe, and Maddie review their year on the podcast. The teens discuss life changes, focusing on academics, friendships and social life, extracurriculars, growing up through middle school, advice to others, and look ahead to the transition into high school next year. This week’s 7th grade understudies, Nivi and Aaliyah, offer their own opinions on important quotes, meaningful takeaways, and additions or corrections to their slightly older peers. REFLECTION Chime in: How did everyone do? What other related concepts did the students forget to mention in this episode? Tune in next year as we welcome in a new season of 8th grade hosts and 7th grade understudies to provide a sneak peek into the podcast and student reflections. Make sure to subscribe to keep up to date on our media journey as we start up the 2026-2027 school year! BOOKING & CONTACT 🛒 Shop & Gift Ideas: https://www.amazon.com/shop/scottampersand 🗞️ Email Newsletter: ⁠http://tinyurl.com/LifeIsTheFutureNewsletter 🎙️ Partner Program: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com/partner-program 📲 Teaching insight, blog posts, books, and more: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com

    27 min
  4. Apr 20

    Behind the Mic: Teens Unpack "Stress Management For Teens" | Podcast Understudy

    We present to you our 7th grade understudies! These students are a part of our Health Class Media Crew and help record raw, unedited footage of our podcast AND live, on-the-spot reflection both during and after each episode. Watch the behind-the-scenes of “Under Pressure - Stress Management For Teens” - Life Is The Future Podcast - S8 E10. BACKGROUND This video series provides the public with a look into our recording ins-and-outs while simultaneously allowing younger students to learn from our 8th grade hosts. Imperfections are part of the learning process! We are witnessing the development of adolescents as they practice life skills and navigate the ever-growing internet world— all with a positive lens. 🎙️ Full podcast episode: Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/5Jjf-gh4OE8 Audio Only: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nbMOW9gyhyyKkNR3QmIIj DETAILS This week's 8th grade hosts, Piper and Mwanashe, partner up to interview classmates Maya and Reya. The teens take on the topic of stress in middle school and in life. This is another recurring conversation year-to-year, and for good reason. Specifics this week include academic expectations and standardized tests, athletics and extracurriculars, high school on the horizon, coping strategies, parent & teacher assistance, and recommendations to fellow teens. This week’s 7th grade understudies, Kyzen and Advik, offer their own opinions on important quotes, meaningful takeaways, and additions or corrections to their slightly older peers. REFLECTION Chime in: How did everyone do? What other related concepts did the students forget to mention in this episode? Tune in soon as our other two 8th grade hosts take over with a new topic and a new set of guests while our other two 7th grade understudies provide a sneak peek into the podcast and reflections of their own. Make sure to subscribe to keep up to date on our work throughout the 2025-2026 school year! BOOKING & CONTACT 🛒 Shop & Gift Ideas: https://www.amazon.com/shop/scottampersand 🗞️ Email Newsletter: ⁠http://tinyurl.com/LifeIsTheFutureNewsletter 🎙️ Partner Program: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com/partner-program 📲 Teaching insight, blog posts, books, and more: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com

    27 min
  5. Mar 11

    Behind the Mic: Teens Unpack "Phone Life vs. Real Life" | Podcast Understudy

    We present to you our 7th grade understudies! These students are a part of our Health Class Media Crew and help record raw, unedited footage of our podcast AND live, on-the-spot reflection both during and after each episode. Watch the behind-the-scenes of “Connected or Consumed? Teens Talk Phone Use” - Life Is The Future Podcast - S8 E9. BACKGROUND This video series provides the public with a look into our recording ins-and-outs while simultaneously allowing younger students to learn from our 8th grade hosts. Imperfections are part of the learning process! We are witnessing the development of adolescents as they practice life skills and navigate the ever-growing internet world— all with a positive lens. 🎙️ Full podcast episode: Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/4jmtHR5MX4c Audio Only: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nkqwfOENLvB4xUEAQp4uB DETAILS This week's 8th grade hosts, Piper and Mwanashe, partner up to interview classmates Sarah and Aanya. The teens take on the topic of phone use and its impact in teenage life. They talk about managing screen time, social media, age limits and maturation, overnight phone habits, safety issues, communication concerns, and recommendations to fellow teens. This week’s 7th grade understudies, Nivi and Aaliyah, offer their own opinions on important quotes, meaningful takeaways, and additions or corrections to their slightly older peers. REFLECTION Chime in: How did everyone do? What other related concepts did the students forget to mention in this episode? Tune in soon as our other two 8th grade hosts, Maddie and Arbaaz, take over with a new topic and a new set of guests while our other two 7th grade understudies provide a sneak peek into the podcast and reflections of their own. Make sure to subscribe to keep up to date on our work throughout the 2025-2026 school year! BOOKING & CONTACT 🛒 Shop & Gift Ideas: https://www.amazon.com/shop/scottampersand 🗞️ Email Newsletter: ⁠http://tinyurl.com/LifeIsTheFutureNewsletter 🎙️ Partner Program: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com/partner-program 📲 Teaching insight, blog posts, books, and more: ⁠http://LifeIsTheFuture.com

    21 min
4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Thoughts from the Health Education classroom, brought to you by Scott Todnem and his middle school students.