296. Protecting Harm with Connecting Conversations, with Jason Reid

Today I'm talking with Jason Reid about one of the hardest parts of parenting: having real, honest conversations with our kids about the things nobody wants to bring up. The messy things. The scary things. The things we hope aren't happening—but often are. Jason shares his family's story of losing his 14-year-old son to suicide, and the gained wisdom he's sharing with all of us. He reveals the number one mistake we simply cannot afford to make as parents, and how small shifts in our conversations can genuinely protect our kids. This isn't an episode about fear—it's about clarity, courage, and the kind of connection that makes all the difference. We talk about how to support our kids through their struggles without pretending we have it all together, and how to keep it real with our own emotions in the process. If you're wanting practical, compassionate guidance for navigating hard conversations, strengthening trust, and being a safe place for your teen when life gets heavy, this episode will meet you right where you are.   About my guest:  Jason Reid is a partner at CEO International, where he coaches CEOs on how to be successful. He co-founded National Services Group, which employs 2500 people across three brands nationwide. He is a leader, entrepreneur, and family man. Following the loss of his 14-year-old son to suicide in 2018, Jason started the foundation TellMyStory.org, a nonprofit organization built to educate and empower parents by sharing the best and latest resources they need to identify and understand how to support their children's mental health struggles. Through its sister organization, Mental Wellness Media, it helps generate awareness through powerful media projects that compels parents and kids to better communicate and share their stories. Jason has shared his experience in two TEDx talks, the documentary films Tell My Story, What I Wish My Parents Knew and Tell My Story's other educational programs.