Mentor Lab Wendy McMahan, President, For the Children

What does it look like to mentor teens who’ve experienced trauma—with compassion, clarity, and consistency?In this episode, we’re joined by Wendy McMahan, President of For The Children and a TBRI Trained Practitioner, for a powerful and practical conversation on how mentors can apply Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) in real-life relationships with foster and trauma-impacted youth.Wendy brings over 20 years of experience serving vulnerable children across the full continuum of care—from prevention and foster care to reunification and adoption. She also shares from lived experience as a former foster parent and as a leader mobilizing the local Church to create life-changing moments for children who’ve experienced relational trauma.Together, we explore:What TBRI is and why it matters for mentors (not just caregivers)Why connection is the foundation for trust and healingHow mentors can empower teens without trying to fix or control themWhat compassionate correction looks like within the mentor roleHow to balance truth and grace when teens make mistakesEncouragement for mentors who feel like “this is hard” or wonder if it’s workingIf you’re a mentor, volunteer, advocate, or simply someone who wants to show up well for young people who’ve been wounded—this conversation is for you.If this episode encouraged or equipped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a mentor or community that cares about foster youth.Drop a comment below: What resonated most with you—or what questions are you still carrying?Follow us on all platforms @teenleadershipfoundationwww.teenleadershipfoundation.orgTo Learn more about TBRI:https://www.forthechildren.org/bridge-to-belonging#TBRI #TraumaInformedMentoring #FosterYouth #MentorshipMatters#ConnectionBeforeCorrection #TraumaInformedCare#FaithAndJustice #RelationalHealing #ShowUpWithLove