PODCAST · society
Embers
by Valo
Embers is a place where teens share their stories as they navigate the waters between childhood and adulthood. Join us as they explore timely and compelling topics—fanning the embers burning in each of us.Embers is a production of valo. We are an organization committed to guiding teens as they seek to create real connections in our increasingly digital world. We take teens from all walks of life on retreats. In this space, they are eager to open up and uncover what matters most. For them, it’s pretty simple—sustained, unplugged, face-to-face connection.
Episodes
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Embers: Varsity Soccer Players on Navigating the High School Social Climate
Members of the Freeport Girls Varsity Soccer team discuss the difference between cliques and friend groups, and how to navigate being on the inside—or outside—of them. They share their thoughts on the power of kindness, embracing diversity, and staying true to yourself as important pillars of...
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Embers: Who Are Young Athletes When They're Not Performing?
What happens when young athletes are given space to put down the pressure to perform — and simply be themselves? Following our preseason retreat with Freeport High School’s boys varsity soccer team, we sat down with a few of the players for a conversation about vulnerability, connection,...
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Embers: Worth Another Listen- Healthy Habits
This week, we're giving our regular teen co-hosts a well-deserved summer break—and practicing a little of what this episode is all about. Instead of recording something new, we're revisiting a conversation our Valo teens shared a couple of years ago that feels just as relevant today. In this...
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Embers: Life After High School: Real Talk from Valo Alumni
In this month's podcast, recently graduated seniors sat down with Valo alumni to discuss the transition from high school to college and life beyond. They explored it all… from finding community and building new friendships to managing greater independence and navigating challenges. At the heart…
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Embers: Our Teens Get Real About Mental Health
In honor of mental health awareness month, our hosts sat down with fellow Valo teens to discuss all things mental health. They spoke about stigma, they brainstormed ways to support loved ones going through hardship, and they emphasized that mental wellbeing looks different for everyone. Curious?...
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Embers: Generation Earth
With Earth Day just around the corner, our teens gathered to talk about our planet, what it means to live sustainably, and how the earth and mental wellbeing are so closely connected.
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Embers: Live from the MYAN Conference
This month our podcast teen hosts hit the road and recorded the episode with youth they met at MYAN’s Youth Leadership Conference. This month our podcast teen hosts hit the road and recorded the episode with youth they met at MYAN’s Youth Leadership Conference. The teens had a lively discussion...
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Embers: Brave Enough to Wonder
In this episode, our teens start with a simple question: Is curiosity something you’re born with, or something you build? They explore what happens when we keep asking questions — or when we stop — and how curiosity shapes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Along the way…
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Embers: Fresh Air for the Mind, Care for the Earth
in this episode: Valo teens and community members shared their thoughts about environmental stewardship and the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. From building connection to reducing stress, this episode explores how caring for the planet can also help us care for ourselves.
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Embers: The Valo Effect
In this episode, we listened to our teens share what parts of Valo resonate for them and what makes our programs and teens’ engagement so important today. Our Executive Director, Dana, spoke with the teens during a recent teen-organized coffee house. You can hear their joyous banter in the...
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Embers: On Connection
This month, we dove into one of our core values: connection. We loved welcoming back a special part of the Valo circle—our alumni. It was such a treat to catch up, hear their stories about what connection meant to them when they were here, and see how they’ve carried that same spirit into their...
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Embers: Why Our Youth Matter
This month our teens not only led a panel discussion at Maine Youth Thriving’s REVIVE event, they podcasted there as well! Two of our teens facilitated a meaningful discussion of bravery, difficult conversations, and how these are tools that can help teens feel seen and heard.
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Embers: In Praise of Play
We leaned into the focus on play in all regards this month. In this episode, our teens talk about their relationship with play, when life started to steer them away from it, and how to incorporate it back into their regular routine.
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Embers: Soccer Teams on the Power of Vulnerability
This month we sat down with players from Freeport High School’s Varsity Soccer teams who shared their beliefs about vulnerability: how to cultivate it, how it helps build connection, and how brave it is for teens to be emotionally vulnerable in today’s world. We bet their perspectives will leave...
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Embers: Valo Teens on Finding Gentle Summertime Rhythms and Staying Grounded
This month, we heard from our teens as they discussed what they believe healthy routine and rhythm looks like in the summer months, without the daily structure of school. They shared how taking care of your body and mind looks different for each of them as the seasons change.
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Embers: Valo Seniors’ Departing Wisdom
As one last parting gift, Valo’s seniors shared thoughtful and heartfelt insights about all things Valo - from connection and tending to wellbeing to long-lasting ways of being and - of course - play! Their perspectives and authenticity continues to fill us with hope. Give a listen. We bet you’ll...
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Embers: Listening to the Wisdom of Teachers
In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, our teen hosts wanted to interview a group of people who have a tremendous impact on young people. Teachers. As we all know, teachers play a pivotal role in helping kids know they matter and empowering them to grow in all kinds of ways. What a gift to…
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Teens Look Back and Think Forward
We took the show on the road this month and featured youth from all over who were attending the New England Youth Identity Summit (which Valo is lucky to be a partner in hosting). We loved hearing their insightful, unique, and even humorous perspectives as they reflected on their past and looked...
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Parents Tell All
We turned the tables this month and invited a few Valo parents to be our guests. Each shined light as they showed up fully for a brave conversation about parenting. Their candor was refreshing as they shared their personal journeys as parents. From how they connect with their children to parts…
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love is where it's at 🩵
love is where it's at 🩵 by Valo
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Embers: The Pressure for Perfection
Teens are keenly aware of the often unspoken but clearly felt expectation to be perfect. This can look as different as each individual youth, but one thread is clearly woven in - the inevitable pressure to strive toward perfection. In this episode, our teens talk with one another about how they...
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Young Voices Shed Light on Connection
Young Voices Shed Light on Connection by Valo
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Youth Speak Their Truths about Mental Health
Youth Speak Their Truths about Mental Health by Valo
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(Unplugged): Teens Tell All
(Unplugged): Teens Tell All by Valo
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Male Soccer Players Model Bravery at Its Best
We were fortunate to have a chance to sit down and hear from a group of male high school soccer players who had recently participated in a Valo program during their pre-season training. The perspectives they shared about vulnerability, connection, being unplugged, and what it means to support…
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Embers: A Conversation with Award Winning Author, Lily King
We are beyond excited to have New York Times best selling author and Maine resident, Lily King on this month’s Embers Episode. Come give a listen as Lily shares her perspectives about the creative process, mental health, as well as recent favorite reads. Photo Credit: Winky Lewis
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Valo Alumni Share Their Secrets
In this episode, we have decided to take a bit of a different approach. Instead of our usual interview and interviewee format, in this episode you will hear many voices and many perspectives. We asked Valo alumni of different ages to share advice they would give a young person about tending to...
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Promoting Pride with Gia Drew
With the start of Pride Month, we at Valo are excited to share a very special episode with all of you. This month our hosts engaged in conversation with Gia Drew, who serves as the Executive Director of EqualityMaine. Listen to Gia talk about her experiences as the first out transgender public...
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A Conversation with Maine Athletes Eavan O’Neill and Skyler Samuelson Espinoza
For the May edition of Embers, we are elated to be joined by two amazing athletes and Mainers, Eavan O’Neill and Skyler Samuelson Espinoza. In 2020 Eavan was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Stargardt's Disease that causes vision loss. Following her diagnosis and the onset of the...
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Expanding Embers at the New England Youth Identity Summit
Earlier this month our Embers podcast hosts, Levi and Lyla, led a workshop at the New England Youth Identity Summit showing other teens the power of podcasting. The usual hosts took a backseat in this month's edition and allowed the workshop’s participants to engage in a meaningful conversation...
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A conversation with Writer and Student, Weatherspoon, on Youth Emotional Wellbeing
This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with Bowdoin student, writer, and New England Youth Identity Summit keynote speaker, Weatherspoon. Together they discussed the role of art and expression in emotional wellbeing. Tune in to hear from this inspiring author!
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Joan Benoit Samuelson and Ruth White on the Role Sports Can Play in our Emotional Wellbeing
This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with marathon runner and Olympic gold medalist, Joan Benoit Samuelson, along with Maine Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year, Ruth White. Together they discussed the role that movement, community, and sports can play in our emotional...
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Author and Environmental Activist, Rick Bass, on Young People in Climate Activism
In the latest episode of our podcast, Embers, the Valo teens sat down with author and environmental activist, Rick Bass, for a conversation on the role that young people play in climate activism. Together they explored climate anxiety, the importance of empowering youth, and the energy that comes...
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A Conversation on Male Vulnerability with Maine Boys to Men
The core of our program's work is creating meaningful connection through conversations. Any time we have a chance to partner with a nonprofit and talk, all the better. In this month’s episode of our podcast, Embers, we sat down with our friends at Maine Boys to Men. Together, we had an important...
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Valo and NAMI Maine
This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with three folks from NAMI Maine who are a part of the NAMI Teen & YA Help Line. Together they discussed the importance of peer support and ways that young people and adults can help those youth who are struggling with their mental health....
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Valo and The Yellow Tulip Project
This month, Valo teens connected with a youth ambassador at the Yellow Tulip Project! Together they had an insightful conversation about their organizations, youth mental health, and how adults can support them. You won't want to miss this episode!
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Parent Questions Answered: Social Media
In this episode, Valo teens Levi and Lyla explore the impact of social media on the lives of young people. In the episode, they field parent questions about Snap Maps to screen time boundaries - and everything in between. Those with youth in their lives won't want to miss this candid and…
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A Look Back on the TD Beach to Beacon 10K
This month, the Valo teens share reflections of their experience at the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, and the impression that it left on them. They also had the chance to sit down with Valo's Executive Director, Dana Anderson, and to hear her talk about how it felt to be the beneficiary, a decade since...
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Join the Conversation!
This month, the Valo teens sat down to ask each other questions from our teen conversation prompt deck (Curious? You can grab a digital copy here: https://shorturl.at/mDG25 We have been using these prompts as a way to keep the conversation going outside of Valo retreats. They're great to bring to...
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Healthy Habits
As we dive into summer, our teens sat down to have a conversation about their daily habits connected to exercise, sleep, and nutrition. They talk about setting rhythms to support their emotional wellbeing. Curious about what they had to say—and what we might learn from them? Come along!
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Mental Health Awareness Month
In honor of raising awareness and reducing the stigma, the Valo teens share a bit about how they support the mental health of their friends and loved ones. What they share is potent and can help us reflect on how we can all care for those in our circles. Curious about what they had to say? Come...
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The New England Youth Identity Summit
In this month’s episode, the Valo teens share a bit about their experiences at the New England Youth Identity Summit, including what inspired them following their enlightening day. Come along!
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Valo and emotional wellbeing
This month on the embers podcast, the Valo teens shared about their wellbeing and described ways that Valo supports their emotional health. Curious about what they had to say? Come along!
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climate change
In this episode of embers, Valo teens share their views of climate change and actions they are taking to do their part. They also describe how they stay hopeful amidst the crisis. Together, they explore what they find challenging and where they find light in the darkness. Curious about what they...
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new year's resolutions
In this episode of embers, Valo teens share their thoughts on new year's resolutions. Together, they consider how resolutions can feel both empowering and challenging. They also reflect on the impact of intentionally shifting our routines to benefit emotional wellbeing. Curious about what they…
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what it looks like to be yourself
In this episode of embers, the Valo teens talk about what it looks like to be yourself–spaces where they feel they can show up as themselves, and other situations where it's harder to. The perspectives they shared left us reflective and hopeful for the ways that we can help everyone to feel seen...
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the impact of social media
In this episode of embers, the Valo teens talk about social media and the ways it influences their lives, including body image, relationships, and their overall sense of mattering. The perspectives they shared left us reflective and optimistic, as we look to this generation to lead the way in how...
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our relationship with our phones
our relationship with our phones by Valo
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mental wellbeing
In this episode of embers, the valo teens share their perspectives about mental wellbeing. In their conversation, they explore the many layers of mental health and the various avenues to support their own and others' emotional wellness. Their thoughts and ideas left us feeling ready to continue…
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taking a break from social media
In this episode of embers, the teens dove into the topic of social media and how it feels to push pause. Through their conversation, these insightful teens uncover some of the benefits of having digital connection available at our fingertips, but also (and more enlightening to us!) how boundaries...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Embers is a place where teens share their stories as they navigate the waters between childhood and adulthood. Join us as they explore timely and compelling topics—fanning the embers burning in each of us.Embers is a production of valo. We are an organization committed to guiding teens as they seek to create real connections in our increasingly digital world. We take teens from all walks of life on retreats. In this space, they are eager to open up and uncover what matters most. For them, it’s pretty simple—sustained, unplugged, face-to-face connection.
HOSTED BY
Valo
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Embers have?
Embers currently has 85 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Embers about?
Embers is a place where teens share their stories as they navigate the waters between childhood and adulthood. Join us as they explore timely and compelling topics—fanning the embers burning in each of us.Embers is a production of valo. We are an organization committed to guiding teens as they seek...
How often does Embers release new episodes?
Embers has 85 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Embers?
You can listen to Embers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Embers?
Embers is created and hosted by Valo.
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