About the show
Ten-minute episodes that help girls build confidence, handle tough topics, and know they are enough.
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This is 10 for Teens + Tweens, a 10-ish minute podcast by Empowerful Girls that helps you grow curiosity, compassion, and confidence so you can take on the world! Host Stephanie Valdez discusses positive themes and tackles tough topics, teaching girls how to handle them. She shares guidance on personal development, physical and mental health, relationships, and media literacy. She hopes every girl listening will accept and embrace herself (strengths and weaknesses), make stronger connections with friends and family, and be mindful with media. More than anything, Stephanie wants girls to know for themselves that they are enough.
Fast Facts
- Audience
- Ages 12+
- Network
- Empowerful Girls
- Format
- Listen in any order
- Typical length
- 11 min
- Episodes
- 158
- Topics
- Education For Kids, Education, Self Improvement
Listen now
Listen on the Once Upon a Pod app Hand-picked, kid-safe shows worth their earsor press play on any episode below to listen right here
Episodes
158 episodes
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157. Gossip
12 min 20 October 2026Let’s talk about gossip! There are a few angles we’ll cover–gossip in general, what you can do when gossip starts up, and what you can do when the gossip is about you. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 157 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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156. Social Media Driver's License with Jennifer Berger
14 min 8 October 2026I can't wait for you to hear my conversation with Jennifer Berger from Ready Set Screen ! Jennifer developed a program called Social Media Driver’s License to help tweens/teens/parents “prepare for the digital road ahead.” We discussed how she grew a passion for media literacy education, how she developed Social Media Driver’s License, and how you have control over your own online life.
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155. Over-apologizing + Hedging
9 min 1 October 2026If you find yourself saying sorry constantly, or downplaying what you have to say, this episode is for you. Sorry not sorry, we’re talking about over-apologizing and hedging. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 155 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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154. Girls + Sports
11 min 18 September 2026Multiple ads involving women and sports have sparked some online debates. I won’t go too far into the details of these ads; instead, I want to focus on the broader picture, those media messages and why they matter. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 154 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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153. My Best Advice for 2026-27 School Year
11 min 27 August 2026Even if it’s the middle of the school year when you listen to this, I want to share my best advice that can help you all year long. • Overthink what might go right • Keep moving • Become better friends with yourself . . . To help you, I created a "Best Advice 2026-27 School Year" worksheet. Get your printable in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 153 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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152. Jealousy
10 min 1 August 2026Jealousy is often the source of conflict in books and in shows, but how do you deal with it in real life? . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 152 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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151. Friendship reason, season + lifetime
10 min 1 July 2026I once learned that friendships and relationships are in your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I'm gonna share some of my experiences to help you understand your own. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 151 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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150. Play
10 min 20 June 2026What comes to mind when you hear the word "play"? What does play mean to you or look like for you? Also, when was the last time you allowed yourself to play? Let's talk about why and how you should bring more play into your life. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 150 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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149. Sleep
10 min 1 June 2026Question for you–how’ve you been sleeping lately? Do you tend to stay up late doing homework, hanging out with friends, or scrolling through your phone–even on school nights? Or do you have to get up early for school, practice, or work? Maybe you get to bed at a decent time, but it takes a while for you to fall asleep, or you wake up during the night and have a hard time getting back to sleep. So you feel exhausted during the day, yawning all the time, even dozing off while you fight to stay awake. Let’s talk about teen sleep struggles, why sleep is important, and what experts recommend. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 149 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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148. Jitters + Nerves
10 min 17 May 2026When you feel nervous before taking a test, or competing in a sport, or singing on stage or starting something new, it's called performance anxiety. The good news is, there are methods to handle performance anxiety. Let’s explore a few. . . . To help you, I created a "Jitters + Nerves" poster. Get your printable in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 148 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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147. Study Strategies
11 min 29 April 2026What's your study strategy? How about instead of studying harder, you try studying smarter. I’m going to share multiple studying strategies, and you can decide which combination works best for you. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 147 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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146. Girls Changing the World pt. 2
10 min 31 March 2026As we wrap up March and Women’s History Month, remember that women and girls are still making history today and changing the world. I want to highlight a few modern sheroes in hopes that they will inspire you to pursue your passions: Shanya Gill, invented a fire detection system to warn of house fires Catherine Drysdale, the first woman to win the Antarctic Ice Marathon Tejasvi Manoj, created a website and app to protect seniors from online scams Bohlale Mphahlele, invented the “Alerting Earpiece” to protect women and girls from attackers Cécile Hernandez, the oldest medallist ever in Para snowboard Jordan Sucato, raised money to protect homeless dogs' paws from the heat Mckenna “Mak” Whitham, the youngest player in National Women’s Soccer League history Madhvi Chittoor, helped pass legislation to protect people from PFAs . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 146 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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145. International Women's Day
10 min 10 March 2026Yesterday, March 8, was the 115th International Women’s Day! We've still got plenty of work to do for women to have the equality, rights, and support they deserve. Here are a few things I hope to see by the time you gals are my age. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 145 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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144. When it's hard to Love Yourself
11 min 15 February 2026Sometimes it’s hard to love yourself, so let’s help make it easier. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 144 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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143. What Is Happening
10 min 28 January 2026I’m not gonna sugar coat it–there are a LOT of troubling things going on in the world right now. Like, more than usual. When you feel worried or weighed down by what you see happening, you often turn to adults for support. So I want to offer you validation, comfort, and guidance. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 143 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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142. New Year, New View
12 min 6 January 2026Did you know that most New Year's Resolutions fail? Clearly how we're making them isn't working, maybe we should do things differently? Here's my new view on Resolutions to help you keep them. . . . PS--I created a "2025 Year Reflection" worksheet. Get your printable in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 142 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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141. It's Giving Service
9 min 2 December 2025Sometimes when we’re asked to volunteer, we’re not exactly enthusiastic about it. But volunteering doesn’t only benefit the organization or group the service project is helping–it also benefits those who volunteer to help. Let's discuss how giving service to others gives back to you too! . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 141 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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140. Visualization + Goals
10 min 12 November 202510 for Teens + Tweens just celebrated it’s 5th birthday! Honestly this podcast exists because of you girls, so with all my heart, thank you for listening. Have you ever heard about using visualization? It's a mental practice that can help you achieve your goals. Let's explore how to utilize it and how it can help you. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 140 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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139. Spilling the Tea on Secrets
11 min 21 October 2025Let's talk about the difference between secrets and things shared in confidence. Plus--there are some things you shouldn't keep a secret. And what do you do if your friend shares something you told them in confidence--or if you do it to them? . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 139 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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138. My Birthday Breakup
11 min 1 October 2025It’s been 20 years since I got the worst birthday gift I’ve ever received. I’m sure you wanna know what it was. I’m not just gonna spill tea in this episode, there’s a lesson to take from it, too. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 138 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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137. Get Outside + Connect
12 min 17 September 2025Nature offers numerous benefits and relief. It’s there waiting for us to experience it. The world is so noisy and it’s drowning out nature, so we need to get outside and reestablish our connection with it. . . . To help you, I created a "Get Outside + Connect Your Energy" poster. Get your printable in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 137 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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136. Health Setbacks
12 min 6 September 2025Whether it’s a sports injury, food allergy, chronic illness, or something else, let’s talk about how to deal with health setbacks. As a reminder, I am not a healthcare professional; I am not offering medical advice, a diagnosis, or treatment. I still think it’s important to have conversations about this, so you’ll feel more comfortable talking about it and advocating for yourself. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 136 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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135. Your Energy
9 min 19 August 2025Your energy is a valuable resource–which is why you should selectively choose who you give it to. This past week, a certain podcast broke the internet (wasn’t mine–yet). Now even if you’re not a fan of Taylor Swift or football, she shared solid wisdom that I think you girls should hear–even if you have already, it’s a good reminder. . . . To help you, I created a "Your Energy" poster. Get your printable in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 135 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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134. My Best Advice for 2025-26 School Year
11 min 6 August 2025Even if it’s the middle of the school year when you listen to this, I want to share my best advice that can help you all year long. • Be Present • Try a Grandma hobby • Get out of your way Just so you know, I’m not just giving YOU girls this advice, I’m going to be practicing it too. I haven’t mastered these things, I may have a few decades of experience on you, but I’m still learning and growing alongside you. So I would love to hear what grandma hobby you try, what changes you notice by striving to be present, and how you get out of your own way. . . . To help you, I created a "Best Advice 2025-26 School Year" worksheet. Get your printable in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 134 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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133. The Cost of Beauty
11 min 24 July 2025I’ve got a hot take about beauty, and some of you might not like it that much, for others it might not apply to you right now. But I hope you’ll still listen because it needs to be said. It’s something I wish I understood years ago, so I’m trying to help you see it sooner than I did. Beauty is costing us too much time, money, and energy. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 133 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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132. Get Ready With Me Redos
9 min 11 July 2025I imagine you girls have seen or at least heard of Get Ready With Me videos–maybe even created one yourself. Reflecting on my teen routines from the 90s and early 2000s, if I had made Get Ready With Me videos, now knowing what I’ve learned over the years, I would change a lot of things. In hopes that you will learn from my mistakes, here are some of my Get Ready With Me Redos. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 132 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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131. Surround Yourself With
12 min 30 June 2025One of the topics you gals message me about most is friendships. And I honestly understand why. Friendships have a huge impact on you, and they're a big and important factor throughout your tween and teen years. We’ve talked about friendships in multiple episodes, and since it’s been a minute, we’re gonna talk about friendships again, specifically about who you surround yourself with. . . . To help you, I created a "Surround Yourself With" poster. Get your printable in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 131 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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130. My Experience with Anxiety
14 min 18 June 2025I’ve received several requests for an episode on anxiety. Just like the ADHD episode 112, this topic is personal to me because I’ve experienced it. I will preface this by reminding you–I am not a healthcare professional, I am not offering medical advice, a diagnosis, or treatment. I still think it’s important you gals hear others’ perspectives, both so you’ll feel more comfortable talking about anxiety or seeking support if you need it, and also to help you better understand those who experience it. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 130 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .
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129. Less Awkward with Dr. Cara Natterson
25 min 31 May 2025One of the most-requested topics--Puberty. So check out my chat with Dr. Cara Natterson from Less Awkward! Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett created a host of resources to help teens/tweens AND their parents be less awkward about all things puberty! We discussed common puberty concerns, conversation starters and enders, and solid advice to help youth and parents better-understand each other.
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128. Peer Pressure
12 min 21 May 2025Peer pressure can cause you to give in, go along with what others are doing, and make choices that don’t actually align with you. Let's explore some common peer pressure scenarios and help you strategize what to do when you face them. . . . A full transcript of this episode is available in the 10 for Teens + Tweens Ep. 128 show notes on EmpowerfulGirls.com .