Teen Mental Health, Warning Signs, and Raising Resilient Kids | Joy in the Junk Podcast

Episode 43: Joy in the Junk Podcast

Pull up a chair, take a seat and let's chat! Thank you for being at our table.  Don't forget to follow us on facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for our podcast videos!

Episode 42 | Joy in the Junk Podcast

Pull up a seat and let's chat! Thank you for being at our table.  Don't forget to follow us on facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for our podcast videos!

Pain and Suffering: There's JOY there too!

Thank you for being at our table.  Don't forget to follow us on facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for our podcast videos!

Teen Mental Health, Warning Signs, and Raising Resilient Kids | Joy in the Junk Podcast

In this episode of Joy in the Junk, we sit down with licensed school-based counselor Amanda Ledford.  She has had 18 years in the school system and she comes to talk about what is really going on with kids and teens today. From the rise in anxiety and depression since COVID, to the hidden dangers of social media, to practical warning signs every parent and grandparent should know, Amanda brings real talk and professional insight to the table. We cover how to spot the difference between a bad day and something deeper, why boundaries actually build trust, the truth about high-functioning depression, and one simple emoji trick that helps teens communicate when words are too hard. We also dig into why activity is not the same as involvement, and why your kid's mental health matters at every age...yes, even at five. Whether you are raising teenagers, grand-parenting littles, or just trying to understand the people you love better, this episode is for you. Topics covered: teen mental health, anxiety in teens, depression in kids, social media and mental health, parenting teenagers, school counselor advice, warning signs in children, emotional health, self-harm awareness, mental health stigma Thank you for being at our table.  Don't forget to follow us on facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for our podcast videos!

You’re Still a Masterpiece: Faith, Healing, Trauma & God’s Restoring Love | Joy in the Junk Podcast

In this heartfelt episode of Joy in the Junk, we dive deep into what it really looks like to hold onto faith when life feels heavy. From unexpected joy found in a TJ Maxx checkout line to honest conversations about cancer, caregiving, suffering, spiritual growth, and trusting God in uncertain seasons — this episode is full of raw truth, laughter, vulnerability, and hope. What happens when life splatters “purple paint” all over the masterpiece God created? Using the beautiful picture of art restoration, we explore how God restores damaged hearts, renews weary minds, and reminds us that our trauma, struggles, failures, and suffering do not erase our value or identity in Christ. We talk about: ✨ Finding joy in ordinary moments and unexpected encounters ✨ Walking through cancer, caregiving, grief, and difficult seasons ✨ Why suffering doesn’t mean God has abandoned you ✨ Learning to rely on the Holy Spirit instead of ourselves ✨ The restoration process — spiritually and emotionally ✨ Letting God remove the “layers” that dull our faith and purpose ✨ Obedience, conviction, grace, and learning to trust God fully ✨ Why your testimony matters and how your story can give others hope ✨ Remembering that your damage doesn’t disqualify you from God’s love If you’re feeling overwhelmed, spiritually tired, struggling with hardship, wrestling with faith, or simply needing a reminder that God is still good in the middle of the junk — this conversation is for you. You are still His masterpiece. The damage may be real, but God’s restoration is real too. Scriptures referenced include James 1, Ephesians 2:10, Psalm 139, and truths about grace, identity in Christ, and spiritual renewal. Connect with us, share your story, and let us know what “joy in the junk” looks like in your life. Thank you for being at our table.  Don't forget to follow us on facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for our podcast videos!