Imagine not needing an escape hatch from your own life. That’s the heart of our conversation as we speak directly to teens and young adults about the pull of gaming marathons, sleeping the day away, getting high, and drinking—not with judgment, but with real empathy for why these choices make sense when pain feels louder than hope.

We break down how escapism offers control and quiet in the moment, yet builds a loop of temporary relief, crash, and shame that leaves you feeling stuck. Together, we name the deeper roots many carry in silence: loneliness while surrounded by people, pressure to be perfect, fear of disappointing family, and trauma that’s too heavy to say out loud. You’ll hear a clear distinction between identity and behavior—coping is not who you are—and practical ways to spot triggers, reduce avoidance, and create micro-habits that bring steady relief.

This episode also leans into connection. We talk about finding someone who listens first—counselors, coaches, relatives, neighbors, or peers—and why speaking even one honest sentence can loosen pain’s grip. We explore how to cap screen time without shame, swap numbing for nervous-system resets, and imagine the kind of day you wouldn’t want to run from. The tone is human, direct, and hopeful, offering a path to change that starts with one choice and grows with support.

If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who needs a voice that sees them. Subscribe for more grounded mental health talks, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: what’s one small step you’ll take today toward a life you don’t need to escape?

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Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive!

Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search

Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com

I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog!
Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog

Join the MindShift Universe—where real conversations spark transformation!

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What if “within policy” still feels wrong to the people you serve? We sit down with retired LAPD lieutenant Jeff Weninger to unpack the uncomfortable gap between legal justification and moral legitimacy—and how that space erodes community trust. Jeff brings a rare mix of multiracial upbringing, street experience, and command-level reform to show why mindset shapes outcomes more than any statute or slogan.

We trace the path from Graham v. Connor’s narrow focus on the moment of force to a broader totality-of-circumstances view, and why that legal shift still isn’t enough without cultural change. Jeff pulls the curtain back on dehumanization, the “us versus them” mentality, and the startling share of shootings involving people in mental health crisis. He argues for tactics that buy time, gather family insights, and deploy mental health expertise, instead of relying on volume, posture, and hardware to force compliance. The proof point: departments that slow down see fewer injuries and better resolutions.

Jeff lays out a candid reform blueprint: civilianize key command roles like media strategy, academy design, and consent decree oversight; align policy with behavior through early post-incident debriefs; and train assessment into firearms qualifications to blunt contagious fire. We challenge the militarized look that broadcasts domination and explore what the UK gets right about patience and layered responses, even when guns aren’t part of the equation. For young people torn between activism and service, Jeff makes a hard-won case for changing the system from the inside, backed by a career of actionable solutions.

If you care about public safety, police accountability, mental health response, and building trust that lasts beyond a headline, this conversation offers a clear, practical path forward. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s wrestling with these questions, and leave a review with the one mindset shift you want to see next.

🔗 Connect with Jeff Wenninger

🌐 Website: https://lawenforcementconsultants.com/

Book: http://onthinicebook.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wenninger-4247a854

Send us an anonymous text message

Support the show

Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive!

Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search

Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com

I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog!
Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog

Join the MindShift Universe—where real conversations spark transformation!

Follow me on social media: https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492

Thank you for listening!

Feeling like you’re out of options as a parent is terrifying, and too many of us are facing that quiet crisis alone. We sat down with teen and parent well-being coach Laura Ollinger to name what’s really happening—hopelessness and despair—and then replace it with a grounded approach that actually works in 2025. Together we unpack the limits of the old control-first playbook and build a new one around connection, clarity, and consistent follow-through.

Laura breaks down a balanced framework that pairs love and empathy with expectations and discipline. We talk about why “take the phone” rarely solves the real problem, how to set tech boundaries that protect sleep and safety, and how to explain the why so teens feel respected even when they disagree. You’ll hear a simple but powerful shift: focus on results over reactions. A slammed door is a moment; the long game is raising a person who knows they are valued and accountable.

We also explore what subtle disengagement looks like—endless scrolling, transactional parenting, and treating kids like roommates—and how to re-engage with short daily rituals that say you matter. Modeling repair becomes a standout skill: when parents own mistakes and apologize, they teach emotional maturity, earn respect, and strengthen the bond. Laura shares how she supports families through coaching, workshops, and even immersive in-home transformations, guiding both parents and teens toward calm, structure, and trust.

If you’ve been tempted to give up, this conversation offers a hopeful reset and a clear path forward. Subscribe, share this with a parent who needs it, and leave a review with the one boundary you’re committed to setting this week. Your choices teach worth—make them count.

🔗 Connect with Laura Ollinger

🌐 Website: positivelyhealthycoaching.com

🎙 Podcast: Positively Healthy Mom Podcast

Send us an anonymous text message

Support the show

Every episode brings global perspectives and leadership insights. Click on the "Support the show" link above and keep the mission alive!

Search MindShift Power Podcast buy topic here: https://www.fatimabey.com/podcast-search

Explore more about my work beyond podcasting, check out the blog, share your thoughts, or become a guest! https://www.FatimaBey.com

I also have another podcast called The MindShifter Audio Blog!
Experience my written words like never before, as I personally narrate my blogs for a truly engaging audio journey. https://www.fatimabey.com/audioblog

Join the MindShift Universe—where real conversations spark transformation!

Follow me on social media: https://www.fatimabey.com/#1035650492

Thank you for listening!