College Prep at Any Age with Tracy Bartholomew
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
TCA is a college preparatory school, and that preparation begins long before college applications are filled out. In this episode, Tracy Bartholomew, part of TCA’s college counseling team, discusses how parents can help their children start thinking about the future and taking their first steps towards college and career decisions. Tracy and host Cynthia Yanof talk about: How parents can help their children discover God’s calling for their lives. How students can begin exploring different interests and fields of study. How TCA’s college counselors help students each year along the way....
info_outline
10 Great Things Happening at TCA
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
In this episode, host Cynthia Yanof talks with people all over TCA to get the scoop on some new things that have happened or will happen soon. This top 10 list includes: An increased emphasis and investment in biblical worldview The addition of a full-time athletics chaplain Upgrades to the baseball and softball fields The addition of a new preK section and a new playground New dining options in the cafeterias Invisible security upgrades to the campus Adjusting the cell phone policy to improve student well-being An upcoming month of prayer on the TCA campus The first class of senior...
info_outline
Life Is Messy, God Is Good with Cynthia Yanof
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
In this episode of Let’s Talk TCA, the tables are turned as our regular host, Cynthia Yanof, becomes a guest on the podcast. TCA student Ella Eubanks interviews Cynthia about her new book, “Life Is Messy, God Is Good,” and her experiences as a podcaster, a foster mom, and a TCA parent. Life is hard, and it often goes “off script.” Cynthia talks about having a theology that lines up with reality and finding God at work in the middle of our messes. She shares “messy truths” from her book, heartwarming stories from the TCA community, and insights from being “the oldest...
info_outline
Growing Leaders with Dr. Tim Elmore
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
Dr. Tim Elmore joins the podcast to talk about cultivating leadership in our children and equipping them to be future leaders. Dr. Elmore is the founder of the global nonprofit and has written more than 35 books, including “Habititudes,” “Generation Z Unfiltered” and “12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid.” An expert on leadership and the younger generations, he believes that the problems we face today will be solved by kids who are now in school. In this episode, Tim Elmore and host Cynthia Yanof discuss: How Generation Z and Generation Alpha are defined, and how they are...
info_outline
Love and Life with Bob Goff
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
Bob Goff, the bestselling author of “” and “,” joins the podcast to discuss loving people, dreaming big, and living an undistracted life. Answering questions submitted by TCA students, Bob talks about: His work building schools in 13 countries The difference between teachers and educators How to love people who are difficult to love Using your platform or influence to make a lasting difference How to deal with distractions Making plans for life versus going with the flow How students can take leadership in building a better, more loving world The phone number you can use...
info_outline
Athletics Q&A with Tonja King
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
In this episode, host Cynthia Yanof talks all things athletics with Chief Administrative Officer Tonja King. Tonja and Cynthia cover a range of topics, including: The mission and philosophy of TCA athletics How TCA measures success in athletics Recent coaching hires The new position of athletic chaplain Athletic department leadership Changes in the strength and conditioning program TAPPS’ and TCA’s policy on recruiting Improving athletic facilities How you can help If you would like to learn more about opportunities to support TCA athletics financially, please...
info_outline
AI and Your Kids
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
In this episode, host Cynthia Yanof discusses AI (artificial intelligence) with TCA Chief Academic Officer Fran Legband and Director of Technology and STEM Lisa Wong. Love it or fear it, AI is a game-changer, and it’s here to stay. Listen as Fran and Lisa explain the basics of how artificial intelligence works, including its potential benefits and its limitations. They talk about how AI can influence education and the way subjects are taught, such as focusing student work more on critical thinking skills that AI cannot replicate. They also explain how TCA is guarding against...
info_outline
The Importance of a Christian Worldview with Michael Craven
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
This week on Let’s Talk TCA, we have the privilege of hearing from one of the leading voices of Christian worldview, Michael Craven. Mr. Craven is an author, speaker, and the Vice President of Equipping at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s passionate about helping Christians align current-day cultural issues with biblical truth, a focus TCA is also highly committed to providing its students. A few of the topics covered on today’s podcast include: - Mr. Craven’s journey from corporate CEO to Christian worldview apologist - The importance of having a Christian...
info_outline
A Must-Hear Conversation for Back-to-School with Sissy Goff
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
We are so excited to have Sissy Goff joining us today on Let’s Talk TCA. Sissy is a sought-after author, speaker, and Licensed Professional Counselor in Nashville, Tennessee. More and more we’re seeing anxiety become an epidemic in our culture, and that’s especially true with our kids. Statistics show that one in four children deal with anxiety, with girls being twice as likely to suffer. The onset age of anxiety is now down to six or sever-years-old, and one in three teens and adults will also face anxiety (again, with women being twice as...
info_outline
Reflections from our Seniors
Let's Talk TCA Podcast
In today’s episode, we talk with three of our graduating seniors: Caitlyn Hackney, Alana Soileau, and Max Merrifield. These students tell us about their experiences throughout their time at TCA including involvement in activities, how teachers have influenced them, school trips, preparing for college, and most importantly how TCA has impacted their faith. Their advice to their freshmen selves is priceless. Whether you are a current TCA student or parent, are joining the Upper School this fall, or considering TCA for the future, you won’t want to miss this advice and wisdom from our...
info_outline
Today, in honor of Mental Wellness Month, our podcast host Cynthia Yanof speaks with psychologist Dr. Ken Wilgus about the struggles Christian kids may face.
Dr. Wilgus has been in practice for over thirty years in the DFW area and specializes in the treatment of adolescents
and their families. He works with TCA families on a regular basis.
COVID is still contributing to stress in our kids' lives. Don’t underestimate the amount of stress our children may be experiencing. If you are concerned about your child’s stress level, the last year and a half are not indicative of how our kids will be.
For younger kids, our parental role is teaching. Routines in our families are important including
prayer and teaching the faith.
For adolescents, our role shifts to training. Our kids are watching
what we are doing as parents, not just what we say.
Dr. Wilgus reminds us to talk to our kids about performance anxiety. With children, we can teach children to let go of performance and shift their mindset. If you have an anxious teen, you may want to take the approach of walking alongside them and coaching them through it versus saying “don’t worry about it.”
He also reminds us how important it is to encourage children of all ages to engage with friends. We need to teach them the importance of loyalty and investing in one or two close friends. Let your kids be friends with who they connect with naturally. Model the need for connection with your own relationships.
We also hear about Dr. Wilgus’ book Feeding the Mouth that Bites You and the theme of how to let go of the reins with teens. Parents may instruct, correct, and teach up until age 13. After age 13, you are parenting a young adult. Give them freedoms and let them begin to manage their own lives including their faith.
Dr. Wilgus also discusses issues our kids struggle with including social justice issues, drug and alcohol use, cutting and suicide, and the discussions we should be having with our teens. Relationships with our children and teens are key to having a voice in their lives. Teach your children, and train and walk alongside your teens.
We also want to remind you that TCA has three school counselors: Emily Eyre (LS), Shawn Ledebur (MS), and Rachel Armstrong (US). Our counselors offer short-term counseling and
intervention for students on a variety of topics. They can also provide a list of Christian counselors if long-term counseling is necessary.
Click here for more information:
https://www.trinitychristian.org/school-life/social-and-emotional-support
Dr. Wilgus’ Website: http://www.drwilgus.com/
Feeding the Mouth That Bites You is available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Feeding-Mouth-That-Bites-
You/dp/1514762374/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1642094873&sr=