Be Your Own Hero Podcast Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:39:50 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2423415 en-us © 2026 Be Your Own Hero Podcast yes 3ba1a70e-4120-50b6-aca9-084f14d87e9a podcast.beyourownhero@gmail.com Laynie Anderson episodic false A podcast where I interview everyday heroes, learn their stories and share how others can Be Their Own Hero. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Laynie Anderson podcast.beyourownhero@gmail.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/991doqpl96nkwpbnv4o5dcd2af4t?.jpg Be Your Own Hero Podcast Be Your Own Hero: Elle Anderson Be Your Own Hero: Elle Anderson Today's episode is with Elle Anderson. Elle is a CPR and preparedness advocate for teens. She shares her personal experiences that have helped her to overcome challenges and drove her to start a movement.

Elle is Miss Timpanogos Teen 2025, a professional-level violinist, and a passionate youth advocate. She is the founder of Every Beat Matters, an initiative partnering with Utah fire departments to train teens in CPR and life-saving skills. As the President of her FBLA chapter and a Turning Point USA chapter president, she leads with vision and purpose, dedicated to empowering youth to discover their worth and build confidence. Whether through music, service, or leadership, Elle strives to inspire others and make a lasting impact.


Connect with Elle on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/elle.anders0n/

https://www.instagram.com/every.beat.matters/


]]> Today's episode is with Elle Anderson. Elle is a CPR and preparedness advocate for teens. She shares her personal experiences that have helped her to overcome challenges and drove her to start a movement.

Elle is Miss Timpanogos Teen 2025, a professional-level violinist, and a passionate youth advocate. She is the founder of Every Beat Matters, an initiative partnering with Utah fire departments to train teens in CPR and life-saving skills. As the President of her FBLA chapter and a Turning Point USA chapter president, she leads with vision and purpose, dedicated to empowering youth to discover their worth and build confidence. Whether through music, service, or leadership, Elle strives to inspire others and make a lasting impact.


Connect with Elle on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/elle.anders0n/

https://www.instagram.com/every.beat.matters/


]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-17943296 Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0600 1758 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay,#FollowYourPath, #CreateYou 2 5 full false Be Your Own Hero: Kaden Jensen Be Your Own Hero: Kaden Jensen On todays episode I get to chat with Kaden Jensen. We talk about his difficult road to recovery from substance abuse and suicidal ideation. Kaden shares how one single step can save your life. His message is sooo important and impactful!

Disclaimer: In this episode we talk about abuse, substance abuse and suicide. 

My name is Kaden! 27 years old from Kaysville, UT. A few things about me… I love to be active, I love working out, I love to travel, and most importantly, I love to live life to its fullest at any opportunity I get.


Follow Kaden on Instagram: @kadenxjenson

]]> On todays episode I get to chat with Kaden Jensen. We talk about his difficult road to recovery from substance abuse and suicidal ideation. Kaden shares how one single step can save your life. His message is sooo important and impactful!

Disclaimer: In this episode we talk about abuse, substance abuse and suicide. 

My name is Kaden! 27 years old from Kaysville, UT. A few things about me… I love to be active, I love working out, I love to travel, and most importantly, I love to live life to its fullest at any opportunity I get.


Follow Kaden on Instagram: @kadenxjenson

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-17902597 Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0600 1548 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay,#FollowYourPath, #CreateYou 2 4 full false Be Your Own Hero: ShayLee Hunter Be Your Own Hero: ShayLee Hunter On todays episode I chat with ShayLee Hunter. She shares about her journey with chronic illness and invisible disability advocacy. He goodness shines through and is a great example to all of us. 

ShayLee Raye Hunter is the Fundraising Coordinator working for Mascot Miracles Foundation. She graduated with her Master’s in Professional Communication from Weber State University. She has her undergraduate in Communications, emphasizing in Civic Advocacy. ShayLee has worked for numerous companies that strive for advocacy such as The Oley Foundation where she is currently the HPN Hero Award recipient for 2025, Hope Hero Foundation, Hidden Disabilities (Sunflower Project), Miss Amazing, Social Health Union, and currently with Girls With Guts as their Social Media Chairperson. ShayLee was born with CIPO and eventually had her ostomy surgery at 16 years of age. ShayLee then had a colectomy in her early 20s leaving her with Short Bowel Syndrome and she has been dependent on Total Parenteral Nutrition(TPN) for the majority of her life. ShayLee has published Research in Communications Journalism on how AI is affecting job stability. ShayLee has a passion and drive for helping others and spreading her expertise and good nature to parents, consumers, and medical personnel. As of July 2025, ShayLee competed in the Petite USA nationals Competition in Chicago, IL and placed 2nd runner up and was also selected for the overall Social Media award and the Gold Presidential Service Award.

Follow Shaylee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss_raye/

]]> On todays episode I chat with ShayLee Hunter. She shares about her journey with chronic illness and invisible disability advocacy. He goodness shines through and is a great example to all of us. 

ShayLee Raye Hunter is the Fundraising Coordinator working for Mascot Miracles Foundation. She graduated with her Master’s in Professional Communication from Weber State University. She has her undergraduate in Communications, emphasizing in Civic Advocacy. ShayLee has worked for numerous companies that strive for advocacy such as The Oley Foundation where she is currently the HPN Hero Award recipient for 2025, Hope Hero Foundation, Hidden Disabilities (Sunflower Project), Miss Amazing, Social Health Union, and currently with Girls With Guts as their Social Media Chairperson. ShayLee was born with CIPO and eventually had her ostomy surgery at 16 years of age. ShayLee then had a colectomy in her early 20s leaving her with Short Bowel Syndrome and she has been dependent on Total Parenteral Nutrition(TPN) for the majority of her life. ShayLee has published Research in Communications Journalism on how AI is affecting job stability. ShayLee has a passion and drive for helping others and spreading her expertise and good nature to parents, consumers, and medical personnel. As of July 2025, ShayLee competed in the Petite USA nationals Competition in Chicago, IL and placed 2nd runner up and was also selected for the overall Social Media award and the Gold Presidential Service Award.

Follow Shaylee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss_raye/

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-17867713 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0600 1732 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay,#FollowYourPath, #CreateYou 2 3 full false Be Your Own Hero Podcast: Brighton & Harper Chatterron Be Your Own Hero Podcast: Brighton & Harper Chatterron On today's episode I speak with Brighton and Harper Chatterton. Two sisters that have suffered with life threatening food allergies their whole lives. We talk about their journey of overcoming and being stronger on the other side. 

Brighton (16) and Harper (14) are authors of the book "Hey, It's Me, Preslee!". 

Available on Amazon and Barns & Noble. 

More about the book: 

Eleven-year-old Preslee Thompson has serious food allergies. She dreams of a world where she doesn’t live in fear and have to worry if the food she eats will cause a life-threatening allergic reaction, putting her into anaphylactic shock. Preslee and her parents make the decision for her to go through an allergy treatment program (OIT), which means she’ll need to put the exact allergens into her body that her parents and doctors have told her to avoid at all costs.

Although there are risks, the rewards of holding her crush’s hand, having a birthday party where she can eat all the same foods as her friends, and one day being able to eat a Chick-fil-A sandwich push Preslee to face her fears and begin the program. Along the way, she befriends the new girl at school and gets closer to her crush, Ashton. But her best friend, Ella, is jealous of Preslee’s new friends. She bullies Preslee and tries to keep her from having her dream birthday party.

With the party being a masquerade, nobody will know if Ella attends as a guest—or who brought the brownies that both Preslee and her sister, Lindsey, are highly allergic to.

The success of the allergy treatment program (OIT), means more than Preslee ever imagined. If successful, it will open up a world of possibilities she once thought was unattainable.

]]> On today's episode I speak with Brighton and Harper Chatterton. Two sisters that have suffered with life threatening food allergies their whole lives. We talk about their journey of overcoming and being stronger on the other side. 

Brighton (16) and Harper (14) are authors of the book "Hey, It's Me, Preslee!". 

Available on Amazon and Barns & Noble. 

More about the book: 

Eleven-year-old Preslee Thompson has serious food allergies. She dreams of a world where she doesn’t live in fear and have to worry if the food she eats will cause a life-threatening allergic reaction, putting her into anaphylactic shock. Preslee and her parents make the decision for her to go through an allergy treatment program (OIT), which means she’ll need to put the exact allergens into her body that her parents and doctors have told her to avoid at all costs.

Although there are risks, the rewards of holding her crush’s hand, having a birthday party where she can eat all the same foods as her friends, and one day being able to eat a Chick-fil-A sandwich push Preslee to face her fears and begin the program. Along the way, she befriends the new girl at school and gets closer to her crush, Ashton. But her best friend, Ella, is jealous of Preslee’s new friends. She bullies Preslee and tries to keep her from having her dream birthday party.

With the party being a masquerade, nobody will know if Ella attends as a guest—or who brought the brownies that both Preslee and her sister, Lindsey, are highly allergic to.

The success of the allergy treatment program (OIT), means more than Preslee ever imagined. If successful, it will open up a world of possibilities she once thought was unattainable.

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-17830931 Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:00:00 -0600 1424 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay,#FollowYourPath, #CreateYou 2 2 full false Be Your Own Hero: Kira Gardner Be Your Own Hero: Kira Gardner  Welcome to season 2!! On todays episode we get to chat with one of my very best friends, Kira Gardner. Kira shares her love of the arts and how her experiences have shaped her personal initiative H.O.P.E. Through The Arts. 


Miss Utah’s Teen 2024, Kira Gardner, is a 18 year old senior at Freshman at Brigham Young University. She has advocated for her Community Service Initiative, Hope Through the Arts, since she was 13 years old. With background as the Lehi youth city council mayor, business owner, Hope Squad member, and a lover of many arts, she has loved creating an impact on her community since a young age. 

Connect with Kira on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kira.gardnerr/

]]>  Welcome to season 2!! On todays episode we get to chat with one of my very best friends, Kira Gardner. Kira shares her love of the arts and how her experiences have shaped her personal initiative H.O.P.E. Through The Arts. 


Miss Utah’s Teen 2024, Kira Gardner, is a 18 year old senior at Freshman at Brigham Young University. She has advocated for her Community Service Initiative, Hope Through the Arts, since she was 13 years old. With background as the Lehi youth city council mayor, business owner, Hope Squad member, and a lover of many arts, she has loved creating an impact on her community since a young age. 

Connect with Kira on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kira.gardnerr/

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-17790690 Thu, 04 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0600 1292 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay,#FollowYourPath, #CreateYou 2 1 full false Be You Own Hero: Natalie Castro Be You Own Hero: Natalie Castro On today's episode I get to chat with my friend Natalie Castro. Natalie is not only  Miss Utah For America, but also a Neurodivergent Child Development Coach. We talk about how teens today can be inclusive and advocate for the special needs community.

More about Natalie: 

My journey began with my sister Angie, whose autism shaped my childhood. A turning point came at Denny’s when Angie’s actions left me heartbroken. But that moment of frustration transformed into understanding, as I learned autism meant Angie saw and communicated with the world differently. This realization fueled my dedication to supporting families on similar paths.

From founding Pieces of Inspiration, a pediatric therapy center, to working with over 200 families, my mission has been clear. Now, with Beyond the Diagnosis, I offer personalized coaching, transformative speaking events, and consultations through my H.O.M.E framework – Habits, Opportunity, Mentor, and Environment. Together, we’ll create a nurturing space where you and your child can thrive. 

Connect with Natalie on Instagram: @Natalie.e.castro

]]> On today's episode I get to chat with my friend Natalie Castro. Natalie is not only  Miss Utah For America, but also a Neurodivergent Child Development Coach. We talk about how teens today can be inclusive and advocate for the special needs community.

More about Natalie: 

My journey began with my sister Angie, whose autism shaped my childhood. A turning point came at Denny’s when Angie’s actions left me heartbroken. But that moment of frustration transformed into understanding, as I learned autism meant Angie saw and communicated with the world differently. This realization fueled my dedication to supporting families on similar paths.

From founding Pieces of Inspiration, a pediatric therapy center, to working with over 200 families, my mission has been clear. Now, with Beyond the Diagnosis, I offer personalized coaching, transformative speaking events, and consultations through my H.O.M.E framework – Habits, Opportunity, Mentor, and Environment. Together, we’ll create a nurturing space where you and your child can thrive. 

Connect with Natalie on Instagram: @Natalie.e.castro

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16611353 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0700 1476 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay,#FollowYourPath, #CreateYou 1 11 full false Be Your Own Hero: Haylee Sullivan Be Your Own Hero: Haylee Sullivan My guest today is Haylee Sullivan. She is a teen on a mission to support veterans and their families. Learn all about how she is helping military families in her community and how we can do the same.

More about Haylee:

 Haylee Sullivan is 15 years old from Lehi, Utah.   She loves talking to and meeting new people. She is new to pageants and has fallen in love with them. Her Community Service Initiative, No Family Left Behind is about military families and is inspired by her dad who serves. Her favorite thing to do outside of work, school and pageants is to hangout with friends and go get a sweet treat. 

Follow Haylee on Instagram  @nofamily_leftbehind 

]]> My guest today is Haylee Sullivan. She is a teen on a mission to support veterans and their families. Learn all about how she is helping military families in her community and how we can do the same.

More about Haylee:

 Haylee Sullivan is 15 years old from Lehi, Utah.   She loves talking to and meeting new people. She is new to pageants and has fallen in love with them. Her Community Service Initiative, No Family Left Behind is about military families and is inspired by her dad who serves. Her favorite thing to do outside of work, school and pageants is to hangout with friends and go get a sweet treat. 

Follow Haylee on Instagram  @nofamily_leftbehind 

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16570754 Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0700 1262 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay,#FollowYourPath, #CreateYou 1 10 full false Be Your Own Hero: AnaLeigha Meek Be Your Own Hero: AnaLeigha Meek On todays episode I get to chat with one of my favorite humans, AnaLeigha Meek.
We talk about her community service initiative, Healthy Habits, Healthy Hearts and how we can make healthy habits today to help us in the future. We talk about perfectionism and how it’s not about being perfect; it’s about striving to uplift others and live with faith and kindness in everything we do.

More about Ana:
Spreading Kindness, One Connection at a Time: The Story of AnaLeigha Meek AnaLeigha Meek is a 21-year-old media marketing student at Utah Valley University who believes in turning small acts of kindness into big waves of change. As Miss Lehi 2024, she’s poured over 3,500 hours into community service, working with organizations like the Hope Hero Foundation and Special Olympics to spread hope and inspire connection. Whether she’s advocating for mental health, volunteering with local nonprofits, or cheering courtside for the Utah Jazz, AnaLeigha is driven by her faith and her motto, “Have courage and be kind.” An aspiring sports broadcaster with a love for storytelling, she’s passionate about creating meaningful connections and leaving people better than she found them.

Follow Ana on Instagram: @analeighameek

]]> On todays episode I get to chat with one of my favorite humans, AnaLeigha Meek.
We talk about her community service initiative, Healthy Habits, Healthy Hearts and how we can make healthy habits today to help us in the future. We talk about perfectionism and how it’s not about being perfect; it’s about striving to uplift others and live with faith and kindness in everything we do.

More about Ana:
Spreading Kindness, One Connection at a Time: The Story of AnaLeigha Meek AnaLeigha Meek is a 21-year-old media marketing student at Utah Valley University who believes in turning small acts of kindness into big waves of change. As Miss Lehi 2024, she’s poured over 3,500 hours into community service, working with organizations like the Hope Hero Foundation and Special Olympics to spread hope and inspire connection. Whether she’s advocating for mental health, volunteering with local nonprofits, or cheering courtside for the Utah Jazz, AnaLeigha is driven by her faith and her motto, “Have courage and be kind.” An aspiring sports broadcaster with a love for storytelling, she’s passionate about creating meaningful connections and leaving people better than she found them.

Follow Ana on Instagram: @analeighameek

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16528877 Wed, 29 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0700 1466 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay, 1 9 full false Be Your Own Hero: Joe Tuia'ana Be Your Own Hero: Joe Tuia'ana This is such a special episode with my friend Joe Tuia'ana. He is the founder and CEO of the i love you bro PROJECT. We talk about why it is so important to support the men and boys in our lives. Joe teaches that our most vulnerable selves can be our superpower!

Here is a little more about Joe:
Founder and CEO of the i love you bro PROJECT - a 501c3 nonprofit organization for Men's Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and ongoing Personal Development through connective evidence-based programming. Joe started the i love you bro PROJECT after he was able to "love a bro off the ledge" back in 2022, just two weeks sober quitting alcohol. Of all the greatest accomplishments Joe has, being a girl-dad of 3 is by far the best!

Follow Joe on Instagram: joelovesyoubro 
Web: www.iloveyoubroproject.org

]]> This is such a special episode with my friend Joe Tuia'ana. He is the founder and CEO of the i love you bro PROJECT. We talk about why it is so important to support the men and boys in our lives. Joe teaches that our most vulnerable selves can be our superpower!

Here is a little more about Joe:
Founder and CEO of the i love you bro PROJECT - a 501c3 nonprofit organization for Men's Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and ongoing Personal Development through connective evidence-based programming. Joe started the i love you bro PROJECT after he was able to "love a bro off the ledge" back in 2022, just two weeks sober quitting alcohol. Of all the greatest accomplishments Joe has, being a girl-dad of 3 is by far the best!

Follow Joe on Instagram: joelovesyoubro 
Web: www.iloveyoubroproject.org

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16481466 Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0700 1812 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay, 1 8 full false Be Your Own Hero: Cooper & Shantay Lowell Be Your Own Hero: Cooper & Shantay Lowell I have been wanting to interview these two since my podcast started! My conversation with Cooper & Shantay Lowell was so great. Cooper is a 10 year old with achondroplasia. He shares about his life and some of the difficult things he has had to go through lately. I get to chat with him and his mom Shantay about how we can still be resilient through our challenges.

You can follow their journey on Instagram: shantaylowell

]]> I have been wanting to interview these two since my podcast started! My conversation with Cooper & Shantay Lowell was so great. Cooper is a 10 year old with achondroplasia. He shares about his life and some of the difficult things he has had to go through lately. I get to chat with him and his mom Shantay about how we can still be resilient through our challenges.

You can follow their journey on Instagram: shantaylowell

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16443973 Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0700 1519 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay, #achondroplasia, #achondro 1 7 full false Be Your Own Hero: Soph Gaines Be Your Own Hero: Soph Gaines Today I get to chat with my darling friend Soph Gaines. She is such a great example of using her superpower to help others. 
Soph is a 14 year old actor, dancer, daughter and sister. She lives life to the fullest and makes friends with everyone, everywhere she goes!

Follow Soph on Instagram: 
Personal: Sparkling._.Soph, CSI: _Share.Your.Light_

]]> Today I get to chat with my darling friend Soph Gaines. She is such a great example of using her superpower to help others. 
Soph is a 14 year old actor, dancer, daughter and sister. She lives life to the fullest and makes friends with everyone, everywhere she goes!

Follow Soph on Instagram: 
Personal: Sparkling._.Soph, CSI: _Share.Your.Light_

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16403621 Wed, 08 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0700 949 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay, 1 6 full false Be Your Own Hero: Noelle Condie Be Your Own Hero: Noelle Condie Todays episode is with my sweet friend and real life superhero Noelle Condie. She is the founder of This Mind of Mine! This is an organization meant to encourage healing, growth, foster community, and highlight resources within the world of Mental Health. We talk about her experiences and how she has been able to help others. 

Noelle Condie, published journalist, Junior at the University of Utah double majoring in Political Science and Communications with emphasis’ in Community Engagement & Nonprofit Organization, and Broadcast Journalism. Noelle is also the current Miss Deseret. 

Follow along with Noelle on Instagram:  @noelle.condie @thismind.ofmine @missdeseret.ut 

]]> Todays episode is with my sweet friend and real life superhero Noelle Condie. She is the founder of This Mind of Mine! This is an organization meant to encourage healing, growth, foster community, and highlight resources within the world of Mental Health. We talk about her experiences and how she has been able to help others. 

Noelle Condie, published journalist, Junior at the University of Utah double majoring in Political Science and Communications with emphasis’ in Community Engagement & Nonprofit Organization, and Broadcast Journalism. Noelle is also the current Miss Deseret. 

Follow along with Noelle on Instagram:  @noelle.condie @thismind.ofmine @missdeseret.ut 

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16362869 Tue, 31 Dec 2024 23:00:00 -0700 1406 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay, 1 5 full false Be Your Own Hero: Brenna Torres Be Your Own Hero: Brenna Torres Today I get to chat with one of my besties, Brenna Torres. She is a powerful force sharing body positivity in her community. Brenna shares what she teaches about the power positivity. 

Find Brenna on Instagram:  @brennatorres811 or @Misssalemsteen.ut

]]> Today I get to chat with one of my besties, Brenna Torres. She is a powerful force sharing body positivity in her community. Brenna shares what she teaches about the power positivity. 

Find Brenna on Instagram:  @brennatorres811 or @Misssalemsteen.ut

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16298086 Tue, 17 Dec 2024 22:00:00 -0700 1191 full false Be Your Own Here: Keira Bixler Be Your Own Here: Keira Bixler I'm so excited to share this episode with my conversation with Keira Bixler. She is such a powerhouse and such an inspiration. She found her superpower at a young age and hasn't looked back since. 

Keira is a literacy advocate and Miss California’s Teen 2024. For over 13 years, Keira has been working to irradicate national illiteracy. She also is a freshman at UC Berkeley studying economics and media studies with a minor in dance and performance, lobbies on behalf of the American Heart Association, and has her own podcast called Imagine with Keira which aims to uplift stories of individuals across the US.

Follow Keira Here:
https://www.instagram.com/imaginewithkeira/
http://www.imaginewithkeira.org/

]]> I'm so excited to share this episode with my conversation with Keira Bixler. She is such a powerhouse and such an inspiration. She found her superpower at a young age and hasn't looked back since. 

Keira is a literacy advocate and Miss California’s Teen 2024. For over 13 years, Keira has been working to irradicate national illiteracy. She also is a freshman at UC Berkeley studying economics and media studies with a minor in dance and performance, lobbies on behalf of the American Heart Association, and has her own podcast called Imagine with Keira which aims to uplift stories of individuals across the US.

Follow Keira Here:
https://www.instagram.com/imaginewithkeira/
http://www.imaginewithkeira.org/

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16221713 Wed, 11 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0700 1163 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay, 1 3 full false Be Your Own Hero: Elysia Butler Be Your Own Hero: Elysia Butler On todays episode I get to introduce you to one of my real life superheroes, Elysia Butler. I am lucky to work with her as an Ambassador for The Hope Hero Foundation. 

Elysia (Ee-lee-sha) is a passionate advocate for proactive mental well-being and suicide prevention, especially among youth. As the founder of the Hope Hero Foundation, Elysia is dedicated to equipping young people with the tools and resilience needed to become the heroes of their own stories. Drawing from personal experiences and over 14 years as an educator, Elysia has created innovative programs that combine the Hero's Journey framework with cutting-edge resilience research, empowering teens to thrive through adversity. The Hope Hero Foundation has made significant strides under Elysia’s leadership, reaching thousands of kids and families through educational outreach, hero camps, and a growing ambassador program that certifies teens in suicide prevention. Elysia's work has been featured on multiple platforms, including TV channels and podcasts, highlighting the foundation’s proactive approach to mental health.

Follow Elysia Here:  
https://www.instagram.com/risewithelysia/ 
https://www.instagram.com/thehopehero/
https://thehopehero.com/

Purchase her book: Become The Hero Of Your Own Story: 52 Tips to Teach Today's Teens
https://a.co/d/hatgBpF


]]> On todays episode I get to introduce you to one of my real life superheroes, Elysia Butler. I am lucky to work with her as an Ambassador for The Hope Hero Foundation. 

Elysia (Ee-lee-sha) is a passionate advocate for proactive mental well-being and suicide prevention, especially among youth. As the founder of the Hope Hero Foundation, Elysia is dedicated to equipping young people with the tools and resilience needed to become the heroes of their own stories. Drawing from personal experiences and over 14 years as an educator, Elysia has created innovative programs that combine the Hero's Journey framework with cutting-edge resilience research, empowering teens to thrive through adversity. The Hope Hero Foundation has made significant strides under Elysia’s leadership, reaching thousands of kids and families through educational outreach, hero camps, and a growing ambassador program that certifies teens in suicide prevention. Elysia's work has been featured on multiple platforms, including TV channels and podcasts, highlighting the foundation’s proactive approach to mental health.

Follow Elysia Here:  
https://www.instagram.com/risewithelysia/ 
https://www.instagram.com/thehopehero/
https://thehopehero.com/

Purchase her book: Become The Hero Of Your Own Story: 52 Tips to Teach Today's Teens
https://a.co/d/hatgBpF


]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16209367 Wed, 04 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0700 1849 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay, 1 2 full false Be Your Own Hero Introduction Episode Be Your Own Hero Introduction Episode Welcome to the Be Your Own Hero Podcast with host Laynie Anderson. Here a bit of my story and how I discovered one of my inner superpowers and decided to help others do the same. 

]]> Welcome to the Be Your Own Hero Podcast with host Laynie Anderson. Here a bit of my story and how I discovered one of my inner superpowers and decided to help others do the same. 

]]> Laynie Anderson Buzzsprout-16203933 Sun, 01 Dec 2024 19:00:00 -0700 186 #HeroSpotlight, #TeenTalks, #ShareYourHero, #HeroesAmongUs, #TeenSuccessStories, #BeYourOwnHeroPodcast, #TeenPodcaster, #TeenVoicesMatter, #HeroInYou, #FollowYourPath, #CreateYourStory, #RiseAbove, #TeensForChange, #HeroYourWay, 1 1 trailer false