Teen Talking Circles

02/19/2026

What a joyful Valentine’s Day. 💕

We were honored to partner with Bainbridge Heart and Soul for a morning centered on creativity, self-love, and connection for 13 youth (ages 9–11).

Together, we transformed their beautiful art studio into a joyful space where youth explored what lights them up from the inside out. Instead of traditional Valentine cards, youth completed an “I Love…” reflection sheet - celebrating the everyday moments and people that bring them joy:

✨ I love to play…
✨ I love to read…
✨ I love to be with…
✨ I love to…

They also stamped, painted, and decorated clay notes - etching powerful affirmations to themselves or someone they care about:

💗 I am capable.
💗 You are important.
💗 Fight for what you want and get it.
💗 Live your life like the story you want to be in.

We turned joy into play with “Joy Telephone” and “Joy Pictionary,” practicing active listening, sharing, and celebrating what lights each of us up. And to close, we gathered in Circle where each child bravely shared one thing they love.

It was playful. It was meaningful. It was full of laughter.
This is how self-awareness begins - not with lectures, but with art, movement, voice, and community.

We are deeply grateful to have partnered with Heart & Soul and to the families who trust us with their incredible kids. 💗

01/13/2026

Hello to 2026 and to kicking off another exciting year with Teen Talking Circles!✨

In a world that seems increasingly divided and disconnected, I find warmth and solace in knowing that I work every day to bring youth and families together, to be connected, seen, heard, and share in our life experiences. It's only week 2 of 52, and we are hitting the ground running! My eternal gratitude to everyone who donated to us last year, attended our events, signed up for programs, or helped share the word about our organization. 💙 You are all important to me, and I see you bringing your light to this World!

I hope that 2026 holds many opportunities for us to connect and share community with each other. We are bringing so many engaging and supportive programs to the community this year: Winter Warmup, Summer Shakeouts, Family Somatic Circles, Mothers Day Music, and so much more. ✨ We hope you will be able to join us. In addition to posting our events here on Facebook, we also share through our newsletter. If you are not on our email list and would like to be, let me know. You can also sign up at the bottom of any page on our website!

My gratitude for each and every one of you out there holding space for each other and our youth, striving to bring more hope, connection and compassion into our lives. I see you, and we need you in the World. 💙

- Talina Wood, Executive Director

Our world is craving connection, compassion, and community - and these values sit at the heart of Teen Talking Circles. In 2026, we’re excited to offer playful, engaging experiences that support teens and invite families of all kinds to come together to learn, laugh, connect, and build skills for...

12/03/2025

This Giving Tuesday, your support helps keep safe, supportive spaces available to teens who need them most. 💛

Here’s how your donation makes a real impact:
🌀 Training Program — We prepare facilitators to work with youth across schools, afterschool programs, youth-serving organizations, and within families.
🌀 Youth & Family Workshops, Circles & Retreats — We bring communication skills, emotional resiliency, emotional intelligence, and healthy peer connection directly to teens in our community. And we make it fun, too!

When you give, you’re helping young people feel heard, understood, and empowered. Every contribution makes a difference.

Donate today at teentalkingcircles.org/donate 💛

08/30/2025

✨ Can’t make it to our "Colors of Your Youth" Gala on September 20th? You can still join the fun and support youth mental health from anywhere in the world! 🌎❤️

Our Silent Auction is officially LIVE and ready for bidding! 🎉 From amazing local experiences to one-of-a-kind treasures, there’s something for everyone—and every bid helps Teen Talking Circles continue empowering youth with the tools, connection, and confidence they need to thrive.

👉 Check it out and start bidding here: https://auctria.events/www.teentalkingcirclesgala.com
Whether you bid, donate, or share with friends, you’re showing the world that:

🌺 YOU CARE ABOUT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH! 🌺

08/14/2025

🌟 The adolescent brain is amazing—full of resilience, growth, and the power of peer connection! At Teen Talking Circles, we know how vital peer support is for emotional growth in youth. Want to help us nurture these connections? Join us at our annual Gala for an evening of community, laughter, and compassion. 💙
✨

Here is our latest newsletter all about peer connections written by our Executive Director, Talina Wood ✍️🧠💙

The adolescent brain is full of beauty, potential, and resilience. Young brains are teeming with opportunity for connection and adaptability, creating new neural pathways at an astonishing rate. During early childhood, children rely heavily on their parents and caregivers for emotional regulation. ...

07/17/2025

🥤🍦 Talking about tacos and Taylor Swift can change your teen’s life. Okay—maybe not literally... but casual, low-stakes conversations do something powerful:
They build emotional safety. 💬💛

When parents connect regularly through small talk—funny memes, snack debates, song lyrics—they create a space where teens feel relaxed and seen. And that makes it way more likely they’ll come to you when it really matters.

It’s not about the topic. It’s about your presence.
Start silly. Stay consistent. That’s the secret to deeper connection.

🧠 Research shows everyday conversations are key to emotional well-being:
👉 APA: The Key Role of Conversation in Connection by Zara Abrams

💡Want to learn more? Reach out to us! We have trainings and workshops that can help you build confidence in connecting with youth.

💙 Join our community at our 2025 Gala on Saturday September 20th. Ticket link in bio or here:
https://auctria.events/www.teentalkingcirclesgala.com

Talking To Teens, Youth Mental Health, Parenting Tips, Circle Up, Small Talk Big Impact

07/09/2025

👂✨ You don’t need to fix your teen. Just listen.

Did you know that active listening is one of the most powerful ways to support your teen’s mental health? When teens feel truly heard—without judgment or interruption—it reduces stress, builds trust, and even improves brain function related to emotion regulation. 💡

Try this: the next time your teen vents, resist the urge to give advice. Instead, say, “That sounds really hard. Do you want me to just listen, or are you looking for help solving it?”

🧠 Source: United Nations ODC - The Science of Active Listening
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/listen-first/science-of-care/video/the-science-of-active-listening.html

Teen Mental Health, Active Listening, Parenting Tips, Youth Wellbeing, Teen Talking Circles, Nonprofit, Bainbridge Island, Seattle, Washington

06/03/2025

🌟 Attention Parents of Teens! 🌟

Looking for a way to help your teen build essential life skills? Our Circle Up! workshop series is the perfect opportunity—and it’s FREE! 🎉

This 4-part series (for 13-16-year-olds) will give your teen the tools they need to:
✅ Communicate better
✅ Manage emotions
✅ Build empathy and self-awareness
✅ Navigate life’s challenges with confidence

Through fun activities and hands-on learning, your teen will gain skills they can use every day—whether at school, with friends, or at home. From Listening Like A Pro to Staying Cool in tough situations, Circle Up! is a great way to help your teen thrive! 🙌

🗓 Workshop Weekend:
June 21st & June 22nd
🕑1:00 pm – 3:00 pm each day
📍 Location: Eagle Harbor Church, Bainbridge Island, WA

Led by Talina Wood, Marina Barnes, and Izzy Lowell, this workshop is neurodiversity affirming, welcoming all learning styles and needs.

🔗 Sign up today! Email us at [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Space is limited, so don’t wait!

About the Facilitators:
Talina Wood is the Executive Director of Teen Talking Circles and Somatic Embodiment Coach.
Izzy Lowell is a Behavioral Therapist and Neurodiversity Consultant.
Marina Barnes is a Parent and Teen Coach.

03/04/2025

A single stable relationship can be life-saving for youth (and for us adults, too!) 💙
A strong supportive connection with another person provides emotional and psychological support, helping to improve mental health, well-being, and overall quality of life - potentially even helping youth live longer & healthier lives by teaching them how to mitigate stress and promoting positive coping mechanisms. ✨

In Circle:
🌿We learn and experience unconditional support through a consistent presence offering encouragement, validation, and a safe space to share vulnerabilities.
🌿We utilize reflective and active listening, which allows us to truly hear and understand the other person's thoughts and feelings without judgment.
🌿We engage with empathy and compassion and the ability to see things from the other person's perspective and respond with kindness and care.
🌿We experience healthy open communication, so we may be honest and transparent in the expression of our needs, concerns, and emotions.

If you are ready to help youth develop confidence, emotional skills, and a sense of belonging and improve all communication in your life, this training is for YOU!
📆Our next training begins March 25. Spaces are **highly limited** to only 10 people per training so we can recreate the intimate, experiential and deeply bonding Circle environment. Link in Bio: https://Art-of-youth-circle-facilitation-Spring-2025.eventbrite.com