In this inspiring guest episode of Counselor Chat, Carey Hughes and Rachel Haglin take the mic to share how a simple shift in mindset — and one powerful administrative conference — led to real advocacy and real results. They didn’t just talk about change. They led it. And it’s already transforming their district. 🔑 In…
August doesn’t have to feel like a whirlwind of late nights, unlaminated posters, and cold cups of coffee. I’ll share the 10 intentional steps I’m taking this summer to avoid the dreaded back-to-school chaos—and how you can do the same. From organizing your counseling office (yes, both paper files and those prehistoric Google Docs) to…
Are you navigating a new caseload structure this year? Wondering how to divide the work with a co-counselor without splitting the heart of your program? In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies and real-life examples of caseload division that works—plus the bumps to avoid. You’ll learn: 📚 The most common caseload split models (Alphabet, Grade-Level,…
This week on Counselor Chat, we’re taking a break from the heavy stuff and diving into a little mid-summer magic. It’s a personal episode full of recommendations, reflections, and fun finds that are keeping me grounded, growing, and even a little more organized during these sunny months. Here’s what I’m sharing: 📚 What I’m Reading…
In this candid solo episode, I get real about mid-summer counselor burnout. If you’ve been feeling tired, guilty for not “doing more,” or wondering why you’re not excited for back-to-school season—this conversation is your permission slip to hit pause and actually recharge. I’m sharing personal stories, actionable reflection questions, and why summer isn’t a competition…
In this inspiring guest takeover, Kansas-based counselor Cassie Good shares how starting an Advisory Council changed everything—from how her role was viewed to how she spent her time. What You’ll Learn: Why advisory councils aren’t optional—they’re transformational Real-world examples of using data to advocate for your time and impact How Cassie reduced non-counseling tasks with…
🎙️ Episode Title: That One Student – Ending the Year with Impact In this powerful episode of Counselor Chat, Carol shares the emotional story of “that one student” — or in her case, an entire family — who made a lasting impact during the school year. From crisis to resilience, you’ll hear how four siblings…
This week on Counselor Chat, we’re getting personal—and a little behind-the-scenes. 🎧 Episode 114: Conference Confidential – The Backstage Tour of the Summer Counselor Conference In this episode, I’m sharing how the Summer Counselor Conference came to life—from the spark of an idea to a community of thousands of counselors learning together from the comfort…
In this heartfelt episode, I’m sharing a mix of laughter, encouragement, and reflection for school counselors wrapping up the year. Drawing from letters written by real counselors, this episode offers wisdom to tuck away for the tough days ahead—and a reminder that your work truly matters. Highlights: 💌 “Dear Future Me…” letters full of humor, heart, and hard-earned advice 📢 The importance of advocating for your role (and inviting yourself to the meeting) 🧠 What to remember when you’re overwhelmed next fall 👀 Why checking work emails at home is a big nope ✨ A challenge to write your own end-of-year letter Words of Wisdom from the Episode: “You’ve walked through hard things and you’re still standing. Your value isn’t determined by someone else’s words.” – Michelle F. “You are the right person for this job—even when the to-do list says otherwise.” – Darcy C. Challenge of the Week: Write your own “Dear Future Me” letter. Include a reminder of your growth, the wins worth celebrating, and advice for when things get heavy again. Then, save it somewhere to reopen next fall. 💛 Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor…
What happens when grief becomes your unexpected companion—but also your teacher? In this heartfelt Podcast Takeover, guest host Carol Colao opens up about guiding children through grief in her school counseling role, sharing signs, stories, and a reminder that children grieve differently–and deeply. She’s joined by Julie Riga, a leadership coach and author, who turned her grief into purpose by completing her late father’s memoir and discovering “authentic grieving” in the process. This episode is a touching blend of personal story and professional wisdom—and a reminder that hope can grow even in the hardest seasons. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: How grief manifests in children vs. adults Signs of “sad attacks” and how to support students through them Why grief extends beyond death: divorce, incarceration, and more What it means to “authentically grieve” and set your own pace How storytelling and honoring “the firsts” after loss can lead to healing Why it’s okay to cry, celebrate, and remember—in your own way 💛 Encouragement from this episode: You don’t need to have all the answers to start healing. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. There is hope in the hurt—and healing in remembering. Grab the Show Notes: Counselingessentials.org/podcastJoin Perks Counseling Club Membership and get the lessons, small group and individual counseling materials you need. Join now and get your first month free when you sign up for 3 months!Connect with Carol:TpT StoreCounseling Essentials WebsiteInstagramFacebookElementary School Counselor…
