HARBOR EPISODES
The Harbor, featuring Mike Smith and guests, facilitates the teaching of character development in classrooms by showcasing tangible life lessons through a school year’s worth of episodes with rich, raw and engaging video content. Designed for the classroom, Renaissance members have access to a downloadable critical thinking discussion guide to foster student-led discussions for each episode.
EPISODE 22: Grief
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Grief is something we all go through, but we can experience it very differently. In this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, guest Alexa Glazer explores how her father’s death impacted her and helps us see the positive growth that can come out of grieving, including how to show empathy for others going through similarly difficult situations. NOTE: This episode includes descriptions of how Alexa felt while she was grieving her father’s death and may be triggering for some viewers. We recommend notifying students of the topic prior to the episode being shown, especially if it will be discussed publicly, so they have a chance to opt-out in a manner that respects their privacy.
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COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Having more meaningful conversations allows people to be themselves and feel like they’re being seen, heard, known, and loved. In this episode […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Many of us get caught up in the messaging we see in our culture about how we define our self-worth – some […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – During this difficult, confusing, and frightening time, Mike Smith, the host of The Harbor™ by Jostens, takes to the crate to acknowledge […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Everyone has an internal voice in their head that narrates almost everything that occurs during their waking hours, which can have both […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Today’s media pundits thrive on stoking fear around where our culture is headed, and particularly, about the role that technology will play […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – “When you stand tall, you don’t think small.” On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, guest Steve Bollar shares his personal struggles […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Our society tends to place a negative connotation on the idea of quitting, which causes some of us to try to stick […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – In this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, guest Alicia Reisinger speaks from experience on how our culture reinforces the idea that young […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Ann Bancroft dreamed about crossing Antarctica when she was 10 years old, but it took her many years of hard work and […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Starting high school can be quite intimidating, and a lot can change between a student’s freshman and senior year. In this special […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Consent between two people is complicated and is an ever-changing conversation. In this episode, a group of poets explores the ways in […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Understanding privilege means recognizing the advantages that some of us have relative to others because of our life circumstances, which are often […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Event organizers can often get hung up in the nitty-gritty details of their event, especially when it comes to attendance numbers and […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Speaking negatively about other people often comes from a place of low self-esteem or feeling threatened by the success of others — […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Most of us spend a lot of our time online and on social media. As we do so, it’s important to remember […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Spending time reflecting can be scary, but it’s critical to gaining insights about ourselves and others. On this episode of The Harbor by […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Confidence can be described as making the most of momentum; allowing small victories to build on one another and then leaning into […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Mike remembers a time when he expressed his frustration after a game and a team leader deeply moved him with five quietly […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – We all make excuses for not doing things. Sometimes we have valid reasons, but often times, we make excuses like we “don’t […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – It’s natural to gravitate towards people who are just like you and who share the same interests, but isolating others from your […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Asking for help can be hard, but it gives others an opportunity to get involved in what we’re doing. On this episode […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – There are those who wish, those who talk, and those who get out and do the things that matter. To kick off […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Jealousy and comparison are poisons that hinder us from focusing on improving ourselves and our own lives. On the season five finale […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Communication is an important life skill and one that’s integral to being an effective leader. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Learning how to pivot is essential to navigating setbacks and failures, but being able to change directions on a moment’s notice requires […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – There’s a sense of safety and comfort in looking and acting the same way as everyone else, but if we’re to figure […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – It’s easy to focus on the problems in our lives, but reframing our perspective to focus more on the solutions can help […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Mike believes that the hardest part of starting anything is getting through the first 10%. The first 10% is often difficult, lonely, […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Having computers in our pockets can connect us to the world in unprecedented ways, but it can also leave us in a […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Mike firmly believes that true adventure begins when things don’t go according to plan, and moreover, that we learn who we are […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Mike sees perspective as a soft skill that can be practiced and developed — and one that’s essential to becoming a good […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Often times, we base our identity upon the groups we associate with or the activities we participate in. On this episode of The […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – People turn to substances like drugs or alcohol for numerous reasons, such as dealing with trauma or feeling a general detachment to […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – It’s easy to declare a big goal for the future. It’s much harder to work backwards from said goal by establishing smaller […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – In episode two of our series around the 2018 Jostens Renaissance National Conference, Mike brings three students onstage to field their questions and […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – At the 2018 Jostens Renaissance National Conference, Mike addressed hundreds of student leaders and leadership educators on how leadership is a lifestyle. In […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – We’re all faced with challenges every day, but it’s up to each one of us to decide how we’re going to approach […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Many of us are reluctant to talk about managing our money, so it can be difficult to learn how to make wise […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Young people tend to power through their classes, homework, and extracurriculars non-stop every day without ever pausing to ask themselves how they […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – We constantly urge young people to follow their passions, but many times, it can be difficult for them to find out what […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – When we hear the word “courage”, we tend to think of brave or heroic feats like jumping out of an airplane or […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Graduation is one of the biggest events of our lives and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Through the Internet and social media, it’s easy for anyone to share their opinion, but sometimes, it’s not as easy to listen. […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but learning how to manage that time effectively can make all the […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – In a recent poll on his social media, Mike learned that over 60% of his followers believe they’re capable of making a […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 -Everyone who works in a school puts countless time and energy towards helping students get to the finish line. Establishing traditions to show […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Networking today isn’t about who you know, it’s about who you’re known as. Seven out of ten career opportunities come from word […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Who do you want to be when you grow up? Mike believes that answering this question should come before we decide what […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Have you ever asked yourself why you do the things you do? What factors guide your decision-making, and ultimately, how you live […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Leadership isn’t a title; it’s not a class; and it’s certainly not what you tell everyone you are. Leadership is a mentality and […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – For our final episode of the The Harbor by Jostens for this school year, we are joined by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – My Name My Story is an organization that develops changemakers based on the belief that stories inspire empathy and that empathy drives […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Many students believe they have to have their entire future mapped out before they graduate high school. While having a plan laid […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Demir Gjokaj returns after Mike took his Lifehack Bootcamp. They talk about Mike’s struggles […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Managing finances is hard for everyone and especially for teenagers just joining the workforce. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – People respond to failure in different ways. Typically, people let it stop them, define them, or drive them. On this episode of The […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Demir Gjokaj is the founder of Lifehack Bootcamp, where he and his wife teach people how to arrange their daily to-do list […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Jared Leaf was a great student athlete whose dreams were knocked off track when his college apartment started on fire. On this episode […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Superbowl 50 MVP Von Miller joins Mike to talk about his high school career, playing football, […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Note: This episode contains in-depth and personal stories of teens dealing with intolerance. It is intended for mature audiences. In what feels […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Many young people fall victim to comparing their abilities to that of professionals and become frustrated. It takes time and hard work […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – When Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi were sophomores in high school, they didn’t feel there were enough conversations in the classroom about […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – In 2016 Hannah Huston was a finalist on reality TV show, “The Voice,” but before that, she was a pre-school teacher. On […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – For many of us, high school is when we experience our first romantic relationship. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Mike visits […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Us The Duo, The husband-and-wife musical team of Michael and Carissa Alvarado, found massive success through social media. On this episode of The […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Mike challenged students across the country to take a 30 day digital detox from social media. In this episode of The Harbor […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – In 2016, Danny Salazar won the Jostens Project Yearbook category in the All American High School Film Festival for his film “Part […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Claire Wineland’s YouTube channel helps teach people about the realities of illness and death. Living with cystic fibrosis herself, 20 year-old Claire […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Whether it’s homework, AP classes, athletics, or extracurricular activities, students today are busier than ever. When you add in what’s happening at home, […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Darius Glover was in a motocross accident that left him paralyzed when he was 15. As soon as he got out of […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Trevor Jacob is a multi-talented action sports athlete, entrepreneur, and Olympian. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Mike talks with Trevor about […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Having goals and dreams is common, but being fully ready for your moment when the opportunity arises is not. On this episode […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – In conjunction with the end of Mental Illness Awareness Week, Mike sits down with writer, speaker, author, and mental health and wellness […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – With the advent of social media, bullying and cyberbullying have become more prevalent than ever. On this week’s episode of The Harbor by […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Johan Khalilian is a speaker, author, actor, and content creator. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Johan shares the story of […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – As a college student, Alysia Kezerian had a hiking accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. On this episode of The […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Chad Greenway is a former NFL linebacker who is known for his incredible work ethic both on and off the field, as […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Some students know what they want to do and where they want to go, but they just don’t know how to start. […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On the final episode of this season of The Harbor by Jostens, we give a sneak peek into our new episode format […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – It’s easy to fall into the trap of equating busyness to being on your way to success. Without focus in our daily […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – The need for instant gratification is growing in our society. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, speaker Aaron Davis shares the importance […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Failure is inevitably a part of everyone’s life. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, we hear students’ perspectives on failure and […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – ”Teachers are people too.” On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, educators from across the country sit on the crate to […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this week’s episode of The Harbor by Jostens, lifestyle coach and blogger, Erin Stanczyk, shares how three simple, daily actions can affect […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, professional wakeboarder Alexa Score shares what it’s like to live with cancer and still live out […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – If you won the lottery and never had to work another day in your life, what would you spend your days doing? […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Insecurities affect us all. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, dozens of high school students give us their perspectives on their insecurities […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this week’s installment of The Harbor by Jostens, members of the non-profit organization S.A.V.E. (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) tell us how […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Sarah Edwards, Founder of the organization I AM, shares how one small act of […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Carlos Navarro immigrated from Cuba to the United States. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Carlos describes the culture shock and […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Mike delves into the topic of leadership. In particular, he focuses on how leaders’ […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, professional surfer and Roxy model, Kelia Moniz, shows that confidence and true beauty are found only […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Gossip, drama, and rumors are problems that never really go away. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, we hear students’ thoughts […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Danny Evans, Vice President of Marketing for Ethika, discusses peer pressure. He points out that being […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Mike discusses a topic that studies have shown to be one of the most important factors […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Though a survivor of the tragic Columbine High School shootings, the trauma Austin Eubanks experienced led him down a path of substance […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – A common question among student leaders is, “How do we increase school spirit?” On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Mike shares […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Whether it’s in the classroom, on the playing field, or in the career field, life is full of competition. On this episode […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – We’ve all had experiences with bullying. In this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Mike and students from across the country recount how […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – The future of our country is dependent on how well we — and especially young people — exercise our civic duties. On […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jordin Sparks shares the emotional story of how her campaign, “I’m […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – Social media has changed the way we look at the world and has done incredibly positive things, but we all know social […]
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – It’s easy for teens and adults alike to struggle with body image. On this episode of The Harbor by Jostens, Paralympic athlete Lacey Henderson […]
Mike challenges students to ask themselves tough questions and examine where their biases come from so that we can understand that while it’s okay to disagree with someone, it’s never okay to disrespect.
Country music singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini talks about the importance of individuality.
Mike shares his realization that learning to forgive and asking for forgiveness are signs of strength and maturity.
Mike recognizes that being aware of the needs of the community is everyone’s responsibility.
Former professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce shows his resilience as he recovers from a traumatic head injury.
Mike talks about the importance of service, and distinguishes between volunteering and being “voluntold.”
A high school student shares the pressure he had to pursue athletics and his decision to work toward his true passion: leadership.
Mike challenges students not to go into cruise control at the end of the school year, but to remember they have a limited amount of time to accomplish their goals.
Veronica Tolentino reveals her story of being in an unhealthy relationship and reminds everyone that they deserve to be treated with love and respect.
Ejay O’Donnell, Vice President of diecutstickers.com, reminds us that life is fragile and hopes that we focus on how we treat others – as humans, not robots.
Mike encourages students to define themselves rather than allow media, family, and peer expectations to control their choices.
Brent Camalich, CEO of DUDE. be nice, talks about the importance and power of kindness.
Nikki, the Outreach Director at The Bay, talks about the power of hope for everyone.
Mike describes some of the pressures to fit in and urges students to be true to themselves.
Motivational speaker Aaron Davis shares some of his experiences with intolerance and offers suggestions on how to talk about tolerance and diversity.
Mike talks about the importance of mentorship and how to be a good mentee.
Kat Harris, a fashion photographer and blogger, reflects on how true beauty is about much more than looks.
JR Galardi, Chief Visionary Officer of Wienerschnitzel, shares how the loss of his father changed the trajectory of his life.
Mike tells the story of how he befriended a boy named Calvin, an “invisible” student who ultimately shaped Mike into the person he is today.
Recent high school grad and slap poet Riley Westerholt paints a hopeful picture of the current high school generation.
Musician and actor Quincy Brown discusses the importance of working hard to achieve success, and stresses that greatness is not simply handed to anyone.
Mike emphasizes the importance of overcoming fear in order to fully pursue a passion.
Educator Matt Soeth, co-creator of #icanhelp, gives tips on how to take control of social media and turn it into a positive environment.
Professional skier Michelle Parker shares her story of success as a female athlete in a male-dominated sport.
A call to students to be present with people and take time away from their devices.
Professional skateboarder Ryan Sheckler talks about the struggle of going through his parents’ divorce.
Mike offers pointers on how to handle one of the greatest challenges for students: time management.
Tips on navigating high school from students who recently graduated.
A lesson on defining yourself through life experiences rather than the things you own.
Mike poses the question, “What legacy do you want to leave behind?”
The Dingo is an action sports personality who dreamed of becoming a pro athlete. When he realized that his dream was not realistic, he persevered and used his failures as a platform to achieve success.
Photographer Steve Rosenfield shares his journey culminating in the “What I Be Project,” a platform which encourages others to share their insecurity with the world.
Tommy Reynolds lost everything with the market crashed. It took hitting rock bottom for him to find his passion, and it took years of hard work with little return before he achieved his dream.
Youth mentor Brent Aragon believes that in order to change the world, you must first change your world, namely how you view yourself and those around you.
Photographer Quang Le describes how expressing his creativity through photography helped him channel his social anxiety.
Fitness professional Jen Aragon shares her journey toward feeling comfortable with her body and appearance, and the importance of spiritual and mental health in being able to truly love herself.
Youth motivational speaker Scott Backovich inspires viewers to “complain less, give more” and think about what they have to give back to others.
After losing several relatives to cancer in a six-month period, Rob Dyer took it upon himself to make a change. He started Skate4Cancer, which has raised millions of dollars for cancer hospitals and charities.
Azie Tesfai achieved her dream of becoming an actress, but she still felt unfulfilled. It was only when she learned about the needs of a school in her family’s home country that she realized her greater purpose.
Motivational speaker Aaron Davis outlines three important choices we have in our lives and how our responses to these choices will determine our path toward success.
Musician Davey Muise shares the story of where he came from, and why he has dedicated his life to helping people “find their shovel” to dig out from their hardships.
Mike describes the difference between the people who are critical of everyone around them and the people who create positivity wherever they go.
The way we talk to ourselves can greatly affect our mood, our behavior, and our day-to-day life. In this episode, Mike challenges students to think about how they talk to themselves.
Student Kyler Erickson shares how he reacted after living through a shooting at his high school and what he had to do in order to overcome his post-traumatic stress.
The incredible success story of Kevin Laue, a former Division I basketball player who didn’t let being born with one arm stop him from pursuing his dreams.
Mike Discusses his views on success and what we can do to get one step closer to fulfilling our dreams.
COPYRIGHT JOSTENS 2020 – This week on The Harbor, Mike takes on the topic of distractions, namely those brought on by smart devices and social media. […]
Mike talks about how he founded his non-profit Skate For Change, its growth into a worldwide movement, and how youth can give their passions a greater purpose.
Professional snowboarder Pat Moore explains how he dealt with severe social anxiety both during and after high school.
Mike describes how judgement and prejudice impact people, both in and outside of the classroom, and how students can help resolve this problem in their schools.