How to Help Today's Youth Thrive - Thomas J. LaGrave Jr.

Thomas J. LaGrave Jr. joins Something For Everybody this week. Tom is a licensed clinical social worker who served as a medical corpsman with the U.S. Navy SEALs. Over a span of 30 years Tom has been focused on the physical and mental health of young adults and adolescents, along with their healing and personal development.

In this conversation, Thomas shares his profound journey through addiction, recovery, and the search for identity after losing his military career. He discusses the challenges of recognizing addiction in youth, the importance of emotional growth, and the redefinition of masculinity through the concept of the 'warrior poet.' LaGrave emphasizes the power of love and connection, the significance of myths and the hero's journey, and his drive to advocate for youth through writing and personal experience. He concludes with a message of hope for the future.
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00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections
03:06 The Journey from Adversity to Purpose
05:58 Understanding Youth in Today's Society
08:58 The Importance of Community and Role Models
12:00 Initiation and Transition to Adulthood
15:05 Proactive Approaches to Mental Health
18:03 The Role of Failure in Growth
20:50 The Collective Responsibility for Youth
23:47 Personal Story and Military Experience
27:14 Identity and Loss: The Military Experience
29:17 Emotional Growth and Self-Acceptance
30:54 Redefining Masculinity: The Warrior Poet
34:43 The Power of Love and Connection
35:51 Myth and the Hero's Journey
39:21 Writing as a Form of Legacy
44:13 Hope and the Future of Youth
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Tom’s Links:
Website: https://thehonorboundacademy.org/
iG: https://www.instagram.com/thomasjlagravejr/
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#Youth #MentalHealth #Addiction
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Episode 353 of Something For Everybody
(Filmed on February 14th, 2025)
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Intro music by Residual Audio (Residualaudio.com)
Edited by Ben Rogerson (@BenRogerson_)
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