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101: Raising Work-Ready Teens Through Leadership and Life Skills with Arthur C. Woods

Healthy Parenting Handbook with Katie Kimball

Healthy Parenting Handbook with Katie Kimball
101: Raising Work-Ready Teens Through Leadership and Life Skills with Arthur C. Woods
Jan 13, 2026 Episode 101
Katie Kimball

Somewhere between “I can do hard things” and “Can you order for me?” is a whole lot of teen growth waiting to happen.

Arthur C. Woods has spent decades working with teens, and he brings a refreshingly practical take on leadership that starts way earlier than a title, a team captain badge, or a future resume. We talk about why teens are more capable than we think, why they are not always being challenged to prove it, and how everyday life skills at home connect directly to leadership, resilience, and work readiness.

In this episode, we cover

  • Why many teens are entering adulthood less prepared, even with more resources than ever
  • How to raise “work ready” teens before they ever clock in for a first job
  • Why adaptability is both a mindset and a daily practice (especially when things change)
  • A simple definition of leadership that makes every teen a leader right now
  • Arthur’s SPARK framework for emerging leaders (and what “singularity” means for teens)
  • How chores and life skills build leadership (not because of the task, but because of the skill of learning skills)

We loved Arthur in #LifeSkillsNow Season Two, and I know you'll love hearing from him today!

Resources We Mention for Work-Ready Teens

Visit raisinghealthyfamilies.com/teens to get on the waitlist for Teens Cook Real Food!

Get four free life skills workshops now at raisinghealthyfamilies.com/skills

Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!