On this episode of The Mane Event, we sit down with MVC Head of School, Nikki Daniels, and Chief Advancement Officer, Gretchen Cortes, and explore the history and legacy of Monte Vista Christian School.

For more information about MVC's Centennial Celebration, visit mvcs.org.

To explore more topics and conversations, find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeart Radio.

The Mane Event is a production of Monte Vista Christian School.

It's back-to-school season, and that "New Year's energy" is in the air. Host Devin Kleffer sits down with middle school principal Carissa Medina to unpack practical, no-checklist-required ways parents can help their learners thrive — from backpack checks and routines to the emotional prep work that really matters. Carissa shares why grounding kids in who they are, not just what they do, is the real key to a confident, successful year.

What does meaningful mental health support for teenagers actually look like? Licensed MFT Erin Torr joins Devin Kleffer to discuss the emotional realities facing today’s teens and how parents and schools can support them without hovering.

Erin explains how MVC’s care team provides wraparound support, why even seemingly well-adjusted teens may be carrying more than adults realize, and how social media and post-COVID life have intensified concerns around identity, body image, and disordered eating. She also explores the balance between giving teens privacy and staying watchful, what confidentiality means when students seek counseling, and when safety concerns require adults to intervene.

For parents navigating the complicated work of raising teens, the conversation offers a grounded perspective on being present, attentive, and available while giving adolescents room to develop.

To explore more topics and conversations, find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeart Radio.

The Mane Event is a production of Monte Vista Christian School.

What happens when a 15-year-old gets to lead their own learning for the first time? Dean of Curriculum Amber West joins host Devin Kleffer to unpack the MYP Personal Project — a seven-month journey where sophomores choose a passion, work through a "learning pit," and discover what they're made of. From stained glass tributes to homemade arcade games, Amber shares the stories that stuck with her, plus practical tips for parents on cost, time, and support along the way.

Meet Leslie Barreras — beloved Spanish teacher, MVC parent, and now Dean of Students. Leslie shares why she believes every student is fundamentally good, how behavior can be retaught rather than just punished, and what she wants parents to know the next time they get that phone call. A warm, honest conversation about trust, grace, and what it really means to walk alongside a family through the hard moments.

Car rides, dog walks, and that short walk from the front door to the bedroom—mental health expert Erin Torr says these ordinary moments are where real connection happens. In this episode, she and host Devin Kleffer talk through how to invite conversation without forcing it, why teens hate feeling "hijacked," and how learning to sit quietly through the hard stuff now pays off in the relationship you'll have with your adult child later.