Joshua Wayne, MA

As a struggling teen, Joshua Wayne faced challenges that felt impossible to overcome – anxiety, self-doubt, and the constant pressure to fit in while figuring out who he was. With each setback, he learned critical lessons that ultimately helped him not just survive, but thrive. Those lessons became the foundation for his work with thousands of teens over the past 25 years.

In this powerful, engaging presentation, Joshua shares the Hero & Guide Framework from his book Unlocking the Hero Within – teaching students to see their lives through the timeless lens of the Hero’s Journey. From ancient myths to modern Marvel superheroes, every hero faces challenges and builds the power needed to overcome them. Students learn to evaluate every choice through one simple question: Is this building my power or draining it? Your audience will walk away with practical tools, renewed confidence, and a framework for navigating any challenge they’re facing.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Have Your Own Back – Stop being your own worst critic and start treating yourself with compassion and positive self-talk.
• Figure Out What You Want – Take responsibility for your goals and move forward with intention instead of staying stuck or drifting.
• Decide What Kind of Person You Want to Be – Choose kindness, character, and integrity even when it’s hard.
• BUILD OR DRAIN Framework – Evaluate every choice (relationships, habits, self-talk, peer pressure) by asking: does this build my power or drain it?
• Overcome Fear of Failure – Understand that setbacks are part of the journey, not evidence that you’re broken.
• Resist Peer Pressure – Make confident decisions aligned with your values, even when others are choosing differently.

Vaping among teens has reached epidemic levels, yet most students have no idea what they’re getting into when they start. Joshua knows firsthand what it’s like to face peer pressure and make choices that seem harmless in the moment but have lasting consequences. In his 25 years working with teens in schools, juvenile justice, and community mental health, he’s seen how quickly addiction takes hold – and how much harder it is to quit than to never start.

Using the BUILD OR DRAIN framework from his book Unlocking the Hero Within, Joshua breaks down exactly how vaping drains teens – physically (lung damage, nicotine addiction), mentally (anxiety, dependency), socially (falling prey to peer pressure), and financially (expensive habit that adds up fast). This is not a lecture or scare tactic – it’s a real conversation that treats students with respect while giving them the facts, tools, and confidence to make informed decisions before addiction takes hold. Students walk away understanding the truth about vaping and equipped with practical strategies to say no while still fitting in.

Learning Outcomes:

• Science of Addiction – Understand how nicotine hijacks the teenage brain and why vaping is so hard to quit once you start.
• Industry Manipulation – Recognize how the vaping industry targets teens through deceptive marketing, flavors, and social media influence.
• BUILD OR DRAIN Framework – Understand why vaping drains your power – energy, focus, confidence, money, and freedom to make your own choices.
• Have Your Own Back – Practice self-compassion and resist peer pressure without compromising your values or friendships.
• Confident Decision-Making – Say no to vaping while still fitting in and maintaining social connections.
• Asking for Help – Know when, how, and who to ask for help – whether for yourself or a friend who’s struggling.

Joshua Wayne has spent 25 years working with some of the toughest kids in the most challenging environments – foster care, juvenile justice, community mental health, and DC public schools. Through thousands of interactions with teens, he learned a critical truth: adults can’t rescue students from their challenges, but they can equip them with the tools to overcome those challenges themselves. The difference between rescuing and guiding is everything.

In this keynote, Joshua shares his Hero & Guide Framework – a practical system for becoming one of the voices young people listen to as they navigate toward adulthood. Every young person is on a hero’s journey, figuring out who they are and what kind of adult they will become. Your role is to guide them toward choices that build their power instead of draining it – not to rescue them or solve their problems for them. Drawing on research and real-world experience, Joshua teaches you how to connect with resistant kids, break through when it matters, and stay in their inner circle of trusted advisors. But here’s the twist: Joshua also applies the same framework to YOU – helping you sustain resilience, avoid burnout, and stay grounded in demanding work. You’ll leave with practical tools for guiding young heroes without losing yourself in the process.

Learning Outcomes:

• Hero & Guide Framework – Apply this proven system to become a trusted voice in students’ lives rather than trying to rescue or fix them.
• The Three Keys – Help students build their power by teaching them to be their own ally, take responsibility for their choices, and keep moving forward even when stuck.
• Connection Strategies – Implement proven techniques for breaking through with resistant, disengaged, or guarded youth.
• Board of Directors Metaphor – Understand how to earn a seat on students’ “board of trusted advisors” through belief, challenge, and consistent relationship.
• BUILD OR DRAIN for Adults – Build your own support network and sustain resilience so you can show up powerfully for the students who need you.
• Practical Application – Use specific conversation starters and relationship-building techniques you can implement immediately in your school or organization.