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Holistic Wealth Podcast

Holistic Wealth Podcast: Teen Resilience, and Back-to-School Success: Lessons from Derek Gagnon’s Out of Time

Back-to-school season isn’t just about sharpened pencils and fresh notebooks — it’s about preparing teens for the challenges, opportunities, and choices that shape their futures. On this week’s episode of the Holistic Wealth Podcast, we’re joined by author and educator Derek Gagnon, whose thrilling time-travel novel Out of Time delivers powerful life lessons for teens and parents alike. 

Derek’s book follows a 16-year-old protagonist who wakes up in a strange place — and a strange time — with no memory of who she is. Swept into a dangerous conflict between a ruthless antagonist and a rebel group fighting to protect people across timelines, she must make life-changing decisions without knowing what’s ahead. It’s a story of courage, identity, and resilience — and a perfect conversation starter for this season of new beginnings.
 
Derek Gagnon was born in a small town north-west of Quebec City. Thanks to the military life, his family moved to Ontario in the early 2000s where he lived ever since. After attending high school north of Toronto, Derek pursued higher education at the University of Ottawa, where he completed his undergraduate studies in French literature. He now resides in Canada’s capital city with his wife and two children. In addition to family life, he has dedicated himself to teaching French to middle-grade students. 
 
Resources Used in This Episode:
Whether your teen is starting high school, heading to college, or navigating the tricky middle school years, the themes in this episode of the Holistic Wealth Podcast resonate deeply:

  • Identity: Teens, like Derek’s protagonist, are figuring out who they are and where they belong.

  • Choices and Consequences: Just like time travel in the novel, every decision today can shape tomorrow’s reality.

  • Courage in Uncertainty: Back-to-school can be intimidating; learning to act with confidence, even without knowing the outcome, is a skill that lasts a lifetime.

  • Community Support: The Society of Timeline Liberation in the book mirrors the importance of building strong, positive support networks in real life.

Holistic Wealth Lessons for Teens and Parents (What You Will Learn)

 

Holistic Wealth isn’t just about money — it’s about a rich life built on emotional resilience, purpose, and strong relationships. In this episode, Keisha Blair and Derek Gagnon explored:

  • Derek Gagnon’s journey and the inspiration behind his novel Out Of Time as well as key lessons from the book

  • How teens can protect their values and set healthy boundaries

  • How teens can navigate toxic relationships and identify red flags

  • Why parents should encourage independent decision-making

  • The importance of mentors and “allies” during teen years

  • How to help teens navigate challenges with confidence and creativity

At the Institute on Holistic Wealth, our mission is bold — to reach 1 billion people worldwide with the principles of Holistic Wealth. The Holistic Wealth Movement, founded by Keisha Blair, Mother of Holistic Wealth, has already surpassed 120 million worldwide. That mission starts in homes, workplaces, classrooms, and school hallways. Teens are tomorrow’s leaders, and the back-to-school season is the perfect time for families to embrace the skills that create a truly “wealthy” life — resilience, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and purpose.
 
For parents, it’s a chance to model these values and equip their children not just for academic success, but for lifelong fulfillment. When teens learn to make intentional choices, build strong support networks, and live by their values now, they’re building the foundation for a future where holistic wealth is the norm, not the exception. Every family that embraces these principles brings us one step closer to our goal of 1 billion.
Holistic Wealth Podcast: Teen Resilience, and Back-to-School Success: Lessons from Derek Gagnon’s Out of Time

What You Will Learn

Practical Back-to-School Takeaways

Here are a few actions inspired by our conversation:

  1. Ask Your Teen: “What’s one decision you can make this week that your future self will thank you for?”

  2. Family Activity: Create a “Values Map” where each family member writes down their top 3 values for the school year.

  3. Holistic Wealth Reset & Reflection Guide: Download the Holistic Wealth Reset & Reflection Guide available on the Institute on Holistic Wealth website for a family activity.

  4. Take the Personal Financial Identity Quiz: Available on the Institute on Holistic Wealth website. Teens and Parents can do this together. 

  5. Encourage Mentorship: Help your teen identify at least one trusted mentor — inside or outside school — they can turn to for guidance.

Holistic Wealth Podcast: Teen Resilience, and Back-to-School Success: Lessons from Derek Gagnon’s Out of Time

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Holistic Wealth Podcast: Teen Resilience, and Back-to-School Success: Lessons from Derek Gagnon’s Out of Time

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