In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, host Samantha Cieslinski sits down with Orlana Darkins, a visionary in media and youth empowerment, and founder of The Shyne Awards. From her early love of communications to building a national platform that uplifts young achievers, Orlana shares her powerful journey and hard-won wisdom.

Together, they explore how we can better support teens in today’s world—by building trust, embracing their failures, and having the tough conversations about confidence, self-worth, and life skills. Orlana talks about the challenges of imposter syndrome, the role of fitness in mental health, and why social media can be both a connector and a threat.

This conversation is full of practical insight, inspiring stories, and a reminder that small, intentional actions can create lasting impact.

Topics We Cover:

• Why we must rethink how we support youth
• Building confidence through responsibility and opportunity
• The power of visibility vs. true impact
• Social media’s double-edged sword
• How rest, identity, and self-care fuel long-term purpose
• And why the next generation gives us real hope

Connect with Orlana and The Shyne Awards:
🔗 Website: theshyneawards.org
📸 Instagram: @theshyneawards
📸 Orlana’s IG: @orlanadarkinsdrewery

Follow Samantha & The Running Wine Mom:
📸 @therunningwinemom_

🌟 Podcast Sponsor
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