My name is Jo Phillips
I'm JoOutLoud online.
I'm Jo Phillips — a youth resilience coach, public speaker, restorative justice practitioner, and social media expert based in Alberta. I founded Starting a Social Media Conversation to help kids and parents build trust and have open, meaningful discussions about life online, and have connected with more than 170k youth across Alberta since 2015. My work bridges the gap between the digital experiences of young people and the adults who care for them, providing practical tools that make those conversations possible.
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With a background in psychology, restorative practices, digital media, and coaching, I bring a perspective that connects research, real-world experience, and lived understanding. My focus is on listening to kids, reflecting their experiences back to adults, and creating approaches that make sense in the reality of family life and schools.
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My mission is to create spaces where kids and teens feel heard, relationships are stronger, and adults feel equipped to respond with clarity and confidence. Through restorative justice, resilience coaching, and digital expertise, I work to shift the focus from fear and control to communication, trust, and growth.
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Credentials & Experience
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BA Psychology, University of Calgary (2000)
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Certified Youth Resilience Coach, Youth Coaching Institute (2023)
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Executive Director, Regional Red Deer Restorative Justice
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Restorative Justice Practitioner, trained in conferencing and school-based restorative practices
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Co-founder & Leader, Jo(e) Social Media — digital media agency, 11 years
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Founder & Director, Journey Youth Creative (2020–2023), a safe, mentored space for kids to explore social media and gaming
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Parent of 3 grown kids, bringing lived experience to every conversation
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