Shows
Returning to UsChaos to ConnectionToday Lauren is setting the stage for a new series that encourages a shift from managing behavioral chaos to building meaningful connections, especially in classrooms. Lauren uses examples from her personal experience to illustrate how the idea of connection as biologically essential and the foundation for all emotional regulation shows up in the real world.Lauren offers simple, practical routines to foster connection: consistent morning greetings, regular emotional check-ins, and environmental cues like soft lighting and cozy corners. She also suggests using humor or music during transitions to create moments of connection. These practices send safety signals...
2025-07-0122 minReturning to UsHive- The Last Stage of the Five IvesIn this episode, Lauren and Jessica explore the final stage of the Five Ives framework: Hive. This stage is all about meaningful connection—both personally and organizationally—after individuals have reached a more stable and grounded state. When someone enters the Hive stage, they often feel ready and energized to engage with others, to gather in community, and to offer support from a place of wholeness.On a broader scale, Hive represents the capacity of organizations to truly serve and uplift others. The most powerful communities are built intentionally, often through informal, organic connection rather than rigid stru...
2025-06-1027 minReturning to UsThrive- The Fourth Stage of the Five IvesIn this episode, Lauren and Jessica explore the fourth stage of the Five Ives framework—Thrive. In the Thrive phase, individuals and organizations are aligned with their goals and truly "living the dream." Thriving looks like healthy communication and the ability to regulation emotions effectively. It builds on the healing work of earlier stages and emphasizes the importance of social connection for long-term well-being. At this stage, fulfillment, alignment, and meaningful relationships are at the core of sustained success.Other related resources from Five Ives: Blog Post: Why Traditional Employee Well...
2025-06-0322 minReturning to UsStrive- The Third Stage of the Five IvesIn this episode, Lauren and Jessica walk us through the third stage of the Five Ives—Strive. They unpack what it means to be in the Strive phase, both for organizations and individuals. For organizations, a positive culture in this stage is built through intentional inclusion and collaboration at all levels, supported by transparent decision-making and guidance from external coaches. When people feel heard and informed, they’re more engaged and motivated to move forward.Strive is about pacing yourself and setting smart, attainable micro-goals. Lauren and Jessica emphasize the importance of realistic, habit-based steps that support bigg...
2025-05-2739 minReturning to UsRevive- The Second Stage of the Five IvesToday Lauren and Jessica dive into the second stage of the Five Ives framework: Revive. After becoming more self-aware and stepping out of pure survival mode, the journey into Revive is all about beginning the slow, intentional process of healing. It’s not quick or flashy—in fact, healing is inherently soft, gentle, and gradual. This stage is about rewiring our brains and taking consistent micro-steps forward, both individually and as an organization. They highlight five key areas—food, hydration, sleep, social interaction, and movement—as foundational to this healing process. Even simple actions like adding one nutritiou...
2025-05-2039 minReturning to UsSurvive- The First Stage of the Five IvesIn this episode, Lauren and Jessica reintroduce the Five Ives—Survive, Revive, Strive, Thrive, and Hive—and take a closer look at the first step: Survive. Many people are unknowingly stuck in a state of survival, shaped by trauma, chronic stress, the lingering effects of the pandemic, political unrest, and the constant stream of heavy information. Most don’t even realize they’re operating from this place, but the signs are clear: constant exhaustion, mood swings, avoidance, and a gut feeling that something just isn’t right.Survival mode doesn’t stop with individuals—it shows up in organizatio...
2025-05-1333 minReturning to UsWhat are the Five Ives?Lauren and Jessica, education professionals and creators of the Five Ives program, walk us through their journey to starting the Five Ives. Witnessing students' disruptive behaviors as trauma responses, they realized their lack of training. Years of watching students' trauma responses expressed as negative behaviors revealed a broader issue: burnout among those working in flawed systems. This prompted Jessica and Lauren to take a deep dive into ways to support frontline workers and foster trauma-informed organizations.They introduce the Five Ives framework for well-being: Survive (self-awareness), Revive (self-care and regulation), Strive...
2025-05-0631 minReturning to UsImpacting Organizational Culture: Explaining the First 2 PsIn this episode, Lauren dives into the first two of the 4 Ps—Practitioner and Patient—focusing on strategies to move organizations from a survival state into a healthier, more regulated space. She begins by explaining the 4 Ps (Policy, Practice, Practitioner, Patient) and how to identify their roles within an organization. Lauren connects these concepts to the Five Ives framework, highlighting how aligning the 4 Ps with its principles can create a more balanced environment.For the Practitioner, Lauren emphasizes the importance of equipping leaders with tools to recognize their own survival states and communicate their needs effectively. She shar...
2024-11-2523 minReturning to UsSurviving the Storm: Balancing Recovery with Forward Momentum In the third and final episode of this microseries, Lauren and her Five Ives partner, Jessica Doering, explore practical steps to move forward from a survival state. They discuss the importance of recognizing and appreciating progress, even if you're not yet back to your pre-trauma self. By setting small, achievable goals, you can take simple steps toward reestablishing familiar patterns, which can help restore a sense of control in moments of crisis. Lauren and Jessica offer practical ideas, such as incorporating soothing teas like chamomile, lavender, or lemon balm; setting a single goal for each day; adding Om...
2024-11-0421 minReturning to UsSurviving the Storm: Using the Window of Tolerance After a Natural DisasterIn this second episode of the microseries, Lauren is joined again by her Five Ives partner, Jessica Doering, to discuss the concept of the window of tolerance and its role in healing from trauma. It can be difficult to consider the window of tolerance when you're in a survival state, but using visualization tools like the 3-box method can help you understand your emotional state and guide you back to balance. Lauren and Jessica discuss the importance of simple, neutral regulation techniques that can work in both types of dysregulation. They highlight essential practices that can help y...
2024-10-2128 minReturning to UsSurviving the Storm: Calming Your Nervous System After a Natural DisasterIn this episode, Lauren is joined by her Five Ives partner, Jessica Doering, to explore the first part of a 3-part series on navigating the "Five Ives" framework, with a focus on regulating your emotional state after natural disasters or unexpected events. They emphasize the importance of having grace and compassion when you're in survival mode. Surviving can be overwhelming, but understanding that it's a process to work your way out of it is key.Lauren and Jessica provide a quick overview of the Five Ives framework and discuss how it can help you visualize progress from...
2024-10-1423 minReturning to UsCreating a Calm Down SpaceIn this second episode of this re-introduction to the Returning To Us series, Lauren walks through how to build and use a calm down quiet space in your home or classroom. In the last episode, Lauren strategies for recognizing and categorizing emotional states - a critical step in emotional regulation.Creating a quiet space to facilitate regulation is an easy way to help your kiddos with emotional regulation. This isn't a time out or punishment; it's a safe place where kids can go to focus on how they are feeling internally and employ emotional regulation strategies.
2024-09-0914 minReturning to UsTeaching Emotional Regulation to ToddlersIn this new series Lauren is going back to the beginning for some re-introductions. From how she got her start with The Behavior Hub to her current role with the University of Pennsylvania, Lauren walks us through her growth as an expert in the brain and human behaviors. She also gives us a re-introduction to the Returning To Us podcast. The goal of the podcast is to give people the information and tools they need to return to a regulated, balanced nervous system state.And, with the spirit of getting back to basics in mind...
2024-09-0319 minReturning to UsChildren's Storybooks on Abuse (Part 3)In the final installment of Lauren's series on books that help kids deal with hard topics, she's sharing 4 more books. In this episode, Lauren gives an overview of each book and her recommendations for adapting it to kids in different age groups. We want to protect our kids, but to do that, we need to give them the language to explain their experiences. It's good to educate them earlier and young and allow them to feel comfortable expressing themselves in uncomfortable situations. And, as always, Lauren gives some great ideas for how to easily modify these for y...
2024-08-2631 minReturning to UsChildren's Storybooks on Abuse (Part 2)In this second installment of Lauren's series on books that help kids deal with hard topics, she's sharing 4 more books. In this episode, Lauren gives an overview of each book and her recommendations for adapting it to kids in different age groups. Most books on these topics are designed for kids ages 5-12, but they can be modified for younger kids. It can be helpful to introduce the topics early as long as they're introduced in a developmentally appropriate way. Lauren gives some great ideas for how to easily modify these for your younger kiddos.D...
2024-08-1926 minReturning to UsChildren's Storybooks on Abuse (Part 1)This is the first episode of a review series where Lauren introduces children's books that address topics like private parts, abuse, and anxiety. In this episode, Lauren gives an overview of each book and her recommendations for adapting it to kids in different age groups. Check them out online for reviews and Lauren will give her opinion of each book.Different books resonate with different people, kids, and situations so make sure to look these up online and check the reviews to see what other people are saying.My Body is Mine (Marnach)God Made All...
2024-08-1218 minReturning to UsFrom Chaos to Calm - Helping Kids Regulate (Part 7)Annnnd....she's back! After taking July off to enjoy the summer, Lauren is back with the final installment of emotional regulation strategies. So far Lauren has shared over 30 emotional regulation tools that you can use to build your toolbox. If you missed them, go back and listen to episodes 1-6 so that you can start curating a list of strategies that work for the kids in your life.This is now officially the last episode in the regulation series - Lauren couldn't help herself sharing just one last set of regulation tools! In this episode, Lauren shares...
2024-08-0519 minReturning to UsFrom Chaos to Calm - Helping Kids Regulate (Part 6)For the past 6 weeks, Lauren has shared close to 30 emotional regulation tools that you can use to build your toolbox. If you missed them, go back and listen to episodes 1-5 so that you can start curating a list of strategies that work for the kids in your life.This is the last episode before Lauren's summer break. The podcast will be on break for all of July, but Lauren will be back in August with a series on books that help kids learn about and deal with hard topics. So, enjoy your July and we'll be...
2024-06-2518 minReturning to UsFrom Chaos to Calm - Helping Kids Regulate (Part 5)Lauren is back with 5 more regulation strategies that you can try with the kiddos in your life! For the rest of May and all of June, Lauren is going to share 5 regulation strategies per week. In each episode, Lauren will explain how each strategy works to regulate and then give you specific examples of how you can start using these strategies with young kids (but these can be used with people of any age too!). In this episode, Lauren goes through a quick review of the regulation techniques shared in the first 4 parts of this series. She a...
2024-06-1817 minReturning to UsFrom Chaos to Calm - Helping Kids Regulate (Part 4)Lauren is back with 5 more regulation strategies that you can try with the kiddos in your life! For the rest of May and all of June, Lauren is going to share 5 regulation strategies per week. In each episode, Lauren will explain how each strategy works to regulate and then give you specific examples of how you can start using these strategies with young kids (but these can be used with people of any age too!). In this episode, Lauren shares 5 more regulation tools that you can use with people of all ages (most of these were developed w...
2024-06-1016 minReturning to UsFrom Chaos to Calm - Helping Kids Regulate (Part 3)Lauren is back with 5 more regulation strategies that you can try with the kiddos in your life! For the rest of May and all of June, Lauren is going to share 5 regulation strategies per week. In each episode, Lauren will explain how each strategy works to regulate and then give you specific examples of how you can start using these strategies with young kids (but these can be used with people of any age too!). In this episode, Lauren shares the first 6 emotional regulation strategies. All of today's approaches are nature and outdoors based which is perfect a...
2024-06-0317 minReturning to UsFrom Chaos to Calm - Helping Kids Regulate (Part 2)Lauren is back with 5 more regulation strategies that you can try with the kiddos in your life! For the rest of May and all of June, Lauren is going to share 5 regulation strategies per week. In each episode, Lauren will explain how each strategy works to regulate and then give you specific examples of how you can start using these strategies with young kids. In this episode, Lauren re-introduces the categorization system that she uses with young kids to help them identify their emotional states. And then shares the first 5 emotional regulation strategies:Acupressure PointsGratitude PracticeValidationWhisper W...
2024-05-2718 minReturning to UsFrom Chaos to Calm - Helping Kids Regulate (Part 1)Today is the first day of a 6 week series on regulation strategies. For the rest of May and all of June, Lauren is going to share 5 regulation strategies per week! In each episode, Lauren will explain how each strategy works to regulate and then give you specific examples of how you can start using these strategies with young kids. In this episode, Lauren re-introduces the categorization system that she uses with young kids to help them identify their emotional states. And then shares the first 5 emotional regulation strategies:Tense and releaseBalancingHumorShaking Your Body or DancingBreathwork
2024-05-2021 minReturning to UsCalming & Coping Mechanisms RE-RELEASEWe are kicking off a new mini-series on regulation strategies, so we're reviving this episode from 2021 as a way to get you in the right headspace for the next couple of episodes.In this episode, Lauren walks us through the 2 strategies for regulation: the Bottom-Up or Top-Down Approach. Breaking down the approaches:Bottom-up: These strategies are used for the oldest part of your brain: the emotional brain. The Amygdala hijacks your thinking brain and causes a reaction. Activities to offset that reaction include movement, breathing, and touch and are proven to b...
2024-05-1314 minReturning to UsChanging the Culture of Childhood AbuseWe're taking a break from our micro-wellness series because the current culture around child abuse has been weighing on Lauren's heart and she didn't want to go another day without talking about it.In this episode, Lauren is talking about child abuse and how it can be prevented by teaching our little ones how to talk about their bodies and advocate for themselves. From the definition of what abuse is to sharing resources that you can use with kids as young as 1 or 2 years old, Lauren provides the information and resources you need to feel empowered to...
2024-05-0632 minReturning to UsFinding Balance in Your LifeThe past few episodes have given you 5 minute micro-practices that you can add into your daily schedule to improve your physical and mental health. In this episode, Lauren focuses on how to use these micro-practices and micro-steps to achieve more balance in your life. Recently, Lauren has noticed so many people around her are just exhausted. Knowing how to recognize what to change and taking micro-steps to get there can make big changes in how you feel. It is possible to change your behavior patterns and re-wire your brain - you just need to know how to...
2024-04-2920 minReturning to Us5 Minute MeditationToday we're switching gears for our micro-practices series, we've been focusing on the physical body but today we're going to shift focus to the mind. In this episode Lauren talks about the benefits of meditation and how you can start to add meditation into your daily routines. As someone who struggles with meditation, Lauren shares the tips and tricks she finds helpful to becoming successful at meditation. We're giving you this 5 minute habits series as a way to help you move from a survival state to a place where you are thriving. There is no fast way t...
2024-04-2216 minReturning to UsThe 5-Minute WorkoutToday Lauren is switching it up! She's noticed that her students and colleagues are feeling drained and exhausted. They've been talking a lot about well-being, self care, and stress management. Strength training, even for just 5 minutes a day, helps improve your overall health, longevity, function, and gets more oxygen to your brain. In this episode, Lauren walks us through 5 classic movements that you can incorporate into your daily routine so that you can start seeing these benefits in your life. Use the tips for building lasting habits to make these daily practices! ...
2024-03-2526 minReturning to UsTiny Habits: Flow State, Be More Like Your ChildrenThis is the third installment of out Tiny Habits series. Our focus is on helping you create micro stress management habits that will fit easily into your busy life.In this episode, Lauren walks us through the importance of flow state (or child state) as part of our self care routines. Flow state is an intense state of body and mind in which you are so immersed in the moment and what you are doing that you struggle to even hear others talking. With all of the stress and busyness in our lives, adults can...
2024-03-1812 minReturning to Us7 Things to do to Create a HabitIt can be challenging to create long-lasting habits that help to keep you happy, functioning, and regulated. It's so common for to set goals, work towards them for awhile, and then go back to your old habits. In this episode, Lauren layouts out a roadmap for creating new habits that will stick. From starting with easy, tiny changes to learning to celebrate yourself, she shares 7 of her techniques for making meaningful changes to your habits and routines. The next few episodes will be ideas for micro-changes we can make to improve our lives, minds, and b...
2024-02-2618 minReturning to UsNervous System 101In this episode, Lauren walks through the basics of our nervous system. Whether you have more sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system activation, it is helpful to know how to recognize when your nervous system is dysregulated.The goal is to stay within your Window of Tolerance and to get back into it as quickly as possible after becoming dysregulated. Lauren shares tips and ideas for preventing nervous system dysregulation and restoring regulation. Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: What do we do with students or children who have behaviors an...
2024-02-1224 minReturning to UsListener Q&A: Lauren Answers Your Most Burning QuestionsIn today's episode, Lauren is tackling listeners' most common questions. She will walk through answers to questions about topics ranging from regulating your own responses to getting to the root of unwanted behaviors in your students. Tune in to get some great knowledge nuggets and resources or email your question to us so we can answer your question in a future episode.Try-at-home tip: Listen to what your body is telling you. Don't explain physical symptoms away so quickly - consider if they could be caused by stress. O...
2024-02-0520 minReturning to UsCommunicating in a Way That Gets Kids to ListenThe way that you communicate with kids directly impacts their self esteem and worthiness. So often the way that adults communicate with their own children or kids in a classroom setting is not productive. In this episode, Lauren points to some areas that may be going wrong in your communication with kids. She walks through the areas that you can focus on to make sure that your kids are feeling heard and respected. Plus, Lauren gives examples of communication strategies that will improve your communication with anyone in your life. Lauren answers t...
2024-01-2918 minReturning to UsEmotional Brain Parts and How Executive Functioning Heals ItAfter giving a quick overview of the anatomical parts of the brain and their roles in functioning, Lauren moves focus to how we can strengthen and grow our executive functioning skills as a method of calming our limbic system. Incorporating games and activities that strengthen executive functioning and cognitive flexibility at all ages helps to grow and strengthen these important skills. Strong executive functioning skills allow you to consciously assess situations instead of just reacting. In this episode, Lauren gives examples of games and activities that you can use to build your executive functioning skills.
2023-12-0420 minReturning to UsCollaboration in the Classroom (Part 1)We are biological and social beings that seek human connection and belonging. Collaboration in classrooms, schools, and workplaces provides synchronous time to connect with your peers.In this episode, Lauren discusses the importance of collaboration and how you can successfully create a collaborative environment in your classroom or workplace. From skills preparation to setting expectations to setting up systems to handle conflict, Lauren gives you everything you need to provide positive collaborative experiences. Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: How can we help the entire class cope wit...
2023-10-1619 minReturning to UsInterview with Sean Inderbitzen & Jessica Doering: Dysregulation and Polyvagal TheorySean has lived 32 years with autism spectrum disorder. He consults on autism and working with people with autism. Sean is working on a book (Summer 2024) looking at autism in terms of polyvagal theory. Jessica loves helping people who help people. Jessica and Lauren have partnered on a new project that provides training and resources for organizations that want to implement trauma-informed care. Check out the Five Ives website to learn more!In this episode, Lauren, Sean, and Jessica discuss: Using polyvagal theory and somatic practices to recognize the signs of a heightened physical and em...
2023-09-1855 minReturning to UsBook Study Series: “What Happened To You” pt. 3Today is the third, and last, episode with Lauren discussing some of, “What Happened to You: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing” by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. Today Lauren highlights some passages she found interesting and insightful. She focuses on how our modern society has created a stress response in all of us and what that looks like. She talks about connecting with people who are disregulated, our distance from nature and how that is impacting our health and stress levels, understanding someone’s past but not excusing their behavior, and the impact of all the sensory...
2023-05-1516 minReturning to UsBuilding your family systemToday is the last episode in our series on how other cultures raise children.Throughout the world parents use a whole network of people to help raise their child. In this episode Lauren discusses how you can create that network. This not only gives you a break from your kids but exposes your kids to people of all ages. Ideas discussed include: Allo parenting - allow older kids to help parent the youngerCreate a network of older people in your community to act as Aunties and Uncles and help take shifts with childcare. Build a multi-age pla...
2023-04-0316 minReturning to UsBuilding Resilience and Self-EsteemOver the last few episodes, Lauren has discussed how other cultures teach cooperation, helpfulness, motivation, and emotional control. Today she discusses building self-esteem in our kids which leads to more resilient and less anxious children. In the last few years we have moved away from a strict authoritarian approach to parenting. The US has embraced giving kids a little more control while, at the same time, we became overprotective and controlling in a different manner. This episode discusses six ways to help your kids become more resilient and gain self-esteem.Limit your requests or ord...
2023-03-2725 minReturning to UsHow On Earth Do We Deal with Misbehavior? Pt. 3Over the last few episodes, Lauren has discussed how other cultures teach cooperation, helpfulness, motivation, and emotional control. This is the third episode in a three part series on how other cultures handle children's misbehavior. You can find the link to the first two episodes in the show notes. Lauren does a quick review of the strategies discussed in the first two episodes and then adds a couple more. Today these include using role play, questions, and general lightheartedness to change the situation. Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the epis...
2023-03-2015 minReturning to UsHow on Earth Do We Deal with Misbehavior? Pt. 2Over the last few episodes, Lauren has discussed how other cultures teach cooperation, helpfulness, motivation, and emotional control. This is the second episode in a three part series on how other cultures handle children's misbehavior. You can find the link to the first episode in the show notes. Lauren does a quick review of the strategies discussed in the first episode and then adds a couple more for younger kids. The new strategies are:Turning science into real lifeMaking objects talkMonster storiesListen to the episode to hear stories demonstrating each of these methods. ...
2023-03-1318 minReturning to UsHow On Earth Do We Deal with Misbehavior?Over the last few episodes, Lauren has discussed how other cultures teach cooperation, helpfulness, motivation, and emotional control. This is the first episode in a three part series on how other cultures handle children's misbehavior. She discusses six different ways to correct misbehaviorA strong “No” or “The Look.” Consequence puzzlesQuestionsResponsibilityActions and not wordsIgnoringThe goal is to teach children to use their executive functioning and learn why the misbehavior is not beneficial to them or your family, not to punish.Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: How do I get...
2023-03-0615 minReturning to UsHow Other Cultures Teach Emotional Control - Pt 2In this episode Lauren continues her discussion of how other cultures raise their children and teach them emotional control. She talks about the use of “awe” in calming down yourself and your kiddo. There are things we see everyday and don’t notice, beautiful views for instance, that if you open your eyes and look at them with awe bring you back to the present. So, take your kids outside to calm them down. When they are old enough and have their calming strategies in place, ignore the behavior. Use this in a mindful way once the...
2023-02-2712 minReturning to UsHow Other Cultures Teach Emotional Control - Part 1In this episode Lauren continues her discussion of how other cultures raise their children to be a part of the family unit in a helpful and cooperative way. To raise helpful, cooperative, and motivated kids you have to teach them emotional control and how to return to a calm, neutral state. The first way we do this is to model calm to our children. How do we do that when they are pushing our buttons, not listening, or throwing a tantrum? This episode walks you through some techniques to return yourself to a calm state before dealing w...
2023-02-2025 minReturning to UsInstilling Intrinsic Motivation In Your KidsMany parents and teachers use bribes to get kids to do tasks that are unappealing to them. But, bribing kids doesn’t teach them how to be intrinsically motivated to do a task which is a skill they’ll need as they grow older. So, how do we motivate kids to do unappealing tasks without bribing them? Lauren walks you through the do’s and don’ts of motivating your kids without bribing, overly praising them, or using an authoritarian approach.Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: Why do so many kids...
2023-02-1319 minReturning to UsHow to Make Kids CooperateToday Lauren discusses getting your kids to cooperate. She talks about merging the world of kids and adults so that your kids are a part of your life and understand their responsibility. The podcast looks into creating independent and autonomous kids so you can have your own life and your own identity. This is a can’t miss episode for anyone feeling like they have become lost in being a Mom. Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: Lately I am fighting a lot with my kids. Try-at-home tip: Com...
2023-02-0621 minReturning to UsHelpfulness: How to Make Kids HelpfulThe first in a three part series discussing how other cultures raise their children. In this installment, Lauren discusses how cultures raise helpful children and how to incorporate that into your family, whatever the age of your kiddos.She discusses the view of a family as a team, acomedido, and how to start these practices in your own home. There are only three rules: Make the request clear.Make the request doable.Don’t force it. Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: Why do so many kids need con...
2023-01-3016 minReturning to UsResources for Well BeingIn the past few episodes Lauren has discussed self-care. Today, Lauren gives you her personal recommendations in each of the Big 5 areas. Mentioned in this episode:Mental Health: Insight TimerSarah BlondinLalah DeliaMonica SweeneyWabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect LifeThe First 40 DaysSocial: BumblePeanut Marco PoloRelationship:Gottman TherapyEsther PerelPsychology Today - Find a TherapistMovement:Sweat AppKelsey WellsFleur EastFood: Healing Tonics, Juices, and SmoothiesOther: 365 Days of Feel-Good Art: for Self-Care and Joy, Every DayFeel Better in 5 - Ragan Chater...
2023-01-1623 minReturning to UsHow to Begin Healing the Educator Mental Health CrisisIn this episode Lauren follows up on her discussion of the mental health crisis with ideas on how to begin healing educators' mental health and keep them in the profession. Lauren recommends: Mental health supportsAlternative health benefits like chiropractor and acupunctureBetter work cultureHire assistants so teachers can focus on teaching and less on paperwork type tasksAnd more….Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: How do we teach kids self-regulation?Try-at-home tip: BreathworkOther related resources from The Behavior Hub: Blog Post:
2022-12-1218 minReturning to UsThe effects of chronic stress and abuseIn Season 2, episode 34, Lauren gave examples of emotional abuse and briefly described the effects. Today she delves deeper into the effects of all types of abuse and chronic stress on children. She covers the variety of behaviors that a child has been, or is, abused or suffering chronic stress and why that behavior may be exhibited. RageFlashbacksLow self-esteem, low-confidence, and a lack of bodily controlPerfectionismUnrealistic guiltSelf-harmEating disordersLauren also discusses isolation punishment and its effect on the brain. Isolation punishment is a punishment that separates a person from the group, for example, time outs or in...
2022-11-0725 minReturning to UsAre schools failing our kids?In today’s episode, Lauren asserts that schools are failing our kids. She looks at this through the lens of “You have to Maslow before you can Bloom.” This means that before children can learn, they must have their basic needs fulfilled which are described in Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Benjamin Bloom created three hierarchical models which classify educational learning objectives. However, if the basic needs aren’t met then a student will never reach Bloom’s learning objectives. One of the most important needs humans have is developing relationships with other people. Creating a relationship...
2022-10-2421 minReturning to UsWhat is emotional abuse?We all recognize physical abuse when we see it. But, what is emotional abuse? Today Lauren discusses the nine types of emotional abuse: Unrealistic expectationsShowing hostilityBlaming and ShamingHumiliatingMinimizingFavoringWithholding affectionYelling and Swearing Mocking and InsultingShe gives examples of each type of emotional abuse and discusses the long-term impact emotional abuse has on children. Most of us are guilty of at least one of these. Don’t despair, you can change your behavior with a little work and a lot of grace for yourself. Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: ...
2022-10-1016 minReturning to UsHow to Effectively Counter Demotivation in Kids (and adults)Are the kids in your life demotivated? Is there a lack of enthusiasm in the tasks you give them? Today, Lauren discusses what causes demotivation and how to combat it. She talks about the causes of demotivation which can include poor nutrition, drugs, stress, biology, and thinking the task is irrelevant. She talks about tips and tricks to engage kids in their work and help them learn more effectively. Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: How do I get my child to follow through on my requests to clean up af...
2022-10-0315 minReturning to UsBiology, Memory, and MotivationDo you have problems getting motivated? What about getting your kids or students motivated? A lack of motivation is a problem we've all faced. When confronting kids with tasks they don't want to do, how do we motivate them? Today, Lauren discusses how to motivate yourself and your kids. Motivation is not just will power. It involves biology and a person’s memory as well. Getting students to do what you ask also involves their emotional state. Having them in the right emotional state makes them more likely to say yes. Lauren walks through ways to...
2022-09-2615 minReturning to UsHow to Combat Perfectionism and Increase Your JoyAre you, or your child, a perfectionist? Do you worry you might be? Then this episode is for you. Perfectionism has been on the rise in the Western World since 1980. This is not surprising to any of us. But, what is perfectionism? Isn’t it a good thing to strive for perfection in our work and home life?Lauren covers the 11 dangers of perfectionism, why it is selfish, how it leads to anxiety and depression, and how you know if you are a perfectionist. Mentioned in this episode:Insight Time...
2022-08-2913 minReturning to UsPutting Self-Care into Practice with RoutinesWhat’s your morning routine? Do you have one or do you grab a cup of coffee while shepherding your family out the door? Positive routines become ingrained and imperative to our functioning. The morning cup of coffee while watching the sunrise, the evening jog, or the morning and evening meditation, all these are commitments that sustain us. They are preventive self-care allowing us to start and end our day with calm, clarity, and focus. Lauren will discuss changes you can make and the small, incremental ways to create a morning routine so you start the...
2022-08-2216 min
Returning to UsGrit, Growth, Mindset and Intrinsic Motivation with Matthew DavidoffBack in November, Lauren interviewed Matthew Davidoff of the Red, White and Blue Exchange. This week Matthew interviews Lauren in a wide ranging discussion on how to promote grit and motivation in kids and how to handle mental health in the school system and at home. Lauren talks about the importance of self-care and the impact food and meditation can have on our lives. Mentioned in this episode: Books: The Orchid and the Dandelion by W. Thomas BoyceHunt, Gather, Parent Apps, Blogs, and Podcasts: Insight TimerDr. Mark HymanThe Spiritual InvestorEllen Beate SandseterOthe...
2022-08-1555 minReturning to UsSelf Care Big 5: Movement & ExerciseDo you spend your day in a 90/90/90 position? Most of us do so how do you correct the impact to long-term joint mobility? Today Lauren discusses the importance of movement. Improving your overall health now but also in making sure you can move easily as you age. She covers how to get movement while sitting at work and different types of exercises. The key to exercise is finding one you enjoy and will stick with long-term. Mentioned in this episode: Sweat305 FitnessFeel Better in 5Laur...
2022-08-0815 minReturning to UsSelf Care Big 5: SocializationDo you have strong social connections? Are you deeply connecting with people, in person, weekly or monthly? Or, do you get your social connection through social media and is that good enough?In this episode, Lauren dives into the importance of socialization for our health. The chemicals it triggers in our brain and how those lead to better cognitive skills, less stress, better mental health, and a stronger immune system. She also dives into social media and whether scrolling Instagram counts as social connection (spoiler: it doesn’t) and why or why not. Mentioned in...
2022-08-0116 minReturning to UsSelf Care Big 5: Water and SleepToday Lauren discusses the overall benefits of being well hydrated and well rested. When you don’t drink enough water it slows down your body and brain leaving you more tired and with less logical and rational thinking. It always impacts the quality of your sleep!We’ve all heard the advice to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night but we aren’t told why. Lauren goes into the science behind the recommended amount of sleep. This explains why even if you think you only need 4 hours, you still need 7-8. She outlines tips to help you ge...
2022-07-2517 minReturning to UsSelf Care Big 5: FoodToday Lauren talks about using food for stress management, self-care, and well-being. She covers the vitamin d deficiency in a large percentage of the population and the problems it causes. How the foods you put into your body affect your overall mental health and stress and the superfoods we should all have in our diet. She also looks at the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen, ways to eat healthier without breaking the bank, and coffee. Mentioned in this episode: Kicking Horse CoffeeFood BabeRob...
2022-07-1817 minReturning to UsSmall changes that lead to a calmer (and happier!) youIn this episode, Lauren discusses the 5 areas of self-care that will lead you to a calmer, less reactive state: Food WaterSleep SocialMovementShe shares her journey from tired, stressed, and illness to a calmer, happier place by incorporating these five areas into her daily life. And, describes what she does to make sure she includes each one in her day. Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: How do I stay calm when my child has behaviors so I can more appropriately approach the situation.Try-at-home tip:
2022-07-1117 min
Returning to UsHow to Build Confidence in Your Kids and The Great Transition: A Conversation with Nellie HardenLauren interviews Nellie Harden, a Family Life & Leadership Coach, focusing on girls age eight through the teenage years. Their discussion includes why Nellie started this line of work, what teens are struggling with now, the Great Transition, assessing your core values for your family, social media, perfectionism and self-esteem.Try-at-home tip: Drop the rope!Nelli’s Recommendations: Books by Lisa DamourBooks By Brene BrownThe Parent CompassLauren’s Recommendation: Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life How to Contact Nellie:
2022-06-2751 minReturning to UsAchieving and Maintaining Emotional BalanceEarlier in the season, Lauren discussed the Sympathetic Nervous System (Fight or Flight) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest & Digest). Everyone experiences the highs and lows of our nervous system being overstimulated. But, how do you calm back down and return to the window of tolerance?In this episode, Lauren explains the Polyvagal Theory which suggests that the vagus nerve can be used to calm our systems and return us to the green zone. She gives concrete mind-body techniques that can be used to calm the vagus nerve by both kids and adults.Mentioned...
2022-06-1315 minReturning to UsDecoding Unwanted BehaviorsAll children act out for a reason, even if you can’t understand it in the moment. Today Lauren looks at the five needs areas that, when unmet, are the cause of those challenging behaviors. Lauren outlines each of the 5 needs, how children present when a need is not met, and makes suggestions on ways to meet that need. Mentioned in this episode: Podcasts: Mindful Mama PodcastPodcast — Laura Froyen, PhDBooks:Hunt, Gather, ParentAchtun...
2022-06-0620 minReturning to UsCommunicating with Kids: Saying How You FeelMany of us are already stressed out with work, taking care of family, and all the other life things. Then, your child says something that hurts your feelings. It’s a difficult experience to deal with especially when you have to deal with their intense emotional outbursts, too. Lauren discusses the seventh of her “7 Disarming Communication Tactics” in this episode: the “I feel….” Strategy. Part of this strategy is having a healthy conversation with your kiddo about how you feel. If you model healthy communication by expressing your feelings, your kiddo learns how to...
2022-05-2315 minReturning to UsEffective Communication: The Power of a Written NoteWhen problems come up or children misbehave, effective communication is key to changing the situation. Can writing a note to a child with good old pen and paper be effective? It sure can! Lauren discusses the sixth of her “7 Disarming Communication Tactics” in this episode: the “Written Note” Strategy. Part of the reason this strategy works is because it removes any tone or emotion from the message. This option gives you a chance to cool down before responding. With less emotion in the message, kiddos are less likely to feel criti...
2022-05-1613 minReturning to UsImprove Communication: Information instead of InstructionsYou find dirty clothes all over your kiddo’s bedroom floor. What do you say? And how do you say it? Information gives your child facts about something and helps them to make a decision. Instructions are about telling your child what to do. A blunt, straightforward order with no option for discussion. Which is better? Lauren discusses the fifth of her “7 Disarming Communication Tactics” in this episode: the “Giving Information” Strategy. This strategy is all about giving your kiddo information about what is needed and not instruction...
2022-05-0912 minReturning to UsImprove Communication: Less is MoreDo you find yourself talking, lecturing, or repeating yourself to your kiddos? Resulting in getting annoyed and then raising your voice or yelling? Stress! How about a new strategy? Lauren discusses the fourth of her “7 Disarming Communication Tactics” in this episode: the “One Word” Strategy. Instead of lecturing or repeating yourself, try using one-word reminders to help guide their behavior. When you’ve discussed and agreed in advance, these short clues are all they need to remember the task. One reason this works well: It reduces the number of words the br...
2022-05-0213 minReturning to UsPositive Communication: Try Some HumorGetting kids to communicate. We all use so many strategies to try and motivate our children to talk with us. We do our best to ensure we capture their interest so they participate. Here's another strategy to add to your tool belt! Lauren discusses the third of her “7 Disarming Communication Tactics” in this episode: the “Humor” Strategy. Lauren talks about how humor can be used to improve communication between you and your kiddo…all while neutralizing the stress response system. Using humor has been shown to have these pos...
2022-04-2515 minReturning to UsImprove Communication by Giving Kids ChoicesCommunication is a two-way street. As we talk with kiddos, we are also teaching them how to talk with others. When it comes to teaching kids communication skills, the younger the better! Lauren discusses the second of her “7 Disarming Communication Tactics” in this episode: the “Choices” Strategy. Part of this strategy is giving your kiddo choices and being involved in the decision. This option gives them a chance to be in control of the situation instead of being told what to do. The body’s stress response system REALLY likes that! While t...
2022-04-1816 minReturning to UsPositive Communication using the "I See" StrategyGreat communication with your children results in stronger relationships, greater cooperation, and feelings of worth and value. As adults, we have no problem dishing out instructions but that takes away all of the child’s control and ownership. This often leads to kids that don’t listen. Lauren discusses the first of her 7 Communication Tactics in this episode: the “I see…” Strategy. Part of this strategy is giving your kiddo a problem to solve instead of a verbal order. This option gives them a chance to be in control of the situatio...
2022-04-1113 minReturning to UsBody Language: An Important Part of Effective CommunicationCommunication is 70-90% nonverbal. Body language and tone of voice communicate much more than words alone. Lauren discusses body language during this episode and why it’s so important when talking with kids. You might think your kiddo is not listening, but they are definitely observing your body language! There are both positive and negative types of body language. Often, you can tell someone’s attitude or state of mind just by noticing nonverbal actions. This works for both kids and adults. Positive body language includes things like leaning closer, nodding, smiling, or having...
2022-04-0416 minReturning to UsWays to Neutralize or Gain Energy: For Adults!In the last few episodes, Lauren explained about the Sympathetic Nervous System (Fight or Flight) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest & Digest). Both are part of our Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), but let’s not get too sciency here! Just remember this: it’s all about keeping this system in balance. In this episode, Lauren explains what adults can do when they are stuck in either system. Essentially, how to neutralize strong emotions when feeling stress and overwhelm or how to gain energy when feeling down and unmotivated. Lauren discusses several options and many of the...
2022-03-2818 minReturning to UsRest & Digest: Meet the Parasympathetic Nervous SystemIn the episode, Lauren discusses the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) and how it helps balance us out, get our rest and digest our food. The PNS has a calm and rest effect on our bodies. Think of it as a superhero! It slows us down, calms us, and does the opposite of the Fight or Flight/SNS part of our brain. We are all thankful for that!We can get stuck in Fight or Flight mode due to chronic stress, over-stimulation, and traumatic situations. This can cause restlessness, panic, hyperactivity, fear, o...
2022-03-2118 min
Returning to UsKids, Behavior, and Therapy: A Conversation with Alyssa MairanzLauren interviews Alyssa Mairanz, Owner/Executive Director of Empower Your Mind Therapy, a group therapy practice in NY City.Lauren asks questions many listeners and clients have mentioned:What do you do if your Primary Care Physician thinks a behavior is normal? How do you know when a child needs therapy?How do you find a therapist for your child? Or for yourself?How do you find the “right” therapist?If you start with a therapist and it doesn’t feel like the right fit, how do you proceed?How do you talk to...
2022-03-1441 minReturning to UsFight or Flight: Our Sympathetic Nervous SystemIn this episode, Lauren discusses the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and how it keeps us safe. The SNS is the “Fight or Flight” part of your brain. It’s the pathway we use to respond to danger, which means it keeps us safe. This is a good thing! The problem today is we are often pushed into SNS mode even when not physically in danger. What causes this? Daily stressors. Lack of control. Excessive demands. They can all cause fear and anxiety which activates the SNS part of our brain. We don’t...
2022-03-0716 minReturning to UsEmotion Regulation using the Top-Down or Bottom-Up ApproachEmotion Regulation: The ability to exert control over one's own emotional state.If only it was as easy as it sounds!Emotions are controlled and processed at an unconscious level or “bottom” of the brain. We become more aware of this fact when we strengthen the Thinking Brain or “top” of the brain. A dual approach (top-down and bottom-up) deals with underlying issues and has more lasting results.Top DownThe first step is to strengthen the Thinking Brain where logic and reas...
2022-02-2818 minReturning to UsYour Brain's Cortisol Control Hub - The HypothalamusWhat is the brain’s hypothalamus? Lauren likes to call it the Cortisol Control Hub. The hypothalamus is responsible for hormone release and homeostasis, which is for maintaining body equilibrium. Its functioning helps to regulate many areas: emotions, sleep and wake cycles, body temperature, and eating/not overeating. Cortisol is a hormone released when you are stressed. It’s also responsible for putting you in a flight-or-fight mode. Too much cortisol from chronic stress can lead to things like depression, anxiety disorders, and heart disease.The brain and st...
2022-02-2113 minReturning to UsYour Brain's Memory Storage Command Center - The HippocampusEver wondered why a scent or certain food triggers a memory of something that happened long ago? Well, that’s the hippocampus in play AKA Memory Storage Command Center.The hippocampus stores things like spatial memories (surroundings & environment) as well as declarative memories (facts & events). An example of declarative memories are things learned in school!Memory consolidation happens while we sleep. The hippocampus moves memories to long-term storage. That’s why we need that 7½ hours of sleep as an adult (9 to 12 for kids). Skimp on your sleep, and you skimp on the pos...
2022-02-1417 minReturning to UsMeet the Decision Maker of your Emotional Brain: The AmygdalaIn this episode, Lauren talks about the Amygdala. This part of your brain is TINY but oh my…..it is MIGHTY! The Amygdala is the emotional decision maker of your brain. Its job is to protect you at all costs. Whenever we face strong emotions like anger or fear, the Amygdala believes we are in danger and sounds the alarm. This misinterpretation puts your Thinking Brain on hold. The "stress threat” triggers more impulsive reactions instead of the rational, logical thinking that we use throughout our day. During stressful moments, it happen...
2022-02-0715 minReturning to UsThe Brain in the Palm of your Hand: Dan Siegel’s Hand ModelIn this episode, Lauren talks about how to teach your kiddos about the emotional brain and its functions by using a hand signal developed by Dr. Dan Siegel. We talk about how powerful the upstairs and downstairs brain is in influencing learning and our fight, flight, freeze or fawn reactions. The downstairs brain keeps us safe, so we can think of it as the “barking dog” that warns us when we feel unsafe. The upstairs brain is where our logic and reasoning lives, so we can refer to that part of our brain as the “wise owl”. To be...
2022-01-3117 min
Returning to UsEmotions & Your Money: Elizabeth Ralph from The Spiritual Investor ProgramLauren interviews her money coach, Elizabeth Ralph. Through their work together, Lauren has changed her deep core beliefs about money and has made big changes in her life. Elizabeth describes how her strong connection to animals (especially horses) caused her to redefine and create her own version of freedom. She explains how others can do the same: find your “why”, set goals to reach it, focus on the steps, and everything will slowly fall into place. Lauren explains how and why this happens. Your brain naturally starts moving your actions toward that goal, the more you think about...
2021-12-1452 minReturning to UsFight or Flight: How your Brainstem protects youIn this three-part series, Lauren talks about parts of the brain that most relate to emotions and behavior: Prefrontal Cortex – Thinking Brain or “Wise Owl”Limbic System – Emotional Brain or “Barking Dog”Brainstem – Reptilian Brain or “Fight or Flight”This episode is about the Brainstem, often referred to as the Reptilian Brain, the Primal Brain, or the Fight or Flight area. The Brainstem is located at the back of the skull, near the bottom of your brain. This area is wired for your survival and is responsible for all vital respiratory a...
2021-12-0723 minReturning to UsEducational Equity, Remote Learning & Cognitive Empathy: An Engrossing Conversation with Educator & Researcher Matthew DavidoffLauren has an in-depth conversation with Matthew Davidoff, High School ESL Teacher, University of Pennsylvania Adjunct Faculty, and Freelance Education Consultant. Their discussion includes why he entered teaching, the effect of sudden (and continued) remote learning, his experiences as a school board member, his research with the Red & Blue Exchange, along with thoughts on Cognitive Empathy. Matthew’s passion is driven by his extreme curiosity about a world where educational equity exists. That world is possible in a well-funded, private school but not in many public schools. His goal is to be a teacher that inspires eve...
2021-11-301h 20Returning to UsThe Barking Dog: Our Emotional BrainIn this three-part series, Lauren talks about the parts of the brain that most relate to emotions and behavior: Prefrontal Cortex – Thinking Brain or “Wise Owl”Limbic System – Emotional Brain or “Barking Dog”Brainstem – Reptilian Brain or “Fight or Flight”This episode is about the Limbic System, often referred to as the Emotional Brain, Barking Dog, or Downstairs Brain. The Limbic System is located in the very center of your head. This part of your brain is the Emotional Control Center: the heart of emotions, memory formation, and survival. It acts much like a...
2021-11-2322 minReturning to UsThe Wise Owl: Better known as your Thinking BrainIn this three-part series, Lauren talks about parts of the brain that relate to emotions and behavior: Prefrontal Cortex – Thinking Brain or “Wise Owl”Limbic System – Emotional Brain or “Barking Dog”Brainstem – Reptilian Brain or “Fight or Flight”This episode is about the Prefrontal Cortex, often called the Thinking Brain, Wise Owl, or Upstairs Brain. Logic, reason, thought, and communication live here. And...it’s harder to access when we are upset. The brain develops from top to bottom and back to front. That means the Thinking Brain is the final...
2021-11-1617 minReturning to UsSelf-Care: Finding your Core ValuesIn this episode, Lauren discusses how knowing yourself is an important step in developing your self-care routine. She talks about how to identify your three main core values and then how to dig deeper to find your most authentic self. Lauren recommends journaling for 7 days and provides each day’s topic to focus on and consider. Next, check your self-care activities in 6 key areas of wellness: mental, physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual.How you live and feel is often shaped by your personality and values in life. Understanding yourself opens the door to...
2021-11-0219 minReturning to UsCreate Personalized Rituals for your Self-Care RoutineLauren discusses how to design a self-care routine that is in alignment with your personality and core values. She talks in detail about her own routine, including some of the struggles she’s had along the way. Time is our most valuable, nonrenewable resource. How we choose to use it can make all the difference in feeling happy, inspired, and valued. Self-care doesn't have to be as extravagant as an hour-long meditation or an entire spa day. It’s the tiny habits (or micro-routines) embedded into a busy schedule to help sustain you and keep you go...
2021-10-2623 minReturning to UsHow Personality Type Affects Your Self-Care RoutineThis episode is one of Lauren’s favorite topics: Personality Profiling and how it relates to Self-Care.How you live and feel is often shaped by your personality and values in life. Understanding yourself opens the door to know what motivates you and helps you live a satisfying life, both internally and externally. Also, knowing yourself makes decisions and what actions to take much easier. Lauren discusses several options for learning your personality profile, including: Myers-BriggsHuman Design EnneagramAyervedic DoshaTo show how this information can be helpful, Lauren discusses some of her own perso...
2021-10-1920 minReturning to UsWhy is Self-Care So Important?Think of self-care as preventative stress management. In this episode, Lauren talks about why it’s important to practice self-care preventatively and not just as a reaction to a current state or situation.Imagine being so in tune with your emotional state and moods that you could actually change them. Thanks to neuroscience, we know it’s possible. Self-care is a learned skill. It takes time, practice, commitment, resilience, and hard work to put a good self-care routine in place. Lauren discusses how working in the education field has made h...
2021-10-1218 min
Returning to UsPlay, Relationships & Connection: A Conversation with Early Childhood Intervention Specialist Renee Pena LopezIn this episode, Lauren has a conversation with Renee Pena Lopez, an Early Childhood Intervention Specialist in New York City and also the creator of The Magic of Littles. They discuss working with young kids, the importance of play, and the need for connection. Renee’s passion comes from her own lived experience. Her life started as a preemie born to deaf parents. She had health problems as well as a delay in language skills development. It was later discovered she was also dyslexic. She understands the importance of kids getting help as young as possible. This has...
2021-09-2850 minReturning to UsAroma & Room Design: How it affects energy level, mood, and emotions.This is the third episode in our series about Room Design. We are discussing various design elements and how they impact stress, productivity, attention, and behavior. Have you ever been out for a walk and smelled something that triggered a memory? Our sense of smell can trigger memories and strong emotions, both good and bad. The olfactory nerve taps into the memory system of the brain. That’s why strong smells have a connection with memory recall, emotions, and behaviors. Let’s travel back in time a bit to ancient...
2021-09-0720 minReturning to UsUsing Color in Room Design: How it affects actions, learning, and retention.This is the second episode in our series about Room Design. We are discussing various design elements and how they impact stress, productivity, attention, and behavior. Color has its own magnetic frequency. It has an energy that influences the neurological pathways in the brain. Color also influences our moods, emotions, and actions. It is very impactful, so why not choose colors to help kiddos learn? Color also helps us stay regulated, feel better, reduce stress, and improve performance. Lauren talks about using colors conducive to learning, ret...
2021-08-3117 minReturning to UsConsider Sound in Room Design: How it affects focus and learning.This is the first episode in our series about Room Design. We are discussing various design elements and how they impact stress, productivity, attention, and behavior. A study by Cornell University found that chronic noise caused stress in children. The study also found they did not learn as well as those in a quiet neighborhood. The body and the brain are in tune to things nearby, including sound. The brain expends energy processing those sounds, which takes away from focus and attention for learning. This is true fo...
2021-08-2418 min
Returning to UsThe Classroom During Covid: An Interview with Katie Deppen, certified Early Childhood Educator.Lauren has an in-depth conversation with certified Early Childhood Educator, Katie Deppen. She teaches first grade in Pennsylvania and has previously taught third and fourth grades in Berlin, Germany. Katie discusses in detail the classroom changes and teaching challenges during a global pandemic. Katie discusses many topics during this episode:Her classroom experience this school year.Teaching struggles during the pandemic.Current challenges for parents.Lauren discusses how the global pandemic has resulted in extreme stress for nearly everyone. The ongoing changes affect many areas of our lives and cause people to feel mentally and p...
2021-08-0352 minReturning to UsHow Food impacts the Brain and EmotionsWhat if you could change the way the brain works just by changing what you feed yourself and your kiddos? YOU CAN! Food is medicine and can heal your body. Food and nutrition is also a significant contributor to how our brain operates.Lauren discusses how an auto-immune disorder changed how she views food and herbs. She describes healing herself by changing what she ate. Processed FoodsProcessed foods are so harmful to our bodies. Many health issues in the U.S. are tied to this ty...
2021-07-2719 minReturning to UsSelf Regulation – First of the 5 Needs AreasLauren discusses the first need of the 5 Needs Areas - self-regulation/emotional regulation.What is self-regulation? Being able to monitor and manage your energy state, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Adults have the intellectual and emotional capacity to change their emotional states. This is much harder for kids since their brains are not as developed. The Prefrontal Cortex (IE Thinking Brain) is not fully developed until the late teens or 20’s. If kids are exposed to chronic, elevated, or traumatic stress, regulating their emotions is even harder. Lauren dis...
2021-05-1817 minReturning to UsHow Humor HealsWho doesn't love to laugh? In this episode, Lauren talks about the benefits of humor and how to integrate it across all different age groups. Humor helps get us all back into our Thinking Brains, which means less reactivity and more calm responses!Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode: How do you manage your own stress when around challenging behaviors?Try-at-home tip: Wim Hof Breathing Our Online Courses: From Conflict to Calm: Communicating so kids listen the...
2021-03-3018 min