Shows
Things You Learn in TherapyDirty Socks and Good Deeds: Growing Kids Who Step UpSend us a textWhat separates those who merely notice problems from those who actually solve them? In this enlightening conversation, Leslie Bolser and Dr. Beth Trammell tackle the powerful concept of initiative—defined as "seeing what needs to be done and doing it"—and why this two-part skill proves challenging for people of all ages.The discussion moves through developmental stages, offering practical advice for nurturing initiative from preschool through adolescence. For the youngest children, initiative begins with explicit instruction and modeling, teaching them to notice when someone's crying or playing alone and...2025-05-0213 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #053: Parenting with InitiativeHeading into summer might seem like a strange time to focus on initiative, but seeing what needs to be done and doing it takes no breaks! Listen in as Dr. Beth and Leslie share about teaching initiative to kids.2025-04-3013 minThings You Learn in TherapyCooperation: Going Farther TogetherSend us a textCooperation sounds simple – working together to accomplish more than we could alone – but as parents and educators, we often struggle to maintain this focus as children grow. This candid conversation between Leslie Bolser and Dr. Beth Trammell explores how our emphasis on cooperation naturally diminishes as we begin prioritizing independence in our children.For preschoolers, cooperation begins with sharing toys and parallel play, creating the foundation for teamwork. Surprisingly, allowing young children autonomy in tasks like tying shoes actually develops their capacity for future cooperation. The elementary years present a critical junc...2025-04-1816 minThings You Learn in TherapyResilience: The Art of Getting Back UpSend us a textResilience gets a fresh take in this heartfelt conversation between Leslie Bolser and Dr. Beth Trammell, who strip away the buzzword status and reframe this essential life skill as something we practice every single day. Moving beyond the trendy "grit" narrative, they explore what resilience actually looks like from toddlerhood through the teenage years—and why some moments of bouncing back are naturally easier than others.The discussion shines particularly bright when examining how differently resilience manifests across age groups. For our youngest children, it might be the remarkable ability to mo...2025-04-1117 minThings You Learn in TherapyHope Is Not Just Wishing for PizzaSend us a textHope isn't just wishful thinking – it's believing good things can happen even amid challenges. In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Beth Trammell and Leslie Bolser unpack how to nurture this essential quality in children at every developmental stage.For parents of younger children, we discuss the importance of mindful language, highlighting how casually using "hope" in disciplinary contexts ("I hope I don't have to come in there...") might undermine the positive meaning we want kids to embrace. Instead, we offer practical examples for modeling hope as positive anticipation in everyday conversations with li...2025-04-0417 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #052: Parenting with HopeTW: Discussion about hopelessness among teens, suicide.
Join Dr. Beth and Leslie to hear about parenting with hope - from pre-k through high school.2025-03-3117 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #51: Parenting with CooperationListen in to a "mini therapy session" and get some suggestions for parenting with cooperation. Hear how to encourage good teamwork with your kids of all ages.2025-03-0516 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #050: Parenting with UniquenessDr. Beth and Leslie celebrate the uniqueness of other people's kids - and give you tips for how you can, too! Comparison and jealousy be gone - this month is about learning more about others so you can know more about yourself.2025-02-0114 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #049: Parenting with ResilienceHappy New Year! Beth and Leslie talk about what it takes to parent with resilience, and when we can (and can't) expect kids to bounce back.2025-01-0117 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #048: Parenting with ServiceDr. Beth and Leslie chat about how living with the value of service can mesh with - but is different from - service projects. It's the perfect time of year to find out how we can help each other and lend a hand!2024-12-0112 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #047: Parenting with GenerosityJoin us to chat about Skittles, sharing, and giving and receiving generosity!2024-10-3117 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #046: Parenting with Self-ControlUgh - no one loves talking about self-control, let alone practicing it! Listen in this month for some tips on how to make it a bit less painful, for you and your kids.2024-09-3018 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #045: Parenting with CompassionJoin us this month as Leslie and Dr. Beth talk about noticing, empathy, and building skills for compassionate kids.2024-09-0116 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #044: Parenting with WisdomWelcome back! This month, Leslie and Dr. Beth talk about starting off the school year with wisdom, meeting new teachers, and making new friends.2024-07-3111 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #043: Parenting with CommitmentCommit to a fun summer - listen in for some tips on how to parent with fun and gain some needed rest this summer.2024-05-0115 minThings You Learn in TherapyEp 96: Cultivating Patience: Strategies for Parents and the Power of Empathy with Leslie Bolser and Dr. Beth TrammellSend us a textEver wondered why the line at the grocery store feels like a test of your soul's patience? You're not alone. This crossover episode with CEV includes my friend, Leslie Bolser, Creative Director for Core Essential Values, where we reveal personal battles with patience, especially in the throes of parenting. The struggle is real, but so are the strategies we share to help cultivate this virtue in ourselves and in the young minds we're guiding. From understanding the developmental limits of children's patience to the art of maintaining it with temperamental teens, this episode...2024-04-1219 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #042: Parenting with PatienceUgh - this one isn't the most fun to put into practice, but it is so important to live out for our kids. Listen in as Leslie and Dr. Beth ta;k through modeling and encouraging patience as parents.2024-04-0119 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #041 - Parenting with PeacePeace can be hard to achieve in your home - tight schedules, grouchy kids, and adult stress can really take their toll! Listen in as Leslie and Dr. Beth talk about how to look for peace in your relationships so you can find peace in yourself.2024-03-0118 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #040 - Parenting with KindnessKindness vs being right? Kindness vs being a pushover? Kindness v niceness or politeness? Listen in as Dr. Beth and Leslie tackle these topics and more this month!2024-01-3116 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #039: Parenting with ResponsibilityJoin in as Leslie and Dr. Beth chat about responsibility, trust, and starting off the new year on the right foot!2024-01-0113 minThings You Learn in TherapyEp78: Cultivating the Spirit of Generosity in Children: From Sharing Skittles to Meaningful GivingSend us a textCROSSOVER EPISODE!! Ready to ignite the spirit of generosity in your children? Dr. Beth Trammell and Leslie Bolser, your hosts from Core Essential Values, are here to guide us along this journey. We share handy tips to nurture and model this value in the youngest members of our families. We highlight how even the smallest gestures, like sharing Skittles, can significantly impact someone's day. As the festive season approaches, we stress the importance of intentionally involving children in acts of giving.Our discussion evolves, encompassing the challenges of teaching older children...2023-12-1317 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #038 - Parenting with GenerosityTune in to hear Dr. Beth and Leslie talk about parenting your kids to be generous people, now and in the future. Also, we'd love to see the art projects your kids gift you so generously this month! Share with us @cevalues.2023-11-3016 min
Kids These Days need us to Make Words Matter for goodEp119: Teaching Integrity to Children: From Little White Lies to Hard TruthsCrossover episode! Are you weary of those little white lies that your child is perpetually spinning? Relax, you're not alone, and we've got you covered in our enlightening chat on teaching integrity to kids. Join me, psychologist Beth Trammell, and Leslie Bolser from Core Essential Values as we unpack this tricky terrain. We delve into why kids lie, the importance of planting seeds of truth-telling, and why patience, not anger, is key to nurturing honesty. We assure you, it's a developmental phase, not a lifetime sentence.But we're not just talking about the little ones. We broaden o...2023-10-3014 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #037 - Parenting with GratitudeThis month we cover what it's like to parent with gratitude - avoiding entitlement, finding ways to show our kids that we are grateful for them, and looking around at our own friends and relationships to find ways to say thank you.2023-10-3019 minThings You Learn in TherapyEp69: Crossover! Teaching Kids and Teens About Friendships: A Conversation with Leslie BolserSend us a textCheck out this CROSSOVER episode with Kids These Days!Ever wondered how to teach your child about friendships? Can you imagine a world where children navigate relationships with grace and ease? Discover some insight in our enlightening chat with Leslie Bolser, Curriculum Director for Core Central Values. Drawing from her wealth of knowledge, she takes us on a journey of friendships from the early years to the tumultuous teenage era. We explore the significance of enabling our younger kids to articulate care in their relationships and providing scripts for interacting with their...2023-10-1122 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #036 - Parenting with IntegrityThis month, Leslie and Dr. Beth chat about integrity - how to keep your kids on the path to being truthful in what they say and do. Off the bat, Dr. Beth drops one particularly hard truth - everybody lies. Listen in!2023-10-0113 minKids These Days need us to Make Words Matter for goodEP116: Crossover episode: Teaching Kids and Teens About Friendships: A Conversation with Leslie BolserIt's that time again. Crossover episode with CEV! Discover some insight in our enlightening chat with Leslie Bolser, Curriculum Director for Core Central Values as we explore friendship. Drawing from her wealth of knowledge, she takes us on a journey of friendships from the early years to the teenage era. We explore the significance of enabling our younger kids to articulate care in their relationships and providing scripts for interacting with their pals. For parents navigating the complexities of childhood friendships, especially those with neurologically or developmentally delayed children, this conversation is a treasure trove of invaluable insights.2023-09-2722 minKids These Days need us to Make Words Matter for goodEP112: Fostering Healthy Friendships: From Childhood Through AdolescenceLet's talk about the topic of friendship! Something that might seem like a no-brainer, but actually is a lot more complicated. Join me and my guest, Leslie Bolser, Curriculum Director for Core Central Values, as we unravel the essence of childhood friendship. We delve into the importance of teaching kids the right language that reflects care and kindness, and how these early interactions shape their growing relationships. As we ascend the age ladder, we tackle the intricate and sometimes nerve-wracking world of teenager friendships. We discuss how parents can skillfully wield their influence while respecting their child’s a...2023-09-0422 minCore Essential Values#035 - Parenting and FriendshipThis month, join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about friendship - how do you help your children establish healthy and lasting friendships at any age? And how do OUR adult friendship habits reflect onto our children's choices?2023-08-3121 minKids These Days need us to Make Words Matter for goodEp109: Fostering Creativity: From Children to Adults and CommunityEver wondered how to nurture the creative spirit in your children, or reignite it within yourself? My conversation with Leslie Bolser promises to shed light on this topic, offering practical insights to foster a culture of creativity. We discuss strategies for encouraging curiosity in our children, the importance of risk-taking and vulnerability in sparking creativity, and the impact of our reactions to their creative endeavors. Dive into our second part of the conversation, as Leslie and I delve into how to keep the flame of creativity alive in our adult lives. We talk about the battle against c...2023-08-1419 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #34: Parenting with CreativityWe're back! It's a new school year, and Leslie and Dr. Beth talk about parenting through the rush of back-to-school while leaving time for creativity.2023-07-3118 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #033: Parenting with Determination (All ages)Ever feel like throwing in the towel? If so, check out this episode where Leslie and Dr. Beth share their highs and lows with the concept of determination - deciding it's worth it to finish what you've started.2023-04-2724 minKids These Days need us to Make Words Matter for goodTeaching our kids about humility with Leslie Bolser and CEVEach month, Leslie Bolser and I come together to talk about a specific word and how we, as parents, can encourage this value with our kids. This month's word is HUMILITY. I didn't realize how hard this word was until we started talking. Tune in for this brief episode on how to get our kids away from entitlement and into humility (without swinging too far to the other end and being taken advantage of). This episode can also be found on Core Essentials' podcast.www.makewordsmatterforgood.com2023-04-0316 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #032: Parenting with HumilityDrop in with Dr. Beth and Leslie as they talk about parenting with humility, avoiding entitlement, and finding balance between taking care of yourself and others.2023-04-0116 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #031: Parenting with ForgivenessThis month's word is forgiveness, so join Dr. Beth and Leslie as they chat about how to do something that's difficult for many of us - how to forgive ourselves as adults.2023-02-2520 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #030: Parenting with RespectIt might seem like it's obvious, but teaching respect can be a very tricky thing for kids of all ages. Listen in as Dr. Beth shares the best way to build steps to respect with your young children through older teens.2023-01-3017 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #029: Parenting with KnowledgeHappy New Year! Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about how to build knowledge in your children.2023-01-0323 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #028 - Parenting with Joy (All ages)During this busy time of year, listen in as Leslie and Dr. Beth chat about how to find joy at home and with your kids. It's the most wonderful time of the year, right?!2022-11-2921 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #027: Parenting with CourageListen in as Leslie and Dr. Beth describe practical steps for parenting older children and teens with courage.2022-10-3114 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #027: Parenting with Courage (PreK and Elementary)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they discuss how to parent your young children to be courageous, and how being brave doesn't mean eliminating fear.2022-10-3111 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #026: Parenting with Grit (PreK)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about building resilience and grit in our PreK children, including how to handle frustration when confronted with a difficult task.2022-09-3010 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #026: Parenting with Grit (Middle and High School)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about building resilience and grit in our teenagers.2022-09-3017 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #026: Parenting with Grit (Elementary)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about building resilience and grit in our elementary age students.2022-09-3013 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #025 Parenting with Trust (Pre-K and Elementary)It's so hard to talk about trust with younger children - it's much easier to give them experiences of trust so they can identify it later in relationships. Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they share more about encouraging trust and trustworthiness in children.2022-09-0112 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #025 Parenting with Trust (Middle and High School)Trust is important to middle and high schoolers as they make relational decisions every day. Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they share more about encouraging trust and trustworthiness in teens.2022-09-0114 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #024: Parenting with HonorJoin Leslie and Dr. Beth as they kick off the school year with honor. How can you honor your kids, your family's time, and the adults who will invest in your kids this year as the school year gets underway?2022-08-0115 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #023: Parenting with Perseverance (Elem-High School)Listen in as Leslie and Dr. Beth talk about how to know when to walk away and when to persevere.2022-05-0219 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #023: Parenting with Perseverance (Pre-K)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they explore ways to help your preschoolers finish tasks as we wrap up the school year.2022-05-0212 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #022: Parenting with Hope (Pre-K)Hope can be a tough concept for little ones, but Dr. Beth gives some advice for how to build the foundation for hope even when our children are very young.2022-03-3013 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #022: Parenting with Hope (Middle and High School)The past couple of years may have felt hopeless for your child. Check in with Leslie and Dr. Beth about how to talk about and find hope even when your child is in the midst of darkness, as well as how to help your teen dream big.2022-03-3013 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #022: Parenting with Hope (Elementary)Helping your elementary age student find hope can be tricky, as developmentally they tend to see things as one (good) or the other (bad). Listen in to Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about strategies for building hope as our kids grow into abstract thinking.2022-03-3015 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #021: Parenting with Cooperation (all ages)Join Dr. Beth and Leslie as they talk about cooperation for the whole family. From simple tips for cooperating at home to ideas for helping kids through conflict, this is one episode (for all ages!) that you don't want to miss.2022-02-2816 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #020 Parenting with Compassion (Middle and High School)Check in with Dr. Beth and Leslie as they talk about compassion and teenagers. It's a natural age to build compassion and care, and this episode has practical ideas to develop compassionate teens in your house.2022-02-0215 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #020 Parenting with Compassion (Elementary)Dr. Beth and Leslie have a great talk about compassion and elementary aged children. Looking for ways to show you care about others and how to live that out in your home are the topics of the day!2022-02-0213 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #020 Parenting with Compassion (PreK)Dr. Beth and Leslie spend some time chatting about teaching compassion to our youngest children. Maybe you start with sharing, helping, and caring for others, and work your way to compassion as they grow and age!2022-02-0214 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #019 Parenting with Self-Control (Middle and High School)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about self-control with your middle and high school students. How do teenagers know the right thing to do? How do we encourage pausing and thinking before acting?2022-01-0314 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #019 Parenting with Self-Control (Elementary)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about self-control with elementary students. In school, kids learn self-control, rule following, and regulation strategies every day. How can we use the same techniques in our homes to help our kids self-regulate with their families?2022-01-0312 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #019 Parenting with Self-Control (Preschool)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about self-control and preschoolers. Hear some simple habits to use with your kids when developing self-control with little ones.2022-01-0312 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #018 Parenting with Service (Middle and High School)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about service with your middle and high school students. Whether required by a school or given out of compassion, serving or helping others is a great way for our teens to experience empathy and learn more about who they are.2021-12-0212 min
Core Essential ValuesCEV December 2021 Service (Elementary)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about emphasizing helping (service) with your elementary students.2021-12-0210 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #018 Parenting with Service (Pre-K)Join Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk about emphasizing helping with your PreKs.2021-12-0211 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #017 Parenting with Contentment (All Ages)This one is a tough one! Jump on with Dr. Beth and Leslie as they discuss contentment with all kids.2021-11-0125 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #016: Parenting with Individuality (Pre - K)Talking with preschoolers about a big word like individuality can be tough, but Dr. Beth gives some great tips for helping little ones know and love who they are.2021-09-2914 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #016: Parenting with Individuality (Middle & HS)Check in with Leslie and Dr. Beth as they chat about parenting teenagers to help them learn who they are and how to use those traits to help those around them.2021-09-2920 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #016: Parenting with Individuality (Elementary)Join us as Leslie and Dr. Beth talk about building skills in your kids that help them learn and love who they are - and how to use that to help others around them.2021-09-2913 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #016: Parenting with Initiative (Pre-K)While your little ones may not be able to "see" what needs to be done, modeling and verbalizing the behavior will set the stage for initiative when they are ready for it.2021-09-0111 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #016: Parenting with Initiative (Middle and High School)This month, Leslie and Dr. Beth talk about how initiative can be both a skill to practice (cleaning up, doing homework) as well as a relational necessity (standing up for yourself and others). It's an important one for middle and high school students, as they look toward who they are becoming.2021-09-0118 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #016: Parenting with Initiative (Elementary)Check in with Leslie and Dr. Beth as they talk through parenting techniques to encourage initiative in elementary age students.2021-09-0111 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #015: Parenting with Wisdom (Middle and High School)As the school year gets off to a start, Dr. Beth and Leslie chat about wisdom and teenagers. Dr. Beth gives us 5 phrases to use as we parent with wisdom. Drop us a line info@coreessentials.org and help us design our upcoming shows about initiative, individuality and contentment!2021-08-0220 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #015: Parenting with Wisdom (PreK and Elementary)As the school year gets off to a start, Dr. Beth and Leslie chat about wisdom and children. Here's a link to the article Beth mentions: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.huffpost.com/entry/wisest-things-your-kids-said_n_55e6f471e4b0c818f619c787/amp Drop us a line info@coreessentials.org and help us design our upcoming shows about initiative, individuality and contentment.2021-08-0215 minCore Essential ValuesEpisode #014: Parenting with Commitment (Pre-K)Following through on a commitment takes work! Listen in as Leslie and Dr. Beth talk about parenting your Pre-K's with commitment.2021-05-0115 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #014: Parenting with Commitment (Middle and High School)Dr. Beth and Leslie chat about finishing strong - and knowing when and how to quit. Listen as they have a conversation about commitment and teens at the end of the school year.2021-05-0113 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #014: Parenting with Commitment (Elem)Being committed to something is tough - especially at the end of the school year! Join Dr. Beth and Leslie as they share tips for making a plan and putting it into practice.2021-05-0112 min
Build Momentum for Education - K-12 Superintendent SeriesHow to Streamline and Scale Communication in a Crisis | Leslie LernhartIn this episode of Build Momentum, we chat with Leslie Lernhart, the Communications Director for Tucson Unified School District in Tucson, Arizona. TUSD is the largest district in Tucson, serving more than 47,000 students in 89 schools and programs.Some Questions I Ask:Would you mind just telling us more about your district other than what I shared and the students you serve? (1:18)With the challenges that TUSD is experiencing during the pandemic, do you feel like you have recovered? (2:50)What are your plans for continuing distance learning? (4:15)Do you think that the community responded positively t...2021-04-2922 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #013: Parenting with Peace (All ages)Check in with Beth and Leslie as they talk about the elusive "peaceful home" - even when there are kids in it! This podcast covers all ages, from PreK through high school.2021-03-3015 min
Core Essential ValuesEpisode #012 - Parenting with Patience (Kids)Elementary kids are at the perfect age to practice patience - in fact, they do it every day! Learn how to encourage patience at home and give breaks when you can.2021-02-2312 min