Regulated & Relational

Play isn’t just fun—it’s essential. In this episode, Ginger and Julie unpack the science, healing power, and everyday possibilities of play. From brain development to emotional regulation, play shapes resilience, fosters connection, and repairs the impact of trauma. You’ll hear how movement amplifies the benefits, how barriers like technology and busy schedules can be addressed, and why play matters just as much for adults as it does for kids.Along the way, we highlight the insights of Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, Dr. Dan Hughes, Dr. Dave Ziegler, and Dr. Stuart Brown, plus practical strategies for both parents and educators to make play a daily part of life—even in middle and high school classrooms.Whether you’re parenting, teaching, or healing alongside children, this episode will inspire you to see play not as a reward or an afterthought, but as a biological imperative and a vital tool for growth, recovery, and joy.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why play is a “biological imperative” and a cornerstone of healthy brain development.How play supports emotional regulation, resilience, and relationship-building—especially for children impacted by trauma.The connection between movement, nervous system regulation, and healing.Common barriers to play (like technology, safety concerns, and adult exhaustion) and how to overcome them.How a playful stance from adults—rooted in curiosity and delight—reduces defensiveness and fosters openness.Practical ways parents can integrate more play into daily life.Classroom-friendly ideas for incorporating play at all grade levels, including middle and high school.Why adults also need play for creativity, flexibility, and emotional health.“When we prioritize play, we’re not just making memories—we’re shaping brains.” — Dr. Tina Payne BrysonResources & References:Bryson, T. P. (2024). The Way of Play https://a.co/d/hmyINYlBrown, S. (2009). Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-17682-000Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation https://a.co/d/ahbaGPQHughes, D. A. (2009). Attachment-Focused Parenting https://a.co/d/5lfYF1pBongiorno, L. (NAEYC). “10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play” https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-playBYU Arts Playbook — Nurturing Developmental Skills Through Arts-Integrated Education

What would it look like if we built a society that prevents child abuse and neglect—before it ever begins? In this episode, Ginger and Julie sit down with Dr. Melissa T. Merrick, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America, to explore the evolving landscape of child well-being and what it takes to move from awareness to true prevention.Dr. Merrick shares powerful insights from her 20+ years of work in clinical research and public health leadership, including her time as the lead scientist for the CDC’s ACEs study and as a principal architect of Thriving Families, Safer Children—a national initiative reimagining child welfare through the lens of equity, collaboration, and hope.This is a conversation about what’s possible when we center families, build supportive communities, and focus on healing—not punishment.In This Episode, We Explore:What the latest data on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is telling us todayWhy prevention is possible—and how we shift from reacting to preventingThe vision and impact of Thriving Families, Safer ChildrenHow systems-level change must include equity, community voice, and upstream investmentsThe intersection of science, advocacy, and hopeHow leaders, educators, and caregivers can support family well-being at every level"We can’t punish our way into prevention. Real change begins when we center families, build supportive systems, and believe in the power of thriving communities." — Dr. Melissa MerrickResources & Links:Learn more about Prevent Child Abuse America: preventchildabuse.org

This is a follow-up to Episode 101, where we discussed the two recognized attachment disorder diagnoses and their impact on families. In this episode, we focus on how RAD shows up at school—and what teachers, counselors, and administrators need to know to respond with understanding and effectiveness.Educator Takeaways• Stay curious, not reactive. RAD behaviors are about survival, not defiance.• Don’t take it personally. Regulation is contagious—yours can help calm theirs.• Drop the rope. Avoid engaging in power struggles; instead, step back and stay grounded.• Connect the adults. Prevent triangulation by keeping clear, direct communication among parents, teachers, and administrators.• Prioritize safety and consistency. Predictable routines and transparent expectations create a sense of security.• Support attachment without replacing it. Teachers can be caring and relational without taking on the role of primary attachment figure.What Doesn’t Work• Rewards and punishments as motivators• Multiple warnings or lectures• Asking “why” after behaviors• Emotional reactivity from adultsWhat Does Work• Calm, consistent follow-through• Pre-planned responses for known triggers• Structured routines and visual schedules• Providing regulated choices• Team-based collaboration with parents and specialists• Focusing on regulation first, learning second

What if burnout isn’t just about exhaustion—but something much deeper? In this powerful episode, Julie and Ginger speak with Sheri Kreher, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Trauma, Illness, and Grief (TIG) Coordinator for 24 school districts in New York. Sheri brings two decades of mental health experience and a deep understanding of the emotional toll today’s educators are carrying.Together, we explore the growing wave of vicarious trauma, moral injury, and systemic despair among school staff—and why the solution lies beyond individual self-care. Sheri introduces the idea of Active Hope—a framework that acknowledges the pain, honors the grief, and offers a path forward rooted in connection, validation, and systems change.If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “What’s wrong with me that I can’t do this job anymore?”—this episode will help you reframe that question and begin to heal.________________________________________In This Episode, We Explore:• Why burnout in education is often a symptom of deeper, systemic wounds• The role of moral injury and betrayal in driving educator hopelessness• How vicarious trauma shows up—and why it’s not a sign of weakness• What it means to practice Active Hope in school systems that feel broken• How administrators can be a protective factor for staff• Why naming, witnessing, and validating pain is essential to healing• What it takes to build school climates of cohesion, care, and courage"What looks like burnout is often unprocessed grief and betrayal. Educators don’t just need more resilience—they need to be seen, heard, and believed." — Sheri Kreher________________________________________ Resources:• Active Hope (by Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone)• Active Hope Book Link: https://a.co/d/6dZ6xbi

In this episode, we talk with Rick and Doris Bowman about their brand-new book, Your FBA is a Fantasy!: A Guidebook to Creating Truly Trauma-Informed, Neuro-Affirming Functional Behavior Assessments & Behavior Support Plans. Together, we unpack why traditional FBAs and behavior plans often fall short—and can even harm students—and what it takes to truly shift toward regulation- and connection-based supports that foster resilience and belonging.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why traditional reward-and-punishment systems miss the mark for kids with trauma or neurodivergence.How to reframe “behavior” as an adaptive response—not defiance.Practical brain-body truths from neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, and HeartMath that educators can use daily.Why adult nervous system regulation is the foundation for supporting students.A message of hope and encouragement for teachers feeling exhausted.This conversation is full of wisdom, compassion, and practical tools that can change the way we see—and support—our most vulnerable students.Resources & Links:Your FBA is a Fantasy! by Rick and Doris Bowman https://a.co/d/hYj5zoJLearn more about Team Bowman and Bowman Consulting Group https://bowmanconsultgroup.com/