Ep 113: Wellness Rooms and Other Ideas to Combat Gun Violence

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Ginger and Julie sit down with Josh Novick—licensed therapist, educator, national speaker, and founder of Trust & Grow Consulting—to explore what it truly takes to create safer, more connected school communities in the wake of violence.Josh brings both professional expertise and lived experience in recovery, grounding this conversation in courage, compassion, and the belief that we heal better together. As an ambassador for Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, Josh bridges policy and practice, elevating youth voice while advocating for educator wellness and sustainable change.In This Episode, we Explore:Josh’s personal journey and what led him into the work of ending gun violence in schoolsThe importance of trust, relationship, and naming—including how we think about and label spaces like “resource rooms”Supporting educator wellness About Trust & Grow ConsultingJosh is the founder of Trust & Grow Consulting, where the mission is clear: help schools, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations create trauma-informed, socially and emotionally intelligent spaces that foster healing and connection.https://trustandgrow.org/Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence-https://www.teachersunify.org/

What does it really mean to help students learn how to learn—especially in systems that were never designed with all learners in mind?In this powerful conversation, Ginger and Julie are joined by Zaretta Hammond, nationally recognized consultant, educator, and author, to explore how culturally responsive teaching, neuroscience, and instructional equity intersect. Together, they unpack why rigor and care are not opposites, how learning power is built (or blocked) by systems, and what educators can do to move beyond compliance toward true cognitive justice.Zaretta brings over 25 years of experience supporting schools and systems in understanding the science of learning, the science of reading, and culturally responsive practices, offering both big-picture insight and practical wisdom educators can use right away.Zaretta Hammond is a national consultant, former high school and community college writing teacher, and a leading voice in culturally responsive education. She is the author of:Rebuilding Students’ Learning Power: Teaching for Instructional Equity and Cognitive Justice (Corwin, 2025)Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (Corwin, 2015)🌐 Zaretta Hammond’s website: https://ready4rigor.com/📘 Rebuilding Students’ Learning Power: https://a.co/d/0AYfVe2📗 Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: https://a.co/d/9XHihth

In this heartfelt and reflective episode, Julie Beem and Ginger Healy return to a profound conversation from Season 1 with the late Cissy White—trauma survivor, fierce advocate, and the originator of the term Joy Stalking.As the world faces rising despair and isolation, Julie and Ginger explore what it means to stalk, savor, and sustain joy—especially in the face of pain, trauma, and fear. Drawing from Cissy’s wisdom, Brene Brown’s research, theological insights, and their own personal journeys, they unpack how joy can be a radical act of healing and resistance.You’ll discover why joy is not the same as happiness, how trauma can block joy, and why cultivating even the tiniest moments of joy might just be one of the most important things we can do—for ourselves, our children, and our communities.“Joy stalking is always healing and useful. It’s about savoring life through sensing, using my body, absorbing, feeling all the good stuff.” — Cissy White“Joy isn’t the opposite of sadness. It’s the opposite of fear.” — Anne Robertson via Brené Brown“Joy doesn’t betray but sustains activism… joy is a fine initial act of insurrection.” — Rebecca Solnit“We can’t experience joy when we’re scanning for danger. Trauma blocks joy—but healing invites it back in.” — Julie & Ginger

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Stan Sonu, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine and Medical Director for Child Advocacy at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Sonu shares his insights on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), relational health, and trauma-informed care, focusing on how clinicians and schools can support resilience and wellbeing in children and families.We dive into Dr. Sonu’s paradigm of “what’s strong with you” instead of “what’s wrong with you?”, and explore the fascinating concept of systemic empathy—how organizations and systems can create environments that nurture and protect children’s relational health.Dr. Sonu also highlights innovative programs like Strong 4 Life at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Health-Law Partnership (HeLP), a collaborative addressing health-harming legal issues for low-income families.He references valuable resources for clinicians, educators, and families, including the work of Dan Siegel, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and community support services at Grady Memorial Hospital.Listeners will gain actionable ideas for integrating trauma-informed principles into their own practice, classrooms, or organizations, and be inspired to shift from focusing on deficits to recognizing and building on strengths in children and families.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:https://www.strong4life.com/en/our-experts/stan-sonuGrady Memorial HospitalDan Siegel Books & ResourcesInterpersonal Neurobiology ResourcesHealth-Law Partnership (HeLP)

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/

“Parents Have Feelings, Too: Emotional Intelligence, The Change Triangle, and Healing Generational Patterns with Hilary Jacobs Hendel & Juli Fraga”Parenting can bring deep joy—but also guilt, shame, rage, grief, and more. So what do we do with all those big feelings? In this powerful episode, Julie and Ginger sit down with Hilary Jacobs Hendel, author of It’s Not Always Depression, and Dr. Juli Fraga, psychologist and parenting educator, to discuss their brand-new book, Parents Have Feelings, Too: Using the Change Triangle to Listen to the Body, Discover Core Emotions, and Connect to Your Authentic Self (out September 23, 2025).This book is a practical, research-backed, and compassion-filled guide to help parents recognize, work through, and grow from their emotions. Together, we explore how understanding your own emotionallandscape—through tools like the Change Triangle and the 4 Cs of Open-Heartedness—can break intergenerational patterns and build emotional intelligence in both you and your children.From the hidden power of disappointment to how to befriend your defenses, this episode is full of insight, practical strategies, and affirming reminders that your feelings matter too. In This Episode, We Explore:A gentle, clear introduction to the Change Triangle and how it helps people process emotionsThe 4 Cs of Open-Heartedness—and how they lead to greater emotional freedom What’s underneath "parent burnout" and how to move through it with clarity Why naming and noticing your defenses can unlock self-compassion How understanding disappointment can transform your parenting Ways parents can model healthy emotional processing for their kids The role of unprocessed trauma in generational parenting patterns—and how to break the cycle Tools for parenting through anxiety, guilt, grief, and more—with authenticity and skill Parents Have Feelings, Too is an emotional wellness playbook for parents. Drawing from the Change Triangle framework and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Hilary and Juli provide tools to help parents identify, understand, and process emotions in real time—so they can respond with calm, confidence, and connection. Through exercises, client stories, and reflection activities, this book guides readers to become more emotionally attuned parents and more authentic versions of themselves.“With 1 in 5 moms experiencing anxiety or depression, and over 60% of parents facing burnout, this book isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary.” RESOURCESParents Have Feelings, Too: A Guide to Navigating Your Emotions So You And Your Family Can Thrive: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/788442/parents-have-feelings-too-by-hilary-jacobs-hendel/Emotions Education 101 Class on Zoom for Parents:https://www.hilaryjacobshendel.com/education-cirriculum-content/emotion-education-101Teens, Tweens and Caregivers Curriculum to provide anEmotions Education 2-hour Introduction:https://www.hilaryjacobshendel.com/workshops/teen-emotions-education-101%E2%84%A2Print a PDF of the Change Triangle:https://www.hilaryjacobshendel.com/print-the-change-triangleChange Triangle YouTube channel with tools:https://www.youtube.com/@TheChangeTriangle/videosFollow Hilary: hilaryjacobshendel.comFollow Juli: julifraga.com