Elephants Heard - SoundSage

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Money can be one of the fastest ways to spike stress in a household, and it is also one of the most practical ways to build resilience. We sit down with Shaina Golembeski from Kish Bank to talk about financial wellness in plain language, without shame, and with real tools you can use right away. If the word “budget” makes your stomach drop, you are not alone, and you are not broken.

We dig into why budgeting feels so emotional, and how reframing a budget as a plan can put you back in the driver’s seat. Shana walks through a simple personal finance framework we can all remember: spend intentionally, save regularly, and borrow responsibly. We also talk about what to do when the numbers are tight, how to spot mindless spending, and why small choices add up more than we think.

For parents, caregivers, and anyone who works with young people, we bring it back to kids and teens: needs versus wants, tracking spending, the 30-day rule, and the tough but important skill of delayed gratification. We also tackle social media comparison and the pressure to “keep up,” plus practical next steps if you feel behind, including free financial education resources like mymoney.gov, consumerfinance.gov, consumer.gov, and Khan Academy.

If you want more confidence, less money anxiety, and a clearer path toward your goals, listen now, then share it with someone who needs a steadier money plan. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what financial habit you are working on next.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Summer is supposed to feel light, but a lot of families quietly struggle once the school day disappears. When the structure drops, motivation can dip, anxiety can rise, and everyone ends up feeling a little off. We talk honestly about why that happens and how a few predictable moments can make the whole day feel calmer without turning summer into boot camp.

I’m joined by Dr. Peter Montminy, a clinical child psychologist and parenting coach at A Mindful Village, to rethink “routine” as an anchor and a secure base. We connect the dots between predictability and stress reduction, using the Circle of Security idea: kids need freedom to explore, and they also need a safe harbor to return to when they’re dysregulated. We also get practical about the real-world challenges parents face, from summer logistics to the gradual slide into later bedtimes, more screen time, and constant “I’m bored.”

You’ll hear concrete tools you can use right away: how to treat boredom as a skill-building moment instead of an emergency, how to keep sleep schedules consistent without obsessing over exact times, and how to set screen time boundaries by clarifying what’s allowed, when it’s allowed, and why it matters for mental health. We also share a simple way to “chunk” the day, build kid buy-in with choice within limits, and reset when the plan drifts with a quick weekly family meeting.

If this helps, subscribe, share the episode with a parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these mental health and parenting tools.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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The hardest parts of the day are often the “in-between” moments: turning off a screen, getting out the door, starting homework, and powering down for bedtime. When those transitions go poorly, it can feel like the whole day is held hostage by routines, arguments, and tantrums. We wanted a grounded, practical roadmap for caregivers and educators, so we sat down with Dr. Peter Montminy of A Mindful Village to talk about what’s really happening in a child’s brain and body during change.

We unpack why transitions require real physical and mental energy, why they’re tougher for tired kids and many neurodivergent learners, and why moving from a preferred activity to a non-preferred task can ignite instant pushback. We also reframe tantrums using the “iceberg” view of behavior: what you see on the surface is driven by underlying feelings, unmet needs, and a nervous system that may be stuck in fight, flight, or freeze. That lens changes everything, because it shifts the goal from simply stopping behavior to building emotional regulation skills that last.

From there, we get concrete. We walk through a two-phase approach: planning between incidents with a collaborative Plan A plus a built-in Plan B for curveballs, then coaching in the moment with short cues, validation, and clear choices. We also cover what to do when your child says “no” anyway, how to use meaningful consequences without escalating, and why your own “feelings temperature” is the prerequisite to helping your child regulate. You’ll leave with tools like weekly routine check-ins, visual schedules, and reminders that reduce nagging and increase follow-through.

If you’re working on parenting routines, classroom transitions, bedtime routines, morning routines, and fewer tantrums, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more caregivers can find the support.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Change can feel like getting knocked off your footing, even when it’s a “good” change. We sit down with Dr. Peter Montminy of A Mindful Village to talk through the real emotional whiplash of big life transitions: moving, starting a new school, welcoming a new baby, adoption, remarriage and stepfamilies, divorce, and losses like the death of a loved one or pet. If you’ve ever watched a child swing from excited to furious to shut down, you’re not alone and you’re not doing it wrong.

We break down why transitions are so intense: the anxiety of an unfamiliar future plus the grief of leaving what was familiar. We talk about how to support kids and teens by naming mixed emotions, predicting the “roller coaster,” and treating grief as what it often is: love that has nowhere to go. You’ll hear concrete ideas for honoring the past without getting stuck there, including memory cues and transitional objects that help kids carry what matters into a new chapter.

We also get specific about something caregivers struggle with: how to validate feelings while still holding boundaries. When routines and expectations disappear, kids can feel even more out of control, so consistent guardrails become an anchor. From there, we move into coping strategies that strengthen mental health and resilience through both self-care and connection: eat, sleep, move, plus mindfulness, prayer, art, music, nature, trusted adults, and professional support when needed. We end with the hopeful idea of post-traumatic growth and how meaning, purpose, and relationships can help us move forward.

Subscribe, share this with someone navigating change, and leave a review so more caregivers can find these tools. What transition are you facing right now?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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If you’ve ever thought, “My child can focus for hours on a favorite activity, so it can’t be ADHD,” this conversation will change how you see attention, effort, and motivation. We dig into what ADHD actually is: a neurodevelopmental executive function difference that affects sustained attention, impulse control, planning, and self-monitoring. And we get specific about how it can look different in kids versus teens, why it’s often missed in girls, and how easily it gets mistaken for laziness or “not caring.”

We also talk honestly about why school can be such a tough fit. When a classroom is built around long stretches of sitting still, organizing multi-step work, and delaying rewards, students with ADHD can wind up carrying unfair labels that hurt confidence and mental health. Dr. Peter Montminy shares practical, realistic supports that educators and parents can use, including preferential seating, chunking assignments, multi-modal instructions, quick check-ins, and the single most important tool for many learners: movement breaks. We also unpack why common accommodations like extended test time should be individualized rather than copied and pasted.

Then we widen the lens to modern life. Constant notifications, social media, and instant gratification pull every brain toward shorter attention spans, and kids with ADHD get hit especially hard. We end on a strengths-based, hopeful note: the gifts of ADHD, the “time nearsightedness” idea and the visual tools that act like organizational eyeglasses, plus why medication can be a valuable part of a treatment plan for some families. Subscribe for more mental health and resilience conversations, share this with a parent or teacher who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find real support.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Depression gets talked about like it’s just sadness, but the reality is messier and more important. Sometimes it shows up as irritability, numbness, exhaustion, lost motivation, or a teen who can’t seem to care about anything they used to love. We wanted a clearer map, so we sat down with our resident expert, Dr. Peter Montminy, to break down what depression is, what it isn’t, and how to tell when a normal dip has crossed into something that needs real support.

We walk through depression on a continuum, from natural differences in temperament to mood difficulties to diagnosable depressive disorders that interfere with daily functioning. You’ll hear specific depression symptoms in teenagers to watch for, including shifts in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and self-worth, plus why “tired” has become such a common baseline for kids today. Dr. Montminy also explains the brain science in plain language, including how depression can dampen reward and motivation systems and why adolescent brain development can make coping feel harder in the moment.

Most importantly, we focus on what helps: creating a safe, supportive environment; having many small check-ins; listening without judgment; and using “reflect and redirect” to validate feelings while guiding toward doable next steps. We dig into evidence-based strategies like behavioral activation, especially movement, and how pairing it with social connection, music, or time in nature can boost the impact. We also cover when to seek professional help, how to talk about therapy or medication without shame, and how to offer realistic hope that doesn’t dismiss pain.

If this conversation supports you, subscribe, share it with a caregiver or educator, and leave a review so more families can find these mental health tools. What’s one sign or strategy you want to remember for the next hard day?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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A mean message is bad enough. A mean message that can be screenshotted, shared, and repeated all night long is something else entirely. Cyberbullying doesn’t stop at the school doors, and for many kids it shows up in the one place that should feel safest: alone in their bedroom with a phone.

We sit down with our resident expert, Dr. Peter Montminy of A Mindful Village, to break down what cyberbullying really looks like today across social media, texting, and gaming platforms. We talk about why it can feel so inescapable (always-on access, anonymity, permanence), and the real warning signs parents and caregivers can watch for both online and offline, from sudden secrecy with devices to anxiety, sleep changes, mood swings, and pulling away from friends or school.

Then we get practical: how to pause and respond without overreacting, how to validate your child’s experience, what evidence to save, when to block and report, and how schools and even law enforcement can be supportive partners when things cross a serious line. We also dig into prevention tools like clear digital boundaries, transparent monitoring, and coaching that builds empathy and better decision-making, including the “grandma rule” for what you send and share. And if you discover your child is the one doing the bullying, we walk through a path that holds them accountable while focusing on learning, repair, and making amends.

You’ll also hear simple “upstander” strategies kids can use to break the cycle: direct, delegate, and distract, plus trusted resources like NetSmartz, Common Sense Media, and Stopbullying.gov. If this conversation helps, please subscribe, share it with a parent or educator, and leave a review so more families can find it.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Pornography is no longer something children and teens only find on “adult sites.” It can surface through social media, messaging threads, gaming platforms, and even music streaming, which leaves many parents and caregivers feeling outmatched and unsure of what to say first.

We walk through pornography and adolescence with our resident expert, Dr. Peter Montminy of A Mindful Village, focusing on why the teen brain is especially vulnerable to novelty and reward, how algorithms and peer culture amplify risk, and what repeated exposure can do to expectations around intimacy and consent. We also dig into the difference between intentional versus unintentional exposure, and why frequency and content type matter when you’re deciding how concerned to be and what next step makes sense.

Most importantly, we share a practical, non-shaming approach for families: lead with compassionate curiosity, normalize developmentally typical questions, and provide clear values about respectful, caring, consensual relationships. You’ll hear concrete guardrails you can use at home, including “trust but verify” monitoring, parental controls, device-free zones, and a simple “see something, say something” plan that helps kids pause, exit, and come to a trusted adult without fear.

If you’re trying to protect your child’s mental health while still building trust and resilience, this conversation gives you language you can actually use. Subscribe to Ripples of Resilience, share this with a caregiver or educator, and leave a review with the biggest question you want us to tackle next.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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A single tap can turn a private moment into a permanent record, and most teens are not thinking about that when they hit send. We sit down with Dr. Peter Montminy from A Mindful Village to talk honestly about teen sexting, why it shows up earlier than many adults expect, and how adolescent brain development makes impulsivity and reward seeking feel stronger than long term thinking.

We get specific about what sexting is, why young people might engage for curiosity, intimacy, belonging, or humor, and how coercion can quietly enter the picture. We also unpack the biggest online safety myth: digital content is never truly private. Once something is shared, it can be saved, screenshot, forwarded, altered, and spread without consent, creating real mental health consequences like shame, anxiety, damaged friendships, and withdrawal.

Then we move into what helps: short proactive check ins, practical refusal scripts, boundary role plays, and a calm approach rooted in values like consent, respect, mutuality, and care. We explain sextortion as sexual blackmail and why kids need to hear one clear message from us: come to a trusted adult right away and you will not be in trouble. We also share trusted resources for parents and educators, including Cybertipline, NetSmartz, and Common Sense Media.

If you want a clear, compassionate roadmap for digital citizenship and healthy relationships, listen now, subscribe, share with a caregiver or educator, and leave a review so more families can find this conversation.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Screens are woven into childhood now, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept constant fights, late-night scrolling, or kids who can’t disengage. We sit down with Dr. Peter Montminy to unpack what’s really happening inside the developing brain and why technology can feel so irresistible for kids, teens, and adults alike.

We talk about brain development into the mid-20s, how neuroplasticity strengthens the circuits we use most, and why the reward system is such a big part of the screen time story. Notifications, likes, and fast-paced content deliver quick dopamine hits, and many platforms are intentionally designed to keep us clicking. From there, we get specific about the real-world effects families notice: sleep disruption and poor sleep hygiene, reduced attention and focus, fewer face-to-face moments that build social and emotional skills, and less physical movement that supports mental health and resilience.

You’ll also hear a balanced take on the benefits of technology: learning, creativity, problem solving, and connection. The goal isn’t to eliminate devices, it’s to build a healthier relationship with them through mindful technology use. We share practical tools you can start today: a “social diet” approach to balance, clear boundaries like screen-free zones and device-free meals, awareness questions that help kids notice how online time affects their mood, and digital resilience strategies including breaks, timers, and parental controls.

If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a friend or educator, and leave a review so more families can find it.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Anxiety can feel like something to get rid of, but what if it’s actually your body trying to help? We sit down with Dr. Peter Montminy from A Mindful Village to unpack anxiety as a normal human emotion and a built-in alarm system. We sit down to talk about why anxiety shows up as anticipatory fear, and how that surge of adrenaline can be either useful or overwhelming depending on how we respond.

We also map anxiety on a continuum, from mild and motivating to intense and impairing. You’ll hear practical ways to tell when anxiety is helping you study, prepare, and stay safe, versus when it’s pushing you into avoidance and shrinking daily life. One of the most memorable tools is the “burnt toast vs five-alarm fire” reality check, a simple way to test whether your internal alarm is giving you a true warning or a false alarm.

For parents, educators, and caregivers, we dig into how to help kids with anxiety without trying to eliminate every uncomfortable feeling. We cover “name it to tame it,” common physical signs like racing heart and stomach tightness, and a two-step coping plan: relax the body, then refocus the mind. We also explain when it may be time to seek professional help for an anxiety disorder and where to start, including your pediatrician or school counselor.

If this conversation supports you, subscribe, share it with someone who cares for kids, and leave a review so more people can find these mental health and resilience tools.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Fairness sounds simple until you’re staring down a sibling standoff or a classroom calling “unfair!” We dive into what fairness really means—equal care, tailored supports—and how this shift from sameness to equity transforms homes and schools. With clinical child psychologist and parenting coach Dr. Peter Montminy, we explore the brain science behind why unfair hits so hard, and we share tools that help kids and adults move from hot reactions to wise choices.

We start by redefining fairness as giving people what they need to succeed, not identical treatment. That reframe matters because when kids feel slighted, their nervous system fires up with threat signals. Dr. Montminy walks us through a practical pause-name-reframe process that cools the moment and opens space for problem-solving. From there, we zoom out to culture: how teachers can set norms that honor different strengths and struggles, normalize flexible supports—front-row seats, headphones, cue cards, extra time—and keep expectations like kindness and effort steady for everyone.

At home, the stakes are tender. We talk about loving children equally while parenting them differently, using simple, steady language that builds trust: I love you the same, and I’ll support you in ways that help you grow. We map out how to keep values consistent and vary the scaffolding, and how to respond when kids keep score. Then we go a level deeper—teaching resilience and good sportsmanship when things don’t go your way, and inviting siblings to shift from rivalry to teamwork by being part of the solution.

We wrap with a clear three-step framework you can use anywhere: pause and reality-check your care and commitment; communicate expectations and tailored supports plainly; and practice equity over equality to create equal opportunity, not identical inputs. If you’re ready to trade scorekeeping for growth and build a culture where every kid can see over the fence, this conversation will give you language, mindset, and moves you can use today. Subscribe, share with a friend, and tell us the first small change you’ll try this week.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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What if the problem isn’t the child, but the match between their brain and the demands around them? We dive into neurodiversity with clinical child psychologist and parenting coach Dr. Peter Montminy to reframe “difference” as natural human variation and offer practical ways to help kids thrive at school and at home. From attention, emotion, and sensory processing to learning preferences and communication styles, we unpack why some brains soar with novelty and movement while others excel with structure and calm—and how to design for both.

Together, we trace the roots of the neurodiversity movement and why language matters for identity, confidence, and mental health. Dr. Montminy explains how temperament and environment interact, why labels can harm or help, and how a strengths-first mindset reduces stigma and bullying. Using ADHD as a case study, we outline specific strategies: chunking tasks into short sprints, using visual timers and checklists, adding brief breaks, connecting work to interests, and varying how kids take in information and show what they know. We also get real about shared responsibility—coaching children’s “grinding muscles” while adapting classrooms so no one feels singled out.

You’ll leave with a clear blueprint: celebrate what each mind does well, teach the skills that lag, and build environments with multiple paths to success. That shift—from “why are you different?” to “what do you need to thrive?”—empowers self-advocacy, strengthens resilience, and makes learning communities kinder and more effective for everyone. If this conversation sparks ideas or questions, share it with someone who cares about kids’ growth, then subscribe and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Growth doesn’t follow a script, and neither should we. As kids move from the magic years to the driver’s seat, their brains, emotions, and needs change fast—and that’s where developmental parenting becomes a game-changer. We sit down with clinical child psychologist and parenting coach Dr. Peter Montminy to map out how love, limits, and letting go shift from early childhood through adolescence, and how small, consistent adjustments create big, lasting gains in resilience.

We start with the foundations: safety and attachment in early childhood. You’ll hear how the Circle of Security helps us act as a secure base kids can launch from and return to, why “love and limits” is the essential pairing, and how simple language and predictable routines wire emotional safety. Then we head into the elementary years, where concrete thinking and fairness take center stage. Dr. Montminy explains how love plus logic fuels skill building, how to use feedback that grows self-efficacy, and why belonging at home and school protects kids as they stretch.

Adolescence raises the stakes: identity, autonomy, and intense emotions move to the front. We break down a practical roadmap for widening guardrails as teens demonstrate readiness, shifting from directing to coaching to co-piloting. Expect clear scripts you can use to replace lectures with curiosity, plus a simple framework for helping teens earn the two things they want most—freedom and privacy—through responsible choices. Across home and classroom, we return to the same core: connection before compliance, empathy plus accountability, and follow-through that is calm, clear, and consistent.

If you’ve ever wondered why last month’s strategy suddenly stopped working, this conversation will help you ask a better question: What does this child need at this stage? Listen, share with a fellow caring adult, and if the episode helps, subscribe and leave a review so more families and educators can find it.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Teen emotions can feel like tidal waves—fast, loud, and all-consuming—while adult logic stands on the shore holding a towel. We dig into why that happens and how to turn everyday friction into growth by understanding the science of adolescent brain development.

With clinical child psychologist Dr. Peter Montminy, we unpack the “under construction” brain: a limbic system fueled by reward and social feedback, and a prefrontal cortex still wiring up skills like planning, impulse control, and long-term thinking. We explore why peers matter so much, why risk-taking is adaptive for identity formation, and how dopamine and stress hormones amplify both excitement and anxiety. Rather than treating behavior as defiance, we reframe it as development; and that shift opens doors to better conversations, safer choices, and real learning.

You’ll hear practical strategies you can use right away. Start with the power of the pause to steady yourself. Use connection before correction to keep the channel open. Swap blame for clarity with I‑statements that align expectations to values. Coach instead of control by asking appreciative questions that help teens connect thoughts, feelings, actions, and outcomes. Teach circles of control, co-create guardrails, and repair after conflict to strengthen trust. These small moments of curiosity, accountability, and support are not just nice—they’re the experiences that sculpt neural pathways for resilience.

If the teenage years have you second-guessing your approach, this conversation offers a grounded roadmap: clear boundaries, warm connection, and skill-building in the calm. Share it with a parent, teacher, or caregiver who could use a little science and a lot of relief. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell us: what’s one strategy you’ll try this week?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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What if the fastest way to help kids bounce back isn’t more advice, but more care they can feel? We sat down with clinical child psychologist Dr. Peter Montminy to unpack compassion as a teachable skill—empathy plus the intention to help—and how it strengthens resilience at home and in the classroom. From the first minutes, we connect the science to the everyday: mirror neurons tuning into others’ emotions, the vagus nerve shaping the “vibe” of a room, and the dopamine and oxytocin shifts that turn caring into a virtuous cycle of calm and connection.

We share how compassionate attention opens kids up to coaching on coping, communication, and self-regulation. You’ll hear a guided loving-kindness practice you can try tonight—wishing safety, health, happiness, and ease for a loved one, yourself, a struggling child, and the wider community. Then we get tactical: morning intentions that take 60 seconds, end-of-day reflections that take two, gratitude jars that keep small wins visible, and kindness walls that change classroom culture. These small routines build social-emotional skills, reduce isolation, and create safer spaces for learning.

We also tackle a common myth: compassion isn’t rose-colored denial. It’s a clear-eyed response to real stress that balances hard truths with purposeful care. By modeling that stance—“things are tough, and we can still choose kindness”—we give kids a resilient mindset they can carry into conflict, setbacks, and growth. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator looking for evidence-based tools to make compassion a daily habit, this conversation offers both science and steps you can use right away.

If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with one compassion ritual you’ll try this week. Your small actions create ripples.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Stress doesn’t ask for permission; it shows up in the car line, at the red light, during homework, and right before bedtime. We explore a kinder, more workable way to meet it: short, judgment-free practices that reset the nervous system and train attention to come back home. With child psychologist Dr. Peter Montminy, we turn mindfulness from an abstract ideal into a set of repeatable reps you can fit into a packed day.

We start by reframing mindfulness as paying attention on purpose to the present moment with kindness and curiosity. No gold stars for perfect calm—just honest noticing that becomes “good to know” data about energy, tension, and need. Dr. Montminy explains how consistent practice quiets the reactive downstairs brain and strengthens the executive functions we rely on for focus and emotional regulation. We connect the dots between neuroscience and everyday life, from lowering rumination and anxiety to improving heart rate variability and easing chronic stress symptoms.

Then we get practical. Mindful minutes are the short, scheduled workouts—one to five minutes with silence or a guided app—that build your attention muscles. Mindful moments are the in-the-wild cues: red lights, showers, first sips of coffee, driveway pauses before walking into work or home. We show how these tiny resets help you arrive clearer and steadier to the next task. For kids and teens, we model first, then invite them in at their pain points—homework drag, after-school meltdowns, impulsive choices—framing mindfulness as a skill that makes life easier, not another chore. You’ll hear a brief guided body scan you can replay any time and get simple scripts to make practice playful and collaborative.

By the end, you’ll have a handful of small, repeatable habits that lower stress, boost focus, and strengthen connection at home and in the classroom. If this conversation helps you or someone you care about, share it, hit subscribe, and leave a quick review so more families can find these tools. What mindful moment will you try today?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Stress isn’t just a feeling, it’s rewiring how kids pay attention, regulate emotions, and make choices. We sit down with clinical child psychologist and parenting coach Dr. Peter Montminy to break down a simple, powerful framework that helps families flip the script from reactivity to reflection. Instead of white-knuckling through meltdowns or nagging through homework, we teach a shared language—pause, breathe, choose—that makes self-regulation feel doable for kids and the adults who care for them.

We start by mapping the brain’s stress response—how the “downstairs brain” hijacks the “upstairs brain” under chronic pressure—and why neuroplasticity means whatever we practice gets stronger. From there, we dive into the three core steps of the Mindful Solutions Method. Awareness begins with a gentle check-in: “What do you notice?” Kids learn to scan their environment, body, and thoughts without judgment, reconnecting to focus. Acceptance follows with breathing space and a new question: “What do you need?” That shift from resistance to reality opens doors to self-care and problem-solving. Finally, aligned action asks, “What will you choose?” so behavior matches values and goals, not just impulses in the moment.

You’ll hear concrete examples for classrooms and living rooms: how to use prompts during transitions, how to adapt tone for a six-year-old versus a teen, and when to switch from questions to guidance if a child is highly dysregulated. We talk small wins—water breaks, movement resets, page checks—that build the muscles of executive function. With consistent practice at low-intensity moments, families strengthen the neural circuits for attention, calm, and cooperation. The result is a practical toolkit any caregiver can use to create safer, steadier spaces where young minds thrive.

If this conversation helps, share it with someone who needs a calmer afternoon. Subscribe for more science-backed tools, and leave a review to tell us which prompt you’ll try first.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Feeling stretched by schedules, screens, and stress? We’re unpacking why play is not a luxury but a lifeline—one of the most effective ways to build emotional resilience, strengthen learning, and deepen family bonds. With clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher Dr. Peter Montminy, we define real play as self-directed, intrinsically joyful activity that switches the nervous system from fight-or-flight into safety, curiosity, and connection. From Cub Scout field adventures to living room creative messes, we explore how open-ended discovery helps kids test limits, resolve conflict, and grow both IQ and EQ, while giving adults a reliable reset that fuels focus and calm.

We share a practical blueprint for making space for play in real life. Think of your week as a social-emotional diet: a balance of solo and social play, active movement and quiet creation, structured games and unstructured exploration, offline moments and intentional online time. You’ll learn why scheduling play like a wellness visit works, how child-directed special playtime strengthens parent-child attachment, and simple tools - phone reminders, post-its, accountability buddies—to protect these small but powerful rituals. We also dig into mindset: how to turn chores into flow, spot early signs you need more play (tension, irritability, shutdown), and use morning intentions plus evening reflections to grow what you want more of.

To make it easy, we close with the Ripple Challenge: choose one playful moment each day. Sing in the car, build a tiny fort, doodle without judgment, or wander outside and notice the sky. Joy isn’t extra credit, it’s the engine for growth. If this conversation helps you breathe a little easier and try something light today, share it with a friend, subscribe for more conversations that build resilience, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. What playful moment will you choose next?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Holiday cheer often comes bundled with hidden stress, complex emotions, and the pressure to make everything just right. We dig into a kinder way to celebrate by redefining resilience as flexible awareness rather than flawless planning, and we share practical tools you can use immediately—no extra time or supplies required.

We begin with a reset: naming mixed feelings without judgment and swapping perfection for presence. With child psychologist and mindfulness teacher Dr. Peter Montminy, we explore how a simple exhale-first breathing practice nudges your nervous system out of fight-or-flight and back into calm, so you can choose responses instead of reacting. From there, we get concrete about boundaries that actually work—scheduling real downtime, setting a spending plan you can live with, and noticing which gatherings are energy-gaining versus energy-draining. You’ll hear how to say no with warmth and clarity, and why that honesty often deepens connection.

We also rework gratitude so it feels true, not forced. Try the “yes, and” mindset to honor hard emotions while noticing what still supports you, then amplify your practice by naming what you appreciate, who you appreciate, and why it matters. Finally, we move from isolation or overload toward meaningful connection through quality time, small acts of generosity, and traditions that evolve with your life. A short guided reflection closes the episode, offering self-kindness phrases you can return to anytime you feel stretched thin.

If you’re ready to trade perfect for peaceful and make room for small moments of calm, laughter, and connection, this one’s for you. Listen now, subscribe for the next episode on the power of play, and share this conversation with someone who could use a gentler holiday.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Self-compassion isn’t a shortcut around hard feelings; it’s the sturdy bridge that carries us through them. We sat down with clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher Dr. Peter Montminy to unpack what self-compassion really is and why it’s the missing ingredient that turns stress into resilience rather than burnout.

We trace the roots of our self-critical habits, from the brain’s negativity bias to the pressure cooker of unfinished to-do lists and social comparison. Then we turn to what actually helps. Dr. Montminy breaks down the three pillars popularized by Dr. Kristin Neff, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, and shows how each one shifts your inner stance from punitive to supportive. You’ll hear a guided self-compassion break you can use anytime, plus simple daily practices: the friend-to-self exercise, the “oh” pause that interrupts spirals, and short loving-kindness phrases that re-train your attention toward care.

Along the way, we connect the dots between compassion and performance, exploring research that shows how being kinder to yourself preserves motivation, reduces shame, and expands your ability to face challenges. We talk about modeling self-regulation for kids, why “perfectly imperfect” is a powerful reset, and how to apply compassion when you feel like you’re failing at compassion. Expect grounded tools, clear language, and steps you can try the next time your inner critic gets loud.

If this conversation helps you breathe easier, share it with a friend who needs it, subscribe for more resilience tools, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Your small actions support big change. What practice will you try today?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Conflict doesn’t mean something’s wrong with your family. It simply means everyone’s needs actually matter. We sat down with clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher Dr. Peter Muttminy to unpack how everyday clashes can become moments of learning, connection, and real growth. From preschoolers who need clear limits, to elementary kids obsessed with fairness, to teens chasing identity and belonging, we outline what changes at each stage and how to respond with a mix of warmth, structure, and skill.

Together we break down the Nonviolent Communication framework into four steps you can use tonight: name what happened without judgment, recognize the feelings below the surface, connect to core needs on both sides, and make a specific, doable request. We pair that with active listening that avoids the empathy-killing “but,” and a practical “reflect and redirect” move that helps kids reach their own goals while meeting your boundaries. When emotions run hot, we talk about calling a respectful timeout, not as punishment, but as a reset, followed by a quick huddle to set a better plan.

Most importantly, we reframe discipline as teaching. The aim isn’t compliance for today; it’s self-regulation for life. By shifting from manager to consultant as kids grow, you help them internalize values, make wiser choices, and recover faster from mistakes through honest repair. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep authority and still build trust, this conversation offers clear language, concrete examples, and compassionate structure to calm conflict and strengthen your bond.

If this episode helped, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s in the thick of family negotiations, and leave a quick review to help more caregivers find these tools. Your small actions create big ripples.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Boundaries aren’t walls that shut people out, they’re the guiderails that keep connection steady, respectful, and safe. We sit down with Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and certified mindfulness teacher, to unpack how clear, compassionate limits help kids and caregivers thrive without sliding into power struggles or burnout.

We start by defining healthy boundaries across daily life, including physical needs like sleep and downtime, emotional space during conflict, and relational agreements that reduce friction. Dr. Montminy introduces the "Four Cs": clarity about what matters, communication that is simple and respectful, consistency that builds trust, and compassion that keeps limits warm, not harsh. You’ll hear a practical, word-for-word script to calm tense moments: “When you do X, I feel Y, and I would like if we do Z instead.” We explore how to hold firm values while allowing flexibility at the edges through choice within limits and the Plan B mindset for life’s curveballs.

We also reframe the big myths. Boundaries aren’t selfish; they prevent resentment and protect the relationship. They don’t push people away when done kindly; they make connection safer. They aren’t rigid; they adapt without abandoning core values. And kids can absolutely understand limits, especially when we model them consistently. From morning routines to homework battles, from partner communication to self-care choices, you’ll learn small steps that ripple outward: two reminders then follow through, naming one clear “no” to protect a bigger “yes,” and agreeing on repair when words come out rough.

Walk away with concrete tools to set expectations, lower conflict, and support nervous system regulation during stressful moments. If you’re ready to trade repeating yourself ten times for calm, clear follow through, and to teach kids real resilience through everyday moments, this conversation offers scripts, structure, and hope. If it resonates, share it with a friend, then subscribe and leave a review so more caregivers can find these tools.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Strong bonds don’t happen by accident; they grow from small, repeatable choices that tell a young person, “You’re safe with me.” We sit down with Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and certified mindfulness teacher, to explore how connection, play, and consistent limits shape a child’s nervous system, build secure attachment, and make daily life smoother for everyone at home.

We start with the science of safety, how kids calibrate to our tone, pace, and posture and translate it into simple practices you can use today. You’ll hear how a five-minute morning routine can turn chaos into calm, why scheduling both fun and tough check-ins reduces nagging, and how to use the WAIT prompt to stop over-talking and start understanding. We share the funnel method for questions, moving from open-ended to multiple choice when needed, plus timing tips that make hard conversations easier; think car rides, walks, and side-by-side chats.

Then we tackle boundaries without the drama. You’ll learn why limits are acts of respect, how to follow through calmly, and a clean framework for earned freedom that teens accept. We model quick repair scripts, such as “I was frustrated; let’s try again,” to show kids mistakes are fixable and relationships can recover. By pairing warmth with structure, you create a secure base and a safe haven where confidence grows.

If you’re ready for fewer standoffs and more teamwork, this conversation gives you scripts, schedules, and small habits that stick. Subscribe, share with a caregiver who needs a lift, and leave a review to tell us the one change you’ll try this week.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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What if the most reliable way to help kids feel safe and resilient starts with how we care for ourselves? We sit down with clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher Dr. Peter Montminy to rethink self-care as a daily, relationship-centered practice that powers calm, connection, and growth. Together we map a practical path: “Time Off, Time In, Time Out” for restoring energy, regulating in real time with kids, and calling a reset when conflict spikes.

We dig into the foundations that actually change your baseline: sleep as the quiet superpower, movement and play as stress releases, and emotional hygiene through mindfulness, therapy, journaling, prayer, and creativity. We also confront the myths that keep adults stuck. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s how we refill the pitcher we pour from. It doesn’t demand hours or cash; three slow breaths can shift a hard moment. It won’t make you perfect; like a pilot, you course-correct again and again. And it’s not optional; we refuel cars and brush teeth without debate—our mental hygiene deserves the same daily respect.

You’ll hear simple, repeatable tools: set boundaries with tech to protect attention, use brief rituals like bedtime check-ins and device-free dinners, and try the “Time Choices” exercise to reclaim three hours a week for joy. Dr. Montminy’s “surprising life math” shows where time hides, and his language shift—from “I don’t have time” to “I choose this time”—turns resistance into momentum. Most of all, we underline a core truth: children learn self-regulation through attuned relationships with self-regulating adults. When we pause, breathe, and repair, kids borrow our calm and build their own.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Power struggles don’t have to define family life. With Dr. Peter Montminy—clinical child psychologist, certified mindfulness teacher, and parenting coach—we unpack a simple, repeatable approach that turns conflict into a coaching moment. Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) helps us keep authority while replacing standoffs with skill-building and trust, so mornings, homework, and bedtimes feel less like battlegrounds and more like opportunities to grow.

We start by challenging a common myth: kids aren’t “frequent offenders,” they’re frequent strugglers. That mindset opens the door to empathy and leads directly into the CPS three-step method. First, we listen with compassionate curiosity to understand the child’s concerns in their words. Next, we clearly name our own concerns and values—using “and,” not “but,” to keep connection intact. Finally, we brainstorm options, weigh pros and cons together, and choose a trial plan we’ll test and review. Along the way, we highlight the core skills CPS strengthens: emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, communication, focused attention, working memory, and perspective-taking.

Timing is everything. We map out “green-zone” huddles for calm, 10-minute planning and show how to briefly reference the plan in the heat of the moment without reigniting a power struggle. We also tackle common roadblocks—like a child who won’t engage or seems unmotivated—by lowering feeling temperatures and tapping into what they genuinely care about, from less nagging to more independence. The result is a home culture that pairs structure with empathy, reinforces clear expectations, and gives kids a voice in how they meet them.

If you’re ready for fewer fights and more follow-through, this conversation offers concrete language, practical scripts, and weekly check-in ideas you can implement tonight. Subscribe, share with a caregiver or educator who could use a calmer morning, and leave a review to tell us which routine you’re rewriting first.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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Ever feel trapped in an emotional tornado? When intense feelings take over, our ability to think clearly, make good decisions, and connect with others disappears. The good news? There's a way out.

Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher, reveals how emotional regulation forms the foundation of resilience. He explains the fascinating brain science behind our emotional responses, distinguishing between our reactive "downstairs brain" and our reflective "upstairs brain." When we learn to pause between stimulus and response, we create space for choice – and that's where our growth happens.

One of the most powerful insights from this conversation is dismantling the myth of "bad" emotions. Anger, anxiety, sadness – these aren't enemies to be eliminated but signals carrying important information. The challenge isn't having these emotions but learning to regulate their intensity and expression. As Dr. Montminy shares, "We may not like how some emotions feel, but they serve a purpose."

Practical tools abound in this episode, from the simple yet transformative practice of "naming it to tame it" to using a "feeling thermometer" to gauge emotional intensity. You'll learn specific breathing techniques, muscle relaxation exercises, and strategies for helping children identify and manage their emotional experiences. Jana Marie Foundation also shares creative outlets that help young people process feelings in healthy ways.

Whether you're a parent wanting to raise emotionally intelligent children, an educator creating a supportive classroom environment, or someone seeking better ways to handle your own emotional responses, this episode offers clear, compassionate guidance for building this essential life skill. Remember: emotional regulation isn't about perfection – it's about practice. Small steps create powerful ripples of change. Listen now and discover how to step outside the emotional tornado.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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When life gets tough, what makes the difference between crumbling under pressure and finding the strength to move forward? The answer lies in resilience – not as an innate trait some lucky few possess, but as a skill we can all develop and nurture in ourselves and our children.

Dr. Peter Montminy joins host Marisa Vicere to break down what resilience truly means beyond the buzzwords. Rather than simply "bouncing back" from adversity, resilience involves adapting to stressors while maintaining psychological well-being and finding purpose despite challenges. The conversation dismantles common myths, revealing that resilience isn't something you're either born with or without – it's a capacity that grows with practice and support.

Through personal stories of parenting challenges and eldercare struggles, the hosts illustrate how resilience works in real life. Whether it's allowing a frustrated child to work through difficulties or navigating the complex emotions of caring for aging parents, these moments teach us to be comfortable with discomfort. The episode offers practical strategies anyone can implement: developing self-awareness, practicing self-compassion, building connections, finding purpose, and distinguishing between what we can and cannot control.

Parents and caregivers will appreciate the actionable advice for fostering resilience in children without solving all their problems for them. The hosts emphasize that when we step in too quickly to rescue kids from challenges, we unintentionally communicate that we don't believe they're capable of handling difficulty themselves. Instead, collaborative problem-solving builds both skills and confidence.

Ready to transform how you and your family face life's inevitable challenges? Listen, subscribe, and join the movement to create ripples of resilience that grow into powerful waves of change in your community.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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We've all heard the term "mental health," but what does it really mean for parents, educators, and the young people we care about? In this foundational episode, Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher, breaks down the essentials with refreshing clarity and compassion.

Mental health isn't simply the absence of illness—it's a continuum we all navigate daily. As Dr. Montminy explains, "We all have emotional and behavioral strengths and struggles," existing somewhere on the spectrum of "feeling good or not feeling so good." This perspective shift helps us move beyond stigma toward a more holistic understanding of psychological wellbeing.

For parents concerned about distinguishing typical adolescent behavior from potential problems, Dr. Montminy offers the practical "FIDs" framework—examining the frequency, intensity, and duration of concerning behaviors. Everyone experiences anxiety or sadness, but when these emotions become persistent, intense, or significantly disruptive to daily functioning, it's time to pay attention. His "psychological vital signs" approach provides a straightforward way to assess how well a child is feeling and functioning on a scale of 1-10.

The conversation culminates in a powerful three-step process for supporting mental wellness: pause, breathe, choose. By creating space between stimulus and response, we can meet challenging moments with what Dr. Montminy calls "compassionate curiosity"—approaching difficulties with genuine interest rather than judgment. "There's a way to say 'why did you do that?' that closes doors," he notes, "and a way that opens them."

Whether you're noticing concerning patterns in a child's behavior or simply want to build stronger foundations for emotional resilience, this episode offers practical wisdom for supporting mental wellness in the young people who matter most. Subscribe to Ripples of Resilience for more conversations that create waves of positive change in children's lives.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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How do we help young people navigate today's complex emotional landscape? The answer lies in building resilience—not just bouncing back from adversity, but developing the capacity to adapt to life's challenges as they happen.

Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and parenting coach from A Mindful Village, joins host Marisa Vicere, president and founder of Jana Marie Foundation, to explore this critical skill. They unpack what resilience really means: a combination of inner strengths (skills and mindset) and outer supports (social networks) that help children thrive despite difficulties. As Dr. Montminy explains, "Youth today are facing more stress, anxiety, and depression than ever before because the adult world has literally been downloaded on them at earlier and earlier ages."

The hosts introduce a powerful concept—"present, not perfect"—which liberates us all from impossible standards while focusing on what truly matters: showing up authentically for children. This presence creates the safety children need, not to avoid all risks, but to explore their world with confidence knowing they have support when needed.

The episode concludes with a practical tool: "the power of the pause." This simple three-step approach helps adults check their intentions, regulate their emotions, and engage with children from a place of genuine presence rather than reactivity. By pausing, breathing, and connecting with our highest intentions for our children, we create meaningful interactions that ripple outward into lasting positive change.

Subscribe to Ripples of Resilience to join Jana Marie Foundation on this journey of supporting young minds through conversations that matter. Together, we'll explore strategies for stress management, emotional intelligence, difficult conversations, and self-care—because even the smallest actions can create waves of transformative change.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

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As we're still in the first few weeks of the new year, we look back on what we learned from 2020 and what we might carry with us into 2021.

We talked with Kelsey Williams, a graduate student and mother of three, Miriam Powell, Jana Marie Foundation's Community Engagement Manager and mother of two, and Madeline Snyder, a recent Penn State graduate and former intern of Jana Marie Foundation.

Links:

Jana Marie Foundation's Virtual Calming Room: HTTPS://janamariefoundation.org/virtual-calming-room

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Textline: text pa to 741741

Candid Conversation on Resiliency: https://janamariefoundation.org/get-informed/candid-conversations/

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For the latest episode of the Elephants Heard podcast, we discuss grief and loss with Penn State graduate student, Maura Barrett, Tides Program Director Evelyn Wald, and trained educator and parent Valerie Silecchia.

All three individuals shared their stories of their experiences with grief and loss, covering a wide range of health, job loss, and death, and the ways they continue to cope.

Resources:
Speaking Grief: a public media initiative aimed at creating a more grief-aware society by validating the experience of grievers and helping to guide those who wish to support them. https://speakinggrief.org

Learning to Live: What's your story: a collaboration designed to create educational and conversational opportunities for meaningful intergenerational exchanges on loss, grief, growth, and transformation. http://learningtolivewhatsyourstory.org

Tides Program: Tides offers grief support to children, teens, and adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. https://tidesprogram.org

Jana Marie Foundation: an organization that harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations, build connections, and promote mental health and well-being among young people and their communities. https://janamariefoundation.org

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For the initial episode of the Elephants Heard Podcast, we talk about finding calm, connection, and compassion during these times of uncertainty.

Joining us are:
• Amelia McGinnis, an outpatient therapist in State College since 2009. She was a founding practitioner of the Individual and Family CHOICES Program. Prior to 2009, she was a counselor and clinical director at Stormbreak Youth Program, working with adolescents and their families.

• Ali Turley is a loving parent of two kids — an elementary student and high school student. She is certified school counselor and National Certified Counselor and works at Mount Nittany Middle School, part of the State College Area District.

• Elijah Snyder is State College Area High School student.

Jana Marie Foundation: https://janamariefoundation.org

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The Jana Marie Foundation is proud to present a new monthly podcast — Elephants Heard!

The podcast will showcase conversations that explore topics of vital social concern related to mental health and wellness. Each episode, hosted by Jana Marie Foundation founder and president Marisa Vicere and David Pencek, the communications specialist for Jana Marie Foundation, will feature a diverse group of guests and experts who will share moments of vulnerability, hope, and resiliency. Each segment will be accompanied by articles and other online resources to help provide further information and discussion.

Elephants Heard Podcast is part of Jana Marie Foundation’s Mokita® Initiative. The word "mokita" means a known truth left unspoken, otherwise known as "the elephant in the room."

The first episode will come out toward the end of September! Subscribe today so you don't miss an episode!

Jana Marie Foundation: https://janamariefoundation.org

Elephants Heard: Recent Episodes

Marisa Vicere