Taking the Helm

Radhika (aka: Rad) Lakhani Esq., LLM JD, is an expert in human conflict resolution and relationship dynamics. In 2022, after almost 20 years in law and ADR, Rad transitioned from family law lawyer to family IN-powerment educator.   Rad’s mission is to help families experience greater peace and harmony. She believes that when parents and children are IN-powered, with the right tools, they not only resolve their own conflict, but begin to truly THRIVE.  Rad believes that every child deserves to be raised in a peaceful home.  Key points of our interview include: * Pain Pushes you until vision pulls you. Dr. Brian Weiss * Moving from Bay Street, to private practice and listening to her heart call her for something bigger. * What is Conscious lawyering and how has it impacted clients? * Rad's own awakening following the loss of her son at birth where she faced the greatest Armageddon of her life. What BIG question did she ask and get an answer to after experiencing such a loss? * What are the foundational pillars that help us live an epic life? * When we get quiet, what do we hear? Silence is underrated. * What does it take to make a family thrive for parents and children? The three overarching categories. * Different types of meditation and the impact of Dr. Joe Dispenza on Rad's life. Breaking through the four minute mile to tap into the next level. * Rad shares tools through free resources, 1:1 coaching, group-coaching, and various online education courses.

Whether you are looking to find your way through a challenging situation (e.g., grief, anxiety, substance abuse, medical conditions, relationship issues) or whether you want to rediscover your joy and aliveness, expressive arts therapy is right for you. Renata believes in her core that art, sound, movement, words, and play offer great potential for healing and reconnection with self. We need to tap out of. our thinking mind and feel our way through that moment, that experience, that memory. Without a doubt, a space can be made by working with colour, or sounds, tiny movements, our breath, written words. Key points of our conversation include: * What's the difference between Expressive Arts Therapy and an Art Therapy? * The connection to journaling, drawing, painting, playing acting, dancing ... and diffusing the energy of a emotional tension. * How children express themselves differently and why many are stifled from a young age. What's our role as parents to help embrace the arts, when we ourselves need to be in control? * How we heal ourselves through the arts or identify what's getting in our way. It can be as gentle or as deep as we need it to be. * Using our imagination and visualization and how our bodies/minds respond. * How do our children express themselves in the world? Curiosity, physical, flow through nature, music etc * Convenience Verses Skill... Let's stop correcting and fixing!

Educational technology (EdTech) should play a critical role in fostering both academic achievement and behavioral health. Our children need us more than ever. But has it? Michael Bates has designed a groundbreaking framework to help tech founders understand the challenges faced by our children and youth so they understand their social responsibility to develop products that prioritize student wellness while supporting academic performance. How can these companies separate themselves from competitors and have an impact far beyond their product? Key points in our conversation include: - Mike's work with EdTech developers to shift the focus for well-being to drive student success. How can tech foster authentic connections for Gen A and Gen Z, who are the most isolated generations? - We are the face of our brand. What can we give rather than take? - Understanding how we can use technology effectively for our students from our holistic and wholistic lens. - Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and how national standards can drive change within district school boards. - How can EdTech help educators tailor their teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of each student, including disengagement, lack of focus and behavioural challenges?

Haze Schepmyer delves into the incredible value of GRIT, especially for children and youth. Haze will explore the essential elements of GRIT and why understanding, developing, and demonstrating it is crucial in today's world. Here are six key questions we'll tackle: - What is GRIT and who’s got it? Discover the essence of GRIT and the characteristics of those who possess it. - Why is it important to know your GRIT? Reflect on Buddha's wisdom: All that we are is the result of what we have thought, and learn why self-awareness of your GRIT matters. - Why is it important to grow your GRIT? Inspired by William James' insight, Our greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another, understand the significance of nurturing your GRIT. - Why is it important to show your GRIT? Embrace Eckhart Tolle's belief that Awareness is the greatest agent for change, and see how demonstrating your GRIT can inspire transformation. - Why is it important to sow your GRIT? Learn about the impact of modeling and nurturing GRIT as parents, guardians, mentors, role models, teachers, and community members. - What’s the GRIT game? Uncover the engaging and practical aspects of the GRIT game, a tool to instill resilience and perseverance in the younger generation.

Bryan Saint-Louis is a man who turned personal pain into a powerful mission of empathy and youth empowerment. He shares his very personal story of losing a child and how one student changed and saved his life in a time of deep depression and despair. His experiences have shaped his approach to fostering understanding and empathy in children and communities. Bryan shares his early calling towards becoming a pastor and how working in a youth juvenile detention centre taught him the importance of meeting children where they are to truly help them. Why did he drop out after two years into his Master’s Program for Theology and how did this decision lift his relationship with his father? How do we practice and teach empathy with our own young children? Bryan shares concrete examples. He discusses what he believes are the major issues in schools, including teacher support, rising student behavior problems, and the need for earlier intervention. By introducing empathy-building activities, like the 'breathing ball' exercise with grade 3 students, he demonstrates practical ways that we can begin to change school culture. Through his Radical Empathy Programs, his goal is to build stronger, more empathetic communities by starting conversations and encouraging collaborative learning.

Kristi is a woman who broke free from toxic patterns after becoming a mother. She empowers both herself and the teens she now supports. From battling low self-confidence and self-worth to finding a new sense of purpose through motherhood, our guest shares her deeply personal story of growth and resilience. Through the guidance of a trusted coach, she gained invaluable insights into her own needs and potential, paving the way for a career dedicated to supporting struggling teens. She opened doors to opportunities in online tutoring and holistic coaching. Our guest reveals the power of mind-body-soul alignment in helping teens navigate life's challenges, emphasizing the importance of managing mental health through thought awareness and more. Kristi shares: - How becoming a mom sparked a profound shift in perspective, leading her to leave behind a full-time teaching job and embark on a journey of self-discovery. - Tools and strategies for building confidence and self-worth - How setting intentions and creating safe spaces for vulnerability fosters trust and connection with teens, empowering them to overcome obstacles. - What's the Mindful Mountain of self-discovery? - With insights from experts like Byron Katie and a toolbox of tailored resources, how do we support children/teens through challenges like self-doubt or test anxiety?

Have you asked yourself, Where did that come from after a situation where you over reacted or blew up? Emotional triggers happen to all of us but why? How do we change patterns of behaviour that are harmful to us and others? Angela suffered from the tyranny of an alcoholic father, entered a toxic marriage and in a time of crisis after a wild fire, listened to the angels whispering in her ear to take her first act of self-love. Angela now gives children and their parents tools and techniques for emotional balance. She has done everything from writing the series, The Bella Santini Chronicles to speaking to high school students about emotional intelligence, to cohosting a television show on Thriving Women Network. Key takeaways and questions we discuss: What is emotional repression and how does it hurt ourselves and others? How do we feel and express our emotions to heal, without harming others? When we shift our responsibility through the game game, we become a victim rather than putting ourselves in control. How can we combine a high level of nurturing with a high level of boundaries and rules for children? What does emotional well-being mean? Angela shares countless resources including her up-coming TV show, blog post, website resources, speaking and writing engagements as well as her book series.

Jim White is an author, podcast host, coach and founder of the Family Enrichment Academy. He has spent the last 40 years studying the topics of personal development, marriage and parenting. More importantly, he has also spent those 40 years applying these lessons and living his life as a husband, a father to 6 children and a grandfather to 12. What's Jim's connection to the classic storytelling technique of heroes embarking on two journeys – the pursuit of external goals and internal transformations? Let's build better habits and move out of fear into love based habits. Jim is a seasoned expert in family dynamics and shares his insights on raising six children while instilling new principles and guides for family growth. Why do we wait for life lessons to become apparent through crisis or when confronted? What are the challenges parents face in the age of social media? How do we acknowledge and validate children's feelings while fostering open two-way conversations? How can we build better habits, transition intentionally during the day, and create love-based connections with your children? When de we take control as a parent and provide a safe space for our child to regain composure in overwhelming emotional situations? What if your love language is different than you child's? Learn about the five love languages and how understanding your child's preferences can strengthen your connection. Jim introduces his course and its three fundamental components while highlighting key insights from his book, How to Be the Parent Your Teenager Needs You to Be.

When community members come together and unite through volunteerism, the impact can be profound. How can individuals turn their passion for mental health advocacy into a meaningful impact? What are some innovative ways to complement the support and services that are already in place through government agencies and non-profit organizations? Our guest, Dr. Sharon Pyke, shares the personal and professional journey that led her to the volunteer work she does today, focusing on mental health. Key points of our discussion include the impact of media on those with undiagnosed or untreated mental health challenges. What are the benefits when we normalize talking about it? What are some examples of communities coming together and how do we get past the challenges facing a grassroots movement? How do we foster collaboration through a shared sense of purpose, while thinking outside of the box to become a catalyst for positive change?

Our guest Ann Coleman shares her intimate insights as she turned the challenges of raising a teen struggling with anxiety, depression, and ADHD into a journey of powerful reflections and growth. If what you are doing is not working and you find yourself in conflict regularly with a child/teen or student, Ann has some specific words of wisdom based on her own experience and research. Discover the poignant moments that transformed her parent-teen dynamic from a battleground into a haven of understanding and support. Through heartfelt anecdotes and powerful realizations, our guest unveils the tools and strategies that reshaped her approach, fostering emotional well-being and fortifying their mother/son relationship. What is the worse thing we can do as a parent? What was the final straw that forced Ann to realize that her own approach to parenting was not working? How does the teenage brain work and why the combative approach destroys relationships. What changes did she make that kick started a new relationship walking side by side with her son? What is the first step we need to make and the immediate action needed? What's the four part process for parents? How do we start our do-over?

We're diving into the world of simplicity and decluttering with Emily McDermott, the host of the globally ranked podcast Moms Overcoming Overwhelm. Emily shares her journey as a wife, mother of two energetic boys, and a simplicity seeker. Discover the power of decluttering homes, heads, and hearts as we explore the profound impact minimalism can have on the well-being of moms. It's not only about our materialistic belongings! If you've struggled to let go of clutter and are looking for a fresh perspective, this episode is a must-listen with practical tips for overwhelmed moms to start their decluttering journey. It's not only about the materialistic things in our lives, but much more! What are the four things clutter robs from us? What is the connection between clutter and decision fatigue? How do the number of decisions we make a day impact our stress and anxiety, and how can we simplify our decisions to improve our well-being? What is the connection between clutter, anxiety, and stress? Where can a busy, overwhelmed mom start her decluttering journey? Connect with Emily: http://www.simplebyemmy.com

We're discussing the crucial topic of developmental milestones and early intervention for children. Drawing from her own experiences and extensive expertise, Theresa shares invaluable insights and practical advice on helping your child reach their full potential. Discover why early intervention is key and why it's essential to trust your instincts as a parent and the importance of creating a nurturing environment from birth to three years, where children can develop vital skills, especially in communication. She introduces the CDC developmental milestones and offers actionable recommendations to seamlessly incorporate them into your daily routine. - Learn about engaging educational tools like the Carrots and Cake app, designed to promote educational and healthy screen time habits. What's the Wait Until 8th movement and the significance of limiting technology use. - Explore the subtle cues that can reveal your child's progress and potential challenges. Shared attention, reaching out, and laughter are indicators of linguistic development. - Embrace your child's interests and play styles. Discover practical strategies for helping children with focus so they can thrive. Understanding their interests and observing their play can be instrumental ... acceptance, patience, and mirroring positive energy. - How well-intentioned assistance can sometimes hinder a child's growth. Learn about the power of allowing children to struggle, problem-solve, and build resiliency. Our guest emphasizes the difference between helping and doing and encourages parents to empower their children to ask for help or tackle tasks on their own. Self-care is presented as a selfless act, and techniques like EFT tapping are discussed. Theresa offers free ebook with excerpts from , as well as insightful articles, engaging TikTok content and her course, Breakthrough Parenting Solutions. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

Get ready for a journey into the magical world of childhood development through nature play with our guest, Jena Ponti Jauchius, a renowned nature play specialist. Jena began her work focusing on creating play spaces for children with Autism which was not done in 2004. It is now the driving force behind her passion for creating spaces and exploring incredible ways our outside environment can support the development of all children inclusively. We are inherently connected to nature which has a profound impact when we foster this in children. Jena deepens our appreciation for the great outdoors and empowers us with practical ideas on creating immersive, sensory-rich environments for children everywhere. Jena unravels the fascinating world of seven senses, shedding light on the lesser-known vestibular and proprioceptive systems, and revealing their crucial roles in a child's holistic development. How can we transform our homes, neighborhoods, and schools into sensory-rich spaces that ignite children's curiosity and imagination, leading them to become environmental stewards from a young age? Jena's remarkable story of her twins uncovering rainbow trails through observation inspires us to encourage mindful exploration in our own lives. Dive into the world of butterfly and pollinator gardens and learn how these enchanting spaces can nurture children's sense of wonder, foster communication and problem solving skills, while teaching them valuable lessons about our environment. Jena invites us to join her Facebook Group called, Sensory Rich Nature Play where she shows before and after photos of projects that have been done in homes etc. Discount code for 10% discount on her course: TAKINGTHEHELM10 https://nisfornatureplay.gumroad.com/l/SensoryRichNaturePlayEssentials

Are you an educator who finds yourself triggered by a person, event or action? Self-awareness has a profound impact on the teaching journey when we empower educators to reflect on the why behind their triggers. Our past experiences often shape the way we interact with our students. If we uncover the roots, we can respond to our students with greater empathy, patience, and understanding. Wysteria shares specific experiences that forced her to have an aha moment and change her perspective entirely. We can create safe spaces where students' emotions are not only valued but deeply understood, fostering an atmosphere of trust and growth. How do we teach and normalize conversations about feelings so they become natural and accepted from K - 12? How do we make this a part of our classroom routine every day so students learn to listen and respond to each other with empathy? As we build stronger, more compassionate connections with our students, we enrich both their educational experience and our own. What did Mr. Rogers have to teach us?

Whether you are a new teacher or seeking ways to calm your classroom from the first day of school, Jodi Nolin can help you foster well-being and non-reactivity for you and and students. - From kindergarteners to high school seniors, she shares, free, readily accessible tools that can be applied throughout the entire K-12 journey. The approach is secular and inclusive, ensuring that anyone can benefit. It has transformed educational environments and improved overall well-being. - What's your superpower? Through 40 years of data and research, we'll discuss the compelling evidence behind the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing stress, enhancing attention, and fostering resilience. This is one lesson of many! - Jodi shared specific examples of students and staff who struggled with sleep, distraction, anxiety and reactivity, and moved to a place of calm and focus in a very short time. - Embracing this practice gives teachers more time because of the impact on student learning and success. They are solving their own problems, pushing away drama and increasing their focus. https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/stress-management-and-coping-virtual-field-trips/ https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/mh-lit-student-mental-health-in-action/

Are you frustrated daily because you can't connect with a child who is out of control or defiant? Host Lynn McLaughlin is joined by Ginny Luther who has experienced crises in her life that are unimaginable. She has now authored her book, Blue Star Grit: A Mother’s Journey of Triumph and Tragedy Raising a Defiant Child into an Exceptional Leader to help parents see there is a way! Through her own experiences and trauma, Ginny Luther helps us see how we can change our approach and how our response at any moment has an impact on a child. The connection we have with them is the key to discipline and what we do in that moment with empathy or compassion shows them we are a safe and secure person. Control comes with a cost to connection. How we talk to ourselves is how we talk to children, reflecting our Inner speech. How many of us are shoulding our children and what does this provoke in them? Peaceful or conscious parenting comes with consequences. We DO NOT give up our limits. Ginny will help us see how we can be assertive, set boundaries and be kind/firm at the same time with very clear and actionable examples.

How can we connect with our children to better understand and be proactive when it comes to their mental health? Extended communication is always our best ally. That adage, What children need most is our time couldn't be a better fit to help us understand what our children are feeling. That time is not as long as we think it needs to be. It's about the connection. There is a tremendous correlation between time spent with our child, and your ability to understand what they are thinking and feeling. Can we try to get away from denial and avoidance behaviors? It can be hard for parents to come to terms with their children's anxiety. No one wants this for their child, and as a result, it can be easy to miss. If our child is bringing up a complaint, and they are having a difficult time explaining it to us, there may be another problem. We can expand the conversations into other areas of their life to determine if they're hiding anything. Children don't always express themselves efficiently. This life moves fast, and as a result, anxiety gains momentum quickly. Is it wise to educate our children, even the younger children, about anxiety, what it feels like, and how to talk about it? How does validation positively affect our children and how do we respond when we don't agree with their actions or choices? Always validate what your child is saying. You may not agree with what they're reporting,

Julia Recker and Kelsey Timiuk are Child and Youth Care Workers who are offering counselling services through private practice. The centre they work in is one of few currently available in Ontario. What is the role for Child and Youth Care Workers in supporting children, youth and adult mental health needs? Why do so few students graduating with this qualification consider private practice as an option? Julia and Kelsey discuss how they work with their clients, the 3 year college program and how they are helping close the gap for affordable and accessible counselling. . What is Rosie's Mission and how does using vocabulary, talk therapy and books help people cope? Kelsey and Julia also share how self-regulation as an adult is important to children's well-being as well as resources that are available.

We all agree that feeding our bodies with wholesome foods in vital for ourselves and our families. Don't our minds require intentional care and nourishment like our physical bodies do? Our minds, bodies, and souls are part of our whole being. Taking time to pause is more critical than ever but what does that really mean? How do our childhood experiences generate the Ingrained beliefs, patterns, and fear that hold us back from living our most joyful lives? What can we do to give our children a head start to avoid being blocked by fear? We can gain clarity to make intentional choices every day with intentionality. When we are in the most challenging times facing stress, anxiety, or self-doubt, what is a thought rescue plan? How can we have it ready to use when we need it most? Our guest shares why she sold a prospering business to take what resulted in a long self-realization sabbatical to becoming an international best-selling author, coach, and course/program creator that has changed thousands of lives.

Whether you are a new teacher or seeking ways to calm your classroom from the first day of school, Jodi Nolin can help you foster well-being and non-reactivity for you and and students. - From kindergarteners to high school seniors, she shares, free, readily accessible tools that can be applied throughout the entire K-12 journey. The approach is secular and inclusive, ensuring that anyone can benefit. It has transformed educational environments and improved overall well-being. - What's your superpower? Through 40 years of data and research, we'll discuss the compelling evidence behind the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing stress, enhancing attention, and fostering resilience. This is one lesson of many! - Jodi shared specific examples of students and staff who struggled with sleep, distraction, anxiety and reactivity, and moved to a place of calm and focus in a very short time. - Embracing this practice gives teachers more time because of the impact on student learning and success. They are solving their own problems, pushing away drama and increasing their focus. https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/stress-management-and-coping-virtual-field-trips/ https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/mh-lit-student-mental-health-in-action/