Happier Childhoods

What if your child’s behavior isn’t something to control, but something to understand? In this episode of Happier Childhoods, Carrie is joined by parent coach, educator, and mom of four Kristen Schmoke, who helps families build calmer homes and stronger relationships. We talk about what happens when parents shift from control to collaboration, and why kids’ behavior is often communication, not def...

What does it actually look like to build confident, resilient kids without fear, shame, or outdated teaching methods? In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World? , I’m joined by dance educator, choreographer, and studio owner Leslie Kuny , who’s been working with kids for over 20 years. We talk about what’s changing in the world of dance (and childhood in general), and why the old-school, fear...

In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World? , Carrie sits down with Laura Smothers-Chu , founder of Joy in Dementia , to talk about what it really looks like to advocate for a loved one navigating dementia, especially when you’re supporting them from a distance. After her father’s diagnosis while she was working in healthcare, Laura quickly discovered how overwhelming and fragmented dementia r...

Is work-life balance actually possible or is it a myth that keeps working moms stuck in stress and guilt? In this powerful conversation, resilience specialist and coach Charlotte Haggie joins me to dismantle the idea of “balance” and replace it with something far more sustainable: self-trust, emotional regulation, and inner equilibrium. Charlotte shares how motherhood exposed her own “good girl” i...

In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World? , host Carrie sits down with educator and movement specialist Tami Lysher , who brings over 40 years of experience in early childhood education, trauma-informed care, and nervous system integration. Tami shares how movement, breathwork, and connection play a critical role in helping children regulate their nervous systems—especially children impacted...

What if reading wasn’t just about academics but about health, emotional regulation, connection, and joy ? In this episode, Carrie sits down with Stephanie Affinito , literacy teacher educator, author of Leading Literate Lives , and host of the KidLit Love podcast, to talk about how books truly shape childhood. Stephanie shares why reading helps children feel seen and understood, how strong reading...

In this conversation, Carrie and Katie Barngrover explore the principles of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, emphasizing the importance of understanding food sensitivities and their impact on health and behavior. Katie shares her personal health journey and experiences with her family, highlighting how dietary changes can lead to significant improvements in well-being. They discuss the importance...

In this conversation, Carrie sits down with Stacy Schaffer, MA, LPC — a children’s therapist, author, and advocate for emotional healing — to explore how play can become a bridge to safety, connection, and resilience. Stacy shares her insights from over 20 years of experience in child and adolescent therapy, explaining how play therapy helps kids process big emotions, and why understanding anxiety...

This week, we’re talking about holiday traditions — and why your kids won’t remember the perfect schedule, the fancy crafts, or the ten thousand activities you’re juggling. They remember the feeling. In this episode, we explore what actually makes holidays meaningful for kids: warmth, presence, and a few small traditions done with intention, not pressure. If you’re feeling stretched thin this seas...

Season 2 officially launches on January 1st , but I’ll be dropping a few mini solo episodes between now and then just because I can’t wait that long to start talking about the good stuff. In this minisode, I’m digging into something that sits at the center of everything I do: childhood. Not in a dramatic way, not in a “fix the kids” way, just a real conversation about why those early years matter...

Wait, Am I Saving the World? is a podcast for the people shaping childhood: parents, teachers, caregivers, and anyone trying to show up for kids without losing themselves in the process. Hosted by Carrie Speed, social worker and founder of PlayMotion Kids, this show blends real conversations with practical insight on child development, mindfulness, movement, and what it takes to support kids and t...

[Season 1] This episode is from our original season, where we explored broader themes around burnout, purpose, and meaningful work.  In this episode pf Wait, Am I Saving the World, Carrie of Joyful Rising is joined by Bethany Jenkins, a Licensed Professional Counselor and the creator of the Psych Screen Podcast . Bethany brings her expertise as a Supervisor for School-Based Clinicians in Virginia,...

[Season 1] This episode is from our original season, where we explored broader themes around burnout, purpose, and meaningful work.   Welcome to a transformative episode of the Joyful Rising Podcast! In "Connected Life Framework: Transform Your Mornings, Transform Your Life," Carrie dives into her game-changing approach to morning routines that create connections with your faith, body, m...

[Season 1] This episode is from our original season, where we explored broader themes around burnout, purpose, and meaningful work.  In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World? , we look into the PERMA framework from positive psychology—a practical, research-backed approach to finding balance and well-being in the face of stress. Join Carrie as she breaks down the five pillars of PERMA: Positi...

[Season 1] This episode is from our original season, where we explored broader themes around burnout, purpose, and meaningful work.  What if you could literally change your brain with just a few minutes of mindfulness each day? In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World? , we explore the science behind mindfulness and how it strengthens the brain’s resilience to stress. Learn how mindfulness c...

  [Season 1] This episode is from our original season, where we explored broader themes around burnout, purpose, and meaningful work.  In this episode, we explore the transformative power of yoga for both body and mind. Learn how yoga supports mental resilience, calms the nervous system, and helps release built-up stress—without needing to be ultra-flexible or spend hours on the mat. I’ll share my...

[Season 1] This episode is from our original season, where we explored broader themes around burnout, purpose, and meaningful work.  Party Like It's Your 80th: Discovering Your Core Values Ever wondered what your 80th birthday party would say about you? In this episode, we dive into the 80th Birthday Party Exercise—a unique  method to uncover your deepest values and align your actions with wh...

[Season 1] This episode is from our original season, where we explored broader themes around burnout, purpose, and meaningful work.   Transform your daily life with the power of positive habits. In this episode, we talk about the science of habit formation and share practical strategies to build and maintain positive daily habits. We'll talk about the habit loop and the brain science behind f...

[Season 1] This episode is from our original season, where we explored broader themes around burnout, purpose, and meaningful work.  Hi Friends and welcome to "Wait, Am I Saving the World?"-a podcast for the helpers, healers, and change-makers who are out there doing the work that changes lives. If you've ever felt the weight of the world, wondered if you're making a difference...