The Mindset

In this episode, Christopher talks with another one of Grafton’s own! David Alley talks about his 39 years of experience working in our field, holding various roles from direct care to leadership during his decades of commitment to Grafton’s mission. They discussed differences between Community-Based and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF), as well as how Dave’s previous roles shap...

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Christopher had the pleasure of talking with one of Grafton's Clinical Administrators, Stefanee Lambert (LCSW, M. Ed) to talk about a wide variety of areas in Mental and Behavioral Health. They discuss how things have changed since the genesis of Mental Health Awareness Month and the work still needed.

In this episode, Christopher talks with one of Grafton's music therapists, Milo Levine, about what Music Therapy is and how he has used it to help many children and adults, and even how it connects with Comfort vs Control.

In this episode, Christopher speaks with Ukeru's Outreach Engineer, Angela Craig, about her path leading to Ukeru which took her through the Education and Early Intervention fields and how her experience along with a commitment to enacting change brought her to our team.

How are we to Episode 20 already? Recently, a customer asked Christopher which podcast episode he'd recommend to someone who wants to begin learning about Ukeru or (at the very least) a good starting point in terms of the podcast episodes. His talk with Alex Letto, a Behavior Specialist from Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL), seemed like the perfect opportunity to talk about what l...

In this episode, Christopher talks to Jen Sahr from Fargo Public Schools about implementing Ukeru through the height of a pandemic and sustaining positive change.

In this episode Christopher talks with Ukeru Learning Engineer, Lana Ingram-Gore, about her experience as a staff using Ukeru with individuals, then switching over to traveling to train others in Ukeru. We also discuss mental health and her experience in starting the local support group, I Will Sit With You In The Dark.

In this episode, Christopher talks with Marta Finnegan, LPC-MHSP, Program Director for Norris Academy located in Andersonville, TN. She shares their story of how using Comfort vs Control has changed their work culture and relationships between staff and individuals served. In essence, putting the "treatment" in residential treatment.

In this episode, Christopher talks with Alexandra Elfers to learn one person's story of working to create change from the inside out. In this case, in the world of Applied Behavior Analysis.

In this episode, we talk with two of our longest certified trainers at Bittersweet Farms to hear how they've successfully built and sustained a trauma-informed culture for the individuals they serve, and how it enriches their lives.

In this Episode, Christopher Feltner and Kim Sanders talk with Christine Hathaway from Perspectives Corporation based in North Kingstown, RI; a program serving youth and adults with disabilities. In this conversation, they discuss their journey to provide better care for those they serve, as well as a better work culture for their staff.

It has been awhile since this duo has been able to record together. While on the road, Ukeru President, Kim Sanders, and Training Architect, Christopher Feltner, had many rich discussions about different questions and topics they get asked frequently through training and consultation. They were eager to get to the studio and take a deep dive into some of these topics. We think our listeners will f...

In this episode, Christopher talked with Shaun Mohon from Mingus Mountain Youth Treatment Center based in the beautiful Prescott Valley, AZ. They talked about getting past their own skepticism, creating culture change, the pitfalls of relying on crisis intervention teams and more!

Reginald is the Principal of ReLife School in Puyallup, WA. He has become a huge advocate for Ukeru, after seeing tremendous results within their own programs. In this episode you will hear Reginald share his experience with Ukeru, the implementation process, the results they’ve seen and so much more. This episode will resonate with so many who are either looking for a change or are in the process...

In this episode we talk to teacher, and Ukeru Champion, Chyna Lynner about her journey in special education, using social media platforms to promote kinder practices and how she went from skeptic to embodiment of Ukeru's philosophy.

This month our Training Architect, Christopher Feltner, sat down with Jon St. Pierre the Executive Director of Brighter Transitions Youth Treatment Center and Falls Academy in Sioux Falls, SD! In this episode, Christopher and Jon discuss trauma-informed care, how their mindset has changed since using Ukeru, the difference Ukeru has made within their programs, the challenges they faced during COVID...

For the first time since 2021, Kim Sanders and Christopher Feltner sat down for a conversation going over the history of Ukeru, discussing difficult mindsets they’ve encountered in their field and clearing up misconceptions around Comfort vs Control.

We had the opportunity to speak with Ed Nientimp and Mary Triana to talk about Millcreek Township School District's (MTSD) journey with Ukeru. From training to implementation, then (several years later) sustainability, MTSD continues to be a model for others utilizing our approach!

Ukeru's Training Architect, Christopher Feltner, sat down to talk to Susan Anderson and Camberly Pifer from the Infant & Toddler Connection of Shenandoah Valley. They discussed what Early Intervention Services entail and how it can help infants and families, as well as how parents can find these resources in their locale.

Training and Performance Architect Chris Feltner interviews Learning Engineer Allison Hoffmaster about her family’s history of working at Grafton, traveling with Ukeru, and how working in behavioral health has impacted her. Allison also talks about adopting her daughter, Lila, who has special needs.

Ukeru President Kim Sanders and Training and Performance Architect Christopher Feltner explore the subject of power dynamics in the behavioral health workplace. Practicing Ukeru not only means using comfort-versus-control with clients, but cultivating a healthy balance of power with our colleagues as well.

Ukeru President Kim Sanders and Training and Performance Architect Christopher Feltner talk about the reality of aggression in behavioral health settings and the challenges it presents for direct care staff.

Ukeru President Kim Sanders and Training and Performance Architect Christopher Feltner explain why some trainees are opposed to the philosophy of comfort vs. control and why that instinct is misguided.

Ukeru President Kim Sanders and Training and Performance Architect Christopher Feltner discuss how their organization has adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic.