Returning to Us

Have you set your goals for 2023? Setting goals and tracking them is a great way to change your habits and keep you mindful of what you want. Lauren walks you through setting measurable goals, tracking them, and breaking them down so they are achievable.  Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode:  How do I handle an aggressive child while being a positive, good parent?  Try-...

In the past few episodes Lauren has discussed self-care. Today, Lauren gives you her personal recommendations in each of the Big 5 areas.  Mentioned in this episode: Mental Health:  Insight Timer Sarah Blondin Lalah Delia Monica Sweeney Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life The First 40 Days Social:  Bumble Peanut  Marco Polo Relationship: Gottman Therapy Esther Perel Psycholog...

Today Lauren goes through the self care quiz and continuum. It is difficult to find time for self-care but we all know it is important in preventing burnout and reducing stress. So, how are you doing and what small changes can you make to improve your score?  Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode:  How doI teach my child respect? Try-at-home tip: Art Books Mentioned in th...

In this episode Lauren follows up on her discussion of the mental health crisis with ideas on how to begin healing educators' mental health and keep them in the profession.  Lauren recommends:  Mental health supports Alternative health benefits like chiropractor and acupuncture Better work culture Hire assistants so teachers can focus on teaching and less on paperwork type tasks And more…. La...

There is a silent epidemic in schools and isn’t among the students. Teachers are experiencing burnout, stress, and job dissatisfaction at high rates. Teaching has become the most stressful profession. And, teachers are leaving the profession in record numbers for better pay and more personal time. Today Lauren takes a deep dive into the mental health crisis among teachers.  Lauren answers this wee...

Today’s topic comes from a listener question.  “With your expertise on the brain, I’m wondering if you have any wisdom about how I can advise someone who says they just aren’t a good test-taker?  I’ve tried to read up on test anxiety, and I know the research says the best thing is to know the material and be prepared. However, some students say there is such a great amount of material to study, th...

Jake Ryan is an author, life coach and inspirational content creator on TikTok and Instagram. He is on a mission to raise the vibrational frequency of the people of the world. He is also the author of “Dear Franklin: My Dad Just Had an Operation, What Do I Do?”    Lauren and Jake cover a variety of topics.  What is raising vibrational frequency Self discipline is self love Helping kids after a par...

In Season 2, episode 34, Lauren gave examples of emotional abuse and briefly described the effects. Today she delves deeper into the effects of all types of abuse and chronic stress on children.  She covers the variety of behaviors that a child has been, or is, abused or suffering chronic stress and why that behavior may be exhibited.  Rage Flashbacks Low self-esteem, low-confidence, and a lack of...

Before the pandemic a study concluded that 20% of Americans suffered from anxiety. Post-pandemic, the number is probably much higher.  A few weeks ago we talked about living in the present. Anxious people are stuck thinking about the future and being fearful of the unknown. They typically love routine and structure because that gives them some control over the future. For the same reason, anxious...

In today’s episode, Lauren asserts that schools are failing our kids. She looks at this through the lens of “You have to Maslow before you can Bloom.” This means that before children can learn, they must have their basic needs fulfilled which are described in Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs . Benjamin Bloom created three hierarchical models which classify educational learning objectives . Howe...

In today’s episode Lauren walks you through teaching emotional regulation. She covers the three steps to helping children regulate their emotions and control behaviors. Teach them to recognize and categorize their emotions Coping and calming strategies to handle those emotions Define a space for kids to implement the strategies they’ve learned.  There is also a brief overview of the barking dog, w...

We all recognize physical abuse when we see it. But, what is emotional abuse?  Today Lauren discusses the nine types of emotional abuse:  Unrealistic expectations Showing hostility Blaming and Shaming Humiliating Minimizing Favoring Withholding affection Yelling and Swearing  Mocking and Insulting She gives examples of each type of emotional abuse and discusses the long-term impact emotional abuse...

Are the kids in your life demotivated? Is there a lack of enthusiasm in the tasks you give them? Today, Lauren discusses what causes demotivation and how to combat it.  She talks about the causes of demotivation which can include poor nutrition, drugs, stress, biology, and thinking the task is irrelevant. She talks about tips and tricks to engage kids in their work and help them learn more effecti...

Do you have problems getting motivated? What about getting your kids or students motivated? A lack of motivation is a problem we've all faced. When confronting kids with tasks they don't want to do, how do we motivate them? Today, Lauren discusses how to motivate yourself and your kids.  Motivation is not just will power. It involves biology and a person’s memory as well. Getting student...

Dr. Ambroes Pass-Turner is a Doctor of Counseling Psychology and the owner of APT Counseling Services LLC. She is a professor at Grand Canyon University in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Georgia Military College.  She is also the author of two children’s books including " Rex's Journey: Helping Children Understand and Cope with Emotions ” and the soon to be released “...

Are you, or your child, a perfectionist? Do you worry you might be? Then this episode is for you.  Perfectionism has been on the rise in the Western World since 1980. This is not surprising to any of us. But, what is perfectionism? Isn’t it a good thing to strive for perfection in our work and home life? Lauren covers the 11 dangers of perfectionism, why it is selfish, how it leads to anxiety and...

What’s your morning routine? Do you have one or do you grab a cup of coffee while shepherding your family out the door?  Positive routines become ingrained and imperative to our functioning. The morning cup of coffee while watching the sunrise, the evening jog, or the morning and evening meditation, all these are commitments that sustain us. They are preventive self-care allowing us to start and e...

Back in November, Lauren interviewed Matthew Davidoff of the Red, White and Blue Exchange . This week Matthew interviews Lauren in a wide ranging discussion on how to promote grit and motivation in kids and how to handle mental health in the school system and at home.  Lauren talks about the importance of self-care and the impact food and meditation can have on our lives.  Mentioned in this episod...

Do you spend your day in a 90/90/90 position? Most of us do so how do you correct the impact to long-term joint mobility?   Today Lauren discusses the importance of movement. Improving your overall health now but also in making sure you can move easily as you age. She covers how to get movement while sitting at work and different types of exercises. The key to exercise is finding one you enjoy and...

Do you have strong social connections? Are you deeply connecting with people, in person, weekly or monthly? Or, do you get your social connection through social media and is that good enough? In this episode, Lauren dives into the importance of socialization for our health. The chemicals it triggers in our brain and how those lead to better cognitive skills, less stress, better mental health, and...

Today Lauren discusses the overall benefits of being well hydrated and well rested. When you don’t drink enough water it slows down your body and brain leaving you more tired and with less logical and rational thinking. It always impacts the quality of your sleep! We’ve all heard the advice to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night but we aren’t told why. Lauren goes into the science behind the recommende...

Today  Lauren talks about using food for stress management, self-care, and well-being. She covers the vitamin d deficiency in a large percentage of the population and the problems it causes. How the foods you put into your body affect your overall mental health and stress and the superfoods we should all have in our diet. She also looks at the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen, ways to eat healthi...

In this episode, Lauren discusses the 5 areas of self-care that will lead you to a calmer, less reactive state:  Food  Water Sleep  Social Movement She shares her journey from tired, stressed, and illness to a calmer, happier place by incorporating these five areas into her daily life. And, describes what she does to make sure she includes each one in her day.  Lauren answers this week’s listener...

Lauren interviews Nellie Harden, a Family Life & Leadership Coach,  focusing on girls age eight through the teenage years. Their discussion includes why Nellie started this line of work, what teens are struggling with now, the Great Transition, assessing your core values for your family, social media, perfectionism and self-esteem. Try-at-home tip: Drop the rope! Nelli’s Recommendations:  Book...

In this episode, Lauren answers listener questions. She’s chosen from a selection of questions sent in by listeners and through her social media channels.  Today's Questions: How to stop the meltdown before it happens? What is causing the emotion and the function of the behavior? When do you give up control? These questions lead to discussions on the zones of regulations, the 5 needs all huma...