The Choose Well Program Podcast

After a long day in education, the drive home can feel heavy. In this Choose Well Program Podcast for Educators episode, I share a simple reminder about the fear we carry and how often it comes from our own assumptions, not reality.  I talk through the 3 R’s for educators: release, reflect, and receive. This is a short decompression message for teachers, school leaders, and support staff who need...

In this three-part podcast, Lauren Conner and I, break down how to teach respect in the classroom. Over the three parts, we will define respect, talk about how to model respect, and what it means to acknowledge respect. This episode goes in-depth about how to acknowledge respect. [0:00] Intro [1:30] What Does It Mean To Acknowledge Respect? [2:30] Different Kinds of Acknowledgement [4:00] Words Ma...

In this three-part podcast, Lauren Conner and I, break down how to teach respect in the classroom. Over the three parts, we will define respect, talk about how to model respect, and what it means to acknowledge respect. This episode goes in-depth about how to model respect. [0:00] Intro [1:20] What Does It Mean To Model Respect [3:40] The Easiest Ways To Model Respect [6:05] Is Respect Earned? [7:...

In this three-part podcast, Lauren Conner and I, break down how to teach respect in the classroom. Over the three parts, we will define respect, talk about how to model respect, and what it means to acknowledge respect. This episode goes in-depth about how to define respect. [0:00] Intro [2:40] A Short Break Down of Respect [3:45] Define Respect [4:15] Ownership & The Golden Rule [7:50] Genera...

No one wants to have a conversation with students about sex. It’s uncomfortable and awkward. Join Stephanie Feagin and I in this conversation about why talking to kids about sex is good and why it should be done. [0:00] It All Started With Sex [1:20] Playing With Fire [5:10] Self-control Read, watch, and listen to the podcast at https://thechoosewellprogram.com/podcast To learn more about having M...

Lauren Connor joins me in this podcast episode to discuss the work we are doing to create a Choose Well Program curriculum. [0:00] Intro [0:43] Quote of the Day [3:30] The Choose Well Program Curriculum [5:00] Social Proof [6:00] Building A Better School Culture [10:20] Have It Your Way [12:10] The Curriculum Development Team [14:50] SEL Is the Plate [16:18] Where Do Parents Fit In? [18:50] The Dr...

We continue this series of Q&As with Stephanie Feagin asking Mister Brown questions about diversity and representation, aging, and Mister Brown’s work ethic. [0:00] Intro [2:00] The Reward In Work [3:50] The Five-Year Plan [6:42] Diversity and Representation [11:30] Get Old or Die Read, watch, and listen to the podcast at https://thechoosewellprogram.com/podcast To learn more about having Mist...

This was a tough conversation. Stephanie Feagin really put me in the hot seat with questions about owning up to our mistakes as parents and dealing with divisive issues. Join us for the Q&A with Mister Brown. [1:40] Are you a hypocrite? [3:50] You never know what someone is going through [8:20] Success stories [11:55] Touchy subjects [18:30] The many facets of Mister Brown Read, watch, and lis...

In this podcast, Stephanie Feagin and I dive into the pros and cons of music, video games, and other forms of media in the lives of kids. This episode is about teaching kids to be critical thinkers. As parents and educators, we can’t monitor our kids 24/7, but we can teach them to be critical thinkers and how to monitor themselves.  [0:00] Intro [1:25] How to stay relevant with kids [4:26] How mus...

In this podcast episode, SEL Educator Brad Davis and I (Mister Brown) will share three practical tips for connecting with students in the classroom and other settings. [0:00] Intro [1:25] Class Meetings [3:45] When Connecting Counts [7:28] Getting Perspective [16:10] Modelling [17:35] They Are Always Watching [21:00] Don’t Underestimate This [22:35] It’s Never Too Late Read, watch, and listen to t...

Feeling depressed? Learn more about Mister Brown and The Choose Well Program and get his perspective on depression. Check out this podcast episode where Stephanie Feagin interviews, Mister Brown. [0:00] Intro [1:30] Where Is Mister Brown From? [2:48] How Did The Choose Well Program Begin? [4:06] Advice For When You're Feeling Depressed Read, watch, and listen to the post https://www.thechoose...

How do you teach students to make better choices when they have really challenging home lives? That’s an important question that Stephanie Feagin and I attempt to tackle in this episode. [0:00] Intro [2:00] Difficult Home Lives [2:35] Get Those Kids On Your Team [4:10] The Puzzle Pieces of Life [8:40] Getting Parents On Board [17:00] Family Engagement Events [23:00] It’s Not Easy Being Me Read the...

In this second segment of Anxiety In Kids and Teens podcast, Dr. Terri Daniels and I discuss some ways to help kids and teens deal with anxiety.  [NOTE: We are not doctors, psychologists, or psychiatrists. We are not giving medical advice. This podcast is for informational purposes and is based on personal experience. Please consult a medical professional for medical advice regarding anxiety.] Wat...

Anxiety is the body's natural response to stress, but when does it become a real problem? In this podcast, Dr. Terri Daniels and I discuss this topic. [NOTE: We are not doctors, psychologists, or psychiatrists. We are not giving medical advice. This podcast is for informational purposes and is based on personal experience. Please consult a medical professional for medical advice regarding anx...

Ask Dr. Daniels: What do you do when your kid says, "I hate you!"? [0:42] The Push Me-Pull Me Phase [3:08] A Good Response To “I Hate You!” [5:00] Stop, Think, and Choose [8:42] We Are Not Bad Parents Read the post https://www.thechoosewellprogram.com/podcast "When you make better choices you will live a better life, so choose well. Oh yeah!" Read, watch, and listen to the podc...

Classroom management is something teachers either feel extremely confident in, or extremely lacking in. No matter where you land, Lauren Conner and Mister Brown have four actionable tips that can help your classroom management style. [1:00] Tip #1 Have A Plan; “The brain needs a job.” [2:05] Tip #2 Communicate Your Expectations Clearly [13:50] Tip #3 Be Kind and Consistent With All Rules and All S...

You know the one. The student who is never absent and lives to make your life difficult. Join Lauren Conner and me as we talk about how to change "that" kid to "my" kid with four simple tips. [2:20] Who Is “That” Kid? [4:00] Tip #1 Have Conversations With “That” Kid [7:40] Tip #2 Have positive interactions with “That” Kid  A Sticky Note Can Change A Life https://youtu.be/nwWRdd...

If you have preteens or teens, you may have noticed that when they enter the middle-school years they seem more withdrawn and anxious. Is that normal? The answer is yes, and Dr. Terri Daniels and I discuss this issue in this episode of the podcast. [0:50] Is There Something Wrong With My Kid? [3:36] Do Your Kids Have SOAP? [8:00] How To Keep the Lines of Communication Open [11:49] Asking Our Kids...

A few years ago, Lauren Conner was struggling in the classroom. There were a lot of bad behaviors and bad habits. Watch this podcast episode to learn how a sticky note changed it all.  [0:41] The Struggle Was Real [5:00] The Power of A Sticky Note [7:15] Connecting With Students Through Positive Reinforcement [9:30] It’s Not Only About the Sticky Note Read the post https://www.thechoosewellprogram...

People are thirsty for affirmation. Teacher, Stephanie Feagin joins me for this podcast episode to talk about Affirmation Day in her classroom. Join us. [1:13] What Is Affirmation Day? [3:10] Passing Notes [4:50] Triple A [7:00] Impacting the School Culture [9:15] Character and Actions [10:55] Affirming Parents   Read the post https://www.thechoosewellprogram.com/podcast "When you make better...

We live in a culture where everything comes easily to us. We often don’t have to struggle for things and we are creating kids who want to give up too easily. Dr. Terri Daniels and I talk about helping our kids struggle in a way that develops and strengthens their resilience muscles. [2:23] Keep Swinging [4:20] Three Ways Parents Can Impact Resiliency In Their Kids [12:00] They Can Do Hard Things [...

Stephanie Feagin has been in education for over sixteen years. She brings a lot of wisdom and experience to the discussion of social and emotional learning (SEL). Join Stephanie and me on this podcast where we discuss the power to choose, SEL,  and several other great topics for educators. [1:27] SEL Before It Became SEL [3:50] The Culture of a Classroom [6:25] It Takes Practice [9:45] How The Cho...

“No.” As an educator, how often do you say that to your students? In this podcast episode, Lauren Conner and I talk about the power of saying “yes”.  [1:00] Why “Yes”? [2:20] What If I Say “No”? [3:00] Giving 100% [5:00] Get the Student Involved In Their Own Success [6:40] Students Are Individuals [10:00] Lauren’s Turning Point Read the post https://www.thechoosewellprogram.com/podcast "When...

What is “You First” parenting? It comes down to two questions: Are we putting everyone else’s needs before our own? Or are we living our lives at the expense of what our kids need from us? Either way, something probably needs to change. Dr. Terri Daniels and I discuss what it means to take care of ourselves first when parenting. [1:55] You First Parenting [3:30] Balancing [9:25]  You First Parenti...

This is Part 2 of Brandon's story of being a bully and choosing to make a change. [1:00] How The Choose Well Program approaches the topic of bullying [3:20] What is bullying? [5:45] “I Am Responsible For Me” [8:45] Victim or Hero? [12:25] "Never underestimate the power of a moment." [13:10] The Bridge [15:00] Thank You, Brandon Read the post https://www.thechoosewellprogram.com/podc...