The Language of Behavior

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charlie are joined by middle school educator and leader David James to discuss the impact of cell phones in schools and why strong, consistent policies matter. David shares how his district implemented a “way for the day” approach, why teacher support and top down consistency are essential, and how removing cell phones from the classroo...

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charlie explore a question that affects students, adults, and leaders alike: why do good people lie? They unpack the many reasons people stretch the truth, including fear of consequences, shame, protecting their ego, avoiding embarrassment, and trying to gain approval or belonging. The conversation also looks at what lies are really pro...

Are screens really changing kids’ brains, behavior, sleep, and mental health? In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper and Charlie Peck explore what screens are really doing to kids’ brains, behavior, sleep, and mental health. They break down why screen time can lead to more anxiety, distraction, emotional dysregulation, and conflict at home and school. The conversation also of...

What if a student’s lack of attention is not defiance, but overload? In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charlie respond to a question about student attention and engagement in the classroom. They explore why what looks like disengagement is often confusion, overwhelm, or a need for more predictable routines and clearer expectations, especially for neurodivergent learners. The c...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper and Charlie Peck respond to a question many educators and leaders have quietly wondered themselves: what if students, staff, or even adults really are just being jerks? Together, they unpack why labels are tempting, especially when emotions are high and behavior is hard to manage, but why understanding the story behind the behavior is fa...

In this solo episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper shares what school leaders should expect when implementing the strategies from the book, especially during year one. He explains why staff often feel discomfort during change, how old beliefs about punishment and control can create resistance, and why building a shared language around behavior, consequences, and responses is the fir...

In this special announcement episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle share exciting news about their upcoming book project, The EQ Impact . They discuss why emotional intelligence is more important than ever in schools, workplaces, families, and relationships, and why the future of sustainable change depends on helping people build practical, usable skills for responding to stress, c...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle respond to a timely question about how to support students who keep returning to unhealthy relationships and friendships. They explore how anxious attachment, social pressure, and emotional reactivity can keep adolescents stuck in cycles that feel intense but are not actually healthy. Charlie and Josh share strategies for helping studen...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck dig into one of the most common challenges in education and beyond: how to navigate difficult conversations with adults without escalating conflict. Charle explains why people in distress lose access to skills before they lose access to emotion, and why lowering the threat, slowing the pace, and keeping your tone calm can...

In this special replay from the 2026 Student Behavior Summit, Brad Waid interviews Josh Stamper and Charle Peck about the work behind The Language of Behavior and why emotional intelligence matters now more than ever in schools. Together, they unpack the connection between adult behavior and student behavior, common misperceptions about discipline and consequences, and the importance of simplifyin...

In this newly formatted episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle switch things up with a fun and honest “educational hot takes” conversation. From narcissistic tendencies in education to why email may be the devil, they unpack some of the most frustrating dynamics educators face and share practical ways to protect your mental health and stability. Charlie breaks down the difference be...

What is really happening in your body and brain when panic hits, and what can you do about it? In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle tackle a question that is deeply relevant for educators, students, and adults alike. They unpack panic through a nervous system lens, explaining how trauma, stress, and unresolved experiences can trigger intense physical responses that feel ov...

How much is stress impacting the way you show up at work and at home? In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle explore how chronic stress narrows performance, increases reactivity, and affects the brain, body, and nervous system. They share practical ways to respond intentionally, including rapid resets, identifying triggers, and using small, consistent steps to reduce stress...

What if the behavior crisis in your school is not a student problem — but a system problem? In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle respond to a question straight from the NCMLE conference: "We are seeing behavior spike in the spring — how do we address this as a whole system?" The answer is not more programs or more staff. It is about stabilizing a flooded, reactive system b...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle tackle a bold listener question straight from their NCMLE conference session: "Do we need compliance when we work in a school system?" The answer is more nuanced than you might think. Josh and Charle unpack why compliance-first thinking ignores what students are actually communicating through their behavior, creates unnecessary power st...

We are back from the NCMLE Conference! In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle tackle a powerful listener question that hits close to home for so many educators right now: "I'm struggling to feel like I'm enough in my role. How do you know your own value when the job consistently makes you feel like you're falling short?" Josh and Charle get real and personal by sharing stori...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle go solo to unpack one of the most important—and often overlooked—dynamics in schools: what happens to student behavior when adults are overwhelmed, fearful, exhausted, or unsupported? Using their upcoming NCMLE conference session as a springboard, Josh and Charle invite listeners to fill in the blank: "Student behavior usually escalates...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle welcome Dr. Cameron Caswell (Dr. Cam), co-author with Charle and expert on teen behavior. Dr. Cam reveals why teen "defiance" is often self-protection, not rebellion, and shares how understanding the powerful, learning-ready teen brain (ages 14-25) changes everything. Key insights include: Partnering with parents without blame—empowerme...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Josh and Charle sit down with special education leader Victoria Veneziano to explore how we can better support students with complex behavioral and emotional needs. Drawing from her experience in special education and systems-level work, Victoria unpacks practical ways to build trust with students, collaborate with families, and partner with classroom...

In this powerful episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck sit down with Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools, to explore how a life marked by adversity became the foundation for a hope-filled, student-centered leadership journey. Dr. Bean shares his remarkable story from being abandoned in Saigon with polio and surviving Operation Babylift, to being a...

In this Webinar Replay, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck share practical, school-tested strategies from The Language of Behavior that help staff move from reactive discipline to proactive, relationship-based support. You’ll learn how to: - Shift from isolated trainings to a cohort model that embeds skills into daily practice - Use “Consider Your Environment” to audit classroom and campus conditions...

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck address a leader’s question about new year initiatives: “If I’m trying to implement practices to help students and staff, how do I make sure they don’t fall to the wayside?” They explain why one and done PD fails and why long term sustainability requires the cohort model, where a committed team embeds skills into ev...

In this milestone episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck celebrate the book’s first birthday with reflections on its impact, favorite reader takeaways, and practical tools educators are using across the country. They highlight the “Consider Your Environment” inventory for transforming social and physical classrooms, and Josh’s free Relationship Inventory a checklist of...

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck answer a listener’s question about daily stress and practical routines that actually help, rather than add more pressure. Charlie explains how habits live in the basal ganglia, why we cannot “think” our way into new routines, and how tiny, brain friendly steps like a funny alarm or simply throwing the covers off can...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck unpack a critical question from a recent Kentucky training on non-suicidal self injury (NSSI): how can we train teachers to respond effectively when self harm shows up in classrooms and hallways? Charlie shares the AAA framework assessment, attitude, and action that she uses with educators and clinicians to clarify roles,...