The Language of Behavior

In this timely episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck respond to a vulnerable question from an educator: "I'm still overwhelmed and stressed out even after the break. We keep talking about mental health, but where are the solutions?" Drawing on their work with teachers, counselors, social workers, and school psychologists, they name what everyone is feeling too much on...

In this uplifting conversation on The Language of Behavior , Charle Peck sits down with author, consultant, and continuous improvement expert Lainie Rowell to explore how gratitude and intentional noticing can transform stressed-out schools and organizations from the inside out. Lainie introduces her Notice–Evolve–Thrive framework and shares the science-backed reason “notice” is the essential firs...

In this New Year’s episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck tackle a question they hear constantly from educators: “How do I know if behavior is trauma or just manipulation?” Kicking off 2026 with honesty and nuance, they unpack why this either/or framing rarely fits real students and explain a crucial distinction: manipulation is a learned skill, while trauma is a fast...

In this timely holiday episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck answer a pressing question many educators are asking: “Student behavior is shifting—what can we do differently in the new year?” As schools head into the spring semester and the pressure of state testing ramps up, they unpack why behavior often spikes and how leaders can respond with intention instead of ex...

In this powerful holiday episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charlie Peck unpack a question from their educator cohort:  How do we respond to people who constantly frustrate us—students, colleagues, or even ourselves?  Centering on the concept of social plasticity, they explore how quickly brains jump to fixed labels like “jerk,” “bad student,” or “burnt-out teacher,”...

Have you ever wondered how to respond when a parent walks into your office already angry, defensive, or full of ego? In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck shift the focus from student behavior to parent behavior, unpacking what is really happening in those high-intensity encounters and why traditional “holding your ground” often backfires.​ What if the real po...

In this episode of  The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck tackle one of the most triggering topics in schools today: student cell phones. Starting with the question “ How do cell phones influence student behavior ?”, they break down how constant notifications, social media, and late-night scrolling rewire reward pathways, ramp up impulsivity, and strain attention, often sh...

Have you ever given a simple direction and watched a student suddenly shut down, explode, or spiral into a full meltdown? In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck dig into one of the most urgent questions that came out of a recent McGraw Hill International keynote. Why are so many students reacting so intensely to the smallest requests? Joshua and Charle explore...

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh Stamper welcomes back Charlie Peck for a deep dive into the fight, flight, and freeze responses often witnessed in classrooms. Together, they break down why these instinctual reactions matter for both students and staff, helping educators shift from misinterpretation and power struggles to empathy and effective support. Josh and Charlie shar...

What if the key to unlocking student success isn’t more motivation—but better systems? In this inspiring episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper sits down with educator, author, and Organized Binder founder Mitch Weathers to unpack how structure, routine, and executive functioning skills don’t just boost achievement, they build safety, predictability, and less cognitive load. Mitch sh...

Sometimes it’s not the crisis itself that breaks us—it’s the little moments afterward. The forgotten email. The sharp tone. The student who suddenly shuts down. In this heartfelt November episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck explore how acute stress silently weaves its way through classrooms and campuses after life-altering moments—both personal and collective. From...

Are our emotions contagious to other people? In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck explore the unseen force that shapes every classroom and staff meeting: emotional contagion . The tone of your voice, the tension in your shoulders, even the pause before you respond… it all ripples outward, influencing students and colleagues more than words ever could. Throug...

In this special crossover episode, Josh Stamper welcomes listeners to the Language of Behavior Podcast—and introduces the launch of Charlie Peck’s bold new show, “Thriving Under Pressure.” As the very first guest, Josh flips the script and shares candid stories about leading through relentless demands, navigating culture shock, and finding balance during seasons of burnout. Dive into actionable in...

In this deeply honest episode of The Language of Behavior , Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck dive into a powerful question from a first-year assistant principal: “How do I handle the emotional weight of supporting students in crisis without burning out myself?” Drawing from their years in school leadership, therapy, and trauma-responsive practices, Charle and Josh unpack what secondary trauma really...

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior Podcast, hosts Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper dive deep into a pressing question from a school administrator: how can teachers shift their mindset when facing an increase in student referrals? Fresh from their professional learning in sunny Florida, Josh and Charle unpack the importance of understanding students' stories, trauma, and stress and wh...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper unpack a common scenario in schools: a student becomes dysregulated, an administrator is called in to help, and instead of calming the situation, the student’s behavior escalates even further. Together, they break down the misperceptions that often fuel these interactions, the hidden triggers that push students into fight...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper tackle a thoughtful listener question: How do I confront an issue with someone so it’s a productive conversation? Using brain-based research, stories of volatile conflict, and years of leadership and classroom experience, Charle and Josh explore why tough conversations often escalate and how to approach them in ways that...

In this inspiring conversation from the School Behavior Solutions Summit 2025 , Brad Waid sits down with Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper—co-authors of the award-winning book The Language of Behavior —to explore how schools can rethink discipline and create trauma-responsive systems that truly support students and staff. Together, they discuss: ✅ How their unique backgrounds as a former administrat...

When a student is melting down, many educators default to the same response: “Take it to the hallway.” But does this actually help? In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper unpack why isolating dysregulated students often escalates the problem instead of resolving it. Drawing on brain science, trauma-responsive practices, and their own classroom and leadership e...

When a student returns to school after time in a mental health facility, the transition can feel like walking a tightrope for the child, their family, and the educators who want to help. In this episode of The Language of Behavior , Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper dig into a listener’s question about what reintegration really requires. Drawing from their experiences as leaders and educators, Charle...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior , co-hosts Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper tackle a timely listener question: “Now that we’ve been in school for a few weeks, I’m starting to see new behaviors. What may be the cause of this?” Together, they explore why the “three-week mark” often brings an uptick in student behavior challenges. From shifting routines and rising academic rigor to stress,...

What does it really take to create a school community where both teachers and students thrive? In this energizing episode of The Language of Behavior , co-hosts Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper sit down with educator, author, and edupreneur Kim Gameroz to unpack the power of belonging, intentional SEL, and celebrating the small wins that make a big difference. From her days as a high school dance co...

Fresh off inspiring events in Ohio and Colorado, co-hosts Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in education: the belief that punishment alone changes behavior. Spoiler—it doesn’t. This episode was sparked by a powerful moment during a recent professional development session, where an “eye roll” from a student led to a deeper conversation about what consequences r...

Fresh off the VIBE EDU conference in California, Josh and Charle reunite to answer a powerful audience question: Should parents of neurodivergent students reach out to teachers at the start of the school year—and how can they do it well? In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Josh and Charle explore the sometimes tricky terrain of parent-teacher communication. Drawing from their experiences...

In this special episode of  The Language of Behavior , hosts Josh and Charlie reunite after an inspiring trip to the 2025 MTSS conference in California. They share personal reflections on connecting with passionate educators and mental health professionals and highlight key takeaways from their in-person sessions. The spotlight for this episode is a question on the “push-in” model, a practica...