The Words We Needed

What happens when we stop treating youth mental health in silos and start building a connected community? In this episode of  The Words We Needed , we sit down with Dr. Christine Pennington—a powerhouse behavioral health leader, counselor, and educator with over 20 years of experience creating trauma-informed, whole-family approaches. Dr. Pennington is the Founder/CEO of Resilient Pathways Behavio...

What if the secret to transforming our schools isn’t a new curriculum or a stricter policy, but the way we talk to one another? In this episode, we sit down with  Hart Thorson , an educator, learning experience designer, and practitioner of Motivational Interviewing (MI). With nearly two decades of experience in adult education, Hart brings a wealth of insight into the complex, often high-stakes c...

Episode 2: The State of Regulation featuring Katie Wiseman In this conversation, we explore what regulation really means, why behavior is often communication, and how environments shape our ability to access learning, connection, and growth. If you work with children, lead teams, support families, or care about creating spaces where people can thrive, this episode offers a perspective worth sittin...

How do we guide young people toward independence without over-controlling or stepping away entirely? In Episode 3 of  The Words We Needed , we sit down with the incredible  Fran Kenton  to explore the delicate art of  Building Youth Autonomy . Whether you are a parent, educator, mentor, or youth worker, this conversation offers practical, heart-centered insights on stepping back so the next genera...

In Episode 1 of The Words We Needed Podcast, we sit down with Kylah Seabrooks for a powerful and honest conversation on The Power of Belonging. Together, we reflect on our personal experiences with truancy and absenteeism—sharing the real challenges we faced as students and how those moments shaped who we are today. Now as educators, we dive into how those past struggles influence the way we show...