Hello everyone! This time of year means a lot to different people. For many, it's a time for reflection, family, and friends. For others, it can be lonely, dark, and isolating. This is also true for the kids we teach and the families we support.

Jenna Edwards, author of the upcoming novel Aggressive Optimism, is no stranger to the harder topics or moments of life. Her life has made it into this story, and has filled its pages with truth and a passion for getting through the hardest moments we can face.

There is a lot to love in this episode. We discuss the real effects of trauma on the mind, moving forward, and choosing to be an optimistic rebel in a society where being miserable is the norm.