“We can't always choose what happens to us, but we can take our personal power back in how we choose to respond”

Linda Couch is one of Scarlett Lewis’ best friends and has been an inspiration to her throughout her journey. Linda is a double heart transplant recipient, a kidney transplant recipient, cancer survivor and single mom of Blake. She is also a Go Red Woman for the American Heart Association.This is a story of someone who lives the Choose Love Formula every day as a way of seeing, feeling and being in the world and has inspired Scarlett in her own life and through the loss of Jesse. Linda and Scarlett met at work and have loved and supported each other ever since. Listen to an incredible story that will provide tremendous perspective as well as vicarious posttraumatic growth. 

Scarlett sits down with mindfulness leader Meena Srinivasan, named one of the 10 Powerful Women of Mindfulness, for a moving conversation on hope, healing, and connection. Together, they explore the mind–body connection, the powerful concept of interbeing, and how tenderness opens the door to true belonging. Discover simple, transformative practices you can begin today, including “turning toward”—a practice that strengthens relationships and invites deeper presence into your life.

Check out Meena's TEDx talk, Unlocking the Secret Powers of Tenderness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ntM9rw9WdI

Scarlett’s podcast guests are Laura Bousquet, her son, Sean Patrick, an advocate for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Julia Rivera, parent of a child with FASD. FASD is the number one cause of learning disabilities, attention issues, emotional dysregulation and adaptive functioning. According to the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/), statistically, one in twenty students have FASD. It is important to raise awareness of FASD so that children can be correctly diagnosed and receive early intervention.They discuss FASD and the difficulty that Shawn Patrick had in getting the correct diagnosis. 

Visit this website to learn about the FASD Respect Act and get this implemented in your state:  https://nofaspolicycenter.org/the-fasd-respect-act/. This bill will continue the work done in the 117th Congress by thousands of advocates and lawmakers to pass meaningful legislation that will positively impact the lives of people diagnosed with FASD or prenatal substance exposure.

Listen to this podcast today to educate yourself about this disorder. Please share this with your family and friends to spread awareness and to get our kids the help they need and deserve.

Scarlett’s dynamic and motivational guest is Dawn O’Brien, Choose Love Ambassador for the state of Hawaii. Dawn inspires and leads teachers throughout the state of Hawaii all year long providing "Teacher Refreshers" and music and fun filled events with local DJs that get everyone to their feet and agreeing that “LOVE WINS!” In Hawaii, Choose Love is called Choose Aloha and Dawn’s incredible service has led Choose Love to being the #1 SEL program in the state! Dawn’s energy is infectious as she spreads Jesse’s message of ‘Have a Lot of Fun’ to over 310 schools in Hawaii. Scarlett and Dawn discuss how the Choose Love curriculum works to support students, families and communities to thoughtfully respond by Choosing Love.

When Dawn O’Brien Chooses Aloha and spreads the message of choosing love, she encourages people to find their ‘superpower’ and use it for a greater good. Dawn has recently published her second book, ‘Aloha Always Wins.’ It is based on a bullying incident that Dawn witnessed when she was in 3rd grade. Her story encourages kids to be an upstander, not a bystander. This book starts the important conversation with kids about bullying and how to thoughtfully respond with love. Dawn’s books incorporate Hawaiian culture and language and are incredible ways for parents and educators to meet on the level of the kids. 

Scarlett Lewis’ guest is Rick Rood, Choose Love New Mexico Ambassador and Choose Love Professional Development instructor, also 5th grade educator, who has been a professional coach/educator for over 30 years. He is proficient in math/music/tech and education so Rick uses all aspects of his brain to help kids, and big kids expand and excel to be the best versions of themselves! During the podcast he gives his take on education today and how to face some of the issues. He talks about intention, the issue of blame and using triggers as a reminder for positive action. Rather than 'behavioral management' he uses the philosophy of 'guidance' to place the emphasis on love, rather than fear. When we try to control someone else we will be met with resistance but if we act as role models and guides it is much more effective. Choose Love is offering a brand new individualized transformational coaching class with Rick Rood. Sign up today for our inaugural journey into becoming the best versions of ourselves in the classroom and out! For more information: www.chooselovecoachingorg

Scarlett Lewis continues her conversation with Jon Romano who has been released from serving a 17 year prison sentence for carrying out a school shooting in his high school in NY. He continues to heal and begins working in a homeless shelter. A man attacks him one day with knives and he becomes permanently disabled. Jon forgave the man, even advocating for a lighter sentence at his trial. He is trying to figure out how to move forward today and be part of the solution. A solution he says could come from educators never giving up on their students and through their love and caring. He believes social and emotional learning, starting as early as possible, would be helpful. He also believes that educators, parents, and students need to be aware of the resources that are available to them and make mental health a priority. In fact, Jon advocates for talking about brain illness rather than mental illness to reduce stigma and so more people will seek help. People make mistakes, learn and grow from them. We forgive people, as we forgive ourselves and allow them to take what they've learned to help others, and us in the process. 

Scarlett Lewis’ guest is reformed school shooter, Jon Romano, who discusses his state of mind when at sixteen years old, he walked into his East Greenbush, NY high school and opened fire. A teacher was shot and injured as staff tried to wrestle the gun away from him. Jon pled guilty and spent the next 17 years in several federal prisons, in the general population. He reveals how he faced depression and a sense of despair at the time of the shooting. Jon wants to raise awareness and resources to direct our attention to the prevention of school shootings by social emotional learning so students can identify their own emotions and communicate with others who are struggling. 

We can listen to Jon’s story and see him as a human being in pain. When we understand his thought process, unmet needs, and level of pain, we learn how and why school shootings happen. Instead of simply blaming, we can proactively prevent school shootings by offering assistance to kids like Jon who are struggling. Scarlett and Jon discuss positive action steps that we can take today. Listen to this powerful 2 part podcast.

Scarlett Lewis’ guest is reformed school shooter, Jon Romano, who discusses his state of mind when at sixteen years old, he walked into his East Greenbush, NY high school and opened fire. A teacher was shot and injured as staff tried to wrestle the gun away from him. Jon pled guilty and spent the next 17 years in several federal prisons, in the general population. He reveals how he faced depression and a sense of despair at the time of the shooting. Jon wants to raise awareness and resources to direct our attention to the prevention of school shootings by social emotional learning so students can identify their own emotions and communicate with others who are struggling. 

We can listen to Jon’s story and see him as a human being in pain. When we understand his thought process, unmet needs, and level of pain, we learn how and why school shootings happen. Instead of simply blaming, we can proactively prevent school shootings by offering assistance to kids like Jon who are struggling. Scarlett and Jon discuss positive action steps that we can take today.

Scarlett Lewis’ guest is Brenda Zofrea, from LET'S B SAFE which is research-based, non-fearful, easy-to-teach program to provide parents, teachers and children with the knowledge they need to help prevent the sexual abuse, abduction and sex trafficking of children. For over 20 years, educator and child safety expert, Brenda Zofrea, has been creating customized programs for prevention education that works.

Let’s B Safe gives children the knowledge to stop or prevent this from happening and Brenda explains how the fear-based ‘stranger danger’ that we have been teaching our children decreases their ability to ascertain real fear from not.  Brenda wants children to recognize strange behavior in anyone, not just strangers. Scarlett and Brenda discuss how we can be more thoughtful as parents about where we put our trust and teach our children that as well. This important podcast will teach you how to empower your children with the knowledge they need to be safe and create family safety rules. https://www.letsbsafe.com/

Scarlett Lewis’ podcast guest is Dr. Ned Hallowell, a board-certified child and adult psychiatrist and world authority on ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Scarlett and Dr. Hallowell discuss what ADHD is and how to make an ADHD diagnosis. Dr. Hallowell believes in treating this condition with a holistic, effective, and practical treatment plan that will reduce challenges and bring out the best in those diagnosed with ADHD instead of using medication. Scarlett and Dr. Hallowell discuss the pattern that fits the model of ADHD and how to make and understand the diagnosis. Dr. Hallowell explains how a big portion of the prison population, the unemployed, and the addiction population has undiagnosed ADHD and the importance of choosing love with these individuals. 

Dr. Hallowell is a graduate of Harvard College and Tulane Medical School, and was a Harvard Medical School faculty member for 21 years. He is the Founder of The Hallowell ADHD Centers in Boston MetroWest, New York City, San Francisco, Palo Alto and Seattle. He has spent the past four decades helping thousands of adults and children live happy and productive lives through his strength-based approach to neurodiversity, and has ADHD and dyslexia himself.

Check out Dr. Hallowell’s website at https://drhallowell.com/

Books by Dr. Hallowell: https://drhallowell.com/read/books-by-ned/