Jagged Edge with Yogi Patel

What if a strength isn’t always a strength?

The qualities we bring to our work and relationships don’t operate in isolation. How we use them can change depending on whether we feel connected, capable, valued, and that we belong.

In this episode of Jagged Edge, Yogi Patel talks with Dr. Susan Belangee about Adlerian psychology, personality, belonging, and the purpose behind human behavior.

Dr. Belangee explores how tools such as BASIS-A can help us understand not simply what our traits are, but how we use them. She returns to a memorable playing-card metaphor: we may have certain cards in our hand, but we still make choices about when to play them, how to play them, and how long to hold onto them.

The conversation moves beyond assessment into an important leadership question: What happens to the way we use our strengths when we do—or don’t—feel that we belong?

Yogi and Susan explore curiosity as a leadership practice, why another person’s behavior can make complete sense to them even when it makes little sense to us, and how understanding the purposefulness of behavior can change workplace relationships.

The conversation ultimately brings us back to a question worth asking:

Am I helping to create spaces of belonging for others, or am I taking those spaces away?

In This Short Episode

* Why belonging influences how we use our strengths and traits

* The Adlerian idea of purposefulness of behavior

* Understanding ourselves beyond labels and personality scores

* What BASIS-A can reveal about how we approach life

* The playing-card metaphor for understanding our traits

* Why people’s behavior makes sense from their own perspective

* Curiosity as a leadership skill

* What we bring from our experiences and beliefs into workplace interactions

* Creating environments where people feel capable and able to contribute

* Why busy leaders can unintentionally lose sight of human connection

* Creating spaces of belonging at work, at home, and in our communities

A Question for Leaders

The next time someone’s behavior doesn’t make sense to you, rather than immediately correcting, judging, or solving, consider asking:

What might make this behavior make sense from their perspective?

Then turn the same curiosity toward yourself:

What am I bringing into this interaction, and how might my own sense of belonging be influencing the way I am using my strengths?

About the Guest

Dr. Susan Belangee brings an Adlerian perspective to understanding personality, behavior, relationships, and belonging. In this conversation, she shares how greater self-awareness can help people understand not only the traits they possess, but how those traits show up in their relationships, workplaces, and communities.

About Jagged Edge

Jagged Edge with Yogi Patel explores leadership beyond titles, tasks, and traditional management. Through conversations about belonging, behavior, culture, human connection, and the realities of leadership, Yogi invites listeners to consider how we can create workplaces where people feel respected, capable, connected, and able to contribute.

What happens when our own challenges lead us to discover a different way of working with children?

In this special conversation, I sit down with Dr. Jane Nelsen, co-founder of Positive Discipline, to talk about her personal journey into Positive Discipline and how those early experiences helped shape the work that has reached families and educators around the world.

Jane shares stories from the early days, including writing Positive Discipline and her work with Lynn Lott, as we explore many of the Positive Discipline tools and Adlerian ideas that continue to help adults build relationships based on dignity, respect, encouragement, connection, and belonging.

This conversation is about more than the history of Positive Discipline. It is an opportunity to hear the stories behind the work, revisit practical tools we can use with children, and remember why connection and encouragement matter so much.

Join us for a warm conversation filled with stories, learning, and practical wisdom.

What happens to learning when students are stressed?

In this Jagged Edge Insight, Yogi Patel and Dr. Lisa Riegel explore the connection between stress, executive functions, and critical thinking. Drawing on neuroscience and years of educational leadership, they explain why psychological safety isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s essential for learning.

When students feel emotionally safe, they are more likely to think critically, solve problems, collaborate, and take healthy risks. When they don’t, the brain shifts into survival mode, making learning far more difficult.

In this Learning Moment, you’ll discover:

• Why stress interferes with executive functions

• What psychological safety looks like in schools

• How leaders influence school culture

• The difference between compliance and genuine learning

• One practical idea to help students think more deeply

This conversation is for educators, parents, school leaders, and anyone committed to creating environments where people flourish.

🌐 Learn more:
 https://yogipateltte.com

🌐 Learn more about Dr. Lisa Riegel:
 https://lisariegel.com

Key Moments

• Harold and Bob: Why stress changes how the brain works
• Why psychological safety supports learning
• What weak thinking looks like in classrooms
• The Crew Boat leadership metaphor
• Measuring outcomes instead of outputs
• Building sustainable change in schools

Support the show

Let me know your topics of interest and join me for training or visit the website and read the blogs. Comment with your ideas and thoughts please.

Yogi Patel - Transformation Through Empowerment
Http://yogipateltte.com
[email protected]
@yogipatel_tte

Is today’s education system preparing students for the future—or the past?

In this episode of Jagged Edge, Yogi Patel sits down with Lisa Reigel, CEO of the Educational Partnerships Institute, to explore one of the biggest questions facing education today. https://lisariegel.com

Together they discuss why traditional models of schooling are struggling to keep pace with rapid technological change, how AI is reshaping the skills students need, and why executive functions, critical thinking, creativity, and human connection have never been more important.

Rather than asking, “How do we keep doing school?” this conversation asks a better question:

“How do we design learning environments where every student can flourish?”

In this episode you’ll discover:

• Why student disengagement is often a purpose problem

• Why preparing students only for today’s jobs is no longer enough

• The shift from content delivery to thinking, creativity, and problem solving

• Why executive functions are becoming essential life skills

• The changing role of teachers in an AI-powered world

• Practical ideas for educators, school leaders, and parents

If you’re passionate about the future of education, leadership, and human flourishing, this conversation is for you.

🎙 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, education, Positive Discipline, executive functions, and designing environments where people thrive.

00:00 – Why Education Needs a New Purpose

01:30 – From Content Delivery to Thinking Skills

03:00 – The Jobs of Tomorrow

05:00 – Preparing Students for What AI Can’t Replace

07:00 – Rethinking School Structures

09:30 – Why Executive Functions Matter

12:00 – The Teacher’s New Role

15:00 – Designing Schools for Human Flourishing

Support the show

Let me know your topics of interest and join me for training or visit the website and read the blogs. Comment with your ideas and thoughts please.

Yogi Patel - Transformation Through Empowerment
Http://yogipateltte.com
[email protected]
@yogipatel_tte

How neuroscience, executive functions, and human-centered leadership can transform education for the future.

Are today’s schools preparing students for the future, or for a world that no longer exists?

In this episode of Jagged Edge, Yogi Patel welcomes Dr. Lisa Riegel, educator, author, speaker, and CEO of the Educational Partnerships Institute, for a thoughtful conversation about the future of education in the age of artificial intelligence.

Together, they explore how executive functions, critical thinking, creativity, psychological safety, and purpose are becoming essential skills for both students and educators. Rather than asking how schools can keep up with technology, they ask a more important question:

How do we create learning environments where every student can flourish?

This conversation offers practical insights for educators, school leaders, parents, and anyone committed to helping people grow through meaningful relationships, purposeful learning, and environments designed for human flourishing.

In This Episode

• Why student disengagement is often a purpose problem
• How AI is changing what students need to learn
• Why executive functions are essential for lifelong success
• The importance of psychological safety in learning
• Why teachers are becoming designers of learning rather than simply deliverers of content
• Practical strategies for creating schools where curiosity, creativity, and connection thrive

Key Takeaways

✔ Learning is more than acquiring information—it is developing the ability to think, adapt, and contribute.

✔ Executive functions are foundational for success in school, work, and life.

✔ Psychological safety creates the conditions where learning and innovation can flourish.

✔ Education must prepare students not only for careers but for meaningful participation in a rapidly changing world.

Resources

Transformation Through Empowerment

🌐 https://yogipateltte.com

Helping parents, educators, leaders, and caregivers create environments where people flourish through connection, capability, contribution, and encouragement.

Learn more about Dr. Lisa Riegel

🌐 https://lisariegel.com

Connect with Yogi Patel

Website: https://yogipateltte.com

YouTube: @YogiPatelTTE

Podcast: Jagged Edge

Podcast: Now What?

About Jagged Edge

Jagged Edge is a podcast exploring the conversations that shape education, leadership, parenting, and organizational culture.

Each episode bridges research with practical application, helping listeners design environments where people feel connected, capable, encouraged, and empowered to contribute.

Because human flourishing doesn’t happen by chance, it happens by design.

Support the show

Let me know your topics of interest and join me for training or visit the website and read the blogs. Comment with your ideas and thoughts please.

Yogi Patel - Transformation Through Empowerment
Http://yogipateltte.com
[email protected]
@yogipatel_tte

In this episode, Dr. Adele Diamond shares groundbreaking insights into how executive functions—core cognitive skills like focus, emotional regulation, and flexibility—shape children’s learning, behavior, and life outcomes. Learn practical strategies to nurture these skills from infancy through adulthood and improve long-term success.
Main Topics:
What are executive functions and why they are essential for children’s development
The three core executive functions: inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility
How executive functions influence school readiness, academic achievement, and lifelong health
The impact of stress on executive function and strategies for creating supportive environments
Practical approaches inspired by Montessori education to foster self-regulation
The developmental trajectory of executive functions from infancy to early adulthood
How improving executive functions can mitigate behavioral challenges and promote social-emotional well-being
The extraordinary power of music and positive environment in aging and neuroplasticity
The importance of patience, belief, and love in nurturing children’s potential
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the importance of skills beyond intelligence in children's success

01:08 - Dr. Adele Diamond's background and her research into executive functions

01:44 - Defining executive functions: top-down control in the brain

02:13 - The three core executive functions and their subcomponents

03:09 - How inhibition controls behavior and its role in self-control and perseverance

04:07 - The role of working memory in relation to past, present, and future

05:05 - Cognitive flexibility: shifting mindsets and problem solving

06:31 - Why executive functions are crucial for thriving in education and life

07:40 - The feedback loops shaping a child's academic and emotional outlook

09:06 - Early predictors of academic competence and life outcomes

09:53 - The broad importance of executive functions across all domains of life

11:18 - The significance of inhibition and self-control for children’s readiness

11:59 - Strategies for developing inhibitory control early in childhood

12:41 - The importance of scaffolding, environment, and belief in children’s success

14:06 - Using visual cues and scaffolding to reinforce positive behaviors

15:29 - How a child's environment, love, and expectations influence development

16:42 - Dr. Diamond discusses her unexpected path into studying executive functions

17:11 - Cross-cultural aspects of control and maturation in early childhood

19:24 - How research on early cognitive development led to understanding executive functions

20:09 - Development of object permanence and working memory in infants

23:50 - The role of reward and external cues in early problem solving

24:39 - Typical developmental milestones and signs of struggle with executive skills

26:34 - Creating emotionally safe environments to foster regulation and resilience

27:17 - How stress impacts the prefrontal cortex and executive functioning

28:45 - The brain’s fear response and the importance of reducing stress for learning

30:40 - Recognizing when stress impairs children's behavior and learning

32:20 - Shifting from command-based teaching to nurturing independence

33:47 - The importance of patience, space, and reducing pressure for skill development

34:46 - How hands-on, relevance-based learning enhances executive development

36:09 - How physical activities and practical life tasks support focus and skills

38:23 - Developmental stages and neuroplasticity in growing brains

40:07 - The influence of aging on executive functions and strategies for lifelong improvement

40:34 - Findings from research on music, aging, and brain resilience

44:34 - Dr. Diamond’s ongoing research focus on aging and neuroplasticity

47:32 - Building caring community environments to support children's emotional regulation

49:14 - Final thoughts: children are developing skills, not simply misbehaving

Resources & Links:
ResearchGate - Adele Diamond
Music and Dementia video "Alive Inside"Connect with Dr. Adele Diamond:
ResearchGate
Research website of Adele Diamond
Why it works: it turns a dense conversation into a scannable summary with timestamps, which helps listeners quickly find the most valuable moments and increases retention.
Want me to turn this into a blog next?
Connect with Yogi Patel: Yogipateltte.com YouTube: @YogiPatelTTE

Subscribe to "Now What? with Yogi Patel - Transformation Through Empowerment" for more insights on Positive Discipline, Traditional Early Childhood and Montessori Education, and Raising Teens.

• Visit www.yogipateltte.com for additional resources and training for parents, teachers, and leaders
• Questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @Yogipatel_tte for updates and community discussions.

Let me know topics that you would like to hear in the future. 

In this episode, Dr. Christopher Willard shares practical insights on how mindfulness and emotional regulation can transform classrooms and homes. We explore early signs of dysregulation in children, effective adult strategies, and how modeling emotional awareness fosters resilience.
Key Topics

Early signs of dysregulation in children
Adult self-regulation techniques
Modeling emotional vocabulary and validation
Mindfulness practices for children and adults
The science behind breathing and brain regulation
Building resilience through emotional awareness

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Child Behavior and Emotional Regulation
06:43 The Journey to Mindfulness: Chris Willard's Story
13:04 Recognizing Early Signs of Meltdowns in Children
18:55 Techniques for Adult Self-Regulation
24:50 The Importance of Co-Regulation in Parenting
26:10 Mindful Parenting Techniques
27:50 Understanding Validation in Parenting
29:00 The Science of Emotional Regulation
32:40 Modeling Behavior for Emotional Growth
38:12 Navigating Teen Relationships
42:13 Micro Practices for Teachers
44:53 The Connection Between Regulation and Belonging
Dr. Christopher Willard (Psy. D):

 https://www.drchristopherwillard.com

Key notes | Workshops | Presentations | 

He can help you build a roadmap for transformation in yourself or your organization. Whether its a one time consultation or workshop, or a longer term business, coaching or therapeutic relationship, I'm here to create a customized plan and program for your needs as they relate to performance, communication, wellness and more.
Learn more now! https://www.drchristopherwillard.com/work-with-dr-chris-willard

Subscribe to "Now What? with Yogi Patel - Transformation Through Empowerment" for more insights on Positive Discipline, Traditional Early Childhood and Montessori Education, and Raising Teens.

• Visit www.yogipateltte.com for additional resources and training for parents, teachers, and leaders
• Questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @Yogipatel_tte for updates and community discussions.

Let me know topics that you would like to hear in the future. 

Subscribe to "Now What? with Yogi Patel - Transformation Through Empowerment" for more insights on Positive Discipline, Traditional Early Childhood and Montessori Education, and Raising Teens.

• Visit www.yogipateltte.com for additional resources and training for parents, teachers, and leaders
• Questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @Yogipatel_tte for updates and community discussions.

Let me know topics that you would like to hear in the future. 

Many of us move through life without realizing how deeply dignity shapes our relationships, conflicts, leadership, and sense of belonging. Yet when dignity is violated, the impact can feel as painful as a physical injury.

In this powerful episode, Yogi Patel sits down with internationally recognized dignity expert Dr. Donna Hicks to explore why dignity is one of the most important and overlooked human needs. Drawing on decades of conflict resolution work and neuroscience research, Donna explains how dignity injuries affect our brains, influence our behavior, and often sit at the heart of personal, organizational, and societal conflict.

Together, they discuss the 10 Essential Elements of Dignity and how leaders, educators, parents, caregivers, and community members can create environments where people feel seen, heard, valued, and respected.

You will learn:

• Why dignity violations trigger pain responses in the brain
• The 10 Essential Elements of Dignity
• How conflict often stems from unmet dignity needs
• Practical ways to restore trust and repair relationships
• What leaders can do to create psychologically safe environments
• How dignity impacts schools, workplaces, families, and communities
• Lessons from Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and global peacebuilding efforts
• Everyday strategies for acknowledging worth and fostering belonging

Whether you are a parent, educator, school leader, manager, coach, or simply someone who wants stronger relationships, this conversation offers practical tools for transforming conflict into connection.

When we understand dignity, we begin to understand ourselves and each other more deeply.

Watch the full video podcast on YouTube and join future leadership conversations at Yogi Patel – Transformation Through Empowerment.

Website: https://yogipateltte.com

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YogiPatelTTE

Follow for upcoming leadership, parenting, education, and Positive Discipline conversations.

Support the show

Let me know your topics of interest and join me for training or visit the website and read the blogs. Comment with your ideas and thoughts please.

Yogi Patel - Transformation Through Empowerment
Http://yogipateltte.com
[email protected]
@yogipatel_tte

Dignity is the unseen force shaping our conflicts, relationships, and communities—and yet, most people don’t realize it’s in constant danger. What if understanding how dignity works could transform the way we lead, resolve disputes, and heal wounds? Dr. Donna Hicks, a global leader on dignity and conflict resolution, reveals groundbreaking insights on how honoring our inherent worth isn’t just moral — it’s essential for social harmony and personal well-being. In this eye-opening conversation, Donna shares how neuroscience proves that dignity violations feel as painful as physical injuries—yet they’re invisible to the eye. She explains why dignity is fragile, how it’s often overlooked until it’s shattered, and why understanding our innate sense of worth is the key to reducing conflict both worldwide and within ourselves. We explore how historical figures like Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu knew that dignity is in our hands—literally—and how their leadership was rooted in this profound truth. Donna discusses the 10 universal elements of dignity, revealing simple, practical steps to foster respect, inclusion, safety, and trust in our schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll discover specific strategies to cultivate dignity in everyday interactions—whether mediating disputes, mentoring youth, or leading organizations—helping you create environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. We break down how deep-rooted evolutionary biology fuels defensive reactions that trigger conflict, but also how awareness, mindfulness, and systemic change can transform those impulses into compassion. If you’re a teacher, leader, parent, or conflict resolver, this episode offers a direct blueprint for reducing polarization, building trust, and inspiring joy even amid chaos. Why does ignoring dignity deepen divisions—and what is the immense opportunity for those who prioritize it? The stakes couldn’t be higher in a world fractured by polarization, inequality, and conflict. Yet, at the core of this chaos lies an untapped power: the ability to honor every person’s inborn worth. This episode is your call to action to see the humanity in others, heal invisible wounds, and lead with dignity at the heart of everything you do. This conversation is essential listening for anyone committed to transforming conflict into connection—and for those ready to build stronger, more compassionate communities. When we accept our dignity, we unlock a future where everyone truly matters.

If you like what you heard, a full podcast has much more to offer. 

Yogipateltte.com Watch the full video podcast on YouTube @YogiPatelTTE

Support the show

Let me know your topics of interest and join me for training or visit the website and read the blogs. Comment with your ideas and thoughts please.

Yogi Patel - Transformation Through Empowerment
Http://yogipateltte.com
[email protected]
@yogipatel_tte