Laurie McIntosh is an amazing change-making educator in Alberta who goes by @mrsmacskinders on the socials. She has made waves on the podcast with her previous appearances, discussing her unique and magical approaches to creating a sense of community and kindness within the classroom. She has just written a book with Dr. Jody Carrington called Teachers These Days, which focuses on the importance of teacher wellness as a conduit for student wellness and thriving. Laurie and I sit down to talk about how the pandemic has surprised us, the power of creativity as an expression of our humanity, and digging into our capacity for vulnerability. I hope you love this conversation as much as I did!

Dr. Michele Borba is a psychologist, educator, and the author of several books geared at promoting thriving and well-being in children. She blew my socks off during our interview with the number of the strategies she offered, her charismatic way, and her overall sense of optimism when it comes to setting our students up for resilient success. Check out her books Unselfie and Thrivers, anywhere you get your books. Shes a gem and I hope you feel as inspired by her as I did!

Fierce self-compassion is about saying yes to you and no to others. It’s the bravest, most generous thing you can do because through your actions, you’ll lead others to create healthy boundaries for themselves. Say yes to you!

Boundaries are the signposts that inform people how you wish to be treated. You don’t owe people more than you’re willing to give. Ever. Love yourself enough to establish your boundaries and stand confidently behind them.

Every day is an invitation to live life with intention. The narrative we craft around our experiences influence our overall perception of that experience. We can choose to lament the past or we can step boldly into the future, intentionally seeking opportunity and reflecting, with a sense of immense gratitude, on all that is good in our lives right now. What’s good right now? 

Life has a funny way of working out in the end. If you’re in a place of struggle or pain right now, recognize that it’s not the end. You’re in the messy middle and it won’t always feel like this. 

There is no shortage of knowledge. We live in an age of knowledge abundance.  

What’s important is our ability to curate the knowledge in such a way that it enables our forward momentum.  

What’s feeding your thoughts?  

What you surround yourself with either fuels and replenishes you or diminishes and drains you. Choose wisely.