Boundaries aren’t walls that shut people out, they’re the guiderails that keep connection steady, respectful, and safe. We sit down with Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and certified mindfulness teacher, to unpack how clear, compassionate limits help kids and caregivers thrive without sliding into power struggles or burnout.

We start by defining healthy boundaries across daily life, including physical needs like sleep and downtime, emotional space during conflict, and relational agreements that reduce friction. Dr. Montminy introduces the "Four Cs": clarity about what matters, communication that is simple and respectful, consistency that builds trust, and compassion that keeps limits warm, not harsh. You’ll hear a practical, word-for-word script to calm tense moments: “When you do X, I feel Y, and I would like if we do Z instead.” We explore how to hold firm values while allowing flexibility at the edges through choice within limits and the Plan B mindset for life’s curveballs.

We also reframe the big myths. Boundaries aren’t selfish; they prevent resentment and protect the relationship. They don’t push people away when done kindly; they make connection safer. They aren’t rigid; they adapt without abandoning core values. And kids can absolutely understand limits, especially when we model them consistently. From morning routines to homework battles, from partner communication to self-care choices, you’ll learn small steps that ripple outward: two reminders then follow through, naming one clear “no” to protect a bigger “yes,” and agreeing on repair when words come out rough.

Walk away with concrete tools to set expectations, lower conflict, and support nervous system regulation during stressful moments. If you’re ready to trade repeating yourself ten times for calm, clear follow through, and to teach kids real resilience through everyday moments, this conversation offers scripts, structure, and hope. If it resonates, share it with a friend, then subscribe and leave a review so more caregivers can find these tools.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Strong bonds don’t happen by accident; they grow from small, repeatable choices that tell a young person, “You’re safe with me.” We sit down with Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and certified mindfulness teacher, to explore how connection, play, and consistent limits shape a child’s nervous system, build secure attachment, and make daily life smoother for everyone at home.

We start with the science of safety, how kids calibrate to our tone, pace, and posture and translate it into simple practices you can use today. You’ll hear how a five-minute morning routine can turn chaos into calm, why scheduling both fun and tough check-ins reduces nagging, and how to use the WAIT prompt to stop over-talking and start understanding. We share the funnel method for questions, moving from open-ended to multiple choice when needed, plus timing tips that make hard conversations easier; think car rides, walks, and side-by-side chats.

Then we tackle boundaries without the drama. You’ll learn why limits are acts of respect, how to follow through calmly, and a clean framework for earned freedom that teens accept. We model quick repair scripts, such as “I was frustrated; let’s try again,” to show kids mistakes are fixable and relationships can recover. By pairing warmth with structure, you create a secure base and a safe haven where confidence grows.

If you’re ready for fewer standoffs and more teamwork, this conversation gives you scripts, schedules, and small habits that stick. Subscribe, share with a caregiver who needs a lift, and leave a review to tell us the one change you’ll try this week.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

What if the most reliable way to help kids feel safe and resilient starts with how we care for ourselves? We sit down with clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher Dr. Peter Montminy to rethink self-care as a daily, relationship-centered practice that powers calm, connection, and growth. Together we map a practical path: “Time Off, Time In, Time Out” for restoring energy, regulating in real time with kids, and calling a reset when conflict spikes.

We dig into the foundations that actually change your baseline: sleep as the quiet superpower, movement and play as stress releases, and emotional hygiene through mindfulness, therapy, journaling, prayer, and creativity. We also confront the myths that keep adults stuck. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s how we refill the pitcher we pour from. It doesn’t demand hours or cash; three slow breaths can shift a hard moment. It won’t make you perfect; like a pilot, you course-correct again and again. And it’s not optional; we refuel cars and brush teeth without debate—our mental hygiene deserves the same daily respect.

You’ll hear simple, repeatable tools: set boundaries with tech to protect attention, use brief rituals like bedtime check-ins and device-free dinners, and try the “Time Choices” exercise to reclaim three hours a week for joy. Dr. Montminy’s “surprising life math” shows where time hides, and his language shift—from “I don’t have time” to “I choose this time”—turns resistance into momentum. Most of all, we underline a core truth: children learn self-regulation through attuned relationships with self-regulating adults. When we pause, breathe, and repair, kids borrow our calm and build their own.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Power struggles don’t have to define family life. With Dr. Peter Montminy—clinical child psychologist, certified mindfulness teacher, and parenting coach—we unpack a simple, repeatable approach that turns conflict into a coaching moment. Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) helps us keep authority while replacing standoffs with skill-building and trust, so mornings, homework, and bedtimes feel less like battlegrounds and more like opportunities to grow.

We start by challenging a common myth: kids aren’t “frequent offenders,” they’re frequent strugglers. That mindset opens the door to empathy and leads directly into the CPS three-step method. First, we listen with compassionate curiosity to understand the child’s concerns in their words. Next, we clearly name our own concerns and values—using “and,” not “but,” to keep connection intact. Finally, we brainstorm options, weigh pros and cons together, and choose a trial plan we’ll test and review. Along the way, we highlight the core skills CPS strengthens: emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, communication, focused attention, working memory, and perspective-taking.

Timing is everything. We map out “green-zone” huddles for calm, 10-minute planning and show how to briefly reference the plan in the heat of the moment without reigniting a power struggle. We also tackle common roadblocks—like a child who won’t engage or seems unmotivated—by lowering feeling temperatures and tapping into what they genuinely care about, from less nagging to more independence. The result is a home culture that pairs structure with empathy, reinforces clear expectations, and gives kids a voice in how they meet them.

If you’re ready for fewer fights and more follow-through, this conversation offers concrete language, practical scripts, and weekly check-in ideas you can implement tonight. Subscribe, share with a caregiver or educator who could use a calmer morning, and leave a review to tell us which routine you’re rewriting first.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Ever feel trapped in an emotional tornado? When intense feelings take over, our ability to think clearly, make good decisions, and connect with others disappears. The good news? There's a way out.

Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher, reveals how emotional regulation forms the foundation of resilience. He explains the fascinating brain science behind our emotional responses, distinguishing between our reactive "downstairs brain" and our reflective "upstairs brain." When we learn to pause between stimulus and response, we create space for choice – and that's where our growth happens.

One of the most powerful insights from this conversation is dismantling the myth of "bad" emotions. Anger, anxiety, sadness – these aren't enemies to be eliminated but signals carrying important information. The challenge isn't having these emotions but learning to regulate their intensity and expression. As Dr. Montminy shares, "We may not like how some emotions feel, but they serve a purpose."

Practical tools abound in this episode, from the simple yet transformative practice of "naming it to tame it" to using a "feeling thermometer" to gauge emotional intensity. You'll learn specific breathing techniques, muscle relaxation exercises, and strategies for helping children identify and manage their emotional experiences. Jana Marie Foundation also shares creative outlets that help young people process feelings in healthy ways.

Whether you're a parent wanting to raise emotionally intelligent children, an educator creating a supportive classroom environment, or someone seeking better ways to handle your own emotional responses, this episode offers clear, compassionate guidance for building this essential life skill. Remember: emotional regulation isn't about perfection – it's about practice. Small steps create powerful ripples of change. Listen now and discover how to step outside the emotional tornado.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

When life gets tough, what makes the difference between crumbling under pressure and finding the strength to move forward? The answer lies in resilience – not as an innate trait some lucky few possess, but as a skill we can all develop and nurture in ourselves and our children.

Dr. Peter Montminy joins host Marisa Vicere to break down what resilience truly means beyond the buzzwords. Rather than simply "bouncing back" from adversity, resilience involves adapting to stressors while maintaining psychological well-being and finding purpose despite challenges. The conversation dismantles common myths, revealing that resilience isn't something you're either born with or without – it's a capacity that grows with practice and support.

Through personal stories of parenting challenges and eldercare struggles, the hosts illustrate how resilience works in real life. Whether it's allowing a frustrated child to work through difficulties or navigating the complex emotions of caring for aging parents, these moments teach us to be comfortable with discomfort. The episode offers practical strategies anyone can implement: developing self-awareness, practicing self-compassion, building connections, finding purpose, and distinguishing between what we can and cannot control.

Parents and caregivers will appreciate the actionable advice for fostering resilience in children without solving all their problems for them. The hosts emphasize that when we step in too quickly to rescue kids from challenges, we unintentionally communicate that we don't believe they're capable of handling difficulty themselves. Instead, collaborative problem-solving builds both skills and confidence.

Ready to transform how you and your family face life's inevitable challenges? Listen, subscribe, and join the movement to create ripples of resilience that grow into powerful waves of change in your community.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

We've all heard the term "mental health," but what does it really mean for parents, educators, and the young people we care about? In this foundational episode, Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and mindfulness teacher, breaks down the essentials with refreshing clarity and compassion.

Mental health isn't simply the absence of illness—it's a continuum we all navigate daily. As Dr. Montminy explains, "We all have emotional and behavioral strengths and struggles," existing somewhere on the spectrum of "feeling good or not feeling so good." This perspective shift helps us move beyond stigma toward a more holistic understanding of psychological wellbeing.

For parents concerned about distinguishing typical adolescent behavior from potential problems, Dr. Montminy offers the practical "FIDs" framework—examining the frequency, intensity, and duration of concerning behaviors. Everyone experiences anxiety or sadness, but when these emotions become persistent, intense, or significantly disruptive to daily functioning, it's time to pay attention. His "psychological vital signs" approach provides a straightforward way to assess how well a child is feeling and functioning on a scale of 1-10.

The conversation culminates in a powerful three-step process for supporting mental wellness: pause, breathe, choose. By creating space between stimulus and response, we can meet challenging moments with what Dr. Montminy calls "compassionate curiosity"—approaching difficulties with genuine interest rather than judgment. "There's a way to say 'why did you do that?' that closes doors," he notes, "and a way that opens them."

Whether you're noticing concerning patterns in a child's behavior or simply want to build stronger foundations for emotional resilience, this episode offers practical wisdom for supporting mental wellness in the young people who matter most. Subscribe to Ripples of Resilience for more conversations that create waves of positive change in children's lives.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

How do we help young people navigate today's complex emotional landscape? The answer lies in building resilience—not just bouncing back from adversity, but developing the capacity to adapt to life's challenges as they happen.

Dr. Peter Montminy, clinical child psychologist and parenting coach from A Mindful Village, joins host Marisa Vicere, president and founder of Jana Marie Foundation, to explore this critical skill. They unpack what resilience really means: a combination of inner strengths (skills and mindset) and outer supports (social networks) that help children thrive despite difficulties. As Dr. Montminy explains, "Youth today are facing more stress, anxiety, and depression than ever before because the adult world has literally been downloaded on them at earlier and earlier ages."

The hosts introduce a powerful concept—"present, not perfect"—which liberates us all from impossible standards while focusing on what truly matters: showing up authentically for children. This presence creates the safety children need, not to avoid all risks, but to explore their world with confidence knowing they have support when needed. 

The episode concludes with a practical tool: "the power of the pause." This simple three-step approach helps adults check their intentions, regulate their emotions, and engage with children from a place of genuine presence rather than reactivity. By pausing, breathing, and connecting with our highest intentions for our children, we create meaningful interactions that ripple outward into lasting positive change.

Subscribe to Ripples of Resilience to join Jana Marie Foundation on this journey of supporting young minds through conversations that matter. Together, we'll explore strategies for stress management, emotional intelligence, difficult conversations, and self-care—because even the smallest actions can create waves of transformative change.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 for immediate support.

This podcast is brought to you by Jana Marie Foundation and A Mindful Village.

Jana Marie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in State College, Pennsylvania which harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations build connections, and promote mental health and wellbeing among young people and their communities. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

A Mindful Village is Dr. Peter Montminy's private consulting practice dedicated to improving the mental health of kids and their caregivers. Learn more at A Mindful Village | Holistic Mental Health Care for Kids.

Music created by Ken Baxter.

(c) 2025. Jana Marie Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

This podcast was developed in part under a grant number SM090046 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA, HHS or the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

As we're still in the first few weeks of the new year, we look back on what we learned from 2020 and what we might carry with us into 2021. 

We talked with Kelsey Williams, a graduate student and mother of three, Miriam Powell, Jana Marie Foundation's Community Engagement Manager and mother of two, and Madeline Snyder, a recent Penn State graduate and former intern of Jana Marie Foundation.

Links:

Jana Marie Foundation's Virtual Calming Room: HTTPS://janamariefoundation.org/virtual-calming-room

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Textline: text pa to 741741

Candid Conversation on Resiliency: https://janamariefoundation.org/get-informed/candid-conversations/

For the latest episode of the Elephants Heard podcast, we discuss grief and loss with Penn State graduate student, Maura Barrett, Tides Program Director Evelyn Wald, and trained educator and parent Valerie Silecchia. 

All three individuals shared their stories of their experiences with grief and loss, covering a wide range of health, job loss, and death, and the ways they continue to cope.

Resources:
Speaking Grief: a public media initiative aimed at creating a more grief-aware society by validating the experience of grievers and helping to guide those who wish to support them.  https://speakinggrief.org

Learning to Live: What's your story: a collaboration designed to create educational and conversational opportunities for meaningful intergenerational exchanges on loss, grief, growth, and transformation. http://learningtolivewhatsyourstory.org

Tides Program: Tides offers grief support to children, teens, and adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. https://tidesprogram.org

Jana Marie Foundation: an organization that harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations, build connections, and promote mental health and well-being among young people and their communities. https://janamariefoundation.org