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I'm so excited to welcome back Devon Harris to the podcast. Devon is a fellow Aware Parenting Instructor, Mum and supports families who have gifted children/parents.
In this episode Devon gives us an update on the last couple of years since she was first on the podcast in episode 19.
We also discuss:

• moving into the pre-teen years as parents and professionals
• routine and ritual of regular family meetings
• forming a strong foundation in early childhood with our children for long-lasting connection through the teen years
• really trusting our child's needs
• amplifying and developmental feedback
• raising gifted children
• finding the right therapist for you
• plus so much more

Where to Find Devon:
Email: [email protected]
linkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/devon-harris-65409869/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010436254368

Resources Mentioned:
Gagne's Differentiated Model Of Giftedness and Talent
Dabrowski's 5 over excitabilities
Your Rainforest Mind - Paula Prober
Releasing the Brakes - Marica Gross
Family Meetings by Aletha Solter PhD
Listening Partnerships - Hand In Hand Parenting
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Spirited Hearts Podcast, Episode 19 with Devon Harris

About Devon:
Devon Harris is a specialist in child and adolescent behaviour and an accredited Aware Parenting Instructor. She holds a Bachelors in Youth Studies and has over a decade of experience working directly with young people in a variety of settings from prisons to playgrounds. Since becoming a parent in 2013 she shifted her attention to supporting other parents to meet the developmental needs of their children as well as to capitalise on undesirable behaviour as an opportunity to deepen trust and connection. Devon is as passionate about Natural Learning and Aware Parenting as she is about yoga, meditation and travel. 

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In this week's episode I chat with Micarle Callea, Mum of 2 and owner of Fearless Homeschool. Micarle was a secondary teacher before commencing her homeschooling journey. She is the host of the Australian Homeschooling Summit and Neurodiveristy Homeschooling Summit.
In this episode we discuss:

• Micarle's journey into homeschooling and her background as a secondary school teacher
• The benefits of mixed-age learning
• Having passionate mentors on your child's learning journey
• Learning that involves deep diving and rabbit holes
• How learning is different for everyone
• The potential harm of learning outcomes
• Plus so much more

Where to Find Micarle
Website: Fearless Homeschool
Facebook: Fearless Homeschool
Instagram: @fearlesshomeschool

Resources Mentioned:
The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Mindset by Carol Dweck

About Micarle:
"Before we started on our family’s homeschooling journey, I spent 15 years working with teens as a secondary teacher. As a teacher, I was constantly in awe of the young adults around me. The wisdom, responsibility, ingenuity, kindness and the love of learning displayed, when given the opportunity to follow their true interests and passions, always left me humbled. When it came to our own little humans we gave traditional schooling a go, but quickly decided it wasn’t for us. In amongst all this, I run literacy intervention sessions, I am creating an online program to share methods and resources. AND I am an executive function coach.
Fearless Homeschool was founded by Kelly Kotanidis, in 2016, to help homeschoolers gain the confidence to step away from the school model and create an interesting and wildly effective education for their families.
In 2023 I stepped in to continue and expand on Kelly’s vision. We have helped thousands of families embrace their own quirky style of natural learning with
free homeschooling resources, homeschooling courses, and the yearly Australian Homeschooling Summit.

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For the first time ever, my highly requested book reviews are now on the podcast. In this episode I share with you my reviews and ratings of the books I read in the first 6 months of 2024. 

Here is a list of those books:

• The Women by Kristin Hannah
• The Last Devil to Die (#4 in series) by Richard Osman 
• The Bullet that Missed (#3 in series) by Richard Osman 
• The Man Who Died Twice (#2 Thursday Murder Club) by Richard Osman
• The Thursday Murder Club (#1 in series) by Richard Osman
• The Angry Women's Choir by Meg Bignell 
• The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris 
• The Hidden Storyteller by Mandy Robotham 
• Funny Story by Emily Henry 
• Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
• Still Life by Sarah Winman
• The Sugar Palace by Fiona McIntosh
• NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman 
• Unique: What autism can teach us about difference, connection and belonging by Jodi Rodgers
• Between Therapist and Client: The New Relationship by Michael Kahn
• An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey by Peter A. Levine
• The Vagus Nerve Reset by Anna Ferguson 
• Time Magic by Melissa Ambrosini

You can also read my brief written review and rating on my website here.

The Heartfield Way Mentor Program will officially be LIVE on 8 August. Until then you can visit my website to learn more about this revolutionary new program I have spend 2 decades working towards. Anyone on the waitlist will get a special discount code to celebrate the launch.

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I am excited to introduce you to Belynda Smith, an Aware Parenting Instructor, Hand-in-Hand Instructor, book lover and Mum of 2 boys.
In this episode Belynda shares her journey into books and parenting, and the biggest things that have helped her on her journey.
We then discuss:
- moving into accepting feelings in children
- how listening partnerships changed our parenting
- how to start listening partnerships
- how listening partnerships support us to become better parents
- plus so much more

Where to Find Belynda:
Website: Belynda Smith
Instagram: @belyndasmithparenting
Podcast: Tales from the Toolbox
Mailing List: Belynda Smith

Resources Mentioned:
Listen by Patty Wipfler & Tosha Schore
The Emotional Life of Babies by Marion Rose
I'm Here & I'm Listening by Marion Rose
Marion's Inner Loving Presence Process

About Belynda:
Belynda supports parents so families flourish. She offer parents support, empathy and empowerment to find insight, clarity, transformation and spaciousness in their parenting. She offers 1-1 Mentoring, workshops, blog posts, podcasts and more. Belynda enjoys working with parents who have deep knowledge and experience of connection-focused parenting, and those who are new to these ideas.  The Aware Parenting and Hand in Hand Parenting approaches have brought real and radical changes that have allowed her family to shine. She loves working with families where children are 2-13 years old; working with sibling challenges, aggression, highly sensitive children (and those with formal diagnoses); co-parenting; finding playful ways to connect; and supporting primary teachers, hi

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Welcome to the very first episode of the 2024 season! I'm so excited to share more inspiring conversations in the 2rd year of the Spirited Hearts podcast.
In this episode I share with you what I have been up to for the first half of 2024, including the much anticipated: The Heartfield Way Mentor Program. This is the first time I will be speaking on this truly incredible program in a bit more detail. Including all the topics that will be covered, the community component and so much more. Anyone that is on the Wait List before its release on 8 August 2024 will be given a discount code, which can be used in conjunction with the special Launch price. Both will only be valid for the first 3 weeks after launch.

The rest of this episode explores:
* The importance of building connection and trust
* Why the relationship is central to parenting, education and therapy
* Collaborating for creative problem-solving
* Why children behave uncooperatively and what the remedy is
* Why trust is crucial and how that can look
* Plus much more

To be added to The Heartfield Way Mentor Program WAIT LIST, please send Stephanie an email [email protected] or send a message via Instagram @stephanieheartfield

To sign up for the incredible and highly recommended Play Files, please click here


ABOUT STEPH:
Stephanie Heartfield is a Trauma-informed & Neuro-affirming Play Therapist, Counsellor, Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor and Early Childhood Educator.
Steph has spent almost 20 years dedicated to child development, trauma and providing support to children, their families and early childhood educators.
She created her Natural Learning Haven (registered Family Day Care) alongside her husband, Lukas to provide the strongest emotionally supportive environment in the industry, which is trauma-informed, and where children have the space and freedom to be their beautiful, unique selves.
Steph is the creator of The Heartfield Way Mentor Program. This is for teachers, educators, parents and anyone wanting to create their own trauma-informed natural learning spaces at school, childcare and home. The intention is to elevate connection, awareness and joy for children and adults.
Steph provides 1:1 support for parents all over the world, providing a space filled with unconditional acceptance, compassion, empathy and deep listening. Assisting parents with their own childhood traumas, as well as offering healing solutions for many parenting challenges from tantrums and crying to sleep and separation anxiety.
Steph has two children (aged 11 and 7), who she has raised with Aware Parenting since the moment they were born.
To find out more about Steph please visit her website https://stephanieheartfield.com or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stephanieheartfield

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The final episode of 2023 is here, and what a wonderful, insightful and fun conversation this is with author, speaker and teacher, Dr Sarah Pye.
In this episode, Sarah shares her fascinating childhood of being boat-schooled across the waters of Europe and across the Atlantic Ocean, and how these experiences shaped who she is and what she does.
We also discuss:
- Experiential learning
- The importance of nature in childhood learning and development
- Connecting children to nature
- How Sarah got her Doctorate, even though she did not go to school
- How the Wildlife Wong book series came about
- Why Universities love homeschoolers
- The importance of libraries and librarian teachers
- Plus so much more

Where to Find Sarah:
Website: Dr Sarah Pye - Author & Speaker
Facebook: Sarah Pye Author Speaker Environmentalist
Instagram: @author_sarahrpye

Resources Mentioned:
Fourteen Wolves by Catherine Barr
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
Wombat Warriors by Samantha Wheel

ABOUT SARAH:
Sarah may be a writer, speaker and teacher, but that hasn’t always been the case. Sarah was born on a tiny British outpost jutting into the Mediterranean called Gibraltar and spent the summers of her first decade plying the waters of the Norfolk broads aboard a classic clinker-built wooden boat. When she was 13, Sarah’s teacher parents moved their family onto a 30ft ketch. Sarah was boat-schooled by the world around her — holding night watches, grocery shopping in foreign ports, and hunkering down in ranging storms.
At 17, Sarah left her floating home for college in the United States. Then, with a hospitality management degree under her arm, continued her westward migration to Hawaii, and on to Australia’s Whitsunday Islands. Sarah’s business, Ocean Rafting was awarded the Queensland Tourism Award for Best Adventure Product in 2001.As a single parent, Sarah completed her Master of Communication degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast and published a guidebook called Kids Welcome to Queensland in 2009. The resulting travel business led to Sarah being named Sunshine Coast Small Business Woman of the Year in 2010.
A trip to Borneo with her daughter changed the trajectory of Sarah’s life when she met Wong Siew Te. She commenced her Doctor of Creative Arts Degree in 2016, exploring how narratives can be used to engage non-scientists in conservation. In 2018, She took a break from the books to walk 800km across Spain, and in 2020, Wong’s biography, Saving Sun Bears was published.
Sarah hopes there are many more adventures to come. Next, she plans to kayak down the Murray River, following in the wake of her inspirational parents who completed something similar a quarter of a century ago.

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In this episode, I have the pleasure of welcoming back fellow Aware Parenting Instructor, Danni Willow. We are both passionate about supporting people through grief and loss, and we share so much in just one episode, that there will probably be a part 2 coming out next year. If you listen to only one episode, let this be the because it is so vital to our own wellbeing and our child/ren's development.
 We discuss:
* The smaller everyday losses, as well as the big losses
* Outdated traditional models of grief vs modern models which are more realistic and supportive
* Rituals to support the grieving process
* How our culture has medicalised death
* How to support ourselves and our loved ones through the grieving process
* Subtle and disenfranchised grief
* The downfall of having "backup toys" if your child loses a loved toy, and the consequential message that sends about loss and grief
* Allowing children to see our grief, as an importance part of their development
* Intergenerational grief
* Plus so much more

Where to Find Danni:
Website: https://www.thewayofthewoman.com.au/
Facebook: The Way of the Woman
Instagram: Danni Willow

Resources Mentioned:
Ep 30. Exploring Food & Self-Regulated Eating with Danni Willow
Ep 10. Creating Villages and Connections on Our Motherhood Journeys with Danni Willow
Ep 39. Reflecting on 10 Years as a Parent (how Expectations are a Loss that lead to Grief)

ABOUT DANNI:
Danni is a Parent educator, Aware Parenting instructor, Early Childhood Educator, Primary school teacher, holder of sacred space for Mother and women circles and mumma to two beautiful souls.
She is the founder of The Way of the Woman supporting mothers to reclaim the empowered mother within themselves.
Danni is a woman of the earth who connects deeply with cycles of the seasons. She is passionate about story sharing in motherhood and supporting mothers to build ritual and connection into their everyday lives.
Before having children, she trained as an Early Childhood Educator and worked in a range of early years settings. Once she was qualified, she worked in a primary school setting teaching foundation and grade 5/6.
During her third year of teaching, she completed a Master of Education in Student Wellbeing.
Although Danni felt she could make a difference by becoming a teacher and supporting children, she realised after having her two girls, that the greatest place for supporting others to make changes is with their own mothering.
Danni offers mothers support through 1-1 sessions, circles, workshops and containers.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, so these inspiring conversations can reach more people.

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In this episode I invite fellow Aware Parenting Instructor, Kirsty Fernandes on the podcast to share her passion for postpartum support during motherhood. Over the course of the episode we share our own postpartum experiences. Kirsty shares her own journey into what led her to working with mothers, and that the postpartum period extends for our entire lives once we have children.
We also discuss:

• the differences in Western Culture and Traditional Cultures in supporting the Mother
• How to go into the postpartum period feelings empowered
• The positive impact of intergenerational communities and support
• How the medicalisation of birth is detrimental to the Mother and Baby
• How it's never too late to recover from the immediate postpartum period
• Setting boundaries with healthcare providers and loved ones
• Plus so much more

Where to Find Kirsty:
Website: Honouring Mama
Instagram: @kirstyfernandeshonouringmama
Facebook: Kirsty Fernandes - Honouring Mama

Resources Mentioned:

• Nurtured Postpartum Workshops with Kirsty
• Aware Parenting books by Dr Aletha Solter
• The Willingness Practice by Marion Rose PhD
• The Spirited Hearts Play Files
• Kinship Connection with Steph & Nic
• Episode 52: Introducing Kinship Connection
• Parenting Journey Support Packages
• Educator/Teacher Mentoring Packages

ABOUT KIRSTY:
Kirsty is wife to Duane and Mama to a beautiful 6 year old daughter and gorgeous 4 year old son, Aware Parenting Coach, postpartum care provider, and passionate advocate for Mama and families getting the support they need and deserve throughout their fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting journey.

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In Part 3 of our Homeschooling Series, we bust open one of the biggest myths surrounding homeschooling: how will my child be socialised?
We both share our personal experiences on this, as well as share the evidence and research surrounding how children socialise, and how Western culture has created an artificial 'socialisation' that was not evident in hunter-gatherer societies.
We are discuss:
- how schools and preschools can be detrimental to a child's social development
- the freedom and choice that comes from homeschooling
- the harm of segregated education for children - as seen in the schooling system
- how mixed-aged education promotes better social development, higher literacy and numeracy skills, and more compassionate and kind children
- plus so much more

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 35 with Peter Gray
• Episode 52 with Steph & Nic on Kinship Connection
• Article - The Special Value of Age-Mixed Play I: How Age Mixing Promotes Learning by Dr Peter Gray
• Article - Age-Mixed Play II: Its Benefits for Social Development by Dr Peter Gray
• Article - Age-Mixed Play III: Play is More Playful When it is Age-Mixed by Dr Peter Gray

ABOUT STEPH:
Steph is a Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor, Early Childhood Educator, Play Therapist and Parenting Support Counsellor. She has worked with parents and children for over a decade. With degrees and qualifications in psychology, counselling and early childhood education, Steph is extremely passionate about child development, trauma, attachment and neuroscience. She works with parents and educators from around the world, supporting them through 1:1 mentoring sessions and online courses. As well as co-operating a Family Day Care alongside her husband.

ABOUT NIC:
Nic is a Level 1 Aware Parenting Instructor and Marion Method Mentor. Nic is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with parents from around the world. She loves supporting children and parents navigate challenges at school.

KINSHIP CONNECTION with Steph & Nic:
Steph and Nic are incredibly excited to introduce you to something that we are so passionate about; Kinship Connection. This is a safe, supportive and accepting space for children aged 6-12 years old and their families. To find out more click here.

If you would like us to respond to any of your reflections, queries or questions during an episode in this homeschooling series, please feel free to contact Steph or Nic on Instagram @spirited_hearts or @peacefulparenting and Steph's website or Nic's website.

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In this week's episode, I'm excited to introduce you to Patricia Lohan. She is a Feng Shui Expert, Coach, Healer and Passionate Entrepreneur who helps thousands of women all across the world design the lives they want to live.
Patricia shares her own journey, before we discuss:
- What is Feng Shui and where did it originate
- How Feng Shui can support our relationships
- Creating supportive and restful bedrooms for our children and ourselves
- The detrimental effect of certain colours on our health, in particular areas of our homes
- Curating books, toys and clothes to create more harmony
- Plus so much more

Where to Find Patricia:
Website: Patricia Lohan
Instagram: @powerhousefengshui

Resources Mentioned:
The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer
Patricia's Free Resources

ABOUT PATRICIA:
Born and bred in Western Ireland, Patricia has always felt the deep dichotomy of life. On the one hand, she set out on the spiritual path quite young, at 15. But at the same time, she had a burning passion for business, progress, and the financial rewards that come with it. But because she didn’t know how to reconcile those two aspects of herself, her energy was unbalanced, and she was stuck in a life she felt wasn’t hers. Then, suddenly, she decided to finally step into her destiny and start creating the life she wanted for herself. She moved to India to study as a yoga teacher. But what REALLY moved the needle was deciding to delve deep into the ancient practice of Feng Shui. Applying these timeless tips, techniques, and tools was a total game-changer. Patricia wants to bring her knowledge, expertise and positive power to women just like you. Yes, you can achieve anything you want with the right mental attitude and these 5,000-year-old tried and tested techniques. Patricia has worked with women from all walks of life: successful and aspiring entrepreneurs, homemakers, women in corporate, artists, writers, athletes, heart-centred coaches, healers, designers…One thing they all have in common? They decided to level up. Invest in themselves. Stop asking for approval. She has appeared in various media outlets, and she has been sharing her insights and knowledge with over 40,000 people in her online community.