Spirited Hearts the podcast

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This episode is dedicated to all the educators and teachers around the world who are burnout and drowning in a system that is unsupportive and harmful to both them, and the children in their schools and daycares.
As an Educator myself, I have had enough of the lack of accountability and responsibility the education system/department of education has assumed in its failings for teachers and children, so I'm call them out. I'm bringing to light all the things that aren't seen by society. All the paperwork, documenting, high turnover rates and low emotional health that teachers are subjected to day in, and day out.
I share numerous scientific research studies that reveal eye-opening and heartbreaking experiences that many educators deal with.
This topic is so big, yet I have managed to condense it down to a regular length episode.
I also share some extremely exciting news, so you'll need to listen to find out what's coming up soon for myself and Spirited Hearts.
 
Resources Mentioned:
Dr Peter Gray on the Spirited Hearts Podcast
Free to Learn by Dr Peter Gray
Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto
NASA Study from the 1960s
Raising Wildlings episode with Woodline Primary Principal

ABOUT STEPH:
Stephanie Heartfield is the creator and founder of Spirited Hearts® which is a multi-service community supporting children, families and educators. She is a Parenting Support Counsellor, 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 will be soon be launching the very first live round for her Mentor Program for the Spirited Hearts Approach to Early Learning & Childhood. This is for teachers, educators, parents and anyone wanting to create their own trauma-informed natural learning haven from home and in their community.
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 10 and almost 7), who she has raised with Aware Parenting since the moment they were born. They are both homeschooled following a life (natural) learning approach.
To find out more about Steph please visit her website https://spiritedhearts.net or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spirited_hearts 

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In this episode, I'm joined by Nichole Hamilton, founder of The Kidz Coach, Entrepreneur, Speaker and Holistic Healer. Nic's passion is to create safe havens for children, whether that be at home or at school.
Nic vulnerably shares her journey, including her personal healing journey that led her to doing this incredible work in the world.
We also discuss:

• The importance of connection and attachment
• How societal constructs impact parenting
• Why it's crucial to repair any disconnections we have created with our children; both as parents and educators/teachers
• Accepting everyone for the unique individual that they are
• Plus so much more

Where to Find Nic:
Website: The Kidz Coach
Instagram: @thekidzcoach_nichole_hamilton
Facebook: Nichole Hamilton

Resources Mentioned:
Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill
Nichole's Free Program

ABOUT NIC:
With over 8 years of experience working with children, Nichole possesses a deep understanding of their emotional well-being and behavioral challenges. Her passion lies in creating a safe and nurturing space for children to express themselves fully, helping them navigate through difficult times and empowering them to reach their full potential.

Nichole’s expertise extends beyond traditional therapy methods. She is a certified play therapist, master hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner, and Reiki energy healer. Through her comprehensive skill set, she merges therapeutic modalities with play, connection, and empowerment to support children in healing and transforming their lives.What sets Nichole apart is her genuine love and dedication to helping children thrive. She believes in the power of unconditional love, providing children with a safe haven where they can feel seen, heard, and valued. By incorporating play and engaging activities, Nichole creates an environment that fosters emotional growth, resilience, and improved communication.

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After receiving so much positive feedback about Part One of the Homeschooling Series, we are excited to share with you Part Two. We both enjoyed this conversation so much. Nic had many of her questions answered, and Steph loved reflecting on her own journey as a homeschooling parents.
In this episode we discuss:

• The different types of homeschooling - including Distance Education, Structured Homeschooling, Unschooling & Natural Learning, and Eclectic Homeschooling
• Deschooling - what it is, how to do it, and how it can help you heal your own school traumas and hurts
• How neither of us remember anything about what we were taught at school
• Creating meaningful learning experiences for our child/ren
• Plus so much more

ABOUT STEPH:
Steph is a Level 2 Aware Parenting Instructor, Early Childhood Educator 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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We are so incredibly excited to FINALLY share with you something we have been working on together for the past year.
Introducing: Kinship Connection
In this episode we share and discuss:

• How Kinship Connection started and what it involves
• Meaningful friendships
• Listening partnerships for children
• How to nurture empathy and compassion
• Going beyond school labels
• Preventing depression and anxiety through emotional and social wellbeing (the core of Kinship Connection)
• Our monthly Kinship Cubby
• Plus so much more

Kinship Connection is for families with children aged 6-12 years old.
We are here to support parents and children with unconditional acceptance, compassion, understanding and joy.

We only have space for 30 families in Kinship Connection, so if you would like to join please click here to join today.

FIND STEPH AT:
Website: Spirited Hearts
Instagram: @spirited_hearts

FIND NIC AT:
Website: Peaceful Parenting
Facebook: Peaceful Parenting
Instagram: @peacefulparenting

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In the Steph & Nic's Homeschooling Series, we are so excited to share with you our journeys, fears, apprehensions and knowledge. This series will comprise of several parts and will be released over the coming months.
In part one we took a deep dive into how each of us came to the decision to homeschool our children, including Nic's desire to homeschool, yet still having her daughter at school.
We also discuss:
- some of the fears we have with homeschooling - i.e. how will I teach my child to read?
- how schooling affected Steph's eldest child, and why her younger child has more freedom in himself
- why meaningful learning elevates instrinsic motivation
- school trauma and bullying
- how to support your child if you cannot homeschool, including helpful questions you can ask your child at the end of every school day
- the importance of mixed-age schooling and socialisation
- plus so much more

Resources Mentioned:
Ep 27 The Power & Freedom of Expressing Our Authentic Self with Nic Wilson
Ep 33 Supporting & Advocating for Our Children at School with Nic Wilson
Ep 35 The Freedom to Learn & Play with Peter Gray
Blog Post - My 10 year old's Traumatic Memory of When he was One Day Old
How Children Learn by John Holt
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg

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 spiritedhearts.net 

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Welcome to Episode 50! In this week's episode, I felt called to speak about raising a connected family, something I am very intentional with in my own family.
I reflect back on my own childhood, and all the areas where connection was present, including how my grandparents and parents shaped my core value of 'family.'
I also share with you all the ways that I bring connection to my own family:
- Presence time
- Family Collaborations
- The importance of honest, open communication
- How to repair the connect with our child/ren after a rupture
- Accountability and reflections
- Re-parenting ourselves
- Listening partnerships
- Plus so much more

Where to Find Me:
Website: Spirited Hearts
Instagram: @spirited_hearts

Resources:
The Spirited Hearts Play Files
1:1 Sessions

About Me:
Stephanie Heartfield is the creator and founder of Spirited Hearts® which is a multi-service community supporting children, families and educators. She is a Parenting Support Counsellor, Aware Parenting Instructor and Early Childhood Educator.
Steph has spent the better part of two decades, dedicated to child development, trauma and providing support to children, their families and early childhood educators.
She created her Natural Learning & Healing 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 will be soon be launching the very first live round for her Certification Program for the Spirited Hearts Approach to Early Childhood & Learning. This is for teachers, educators, parents and anyone wanting to create their own trauma-informed natural learning haven from home and in their community.
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 of her own who are homeschooled, as well as a chocolate lab, ragdoll cat and five chickens. 

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In this week's episode, you will hear the insightful wisdom of Natalie Cook from Untamed Me and SheGathered. Natalie supports women to connect with the unique energies of their cycle, and to plan life around your unique rhythms.
Natalie shares her story and journey that led her to doing this amazing work in the world.
We also discuss:
- reconnecting to our cycle
- the energy of the inner seasons
- living in alignment with your unique energy
- planning your life and family around you cycle
- setting boundaries to honour your cycle
- how to bring your family onboard
- plus so much more

Where to Find Natalie:
Website: Untamed Me
Instagram: @untamedme_ and @shegathered_

Resources:
- Robbie Arnott books
- Women Who Run with The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
- Brooke Tumber episode 26
- Tiffany Gesler episodes: Episode 7 and Episode 44

ABOUT NATALIE:
Natalie is a woman who believes in the power of the foundational connection to the cycle within her and to the cycles of the earth surrounding her.  She dreams of opening up this connection for other women to give them what it has given her - connection to her truth as a woman.  Untamed Me was created as a resource to support busy women in building this deep connection to the truths in their bodies through connection to their inner cycles.

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In this week’s episode, I welcome back Tamika Rose to discuss the importance of having trauma-informed support on our healing journey.
Tamika shares her own trauma and healing journey, what she found helpful and what she didn't over the past 17 years.
We also discuss:
- why all feelings are valid
- toxic positivity
- when coaches/mentors/therapists inadvertently contribute to trauma on the healing journey
- what happens when we suppress our feelings
- how the nervous system is formed in the womb
- creating safety to authentically express ourselves
- relational trauma
- Plus so much more

Where to Find Tamika
Website: www.tamikarose.love
Instagram: @tamikarose.love
Facebook: Tamika Rose - Emotional Healing, Inner Child & Soul Embodiment Guide

Resources:
Books by Gabor Mate

ABOUT TAMIKA
Tamika Rose has been supporting others in transformational emotional healing since 2007 and sacred feminine soul embodiment work since 2016. During this time, she has impacted over 7,000 people in her 1 on 1 sessions, seminars, retreats, webinars and online courses. Tamika's healing journey has been one of very deep emotional healing and the reclamation and embodiment of her soul. Her journey has shown her that it is possible to completely heal, find wholeness and step into your true self no matter what you have endured in your past. After coming home and connecting with her own soul and the Divine, she now supports others on this Sacred Journey Home.

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In this week's episode I have the absolute pleasure introducing you to Bianca Nelson, aka The Aboriginal Naturopath. Bianca is a degree qualified Naturopath, Nutritionist, Iridologist, proud Yuin woman and mother who is passionate about supporting individuals to deeply understand their body’s unique wisdom so they can thrive and feel their best.
Bianca shares her journey into the work she does,  and how it began for her, as a child with her Mother in their backyard garden. Bianca also tells of her background in refuges, care and leaving care, and how trauma background inform her work.
We also discuss:
* how women can support themselves through the conception journey
* conscious conception
* environmental toxins and their detrimental effect to fertility and hormones
* supporting ourselves with nourishing food, living a nurturing lifestyle and creating the best support team
* plant medicine
* the trauma/stress response
* plus so much more

WHERE TO FIND BIANCA:
Website: Bianca Nelson
Instagram: @theaboriginalnaturopath
Wellness Centre: Meraki Wellness Centre

RESOURCES:
Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Dreaming Path by Paul Callaghan with Uncle Paul Gordon

ABOUT BIANCA:
I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the beautiful Darkinjung land on which I live and work. My business is 100% Aboriginal owned and operated.
I am a degree qualified Naturopath, Nutritionist, Iridologist, proud Yuin woman and mother who is passionate about supporting individuals to deeply understand their body’s unique wisdom so they can thrive and feel their best. 
I feel strongly about holding a safe space for patients to feel heard, supported and empowered. I concurrently work in the community welfare field where I have gained valuable insights into healing trauma and cultivating emotional resilience. I incorporate this knowledge and empathetic approach into my practice. 
I offer a gentle treatment approach which weaves clinical insights with the ancient wisdom of plant medicines, food as medicine, lifestyle modifications and client education to deliver a deep healing experience which will bring the body back into balance and uncover the root cause of health concerns. 
My special interests include women’s health, mental health/emotional wellbeing, hormonal imbalances, preconception, postpartum support, stress, exhaustion and sleep difficulties. As a busy mother to a young child I am especially passionate about supporting mothers to feel their best. 

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I'd love to introduce you to this week's wonderful guest, Lia Wong from Raising Orion. Lia is an Aware Parenting Instructor, Neuro-Energetic Kinesiologist and she is trained as a Birth Doula.
In this episode, Lia shares her journey into Aware Parenting, and how she went from sleepless nights with her son, to supporting her son to feel truly relaxed to sleep soundly all night.
We also discuss:
* looking outside of physical needs, as to why our child is crying
* understanding the needs and feelings of babies
* the biological function of tears (crying)
* benefits of play and laughter, for both children and parents
* why Aware Parenting also supports and heals parents
* why listening partnerships are crucial in our parenting journey
* plus so much more

Where to Find Lia:
Website: Raising Orion
Instagram: @raising.orion
Instagram: @liajwong

Resources:
The Aware Baby by Aletha Solter
Raising Resilient and Compassionated Children by Lael Stone and Marion Rose
Heart to Heart Parenting by Robin Grille
Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine
Hold on to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate
Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate
When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate
Episode 30 Exploring Food and Self-Regulated Eating with Danni Willow on Spirited Hearts Podcast

ABOUT LIA:
Lia’s belief that kinesiology can help people live their best life is rooted in her own experiences as a former professional ballroom dancer, and entrepreneur. After ten years of competitive dancing and sustaining several injuries, she jumped right into launching a boutique digital agency. She soon found herself suffering from chronic pain, a weakened immune system, anxiety and a broken heart. Kinesiology helped her uncover the stressors that impacted her ability to heal. Inspired and grateful for this revelation, Lia dedicated herself to studying this healing modality and is a certified Neuro-Energetic kinesiologist as well as an Aware Parenting instructor. Passionate about gentle birth, parenting for a new paradigm and trauma-informed care, she is also trained as a birth doula having studied with Ibu Robin Lim and childbirth educator Debra Pascali-Bonaro. In Lia’s practice, she is dedicated to helping clients reconnect to their bodies, and supporting families in flourishing.