My friends, this is a true story about a girl who innocently, during a wonderful time in her young life, was robbed of her joy. Adults, the narrative can be hard to hear. Please listen first and decide if or how you would like the children in your lives to hear this episode. If you decide to listen together, please follow up with a conversation in which you remind your kiddos how much you love them - no matter what - and that they can tell you anything!

This is the tale of a hard thing that happened to a ten-year-old girl and the resulting feelings of shame and self-blame. More than anything, this is an account of overcoming the negative stories we are told by our society, which we in turn tell ourselves. This is the story about how Samra got her joy back!

Sharing stories like this can be tough. It requires courage, and bravery, and requires a person to dig deep to find their sense of inherent goodness. Please consider sharing your success stories with me and my listeners. Grownups, consider listening to “The Empowerment Podcast by Naga” which is for adults.

Connect with Silvia

Resources:

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse

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Buy Me a Coffee

Donate through my website

Thank you!

#theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #empowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #samra, #powerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #powerupkidsselfdefense, #powerup

Trudy Ludwig writes books about topics that really matter to kids. Things like relational aggression, anxiety, what it’s like to be excluded, and so much more. Join host, Silvia Smart as she talks with Trudy about what kids across the country are saying, how her books start conversations in schools and what we can all do to make the world a better place.

Visit Trudy’s Website!

Follow her on Twitter: @TrudyLudwig

Connect with Silvia

Resources:

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse

This is a labor of love. Support this important work:

Buy Me a Coffee

Donate through my website

Thank you!

Meet Jill Shames, Empowerment Self Defense Instructor. Listen in as she and host, Silvia Smart, share a cool kids' self-defense success story and talk about all the things the kid did RIGHT! You are strong and powerful and Jill and Silvia believe in you!

Watch video of the self-defense success story Jill and Silvia talk about

here.

Connect with Jill:

jillsensei.com

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/jedispiritmama

Connect with Silvia

Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)

Support this important work:

Buy Me a Coffee

Donate through my website

Thank you!

#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #successstories

Chris Dela Cruz reflects on times when he was teased and bullied as a kid. Smart and Dela Cruz discuss what it was like, how it felt, and how he handled this behavior. They think through feelings and self-talk that accompany a kid getting harassed and mistreated. From his perspective as an adult, dad, and pastor, Dela Cruz shares his wisdom with kids who are living through similar experiences. If you want to be an ally – adults and kids alike - for a child suffering bullying, teasing, cruelty, or intimidation, you will find understanding and insight here too.

Together, we can empower kids, schools, and families to confront this issue head-on with sensitivity and compassion.

Special thanks to my producer/editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)

Support this important work:

Buy Me a Coffee

Donate through my website

Thank you!

#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #bullying, #stopbullying

Connect with Silvia

In the last episode, we started talking about the word NO! Make sure you listen to that episode first. We talked about how important it is to be able to notice that you feel uncomfortable so you can make the choice to say it when you need it - and to be able to say it like you really mean it!

In this episode, we’re going to think through a few examples of times when your body might be alerting you and you feel scared. We’re going to talk through some of these times and break them apart together. I’m going to also ask you to pause this podcast a couple of times and talk through different examples with the trusted adult you are listening to this with. So, if your trusted adult is not here listening with you? Go get them first! OK? OK!

Note: Adults please listen first then listen and discuss with your kiddo!

Special thanks to my producer/editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)

Support this important work:

Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart

Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/

Thank you!

#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #no

In this episode, we'll start to understand the power of being able to say "NO!" This word unlocks empowerment for kids! Being able to say "NO!" is one of the most important tools in a kid's self-defense toolkit. If someone is asking you to do something and you get a funny feeling, saying "NO!" is one of the first things you can do. In this episode, I want to talk about this one little word. It’s got superpowers. It really does! It lets you stand your ground especially when you say it like you really mean it.

Special thanks to my editor Azucena Melchor

Support this important work:

Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart

Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/

Thank you!

#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #no #nomeansno

Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

What do you do when there is a teacher at school making you feel uncomfortable? Hear the story of a group of brave middle schoolers, what they did, and what happened next. Learn action steps to take - for both kids and the adults who love them. What do you do when concerns arise whether at school, in a religious community, on sports teams, with neighbors, friends, or even family. 

CONTENT WARNING - This is a story about middle schoolers, so, trusted adults, listen first or at least be present and listen with your kiddo. My hope is that after listening, you have a lot to talk about!

Special thanks to my producer, Henry Smart-Denson & my editor, Azucena Melchor!

Support this important work:

Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart

Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/

Thank you!

#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #TELL

Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

How does it feel to be threatened by a bully at school? How can kids power up and respond? What works for kids and what support can parents provide? How can schools respond in a way that is safe, effective and fair?

Join this age-appropriate conversation with Emilia, daughter of host Silvia Smart, and find out what happened when a school bully tried to intimidate her in fourth grade. What did she do when he pulled out a pair of scissors and threatened her? How did it feel, at 10 years old, to find herself in that vulnerable position?

Listen as Emilia describes what she did, how she handled this complex situation, and how her mom supported her when the school fumbled. Use this conversation as a jumping-off point for a family conversation. Add these important strategies to your child’s self-defense toolkit. Engage with your kiddo’s school to ascertain what their bullying policies are. Hint: “No Tolerance” is a good start.

Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson

Support this important work:

Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart

Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/

Thank you!

#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #bullying, #nobully, #nobullying, #antibully, #standuptobullies, #schoolbully

I want to hear your story! Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

Our bodies are designed to warn us when something is wrong. Learn about your amazing alarm system and find out how to pay attention when your body is talking to you! Listen to Silvia’s story which illustrates this concept, find out what happened, and learn ways to practice. This is one of the most important tools in your self-defense toolkit!

Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson

Support this important work:

Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart

Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/

Thank you!

#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #firstlineofdefense

Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

Welcome to Episode #1 of The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast! Meet your teacher and host, Silvia Smart. Find out what we’re going to learn and how this podcast is going to unfold. Get to know and understand some of the basic concepts so we can all be on the same page. This is exciting! So happy you are here!

Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson

Support this important work:

Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart

Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/

Thank you!

#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #powerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity,

Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact