Trust Me Mom

In this conversation, David Creswell, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who leads the Health and Human Performance Lab, discusses the science of wellness, focusing on the importance of relationships, sleep, physical activity, consumption patterns, and mindset. He emphasizes that meditation and mindfulness can enhance resilience and well-being, particularly for caregivers facing stress. The discussion highlights practical strategies for improving wellness in daily life, including the significance of social support, healthy sleep habits, and mindful consumption.Surprising Discoveries from This Interview:• Meditation is often misunderstood; distractions can indicate you're doing it right.• Social support is crucial for wellness, especially for caregivers.• Sleep is a significant factor in overall wellness and cognitive function.• Small, manageable physical activities can contribute to health.• Consumption patterns, including diet and substance use, impact wellness.• Mindset plays a vital role in resilience and stress management.• Mindfulness meditation can help change your relationship with stress.• Building relationships can enhance feelings of support and wellness.• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia offers effective sleep strategies.• Digital consumption can negatively affect mental health; mindful usage is essential.00:00 The Science of Meditation and Mindfulness01:12 Understanding Wellness and Caregiving Stress03:10 Hallmarks of Wellness: Relationships and Support04:06 The Importance of Sleep for Wellness16:09 Physical Activity: Small Steps to Wellness19:23 Consumption Patterns and Their Impact on Wellness23:08 Mindset: The Key to Resilience and Wellness#equanimity #meditation #mindfulness #wellness #caregiving #sleep #neuroscience #physicalactivity #stressmanagement #caregiverstress #stressmanagementforparents #parentalstress

In this conversation, Hunter Clarke-Fields  @mindfulmama  shares her journey into mindful parenting, emphasizing the importance of self-regulation and emotional intelligence in parenting. She discusses strategies for managing reactivity, supporting neurodivergent children, and teaching resilience through failure. The conversation also touches on the challenges of parenting teenagers and the necessity of self-care for parents to foster healthy relationships with their children.

00:00 Intro00:33 Introduction to Mindful Parenting03:36 The Journey to Mindfulness in Parenting06:30 Building Skills for Non-Reactivity09:20 Strategies for Calming Reactivity12:37 Healthy Emotional Expression15:23 Be honest about your feelings with kids19:24 Supporting Neurodivergent Children 23:42 Understanding and Addressing Extreme Reactions27:12 Teaching Resilience Through Small Failures, navigating Parental Boundaries and Consequences32:36 Overcoming Helicopter Parenting35:37 The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Parenting36:25 Insights from Podcasting and Notable Guests, including Lenore Skenazy on giving kids more independence, Gabor Maté on childhood trauma and emotional healing and Bethany Saltman on true attachment, which is rooted in emotional attunement, not co-sleeping or other surface behaviors.40:20 Building Lasting Relationships with Teens #TrustMeMom #MindfulParenting #ParentingJourney #EmotionalIntelligence #ParentingTools #ResilientKids #MindfulMama #mindfulmamamentor #HealingGenerations #ConsciousParenting #SelfRegulation #ParentingSupport #RaisingGoodHumans #MentalHealthAwareness #parentingteens

In this conversation, Wendy McSparren, a clinical socialworker and the Owner & CEO of Westmoreland Psychotherapy Associates, shares her extensive experience in mental health, focusing on the challenges of depression and self-harm in children and adolescents. She discusses theimportance of understanding the nuances of depression, the role of self-injury as a coping mechanism, and the critical need for parental support and professional guidance. The conversation also highlights the impact of peerinfluence on children's emotional well-being and the importance of physical activity and community support in fostering resilience.

To learn more about Wendy and her practice, check www.wpatherapy.com

00:00 Wendy's Journey into Social Work

01:57 Understanding Depression and Suicide in Children

04:50 Self-Harm: Causes and Coping Mechanisms

08:05 The Role of Parents in Supporting Children

11:00 Effective Communication Strategies for Parents

13:59 Community Support and Resources for Families

16:59 The Importance of Physical Activity and SocialConnections

Kristen Geez is a successful entrepreneur, author, speaker, teacher, and youth advocate. In this conversation, Ekaterina and Kristen delve into the complex issues surrounding bullying, personal trauma, and the transformative journey from being a bully to becoming a passionate advocate for youth. Kristen shares her powerful story of overcoming adversity, the importance of understanding the root causes of behavior, and her mission to create supportive environments for children through education and advocacy. The discussion highlights the need for proactive measures in schools and communities to address the challenges faced by today's youth, emphasizing the role of digital platforms in facilitating change and fostering understanding. To learn more about Kristen, check out her website www.kristengeez.com00:00 Introduction to Bullying and Personal Stories02:51 The Journey from Bully to Advocate06:04 Bullying Incident and Transformative Experiences in School09:05 Finding Purpose in Advocacy12:08 The Birth of Advising Generation Z14:51 Creating a Digital Platform for Change17:47 Expanding Impact Beyond Texas21:01 Cultural Transformation in Education and Justice23:48 The Future of Youth Advocacy35:50 The Evolution of Youth Programs41:04 Preparing for Generational Shifts49:08 Understanding and Addressing Bullying - Practical Tips01:01:02 Empowering Parents in a Changing World #standuptobullies #standuptobullying #bullying #bully #bullyingprevention #bullyingawareness #bullyinghurts #kidsconflict #conflictresolution #conflict #conflictresolutionskills #fightback #parentingtips #parentingadvice #adviceforteens #bullyingstopsnow #youthadvocacy #personalgrowth #education #mentalhealth #digitalplatforms #communityservice #culturaltransformation #juvenilejustice #empowerment #youthprograms #generationalshifts #parenting #socialimpact #resilience #education #communitysupport

Join Ekaterina for a conversation with Dr. Rachel Krenek, an expert in alternative education, to learn about virtual schools in the United States and why parents choose to send their kids to cyber charter schools. If you'd like to learn more about virtual schools in Pennsylvania, check this article: https://blog.pavcsk12.org/what-are-th...Time codes: 1:11 Rachel’s story, what inspired her to dive into the field of education, including her time at The Cyert Center for Early Education at Carnegie Mellon University04:05 Differences between traditional education, homeschooling and virtual education 5:39 The Benefits of Virtual Learning 06:25 Synchronous learning 06:57 Do you have to pay for virtual school? 07:52 How to kids socialize in virtual school? Do they have in person interaction? 09:49 When the virtual school starts (time of the day) and flexible asynchronous options 11:12 Twilight Hours for High School students who are night owls or can’t attend school early in the morning due to work or other commitments 12:34 When you can switch to virtual school from a traditional school 13:46 Reasons why parents send kids to virtual schools, including safety concerns and gun violence, bullying, work in agriculture, kids with disabilities 16:20 Parental involvement in student’s education in virtual school, learning coach, how much support is needed from parents 18:12 Grades 19:11 Why standardized testing is in person at virtual school, travel reimbursement 20:10 Virtual School class sizes and age gaps in each grade, different ability groups 22:42 Honors programs for middle and high school 23:25 How virtual schools accommodate kids with disabilities, including IEPs and 504 Plans 25:48 Myths and misconceptions about virtual schools, including screen fatigue. Do kids pay more attention in a traditional school or virtual school? 28:34 Synchronous and asynchronous learning and its combo (hybrid model) 30:18 What subjects cannot be taught virtually? How is PE (Physical Education) addressed in a virtual school? 31:52 How cheating is addressed 32:59 Students in a wheelchair and PE 33:45 Can deaf and blind students participate in virtual schools? 35:18 Virtual schools in Pennsylvania and other states 37:03 Can non-Pennsylvania residents participate in a Pennsylvania-based virtual school? RV travel, checking IP address38:16 Excused absences 38:57 Summary, pros and cons of virtual schools 40:17 Alternative education conclusion #virtualschool #alternativeeducation #cyberschool #education #k12 #k12virtual #childdevelopment

In this conversation, Todd Sheldon shares his journey as a parent of a daughter with Asperger's. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of raising Kelly, who was diagnosed at 11. Todd emphasizes the importance of understanding and accommodating Kelly's unique needs, the transition to homeschooling, and the growth and achievements Kelly has made. He also reflects on the emotional and relational dynamics within the family as they navigate the complexities of parenting a special needs child. In this conversation, Todd Sheldon shares his experiences of parenting, focusing on the importance of family connections, the challenges of raising a child with Asperger's, and the benefits of living in a rural environment. He emphasizes the need for dedicated time with family members, the role of siblings in supporting each other, and the journey of self-discovery for children. Todd also discusses the significance of communication and understanding in navigating the complexities of mental health and family dynamics.00:00Introduction to Todd's Journey

02:05Understanding Asperger's and Kelly's Diagnosis

05:51Parenting Strategies and Building Relationships

12:01Accommodations for Kelly's Needs

18:11Transitioning to Homeschooling

23:56Kelly's Growth and Achievements

29:49Navigating Challenges as a Family

33:16Building Strong Family Connections

37:38Embracing Country Living and Family Dynamics

40:37Navigating Asperger's: Understanding and Support

52:18Empowering Growth: The Journey of Self-Discovery

58:31The Role of Siblings in Family Support

Join Ekaterina for a conversation with Dr. Crystal Morrison, an entrepreneur, scientist, book author, and advocate for people on the autism spectrum.Time codes:0:45 Introducing Dr. Crystal Morrison and her work3:48 Working with adults is easier than with kids4:08 Crystal’s tech startup, entrepreneurship, and consulting to build a village around a child6:08 Book: Superheroes on the Spectrum7:06 Book’s co-author story7:58 Celebrate the stories of neurodivergent people, challenges, and gifts9:25 Crystal’s favorite story from the book11:28 Autistic kids are good with animals12:43 “How to Build a Hug” children’s book – a story of Temple Grandin14:13 How Crystal found the heroes of her book15:20 Sacrifices/choices in Crystal’s career to accommodate family needs17:40 Why mothers step out of leadership roles and why they may not feel comfortable talking about it21:06 What Crystal would have done differently now and what advice she would give to women in their 20s and 30s23:30 Clarifying the stereotype of having it all together24:49 Other types of care that may impact work and a woman’s availability – caring for a disabled sibling, aging parent, or enforcing boundaries and self-care26:04 The new generation has more self-care and balance26:56 Crystal’s advocacy: how parents can leverage their support system and be transparent and authentic about their lives29:05 Where a parent can seek help, and what the first steps to take are31:26 Inappropriate advice that parents of special needs kids often get33:28 Corporal punishment in schools34:05 Feeling empowered as a woman, mother, and professional – you are the subject matter expert on your child35:33 Self-care tips for single moms#autisticchild #autism #autismawareness #onthespectrum #learningdisability #peopleonthespectrum #specialneedschild #specialneeds

For this interview, Ekaterina invited Karin Freeland, a former corporate workaholic who is now a successful life coach, motivational speaker, and book author, to help moms rediscover their worth and spark in life.You can find Karin at https://www.karinfreeland.com and order her latest book "Grab Life By The Dreams" here: https://www.karinfreeland.com/dreams/Time codes:0:58 - Karin's career journey from being an actress to a sales & marketing executive to becoming a life coach. How she got addicted to the money drug and what impact it had on her life fulfillment.3:17 - How she went from stuck, frustrated, hopeless to living a fulfilling life.4:02 - How working women can balance family and work and achieve success without sacrifice.6:39 - What do you really value in life and why?7:48 - A client story, Director of Technology - right-size yourself for your season of life.9:10 - Ego, what to do when a job title becomes a woman's identity and my paycheck is my worth.11:00 - What do you need the money for? What are you doing with that money?11:55 - Burnout story: when a client walked away from a $150K incentive to save her health and family.13:05 - Karin's personal health struggles when she was stressed at work.13:40 - What to do if a woman really needs the money and can't leave her job to pursue something more fulfilling?14:53 - How to say NO and set boundaries at work. If you are meant to do something, saying No once will not cut out your opportunities.15:50 - Client story - how she couldn't get a promotion at work and after resigning, her company offered her more money as a contractor.16:46 - Take what you know and sell it as a product to other businesses.17:12 - Do you know how much money you need to bring in?17:41 - How can women believe in themselves? Confidence is a behavior. How to show up with conviction? Practical tips.20:16 - How a coach can help women.20:51 - How to face a fear and overcome it.22:09 - Make a plan for a successful transition from where you are.22:47 - Tips for women on how to calm themselves down before important meetings or sales calls.24:57 - External validation to see our worth.25:27 - How stay-at-home moms undervalue their worth because they don't bring in the money. Stay-at-home moms versus working moms - where is the balance?29:22 - How to transition back from staying-at-home to corporate?31:00 - How our beliefs manifest in our reality.32:28 - Gratitude journal.32:56 - Practical tip on how to fill your cup.33:46 - Pay yourself first, invest in yourself first; financial planning.34:52 - Outsource tasks to stay in your zone of genius.36:53 - How to let go of perfectionism. When is good enough, enough?37:57 - The Good Girl syndrome. How your family can step up and help.39:41 - How to divide responsibilities with your spouse/partner and avoid resentment. You get what you tolerate.44:08 - How women try to protect their husbands from doing the house chores and hurt their marriage by being resentful.45:32 - Karin's latest book and the 4-step "EDIT" process.49:37 Final thoughts

In the whirlwind of life’s ever-changing stages, ElizabethDe Moraes - professional dancer, TED Talk speaker, and coach - reminds us that our true self never fades away; it simply awaits rediscovery. In a candid conversation with Ekaterina of Trust Me Mom, Elizabeth shared her journey frominternational dance floors to the challenges of motherhood, and ultimately, back to her artistic passion.

To lean more about Elizabeth, check her website www.elizabethdemoraes.com

For more information about Trust Me Mom, check www.TrustMeMom.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrustMeMomOfficial

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Join Ekaterina for a conversation with Lindsay Martsolf, the President of Central PA Autism Community, to learn about various sides of the autism spectrum and what resources and support are available to parents of autistic kids. 

Do you want to learn more about autism? Do you notice any signs of autism in your child, or has your child already been diagnosed? Join Ekaterina for a conversation with Lindsay Martsolf, the President of Central PA Autism Community (https://centralpaautism.weebly.com), to learn about various sides of the autism spectrum and what resources and support are available to parents of autistic kids.Did you know that kids with autism can get free or deeply discounted admissions to museums and zoos? Families can also receive up to 300 free diapers per month. What is the Special Ed Medical ACCESS and what services and expenses does it cover? What are the special sensory events and what is the transportation program that teaches kids to ride a bus or go through airport security?0:39 Intro1:00 What does it mean to be on the spectrum and what autism means to Lindsay as a speech therapist and a mom of an autistic child 2:43 Range of the spectrum, a child “doesn’t look like s/he has autism” 3:36 Lindsay’s personal story, how hard it could be to get the right diagnosis, mom’s intuition6:39 No matter how prepared you are, you will never forget hearing the news7:45 Helping other parents, keep fighting for your child8:43 The cost of testing, doctor visits – what is free in PA and what services are available at no cost10:25 What medical services the Special Education Medical ACCESS covers 12:28 Non-medical programs available to kids with autism such as discounted museum and zoo admissions and the Diaper Program 13:38 What is available in other states, why people are moving to PA14:38 Central PA Autism Community history and evolution and how it supports parents, children, and the community 18:50 The types of events Central PA Autism Community hosts20:56 Transportation program to teach autistic children to ride a bus, train, or go on a plane 22:17 Chuck E. Cheese sensory Sundays 22:50 Resources for parents to connect and help each other, encourage positivity 23:48 Regular life activities are hard for autistic kids – the ‘finger schedule’ for transitions 26:36 Training a child at a restaurant with consistent restaurant visits and repetition of steps 28:37 Dealing with criticism and judgment from people around you, including relatives. “My kid is not being a brat.” 30:20 Autistic kids' superpowers; “A kid may not be able to have a conversation with me, but they can break into my phone”32:10 Dismantling autism stereotypes33:13 How can people get involved with Lindsay’s organization34:45 High school kids becoming advocates for autistic kids 35:32 Preventing bullying of autistic kids at school 36:02 What testing is available in the early childhood programs; the difference between the educational diagnosis and medical diagnosis 37:27 What a parent can do to provide all the help they can get 38:57 IEP accommodations in colleges39:10 Peer support for kids with autism, Best Buddies and Circle of Friends programs 41:49 Final thoughts
#autism⁠⁠#autismawareness⁠⁠#autismacceptance⁠⁠#neurodivergent⁠⁠#autistickids⁠⁠#autisticchild⁠⁠#autisticchildren⁠⁠#supportforparents⁠⁠#autismeducation⁠