Empowered to Connect Podcast

Today we sit down as a team to talk about…. how we talk about things! What is the impact of our labels? What can we keep in mind about our language? How can we speak to and about people in a way that honors their dignity? Listen for reflections on times we’ve said things and regretted them and how we’re moving forward! To learn more about Empowered to Connect, check out our website, follow us on social media and YouTube!

Today we host the host of the TBRI® podcast to talk about her journey with Trust-Based Relational Intervention! Sarah is one of the most thoughtful and down-to-earth people that we know, and we loved getting a behind-the-scenes look at her story! Listen for insights and inspiration on how to keep going in your parenting journey and supporting those in your community. You'll hear both personal and professional reflections from Sarah's experience. For more from Sarah Mercado, listen to the TBRI® Podcast or follow @child_tcu on socials!

When Mary Beth Chapman and her husband Steven, the highest selling Christian Music artist of all time, were starting Show Hope, they knew they were in for a life long mission. Today, Mary Beth and her daughter Emily join us to talk about the origins of Show Hope, the early connection to Empowered to Connect and why they believe, even in the darkest moments, that we can all find Hope for the Journey.You can learn more about Show Hope and find out how to watch the Hope for the Journey Conference by following @showhope !

In today's FINAL episode of Carpool Q&A we wrap up by discussing why in parenting (and in life) it's about the journey - not the destination. You can find EVERY episode of Carpool Q&A and the Empowered to Connect Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Today on the show, friends of the program and prolific authors, Melissa Corkum and Lisa C. Qualls join us to talk about some exciting news! They cover their decision to re-brand their organization (formerly The Adoption Connection) to "Adoption Wise" and their newest resource "Foundations for Overcoming and Preventing Blocked Care" - a course you can take in community to begin working through the healing process and learning how to reclaim compassion in your parenting journey. As always, Lisa and Melissa meet us right where we are with compassion and empathy and SO much practical wisdom to help you walk out of those tough seasons of parenting when you feel stuck. It's a fantastic episode that is sure to encourage and bring life to everyone who listens. Make SURE to follow them on Instagram here - you'll know why that's so important after listening to the episode! You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our website, by following us on social media or checking out the hundreds of video resources on our YouTube page!

Today on Carpool Q&A we tackle a question that at least two of our hosts know all too well - "How do I do connected parenting when there's multiple kids?" It's a great question - we advocate for lots of time spent with your kids when you're attempting to parent in this way and sometimes it may feel like practically there are just too few parents and too many kids to actually do this thing. If this is you - rest easy - we got you! Today JD (who has 4 kids), Tona (who has 6 kids) and Becca (who is used to managing classrooms and behavior offices of 20-30 kids) talk us through how to stay connected, build connection and maximize every moment on Carpool Q&A! You can find every episode of Carpool Q&A on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your favorite podcasts!

Today on the show we have VERY special guests - the founders of Empowered to Connect, Michael and Amy Monroe join us to tell the story of Empowered to Connect AND to talk with us about nurturing young adults. If you've never heard Michael and Amy share the ETC story or talk about parenting, you are in for a treat! We talk about the origins of ETC, early Dr. Purvis stories and the Ottingers' introduction into ETC during the early days. We also talk to Michael and Amy about how to think through nurturing our kids into the young adult stage - this can be a wildly challenging and wildly rewarding time of parenting, but as Michael and Amy share with us, the difference between those two things is often a shift in mindset for parents. The Monroes share some incredible stories and give practical tips for you as you parent toward the young adult season - but if we're honest, a lot of the advice given today works in any season of parenting - you do not want to miss this episode! You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our website, by following us on social media or checking out the hundreds of video resources on our YouTube page!

Within the framework of Connected Parenting lie some fundamental beliefs - not the least of which is that we want to attempt, whenever possible, to give our children 'yeses' as often as possible. To "say yes when we can and no when we have to" - but if you've been around this world long enough, you've inevitably seen or heard the criticism that people practicing parenting in the way we do "can't" tell our children no. As in, we're incapable of it because we're too soft (or insert any other criticism of connected parenting). We're here today to debunk that myth and to do it we've got Becca McKay and Tona Ottinger with us again on an episode you don't want to miss! You can find Carpool Q&A every week right here in the Empowered to Connect Podcast feed as well as on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favorite podcasts!

Today one of our favorite recurring guests joins us to talk about nurturing teens! If you're parenting in this stage, you know this is an absolute must listen because whew boy - teenagers can be a CHALLENGE to nurture. Thankfully, Jacque gives us perspective, practical wisdom about how to navigate this season and some stories to help us remember HOW important it is to lean into these stages and give our babies what they need, even when they are acting like they don't want us around. You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our website, by following us on social media or checking out the hundreds of video resources on our YouTube page!

Critics of connected parenting, attachment-based parenting, gentle parenting, trauma-informed parenting - whatever you want to label it - often attack this style of parenting as permissive and soft. The goal isn't to be your kid's friend, they remind you. That got one of our listeners thinking - well I know THAT, but...what IS the goal of connected parenting? What's the main point? What are we striving toward here and what can I lay down as a standard for my parenting partner and I to hold to? Today Becca, JD and Tona talk through that exact question on another edition of Carpool Q&A! You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our website, by following us on social media or by checking out our YouTube Channel!

Today we welcome onto the show very dear friends of ours, whom you've met in separate iterations - Larissa Gregory has joined the pod several times to talk about her professional work and her husband Dee was a key contributor in our "Investing in Hope" video talking about his work as a mental health professional and school nurse. Today, they join us together to tell the story of their family. Walking through some of the most unimaginable tragedy as a family, Dee and Larissa talk about losing their third child, Houston Lamar, nurturing the relationships with their middle school and elementary aged boys Jackson and Lennox and how the journey they have been on as a family is one where they have learned to pull each other in close, give each other what they need and savor absolutely every moment together as a family. It is a powerful story you do NOT want to miss. To learn more about the Gregory family you can follow their journey here - to learn more about Empowered to Connect, visit our website, follow us on social media or exlore the hundreds of video resources on our YouTube Channel!

We've all heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child - and no doubt if you've listened to this podcast for one episode or all 200+, you know, we advocate heavily for having community support on your parenting journey. Today's Carpool Q&A Question was "I hear you talking about finding your village - but what if I don't HAVE a village?" Join Tona, Becca and JD as they explore together how to create your village around you when one doesn't exist yet! You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our Website or on Social Media!

We've all heard talks of the terrible (insert toddler's age here) years. Insert trauma, adversity or loss into the equation and the challenge multiplies. Advice for this stage of parenting is all over the map, especially when it comes to connected/attachment-based/gentle parenting. So what's a parent to do to navigate this season? Have no fear, we've got two phenomenal Cultivate Connection Facilitators, Shane and Mindy, to talk you through it! Shane and Mindy share their family story, how they came to Empowered to Connect and why they believe so deeply in this way of parenting (especially in the toddler years). Come for the wisdom shared, stay to hear JD start talking on mute at one point, it's all here in today's episode of the ETC Podcast! You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our website or by following us on social media! New episodes of the ETC Podcast drop every Tuesday and can be found on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Am I a helicopter parent, or am I just involved in my children's lives? Helicopter parenting is a term for parents who are overly involved in their children's lives, trying to control and monitor every aspect. They might be well-intentioned, but it can lead to an environment where the kids feel smothered or have limited opportunities to learn from their own experiences. Today we talk about that fine line between being involved and supportive vs hovering - and how to set up some simple boundaries to ensure the lines don't blur! New episodes of Carpool Q&A drop every Thursday! in 15 (ish) minutes, we cover one topic to get you from point A to point B. Short enough to listen during a carpool commute, you can find every episode of Carpool Q&A on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you find your podcasts!

You may have heard about infant massage before, but is it a real thing? And what part does infant massage and early intervention play in a baby's journey? Today Occupational Therapist and TBRI Practitioner Jodi Haugen joins us to talk all about it! Jodi has been in OT for 20 years, specializing in early intervention and helping parents and kiddos begin their healing journeys together. She explains the neurological side of infant massage, what so many parents of infants miss and one mind-blowing stat that will change how every infant parent views time with their baby! One disclaimer from Jodi: Infant massage is good for babies…barring any medical condition that may preclude it (and there are some). Premature babies or any baby/child who is medically unstable, for instance. Also be careful with children who may get easily overstimulated…you need to go slow. As with any method of early intervention, we advise walking into these practices hand in hand with a therapeutic professional who can guide this process! To learn more about Empowered to Connect, you can follow us on social media or head to our YouTube Channel with hundreds of hours of content just like this!

Have you ever had one of those weeks where for one reason or another, you're stuck inside THE WHOLE TIME?? Maybe kids are out of school and there's inclement weather - maybe you live in the Southern US and it snows, sending the entire town into shutdown (too soon?)...no matter the circumstances, we're here to help! The team chats about practical ways to build connection, get everyone's needs met and even...find some time to read a book?? All that and more today on Carpool Q&A! You can find EVERY episode of Carpool Q&A and the Empowered to Connect Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and wherever you get your favorite podcasts!

We have an incredible episode for you today! One of our favorite Therapists/Adoptee Voices, Cam Lee Small, joins us on the pod to talk about lots of things including his forthcoming book: The Adoptee's Journey: From Trauma and Loss to Healing and Empowerment. We talk with Cam about everything from how identities are formed in adoptees to things he wishes adoptive parents knew to his own experiences filled with pain and beauty. This is an episode every adoptee and adoptive parent NEED to hear. You can find Cam's work and latest offerings at therapyredeemed.wordpress.com and you can find him on Instagram AND on YouTube @therapyredeemed . You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our website or by following us @EmpoweredtoConnect !

One of the most common questions we get - what happens when my child from a connected home steps foot into the "real world"? It is a valid question and a completely rational deduction to make until you dive a little deeper into what connected parenting really entails - join us as we talk all about this question today on Carpool Q&A! Carpool Q&A can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and everywhere you find your favorite podcasts!

Today we throw it way way back to one of our favorite episodes talking about the power of giving your 'yes' to your children. As any parent with Netflix has probably seen, there's a famous ETC Principle in the newest Jennifer Garner movie "Yes Day." No, ETC didn't make a movie, but there is lots to learn from it! JD, Tona and Mo sit down to talk about one of the most foundational principles in the ETC world - the power of saying yes. "Isn't that just permissive parenting!?" "If you give these kids an inch, they're ALWAYS going to take a mile." "We aren't trying to spoil our kids." All very common responses to the principle of giving our kids 'yes' often. Yet research and experience from 15 years of ETC Parent Training will tell you otherwise. Join JD, Mo and Tona and learn why 'Yes' is a superpower in your parenting arsenal! During the interview we reference several different resources on this topic - below we've linked those articles as well as some other resources from ETC on the Power of YES: https://empoweredtoconnect.org/the-privilege-of-saying-yes/https://empoweredtoconnect.org/building-trust-by-saying-yes/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SF6GmV7zg0https://www.mindful.org/dr-dan-siegel-hearing-yes-childs-brain/ To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

Where is the line!? That's the common question in LOTS of parenting relationships when trying to decipher how to teach your kids excellence and effort without becoming THAT over the top parent who pushes their kids too hard and breaks relationship. Well. We've found the line and we're going to share it this morning! Actually, sorry, that is false advertising. We ARE, however, here to help guide you to finding that line for you and your family and giving a few practical tools to help you navigate teaching a really essential life skill (trying your best and striving for excellence). It's not easy, but we're here to help! New episodes of Carpool Q&A drop every Thursday in the Empowered to Connect Podcast Network feed and are 15(ish) minute conversations about one topic to get you from point A to point B! You can find every episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Sometimes all we need is a simple mindset shift to unlock a new level of life. Today on the show we talk with Becca McKay and Jesse Faris about doing just that in our discipline mindset as parents. It's easy to fall into the trap of becoming solely a reactive parent, but what happens when we shift from a reactive to a proactive mindset? Spoiler alert - it changes everything! Becca and Jesse give us practical ways to change our mindset while sharing stories of how this shift changes dynamics in ourselves and our kids. You don't want to miss this one! You can catch every episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favorite podcasts!

You've made it! Or so you thought - your kids have begun that final ascent into adulthood! Congratulations! No more parenting?? HA! Yeah Right! Hear Becca, Tona and JD Discuss the shifts that must inevetibally be made as we go from parenting children to parenting young adults - how do we handle independence? What can we do to ensure they're remaining connected and at the same time, finding their place in the world? Today's episode is aimed directly at that question! Each week, Carpool Q&A Tackles one question from JD Wilson, Becca McKay and Tona Ottinger discuss one topic in 15 minutes or less to help you get from point A to point B! You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our website, Instagram or YouTube!

Boundaries are talked about a LOT within relationships, particularly within the parenting realm. We all recognize that humans need boundaries - we can't do everything we want all the time without it costing us dearly...if you're a parent, OR you work with children, you see evidence of that on the daily! Boundaries can be hard to set and often the act of "setting boundaries" or "holding boundaries" can place us oppositionally from our children and create an unwanted "us vs. them" mentality which can jeopardize connection, so how do we navigate this? GLAD YOU ASKED! We asked therapist Lauren Wantz that very question and she joined us recently to talk about how not to set "boundaries", but "loving limits" - hear Lauren explain how a simple mindset shift and some practical applications of that mindset can transform discipline in your home on today's episode! To learn more about Empowered to Connect, you can visit us on our website or follow us on social media! You can also catch every episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast and Carpool Q&A, as well as hundreds of hours of additional video content on our YouTube Channel!

Oh boy. Buckle up for this one, the question that we all ask as we cover our faces in shame. What about when it's not just a kid, it's ME losing it? Again!? Don't worry - it happens to all of us. Something triggers us again and before we can catch ourselves and regulate, there we go, flying off the handle again. What do we do in those circumstances and HOW DO WE DO IT!? Tona Ottinger, Becca McKay and JD Wilson from ETC have you covered. Buckle your seatbelt and come along for the ride with us on today's Carpool Q&A! Carpool Q&A Episodes are one-topic episodes about 15 minutes long, designed to get you from point A to point B and drop every week right here on YouTube and in the Empowered to Connect Podcast feed. You can learn more about Empowered to Connect at empoweredtoconnect.org!

Continuing our series on discipline this new year, we've got a good one for you! Today on the show we have Dr. Matt Smith from the Memphis Family Connection Center here to walk us through the 3 C's and 3 D's of discipline when connected parenting. I cannot stress enough how valuable this episode is in its' practicality - if you are struggling with discipline in your home, this is the episode to help you bounce back! Hear practical steps and advice for why connected parenting and discipline is so vital for our kids growing in healthy attachment and how you can help heal and give predictability to your kids and your home. You can find every episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast as well as Carpool Q&A, our 15 minute, one-topic episodes that drop weekly, here on youTube or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Do your kids struggle with hearing "no"? Great, neither do ours! Ok, but seriously: for all of us poor souls (aka nearly every parent ever) who DO have kids that struggle to hear us answer "no" to a question or request, we've got you covered! Tona, Becca and JD talk about how to help our kids (and ourselves) sit with disappointment and learn to work through it without exploding. Carpool Q&A episodes are around 15 minutes and center on ONE topic to get you from point A to point B. You can catch them each week on the Empowered to Connect Podcast feed! To learn more about Empowered to Connect, check out our YouTube Channel, our website, or follow us on social media!

Happy New Year! We wanted to start off 2024 with a series on discipline. As the year begins and routines and rhythms kick back into place, it can be difficult for all of us. Holidays often bring less structure, more junk food, different sleeping habits and lots of excitement...which can mean a tougher return to regular life. Have no fear, though, our series on discipline kicks off with the brilliant Dr. Rachel Peterman walking us through the importance of understanding one of the most fundamental connected parenting principles: Connecting while Correcting. To learn more about Empowered to Connect, you can check us out on YouTube, follow us on social media or explore our website!

Sometimes family game night doesn't go as planned - a night that seems set up for success goes sideways in a heartbeat, but why!? Today Becca, JD and Tona join us to discuss why competition can be so difficult and how to give your kids the support they need to thrive! You can find every episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast AND Carpool Q&A on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

On today's episode, Cultivate Connection Facilitator David Davault joins us to talk about how defining wins and losses changed for him when he started learning about attachment and connection. As the holidays approach, definitely take today's episode and soak it in - when we redefine our expectations for ourselves and those around us, it can lead to the best version of us as parents, friends, partners, spouses, etc. Today's episode and all of our episodes can be found on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

It's the holiday season here at ETC and we are here to remind you not to run yourself into the ground! Now, before you respond with the reasons you must run yourself into the ground (no one else is going to do this stuff if I don't, for example), may we look to our phones for a gentle reminder that our batteries HAVE TO charge periodically to keep going. Today the team talks through why recharging is so vital and some ideas of how YOU can recharge yourself during busy seasons to make sure you're able to keep going! You can find every episode of Carpool Q&A and the Empowered to Connect Podcast on video on YouTube and on audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Today one of our Cultivate Connection Facilitators, Todd Maino, joins Mo and JD to talk about fear. What did we fear as dads early on? What did we fear as dads early on? What settled out and what persisted? How do we process fear and how can we use what we've learned in our parenting journeys to help our kids learn to process their fears in a way that will lead to healing and growth?? All that and more today as 3 Dads Talk About Fear. You can find every episode of the ETC podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcast!

Disrespect - the age old identifier of younger generations, punk teenagers and people that cut us off in traffic. The single most outraging thing you did to your parents growing up is now something you find yourself being mad about with your kids? How did this come to be!? Today we tackle the topic of disrespect and attempt to define it, talk about why it's so triggering for us and put some filters in place to help us decode what our kids are ACTUALLY trying to communicate when the disrespect clouds that communication. Thankfully, Becca, Tona and JD are here to talk us through it! Catch up with them and learn what to do when you don't know what to do on another episode of Carpool Q&A! You can find all of our episodes in video now on our YouTube Channel and in audio via Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you find your favorite podcasts!

Today on the show we talk about guilt and shame - something no parent ever deals with...right?? Well, for those who know OTHER PARENTS who may struggle in this area, have no fear, we ask friend of the program and CEO of Kardia Collective Shad Berry and ETC Executive Director Mo Ottinger all about guilt and shame on the show today. As parents (and as people) guilt and shame can invade every area of our lives and wellbeing. Shad, Mo and JD talk about how to define guilt and shame, how they're different, when they can be helpful and when they can be toxic and why it can be so powerful for us to learn the difference. Please know that while this episode talks a TON about challenges unique to the Dad experience, this episode IS NOT just for dads - it is for anyone who wrestles with navigating the guilt and shame that can so easily paralyze us as parents and people. You do not want to miss it! Shad is a husband and dad to 4 kiddos and is the CEO of Kardia Collective, a counseling, training and coaching collective in Memphis, TN. He is also the author of Next Level Leadership: Navigating the Dramatic Changes Coming in the 2020s. You can find out more about Shad and his work here! To learn more about Empowered to Connect and our global impact, check out our website, our YouTube Channel or follow us on Facebook or Instagram!

Today we revisit one of our most commented on episodes of last year, our conversation about grief and loss with Therapist Rocky Anthony. Rocky tells his own story of going from a career in church ministry to opening his own private counseling practice and walks through how to process grief and loss when we don't see a way forward. This conversation is powerful, practical and full of hope - you are going to LOVE hearing from Rocky. Did you know you can now catch every episode of the ETC Podcast and our NEW show, Carpool Q&A on our YouTube Channel? With nearly every episode in video and hours upon hours of content from the ETC Team, Dr. Karyn Purvis and more, our YouTube Channel is a one-stop-shop for support in your journey caring for yourself and your people. Check it out at youtube.com/empoweredtoconnect today!

It's that time of year again - time to take a deep breath and spend hours and hours with family members you may or may not want to see, eat foods that may or may not be easy for your kids to eat and spend the next month or so with the dull hum of presents and high expectations accompanying your every move. Happy Holidays everyone! In all seriousness, whether you live for this season or loathe this season, it can be a bear to navigate with all of the out of the ordinary that it brings. Have no fear, though, Jesse Faris, Becca McKay and JD talk through all of these things and more with some practical tips and reminders to help get you through what can be a really tricky season to navigate with your family! Remember! You can catch every episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

It's Friday and you know what that means - it's time for Carpool Q&A with JD, Tona and Becca! Each week, one of us brings a topic for the group to talk through and today JD asked the question: What do you do when you encounter perpetual lying with one of your kiddos? The group talks it over and gives some explanation as to what could be happening underneath the surface as well as some practical tips to address the issue while continuing to build connection. You can find every episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast as well as Carpool Q&A on our YouTube Channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite Podcasts!

Today on the show we talk about knowing and understanding our stress capacity - this is a skill that is beneficial to every person on earth! Yes, absolutely essential for parents, but also for human beings who endeavor to be in ANY kind of relationship with another human being, knowing ourselves and our stress capacity helps us manage our humanity and help the humans around us manage theirs. Becca McKay joins us to break down what stress capacity is and why it's so vital for everyone. What can we do to mitigate meltdowns in our home? How can we better understand ourselves and predict what might set us off and handle it before that point? All of that and more in today's episode of the ETC Podcast! To learn more about Empowered to Connect you can check out our website, our YouTube Channel with hours of teaching and conversations to help you take care of the children and other adults in your life and as always, follow us on social media for parenting content and the latest news on what we're up to as an organization!

Welcome to episode 2 of Carpool Q&A - quick episodes about one topic designed to be listened to as you go to or from your carpool responsibilities! This week we cover a topic that affects so many of us today - how to handle picky eaters! Now - before we launch off into the episode, a few caveats - there is not, unfortunately, a 15 - 20 minute conversation that can cure picky eaters or teach you all you need to know about food, trauma and how they affect the brain. We wish there was - but there's not. Today's episode is an attempt to answer some questions and give a few strategies/solutions that can help you on that journey! You can watch brand new episodes of Carpool Q&A on YouTube and listen to Carpool Q&A anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts! To learn more about Empowered to Connect, head on over to our website or follow us on social media!

On today's episode, one of our faorite guests is BACK to talk about her incredible new book. It's our friend Robyn Gobbel and her book, Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: Brain, Body, Sensory Strategies that Really Work, is one of our favorite parenting books ever. Robyn talks about why she wrote this book, the thought behind her creative approach of weaving narrative and instruction together and why she felt so strongly to approach the book in a non-traditional way. We also dive deep into some of the strategies and practical advice in the book including what an Owl Brain is and why we need to grow it! You will love this episode and you should go buy Robyn's book immediately - IF YOU DON'T WIN ONE FROM US FIRST! To find out how to win a FREE copy of Robyn's book, listen to the whole episode - we're giving away two copies this week! You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our website or from following us on social media and don't forget to check out our YouTube Channel for more content!

Surprise!! We have a brand new show launching today! We're calling it Carpool Q&A - a one-topic show to get you from point A to point B with practical tips and advice to help you parent today. New Episodes drop on Fridays where JD, Becca and Tona will take turns throwing out a topic and discussing it. These will be shorter, more direct episodes than our long form Tuesday episodes and we'd love to know what you think! Today Tona throws out Homework as the topic of the day - tune in to hear Becca, JD and Tona discuss how to support your kiddos through the homework struggles and successes in today's episode of Carpool Q&A! You can learn more about Empowered to Connect on our website or by following us on social media!

Happy Tuesday and I hope you're ready for an uplifting episode today! We've got a special guest, Dr. Maureen Michele with us today and she's going to talk about how to reclaim your life. Dr. Maureen Michele is a mom, Pediatrician, author, life coach and more - she's here today to talk about how parenting a daughter through a cancer diagnosis changed her life - and how she nearly missed the opportunity to reclaim a life that had become filled with bitterness and frustration. You will not want to miss this episode! After you've listened, please go buy her book here! You can learn more about Dr. Maureen Michele and all of the offerings she has right here. If you've been following along with ETC for a while now, you have no doubt heard about our upcoming fundraising event with Grammy-Nominated Comedian and this past week's Saturday Night Live Host, Nate Bargatze! We are UNDER 2 WEEKS AWAY from our event and would LOVE to have you join! There are a handful of tickets still available, so if you want to join us, act now before they're all gone!

In this episode of the Empowered to Connect podcast, our ETCI Program Manager, Becca McKay, joins host JD Wilson to delve into the challenging topic of "How to Talk to Your Kids About Tragedy." With the horrific news coming out of the middle east right now as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on, we thought it pertinent to have an episode where we talk about how to talk about hard things. We will say off of the jump - this isn't an episode explaining how to make this task easy. It isn't an episode to take the guesswork out of a hard conversation like this. Talking to our kids about tragedy is hard. "Tragedy" is a subjective term - some of the topics that may fall into a tragic category for one family are not as uniquely challenging to others and vice versa - that's why we wanted to talk through a simple framework for how to have these conversations in as healthy of a manner as possible. On a lighter note, we are less than a month away from our first ever global connection event here in Memphis, TN with Grammy-Nominated Comedian and this week's Saturday Night Live Host, Nate Bargatze! Join us November 12th in Memphis for a night to remember as ETC hosts our first ever fundraising event to share about the incredibly dire need for our work right now and the exciting future ahead of us! To purchase tickets or have your company sponsor the event, just head to empoweredtoconnect.org/investinginhope TODAY!

Today's the day to hear from the dads! We've been talking lately at ETC about how important it is to get on the same parenting page as your spouse. It's difficult - it can be contentious - but it's necessary. We had Cultivate Connection Facilitator dads Evan Dyson and recurring guest Todd Baumann join us to talk through that important process - how did they do it? What were the challenges and hurdles and how can YOU avoid those same challenges as you and your spouse work to get on the same parenting page? Glad you asked! Todd, Evan and JD talk through all of it on a special Dads-only episode of the ETC Podcast! Also, don't miss the opportunity to see world renowned, Grammy Nominated comedian Nate Bargatze at the first annual Investing in Hope event this November! Sunday night, November 12th in Memphis, Tennessee, come hear a brand new hour of Nate Bargatze stand up comedy, have dinner and drinks on us and support the global impact of Empowered to Connect all in one night! Details can be found at empoweredtoconnect.org/investinginhope - but hurry, a limited number of tickets are available!

In today's episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast, we're joined by a recurring guest, the wonderful Rhonda Roorda. Rhonda joined us early in our show's history, if you never listened to that episode, you can (and should) find it right here! She's not only an award-winning author but also a transracial adoptee, bringing a unique perspective to the table. Apart from her work as an author, Rhonda has been a contributor and consultant in a litany of settings from CNN to People Magazine and the Emmy Award Winning NBC TV Series "This is Us". You're going to love hearing from her! Rhonda dives into the real, sometimes tough, and always important aspects of transracial adoption. From identity to embracing cultural diversity, this chat is a down-to-earth conversation about the sometimes beautiful, sometimes ugly, but always messy nuances of transracial adoption. Rhonda shares practical tips for adoptive families and parents. Her experiences and insights are a roadmap for navigating the unique challenges and and opportunities that come with transracial adoption. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation that goes straight to the heart of transracial adoption. Also, don't miss the opportunity to see world renowned, Grammy Nominated comedian Nate Bargatze at the first annual Investing in Hope event this November! Sunday night, November 12th in Memphis, Tennessee, come hear a brand new hour of Nate Bargatze stand up comedy, have dinner and drinks on us and support the global impact of Empowered to Connect all in one night! Details can be found at empoweredtoconnect.org/investinginhope - but hurry, a limited number of tickets are available!

In today's episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast, we're joined by ETC Training Specialist Jesse Faris, along with host JD Wilson and ETC Institute Program Manager Becca McKay, to explore the complex world of parenting in the digital age. As technology continues to play an integral role in our lives, it's crucial to strike a balance between maintaining a strong connection with our children and ensuring their safety online. Jesse, JD and becca bring their expertise to the forefront, guiding us through practical strategies for approaching technology with our kids. Whether you're a seasoned parent or just beginning to navigate the digital landscape, you'll find valuable insights on fostering healthy digital habits, open communication, and setting boundaries that empower both parents and children. Also - BREAKING NEWS - Today we announce the mystery guest we've been hinting at for the last several weeks. Joining us at our first ever global connection event is none other than Grammy-Nominated comedian Nate Bargatze! You heard right, November 12 in Memphis, Tennessee at Investing in Hope, our first ever global connection event fundraiser, catch the one and only Nate Bargatze live and in person! Seats are going fast, so if you want to join us for a night of laughter and hope, head to empoweredtoconnect.org/investinginhope to reserve your seat now and invest in hope for the next generation of world-changing work happening here at Empowered to Connect!

If you are or have been a part of a church, you know childcare can be a minefield for parents whose children have experienced early trauma, adversity or loss. Well-meaning volunteers can become frazzled not knowing how to help, kids become unsure of what to expect and parents wonder "Is it safe for my child to be here the whole service?" Obviously this isn't everyone's experience, but for those who have or might experience some of these factors, we want everyone to be equipped to know how to make church a safe environment for your kids where you can know they're being taken care of well. That's why we brought Anteelah Love into the mix today to help us learn how to advocate for our kids at church! Anteelah talks through everything from an ideal setup, some ideas of how to help your church get started thinking through these issues, ideas to scaffold care as your church becomes equipped - all of this and more is in today's episode with Becca McKay, JD Wilson and our guest, Anteelah Love! Also - to find out who our HILARIOUS special guest is at our upcoming Global Connection Event: Investing in Hope, to find out how to get tickets and learn all the details about this incredible night, check out our website here!

Today Josh and Ava Conley join us to discuss the intersection of youth sports and parenting. When choosing to parent through lenses of attachment and connection, sports can be one of the toughest activities to figure out. How should you approach a coach when there's a complaint or a request to serve your child in a different way? How do we prepare our kids for these environments, how do we prepare coaches and those teams to embrace families whose skin colors or ethnic backgrounds don't match? We're glad you asked! As you can imagine, because this world is so broad with so many different nuances based on sport, age, etc, we tried to fly above the clouds on this episode! Josh has an extensive sports background, having played and coached at nearly every level of sport from pee wee leagues to collegiate athletics - combine that with Ava's black belt martial arts background and you've got a recipe for great conversation! **SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT**!! We would like to extend a special invitation for you to join us at our FIRST EVER Global Connection Event in Memphis Tennessee Sunday night, November 12th from 6-8:30pm at the historic Peabody Hotel! Join our special Grammy Nominated guest (whose name we cannot reveal in this promo, but CAN reveal on the event page right here) for a night of laughter and hope! For more information and to buy tickets for what is sure to be an unforgettable night, click here!

Today we've got a very special guest - Dr. Lauren Chipman, a Pediatrician in Memphis, TN joins us to help us learn how to navigate the tricky world of advocating for your kids in the medical sector. Lauren joins Tona Ottinger and host JD Wilson and brings hear years of experience as a Physician and as a Mom to the table to help us understand how to navigate the world of Pediatricians/hospitals/medical care and you do not want to miss it! Lauren shares everything from a powerful story of her connection to the Ottinger family to the encouragement EVERY parent needs to know, to her own story of realizing how much information about trauma, the brain, attachment and behaviors she DIDN'T learn through Med School, but DID learn about through Empowered to Connect Parenting courses. You can learn more about Empowered to Connect here! We also make reference in the intro and outro to a special event coming up that you'll want to know about - and we are confident you do want to know more about this one - to learn more about that event, check it out on our website here! Also, to snag one of the 15 remaining spots in our beta test group for individualized parent coaching from ETC, send an email to [email protected] and let them know you'd like to join the beta test group - make sure to mention that you heard about it on the podcast to get 25% off of the cost of this course!

In today's Empowered to Connect Podcast episode, we're sitting down with MO and Tona Ottinger from ETC and diving into a crucial topic: how to be an advocate for your children within your own family and friends circle! Parenting comes with its own set of challenges, but you don't have to face them alone. MO and Tona are here to help you understand how to communicate your child's needs effectively and seek support from the people who matter most. Learn the ropes of advocating for your kids. From sharing trauma-informed parenting principles to setting boundaries and creating a strong support system, MO and Tona offer practical tips to help you speak up confidently. We also make reference in the intro and outro to a special event coming up that you'll want to know about - and we are confident you do want to know more about this one - to learn more about that event, check it out on our website here! Also, to snag one of the 15 remaining spots in our beta test group for individualized parent coaching from ETC, send an email to [email protected] and let them know you'd like to join the beta test group - make sure to mention that you heard about it on the podcast to get 25% off of the cost of this course!

In today's episode, we are joined by Anna Marie Penn, a former reading specialist and expert in educational advocacy. Anna Marie and her husband, Jonathan, both spent years working in under-resourced schools in Memphis, TN. Now parents to two awesome kids and advocates for many, Anna Marie takes us on a deep dive into the intricate art of advocating for your children within the school system. With a wealth of experience, Anna Marie delves into the often complex world of 504 plans and Individualized Education Plans (IEP's), offering invaluable insights on how to navigate these processes effectively. Through Anna Marie's guidance, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of how to ensure your child receives the support they need to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Join us for an empowering conversation that equips parents and caregivers with the tools to champion their child's educational journey, ensuring they receive the tailored assistance that sets them up for success! To learn more about Empowered to Connect, check out our website, follow us on social media and YouTube!