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In this episode of Regulated & Relational, Ginger and Julie explore key concepts from 7½ Lessons About the Brain by neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett.  Drawing from Barrett's research, they examine how many of her findings align with attachment-focused and trauma-informed principles, particularly in understanding how the brain manages energy, uses past experiences to predict future outcomes, develops through relationships, and continually adapts to its environment. While some of Barrett's conclusions challenge traditional views of brain development, emotion, and regulation, her work offers thought-provoking perspectives that invite listeners to reconsider how the brain truly functions. “Nobel medicine prize goes to 3 scientists for shining light on brain activity” - AP Newshttps://tinyurl.com/54bayecc  7½ Lessons About the Brain: https://a.co/d/0541FTXE  (Amazon) https://tinyurl.com/44fy56e6 (Bookshop.org) How Emotions Are Made: https://a.co/d/01YlL2qm (Amazon) https://tinyurl.com/7ejhrype (Bookshop.org) …or your local bookstore

When you hear the word calm, what comes to mind? Sitting still? Being quiet? Not reacting? In this episode of Regulated & Relational, Tracy Leonard and Ginger Healy challenge common misconceptions about calm and explore a deeper, trauma-informed understanding of what calm truly means. Rather than being about compliance or the absence of emotion, calm is revealed as a nervous system state that is rooted in safety, regulation, and connection. Just as anxiety can spread, so can calm, grounded regulation.  Listeners will learn why calm is often misunderstood, how trauma impacts our ability to access it, and why calm is less about controlling emotions and more about staying connected to ourselves while experiencing them. "Calm isn't the absence of emotion. It's the ability to stay with yourself through emotion."  Tracy Leonard

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, Julie Beem and Ginger Healy explore anxiety through an attachment-focused and trauma-informed lens. Together, they discuss how worry, avoidance, emotional numbness, and perfectionism often develop as protective coping strategies, while also examining how these strategies can unintentionally keep us disconnected from ourselves and others. Julie and Ginger help us understand anxiety is often less about eliminating fear and more about understanding what lies beneath it and share compassionate insight into the healing power of authentic connection, vulnerability, and relationship repair. Resources Mentioned and Quotes The Dance of Fear by Harriet Lerner Relational-Cultural Theory (Judith Jordan) Attachment- and trauma-informed approaches to healing and connection "It is not fear that stops you from doing the brave and true thing in your daily life. Rather, the problem is avoidance." — Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Fear "You want to feel comfortable and so you avoid doing and saying the thing that will evoke fear and other difficult emotions. Avoidance will make you feel less vulnerable in the short run, but it will never make you less afraid." — Harriet Lerner, The Dance of Fear "The need for connection in which growth is a priority is the core motivation in people's lives." — Judith Jordan

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, Ginger Healy and Tracy Leonard welcome nationally recognized special education advocate, speaker, author, and trainer Karen Mayer Cunningham, also known as The Special Education Boss®. With over 30 years of experience supporting students with disabilities, families, educators, advocates, and school systems, Karen brings a unique blend of expertise, humor, and compassion to the conversation. As a USA Today National Bestselling Author of The Epic IEP™, Karen has become a leading voice in helping families and professionals navigate special education services and achieve meaningful outcomes for students. Our hosts explore with Karen the importance of collaboration, advocacy, communication, and student-centered supports within the special education process along with practical insights for families and educators who sit at the IEP and 504 table for creating stronger relationships and better educational outcomes for children. Karen's mission is simple but powerful: when we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone. Quotes:“All kids are RA - Ridiculously Amazing” KMC “The hardest people to teach are adult learners” KMC Official Website Special Education Academy Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham Apple Podcasts: Special Education Boss® Podcast on Apple Podcasts Spotify: Special Education Boss® Podcast on Spotify Buzzsprout (official podcast site): Special Education Boss® Podcast Official Book Website The Epic IEP™    Official Academy The Epic IEP™ Academy Facebook: Special Education Boss® Instagram: @specialeducationboss  TikTok: @specialeducationboss YouTube: Special Education Academy LinkedIn (Karen Mayer Cunningham): Karen Mayer Cunningham on LinkedIn LinkedIn (Company): Special Education Academy

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, hosts Tracy Leonard and Lorraine Schneider welcome Dr. Roberts Anda, co-founder and principal investigator of the groundbreaking Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. For more than two decades, Dr. Anda's work has transformed our understanding of how early adversity impacts physical health, mental health, education, relationships, and lifespan outcomes. As one of the architects of the original ACE Study, he helped shine a light on the profound connection between childhood experiences and adult well-being, sparking a global movement toward trauma-informed practices. Today, Dr. Anda reflects on the origins of the ACE Study, the unexpected reach of its findings, and the evolution of trauma-informed approaches across healthcare, education, social services, and communities. He also shares insights into where the field is headed next and his continued vision for creating a trauma-informed nation. ACE Interface: https://www.aceinterface.com Learn more about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): https://www.cdc.gov/aces Dr. Anda’s research publications: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Robert-F-Anda-39796848  Quote from Dr. Anda, “The ACE Study didn't just change how we think about childhood adversity. It changed how we understand health, healing, and the importance of creating environments where children and families can thrive.”

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, hosts Tracy Leonard and Ginger Healy welcome Karen Buckwalter, a therapist, supervisor, trainer, and consultant with more than 30 years of experience supporting children, families, and professionals navigating complex mental health challenges. Grounded in attachment theory and relationship-based healing, Karen has dedicated her career to helping people feel safer, more connected, and more supported. Her work emphasizes the importance of creating both a safe haven and a secure base for growth, whether working directly with children and families or mentoring the professionals who serve them. Soon we have the opportunity to learn more from Karen as she will be a featured speaker at the Attachment & Trauma Network's virtual Building Resilient Communities for Children Conference September 17 and 18, where she will continue to share practical insights for creating stronger, more supportive communities for children and families. Find Karen’s book and other resources mentioned in the podcast at the links below: Karen’s website  - https://www.karendoylebuckwalter.com/ Karen’s resources www.karendoylebuckwalter.com/resources Karen’s Book- Raising The Challenging Child -https://a.co/d/08H1bAbU Karen’s Podcast The Attachment Panel: https://youtu.be/w7AZoBFn774?si=q22UAteMxc5RLz7N Trust‑Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®)  - https://child.tcu.edu/tbri/ social media handles for tagging: https://www.facebook.com/karendoylebuckwalter https://www.instagram.com/karendoylebuckwalter/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-doyle-buckwalter-2757593b/ Suggested attachment book- The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs of Relationships Are the Secret to Building Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust by Ed Tronick  https://a.co/d/0cvkAOCQ Link to the Building Resilient Children virtual Conference: https://attachmenttraumanetwork.org/brcc/

Amusement makes us feel good, but sometimes something that is funny to one person may not be funny to the next person. Ginger Healy and Tracy Leonard explore the nuances of humor, the benefits of a good laugh, and the awareness one needs to avoid creating unintentional discomfort.  True to the nature of being human, we each register humor a little differently as it filters through our personal histories and experiences. Tracy and Ginger reflect on our neurodivergent friends and how humor and sarcasm may not register as different concepts depending on tone of voice used and a sensitivity to unpredictability and emotional safety. In this discussion, Ginger recounts a conversation with her son that made her aware of the root meaning of the word sarcasm and its emotional impact. Her reflection visibly resonates with both hosts, serving as a reminder to pause and consider the effect of our words before speaking. Amusement fosters connection, safety, and belonging, while sarcasm can sometimes function as protective armor that creates distance and emotional harm. By becoming more aware of how we use humor, we can choose forms of laughter that help people feel seen, safe, and connected rather than criticized or excluded. “Humor is not the enemy. The invitation is simply - awareness.” Tracy Leonard Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart is available at Bookshop.org or a local bookstore near you.

Join Tracy and Julie for this week’s podcast episode focusing on the influential role comparison plays in our lives! Why do we compare? How does it impact our emotional well-being? How can we shift comparison into something healthier and more constructive?  Drawing from research, personal experiences, and referencing Atlas of the Heart by one of their favorite authors Brené Brown, Tracy and Julie unpack how comparison shapes our inner and relational well-being. Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart is available at Bookshop.org or a local bookstore near you.

In this episode of Regulated & Relational Tracy, Ginger, and Julie come together to mark a significant transition for the Attachment & Trauma Network: the retirement of longtime Executive Director, Julie Beem. Using this moment of change as a springboard, our hosts explore important elements of transition, both positive and negative, and the impact transition has on our bodies, our minds, and how we respond to and go about our daily lives. Through both professional insight and vulnerable personal stories Tracy, Ginger, and Julie unpack what it means to navigate change in a trauma-informed, attachment-focused way—for ourselves and for the children in our lives. Ginger Healy’s current children’s book, Stronger Together and other books authored by Ginger can be found: Ginger Healy publications website https://gingerhealy.com/publications Bookshop.org https://tinyurl.com/y8hcfscu

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, Tracy and Ginger welcome Dr. Lisa A. Riegel—nationally recognized educator, researcher, founder of the Educational Partnerships Institute, and author of the book NeuroWell. Together, they explore why skills like emotional regulation, connection, and self-awareness are not “soft” at all, but essential to learning, wellbeing, and long-term success. Dr. Riegel emphasizes that meaningful change doesn’t happen at the classroom level alone—it requires alignment across entire systems. As she powerfully states, “If we want different outcomes, we need different systems—not just better intentions.” Drawing on neuroscience, trauma-informed practice, and systems-level leadership, Dr. Riegel challenges traditional school models and calls for a shift toward proactive, brain-aligned environments that support both students and educators. “When you attend to the human people, the academics come…a lot faster too.” Dr. Lisa Riegel 📚 Learn More About Dr. Lisa A. Riegel Book: NeuroWell Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/NeuroWell-Applying-science-supportive-proactive/dp/B0F1N5DJQF Organization: Educational Partnerships Institute https://www.epinstitute.net/ Frameworks: NeuroWell culture www.epinstitute.net/neurowell Focus Areas: Brain-based leadership, trauma-informed systems, school culture transformation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/ To explore more of Dr. Riegel’s work visit the Educational Partnerships Institute online, using the provided link, for current articles, speaking engagements, and social media presence.

This week on Regulated & Relational, Ginger Healy and Julie Beem welcome a very special guest: educator, speaker, and viral content creator, Jere Chang. Known to millions online as “Ms. Chang,” Jere brings humor, honesty, creativity, and deep compassion to conversations about education, inclusion, belonging, and what she calls radical kindness. With more than 20 years in education and a global social media following, Jere has become a powerful voice for teachers, families, and children navigating today’s educational landscape. In this conversation, we explore: Jere’s journey into teaching and gifted education Why social media became a platform for advocacy and connection What “soft activism” and radical kindness really mean The changing realities facing both students and educators today The power of authenticity, curiosity, resilience, and belonging How laughter and connection can become pathways to healing Ms. Chang’s new book on Amazon! Becoming the Teacher I Needed: Lessons in Radical Kindness and Resilience https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394357621 Find Ms. Chang on social media Ms. Chang Gifted Official Website (mschanggifted) TikTok: @mschanggifted on TikTok Instagram: @mschanggifted on Instagram YouTube: Jere Chang (@mschanggifted) on YouTube Facebook: Ms. Chang Gifted on Facebook Linktree (all socials): Ms. Chang Gifted Linktree (Linktree)

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, hosts Tracy Leonard and Ginger Healy sit down with Sage Hancock, Executive Director of GenerationAll, for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation on breaking cycles of trauma and creating systemic change. Sage shares her expertise at the intersection of advocacy, healing, and prevention—exploring what it truly means to be trauma-informed and attachment-focused when supporting children and families impacted by early childhood trauma. Together, they discuss: • What effective prevention looks like for at-risk children and families • How generational and secondary trauma show up across communities • The importance of early identification and how trauma manifests in the body • Why systems like healthcare and policy must shift toward earlier intervention • The “circle” of prevention and moving upstream to stop harm before it happens • Expanding models of care, especially in underserved and rural communities • The role of storytelling—including Hometown Betrayal—in driving awareness and change This episode is a deep dive into how we move from awareness to action—centering lived experience, strengthening families, and reimagining systems to better protect and support survivors. Learn more about GenerationAll: https://www.generationall.org/ Follow on social: @generation.all Book referenced: Hometown Betrayal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4KS4S4H

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Julie and Ginger sit down with Andy Neal—content creator, speaker, and foster/adoptive parent—to explore the realities of parenting children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Drawing from both lived experience and professional insight, this episode dives into the complexities of attachment, trauma, and the emotional toll—and growth—that comes with raising children impacted by early adversity. Andy shares his personal journey with vulnerability, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, offering listeners a rare, unfiltered look at life inside a family navigating RAD. Andy Neal is an Oregon-based content creator, speaker, and storyteller known online as @andyfilmsandhikes. With a cross-platform audience of over 500,000, Andy is widely recognized for his viral “stupid hike for my stupid mental health” videos, as well as his candid reflections on mental health, faith, grief, and foster and adoptive parenting. His storytelling blends humor with honesty, creating space for real conversations about healing and resilience. Parenting children with RAD requires a profound shift from behavior management to relationship-based care Healing is nonlinear—for both children and caregivers Support systems are not optional; they are essential Honest storytelling helps reduce stigma and isolation Follow Andy: @andyfilmsandhikes

Sometimes healing doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from getting grounded in what’s already around us. In this inspiring episode, Julie and Ginger explore the powerful connection between nature and nervous system regulation, diving into the fascinating science behind why time outdoors calms, heals, and restores us. From the forest floor to the garden bed, you’ll learn how nature interacts with our bodies and brains—on a chemical and cellular level—to reduce stress, boost mood, strengthen immunity, and bring us back into balance. Try these easy, no-cost ways to reconnect and regulate: Take a barefoot walk in the grass with your child. Make mud pies, dig in the dirt, or plant something together. Sit under a tree, journal outdoors, or simply breathe in the fresh air. Create a “sit spot” at home or school to notice daily and seasonal changes. Step away from screens and let the rhythm of nature help you downshift into calm. Nature helps the body move from hyperarousal or dissociation into safety and connection—what trauma-sensitive educators call the window of tolerance. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver, grounding yourself in nature isn’t just restorative—it’s regulating. As Ginger reminds us: “Healing doesn’t just happen in therapy offices. It’s also waiting for us—just outside the front door.” Resources & References: The Nature Fix — Florence Williams Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing — Dr. Qing Li Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder — Richard Louv Your Brain on Nature — Eva Selhub & Alan Logan Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons — Chevalier et al., Journal of Environmental and Public Health (2012) Polyvagal Theory — Stephen Porges Children & Nature Network: childrenandnature.org Regulation and Co-Regulation: Accessible Neuroscience and Connection Strategies for the Classroom and Beyond — by Ginger Healy

What if growth could sound like laughter? In this conversation, Billy Kaplan, a licensed clinical social worker at Treehouse Health, joins Ginger and Julie to explore how healing with youth can emerge through humor, play, and connection. Billy shares stories from his therapeutic work, showing how joy and pain often live side by side, and how a simple “yes, and” can open space for change. Together, they reflect on the power of reframing, the meaning of PACE approach (playful acceptance, curiosity, and empathy), and the surprising truth that sometimes the most serious work is play.