Allie Apels and The Kindness Ninjas: I recently had the amazing Allie Apels of @joysofkinder on my podcast to discuss the transformative power of her brainchild "Kindness Ninjas" Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program in her kindergarten class (#kindnessninjas). Essentially, a few years ago, when Allie was faced with one of the most challenging groups of … Continue reading #kindnessninjas The October Challenge
Ep 72- Solving Challenging Behaviour (with Dr. Ross Greene)
If you are an educator, school administrator, parent, camp counsellor, or employer, chances are you've had experience with challenging behaviours. So often, we focus on crisis-management and behaviour-modification to attempt to make challenging behaviours "go away," but as we know, sticker charts and reward systems do little to encourage intrinsic motivation and, furthermore, do not … Continue reading Ep 72- Solving Challenging Behaviour (with Dr. Ross Greene)
No One Can Do – What You Do – Like You Do
When we embark on a new creative venture, what often begins as a feeling of excitement can quickly transform into overwhelm. Too often, when we express ourselves through art, take creative risks, or engage in work that challenges the status quo, self-destructive voices audibly whisper two of the following shame-fuelled messages: “You’re not good enough.” … Continue reading No One Can Do – What You Do – Like You Do
Ep. 71 Three Steps to Self-Compassion (With Lisa Baylis)
We talk about self-care non-stop these days, but certainly, there has to be more to it than bubble baths and pedicures. In this episode, Lisa and I explore the three research-based components to self-care, the importance of getting intentional with your thoughts, and we complete the episode with the most delicious 6 minute mediation! Everyone … Continue reading Ep. 71 Three Steps to Self-Compassion (With Lisa Baylis)
Byron Katie and Oprah’s Supersoul Conversations
I was recently listening to Oprah Winfrey's Supersoul Conversations Podcast (which is amazing, BTW) and stumbled upon a conversation with Byron Katie about a really fascinating way that we can elongate the space between stimulus and response (a Viktor Frankel reference about the way that we can have more ownership and agency over the way … Continue reading Byron Katie and Oprah’s Supersoul Conversations
E 69 – Everything is Figure-Outable (With Dan Buchner)
Dan Buchner is an award winning designer, entrepreneur, educator, and leadership facilitator and the ceo of Praktikel. He designed and delivered custom Innovation Leadership programs for leading organizations such as Baxter Healthcare, Eaton Corporation, McDonalds, General Motors and Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. Dan is a sought-after international keynote speaker and facilitator on innovation practices and … Continue reading E 69 – Everything is Figure-Outable (With Dan Buchner)
E 68 – Self-Care through Visual Storytelling (With Deborah LeFrank)
Deborah Le Frank believes that inside every person – is a collection of stories and memories. Her job is to draw them out of her clients creating a visually engaging Visual Life Story that is deeply meaningful and creates a legacy and connection between generations. With the recent popularity of sketchnoting in schools, I wanted … Continue reading E 68 – Self-Care through Visual Storytelling (With Deborah LeFrank)
E 67 – How to be a Connection Ninja (With David Knapp-Fisher)
How do you make authentic connections with people? How can we teach kids to do the same? What are some of the keys that will enable students to be successful in the uncertain future world they face? I want to introduce you to my friend, David Knapp-Fisher, a connection ninja, speaker, author, world-traveller, and speaking … Continue reading E 67 – How to be a Connection Ninja (With David Knapp-Fisher)
Favourite Mantras for the Classroom
I was inspired to create this post after hearing an episode of Barbara Gruener's Corner on Character podcast episodes. One of her guests talked about the power of mantras in helping to form a positive and encouraging classroom culture. I loved the idea. While I have strong values, I haven't always articulated these into classroom mantras so … Continue reading Favourite Mantras for the Classroom
E 66 – Choose to Rise (With Janelle Morrison)
We all have those moments, real life crashes that provide us with an opportunity to choose fear or choose to rise above the adversity and find a way to move forward. What does it take to be a real hero? How can we learn to rise above our circumstances, teaching our students to do the … Continue reading E 66 – Choose to Rise (With Janelle Morrison)