Healing Hearts: Parenting with Purpose-Support for Resilient Families, Support for Parents, Childhood Trauma Advocacy

Send us a text“How can I tell if a child needs legal help?” “Who speaks up for children who can't speak for themselves?” “What happens when the system fails a child?” – Sadly, the foster care and legal systems are imperfect. Both have countless faults and could be improved a million times over, and yet the kids who are unwillingly thrown around and abused in all of it often cannot speak up for themselves. Thankfully, today Rylie Heck and Sofia Scher sit down with Paul McBride, who shares his story growing up in the foster care system and then becoming a defender of children's rights. Paul is a fierce attorney, specializing in wrongful death and sexual assault, both very common in the foster care system, as well as a passionate advocate for youth who face these challenging situations, being a board member both at AMIkids and right here at Speak Up For Kids. He gives his insight on how legal advocacy protects vulnerable children, how families can ensure that their children's rights are protected, and ways to advocate for children in your community. He also discusses the largest legal challenges faced by youth, and how to find proper and good representation. Despite this broken system, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it all may start through simple, passionate advocacy. Click play to learn countless tips and tricks and receive additional resources. It's time to bring justice to the voiceless! This is Part 1, Part 2 is out now! Be sure to tune in to get the full story and all the wonderful information shared! 

Send us a text“Is my teen using drugs?” “How can I talk to my teen about drugs and alcohol without facing a wall?” “Is there a secret to protecting my teen from peer pressure?” — Do you feel helpless watching your teens make choices that could have lasting consequences? Don't worry, you aren't alone. In our Heart to Heart today, Tonya tells us how we can address risky behaviors such as substance abuse and sexual activity in our teens. Through the story of 15-year-old Roger, we discover some practical tools to avoid conflict, such as fostering honest communication, setting clear expectations, modeling healthy behaviors, and promoting informed decision making. We learn how to help our teens—not by control, but by guidance and love. Tune in today for some invaluable information and help your teens thrive without worrying about the consequences of risky behaviors.

Send us a text“Can music help my children heal from trauma?” “Are there any good alternatives to talk therapy?” “We've tried so much, but nothing seems to stick. What's next?” — When a child's behavior and tendencies of crossing the line keep escalating, what are you supposed to do? Many parents must decide the next step to take to reconnect and end their child's bad behavior, which can oftentimes feel overwhelming. The wrong choice could lead to a worsening in behavior, and you just don't have the energy to deal with that. If that's you, you've found the right episode of Healing Hearts. Today, Sophia Mills sits down with Crystal Luk-Worall, a registered music therapist, EMDR practitioner, and founder of Clap and Toot. Crystal explains why music therapy is likely a great choice and how children often heal better from trauma through creative expression in music, play, and movement. Together, they discuss how trauma-informed music therapy builds trustworthy connections and emotional safety and why traditional therapy isn't always enough. In this episode, you'll find invaluable advice that actually heals trauma, small daily rituals you can do to build connections and feelings of safety, and practical ways to support healing from trauma. Tune in, and let's learn to heal trauma together!This is Part 2, if you haven't yet listened to Part 1, we recommend you tune in to that first!

Send us a text“Can music help my children heal from trauma?” “Are there any good alternatives to talk therapy?” “We've tried so much, but nothing seems to stick. What's next?” — When a child's behavior and tendencies of crossing the line keep escalating, what are you supposed to do? Many parents must decide the next step to take to reconnect and end their child's bad behavior, which can oftentimes feel overwhelming. The wrong choice could lead to a worsening in behavior, and you just don't have the energy to deal with that. If that's you, you've found the right episode of Healing Hearts. Today, Sophia Mills sits down with Crystal Luk-Worall, a registered music therapist, EMDR practitioner, and founder of Clap and Toot. Crystal explains why music therapy is likely a great choice and how children often heal better from trauma through creative expression in music, play, and movement. Together, they discuss how trauma-informed music therapy builds trustworthy connections and emotional safety and why traditional therapy isn't always enough. In this episode, you'll find invaluable advice that actually heals trauma, small daily rituals you can do to build connections and feelings of safety, and practical ways to support healing from trauma. Tune in, and let's learn to heal trauma together!

Send us a text“How do I protect my child from online hate and cyberbullying?” “My child seems different lately—how do I know if they're being bullied?” “Our family feels helpless—how do we support each other through this?” - In this modern age, bullying isn't just in school anymore. We often bring it home with us on our phones; through social media and the internet. Today, Tonya tells the story of Ava, a talented young artist, whose dreams are crushed by bullies. Jenna and Tom, her parents, travel this rocky emotional road to supporting her, which teaches us valuable lessons. Hear how you can prevent bullying, consider options for recovery, and ask what steps you should be taking. Both for parents with children experiencing bullying and those simply weary of the dangers of bullying, this episode will provide valuable insights and tips to take steps to a healthier, happier life. 

Send us a text“How can I tell if my teenager is depressed?” “Is my teen just moody, or is it something worse?” “I feel helpless, what do I do?” “How can I find help?” – In modern society, mental health is unfortunately a pressing issue. Suicide is the leading cause of death in teenagers, but it can all be prevented. Today, Sophia Mills sits down with Elliot Kallen, President and Co-Founder of A Brighter Day, who tells his story of transforming his own grief into an invigorating mission to save countless lives by supporting teens who suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. Recognizing warnings and signs is the crucial first step to take, but there is so much more, including breaking down communication barriers, and supporting your teen through it all. Elliot also discusses social media and its own negative impacts on mental health, despite society's reliance on it, and how we should navigate it to ensure safety and hinder its negative effects. Together, we can work to bring down suicide rates and increase mental health, and the first step that might just be tuning in to this episode of healing hearts. So press play, learn how to support your teens to cultivate positivity and mental fortitude, and discover resources and tools provided by A Brighter Day that take necessary steps towards ending mental health issues. Let's save lives! This is Part 2! Be sure to tune in to get the full story and all the wonderful information shared! (This is Part 2, if you haven't yet listened to Part 1, we recommend you tune in to that first!) 

Send us a text“How can I tell if my teenager is depressed?” “Is my teen just moody, or is it something worse?” “I feel helpless, what do I do?” “How can I find help?” – In modern society, mental health is unfortunately a pressing issue. Suicide is the leading cause of death in teenagers, but it can all be prevented. Today, Sophia Mills sits down with Elliot Kallen, President and Co-Founder of A Brighter Day, who tells his story of transforming his own grief into an invigorating mission to save countless lives by supporting teens who suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. Recognizing warnings and signs is the crucial first step to take, but there is so much more, including breaking down communication barriers, and supporting your teen through it all. Elliot also discusses social media and its own negative impacts on mental health, despite society's reliance on it, and how we should navigate it to ensure safety and hinder its negative effects. Together, we can work to bring down suicide rates and increase mental health, and the first step that might just be tuning in to this episode of healing hearts. So press play, learn how to support your teens to cultivate positivity and mental fortitude, and discover resources and tools provided by A Brighter Day that take necessary steps towards ending mental health issues. Let's save lives! This is Part 1, Part 2 is out now! Be sure to tune in to get the full story and all the wonderful information shared! 

Send us a text“Am I a horrible parent?” “Why does my child have constant meltdowns?” “How can I rebuild my relationship with my child?” – Everyday, parents worldwide ask themselves these questions as they struggle to navigate their childrens' behavioral challenges. Today, Sophia Mills sits down with Lisa Chan, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and parent coach. Ms. Chan shares invaluable expertise on sailing the rough seas of high-conflict family dynamics and how we can address difficult behavior in our children. She presents effective strategies for parents, explains how important it is to change from a mindset of fixing to a mindset of supporting, and gives tips on building authentic connections with your children that allow you to empower emotional regulation and resilience. This episode is truly invaluable for each and every parent, whether your children have behavioral challenges or you just have teenagers who love to ignore authority. Click play to receive practical tools and resources to strengthen your family's bond in the most challenging times you will face.

Send us a text“Am I giving enough attention to all my children?” “Where do I start when advocating for my child's education, therapy, and resources?” “How can I support other children who may feel overlooked or burdened?” – Every parent fears that they are not parenting their children the right way, it's not just you. Today, Sophia Mills sits down with Christian E. Sanon II, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and co-founder of Look Up Therapy, LLC. He shares his deep, inspiring story of growing up as an older brother to a sister with autism, and how that shaped his career and planted the seed for advocacy for children within him. His past taught him how advocating shouldn't be just for children with special needs, but also their siblings, and how this advocacy is a family-wide effort. While listening to Christian, you will learn functional tips to create a supportive home environment, recognizing the roles of all your children, and how you can navigate barriers to ensure your children are receiving their best care. Press play for a meaningful discussion filled with hope and useful tools for every family, whether it be one struggling with parenting special needs children, needing help with sibling support, or even just a family needing to strengthen their bonds.

Send us a text“Why are my children so defiant?” “What can I do to stop the constant arguments, tantrums, and fights?” “What am I doing wrong?” – We all have our struggles, the days when we feel down and maybe get a little snappy, but for some people, some parents, the struggle is constant. Children with behavioral challenges present new obstacles for parenting, but there is hope. In today's Heart to Heart, Tonya tells the story of Lisa, Tom, and their children Jacob and Emily. As parents trying to navigate their childrens' behavioral challenges, Lisa and Tom had to learn new ways of parenting and how to better support their children to avoid tantrums, defiance, sibling rivalry, and promote emotional regulation. Tonya shares parenting strategies and tips for creating a more connected, harmonious, and pleasant family dynamic. 

Send us a textJoin us as Sophia Mills speaks with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, to explore the complications of Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD). Learn how to see the difference between PFD and typical picky eating, discover valuable resources for your family, and gain insights into how you can help advocate for better care. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode offers hope and support for navigating feeding challenges.

Send us a textIn this episode, Courtney Marx, Program Director of Mental Health First Aid at Alpert Jewish Family Services, tells Sophia Mills and all you valuable parents how MHFA advocates for compassionate responses to mental health challenges. Courtney explains the 5-step action plan, breaking down disgrace, and how these tools make a very large difference in moments of crisis. Join us to learn how you can support yourself and your family through the power of MHFA and Speak Up For Kids.

Send us a textIn this episode, Sofia Scher speaks with Sasha Saidman, a children's book author, mom, and mental health advocate. Sasha's journey through dyslexia, therapy, and substance abuse counseling has shaped her passion for helping others. Saidman did DBT and CBT therapy as well as went to school for substance-abuse counseling and did internships with at rescue. Listen in to learn more in this multifaceted conversation!GUEST INFORMATION LINKS:Facebook: Sasha Saidman BooksInstagram: Sasha SaidmanTikTok: The_KowalskiWebsite: www. Sashasaidman.com

Send us a textIn this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste helps to clarify the terms that you might hear thrown around: vulnerable and at-risk children. We believe this is important in order to better understand how we can help support our youth.

Send us a textIn this episode, Sofia Scher speaks to Pamela Brooks, a career social worker of 25 years with a strong background in child welfare, mental health, dual-diagnosed. Pamela is also a certified Educational Surrogate in Palm Beach County and a Masters of Social Work student at Florida Atlantic University. They discuss the practical strategies for addressing educational needs and provide insight on guiding youth who are curious about their biological families and building brighter futures through education and support.If you have any questions, please reach out to parents@speakupforkidspbc.org

Send us a textIn this episode, Sophia Mills talks with Carli Dansky, a passionate speaker, writer, and coach. She started her company, btrue&well, because she believes that being true to ourselves plays a crucial role in how we feel every day!  Based on her experiences, Carli understands that making authentic choices is key to living a life of fulfillment, joy, and purpose. The truth is, when we aren't true to ourselves life can become very stressful, and Carli knows this firsthand. During her teenage years, she recalls conforming to fit in, often making choices based on societal expectations rather than discovering herself, and what she really wanted. In Carli's view, the pervasive influences in today's world can lead us to forget what we love, what we stand for, and what we are innately good at. Before we know it, we find ourselves on autopilot, unsure of who we are or what we truly want.Carli is on a mission to show people that there is another way - by reconnecting with oneself and understanding that each of us has unique qualities and characteristics that no one else does, and that is our superpower!  Her real passion lies in her launch of The Authenticity Project, aiming to spread the message of authenticity, self discovery, and self confidence to as many young people as possible.GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS:Instagram: @btrueandwell & @theauthenticityprojecttFacebook: The Authenticity ProjectWebsite: www.btrueandwell.comNewsletter: https://btrueandwell.substack.com

Send us a textIn this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste tells a story about her friend Ericka and how she reacted when her 10-year old son Jamie came in the house and slammed the door. Join in to learn about the power of leading by example and how to guide your children through the rough seas of emotion in order to find calmer waters together.

Send us a textIn this episode, Sofia Scher talks with Tiffany White, an author, speaker, writing coach, podcast host, and mother to a teenager. Her purpose in life is to awaken and uncover the purpose within others so that they can walk boldly in it and thrive in life - "When we become better, our families become better."Tiffany began mentoring youth in the inner-city or high risk areas when she was a teenager. Her life wasn't perfect and it started off with turbulence when she was kidnapped as an infant, but she always had a desire to give what she had and what she knew to others so that they could become better. A part of Tiffany's existence is to be the example to others. To show others that hard circumstances and situationships do not disqualify one from living the life that they have envisioned, desired, or dreamed. It's obtainable and it's a deep desire of her's to remove the scales from the eyes of others (whether through speaking, podcasting, writing, or coaching) so that they can see for themselves that their deep and unspoken desires are obtainable. GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS:https://www.simplytiffany.net/ Instagram: @iamsimplytiffanyTikTok: @imsimplytiffany

Send us a textIn this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste tells a story of a family who is learning the importance of hugging. Join in to understand the impact of daily hugging on your child's emotional well-being.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Sophia Mills talks with Karlonty Wallace, the Owner of Pawsative Partnerships LLC. They help women who have experienced trauma, heal by using dogs and fur babies, as healing tools to walk into destiny and purpose. Wallace's work extends to children, and she brings a wealth of experience from working in various care settings, further honing her ability to understand children's unique personalities and needs. GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS:https://www.pawspartnershipss.com https://linktr.ee/pawspartnerships.com https://www.pawspartnerships.com/collections/positive-thoughts 

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Rylie Heck speaks with Andrea Mancuso about parental well-being and how that can connect to their children's mental health. Andrea was a School Psychologist for the New York City Public Schools for over 14 years. She served the NYC school system and supported thousands of children and their families during that time. Much of Andrea's work emphasizes awareness and acceptance, proactive self-care and effective communication between parent and child. Throughout her years working with parents, she has found it to be exceptionally important for parents to open up to the possibility of locking arms with trusted professionals to best support their children. Andrea also works hard to empower parents to take care of themselves to the best of their ability. It takes a village; And the village must be healthy to be impactful with the care of vulnerable children. Andrea is a highly skilled consultant and dynamic facilitator. As an Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Andrea is experienced with both development and high-performance coaching. She is certified in Emotional Intelligence (EI) assessment and is currently the host of The V Spot Podcast. Andrea attained Advanced Certification in Mental Health Counseling in 2022, a Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.) in Therapeutic Interventions and a Professional Diploma in School Psychology from Fordham University in 2007.GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS:Website: www.iamandreamancuso.comInstagram: @iamandreamancusoYouTube: Intentional Healing & Wellness

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Sophia Mills talks to Brandin Bryant, NFL player and children's book author. Born in Nebraska, Brandin is not only an accomplished NFL professional with an impressive 8-year career on the field but also a passionate advocate for mental performance. Brandin has recently added "author" to his resume with his debut book, where he shares his wisdom on the transformative power of a growth mindset and the crucial role of education in an athlete's life. His dedication to inspiring young athletes has taken him to universities nationwide, where he speaks about building a successful mindset both on and off the field.GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS:Instagram: @EL_Sacko @BrandinsBooksWebsite: www.BrandinsBooks.com

Send us a Text Message.In this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste tells a story of a child who is struggling with self image issues and peer pressure and how their family worked through these challenges. Join in to understand the impact of struggling self-esteem for your child and learn some ways to navigate scenarios like this one.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode,  Sophia Mills talks to Karen M. Ricks, a Christian wife, Worldschooling mom, nomadic chef, and a certified yoga instructor. Teaching for over 25 years, she has been a Montessorian since her own preschool days. She holds Montessori teaching certifications for guiding children from infancy through elementary. She has cooked professionally, in restaurants, commercial kitchens, and private homes on four different continents over the last decade and a half. After 10 years of teaching in central Japan, where Karen founded and operated her own international Montessori school, she sold it all to begin a nomadic life of full-time travel with her family. Karen spreads her message of embracing a Slow Food Lifestyle, a lifelong love of learning, and education for peace by teaching people of all ages how to #PLAYwithYourFood and why they need to share that gift with those they love. You can learn more about her, her family's edible exploits, and the lessons they are learning on their Culinary Worldschooling Adventures as they gallivant around the globe over at Our Kitchen Classroom. com.GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS:Website: https://OurKitchenClassroom.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/ourkitchenclassroomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenm.ricks/ (#OurKitchenClassroom) YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ourkitchenclassroomYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YogaWKaren #PLAYwithYourFood Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WePLAYwithOurFood/Subscribe to Our Kitchen Playground: https://ourkitchenclassroom.com/subscribe-to-our-kitchen-playground/

Send us a Text Message.In this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste tells a story of a child who is overwhelmed with academics and how her family worked through these challenges. Join in to understand the impact of academic pressures and learn some ways to navigate scenarios like this one.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Sophia Mills and Sofia Scher interview Dr. Michelle Alden. Dr. Alden is a parent coach, licensed professional counselor in Idaho, and author. She has developed a program used in Idaho to help parents who have youth with severe behavior and mental health issues. Dr. Alden's passion is helping adoptive families to work through the challenges. She have  worked with at-risk kids for more than 20 years, the last 10 years specifically in the homes and coaching parents navigate difficult situations directly in their homes. Dr. Alden's believes, like John Bowlby - an attachment expert - said, "if we love children, we must cherish their parents." Dr. Alden wants to empower parents to parent and a key is giving the parents the tools and skills they need to help their children to work through and overcome the challenges they are facing. She offers parents the skills they need to build a bridge to the family they want and be in charge in their home and with their children. GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS:Main Website: healthyfoundations.co (not .com)Coaching resources: parentingchallengingkids.comBook: Parenting Emotionally Distressed KidsThe Playroom for Parents (entry level parent coaching group)Courses for professionals and parents with ADHD KidsThe Parenting Bridge podcastSocial MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthyFoundationsFamilyProgramInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyfoundationsfp/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@healthyfoundations7631LindedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michelle-alden-24558656

In this episode, Sophia Mills interviews Jenniel Taylor, a Psychotherapist, Life Coach and Founder of the Shades of Trauma Healing Podcast. She has a passion for helping adults heal from the impacts of childhood trauma using a judgment-free, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed approach. To provide a holistic therapeutic plan, Jenniel utilizes talk therapy, spiritual applications, and somatic (body awareness) interventions to support clients. She embraces joy, playfulness, and laughter in her personal and professional life and encourages her friends and clients to do the same.Taylor understands the impacts of adverse childhood experiences on children's development, and uses the ACEs questionnaire with every client intake. Taylor has studied with the Arizona Trauma Institute to become a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, and has specific training in Parenting Traumatized Children.GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS:Resources referenced in the epsiode: Coregulation Games to Play With Your Childrenhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTV8GKrQjqohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4RPzy2GA_UPodcast: Shades of Trauma Healing  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shades-of-trauma-healing-childhood-trauma-trust/id1697943321Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shades_of_trauma_healing/. Email: support@shadesoftraumahealing.com

In this episode, Sophia Mills and Rylie Heck speak with Julie McGue, an adult adoptee, identical twin, and author. At the age of 48, a breast biopsy brought to light the limitations of closed adoption, sparking a quest to uncover her birth circumstances, family medical history, and genealogy. Beyond her writing, Julie is a mother, grandmother, and an identical twin, embracing the myriad roles and experiences life has offered her. She has a lifelong passion for storytelling and has filled countless journals and binders with narratives and reflections from her experiences.  She writes about finding out who you are, where you belong, and making sense of it.Julie has published two award-winning books, Twice a Daughter is about the five year search for birth relatives. Belonging Matters is a collection of essays about adoption, family, and kinship. Her third book, a prequel to Twice a Daughter, comes out in Feb. 2025. Julie McGue takes us on a gripping exploration of her profound adoptee journey through a medical crisis within the confines of closed adoption, discovering personal identity and voice while weaving resilience and inspiration from every challenge faced.GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS: https://juliemcgueauthor.comwww.facebook.com/juliemcguewriteswww.twitter.com/juliermcguewww.instagram.com/julieryanmcguewww.Goodreads.com/julieryanmcguewww.linkedin.com/in/julie-mcgue-a246b841

In this episode, Sophia Mills speaks with Rebecca Korda, program manager for recruitment and training at the National Youth Advocate Program. Rebecca provides quality services to children and families within the dependency system here in southeast Florida. Rebecca began her career as a case manager with ChildNet in 2012. She transitioned to working the last 8 years with foster parents and the youth they serve. First, as a treatment coordinator ensuring the children's appointments and needs were monitored. Then, as a licensing specialist monitoring foster parents were in compliance and good standing with DCF regulations. Currently, Rebecca works as a trainer and recruiter actively trying to dispel the myth that it takes "someone special" to be a foster parent. She has learned through professional and personal experience that being a foster parent simply means putting aside your own conveniences at times to ensure the children coming into your home feel welcomed and valued. Rebecca's expertise serves to educate and encourage anyone interested in becoming a foster parent. She also works with foster parents struggling because, per Rebecca's words, "being a foster parent isn't all sunshine and rainbows." There are struggles which require expert guidance. It is important to ensure foster parents and the children in their home are given necessary care and attention from the system of care responsible for their placement. Rebecca offers personal experience. Many people work in the foster care system but not all of them are also licensed foster parents. Her ability to recruit and assist soon-to-be foster parents comes from a unique place; lived experience. Rebecca's lived experience as a foster parent has improved the way the state mandated curriculum is delivered to people attending foster parent training classes.  GUEST INFORMATION/LINKS: NYAP.orghttps://nfpaonline.org/Maybe Days: A book for Children in Foster CareEveryParent (Palm Beach parent app)https://www.cscbroward.org/families/ (Children's Services Council)

In this episode,  Sophia Mills and Sofia Scher talk about the need and importance of PPEC with Thomas LoBianco, the vice president at Tender Care PPEC.  Tender Care is a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center (PPEC) which is basically a daycare for kids with special medical needs. They help birth to 21 and are staffed with nurses and therapists. They have six locations in Florida and are free with Medicaid.UPCOMING EVENT: 2nd Annual Special Needs Resources Expo on Saturday, April 13 from 1-3 PM at Mall 2121 in St. Augustine, Florida.For more information,  check out this information: https://www.tcms.care/st-augustine-2024-expo/GUEST INFORMATION:Website: www.tcms.care Facebook: Tender Care PPECInstagram: teamtendercareppecTikTok: teamtendercareYouTube: tendercareppecLinkedIn: tendercareppec 

In this episode,  co-Hosts Sophia Mills and Sofia Scher have a conversation with Debbie Reber, the parent of a 19 year old neurodivergent child and the founder and CEO of Tilt Parenting. Tilt Parenting was created in 2016 to support parents find more confidence and hope in raising their differently wired children.GUEST INFORMATIONDebbie Reber is a parenting activist, bestselling author, podcast host, speaker, and the CEO and founder of Tilt Parenting. Tilt Parenting is working to change the way neurodifferences in children — ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, giftedness, processing challenges, twice-exceptionality, and more — are perceived and experienced so these children, and the parents raising them, can thrive in their schools, their families, and in their lives. She is the author of more than dozen books, including my most recent book "Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World." Before Debbie launched Tilt, she spent more than fifteen years writing inspiring books for women and teens, and frequently spoke about issues like media literacy, self-esteem, and confidence, and consulted for clients including the Girl Scouts, the Disney Channel, McGraw Hill, and Kaplan. In the earlier years of her career, Debbie worked in TV and video production, producing documentaries and PSAs for CARE and UNICEF, working on Blue's Clues for Nickelodeon, and developing original series for Cartoon Network. Debbie currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.Social Media: https://facebook.com/tiltparenting  https://instagram.com/tiltparentingWebsite Links:https://tiltparenting.com/clubhttps://tiltparenting.com/podcasthttps://tiltparenting.com/book

In this episode,  Host Sophia Mills has a conversation with licensed mental health professional, certified parent coach, & Mom of two, Elyse Jones. Sophia and Elyse discuss the importance of understanding your child's love language and how that can impact discipline styles and behavior outcomes.GUEST INFORMATIONElyse Jones is a thought provoking international speaker who has trained & supported thousands of parents, educators & villagers for over a decade as a school counselor & community practitioner. As a licensed social worker, certified parenting coach & ordained minister she understands that being a mental health professional isn't just a career, it's a calling.She is the founder and chief consultant of Parenting for the Culture, a therapeutic coaching & consulting practice committed to bringing awareness & interruption to generational patterns that often sneak into our parenting practices & plague our communities. She provides collaborative services & interactive workshops to school districts, churches & corporations who understand that peace on earth begins at home.She is a wife to an amazing husband, Karlton Jones. Together they have two beautiful children, their three-year-old son KJ & their six-year-old daughter Gracie. Although small in stature their children have been huge in impact, daily reminding them of this truth: “Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be something you do but someone you raise.” By the grace of God, they are committed to intentional parenting, raising a generation of children who will not need to recover from their childhood.Social Media: @elysejonesofficial (FB, IG, & YouTube)Self Paced Course: https://elyse-jones-01f9.mykajabi.com/UnOverwhelmed?cid=16cdd24f-a33b-474c-9243-aad148920aafEmail address: elyse@parentingfortheculture.com

In this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste tells a story of a parent who feels overwhelmed and their child who feels unheard . Join in to understand the importance of engaged parenting and learn some advice about ways to navigate scenarios like this one.

In this episode, Host Sophia Mills talks to Adoptive Parent, Tim Maudlin. Maudlin talks about adoption trauma with his child and shares personal stories, tools, and tips to overcome grief and trauma and survive what seems unsurvivable, empowering parents to give grace to their children while being kind to themselves.Tim Maudlin is a devoted husband, adoptive parent, disciple of Christ, avid journaler, and Ambassador of Encouragement. He is the host of the globally ranked podcast "Anchors of Encouragement," which stands among the top 2.5% worldwide and provides Biblical encouragement for adoptive parents. Beyond his podcast, Tim finds joy in activities such as hiking, playing cards with friends, and designing and printing t-shirts.

This is the first episode of the Heart to Heart Miniseries, where Tonya Cajuste discusses important topics surrounding parenthood. In this episode, Tonya talks about the importance of empathy and listening to your child and how it can go a lot further than reactionary responses. 

In this episode, Host Sophia Mills has a conversation with foster parent Ashley Moon regarding the topic of fostering positive sibling connections. Ashley provides her experience on the topic as she and her husband became licensed foster parents when they took custody of two of her grand nieces in 2016. These children are now a part of a six sibling case spanning the state of Florida. Ashley shares what works for her family and how she is able to make time for the siblings to bond and sustain their connection with each other. 

Hi everyone! This trailer episode explains how we are expanding our reach! Not only will we continue to be a resource for foster parents, but now we will be providing tips and advice for all parents of vulnerable or at-risk youth.  Join us as we go through this journey of healing together, providing support and guidance along the way!

In this Heart to Heart episode, Tonya Cajuste utilizes a story based on real experiences to emulate how to react when your child loses a friend. Filled with tips and thoughtful advice, listen in to discover new ways to help your child process their feelings and grow closer with you in the process.

In this episode, Rylie Heck and Sofia Scher interview Pam Heck and Brian Heck. They discuss topics surrounding fostering with biological children and how to foster a strong family dynamic. Brian and Pam met in college and came from completely different backgrounds. Pam was raised in a two parent home. Brian's parents were divorced when he was just an infant and his mother remarried. He jumped between mom and dad's house throughout his childhood. Through divine intervention, they ended up at the same college with the same group of friends. Through many years of friendship they married in 2004. They welcomed their daughter, Rylie, to the world in 2007 and their son, Cason in 2011.  Pam and Brian both had careers in helping people. Pam was a director of In Home Family Services for Boys Town. She led a team of consultants who worked with families to intervene and to help prevent their children from going into foster care. Brian was a teacher. He worked in a Title 1 school with kids with severe behavior problems that were voted “most likely not to succeed.” Even though they were helping kids, they had a desire to work together and in a different setting. An opportunity arose for them to become family teachers for Boys Town in Tallahassee, Florida. They would be responsible for their two children as well as 6 teenage boys who were in foster care. They had a home setting with their family, while also teaching life skills to be successful in the future. This was an incredible opportunity that will forever impact Brian and Pam as well as Rylie and Cason. They stepped away from family teaching a few years ago in order to focus their time and attention on their biological children.

In today's episode, Rylie Heck and Sofia Scher interview Palm Beach County high school teacher Mrs. Christine Brown. Mrs. Christine Brown grew up near Amish Country in Pennsylvania and went to school at American University in Washington, DC. While student teaching in DC, she taught many students from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds. Ms. Brown first taught in a Title 1 school and had a student named Faith who kept asking to come home with her.  A few months later, Mrs. Brown and her husband became licensed for foster care.  After a midnight call, a social worker showed up with a 3 year old named Navaeh and that's where her foster care journey began. In the interview, they discuss all things "back to school" including shopping, paperwork, and much more. This is part two of a two-part episode panel.

In today's episode, Rylie Heck and Sofia Scher interview Palm Beach County high school teacher Mrs. Christine Brown. Mrs. Christine Brown grew up near Amish Country in Pennsylvania and went to school at American University in Washington, DC. While student teaching in DC, she taught many students from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds. Ms. Brown first taught in a Title 1 school and had a student named Faith who kept asking to come home with her.  A few months later, Mrs. Brown and her husband became licensed for foster care.  After a midnight call, a social worker showed up with a 3 year old named Navaeh and that's where her foster care journey began. In the interview, they discuss all things "back to school" including shopping, paperwork, and much more. This is part one of a two-part episode panel.

In today's episode, Rylie Heck is joined with a new alternating co-host, Sofia Scher. Rylie and Sofia are discussing the steps needed to become a licensed foster parent and some tips for acclimating a new child into your home. 

This episode introduces another co-host, Rylie Heck, and a brief background about her time with Speak Up for Kids. It discusses tips for the summer season and how to have an organized and eventful household with foster children.

In today's episode, Sophia Mills and Tonya Cajuste are talking with Sam and Neva Quintana.  The Quintanas are a couple who have been through a lot and wanted to give back to their community. They both knew they wanted to do ministry and then God revealed to them that it was taking care of His children mainly through fostering. They informally adopted three teenagers, so they became a family of eight rather quickly. They both have agreed to share their knowledge about foster parenting. This is part two of a two-episode panel.

In today's episode, Sophia Mills and Tonya Cajuste are talking with Sam and Neva Quintana.  The Quintanas are a couple who have been through a lot and wanted to give back to their community. They both knew they wanted to do ministry and then God revealed to them that it was taking care of His children mainly through fostering. They informally adopted three teenagers, so they became a family of eight rather quickly. They both have agreed to share their knowledge about foster parenting. This is part one of a two-episode panel. 

In this episode, Sophia Mills introduces the second season of the Healing Hearts Podcast and a little about what to expect!

In today's episode, Sophia Mills and Tonya Cajuste are talking with Michelle Cook. Michelle is a Registered Mental Health Intern and Generations Counseling Program Manager at Urban Youth Impact.  Michelle has agreed to share her knowledge and mental health resources for both foster youth and parents.

In today's episode, Sophia Mills and Tonya Cajuste are talking with Savatrie Forbes, a registered medical foster parent in Palm Beach County.  Savatrie has agreed to share her journey and experiences as a foster parent for medically complex youth. This is Part Two of a two-episode panel.

In today's episode, Sophia Mills and Tonya Cajuste are talking with Savatrie Forbes, a registered medical foster parent in Palm Beach County.  Savatrie has agreed to share her journey and experiences as a foster parent for medically complex youth. This is part one of a two-episode panel.

In today's episode, Sophia Mills and Tonya Cajuste are talking with two former foster youth, Acoya Cajuste and Lisa Gisiger, who have agreed to share their journey and experiences through the foster care system as well as their tips for foster parents and kids. Please note that we may be discussing some topics that may be sensitive for younger listeners. This is Part Two of a two-episode panel.

In today's episode, Sophia Mills and Tonya Cajuste are talking with two former foster youth, Acoya Cajuste and Lisa Gisiger, who have agreed to share their journey and experiences through the foster care system. Please note that we may be discussing some topics that may be sensitive for younger listeners. This is Part One of a two-episode panel.