Whenever a child or teen is referred to as “at-risk”, there’s probably a good reason. Behaviorally at-risk youngsters can be a tremendous concern, especially when their behavior hurts them, hurts a community and breaks the law.

Kids make mistakes; we know that. But how can we help those young people who could easily become repeat offenders and, in the process, sabotage their own futures in addition to the problems they could create?

The guest on this program is David Simonsen, a practicing therapist in Washington state. As a former policeman, he deeply understands the value of a changed life. David offers hope and redirection for at-risk teens by working not only with the young people, but with their whole families as well. It’s part of a relatively new field of intervention called Family Psychology.

David shares about his work in this program, and he makes us aware of the challenges that must be faced. For more information about him and his work, go to this website:

www.Help4Life.net

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The first question asked in this interview is, “How would most folks describe a happy child, and would that description be accurate?” It’s an interesting and compelling question.

Our guest on this program, Maureen Healy, will not only answer this question and others, she will share with us the critical characteristic that contribute most to happiness today in our children and teens: CONFIDENCE. She will also share how there is both “outer” and “inner” confidence.

If we use the ideas presented in this program to foster and cultivate more confidence in our young people, the results definitely will pay off for many years to come.

Maureen is an emotional health expert with more than 20 years of experience gained in studying children and their families all over the world. She’s the author of the just-released book, Growing Happy Kids: How to Foster Inner Confidence, Success and Happiness, and she writes for many popular publications and blogs, including Psychology Today, WebMD and Huffington Post. (26:47)

For more information about Maureen, her organization (Growing Happy Kids) and her work, go to this website:

http://www.growinghappykids.com

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Life can be difficult, sometimes VERY difficult. How we manage those trying times and circumstances matters.

Resilience, the coming back from deep sadness, tremendous stress and heartbreak, is never a level path connecting loss to recovery. It has many twists, turns, hills and valleys, with struggle, frustration and doubt as part of the journey.

Kristen Brown gives us a good look at what resilience is all about. She and her husband, Todd, were 30. They had it all, a nice home, a secure job and Brooke, their beautiful baby girl. Then, with no warning at all, Todd, an athlete in high school, dies suddenly of a heart attack. For her sake and Brooke’s, Kristen resolved to not only survive and recover, but to thrive in the face of adversity.

This is Kristen’s story, including how she started and operates several successful ventures, wrote a best-selling book, The Best Worst Thing; a Memoir, and continues to reach out with support and encouragement to others who also must travel a path they didn’t choose. (27:04)

Kristen operates a number of business and support websites. All can be accessed through:

www.KristenKBrown.com

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What a timely interview! Exactly what are the risks when our children spend too much time playing video games or chatting on the Internet? Can texting become a problem?

Our guest on this program, Kevin Roberts, has answers to these questions, answers he learned the hardest way possible. Kevin is a recovering cyber addict; he can speak to the costs of video gaming and Internet addiciton, including employment problems, distancing of relationships, and even health and fitness concerns.

Kevin shares warning signs parents (and teachers) should look for if they suspect a youngster’s video gaming is getting out of control. He will also outline steps that can be taken to initiate immediate improvement. (26:25)

Kevin is the author of Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap, and he regularly trains therapists, physicians, nurses, educators and parents on the perils of the Internet and video gaming. His informative website is:

www.kevinjroberts.net

TO LISTEN, use the player below or left-click the link. To access the file right-click and “Save Target as …” to save to your audio device), CLICK HERE FOR LINK

It’s been said that a major cause of depression and misery, and even some illnesses, is unforgiveness. Put simply, unforgiveness makes people sick, and it steals their joy.

Although the forgiven benefit from forgiveness, there little doubt the greatest beneficiary is the forgiver. After all, what is the value of being free from festering resentment coupled with the decision not to carry it around any longer?

Shawne Duperon, our guest today on this program, came upon a dynamic situation involving not only forgiveness, but something most would consider to be extreme forgiveness. As a filmmaker, she knew this story, and others like it, cried out to be shared. In this interview, Shawne shares the story, as she and Dr. Sutton discuss the nature of forgiveness and its benefits. (23:29)

A noted media specialist and six-time EMMY award winner, Shawne is producing and directing a documentary entitled Project: FORGIVE. It’s a compelling inquiry that examines why and how humans forgive. For more information and a great, short video about the project (produced by Shawne, of course), go to:

www.ProjectForgive.com

TO LISTEN, use the player below or left-click the link. To access the file right-click and “Save Target as …” to save to your audio device), CLICK HERE FOR LINK

(This is the concluding part of a two-part radio program.)

When Charmaine Hammond and her husband, Chris, adopted a five-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever named Toby, little did they know what the next few years held in store. They were tempted to give up on the big dog, but they didn’t. In return, Toby became an award-winning pet-assisted therapy dog and, in his brief lifetime, achieved Chicken Soup fame and left an indelible paw print in the hearts of all those he touched.

This is a story of love, patience, perseverence and faithfulness. It shows us once again what can be accomplished when we accept others unconditionally.

Charmaine is a professional speaker and seminar leader from the Edmonton area of Alberta. She travels the US and Canada speaking on topics of communication and team building to corporate audiences. But Charmaine continues to promote the values of kindness and caring to Toby’s favorite audience: school children. (17:38)

For more information about A Million Acts of Kindness: Toby’s Global Mission, the movie currently being made on Toby’s life and story, Charmaine’s work as a speaker/trainer, or her heartwarming bestseller, On Toby’s Terms, go to this website:

www.OnTobysTerms.com

TO LISTEN, use the player below or left-click the link. To access the file right-click and “Save Target as …” to save to your audio device), CLICK HERE FOR LINK

When Charmaine Hammond and her husband, Chris, adopted a five-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever named Toby, little did they know what the next few years held in store. They were tempted to give up on the big dog, but they didn’t. In return, Toby became an award-winning pet-assisted therapy dog and, in his brief lifetime, achieved Chicken Soup fame and left an indelible paw print in the hearts of all those he touched.

This is a story of love, patience, perseverence and faithfulness. It shows us once again what can be accomplished when we accept others unconditionally.

Charmaine is a professional speaker and seminar leader from the Edmonton area of Alberta. She travels the US and Canada speaking on topics of communication and team building to corporate audiences. But Charmaine continues to promote the values of kindness and caring to Toby’s favorite audience: school children. (15:27)

For more information about A Million Acts of Kindness: Toby’s Global Mission, the movie currently being made on Toby’s life and story, Charmaine’s work as a speaker/trainer, or her heartwarming bestseller, On Toby’s Terms, go to this website:

www.OnTobysTerms.com

TO LISTEN, use the player below or left-click the link. To access the file right-click and “Save Target as …” to save to your audio device), CLICK HERE FOR LINK

Ask just about any counselor, social worker, clinician or Special Education teacher to identify the toughest challenge they face in helping youngsters improve interpersonal skills. Their response will be amazingly consistent: the management of frustration and anger.

Dave Wolffe, banking on over 35 years as a public school educator and counselor, shares a process that works: the Anger Management Power Program. This program builds on the premise of authentic communication and helps young people improve their behavior from the inside out. Interventions Dave calls “Anger Managers” are discussed in this interview.

Dave is a sought-after seminar leader and trainer on the subject of anger management with adolescents. He is an Adjunct Lecturer at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, and he’s the founder of PEACE, Inc. (Peace Enhancement Attained through Collaborative Effort), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting harmonious, peaceful relationships. Dave’s book is entitled, Peace: The Other Side of Anger. (26:30)

For more information and free resources, go to www.peacefulroute.org

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Communication can be a problem in today’s fast-paced world. When problems of communication begin to wear on the parent-child or teacher-student relationship, serious trouble isn’t far away.

In this program, child and adolescent psychologist, Dr. James Sutton, is interviewed by Mari Frank, host of the west coast radio show, “Prescriptions for Healing Conflict.” Mari is an attorney specializing in mediation, and she’s the author of several books. She is also a law professor of negotiations and mediation at the University of California at Irvine.

In this interview, aired February 6, 2012 from the KUCI studios at the university, Mari and Jim discuss issues of communication in families, including some ways it effectively can be enhanced to the benefit of everyone. Mari also encourges Jim to share some of the finer points of something covered in his newest book, The Changing Behavior Book. It’s a ten-step process parents and teachers can use to resolve conflict with a child or teen. (27:30)

More information about The Changing Behavior Book, as well as a number of free resources, can be accessed through Dr. Sutton’s website:

www.DocSpeak.com

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Dating for the first time (or ANY time) can be exciting for a young person, but it can also be a little scary. Dating poses questions and concerns for parents as well. Safe and responsible dating is a major priority for teens and their families. Our guest on this program will help us with those questions and concerns.

Mike Domitrz, founder of the Date Safe Project, is the hands-down expert on dating and sexual decision-making. Each year, Mike speaks to over 30,000 teens, parents and teachers internationally on this most important topic. The Changing Behavior Network is pleased to offer this informative and attention-grabbing interview with Mike.

Mike’s passion is to share key skills and insights for helping teens make smarter and safer choices when it comes to issues of dating and intimacy. He is the author of the best-selling book for teens and parents, May I Kiss you? and he’s the host of the award-winning DVD, HELP! My Teen is Dating.

Mike’s excellent website is definitely worth a visit. (Complete information about the Date Safe Project is on this site under the “About” link.) Here’s the site:

http://www.HelpMyTeenIsDating.com (25:12)

To listen, use the player below or left-click the link. To access the file right-click and “Save Target as …” to save to your audio device), CLICK HERE FOR LINK