Calming our Kids, One Meal at a Time (Guest: Trudy Scott)

Posted on March 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

Research now clearly states and continually reinforces the connection between dietary deficiencies and issues of mood and behavior in children and teens. The good news is that, in many of these cases, changes in diet and eating habits can relieve characteristics like anxiety, depression, frustration and outbursts of anger. (This is not to infer that all emotional and behavioral diagnoses stem from dietary concerns, but it is one of the easiest and quickest places to start positive changes.)

Trudy Scott, the guest on this program, brings us hope and encouragement based on her findings, her experience, and the hard evidence of cutting-edge research. She takes us through nine steps toward healthier and happier young people starting with the foods and minerals we serve them.

Trudy is an established food-mood expert, a Certified Nutritionist, and author of the popular book, The Anti-anxiety Food Solution. She is the immediate past President of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals, and she serves as Special Advisor to that organization.

Trudy’s informative website is www.antianxietyfoodsolution.com (25:19)

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

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Posted in Achieving Compliance, Difficult and Defiant Behavior, Education, Family, Healthy Living, ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), Parents, self-esteem and self-concept

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The Crisis in Youth Coaching (Guest: Dr. John Mayer)

Posted on February 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

All across America there are men and women coaching everything from pre-school sports to college athletics. The vast majority of them do an awesome job of instructing and encouraging our young people. In doing so, they instilll a life-long love of sports of all types.

Unfortunately, however, abuse and impropriety on the part of youth coaches is a real problem and concern. What can be done to stem the crisis we see in the news regularly?

In this timely interview, Dr. John Mayer with the Center for Ethical Youth Coaching, addresses this topic and shares excellent insights and advice for parents (and others) who are concerned for the safety and emotional well-being of their children. He also offers youth coaches some excellent suggestions for being proactive in the practice of strong ethics.

Dr. Mayer is a practicing clinical psychologist and Vice-President of the Center for Ethical Youth Coaching (www.ethicalyouthcoaching.com). He is also a former youth coach, a life-long athlete, and current President of the International Sports Professionals Association. (27:12)

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

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Posted in Character Development, Communication, Education, Family, Parents, self-esteem and self-concept

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Teaching Young People to Use “Courageous Dialogue” (Guest: Charmaine Hammond)

Posted on February 19, 2012 | Leave a comment

Have you ever needed to speak up to someone, to pose a concern or problem, but didn’t do it because you were afraid of what might happen if you did? Or perhaps you really didn’t know how to do it. Confrontation is tough enough for adults with some experience in the matter, but it can be a huge obstacle for young people. The consequences of an unpleasant outcome can affect them for a long, long time.

Listen in as Charmaine Hammond offers insights into what she calls “Courageous Dialogue.” She’ll show us how we can use it, and how we can teach and share the skills with children and teens. She’ll also tell us about something she calls “The ASK.”

Charmaine is a registered social worker with a background in corrections and dispute resolution, and plenty of experience with young offenders. She is also the author of Bounce Forward, an information-packed book on the subject of communication. Her website is www.hammondgroup.biz. (21:38)

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

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Posted in Character Development, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Counseling and Therapy, Education, Uncategorized

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The Raise Responsibility System (Guest: Dr. Marvin Marshall)

Posted on February 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

Good, effective teaching and parenting is not about emphasizing or insisting on compliance or obedience, it’s about teaching responsibility. Responsible youngsters ARE compliant and obedient; they learn to think and respond effectively to the challenges life brings. In short, responsible young people become responsible adults.

Our guest on this interview, Dr. Marvin Marshall, is back by popular demand to share more about a program he developed: the Raise Responsibility System. He explains how responsibility can be taught  through noncoercive (but not permissive) methods delivered from a position of mutual respect. He explains, for instance, how it’s best NOT to discuss behavior with a youngster, as it often causes them to become defensive. Instead, he encourages youngsters to reflect on their LEVEL of functioning at a given moment, often resulting in an immediate self-redirection of the behavior. (Note: As you listen to this excellent program, you might want to have a copy of Dr. Marshall’s Teaching Model in your hand. CLICK HERE to download a one-page pdf if this informative document.)

The Raise Responsibility System has a proven track record in schools and homes all over the world. Listen in as Dr. Marshall explains why it has been so successful and how it remains so applicable today. Dr. Marshall is the author of the landmark book, Discipline without Stress, Punishments or Rewards – How Teachers and Parents promote responsibility & Learning. His website is www.marvinmarshall.com. (26:15)

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

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Posted in Achieving Compliance, Character Development, Counseling and Therapy, Difficult and Defiant Behavior, Education, Family, ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), Parents, self-esteem and self-concept, Uncategorized

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Why Children Today Don’t Get Enough Free Play–Part Two (Guest: Amy Robbins-Wilson)

Posted on February 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

This is the second part and conclusion of the interview with Amy Robbins-Wilson. She continues with ideas for promoting more free play and spontaneity, starting with why being “silly” sometimes is a good thing. She and Dr. Sutton also discuss the value of “true” toys, the sort that help foster free and unstructured play. For the young child, Amy suggests a “listening safari.”

Also in this part of the interview, Amy tells us more about her work as a Musical Parenting Expert and a Healing Music Artist, and stresses the value of reaching individuals in their “singing center.”  She explains the concept, purpose and value of the Mommy Jingles program. Amy then directs listeners to her website (www.amyrobbinswilson.com) to learn more and to take advantage of all that’s available there, including a blog, a newsletter and something new (and FREE): the Musical Parenting Video Coaching series.

Perhaps the best part of the conclusion of this interview is the special treat at the very end. Amy closes with an unbelievable rendition of one of the most popular Irish lullabies. (20:07)

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

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Posted in Counseling and Therapy, Education, Family, Inspiration, Parents, self-esteem and self-concept

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Why Children Today Don’t Get Enough Free Play–Part One (Guest: Amy Robbins-Wilson)

Posted on January 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

When she was a school counselor, Amy Robbins-Wilson witnessed first-hand how young people were not having nearly enough opportunity for free and imaginative play in their lives. She observed how this affected spontaneity, creativity, overall confidence and even social interaction over time.

In this informative interview, Amy shares her insights into the concern about children’s needs for free and unstructured play and the opportunity to be authentically spontaneous. And, of course, she shares what adults can do to encourage more free play and expression. In this first part of a two-part interview, Amy discussed how important it is for parents to offer their time, presence and interaction, including pauses for “quiet” time and the appreciation of wonder. These lead to a healthy willingness to take risks and grow in the process.

Amy is a therapist specializing as a Musical Parenting Expert and a Healing Music Artist. She is also an author and an award-winning recording artist. Join the interview as Amy shares great ideas on how we can enrich the lives and futures of our children. (20:50)

(This interview concludes in Part Two.)

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

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Posted in Counseling and Therapy, Education, Family, Parents, self-esteem and self-concept, Uncategorized

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Helping Children Manage Stress and Express Feelings (Guest: Karen Cuthrell)

Posted on January 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

For too many of our children, anxiety to perform at school and in life is stress-inducing. Although children can learn adaptive skills as they progress, some youngsters respond by shutting down. They have serious difficulty communicating what they are experiencing. This can lead to inappropriate acting out behaviors, or behaviors of withdrawal and saddness.

Karen Cuthrell, our guest on this program, has developed an excellent way to encourage all children to not only identify feelings, but to understand that all feelings, even anger, are appropriate and have their function and place. Through colorful characters and attention-grabbing songs, Karen lifts youngsters up as she entertains them, and she shows parents and teachers how to do the same. In this program, Karen discusses the importance of providing consistency and modeling good communication.

Karen is the author of the award-winning book and musical CD series entitled Meet the Feeling Friends. For more information about the book, tips on communicating feelings to children, coloring pages, videos, song lyrics, and even an informative newsletter, go to www.meetthefeelingfriends.com. (21:40)

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

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Posted in Character Development, Counseling and Therapy, Family, Parents, self-esteem and self-concept

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Growing Successful Young People (Guest: Vonda White)

Posted on January 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

Vonda White believes we all can leave extrordinary lives, no matter where we start. Her story is a testimony to what she believes. Her early years in a single-parent home were a challenge; she was picking up aluminum cans when the other girls were playing hopscotch. Through it all, however, she continued to dream big dreams and, with encouragement, she established and accomplished major goals in her life.

Today, Vonda owns and directs a very successful A+ rated business in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and is a sought-after presenter and media guest. She continually strives to encourage others to take action on their hopes and dreams as they set and achieve goals in their lives. In  this interview, Vonda encourages young people and those who raise them and teach them. She also makes a very generous offer to high school teachers in this program.

Vonda’s book, Success Against the Odds, is not only about her story and accomplishments, but the stories of others who took on the odds and beat them. (One of the stories is about Debbi Fields of Mrs. Fields’ Cookies; she built a 400-million dollar empire from nothing but a recipe and a dream.) This inspiring and well-written book, as well as a very detailed success planner (with instructional DVD), a success course, newsletter, blog and other valuable resources can be found at her website, www.successagainsttheodds.com.

Suggestion: Share this program with the young people in your life. (24.28)

 

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

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Posted in Character Development, Education, Faith, Family, Goal-Setting, Inspirational, Parents, self-esteem and self-concept

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5-String Recovery, Part Two (Guest: Phillip Wadlow)

Posted on January 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

This is the concluding part of 5-String Recovery with guest, Phillip Wadlow. In this part he tells of moving into adulthood with his drug and alcohol addiction, and how it affected his marriage, his children, his work, and his health. He also shares how he came to realize he needed treatment, and he tells of that experience. Throughout the interview, Phil plays some of the music that was such a significant part of his life, and shares how he’d like to use his music as an avenue for reaching out to young people. (Dr. Sutton, the interviewer, plays back-up guitar, except for the sad, but appropriate, guitar solo that represents one of the lowest points in Phil’s life.)

The original message of this interview was a cassette tape program, thus the reference to the cassette near the end of the program. Because Phil did move around quite a bit over the years, it is not know exactly where he is now,  but life goes on. His children are grown now, of course, and it is know that he has remarried and, at last word, he and his wife were managing an apartment complex in Missouri.

There is a powerful message Phil wants young people need to hear, and this is it: Although one can recover from drugs and alcohol and work a program of dedicated sobriety, the costs of addiction impose many losses than cannot be recovered. Unless one takes responsibility for those losses, instead of blaming others, complete recovery is difficult, indeed. (20:40)

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

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Posted in Character Development, Counseling and Therapy, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Education, Family, Inspiration, self-esteem and self-concept

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5-String Recovery, Part One (Guest: Phillip Wadlow)

Posted on January 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

If you take a Missouri boy who grew up with bluegrass music and encourage his natural talent for playing it well, you’ll have the ingredients for an awesome career very few can achieve.

Young Phillip Wadlow was that Missouri boy. Everything was falling into place for him, until drugs and alcohol threatened to destroy him and all he held dear. This is his story and his music, in two parts. This interview was recorded in May of 1990, as Phil was completing his first year of recovery and sobriety. It’s a story Phil wants young people to hear, for he hopes they can learn from the wrong turns he took.

In this part, Part One, Phil shares how he began using marijuana at a very young age, and how so quickly its use became chronic. But Phil also shares about the music he grew up with and how, at 16, he won a national bluegrass championship. He plays the song that took first place, “Cattle in the Cane.” The joy of being recognized for his music, however, was tainted by the fact he was, by then, completely dependent upon his drug of choice.

Dr. Sutton, the host in this interview, picks up his guitar and accompanies Phil on most of the songs in both parts on the interview. The banjo solo at the opening is an original composition of Phil’s, ”Dusty Roads.” (22:12)

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.

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Posted in Character Development, Counseling and Therapy, Difficult and Defiant Behavior, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Education, Faith, Family, Inspirational, self-esteem and self-concept

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