The Words We Needed

Rochelle Wilson

The Words We Needed is a podcast created and hosted by educational consultant and author Rochelle Wilson. Launched in April 2026, the podcast focuses on social-emotional learning (SEL), healing-centered spaces, and trauma-responsive perspectives in education and life. The heart of the show is about unpacking the conversations, affirmations, and emotional language that people—especially educators and young people—needed to hear growing up or during seasons of collective difficulty, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Through solo episodes and interviews with guests, the podcast explores how to foster deep student engagement, cultivate emotional wellness, and build supportive environments where communities can heal and thrive together.

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  1. 7月18日

    Episode 6: Embracing the Unexpected with Matthew Croke

    What happens when a professional circus clown and Second City improv artist faces the ultimate real-life tragedy? In this episode, we sit down with author, father, and speaker Matt Croke to explore his extraordinary journey of resilience, humor, and radical acceptance. After spending years in the center ring with Ringling Brothers and performing on stage with Chicago’s Second City training center, Matt’s world was turned upside down in 2008. While expecting their third child, his late wife, Lisa, was diagnosed with breast cancer and tragically passed away just five months after their daughter was born. Left to navigate unimaginable grief as a single father, Matt leaned into the golden rule of improv comedy: "Yes, And."By accepting the painful reality he was handed and choosing to build on it anyway, his mindset unlocked two life-changing chapters: building a beautiful, blended "Brady Bunch" family with his wife Cheryl (collectively raising six daughters!), and dedicating the last 17 years to helping families navigate unexpected diagnoses as the Senior Director of Client Relations at By Your Side Autism Therapy Services. Whether you are navigating grief, managing a hectic family life, or trying to find purpose in the middle of unexpected hardships, Matt’s story offers powerful, practical wisdom on how to accept life’s premises and continue to move forward. 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONHas life ever thrown you a curveball that forced you to rewrite your script? How do you practice "Yes, And" in your own life? Let us know in the comments below! If you found value in Matt’s story, please LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. #Resilience #Improv #GriefSupport #BlendedFamily #YesAnd #Inspiration #AutismAwareness #ParentingPodcast

  2. 7月10日

    Episode 5: Full Circle Resilience with Dr. Christine Pennington

    What happens when we stop treating youth mental health in silos and start building a connected community? In this episode of The Words We Needed, we sit down with Dr. Christine Pennington—a powerhouse behavioral health leader, counselor, and educator with over 20 years of experience creating trauma-informed, whole-family approaches. Dr. Pennington is the Founder/CEO of Resilient Pathways Behavioral Services, Executive Director of Resilient Pathways Nonprofit, and a state-appointed Trustee for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. She is also the creator of Full Circle Resilience™, an evidence-informed framework designed to bridge the gaps between schools, healthcare providers, and community agencies. If you are an educator, school counselor, administrator, or community leader who is tired of seeing families fall through the cracks of a fragmented system, this conversation is the blueprint you’ve been waiting for. ✨ In this episode, we discuss:The Reality of Fragmented Services: What "falling through the cracks" actually looks like for a child on the ground—and how it exhausts frontline educators.The Full Circle Resilience™ Framework: Why focusing solely on the child in isolation doesn’t work, and how anchoring the caregiver-child relationship changes everything.Breaking Down Silos: Practical strategies for cross-sector collaboration between K-12 education, behavioral health, and community leadership.Supporting Underserved Communities: The unique challenges of expanding access to care in rural areas and high-stress environments like juvenile justice.

  3. 7月8日

    Episode 4: Creating Conversational Change with Hart Thorson

    What if the secret to transforming our schools isn’t a new curriculum or a stricter policy, but the way we talk to one another? In this episode, we sit down with Hart Thorson, an educator, learning experience designer, and practitioner of Motivational Interviewing (MI). With nearly two decades of experience in adult education, Hart brings a wealth of insight into the complex, often high-stakes conversations that happen daily in schools—whether between educators and students, or with parents, families, and colleagues. As an upcoming member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) in Fall 2026, Hart shares how MI can be used to normalize ambivalence, uncover "change talk," and build the confidence needed to take that next critical step. We dive into the practical side of coaching—including how tools like the MICA coding system help educators sharpen their skills through real-world observation and feedback. At the core of Hart’s philosophy is a powerful reminder: people are the experts on their own lives. Tune in to discover how moving away from prescribing answers and moving toward partnership, curiosity, and autonomy can create spaces where students and staff feel deeply heard, not judged. Key Takeaways from This Episode: How to navigate the frustration and mixed feelings that naturally surface when schools face change.The fundamentals of Motivational Interviewing and how it shifts classroom and administrative dynamics.Why human-centered design—bringing the people most affected by training and workflows into the design room—is non-negotiable for lasting impact.

  4. 6月27日

    Episode 2: The State of Regulation with Katie Wiseman

    Episode 2: The State of Regulation featuring Katie Wiseman In this conversation, we explore what regulation really means, why behavior is often communication, and how environments shape our ability to access learning, connection, and growth. If you work with children, lead teams, support families, or care about creating spaces where people can thrive, this episode offers a perspective worth sitting with. Watch the full episode and join the conversation. What part resonated with you most? Katherine’s profile linkedin.com/in/katherine-wiseman-advocacytransitionadministration Email info.elevateplay@gmail.com #TheWordsWeNeeded #StateLiteracy #Regulation #TraumaInformed #Education #EducationalLeadership #Wellbeing #LearningEnvironment

  5. 6月26日

    Episode 3: Building Youth Autonomy with Fran Kenton

    How do we guide young people toward independence without over-controlling or stepping away entirely? In Episode 3 of The Words We Needed, we sit down with the incredible Fran Kenton to explore the delicate art of Building Youth Autonomy. Whether you are a parent, educator, mentor, or youth worker, this conversation offers practical, heart-centered insights on stepping back so the next generation can step up. Fran breaks down why autonomy is crucial for mental resilience, how to navigate the fear of letting them fail, and the specific shifts in language we can use to empower youth today.

  6. 6月11日

    Episode 1: The Power of Belonging with Kylah Seabrooks

    In Episode 1 of The Words We Needed Podcast, we sit down with Kylah Seabrooks for a powerful and honest conversation on The Power of Belonging. Together, we reflect on our personal experiences with truancy and absenteeism—sharing the real challenges we faced as students and how those moments shaped who we are today. Now as educators, we dive into how those past struggles influence the way we show up for young people. From building meaningful relationships to creating spaces where students feel seen, heard, and valued, this episode highlights why belonging is at the heart of engagement. If you’ve ever wondered what truly keeps students connected and committed, this conversation offers insight, empathy, and practical perspective you won’t want to miss. 🌐 www.kseabrooksedconsulting.com 📱 IG: @kseabrooksedconsulting 💼 LinkedIn: K. Seabrooks Educational Consulting 📘 Facebook: K. Seabrooks Educational Consulting

  • 6 集

關於

The Words We Needed is a podcast created and hosted by educational consultant and author Rochelle Wilson. Launched in April 2026, the podcast focuses on social-emotional learning (SEL), healing-centered spaces, and trauma-responsive perspectives in education and life. The heart of the show is about unpacking the conversations, affirmations, and emotional language that people—especially educators and young people—needed to hear growing up or during seasons of collective difficulty, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Through solo episodes and interviews with guests, the podcast explores how to foster deep student engagement, cultivate emotional wellness, and build supportive environments where communities can heal and thrive together.

資料

  • 創作者
    Rochelle Wilson
  • 活躍年份
    2026年
  • 單集
    6
  • 分級
    兒童適宜
  • 版權
    © 2026 Rochelle Wilson