Chitty Chats with Stacy

Stacy Nation

5.0 (5)
MENTAL HEALTH
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Chitty Chats with Stacy is a neuroscience-informed podcast exploring trauma, regulation, leadership, parenting, education, and the messy nuance of being human. Hosted by therapist and Behavioral Health Officer Stacy Nation, with many amazing guests, this show invites you to sit with yourself, understand your nervous system, and navigate life without black-and-white thinking.

2D AGO

Chitty Chats with Stacy: Moving Mountains with Jon Konen

What actually shifts a school? In this episode, Stacy sits down with lifelong educator and superintendent Jon Konen to talk about what it really takes to change school culture—from the inside out. This conversation goes far beyond strategies and into the heart of education: relationships, regulation, accountability, and the courage to lead through resistance. Together, they unpack what happens when schools stop focusing only on academics and begin to support the whole child—and the adults responsible for them. If you’ve ever felt the tension between “what works on paper” and “what actually works with people,” this episode is for you. 🔥 “If we don’t address what’s happening beneath the surface, it doesn’t matter what we do with math or reading—nothing sticks.” 🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why culture always outweighs strategy in schools The shift from academic-only interventions to whole-child approaches What it really looks like to lead through staff resistance How to build buy-in without forcing it The role of accountability in a healthy culture (it’s not just “fluffy”) How relational practices impact: Behavior referrals Staff burnout Student success Practical strategies for addressing “toxic” dynamics in schools Why connection must come before correction—for both students and staff How to re-engage parents as partners, not outsiders The importance of co-regulation for leaders💡 Key Takeaways You don’t need everyone to buy in—just enough to create a tipping point Relationships are not soft—they are structural to success You can’t build culture from behind a desk—leadership must be visible “Toxicity” isn’t a label—it’s a signal that something deeper needs attention Real change happens through consistency, not intensity🛠️ Practical Strategy Highlight The Daily “Thermometer Check” Jon shares a powerful leadership practice: Check in with staff daily Ask: “How can I support you today?” Build relational “deposits” before making “withdrawals” Address concerns privately, with connection first Simple. Consistent. Transformational. 🌱 About Jon Konen Jon Konen is a lifelong educator, superintendent, and consultant focused on transforming school culture through intentional, relationship-driven leadership. With experience spanning classrooms to district leadership, Jon brings practical, real-world strategies that help schools move from dysfunction to connection. He is the founder of Jon Konen Consulting and host of the Moving Mountains podcast, where he explores strategies to reduce toxicity and build thriving educational environments. 🔗 Connect with Jon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jon.konen.2025 Instagram: @jon_konen Website: (soon to be released) www.jonkonen.com

29 min
MAR 31

Listener Questions: Real Life, Real Regulation: Heather and Lori

In this first-ever listener question episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, we’re diving into something so many of us quietly carry: 👉 How do you start taking care of yourself when everyone else is used to you taking care of them? Heather asks a powerful question about navigating self-care as a midlife mom, partner, and eldest daughter—and what it means to shift long-standing patterns of overgiving. We also explore: Why your nervous system feels “stretched” (the rubber band effect) How self-care is actually modeling, not selfishness What it looks like to reclaim time without guilt The power of predictability and communication when setting boundaries How to begin saying “no” when you’ve never been shown how PLUS: A second listener question on how to stay grounded when your kids’ emotions feel like a rollercoaster—and what co-regulation actually looks like in real life. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to recognize when you’re over-functioning Why boundaries feel uncomfortable (and why that’s normal) Practical ways to “dose” regulation into your daily life How to stay steady when others are not Key Takeaway: Taking care of yourself doesn’t take away from others—it allows you to show up safer, steadier, and more present. Have a question you want answered on the podcast? 📩 Email me: stacy@gobeyou.org

19 min
MAR 23

Inside the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium: Trauma, Nervous Systems, and Real Healing

In this episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, I’m taking you inside one of the most powerful professional experiences I’ve had in years—the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium. After four days immersed in learning from leaders like Dr. Bruce Perry, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, and Dr. Dan Siegel, I walked away with insights that don’t just apply to clinicians—they apply to all of us. We’re talking about: The connection between trauma and what you consume (yes, even food) Why some of your habits may actually be protecting your nervous system The truth about ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and why this is a public health issue What therapists get wrong—and what actually helps people heal How dissociation shows up in everyday life Why relationships—not techniques—are the real drivers of change The hidden cost of over-functioning and burnout Two powerful questions to ask yourself: What am I tolerating?Where am I over-functioning?This episode is both personal and professional—pulling back the curtain on what I’m learning, how I’m applying it, and what it means for you. Whether you’re a parent, educator, clinician, veteran, or just someone doing the work of becoming more aware—this conversation is for you. Key Takeaway: You don’t need to be in therapy to have healing experiences—but you do need to understand your nervous system. Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? 📩 Email me at: stacy@gobeyou.org

19 min
MAR 18

The Hidden Reality of Rural Classrooms (And Why Educators Are Burning Out)

What does it really mean to teach in rural America? In this episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, Stacy shares reflections from her recent travels to small communities in Montana and Colorado and dives into the unique realities of rural education. In many rural schools, educators wear multiple hats—teacher, coach, counselor, mentor, and sometimes the only consistent support system a child has. With limited resources and fewer specialists available, rural educators often have to rely on their own understanding of child development, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed practices to support students. Stacy explores: • Why understanding brain development is critical for educators today • How stress cycles impact student behavior and learning • Why many of today’s children are arriving at school with developmental delays • The importance of educators understanding their own nervous systems • How rural schools can creatively support students even with limited resources • Why involving the community and parents matters more than ever Rural schools face challenges that many people don’t fully understand—but they also have unique opportunities to build connection, creativity, and resilience. Whether you are an educator, parent, or community member, this episode offers insights into how we can better support kids and the adults who show up for them every day. If you live or work in rural America, this conversation is for you.

14 min
MAR 10

When the Rubber Band Snaps: Holding the Weight of Collective Trauma

Last week, Stacy hit a wall. In this deeply honest episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, Stacy shares what happens when even someone who spends a career helping others through trauma reaches their own breaking point. Between global conflict, disturbing news cycles, and the emotional weight many people are carrying right now, Stacy found herself overwhelmed with anger, grief, and exhaustion. As a trauma therapist who has spent over two decades working with survivors of violence, abuse, and loss, she reflects on a hard truth: Humans were never designed to absorb endless streams of traumatic information. In this conversation, Stacy explores the idea of collective trauma—how constant exposure to painful news and social media can overwhelm our nervous systems and stretch our internal “rubber band” to the point of snapping. She also talks about: Why the modern news cycle is overwhelming our nervous systemsThe emotional load many women are carrying right nowWhy believing and supporting survivors mattersThe role men can play in changing harmful cultural normsHow empathic adults and children may be absorbing the emotional energy of the worldMost importantly, Stacy shares what helped her find her footing again: stepping away from the noise, returning to the basics of regulation, and remembering that caring for yourself is not weakness—it’s necessary. If the world has felt heavy lately, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone—and it’s okay to step back and take care of your nervous system.

17 min
MAR 2

It's Okay to Not Be Okay: A Combat Veteran's Journey Through Healing, Marriage, and Mental Health

In this heartfelt episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, licensed clinical social worker and Behavioral Health Officer Stacy Nation sits down with her husband Billy — a combat veteran with over 24 years of military service — for a candid and emotional conversation about men’s mental health, the military stigma around therapy, and the journey toward healing. Together, Stacy and Billy pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to navigate trauma, marriage, and masculinity after years of deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE.Billy opens up about his early years in the military, when seeking help meant risking your career, and shares how Brainspotting and therapy transformed his life decades later. This episode is packed with insights for: 🪖 Veterans and active service members wrestling with the invisible weight of trauma.💑 Spouses and partners who want to understand how to better support their loved ones through healing.🧠 Anyone curious about brain-based therapies like Brainspotting — and why they reach parts of our story that talk therapy sometimes can’t.Key moments include: The truth about mental health stigma in the military — then and nowWhy Brainspotting can unlock healing when words aren’t enoughWhat “being strong” really means for men todayHow spouses can listen without judgment and help create safetyThe powerful reminder that “it’s okay to not be okay”Stacy and Billy’s honest, grounded conversation offers hope, perspective, and practical takeaways for anyone navigating life after trauma or trying to love someone who is.

37 min
FEB 24

No One Comes Home the Same: Reintegration, Regulation, and the Life After Deployment

A year ago today, I was in the Middle East. After nearly two years serving on full-time orders with the Wyoming Army National Guard — preparing soldiers for deployment, deploying alongside them, and supporting them through combat and operational stress — I’m finally ready to unpack what that experience did to me. Because here’s the truth: No one goes on deployment and comes home the same. In this episode, I share: What it’s like to serve as a Behavioral Health Officer during deploymentThe emotional complexity of supporting soldiers while navigating your own stressThe realities of reintegration (and why coming home can be harder than leaving)How my family, marriage, and business shifted while I was goneWhat I learned about nervous system regulation in high-stress environmentsWhy nuance matters more than ever — in leadership, in the military, and in our conversations with each otherReintegration is real.Identity shifts are real.And growth doesn’t happen without discomfort. I talk about the privilege and the hardship of deployment. I talk about grief. I talk about change. I talk about what it means to wear a uniform and still hold nuance. And I share where I feel deeply called next — helping people learn how to sit with themselves, regulate their nervous systems, and hold space without judgment. After more than 20,000 one-on-one conversations with humans, I know this to be true: We don’t often sit with ourselves.And we don’t often have someone willing to simply sit with us. That’s where I’m headed. If you’ve ever: Walked through a major life transitionFelt like you came home to a different lifeNavigated reintegration after deployment, divorce, graduation, or lossOr sensed that you no longer fit neatly into one boxThis episode is for you. Thank you for being here.Thank you for staying. Season 2 of Chitty Chats with Stacy begins now.

19 min
05/09/2024

Happy Educators Week!

Today, Stacy express heartfelt gratitude towards educators. She encourages listeners to take a moment to appreciate their favorite teachers by reaching out with a message of thanks instead of spending their time on the podcast. Highlighting the significant shifts and challenges in education, Stacy acknowledges the dedication and hard work of educators, including their own 'army bestie' and their children's sports coaches, who go above and beyond their teaching duties. 00:00 Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week 01:41 A Personal Shoutout to Influential Educators 02:21 Acknowledging the Extraordinary Efforts of Coaches 03:19 A Heartfelt Thank You to All Educators 03:53 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

5 min

5

out of 5

5 Ratings

Chitty Chats with Stacy is a neuroscience-informed podcast exploring trauma, regulation, leadership, parenting, education, and the messy nuance of being human. Hosted by therapist and Behavioral Health Officer Stacy Nation, with many amazing guests, this show invites you to sit with yourself, understand your nervous system, and navigate life without black-and-white thinking.

Creator

Stacy Nation
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

44
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Go Be You, LLC
Show Website

Chitty Chats with Stacy