Fentanyl: the Crisis, Your Kids & Navigating Pain Safely, w/ Journalist April Myers

Here we address the urgent challenge parents face in guiding their children through pain without resorting to harmful methods of numbing it. April Capochino Myers, an accomplished journalist with over 20 years of experience and the author of "The Fentanyl Project." April shares her insights on the dangers of fentanyl from a mother's perspective, highlighting the importance of emotional resilience and mindful parenting in the battle against the opioid crisis. With a rich background that includes features in The Washington Post and National Geographic Kids, April brings a deeply informed and compassionate view on how parents can empower their children to navigate life's hardships safely and healthily. Don't miss this vital conversation on mindfulness, parenting, and the steps we can take to protect our families from the grip of addiction. Find April Here: https://www.aprilcapochinomyers.com/ Time Stamps: (00:00:29) Teaching Children about Fentanyl. (00:06:35) Processing pain and addiction. (00:09:41) Dirty pain vs clean pain. (00:10:44) The impact of fentanyl. (00:17:34) The impact of pharma industry. (00:19:01) Rainbow fentanyl packaging techniques. (00:23:44) Teaching kids about fentanyl. (00:26:27) Understanding and managing feelings. (00:29:35) Dealing with emotional pain. (00:33:46) Importance of being present. (00:38:15) Boredom and meditation. (00:42:12) Self-mastery and composure. (00:44:02) Fentanyl crisis awareness and education. (00:49:13) Dealing with anxiety in kids. (00:54:14) Social media and anxiety. (00:55:58) Embracing pain and joy. (00:59:13) Building character through suffering. (01:03:03) Navigating pain and growth. (01:05:17) Teaching kids to feel emotions. (01:10:41) Navigating physical and emotional pain. Synopsis: Being present and available for children is crucial in helping them navigate pain and emotional challenges. In a podcast episode, April Capochino Myers emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for children to express their emotions and talk about their feelings. By being present and attentive, parents can better understand their children's struggles and provide necessary support. April also highlights being a lighthouse for children, guiding them through difficult times without judgment. She introduces RAINN - Recognize, Acknowledge, Investigate, Nurture - to help children process emotions. Additionally, April discusses the impact of parental self-care on supporting children through challenges. Ultimately, being present and available allows parents to establish trust and support, enabling children to navigate pain effectively. Teaching children healthy coping mechanisms and providing a safe space can prevent them from turning to substances to numb pain. April underscores the importance of recognizing and acknowledging children's feelings, fostering open communication, and actively listening. She also emphasizes parental self-care and mindfulness, modeling healthy behaviors. Overall, the podcast stresses creating a nurturing environment for children to express feelings and develop coping mechanisms. April highlights educating communities about the dangers of fentanyl to empower them to support those struggling with addiction. Understanding fentanyl's impact can lead to community action, such as programs, resources, and advocacy for policy changes. By raising awareness and rallying support, communities can create a network to uplift individuals and families affected by addiction. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentalkingmindfulness/support