The PAWsitive Choices Podcast

Lindsey Kealey: Social & Emotional Learning Specialist
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Kids & Family
  • Updated Monthly

Are you looking for ways to help children make positive choices, solve problems, learn from mistakes, and regulate strong feelings? Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone who loves to learn about relationships, this podcast is for you! In each episode, we explore the latest neuroscience and discuss what it means for how we live, parent, and teach. We give you practical and effective ways to use brain-based strategies to promote resilience in children and strengthen your own relationships with others. Your host, Lindsey Kealey, is a family coach, educational consultant, keynote speaker, university instructor of education, and the creator of PAWsitive Choices Social and Emotional Learning. Join us every Tuesday for new episodes of The PAWsitive Choices Podcast. 

  1. Transform Meltdowns into Connection: Connect, Calm, and Collaborate

    Apr 23

    Transform Meltdowns into Connection: Connect, Calm, and Collaborate

    Have you ever sat with a child in the middle of a massive meltdown over something small and thought, “How on earth do I pull them out of this storm?” Today, we're breaking down the 3 Cs of emotional regulation to help you navigate those tough moments. In this episode of the PAWsitive Choices Podcast, we explore the incredible power of empathy and how to truly show up for kids when their brains get mixed up. Through a personal story about my husband, Thomas, we explore why avoiding "comparative suffering" is the key to validating a child's reality. We also dive into the science of secure attachment and learn how to become a "safe harbor" for our kids, equipping you with a simple, actionable 3-step framework: Connect, Calm, and Collaborate. What You’ll Learn: Why a child's perspective is a function of their experience (and why crying over a broken crayon is totally valid!).How helping a child feel Safe, Seen, and Soothed leads to them feeling Secure.How to validate the underlying emotion before trying to correct the behavior.How to use the 3 Cs (Connect, Calm, and Collaborate).Resources & Books Mentioned in this Episode: The Power of Showing Up by Dan Siegel and Tina Payne BrysonDr. Ross Greene ("Kids do well if they can")Unlocking Us Podcast by Brené BrownPAWsitive Choices Goal Setting Video: https://youtu.be/n3R8vMmiCU4Find all our SEL curriculum and resources at https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/ Join the PAWsitive Choices Community! If you found value in today’s episode, please leave us a rating or review so we can help more parents and educators make positive connections! (Don't forget to check out our previous episode on Q-TIP: Quitting Taking It Personally to build the perfect foundation for today's strategies!)

    20 min
  2. Q-TIP: Why Their Behavior Isn't About You (And How to Protect Your Peace)

    Mar 8

    Q-TIP: Why Their Behavior Isn't About You (And How to Protect Your Peace)

    Are you exhausted by your child's public meltdowns, your teenager's attitude, or your partner's sudden bad moods? What if I told you that their behavior has absolutely nothing to do with you? In this episode of the PAWsitive Choices Podcast, we're exploring the brain science and psychology behind why we get so triggered by other people's overflow. We are learning how to Q-TIP (Quit Taking It Personally) so we can stop reacting to the person and start responding to the underlying need. 🎥 Prefer to watch? Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZJtE1osUOvM?si=YIi5AnXkwVaod9dU 🎁 FREE RESOURCE: Need a reminder in the heat of the moment? Download your free Q-TIP Cheat Sheet to keep on your fridge or save to your phone! 👉 https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/freebies Key Takeaways from this Episode: The 18-40-60 Rule: Why you need to let go of the "imaginary audience" and stop worrying about what people think of youThe Fundamental Attribution Error: Why we judge others' bad behavior as a character flaw, while excusing our ownQ-TIP: How to recognize when a child or adult is operating outside their Window of Tolerance and why you cannot control their dysregulationThe Generous Assumption & "Let Them": How to hold emotional boundaries without absorbing someone else's bad moodBids for Connection: How a simple request for pizza (shoutout to Pizza Mondo in Bend!) was a profound relationship testEnduring Vulnerabilities & The Golden Question: Why trauma pioneer Pete Walker's concept of asking "WHEN are you?" will change how you view your partner's triggersResources & Mentions in this Episode: Dr. Daniel Amen (The 18-40-60 Rule)Mr. Chazz (Parenting Educator)Brené Brown (The Most Generous Assumption)Mel Robbins (The "Let Them" Theory)Dr. John Gottman (Bids for Connection & Enduring Vulnerabilities)Find all our SEL curriculum and resources at https://www.pawsitivechoices.comNext Time on the Podcast: Now that you know how to stop taking it personally... what do you actually do in the middle of a meltdown? Tune in next time as we dive into the 3 C's: Connect, Calm, and Collaborate!

    18 min
  3. You Aren't Failing, Your Brain is Just Full (The Pom-Pom Jar)

    Feb 26

    You Aren't Failing, Your Brain is Just Full (The Pom-Pom Jar)

    Are you beating yourself up for dropping your New Year's resolutions? Are you losing your patience over tiny things and feeling guilty about it? It’s not because you're failing—it’s because your brain is at capacity. In this episode, we are talking about self-compassion, cognitive capacity, and how to give yourself (and your kids) grace when the demands of your environment exceed what you feel like you can handle. I’m introducing the "Brain Capacity Jar" and sharing how you can apply these practical SEL tools to your own life and classroom. 📺 WATCH THE VIDEO: Want to see the "Brain Capacity Jar" and the pom-pom demonstration in action? Watch the full video version of this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/f4c5skw1ktk?si=8RzCkGExiQBhKl7e  🎁 FREE RESOURCE: Download your printable Pawsitive Choices "Brain Check-In" Guide here: https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/freebies  In this episode, we cover: The mid-February slump & Dr. Kristin Neff’s 3 components of Self-CompassionDr. Ross Greene’s capacity equation: Why we (and our kids!) do well if we canThe Glitter Brain (State) vs. The Pom-Pom Jar (Capacity)Real-life scripts to use out loud when your brain feels "mixed up"How to ask for help and offload your pom-pomsMentioned in this episode: Thank you to 4th-grade teacher Ryan Brazil for the jar inspiration Dr. Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion ResearchDr. Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive SolutionsFind all our SEL curriculum and resources at https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/

    20 min
  4. The Heart of Resilience: Trauma-Responsive Lessons from Paper Tigers with Jim Sporleder

    Jan 1

    The Heart of Resilience: Trauma-Responsive Lessons from Paper Tigers with Jim Sporleder

    Resilience is not just a buzzword; it is a life-changing practice rooted in the power of human connection. In 2015, the documentary Paper Tigers changed the conversation about education and childhood trauma forever, and today, those lessons are more vital than ever. 📺 Watch the full video version on YouTube!  In this special episode of the PAWsitive Choices Podcast, I am joined by Jim Sporleder—the visionary principal featured in the film—for a deep dive into the heart of resilience and trauma-responsive leadership. Jim shares the moving story of how he led a revolution in school culture at Lincoln High School. After realizing the fundamental truth that "stressed brains can't learn," Jim and his team implemented trauma-responsive practices that led to a 75% decrease in fights and a five-fold increase in graduation rates. This interview captures Jim's unwavering belief that every child is just one caring adult away from a different future. In this episode, we explore: The Power of One: Jim’s core philosophy that a single, stable, and caring relationship is one of the most powerful tools we have to build resilience in the face of adversity.From Informed to Responsive: Practical insights on moving beyond "trauma-informed" theory to creating a school culture that prioritizes safety and student relationships.Restorative Practices in Action: How to handle discipline in a way that maintains a student's sense of belonging and dignity while fostering learning and accountability.Student Achievement through Connection: Why focusing on a child's emotional well-being is one of the most effective ways to unlock their academic potential.Key Takeaways from Jim: Safety First: Learning cannot happen if a student does not feel physically and emotionally safe.The Behavior is a Symptom: Looking past the "acting out" to see the toxic stress or trauma that is driving the reaction.Never Give Up: The importance of being the "one" who refuses to walk away from a struggling student.Resources & Links: Watch the Film: Paper Tigers Documentary on AmazonRead the Book: The Trauma-Informed School: A Step-by-Step Implementation Guide by Jim SporlederConnect with Jim: Jim Sporleder Consulting Official Website

    34 min
  5. The Power of Love: How to Truly Hear What Your Child is Telling You with Dr. Hokehe Eko

    12/21/2025

    The Power of Love: How to Truly Hear What Your Child is Telling You with Dr. Hokehe Eko

    Happy Holidays, everyone! 🎄 This conversation with Dr. Eko is the perfect reminder to lead with love and focus on connection during this busy time of year. 📺 Watch the full video version on YouTube! https://youtu.be/HWxqiUnuHmk How do we truly hear what a child is trying to tell us? In this episode of the PAWsitive Choices Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Hokehe Eko—a board-certified pediatrician, ADHD/Autism expert, and author. We dive deep into why understanding a child's emotional "love language" is the key to strengthening your relationship and how nutrition and environment play a vital role in their brain health. Key highlights from this episode: → Why children learn more from your actions than your words. → How life experiences significantly affect a child's behavior and development. → How nurturing and connection lead to profound, positive changes. → Why parents must address their own unresolved issues to support their children effectively. → How to foster a safe space that encourages open communication. → The vital role imagination plays in fostering creativity. → How nutrition directly impacts emotional well-being and brain health. → The Goal of Parenting: Shifting from "control" to helping children become the best version of themselves. ⭐ About Our Guest: Dr. Hokehe Eko is a Board-Certified Pediatrician specializing in Integrative Medicine and an ADHD/Autism Expert. Through her practice, Glow Pediatrics, she provides holistic care to improve behaviors and boost the gut and brain health of her patients. A TedX Speaker and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Eko has been featured on PBS, NPR, and Business Insider. She is also the founder of Kits of Hope, Inc., a 501c(3) organization sharing love and dignity with children in foster care. 📚 Featured Books & Resources: → Children's Love Letters: https://www.glowpediatrics.com/the-book  → How to Love Your Brain and Make ADHD Your Superpower 🧠  https://youtu.be/HcV-bcOEwKQ →  Fox Tries New Foods: https://a.co/d/iIcLtKc (Our PAWsitive Choices book to encourage healthy eating habits) Connect with Dr. Eko: https://www.glowpediatrics.com 🧠 Our Journey: The Brain It On! Podcast- While PAWsitive Choices was on a hiatus, my husband Thomas and I launched a new project during his journey through Leukemia and a bone marrow transplant. Join us at The Brain It On! Podcast, where we talk about resilience and "loving your brain" through the hardest challenges: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrainitOnPodcast #SEL #BrainHealth #ParentingTips #ADHD #Autism #DrHokeheEko #PawsitiveChoices #BrainItOn #FosterCare #IntegrativeMedicine #FoxTriesNewFoods

    25 min
  6. PAWsitive Choices Update: Our Journey of Loss, Leukemia, and Resilience — Introducing The Brain it On! Podcast

    12/11/2025

    PAWsitive Choices Update: Our Journey of Loss, Leukemia, and Resilience — Introducing The Brain it On! Podcast

    In this deeply personal and long-awaited episode, we offer an update on our lives since our last regular PAWsitive Choices content.  We share our journey navigating two profound family challenges that began almost simultaneously last year: my mother-in-law, Julie, was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and just three months later, my husband and co-host, Thomas, was diagnosed with leukemia. Julie embraced her role as our "Cancer Club President," walking alongside us in solidarity until her passing in September. We realized that the resilience, growth mindset, and brain-based strategies we taught through PAWsitive Choices became our absolute lifeline. This immediate need for coping tools led us to launch our new show, The Brain It On! Podcast, where we continue to share these strategies through cancer treatment and beyond.  To give you the full story, we are sharing the first episode of The Brain it On! Podcast, recorded live from Thomas's hospital room. At the time of this original recording, Thomas' mother was still with us. Julie has since passed away from pancreatic cancer. This episode captures the beginning of our journeys through cancer.  📺 Watch the video version of this special episode on our PAWsitive Choices YouTube Channel. 📢 The Future of Pawsitive Choices We want to assure you that The PAWsitive Choices Podcast is NOT ending. While The Brain It On! Podcast is updated more frequently, we are still committed to sharing PAWsitive Choices content. Thank you for your incredible patience and support.  ➡️ Please Join Our New Community! You can find our most frequent and current episodes on our new platform. Please follow our ongoing journey and advice on building resilience together:  Subscribe to The Brain It On! Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. (This is where you'll find frequent new episodes!) Subscribe to The Brain It On! YouTube Channel for video updates!Connect with us on Instagram @thebrainitonpodcast📱 and thank you for being the most supportive community we could ask for. If this episode helped you, please leave us a review and share it with someone who is navigating a hard season. ❤️

    28 min

  7. 10/19/2022

    Embracing Joy and Uncertainty: How to Lean Into Gratitude When Experiencing Joy Feels Vulnerable

    When was the last time you felt a deep sense of joy? Perhaps you were hugging a loved one, watching your child play, or walking outside on a beautiful day. While joy can give birth to beauty, meaning, and happiness, joy can also remind us of the uncertainty and fragility of our lives. In this episode we explore how leaning into gratitude helps us embrace both joy and uncertainty. We'll find that when we choose gratitude, we are less likely to take things for granted and more likely to appreciate life's wonderful moments. And when a beautiful season comes to an end, we can cry because it's over and smile because it happened.  You can learn more gratitude research by reading this Harvard Health Article and listening to our past podcast episode about gratitude practices. Learn more about foreboding joy in Brené Brown's Atlas of The Heart and watch Susan Cain's TED Talk about the hidden power of sad songs and rainy days. You can find PAWsitive Choices books at https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/books. Follow PAWsitive Choices on Instagram and Facebook and join our mailing list to stay up to date on our new books, freebies, and upcoming events.  Store: https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/store Check out our other resources and freebies: https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/links  © 2014-2022 PAWsitive Choices, LLC

    35 min

  8. 10/12/2022

    Clear Is Kind: How to Effectively Ask for What You Need

    Asking for what we need is essential to cultivating healthy relationships. The problem is, we don't always know how to identify our needs and ask for them in ways that are effective.  In this episode, we'll explore how you can be clear about your expectations and desires while also being kind and responsive to those around you. You can learn more about asking for what you need in Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman's book, The Love Prescription and watch Brené Brown's The Call to Courage on Netflix. You can find PAWsitive Choices books at https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/books. Follow PAWsitive Choices on Instagram and Facebook and join our mailing list to stay up to date on our new books, freebies, and upcoming events.  Store: https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/store Check out our other resources and freebies: https://www.pawsitivechoices.com/links  © 2014-2022 PAWsitive Choices, LLC

    40 min
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Hosts & Guests

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Are you looking for ways to help children make positive choices, solve problems, learn from mistakes, and regulate strong feelings? Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone who loves to learn about relationships, this podcast is for you! In each episode, we explore the latest neuroscience and discuss what it means for how we live, parent, and teach. We give you practical and effective ways to use brain-based strategies to promote resilience in children and strengthen your own relationships with others. Your host, Lindsey Kealey, is a family coach, educational consultant, keynote speaker, university instructor of education, and the creator of PAWsitive Choices Social and Emotional Learning. Join us every Tuesday for new episodes of The PAWsitive Choices Podcast. 

Information

  • Creator
    Lindsey Kealey: Social & Emotional Learning Specialist
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 PAWsitive Choices LLC.
  • Show Website
    The PAWsitive Choices Podcast

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