The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast

thepowerupkidsselfdefense
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The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast

This podcast is brought to you by the Empowerment Project. It’s for kids and all the trusted adults who love them and want them to stay safe, empowered and thriving. With over three decades of experience teaching self-defense to children, teens, and adults, host Silvia Smart is a sixth-degree black belt and Head Instructor at her martial arts school in Oregon. Smart was inducted into the Association of Women’s Martial Arts Instructors Hall of Fame in 2020, recognized for both her dedication and body of work. Smart shares her compassion, ferocity, and wisdom with companies like Nike, Splunk, The City of Portland, Doc Marten, the FBI, and various non-profits, organizations, private groups, schools, and universities around the country. It is Silvia’s joy to share the gifts of owned power and safety through understanding, humor, and storytelling. A mom, Smart credits her two adult children with inspiring an ever-greater awareness of kids’ real, lived experience and their incredible ability to comprehend age-appropriate messaging. She strives for impact, honesty, true empowerment, and effectiveness in her work teaching children self-defense. Listening to The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast, kids are engaged and empowered while the adults in their lives gain language and tools to best support them. This can be a challenging subject to walk through with our children! Smart’s hope is that by listening together, children, and the adults who care for them, keep their conversations going long after each episode’s final affirmations. Her passion for this work is evident from the very first episode. Special thanks to Henry Smart-Denson, publisher and editor.

Episodes

  1. FEB 29

    Samra’s Story – And How She Got Her Joy Back

    My friends, this is a true story about a girl who innocently, during a wonderful time in her young life, was robbed of her joy. Adults, the narrative can be hard to hear. Please listen first and decide if or how you would like the children in your lives to hear this episode. If you decide to listen together, please follow up with a conversation in which you remind your kiddos how much you love them - no matter what - and that they can tell you anything!   This is the tale of a hard thing that happened to a ten-year-old girl and the resulting feelings of shame and self-blame. More than anything, this is an account of overcoming the negative stories we are told by our society, which we in turn tell ourselves. This is the story about how Samra got her joy back!   Sharing stories like this can be tough. It requires courage, and bravery, and requires a person to dig deep to find their sense of inherent goodness. Please consider sharing your success stories with me and my listeners. Grownups, consider listening to “The Empowerment Podcast by Naga” which is for adults. Connect with Silvia   Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse   Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #empowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #samra, #powerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #powerupkidsselfdefense, #powerup

    31 min

  2. JAN 26

    Be a Kindness Warrior - Interview with Trudy Ludwig, Author

    Trudy Ludwig writes books about topics that really matter to kids. Things like relational aggression, anxiety, what it’s like to be excluded, and so much more. Join host, Silvia Smart as she talks with Trudy about what kids across the country are saying, how her books start conversations in schools and what we can all do to make the world a better place. Visit Trudy’s Website! Follow her on Twitter: @TrudyLudwig Connect with Silvia   Resources: National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse   This is a labor of love. Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you!

    41 min

  3. 05/04/2023

    Self Defense Success Stories for Kids!

    Meet Jill Shames, Empowerment Self Defense Instructor. Listen in as she and host, Silvia Smart, share a cool kids' self-defense success story and talk about all the things the kid did RIGHT! You are strong and powerful and Jill and Silvia believe in you!   Watch video of the self-defense success story Jill and Silvia talk about here.   Connect with Jill: jillsensei.com senseijs@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/jedispiritmama   Connect with Silvia   Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)   Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you! #powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #successstories

    24 min

  4. 04/08/2023

    Reflections on Bullying from Dad and Pastor Chris Dela Cruz

    Chris Dela Cruz reflects on times when he was teased and bullied as a kid. Smart and Dela Cruz discuss what it was like, how it felt, and how he handled this behavior. They think through feelings and self-talk that accompany a kid getting harassed and mistreated. From his perspective as an adult, dad, and pastor, Dela Cruz shares his wisdom with kids who are living through similar experiences. If you want to be an ally – adults and kids alike - for a child suffering bullying, teasing, cruelty, or intimidation, you will find understanding and insight here too. Together, we can empower kids, schools, and families to confront this issue head-on with sensitivity and compassion.   Special thanks to my producer/editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)   Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee Donate through my website Thank you!   #powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #bullying, #stopbullying   Connect with Silvia

    35 min

  5. 10/27/2022

    NO! Part 2

    In the last episode, we started talking about the word NO! Make sure you listen to that episode first. We talked about how important it is to be able to notice that you feel uncomfortable so you can make the choice to say it when you need it - and to be able to say it like you really mean it! In this episode, we’re going to think through a few examples of times when your body might be alerting you and you feel scared. We’re going to talk through some of these times and break them apart together. I’m going to also ask you to pause this podcast a couple of times and talk through different examples with the trusted adult you are listening to this with. So, if your trusted adult is not here listening with you? Go get them first! OK? OK!   Note: Adults please listen first then listen and discuss with your kiddo!   Special thanks to my producer/editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid) Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/ Thank you! #powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #no

    20 min

  6. 07/21/2022

    NO! Part 1

    In this episode, we'll start to understand the power of being able to say "NO!" This word unlocks empowerment for kids! Being able to say "NO!" is one of the most important tools in a kid's self-defense toolkit. If someone is asking you to do something and you get a funny feeling, saying "NO!" is one of the first things you can do. In this episode, I want to talk about this one little word. It’s got superpowers. It really does! It lets you stand your ground especially when you say it like you really mean it. Special thanks to my editor Azucena Melchor Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/ Thank you! #powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #no #nomeansno Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

    21 min

  7. 06/23/2022

    TELL!

    What do you do when there is a teacher at school making you feel uncomfortable? Hear the story of a group of brave middle schoolers, what they did, and what happened next. Learn action steps to take - for both kids and the adults who love them. What do you do when concerns arise whether at school, in a religious community, on sports teams, with neighbors, friends, or even family.    CONTENT WARNING - This is a story about middle schoolers, so, trusted adults, listen first or at least be present and listen with your kiddo. My hope is that after listening, you have a lot to talk about!   Special thanks to my producer, Henry Smart-Denson & my editor, Azucena Melchor!   Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/ Thank you!   #powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #TELL   Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

    22 min

  8. 01/08/2022

    Standing Up to a Bully

    How does it feel to be threatened by a bully at school? How can kids power up and respond? What works for kids and what support can parents provide? How can schools respond in a way that is safe, effective and fair? Join this age-appropriate conversation with Emilia, daughter of host Silvia Smart, and find out what happened when a school bully tried to intimidate her in fourth grade. What did she do when he pulled out a pair of scissors and threatened her? How did it feel, at 10 years old, to find herself in that vulnerable position? Listen as Emilia describes what she did, how she handled this complex situation, and how her mom supported her when the school fumbled. Use this conversation as a jumping-off point for a family conversation. Add these important strategies to your child’s self-defense toolkit. Engage with your kiddo’s school to ascertain what their bullying policies are. Hint: “No Tolerance” is a good start.   Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/ Thank you! #powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #bullying, #nobully, #nobullying, #antibully, #standuptobullies, #schoolbully I want to hear your story! Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

    37 min

  9. 12/28/2021

    Your Body is Your First Line of Defense!

    Our bodies are designed to warn us when something is wrong. Learn about your amazing alarm system and find out how to pay attention when your body is talking to you! Listen to Silvia’s story which illustrates this concept, find out what happened, and learn ways to practice. This is one of the most important tools in your self-defense toolkit! Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/ Thank you! #powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #firstlineofdefense Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

    23 min

  10. 11/07/2021

    Welcome to The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast!

    Welcome to Episode #1 of The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast! Meet your teacher and host, Silvia Smart. Find out what we’re going to learn and how this podcast is going to unfold. Get to know and understand some of the basic concepts so we can all be on the same page. This is exciting! So happy you are here!   Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson   Support this important work: Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/ Thank you! #powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #powerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

    21 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

This podcast is brought to you by the Empowerment Project. It’s for kids and all the trusted adults who love them and want them to stay safe, empowered and thriving. With over three decades of experience teaching self-defense to children, teens, and adults, host Silvia Smart is a sixth-degree black belt and Head Instructor at her martial arts school in Oregon. Smart was inducted into the Association of Women’s Martial Arts Instructors Hall of Fame in 2020, recognized for both her dedication and body of work. Smart shares her compassion, ferocity, and wisdom with companies like Nike, Splunk, The City of Portland, Doc Marten, the FBI, and various non-profits, organizations, private groups, schools, and universities around the country. It is Silvia’s joy to share the gifts of owned power and safety through understanding, humor, and storytelling. A mom, Smart credits her two adult children with inspiring an ever-greater awareness of kids’ real, lived experience and their incredible ability to comprehend age-appropriate messaging. She strives for impact, honesty, true empowerment, and effectiveness in her work teaching children self-defense. Listening to The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast, kids are engaged and empowered while the adults in their lives gain language and tools to best support them. This can be a challenging subject to walk through with our children! Smart’s hope is that by listening together, children, and the adults who care for them, keep their conversations going long after each episode’s final affirmations. Her passion for this work is evident from the very first episode. Special thanks to Henry Smart-Denson, publisher and editor.

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