Educate & Rejuvenate: The Podcast Kelsey Sorenson, Elementary Teacher, Homeschool Mom, and Life Coach

Key Discussion Points from Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Kristina Kuzmic:Normalizing discussions about mental healthModeling mental health discussions for our childrenThe impact teachers and parents can have through understanding and empathy Trusting yourself and embracing imperfection as a parentInterrupting negative thoughts through self-careEmpowering our children to make their own choices
The stigma surrounding mental health is a pervasive issue that often prevents open and honest discussions. In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Kristina Kuzmic to delve into the complexities of mental health and the impact it has on parenting, education, and personal well-being. This candid conversation explores the challenges, triumphs, and importance of addressing mental health with empathy and understanding.
The Impact of Mental Health StigmaThis conversation delves into the pervasive impact of the stigma around mental health and the need for self-compassion and understanding. Kelsey and Kristina addressed personal experiences, including postpartum mental health struggles, and the critical turning points for both of them that helped them overcome the stigma. Through candid narratives, this podcast episode highlights the debilitating impact of burying emotions and the pivotal role of self-care in supporting the well-being of children in our homes and classrooms. 
Ending the Stigma of Discussing Mental Health
Kristina Kuzmic shares her poignant experiences of dealing with judgment surrounding mental health discussions. She emphasizes the significance of normalizing these conversations, stressing that the road to peace often entails choosing between seeking approval and finding internal contentment. She encourages us to embrace our truth, unencumbered by the need to please everyone.

From addressing mental health struggles within families to the impact on physical health and parenting, the discussion shed light on the universal nature of these challenges. A key takeaway was the significance of modeling mental health conversations for children and cultivating an environment where feelings and coping mechanisms are normalized, whether as educators or parents.

Empowering Children and Embracing Authentic Parenting
In the discussion, Kristina Kuzmic advocates for empowering children to think for themselves and process their emotions. She highlights the importance of asking open-ended questions, allowing children to make choices that bring them pride, and refraining from immediately providing solutions. Kelsey & Kristina emphasize being authentic in our relationships with children, partners, or students.

A Compassionate Approach in Education
Kristina shares the invaluable role that a teacher played in her son’s mental health struggles. By approaching the situation with curiosity and understanding, the teacher's actions significantly contributed to his graduation. She emphasizes the impact that a compassionate educator can have on their students. 

Looking Ahead: Embracing Mental Health Conversations and Cultivating Compassion
At the end of the episode, Kelsey & Kristina emphasize the significance of embracing mental health conversations, challenging the stigma, and fostering a culture of compassion and understanding in our homes and classrooms. 

Our upcoming Educate and Rejuvenate Conference will feature Kristina Kuzmic as a keynote speaker. If you want to hear more from Kristina, be sure to grab your ticket at educateandrejuvenate.com. 

Resources mentioned:a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAiUpIvuY4o" rel="noopener...

The Rebranding Journey from Wife Teacher Mommy to Educate & RejuvenateIn episode 127, Kelsey announces the evolution of "Wife Teacher Mommy: The Podcast" to "Educate and Rejuvenate: The Podcast." This transition fits into our mission to help educators not only thrive but also revitalize their passion for teaching. Did you know that a recent Gallup panel found that 44% of teachers reported feeling consistently burned out? Educate & Rejuvenate: The Podcast aims to help educators in the classroom, at their kitchen table, or anywhere in between to be proactive in addressing the feelings of burnout. 
Kelsey shares her 3-step coaching framework (from her upcoming book!) emphasizing the importance of being the observer, choosing a direction, and aligning oneself. This framework lays the foundation for educators to cultivate self-awareness, set intentional goals, and ensure alignment with their values. At its core, the framework is designed to provide educators with the tools needed to thrive in their profession while prioritizing personal growth and well-being.

Educate & Rejuvenate Conference and Book Release
Along with our rebranding, we have several exciting things coming up! Our Educate and Rejuvenate conference will feature compelling keynotes by Kristina Kuzmic and Gaspare Randazzo and in-depth sessions focused on the holistic development of educators. Join us live for the conference on July 16th & 17th, 2024, (if you can’t make it live, you can watch the replays!). This conference will be a powerful platform for educators to engage, learn, and connect with like-minded individuals. 

Also, we are so excited about Kelsey’s upcoming book, "Educate and Rejuvenate: A 3-Step Guide to Revitalize Your Teaching, Renew Your Spirit, and Reignite Your Passion for Life." Stay tuned for ALL the information about when and how you can get your hands on a copy!
Resources mentioned:Wife Teacher Mommy ClubEducate and Rejuvenate Summer 2024
Connect with Kelsey:Follow her on Instagram @wifeteachermommy.Join our Facebook group: Wife Teacher Mommies Unite.Follow on Pinterest for more helpful resources.

Kelsey reflects on the podcast's evolution and exciting upcoming changes in this finale episode of Wife Teacher Mommy: The Podcast. What is happening to Wife Teacher Mommy: The Podcast? Be sure to listen to next week’s episode to find out! 
Throughout the episode, Kelsey reflects on her journey from when she started Wife Teacher Mommy 10 years ago to today, from initially focusing on teaching tips and strategies to embracing life coaching to help with educators' well-being.
With a sense of anticipation and renewed energy, we bid farewell to Wife Teacher Mommy while welcoming a new chapter. Our upcoming rebranding promises an inclusive space catering to educators' diverse needs. As the podcast prepares to embark on its next phase, the values of community, growth, and continual learning remain at its core, serving as a beacon of support for educators navigating the intricate tapestry of their professional and personal lives.
Resources mentioned:Wife Teacher Mommy ClubEducate and Rejuvenate Summer 2024May 13, 2024 Free Masterclass
Connect with Kelsey:Follow her on Instagram @wifeteachermommy.Join our Facebook group: Wife Teacher Mommies Unite.Follow on Pinterest for more helpful resources.

In episode 125 of Wife, Teacher, Mommy: The Podcast, our life coaches, including, host Kelsey Sorensen, Bonnie Wiscombe, Chrissy Nichols, Francini Estes, and Kamee Bisson share their insights and personal experiences, focusing on how educators & homeschool parents can create intentional lives and alleviate burnout and overwhelm.
Self-Care and Time Management StrategiesOne of the key themes the coaching panel discusses in the episode is the importance of self-care and effective time management within an educator's busy schedule. Our coaches emphasize the significance of daily care, goal setting, and scheduling backward design. They share valuable insights on time management and befriending the calendar. "Me time" is highlighted as essential for maintaining balance, including practical suggestions for integrating self-care into daily routines, such as utilizing pockets of time during children's activities for personal rejuvenation.
Mindset and Personal Empowerment In the episode, our coaches delve deep into the power of mindset and personal empowerment in combating overwhelm and reclaiming a sense of control. They emphasize the necessity of recognizing one's agency in navigating overwhelming circumstances, by encouraging listeners to assess their priorities and release unnecessary burdens to alleviate stress. Additionally, they advocate for using the phrase "I choose" to reclaim personal power and regain control in daily decision-making so that you can make intentional choices aligned with your well-being.

Balancing Responsibilities and Self-Care A central focus of the discussion is the delicate balance between professional responsibilities and self-care. Our coaches highlight the importance of setting an achievable "minimum baseline" with your daily goals. Plus, they advocate for a mindful approach to balancing internal thought patterns and attitudes by journaling and reframing your thoughts to manage overwhelm and find joy in the face of challenges.

Conclusion and Actionable Insights The insights and strategies offered by our coaches in this episode present actionable steps for educators and homeschool parents to cultivate intentional lives and navigate the complexities of their professional roles. The wisdom our panel shares underscores the significance of self-care, empowerment, mindful scheduling, and flexibility as foundational pillars for creating intentional and fulfilling lives in the education field. By embracing these principles, educators can foster resilience and well-being, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness and impact in the classroom and beyond. With practical strategies and transformative perspectives, our Wife Teacher Mommy coaches illuminate a pathway for educators and homeschool parents to embrace intentional living, nurture self-care, and ultimately craft lives of intention, purpose, and fulfillment.

Resources mentioned:Wife Teacher Mommy ClubEducate and Rejuvenate Summer 2024Bonnie's WebsiteChrissy's WebsiteFrancini's WebsiteKamee's Instagram
Create an intentional life related episodes and blog posts:All Your Questions Answered By

This is one of my favorite podcast episodes that I’ve ever done! I have been a fan of today’s guest for a long time, so this interview was a pinch-me moment.
Our guest today is Kristina Kuzmic! You may know her from Instagram, TikTok, Oprah, or as the author of her best-selling book “Hold On But Don’t Hold Still”. Chances are you’ve seen Kristina.
Kristina Kuzmic is a cheerleader for her fellow humans. It’s not something she ever anticipated doing, but after immigrating to America from Croatia during the war in her homeland and later facing more challenges (divorce, single parenting, poverty, depression…), Kristina wanted to be for others what she wished someone had been for her during her darkest hours.
In 2011, when Oprah crowned Kristina the winner of Mark Burnett’s reality TV competition “Oprah’s Search for the Next TV Star,” Oprah said, “What is that THING…that’s so charming and charismatic and connected to the audience that makes you feel like, ‘I know her, I want to be her, I’m like her’… Kristina has all of that. She is an ‘IT PLUS’ girl… I wanna watch her!” 
Since working with Oprah, Kristina has branched out on her own, creating videos about juggling all of life’s challenges and encouraging her audience to prioritize their mental health. She has quickly become a viral sensation with 2.9 million Facebook followers and well over half a million Instagram followers. 
Now, with over one billion video views, Kristina is providing her audience with encouragement, hope, and humor in a role she never expected to fill.
Typically Kristina offers support and insight on parenting, but in this episode, she dives into subjects and insight that is applicable not only to parents but to teachers as well. This episode will give you inspiration, motivation, and laughs. You don’t want to miss it!
If you enjoy this interview, be sure to join us at Summer Educate and Rejuvenate! You’ll get to be there live interacting in Zoom with Kristina and other teachers enjoying the conference. Get your tickets here!

Recently, we shared a post on Instagram that explained why I don’t love the idea of taking away recess as a punishment for not completing work. We got a lot of engagement on this post,
We heard a lot of feedback from our followers asking if we had a solution, so I decided to do a podcast episode about the benefits of recess and why it should not be taken away as a punishment. Today I'm diving into the positive impacts of recess.
I believe recess is just as important as academic subjects. Movement is necessary for kids to regulate their nervous system and they need to be able to do that throughout the day. If you don't give children an opportunity to get active and use energy, they won't have a chance to regulate their nervous system.
I love focusing on positive rewards with kids. One of the ideas I share in this episode is instead of taking away recess, try incentivizing extra recess, free time at the end of the day, or other special privileges when they complete their work.
For example, if students last 10-15 minutes of your school day, you can reward them with free time as long as their work is complete. Kids who have not finished their work or who didn’t follow the rules as expected will need to finish their work or have reflection time instead.
This way as a natural consequence, the kids will lose that time- without losing the recess time that is essential to their ability to regulate.
Today's episode offers valuable insights into the benefits of recess in schools and offers practical solutions to help kids regulate their nervous system through movement. You don't want to miss it.
And if you'd like more inspiration, be sure to join us at our upcoming Educate and Rejuvenate event this summer. Visit www.educateandrejuvenate.com to register and learn more today!
Head over to the show notes: https://www.wifeteachermommy.com/podcast/recess/
Key points about tips why we should stop taking recess away:The importance of recessHow taking away recess can have negative effectsThe benefits of movement for childrenHow movement helps regulate the nervous systemThe benefits of incentivizing extra recess or free time as rewards for completing tasksAnd so much more!
Attend the Wife Teacher Mommy Mindset Masterclass
Join Wife Teacher Mommy Club.
Follow her on Instagram @wifeteachermommy.
Join our Facebook group: Wife Teacher Mommies Unite.
Follow on Pinterest for more helpful resources.