Empowered to Connect Podcast

Latest Episodes:

[E85] The Link Between Eating Disorders, Body Image and Trauma with Whitney Trotter May 24, 2022

Show notes

Did you know that between 62%-92% of people with eating disorders have experienced trauma in their past? The research is alarming and for those of us with kids who may have experienced some kind of food insecurity or have what we might see as 'out of the ordinary' food habits, it can be paralyzing. That's why we wanted to have our friend Whitney Trotter on the show. Whitney is a registered nurse, mother and advocate and is a part of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Eating Disorders conference happening July 20-22 virtually. You can learn more about the conference and register here

Whitney teaches us about eating disorders, their origins in trauma, body image issues and what to watch for in our kids when it comes to issues of food. We talk about how marginalized people groups are at higher risk for disordered eating and how transracial adoptive parents can be better prepared and informed as their kids get older. She also gives some helpful tips and advice for helping set healthy foundations with your kids and ways to be more mindful and preventative about how we engage with them around these issues

To learn more about ETC, follow our Youtube Channel, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!

[E84] Brain-Body Parenting with Mona Delahooke! May 17, 2022

Show notes

Long time friend of the program Mona Delahooke is a Pediatric Psychologist and the author of her NEW book Brain-Body Parenting as well as the groundbreaking Beyond Behaviors and several other books. If you've ever read Beyond Behaviors, you know how brilliant she is! Mona joins us today to talk about the Brain - Body - Behavior connection and why it is absolutely essential for parents and caregivers to understand. Struggling with perplexing behavior in your home? This may be the episode you've been waiting for.

Wanna learn more from Mona? Buy her book Beyond Behaviors here, sign up for the Beyond Behaviors course Mona teaches here or head on over to her website to learn more about her there!

To learn more about ETC, follow our Youtube Channel, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!

[E83] Seeing the Need Behind the Behavior with Mo and Tona Ottinger May 10, 2022

Show notes

Today, we go back to an episode from Season 1 of the show that can be particularly helpful in the throes of Spring parenting.
Lets face it…sometimes our kids' behavior is perplexing.

We have no idea why they are doing what they are doing. We have no idea how to make them stop and we can walk away feeling confused, defeated and even like a failure.

We have behavioral expectations and if we're not careful we can allow our children's behavior to determine whether we see ourselves as a good parent or not. We can measure our success by their behavior…

Why do we do that? How do we get to the root of what's ACTUALLY happening?

Glad you asked - tune in today to hear how we look to see the needs being expressed behind the behavior and meet those needs to build trust and attachment.

In this episode we reference several fantastic books (you should buy them all immediately): The Whole Brain Child, and Beyond Behaviors

To learn more about ETC, follow our Youtube Channel, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram!

[E82] Trauma Informed Parenting with Mo and Tona Ottinger May 03, 2022

Show notes

We've talked for weeks now on the show about how Trauma Informed Care and a Trauma Informed Approach is changing systems and societies across the globe. Today, we return to where it all started for us - Trauma Informed Parenting. We asked Mo and Tona Ottinger to share their story of moving from traditional parenting to a Trauma Informed Approach and what they shared will blow you away. Spoiler alert: it changed everything.

To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

[E81] Changing Systems: Trauma Informed Youth Outreach with Philip Walkley and Ally Velderman Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

One of the toughest things to do in the midst of running a youth outreach program is to change course - especially when it means re-training everyone involved. Despite the intense level of difficulty, however, Philip Walkley and Ally Velderman of Service Over Self in Memphis, TN knew they needed to make a change. They weren't equipped to walk with the kids they were working with through life. Hear how they made the jump to a trauma informed approach, the transformation that happened and the changes on staff on today's episode!

Also don't forget to check out our friends Ryan & Rose! The team at Ryan & Rose have been big supporters of our work at Empowered to Connect for years. They make beautiful products for everyone in the family including pacifiers, pacifier clips, bottle holders, bags, journals and so much more and they've got an exclusive discount JUST FOR LISTENERS OF THE SHOW! Use code 'ETC20' at checkout to save 20% off your entire order with Ryan & Rose and help support an amazing company making a huge difference in the world!

To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

[E80] Changing Systems: The Fight Against Human Trafficking with Coasy Hale Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

Our guest today works with an incredible organization leading the charge to end human trafficking and care for survivors of it. Coasy Hale is the Director of Survivor Services at Restore Corps - a non-profit organization in Memphis, TN doing everything from working to introduce new legislation to therapeutically receiving survivors into care to begin the road to recovery. We talked with Coasy about how Restore Corps has transformed their care for survivors as they've learned about trauma and the brain and how that knowledge has also affected how their team cares for each other. DO - NOT - MISS this episode, you're going to love hearing from Coasy!

We are also THRILLED to announce our first ETC Podcast advertising partnership! The team at Ryan & Rose have been big supporters of our work at Empowered to Connect for years. They make beautiful products for everyone in the family including pacifiers, pacifier clips, bottle holders, bags, journals and so much more and they've got an exclusive discount JUST FOR LISTENERS OF THE SHOW! Use code 'ETC20' at checkout to save 20% off your entire order with Ryan & Rose and help support an amazing company making a huge difference in the world!

To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

[E79] Changing Systems: Trauma Informed Children's Ministry with Paula Powell Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

We continue our conversation about trauma informed systems today with a look at children's ministry. Mo Ottinger and Paula Powell served together on staff at a church for years and we asked them to tell the story of transforming the child care system at their church into a trauma informed environment where every child could feel safe. You won't want to miss this episode - listen for practical applications for those working in the children's ministry field and encouragement for those who may feel the challenge is too daunting to begin! To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

[E78] Changing Systems: Trauma Informed Education with Becca McKay Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

How do educational systems change? How can educators, administrators and parents/caregivers partner together to help meet the unique needs of every child in school? We've asked Becca McKay, long time school social worker and Dean to come help us begin to unpack some big picture and practical ways to start the trauma informed journey in your school. Tune in to hear some practical advice for anyone working in education and stay tuned in as we turn the conversation toward parents and caregivers to share how they can effectively advocate for their children's needs to be met in appropriate and compassionate ways To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

[E77] Throwback Episode: Repairing What We've Ruptured with Carissa Woodwyk [E30 Replay] Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

We've all done it. We've lost our temper, checked out, popped off, said something we shouldn't have or didn't say something we should have in a moment of weakness. If you're like us, you've probably already had a moment (or several) moments like this today - it's ok. Take a deep breath and let Marriage and Family Therapist Carissa Woodwyk and ETC's Tona Ottinger walk you through how to repair when you've ruptured something with yourself, your partner or a kiddo. Special heads up - be sure to listen all the way to the end to hear Carissa's perspective on this as an adoptee when she shares an intimate moment of self discovery related to her own story - you don't want to miss it.

To learn more about Carissa and her work, be sure to check out her first appearance on the show here or follow her on Instagram or Facebook!

To learn more about ETC, check out empoweredtoconnect.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

[E76] Attachment: A Two Way Street in Relationships Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

Mo & Tona Ottinger join JD to talk about the huge shock we all felt as new parents learning that attachment is a two way street, not a finite 'start and finish' interaction. Why do our own histories and patterns of attachment matter in parenting children? How does that affect our kids and their attachment patterns and styles and what if it's too late to form a strong attachment with my child??

(Spoiler: it's never too late)

Hear Mo and Tona share powerful stories from their early parenting journey, marriage and relationships in this episode of the ETC Podcast!

To learn more about Empowered to Connect, check out our website and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube!

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