The PAWsitive Choices Podcast

Episodes

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  Transform Meltdowns into Connection: Connect, Calm, and Collaborate 22.04.2026 19m

  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 "comparativ...
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  Q-TIP: Why Their Behavior Isn't About You (And How to Protect Your Peace) 07.03.2026 18m

  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. 🎥 Prefe...
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  You Aren't Failing, Your Brain is Just Full (The Pom-Pom Jar) 26.02.2026 19m

  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 pr...
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  The Heart of Resilience: Trauma-Responsive Lessons from Paper Tigers with Jim Sporleder 01.01.2026 34m

  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 ...
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  The Power of Love: How to Truly Hear What Your Child is Telling You with Dr. Hokehe Eko 21.12.2025 24m

  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...
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  PAWsitive Choices Update: Our Journey of Loss, Leukemia, and Resilience — Introducing The Brain it On! Podcast 10.12.2025 27m

  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 ...
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  Embracing Joy and Uncertainty: How to Lean Into Gratitude When Experiencing Joy Feels Vulnerable 19.10.2022 35m

  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 appreci...
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  Clear Is Kind: How to Effectively Ask for What You Need 11.10.2022 39m

  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 C...
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  Reality Checking Our Stories: How to Identify Unhelpful Thoughts and Shift to Healthier Patterns of Thinking 04.10.2022 40m

  Have you ever found yourself imagining the worst case scenario? Have you jumped to conclusions about what someone thinks of your choices before asking them? These common thoughts, known as cognitive distortions, can contribute to the stories we make up about what's happening in our lives. In this episode we'll explore how you can identify unhelpful thoughts and shift to healthier patterns of thinking. We'll also examine the research on Theory of Mind and find ways to support children through ...
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  We’re All Rough Drafts: How Our Assumption of Others’ Intent Influences Our Capacity for Connection and Our Quality of Life 29.09.2022 30m

  In Bob Goff's book, Everybody Always, he says, "We're all rough drafts of the people we're still becoming." This simple, yet profound idea is foundational to way we view ourselves and others. In this episode we review the work of Tina Payne Bryson, Ross Greene, Becky Kennedy, Bob Goff, and Brené Brown to answer the question, "Are people doing the best they can?" We explore the value of having the most generous assumption of others while maintaining healthy boundaries. You ca...
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  How Are You Empathizing? Understanding the Role of Cognitive and Affective Empathy in Maintaining Healthy Relationships 20.09.2022 25m

  Compassion is vitally important to our relationships, but what should we do when caring for others takes a toll on our wellbeing? In this episode, we'll explore the difference between cognitive and affective empathy and ways you can care for others while maintaining healthy boundaries. You can learn more about empathy in Brené Brown's Atlas of the Heart book and find more information on the function of emotions in Susan David's Emotional Agility website. You can find PAWsitive Choices boo...
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  Becoming a Compassionate Coach: How to Treat Ourselves and Others With Kindness When We Make Mistakes 12.09.2022 21m

  The content of this episode is available in video form via The PAWsitive Choices YouTube Channel. Check out our channel to watch the video recording of the podcast and subscribe so you never miss a video! In this episode, we'll explore ways you can become a more compassionate coach for yourself and others when mistakes are made. We'll learn what the science says about self-compassion and discuss practical steps you can take to treat yourself and others with kindness as you navigate se...
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  Building the Courage to Learn New Things: How to Approach Stressful Transitions in New Seasons 06.09.2022 29m

  The content of this episode is available in video form via The PAWsitive Choices YouTube Channel. Check out our channel to watch the video recording of the podcast and subscribe so you never miss a video! In this episode, we'll explore ways to build the courage to learn new things. Whether you're starting a new school year, a new job, or a new relationship, change can feel daunting. We'll learn what the science says about ways people learn and discuss practical steps you can take to h...
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  Pediatrician and Brain Health Coach Dr. Hokehe Eko Talks About ADHD, Trauma & Ways to Love Your Brain 29.12.2021 33m

  The content of this episode is available in video form via The PAWsitive Choices YouTube Channel. Check out our channel to watch the video recording of the podcast and subscribe so you never miss a video! In this episode we explore ADHD, trauma, and ways to love your brain with Dr. Hokehe Eko. Dr. Eko is a board certified pediatrician, the host of Brain Power TV, and the founder of Kits of Hope. You can email her at hokeheeko@gmail.com. We are taking a break from podcasting...
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  Choosing Curiosity Over Perfectionism- How to Approach Performance Tasks as Opportunities to Learn 15.12.2021 18m

  The content of this episode is available in video form via The PAWsitive Choices YouTube Channel. Check out our channel to watch the video recording of the podcast and subscribe so you never miss a video! “What will people think?” When it comes to tasks like taking a test, playing a sporting game, and giving a speech, these four words often get in the way of learning. This common question can also be the driving force behind a perfectionist mindset. In today's episode, we’ll talk abou...
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  Reframing Stress- How to Rethink Stressful Events to Cultivate Calm 07.12.2021 31m

  The content of this episode is available in video form via The PAWsitive Choices YouTube Channel. Click here to watch the video on our YouTube Channel and subscribe so you never miss a video! Do you experience anxiety with public speaking? Do you want to help a child who's worried about taking a test or performing well in a sporting event? In this episode we cover ways you can reinterpret both physiological and psychological stress so you can perform under pressure and cultivate calm....
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  Reinterpreting Pain- How to Help Your Brain Cope With Discomfort 30.11.2021 27m

  In this episode we explore the role that pain plays in the healing process. We learn what the science says about ways people interpret pain and discuss practical things you can do to help your brain cope with discomfort. Check out this calming breaths video for kids in English and Spanish! You can learn more about the glitter brain and other calming strategies in this video. Our newest book, Bear Takes a Brain Break, is now available on Amazon! You can find our other new A...
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  Embracing Emotions- How to Hold Space for All Feelings and Withhold Judgments 23.11.2021 26m

  In this episode we explore the importance of embracing all feelings and withholding judgments. We learn what the science says about how you feel about your feelings, also know as "meta-emotions." Finally, we go over practical tips to develop a healthy relationship with your feelings so children can do the same and develop emotional intelligence. To learn more about the science of meta-emotions, check out this article by The Gottman Institute. We are excited to be back for Season...
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  The Power of Gratitude 22.06.2021 19m

  In this episode we explore the many health benefits of practicing gratitude. We learn what the science says about being thankful and give three tips to help you integrate gratitude practices into your daily life. To learn more about the science of gratitude, check out this article by Harvard Health Publishing and read about what experts at USC have discovered about gratitude's impact on the brain here. We will be taking an eight-week break over the summer and will return to our weekly ...
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  It's Quitting Time- Why We Overwork and How to Set Boundaries With Our Time 15.06.2021 21m

  In this episode we explore why many of us feel as though we have too much to do and not enough time to do it. We also discuss strategies to help you prioritize your time and establish boundaries at your work. To learn more about ways to reclaim your time, check out this TED Talk by Harvard Business School professor, Dr. Ashley Whillans. Our newest book, Bear's ABC Book, is now available on Amazon! You can find our other Amazon book, Pug Solves a Problem, here. Follow PAWsiti...