Healing Hearts: Parenting with Purpose-Support for Resilient Families, Support for Parents, Childhood Trauma Advocacy

76 Episodes

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How to break the cycle of trauma: Eddie Acosta’s powerful story going from abused to advocate (Part 1)

2026-03-0332:04

Send a text “How can I break cycles of generational trauma?” “How can I stop my Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) from reflecting onto my kids?” — Almost everyone experiences trauma in their lives, and it weighs heavily on each of us. 33% of people who experienced trauma in their childhood reflect it onto their children, creating a cycle of trauma. But we aren’t defined by our trauma, and generational trauma is avoidable. In fact, today Benoit Harpey and Amina Elsamahy sit down with Eddie ...

You’re on Fire, It’s Fine: the unknown keys to parenting teens with self-destructive behaviors with Katie K. May

2026-02-1719:58

Send a text “How can I help my teen get through self-harm and suicidal behavior?” “Am I harming my teen when I’m trying to help?” “Is healing actually possible?” — The pain, fear, and hopelessness you feel when your teens act out, shut down, or self harm is real. This behavior, though, isn’t manipulative or defiant; it’s survival. Today, Kayla Richerson sits down with Katie K. May, a therapist, speaker, and the bestselling author of You’re on Fire, It’s Fine. Katie explains to us that when ou...

The missing piece — It’s crucial that we talk about trauma: Benjamin Perks Part 2

2026-02-0322:55

Send a text “Why does no one talk about trauma?” “What are the real effects of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?” “How can we recover?” — Two weeks ago, Benjamin Perks told us how important love and connection is in healing trauma, and we started discussing the taboo that lies around trauma. As we finish Benoit Harpey’s interview with him, we hear how important it is that we talk about trauma and why parenting support needs to be universally available. Trauma’s impact extends f...

You aren’t doing it wrong — The importance of connection in trauma-informed parenting with Benjamin Perks (Part 1)

2026-01-2023:17

Send a text “Why does my kid have disproportionally big responses to things that happen?” “How can I help my child heal from trauma?” — There’s a taboo around trauma that cannot seem to be lifted, but it is crucial that we lift it so that we can heal. Today, Benoit Harpey sits down with Benjamin Perks, who’s dedicated his life to removing that taboo. A father himself, Benjamin is a UNICEF Global Advocate for ending child maltreatment and healing trauma. What most people don’t understand, he e...

7 College Planning Tips That Every Parent Should Know with Shellee Howard

2026-01-0629:02

Send a text “How can I help my kid find the right path?” “How can I pay for college while avoiding student debt?” “What is the right college for my kids?” — The college admissions process seems daunting; your baby is making decisions that will change their future. What’s the right college, what’s the right major, what’s the right career? And the nagging question: how will we pay for college? But this process isn’t actually daunting. Rather, it can be fun, if approached correctly. Today, Benoi...

The 5 Key Things Kids Need from Their Parents During Emotional Breakdowns: Transformative Parenting with Todd Sarner, Part 2

2025-12-2318:00

Send a text “How can I stay calm when my child is having a breakdown?” “What does it mean for me to be an emotional anchor for my kid?” — Most parents struggle with their children's emotional regulation; you are not alone. Last episode, we heard from Todd Sarner, who explained to us that parenting is not about perfection, but presence. Today, we hear the rest of Sophia Mills and Amina Elsamahy’s conversation with Todd, psychotherapist, parenting coach, and founder of Transformative Parenting....

Parenting Isn’t About Perfection, It’s About Presence: Transformative Parenting with Todd Sarner, Part 1

2025-12-0926:53

Send a text “Why don’t discipline or behavior systems work for my child?” “Why does my child shut down so easily?” “What is trauma-informed parenting, and how can I apply it?” — Parenting is tough, and sometimes it feels like we’re doing it all wrong. Behavior can be difficult to understand, especially in kids with trauma. Today, Sophia Mills and Amina Elsamahy sit down with psychotherapist, parenting coach, and founder of Transformative Parenting: Todd Sarner. Todd shares why traditional dis...

Second Chances, Healing from Trauma, and Family Support — Rebuilding After Incarceration with William Freeman

2025-11-2525:01

Send a text “My foster child’s biological parents are incarcerated; how can I guide them through this difficult time?” “My child’s guard is up after trauma, how can I help take the walls down?” “How can I help a child transition out of Department of Juvenile Justice custody?” — When a child is in DJJ custody, they’re locked up, isolated, and scared. They aren’t just going through legal trouble, they’re carrying trauma and shame. It takes resilience, hope, support, and love to break free of th...

Dr. Amanda Trovato, PsyD Part 2: Routines, Compassion, and Collaboration to Build Confidence

2025-11-1122:07

Send a text “How do I stop feeling like I’m failing when my child has a hard day?” “How can I balance seeking professional help with trusting my own instincts as a parent?” — We’ve already heard from Dr. Amanda Trovato, who told us about communication through behavior, the power of routine, and how everyone involved in a child’s life is a caregiver. Today, in the second part of Benoit Harpey’s interview with Dr. Amanda Trovato, clinical psychologist at the ELS for Autism Foundation, we dive d...

Dr. Amanda Trovato, PsyD Part 1: Cultivating Growth and Supporting Mental Health in Children

2025-10-2820:39

Send a text “How can I help my child with emotional regulation?” “Is my child’s behavior a sign of something more?” “Who can help me as I parent a child with developmental differences?” — As parents, our children’s behavior can be frustrating and disheartening. But what if that behavior is unspoken communication? Benoit Harpey discusses this and more with Dr. Amanda Trovato, clinical psychologist at the ELS for Autism Foundation today. Dr. Trovato shares her story and insights on helping chil...

Josie Mae Wells Part 2: Being Who Kids Need, Building Support Systems, and Going One Step Back To Go Two Steps Forward

2025-10-1420:55

Send a text “I’m struggling as I parent my foster kids, I feel at a loss and overwhelmed.” “I feel all alone, how can I build a support system?” “Am I being the parent my kid needs me to be?” — We heard from Josie Mae Wells in part one of this series two weeks ago, when we discussed her story, vocational development, and community support system. If you missed that one, be sure to check it out! Today, we hear part two of Benoit Harpey’s interview with Josie Mae Wells, Public Relations Coordin...

Josie Mae Wells Part 1: Unexpected Support Through the Struggles of Raising Foster Children

2025-09-3021:07

Send a text “How can I support my child who has developmental delays?” “What role does community play in foster care success?” “How can I find support for my family as we foster children?” — There are hundreds of challenges that parents, especially those raising foster children or vulnerable children face. Thankfully, there’s a solution to every challenge and today, Benoit Harpey sits down with Josie Mae Wells, Public Relations Coordinator at Friends of Foster Children. When Josie Mae was in ...

You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup — Mindset, Resilience, and Self-Care in Parenting with Debi Borger

2025-09-1623:27

Send a text “I feel overwhelmed and unsupported as a parent.” “Is prioritizing me time selfish?” “How can I break the cycles of trauma and pain in my family?” — As parents, we can often feel torn between caring for our children and caring for ourselves. Both are crucial, and if you don’t balance both, you’ll feel overwhelmed, helpless, and crushed by an unbearable weight. Thankfully, that balance isn’t hard to find, it just takes a little effort. Today, Sophia Mills and Benoit Harpey sit down...

Good Lifestyle, Consistent Structure, and Positive Words: Healthy Habits for Healthy Kids with Randall Strain

2025-09-0219:35

Send a text “Is there a secret to curing ADHD?” “How can we better support our children through their challenges?” “What am I doing wrong, why isn’t my kid listening?” — ADHD, OCD, ADD. They’re all terms used to define your children as neurodivergent, but often, these occur due to poor lifestyle habits and can easily be resolved. Today, Benoit Harpey sits down with Randall Strain, Air Force veteran and accidental author of “Grumpy Home.” Randall tells us about his own experience parenting chi...

Balancing Parenting and Family Time with Career Growth with Evan Sophir

2025-08-1919:29

Send a text “My family and my career are both growing, and I’m having trouble balancing the two.” “Am I messing up my kid’s life by working too much?” “How can I regain time with my family, despite the amount of time I need to spend working?” — Work-life balance. A true struggle, especially when you’ve recently become a parent, and you need to reassess your priorities. You’re not alone in your struggles; in fact, today Sophia Mills speaks with Evan Sophir on this very topic. Evan is a top-rat...

Empowering the Lives of Youth Beyond the System with Michael Williams, SMART DREAMS CEO

2025-08-0524:12

Send a text “How do I build trust with a child who’s learned not to trust adults?” “What is my child’s behavior trying to communicate?” “Am I seeing my child’s pain and fear, or just their actions?” — Parenting is hard, parenting foster youth is even harder. Sometimes it feels like they just won’t trust you, that they block you out and don’t listen to what you say. Sometimes they’re even creating roadblocks for themselves. So, as parents, how can we get past this and change the courses of our...

Heart To Heart: Work-Life Balance—Being Present For Your Children While Managing Your Evolving Career

2025-07-2209:33

Send a text “I feel torn between my job and my family every day.” “Guilt eats at me when I miss school events or family time.” “Even when I’m home, I’m not truly present.” — Sometimes, it feels like a work-life balance as a parent who’s working a full-time job is out of reach. It feels as if you’re trying to provide for your children, to give them a great life, and in turn you have to sacrifice family time. If that’s you, don’t worry. It isn’t too late, that balance isn’t out of reach. Today,...

Mindfulness, Energy, and Healing Part 2: Emotional Growth From the Inside Out with Veronica Moya

2025-07-0818:48

Send a text “How can I help my children with their trauma, anxiety, and emotional struggles?” “Why do my children struggle so much with self-love, and how can I help them through it?” “How can I help regulate my child’s anxiety?” — Emotions are perhaps some of the most powerful things in the world. To thrive emotionally, you must learn how to control your emotions and use them to help you get through anything life throws at you. Today, Sophia Mills sits down with Veronica Moya, who holds the ...

Mindfulness, Energy, and Healing Part 1: Emotional Growth From the Inside Out with Veronica Moya

2025-06-2416:23

Justice For The Voiceless Part 2 – Legal Advocacy and Resilience with Paul McBride

2025-06-1017:07

Send a text “How can I tell if a child needs legal help?” “Who speaks up for children who can’t speak for themselves?” “What happens when the system fails a child?” – Sadly, the foster care and legal systems are imperfect. Both have countless faults and could be improved a million times over, and yet the kids who are unwillingly thrown around and abused in all of it often cannot speak up for themselves. Thankfully, today Rylie Heck and Sofia Scher sit down with Paul McBride, who shares his st...

#box-pro-ellipsis-177273187235758{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}Healing Hearts: Parenting with Purpose-Support for Resilient Families, Support for Parents, Childhood Trauma Advocacy

Healing Hearts: Parenting with Purpose-Support for Resilient Families, Support for Parents, Childhood Trauma Advocacy