In this episode, Lauren launches a new series on staff sustainability and explores the hidden costs of burnout and turnover in trauma-impacted organizations. She shares why quick fixes like pizza parties or gift cards fall flat and how deeper systemic change is needed. Through the lens of the nervous system, Lauren reframes burnout as a collective issue rather than an individual failing. She explains how creating cultures of belonging, safety, and regulation can shift organizations from survi...
In this Q&A episode, Lauren tackles some of the most pressing challenges organizations face including burnout, high turnover, and behavior struggles in both staff and students. She explains how the Five Ives framework, rooted in nervous system science and trauma-informed care, offers practical micro-strategies that boost morale, improve regulation, and create sustainable cultural shifts without adding extra burdens. Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredit...
In this episode, Lauren unpacks how nervous system regulation shapes workplace culture. She explains how stress and micromanagement spread through teams, and why leaders who model calm can shift an entire organization. Lauren also shares simple rituals like intentional meeting openings, midday resets, and predictable rhythms that help teams move from survival mode to thriving together. Sign up for the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Breakthrough Accredited Course Other related resources f...
In this episode, Jessica explores how nervous system regulation shows up across the many roles we play, whether we’re leading, teaching, parenting, or supporting others on the front lines. She explains why our nervous system doesn’t switch hats when we do, and how our presence impacts the people around us in every setting. Jessica offers practical strategies for bringing calm, steady energy into classrooms, meetings, and family life. From co-regulating with students to repairing after rupture...
In this heartfelt episode, Jessica turns toward a question many of us have wrestled with: Why wasn’t I good enough? Drawing from her own experiences with rejection, criticism, and seasons of struggle, she reflects on how painful moments can shape our identity, hold us back, and make us doubt our worth. Jessica invites listeners to reframe those experiences not as proof of inadequacy, but as protection from what was never meant for them. Through stories, encouragement, and gentle guidance, she...
In this episode, Lauren explores the hidden power of daily rhythms and how they shape our ability to stay calm, focused, and resilient. From sleep and meal times to email habits and screen use, she shows how predictable patterns support the nervous system and how disruptions can quietly lead to stress and dysregulation. She shares why building consistent routines matters, offers examples of small shifts like winding down without screens or adding rhythmic movement, and explains practical ways...
Transitions are everywhere from shifting between tasks at work to moving through family routines and they can quietly dysregulate us. In this episode, Lauren shares why these moments feel so disruptive and how tiny rituals can anchor them, bringing calm and predictability. Discover simple, sustainable practices like a breath after a meeting, calming music before bed, or a quick stretch at the end of the day that turn daily shifts into opportunities for grounding and resilience. Sign up for ...
In this episode, Lauren takes a thoughtful look at the often overlooked impact our environments have on regulation and well-being. She explores how seemingly small elements like lighting, layout, sound, and even clutter can either support or sabotage our nervous systems. Drawing from both personal examples and brain-based strategies, Lauren shows how to create spaces that cue safety and calm, whether at home, in a classroom, or in an office. She also shares quick, practical ways to regulate w...
In this episode, Lauren dives into the real world challenges of creating a morning routine that supports nervous system regulation, especially when life feels chaotic. She breaks down the morning into four key parts and offers practical, compassionate strategies for bringing more calm and intention to each one, from wake up rituals to the first interaction of the workday. Whether your mornings start in a sprint or you’re just looking for a little more stability, this conversation reminds us t...
In this episode, Lauren explores what it really means to regulate in the midst of everyday chaos. Building on the Five Ives framework she and her partner developed, she explains why common strategies like breathwork or meditation often fall flat when we are overwhelmed and in survival mode. Regulation, she reminds us, is not about staying calm all the time. It is about noticing when we are dysregulated and learning how to recover quickly and effectively. Lauren shares practical, real world to...
Today Lauren is looking at what drives power struggles with kids and how we can respond in ways that build cooperation rather than conflict. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or work with children in any capacity, the strategies shared here offer a helpful shift away from control-based approaches and toward connection-driven responses. Lauren unpacks why so many common discipline tactics fall short and offers practical tools like giving voice and choice, using visual supports, and planning ah...
If you've been questioning why traditional consequences often fail to create meaningful behavior change, this is for you. Lauren walks through the whys of this failure and how traditional consequences may harm relationships and regulation. She unpacks common disciplinary practices and explains how these strategies can backfire when they’re disconnected from emotional support and repair. Instead of punishing behaviors, Lauren encourages us to understand the nervous system and the unmet needs d...
In this episode, Lauren explores the importance of adult emotional regulation when navigating children’s challenging behaviors. She emphasizes that outbursts aren’t personal—they’re rooted in a dysregulated nervous system. By staying calm and composed, adults can create a sense of safety that allows children to begin co-regulating. Lauren shares practical strategies like pausing before responding, reframing the moment, and using grounding techniques to manage your own emotional state. She rem...
Today Lauren is setting the stage for a new series that encourages a shift from managing behavioral chaos to building meaningful connections, especially in classrooms. Lauren uses examples from her personal experience to illustrate how the idea of connection as biologically essential and the foundation for all emotional regulation shows up in the real world. Lauren offers simple, practical routines to foster connection: consistent morning greetings, regular emotional check-ins, and environmen...
In this episode, Lauren continues exploring the connection between behavior and the nervous system, focusing on the stress responses known as fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. She encourages us to look beyond the surface of behaviors like hitting, screaming, or shutting down and ask what’s driving them. These reactions aren’t choices—they’re subconscious responses to feeling unsafe. Lauren breaks down how each state might show up in children: fight can look like defiance or aggression, flight ...
Behavior is a signal that we need to interpret, but it's not the problem. Lauren challenges us to stop and ask a different question when we see extreme behaviors: I wonder what happened that is driving this? Lauren takes us through why traditional approaches that focus on controlling negative behaviors don't work. We need to shift our focus to address the root cause or the unmet needs. Instead of correcting behaviors, preventatively or reactively address the underlying cause. Oth...
In this episode, Lauren and Jessica explore the final stage of the Five Ives framework: Hive. This stage is all about meaningful connection—both personally and organizationally—after individuals have reached a more stable and grounded state. When someone enters the Hive stage, they often feel ready and energized to engage with others, to gather in community, and to offer support from a place of wholeness. On a broader scale, Hive represents the capacity of organizations to truly serve and upl...
In this episode, Lauren and Jessica explore the fourth stage of the Five Ives framework—Thrive. In the Thrive phase, individuals and organizations are aligned with their goals and truly "living the dream." Thriving looks like healthy communication and the ability to regulation emotions effectively. It builds on the healing work of earlier stages and emphasizes the importance of social connection for long-term well-being. At this stage, fulfillment, alignment, and meaningful relationships are ...
In this episode, Lauren and Jessica walk us through the third stage of the Five Ives—Strive. They unpack what it means to be in the Strive phase, both for organizations and individuals. For organizations, a positive culture in this stage is built through intentional inclusion and collaboration at all levels, supported by transparent decision-making and guidance from external coaches. When people feel heard and informed, they’re more engaged and motivated to move forward. Strive is about pacin...
Today Lauren and Jessica dive into the second stage of the Five Ives framework: Revive. After becoming more self-aware and stepping out of pure survival mode, the journey into Revive is all about beginning the slow, intentional process of healing. It’s not quick or flashy—in fact, healing is inherently soft, gentle, and gradual. This stage is about rewiring our brains and taking consistent micro-steps forward, both individually and as an organization. They highlight five key areas—food,...