Today, NWPA native Marin Cogan joins us via zoom from Switzerland to talk about surviving in the aftermath of a school shooting. In January 2022, Marin published the article for Vox, "The School Shooting Generation Grows Up". In the article, Marin highlights interviews with various school shooting survivors across the country and their experiences as they try to heal. https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/22878920/school-shootings-survivors-columbine-mental-health

According to her bio, Marin Cogan is a senior correspondent at Vox. She writes features on a wide range of subjects, including traffic safety, gun violence, and the legal system. Prior to Vox, she worked as a writer for New York magazine, ESPN the Magazine, GQ, National Journal, Politico, and the New Republic. She has also contributed to the Washington Post, the New York Times, and several other publications. She is the winner of a National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Award and is the co-director of the Princeton Summer Journalism Program for aspiring student journalists from low-income backgrounds.

Thank you for listening!

Today I had the pleasure of chatting with the lovely and talented school psychologist, Amber Moore! She is a new school psych friend of mine from Instagram, and I have been admiring her beautiful, functional office decor creations for some time. She has a shop on Etsy, and I will share the link, below.

Recently, Amber and I have connected regarding the many stressors that folks experience during the holidays. The holidays aren't always happy, and we honor doing what is needed to feel safe and respected. Our Instagram followers provided some ideas for us to discuss. Today, we talk about handling the holidays in the shadow grief and loss, avoiding shame regarding lifestyle or financial status, and creating new traditions. Key takeaway: Boundaries are magical, as are scripts to prepare what to say when you feel cornered.

To learn more about Amber: @signsndesignsbyAmber

To browse her Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SignsNDesignsbyAmber?ref=l2-about-shopname

Please enjoy this replay of Jen's solo Thanksgiving episode about setting boundaries, and enjoying your holiday the way you deserve. We will be back with a full episode next week with a very special guest!

Sisters Cindy Lair and Cheryl McLaughlin join Jen in the studio to share their book: What is a Friend? Jen and Cindy met 18 years ago, when she was a delightful third grade teacher in the building Jen was performing her school psych internship. Cindy has since retired, but her kind demeanor has supported kids of all ages for many years. Who better to provide lessons on making and keeping friends, and knowing appropriate friendship characteristics?

During the pandemic, Cindy and Cheryl realized that the world had grown so unkind, and wrote a book of rhymes for children to start a "ripple of kindness". Their nonprofit, Warm Heart Books, has shared the book throughout the world! If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the book, you can email Cindy at shadygrove72@yahoo.com

Today on the show, Jen welcomes virtual guest Ryan Hogan, who has recently gained Instagram fame as the witty and jovial “World’s Okayest School Psychologist”. He has been a school psychologist for about 18 years in the state of Texas, and he also is the Dad to a boy with Autism. Thank you for joining us, Ryan!

Today in our discussion:

• We talk about how Ryan turns the art of making Instagram memes into a therapeutic activity
• How he and his wife came to realize and accept that their son demonstrated Autism symptoms
• What to look for if you suspect your child may have symptoms of Autism
• How families can support their child with a disability, while helping to curb resentment in their typically developing child
• Destigmatizing mental health treatment

Ryan is a wealth of information with his many years of experience as a school psychologist! He was a lot of fun to Zoom in to the studio!

Follow him on Instagram @worldsokayestschoolpsych

Today, Nationally Certified School Psychologists, Dr. Byron McClure, D.Ed. and Dr. Kelsie Reed, Ph.D. remotely visit the studio to talk with Jen about:

• Reframing your view of students from what’s wrong to what’s strong!
• Supporting students' social-emotional skills
• Having difficult conversations with your kids about racism and tragedies in the news
• Positively guiding and building the future story for youth in need

Dr. Reed and Dr. McClure are co-authors of Hacking Deficit Thinking: 8 Reframes That Will Change The Way You Think About Strength-Based Practices and Equity In School

According to the authors, in Hacking Deficit Thinking, you’ll learn how to:

• Build on student strengths
• Think about student empathy
• Humanize your data
• Recognize the value of differences
• Think about teacher empathy
• Talk about equity in schools
• Tap into school-wide strengths
• Flourish as an educator

To learn more about today's guests:

https://www.strengthbasedcollective.com/who-we-are

On Instagram: @bmcclure6 @dr.kelsiereed @bestrengthbased

To purchase their wonderful book, Hacking Deficit Thinking: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1956512241?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_DYJT3QA10JMQC4R3KEZ2