UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents

• How to Raise Kids Who Can Name and Regulate Their Feelings (and Why It Matters), Ep.36

  In this special episode of UNrattled, recorded live from the Gulf Coast Early Childhood Summer Symposium, we sit down with Dr. Craig Bailey—Director of Early Childhood at Yale’s Center for Emotional Intelligence—to unpack one of the most powerful yet often overlooked tools in parenting and education: emotional intelligence. Dr. Bailey introduces us to RULER, Yale’s groundbreaking approach to social-emotional learning (SEL), which stands for Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions. Through storytelling, science, and humor, he helps us understand why SEL begins with the adults in children’s lives and how we can’t teach what we haven’t first practiced ourselves. From toddlers to teens, kids thrive when adults model emotional awareness, empathy, and healthy expression—and Dr. Bailey gives us a blueprint for doing just that. We dive into practical ways to “name it to tame it,” how to help children build emotional vocabulary, and why traditional strategies like deep breathing only work after we’ve learned to identify what we’re feeling. You’ll also hear real-life examples from Dr. Bailey’s own family, including a lightbulb parenting moment involving preschool drop-off and a mysterious stomachache. Plus, we explore how to use children’s books—not just the obvious emotion-themed titles, but rich narrative stories like The Dot—to spark conversations about pride, bravery, disappointment, and more. If you’re a parent, educator, or anyone who supports young children, this episode will challenge and inspire you to rethink how you respond to big feelings—and maybe even grow your own emotional intelligence along the way. 00:00–01:08 – When you don’t know how to help your child manage big emotions 01:09–01:36 – Meet Dr. Craig Bailey from Yale’s Center for Emotional Intelligence 01:37–02:36 – What is the RULER framework and how does it work? 02:37–04:35 – Why RULER starts with adult emotional learning 04:36–06:40 – Helping adults learn the skills we expect kids to use 06:41–08:15 – “You want me to work on myself?” Why adult growth is uncomfortable but essential 08:16–09:56 – Therapy, Mister Rogers, and how labeling feelings helps 09:57–12:44 – The power of naming emotions: a real-life story about anxiety 12:45–14:05 – “Name it to tame it”: why labeling leads to regulation 14:06–15:32 – A child calling out a yelling teacher—and why that’s emotional intelligence 15:33–17:31 – Why strategies don’t work if you skip teaching emotion recognition 17:32–20:10 – When kids’ emotions seem ridiculous to adults: the Lego vs. stolen car analogy 20:11–22:50 – Emotional practice starts in babyhood and prepares you for teenage years 22:51–23:48 – Using children’s books to teach emotions: not just the obvious ones 23:49–26:13 – Why The Dot is a powerful book for teaching pride and emotional growth 26:14–28:13 – Understanding others’ emotions: how stories build perspective-taking 28:14–29:12 – Helping kids articulate pride and build emotional intelligence through narratives 29:13–29:49 – Wrapping up: why Dr. Bailey’s message resonated with educators 29:50–30:34 – Credits and closing message

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• Risky Play 101: What Every Parent and Teacher Should Know

  Are today’s kids missing out on one of the most important parts of childhood? In this powerful episode of UNrattled we are joined by Ryan Grady—educator, researcher, and founder of Childology—to explore why risky play is essential for raising confident, capable, and resilient children. From scaling trees and chasing friends in the yard to balancing on logs and building forts, risky play allows children to test boundaries, solve problems, and build their executive functioning skills—all while having fun. But too often, adult fears about safety or liability shut these experiences down. This episode invites you to reframe your thinking. Through real-life stories, expert insights, and thoughtful discussion, you’ll learn: Why risky play isn’t the same as dangerous play How rough-and-tumble activities help children grow emotionally and socially What developmental gains are tied to physical and psychological challenges How to design safer environments that still allow for risk What parents and teachers can do to support kids without stepping in too quickly Ryan also shares how to tell the difference between healthy risk and unacceptable hazard, and how small changes in mindset and environment can make a huge difference in how children grow, learn, and see themselves. Whether you're a parent worried about letting go or an educator trying to advocate for child-led exploration, this episode will give you the tools—and the encouragement—you need to support brave, balanced, and joyful play. 00:00–01:00 – Meet your hosts and guest Ryan Grady from Childology 03:15 – What is risky play and why it matters 05:00 – Rough and tumble vs risky play: what's the difference? 07:00 – Why risky play happens more outside than inside 08:15 – Risky ≠ dangerous: understanding the line 11:00 – Common misconceptions: "They’ll get hurt!" 13:30 – The psychology of risk: exhilaration and self-discovery 15:00 – Real-life example: Austin’s daughter climbs and jumps 18:00 – Developmental benefits: motor skills, planning, confidence 21:00 – Designing spaces to support risk-taking 24:00 – Teachers’ role: support without interference 27:00 – One last story: how risk builds resilience 29:00 – Final thoughts: “Let the kids try it. They’ll be fine.” If you loved this episode, share it with a parent or teacher who needs a reminder that it’s okay to let kids climb, jump, and explore! Subscribe to UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents wherever you listen to podcasts. And don’t forget to visit our website www.unrattledpodcast.com for more tools, resources, and support for early learning and parenting. Follow, like, and share—we’re stronger together when we learn to shake off the bubble wrap.

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• Tackling Transitions with Toddlers: Helping Your Child Cope with Change, Ep. 34

  Transitions are part of everyday life—but for toddlers, even the smallest changes can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s time to leave the park, start bedtime, or shift from one activity to the next, those moments often lead to big emotions and bigger meltdowns. In this special episode of UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents, we’re digging into the heart of why transitions are so hard for young children—and what you can do to make them easier for everyone. Host Jessica Stinson is joined by early childhood experts Victoria Bolton and Lennox Steele, who break down the science of toddler behavior and the emotional needs behind those outbursts. Together, they unpack how toddlers experience change, why structure and routine are so important, and how parents can respond with empathy instead of frustration. You’ll learn practical, real-world strategies like using visual schedules, offering limited choices, and incorporating movement to turn chaotic transitions into calmer, more connected moments. If your child melts down when it’s time to clean up, put on shoes, or leave grandma’s house—this episode is for you. You’ll walk away with tools to build your child’s emotional regulation skills, strengthen your bond, and stay grounded even when things don’t go as planned. Because helping your toddler cope with change starts with you.   00:00 – 02:00 – Meet our guests: Victoria & Lennox 03:30 – 05:00 – Why toddlers struggle with transitions 06:00 – 08:00 – How behavior is a cry for connection 10:00 – 13:00 – Emotional regulation and your role in it 14:00 – 16:30 – First/then strategies & transition language 17:00 – 19:30 – Why visual schedules and routines help 20:00 – 23:00 – Toddler attention spans and realistic expectations 24:00 – 26:00 – One simple tip: give a heads up 26:00 – 27:30 – Final thoughts and encouragement Key Takeaways Why Transitions Trigger Big Emotions Toddlers are wired for control and routine—but lack the language to express it. That combo makes transitions a perfect storm for stress. Behavior Is Communication Acting out isn’t “bad behavior”—it’s often a child’s way of saying, “I’m overwhelmed.” The Power of Predictability Visual schedules, routines, and countdowns help toddlers know what’s next, making them feel safe. Strategies for Smoother Shifts First/then language, choices, movement, and calm adult responses help toddlers feel in control—even when they’re not. It Starts with You You can’t co-regulate with your child unless you’re regulated first. Your calm matters.

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• Safe Screens, Sound Minds — Real Talk About Kids and Social Media, Ep.33

  In this powerful and practical episode of UNrattled, we’re diving deep into the urgent conversation every parent, caregiver, and educator needs to be having—how screen time and social media are impacting children’s mental health. Joined by Amanda Lightsey of the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama and Jeff Davis from Fowler Davis 4 Change, we explore their groundbreaking statewide initiative, Safe Screen, Sound Minds. This free, evidence-based program offers mental health resources for parents, youth mental health workshops, and digital wellness tools designed to create safer, smarter screen habits for kids. Together, we unpack the real effects of social media on teens, including increased anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem—especially when parental monitoring and support are missing. Backed by recent studies from Yale and the CDC, Jeff shares alarming data on how spending more than 3 hours a day online can double a child’s risk of poor mental health. But here’s the good news: reducing screen time by just 30 minutes a day can improve mental wellness by 35%. This episode also addresses: The rise in sexting among teens How to close the educational gap between parents and technology Why parent-child communication about online behavior is the key to prevention How to make workshops interactive and accessible in schools, churches, and community centers And the surprising truth that many adults are just as addicted to their screens as kids Amanda and Jeff’s approach isn’t about shame or blame—it’s about creating conversations, building trust, and offering tools that any family or community can use. Whether you’re a parent worried about TikTok, an educator navigating digital classrooms, or someone just wanting to protect kids in today’s screen-saturated world, this episode offers free, actionable solutions. Plus, hear how these downloadable materials—including parent guides, lesson plans, and printable resources—are already being used across Alabama to reach over 20,000 youth, teens, and adults. Everything is copyright-free, easy to access, and created to be inclusive for any age group.   [00:01:00] Meet Amanda Lightsey and the mission of the Children’s Trust Fund [00:01:52] Jeff Davis introduces Safe Screen, Sound Minds [00:02:41] The role of social media in shaping youth mental health [00:03:00] Conversations as prevention: how open dialogue keeps kids safer [00:04:26] Why educating parents is just as important as educating kids [00:05:06] The reality of adult phone addiction [00:06:07] Workshop structure: what it looks like and how it works [00:07:45] Real talk: Kids are already talking about this—are you? [00:09:07] Creating safe spaces for uncomfortable conversations [00:11:21] Mental health risks tied to screen time (with Yale study insights) [00:13:42] The “3-hour mark” and why reducing 30 minutes matters [00:14:56] Simple changes = big impact: what families can do today [00:17:01] Free resources available to parents, schools, and communities [00:18:21] Training kits that can reach over 20,000 people in Alabama [00:20:15] What’s next: second rollout of Safe Screen, Sound Minds If today’s conversation resonated with you, don’t forget to follow the UNrattled podcast wherever you listen, so you never miss an episode. Join the conversation on Facebook: facebook.com/UNrattledPodcast Catch bonus content and episode highlights on YouTube: YouTube.com/@UNrattledPodcast And be sure to check out the Safe Screen, Sound Minds initiative and download free tools for your family, school, or community at: 🔗 www.safescreensoundminds.com

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• ADHD in Kids: Signs, Diagnosis, and What Parents Need to Know | Part 2, Ep.32

  If you’re parenting a child with ADHD—or suspect your child might have it—this episode is packed with expert guidance to help you navigate the challenges and celebrate the strengths of neurodivergent kids. Our guest, Maggie Kellar, PMHNP, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specializing in ADHD across the lifespan, returns to break down the emotional, social, and self-esteem struggles that kids with ADHD often face. We explore why children with ADHD experience big emotions, frequent meltdowns, and heightened frustration, and how parents can support emotional regulation and executive functioning at home. Friendships can be tricky for kids with ADHD due to impulsivity, difficulty reading social cues, and challenges with turn-taking in conversations. Maggie shares practical strategies to help kids build stronger social skills, navigate rejection, and find their people. We also take a deep dive into self-esteem and ADHD, addressing why neurodivergent kids are more likely to develop negative core beliefs about themselves, and how parents can counteract feelings of shame, self-doubt, and failurebefore they take root. If you've ever felt overwhelmed or unsure about how to help your child with ADHD thrive, this episode is for you. Tune in for expert-backed strategies, real-life parenting insights, and a reassuring reminder: you're not alone. Key Takeaways Understanding ADHD and Emotional Regulation – Kids with ADHD experience big feelings, low frustration tolerance, and frequent meltdowns. Learn how to recognize the signs and help your child process emotions in a healthy way. Friendship Challenges and Social Skills – Impulsivity, interrupting conversations, and missing social cues can make it tough for ADHD kids to form friendships. Discover actionable ways to support social success. How ADHD Impacts Self-Esteem – Many kids with ADHD hear exponentially more negative feedback than their peers. We discuss how this affects self-perception and how to build confidence in neurodivergent children. The Role of Parents in Emotional Regulation – A dysregulated parent cannot regulate a dysregulated child. Learn why your emotional state impacts your child’s ability to cope and how to model calm responses. Practical Strategies to Support ADHD Kids – From the R.A.I.N. method (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) for emotions to environmental changes and executive function hacks, we cover tangible steps parents can take today.   [00:00] Introduction: ADHD, emotions, and why regulation matters [02:35] How ADHD affects friendships and social dynamics [05:26] The impact of negative core beliefs on self-esteem [08:14] First steps for parents: ADHD assessment and next steps [10:29] Supporting executive function in ADHD kids [13:14] Emotional regulation strategies: The R.A.I.N. method [16:54] Why parental self-regulation is crucial for ADHD children [21:15] How to shift negative self-beliefs and build confidence [26:26] ADHD is a difference, not a defect: Encouragement for parents [29:05] Final thoughts, resources, and next steps for families Subscribe to UNrattled: A Podcast for Parents for more expert insights on parenting neurodivergent children. Share this episode with fellow parents, teachers, or caregivers who want to better understand ADHD and support kids effectively. Check the show notes for recommended books, expert resources, and ADHD-friendly parenting tools.

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