About Growing Resilience - Informed on Trauma (GRIT)
As a former school counselor, planning board member of the first fully-trauma-informed school in South Carolina, speaker at several major education conferences, and Trust-Based Relational practitioner, my take on compassionate practices comes from years of advocacy and training.
This podcast is the fruit of over 5 years in the trenches of high-risk schools as an educator and school counselor. Utilizing the hard-fought skills gained meeting childhood adversity and its impacts head-on in schools, my hope is to share those nuggets to support other educators and caregivers on their trauma-responsive journey.
Whether your goal is to improve classroom behavior, shift from old punitive mindsets to new restorative and preventive ones, or just to be more inclusive in your daily journey- I hope you find support here for your trauma-informed journey!
Join me on the #healingjourney of #resilience as we discuss the realities of the school system today, promoting resilience, and discuss life-changing tools that meet kids where they are while supporting caregivers.
It's time to see the landscape of education move from intervention to PREVENTION. From surviving to THRIVING.
#TheTimeIsNow #TraumaInformed #TraumaInformedSchools #TBRI #SchoolCounselor #EducationalConsulting #Education #ElementaryEducation #Teacher #Principal #elementaryeducation #EarlyChildhood #MentalHealth #K12Community #CompassionateSchool #KnowBetterDoBetter #Disruptors
GRIT® Podcast - Episode 11 - 5 Ways to Hedge Against Childhood Adversity in the Summer
Summer creates feelings of joy and relief from hectic school schedules for most, but for about 30 percent of school-aged children, it causes feelings of dread or even fear.
Statistics show that for high-risk students receive more than an education during the school year. Schools are their safe place where they are fed and feel safe each day.
Part of becoming trauma-informed means moving beyond awareness to practical steps.
This episode covers 5 ways to hedge against childhood adversity in the summer, whether or not you are an educator.
1 May 2026
GRIT® Podcast - Episode 10 - How micro-insults and media shape identity in children: Healthy language swaps
Micro-insults are no new phenomenon. Lean in as we discuss what they are, the negative impacts they have on development and emotional well-being, and practical strategies to swap outdated slurs for upstanding language.
From minimizing females to over-sexualizing them through media and language, to awareness and accountability, and letting kids be free from limiting shaming and blaming.
It's time to double down on schools that feel safe - especially from micro-insults. Don't forget to access your free downloads, including Healthy Language Swaps and a helpful Family Media Guide.
25 Feb 2026
GRIT® Podcast - Episode 9 - Moving the Needle: Benefits of Trauma-Informed MTSS Framework
In today's episode, we're talking about how sensory regulation through a trauma-informed multi-tiered system of supports is the missing link in moving the needle for student success at your school.My original research exposed that as a school counselor, I had spent over 500 hours on crisis intervention (putting out fires) in one academic calendar year. Statistically, knowing the prevalence of trauma in early childhood, I knew those hours weren't spent on willful disobedience, but on guiding students through survival strategies and fight-or-flight responses.Schools that don't implement trauma-informed best practices and sensory support are likely not buffering students from the 60 percent of dysregulation triggers in the school environment.That's why I created the Schools with GRIT® Trauma-Informed Schools Maturity Audit, a free download to help you assess the need at your school and leverage Title funding to move the needle for school climate and achievement in your district.Free Download Trauma-Informed Schools Maturity Audit:https://na2.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhDJA_ezzYln7EXqbR55ZVlY3SpMNpzzGjNsJ8qHjhOjuMYtgdiphjOOE7M68k8vg3A*Schools with GRIT® Guide:https://www.overcomingadversityllc.com/copy-of-online-trainings
22 Jan 2026
GRIT® Podcast - Episode 8 - Screen Time's Impact on the Developing Brain
Given the prevalence of screen use in children under two years of age, as a champion for child development and well-being, the negative impacts must be addressed. There is a plethora of research that emphasizes the importance of healthy touch, serve-and-return patterns that build trust, and the chemical changes in the brain that either support or inhibit emotional regulation. We will discuss the growing divide between recommendations for screen use and secure attachment, and some practical strategies and activities that are more developmentally sound, particularly in supporting children with adverse childhood experiences.References:The 5 Cs of Screen Use: The American Academy of Pediatrics
5 Sept 2024
GRIT Podcast - Guests with GRIT Tracy Redfearn
Join me as I welcome Tracy Redfearn on this episode of Guests with GRIT to highlight the power of protective factors within community partnerships. We discuss the prevalence of adversity impacting students today and the benefits of empowering educators and parents with tools for resilience. Pull up a seat and join the conversation on the benefits of creating safe spaces for children from hard places through trauma-informed schools and systems.Tracy shares the successes and struggles of advocacy and her new resource as a practical support for managing big feelings in children.For more information on Child and Family Resource Center and Tracy's book:https://www.childandfamilyresourcefoundation.com/Join me on the Schools with GRIT journey:https://overcomingadversityllc.comSETT® MY FEELINGS": AN ACTIVITY BOOK & HEALING JOURNAL
16 Jul 2024
GRIT Episode 6 - Guests with GRIT - Senator Mike Reichenbach and Protective Factors
Join me on the latest episode of Guests with GRIT to explore the impacts of adversity and the power of protective factors through the lens of Senator Mike Reichenbach.
Lean in as we discuss his testimony of risk to resilience through his adoption journey and how his family shaped his heart for child advocacy.
We identify challenges of adversity, including the strain on systems such as schools, the medical system, corrections, and the workforce and discuss the findings of the Joint Legislative Committee on Children in South Carolina.
Our shared hope is a future with both policy and funding to inform our practices as we foster resilience and well-being for all.
2 May 2024
GRIT Podcast Episode 5 - When Schools Ignore the Check-Engine Light: A Testimony
Join me on the Guests with GRIT series where we will spend time hearing the stories of individuals who have overcome adversity in inspiring ways.
This episode highlights Tiffani, a self-proclaimed kid from hard places, as she gives testimony to the impact of early childhood trauma in her life.
In her account, she discloses childhood abuse that went unrecognized despite her prominent family's status and good intentions.
We will uncover the myth of willful disobedience and shift our eyes to the survival mode that is often misdiagnosed within the medical and school systems.
From ADHD to ODD, and now an auto-immune disorder, Tiffani shares how a Trauma-Informed school could have changed the trajectory of her healing journey for the better.
16 Apr 2024
Tools to Support Children During Transitions
Felt-Safety is a powerful tool in the hands of educators and parents alike. Felt-safety means not just physically being safe, but feeling safe in one's environment. Children from hard places often have a hard time distinguishing real threats from perceived ones and can greatly benefit from some preventive measures of support.
Empowering educators and parents with practical tools to cut down on fight-or-flight behaviors is well worth the time spent on prevention, and eliminates the need for intervention. Join me as I relay tried and true, simple strategies to help children (and adults) have stress-free transitions.
13 Mar 2024
GRIT Podcast Episode 3 - Trauma-Informed Schools Save Lives: A Case Study
Join me as we follow Brian, a student from hard places with a high ACE score on a typical school day. In this vignette, I will expose the missed opportunities of non-trauma-informed schools and highlight the preventive and protective factors of schools implementing these best practices.
6 Mar 2024
GRIT Podcast - Episode 2 - A Closer Look at ACEs in the Classroom
I will debunk some behavior myths and expose how children labeled as willfully disobedient are actually in survive mode.
Also, we will take a look at some ways schools might be missing the mark and I'll share some more productive solutions for mitigating childhood trauma.
Show Notes:
Overcoming Adversity blog link to free download:
https://www.overcomingadversityllc.com/post/trauma-informed-schools-a-call-to-action
1 Mar 2024
GRIT Podcast 1 - Intro
Join me as I recount my first experiences with students from hard places through providing school-wide support for school districts- the challenges and the successes of implementing trauma-informed schools.
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