Wait, Am I Saving the World? | Conversations on Childhood

EP 18 Raising Confident Kids Without Fear-Based Teaching (Inside the Dance Studio) w/Leslie Kuny

What does it actually look like to build confident, resilient kids without fear, shame, or outdated teaching methods? In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World?, I’m joined by dance educator, choreographer, and studio owner Leslie Kuny, who’s been working with kids for over 20 years. We talk about what’s changing in the world of dance (and childhood in general), and why the old-school, fear-based approach just doesn’t work anymore. Leslie shares how she creates a studio environment where kids feel safe, supported, and still challenged—without losing the joy of movement. We get into body image, confidence, boundaries, and why play matters more than ever for today’s kids. This conversation is especially helpful for parents, teachers, and anyone working with children who wants to build strong, confident kids in a healthier, more human way.  WHAT WE COVER: *  What resilience actually looks like in kids  *  Why fear-based teaching backfires  *  How dance culture has impacted body image (and how to shift it)  *  What parents should look for in a dance studio  *  Why kids today struggle with unstructured movement  *  How to set boundaries while still keeping things fun  CONNECT WITH LESLIE KUNY *  Instagram: @lesliekuny *  YouTube: Leslie Kuny Dance *  Podcast: Dancing Through It CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Leslie Kuny and Her Journey  04:13 Creating a Supportive Dance Studio Culture  06:39 Philosophy of Teaching and Student Engagement  11:21 Addressing Body Image and Self-Perception in Dance  16:29 Healthy Conversations About Bodies and Movement  20:22 Parental Guidance on Body Image and Dance Studios  25:29 The Importance of Play and Unstructured Movement  32:21 Boundaries and Classroom Management in Dance  41:12 Conclusion and Connecting with Leslie Kuny  💛 Have thoughts, stories, or questions? I love hearing from listeners. Send a note anytime and it might even make it into a future episode. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2435620/fan_mail/new] FB & IG: playmotionkids Website: www.playmotionkids.com and www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners IG: better.childhood.project

EP 17 Advocating for a Loved One in Healthcare Systems | Dementia Care with Laura Smothers-Chu

In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World?, Carrie sits down with Laura Smothers-Chu, founder of Joy in Dementia, to talk about what it really looks like to advocate for a loved one navigating dementia, especially when you’re supporting them from a distance. After her father’s diagnosis while she was working in healthcare, Laura quickly discovered how overwhelming and fragmented dementia resources can be, particularly for long-distance caregivers who want to help but don’t live nearby. Today, Laura mentors caregivers through the realities of dementia care, helping them understand available resources, advocate effectively within healthcare systems, and create meaningful moments with their loved ones along the way. This conversation explores the system gaps caregivers face, the importance of community resources, and how to navigate complex healthcare systems with confidence. While this episode focuses on dementia care, the lessons apply broadly to advocating for yourself or a loved one within healthcare systems, something that affects families at every stage of life, whether supporting aging parents, caring for children with medical needs, or navigating care for anyone we love. Almost everyone has been touched by dementia in some way, making this conversation relevant not only for caregivers but for anyone interested in compassion, advocacy, and supporting families through difficult seasons. A personal note: Editing this episode was especially emotional for me, as it was recorded prior to my own mother's passing on 12/23/2025. Conversations like this remind us just how important support, advocacy, and community are when navigating health challenges in our families. GUEST INFORMATION Laura Smothers-Chu Founder, Joy in Dementia Laura supports long-distance caregivers navigating the emotional and logistical realities of dementia care. Drawing from her personal experience supporting her father and her background in healthcare, she mentors caregivers in understanding resources, planning ahead, and advocating for their loved ones within complex healthcare systems. 🌐 Website  https://joyindementia.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/joy.in.dementia/  Free consultation for caregivers available on her website. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Joy in Dementia  01:51 Laura's Personal Journey with Dementia  05:12 The Role of Long-Distance Caregivers  10:15 Identifying Gaps in Dementia Resources  13:00 The Importance of Tailored Support  18:08 Practical Steps for Long-Distance Caregivers  24:38 Recognizing Behavioral Changes in Loved Ones  25:52 First Steps After a Dementia Diagnosis  29:28 The Importance of Community Resources  30:29 Valuing Caregivers in Society  33:05 Wishing for a Cure: The Stigma of Dementia  34:55 Navigating the Healthcare System  39:39 Empowering Caregivers Through Support  44:01 Closing Thoughts & Resources 💛 Have thoughts, stories, or questions? I love hearing from listeners. Send a note anytime and it might even make it into a future episode. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2435620/fan_mail/new] FB & IG: playmotionkids Website: www.playmotionkids.com and www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners IG: better.childhood.project

Ep 16: Work-Life Balance Is a Lie: How Working Moms Can Build Resilience & Emotional Regulation | Charlotte Haggie

Is work-life balance actually possible or is it a myth that keeps working moms stuck in stress and guilt? In this powerful conversation, resilience specialist and coach Charlotte Haggie joins me to dismantle the idea of “balance” and replace it with something far more sustainable: self-trust, emotional regulation, and inner equilibrium. Charlotte shares how motherhood exposed her own “good girl” identity — the pressure to achieve, please, and prove — and how that identity was quietly pulling her away from presence with her child. We talk about: • Why work-life balance is a myth  • The difference between confidence and self-trust  • The “Good Girl Cycle” and how it fuels stress  • How stress impacts children (even when we think we’re hiding it)  • What kids actually need from overwhelmed parents  • Modeling emotional regulation instead of multitasking  • Building resilience without adding more to your to-do list If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at both work and motherhood then this episode will help you shift that narrative. Because resilience isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming anchored enough to handle what already exists. About Charlotte Charlotte Haggie is a resilience specialist, coach, and host of the top 2% globally ranked podcast The Resilient Working Mum. Through her Ease Over Effort™ framework, she helps working mothers build self-trust, emotional regulation, and inner calm so they can lead at work and at home without burning out. Her work focuses on breaking the “good girl cycle,” building mental resilience, and helping women model calm and presence for their children. Free Resource from Charlotte Charlotte is generously offering listeners access to her private podcast: Unfrazzled: A New Way to Work and Mother 👉 Listen here:  https://unfrazzled-private-podcast.grwebsite.com/ [https://unfrazzled-private-podcast.grwebsite.com/] Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to resilience & working motherhood  01:17 Why work-life balance is a myth  05:41 The Ease Over Effort™ framework explained  11:12 Confidence vs. self-trust  14:26 What children actually need from stressed parents  19:29 Boundaries, presence, and modeling emotional regulation  23:25 Feeling like you're failing at both work and motherhood  29:48 The “Good Girl Cycle” and identity pressure  33:47 The intergenerational impact of stress  36:20 What gives hope to modern moms Connect with Charlotte Website: https://charlottehaggie.com/ [https://charlottehaggie.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlottecoaches/ [https://www.instagram.com/charlottecoaches/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlotte.haggie [https://www.facebook.com/charlotte.haggie] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottecoaches/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottecoaches/] If this episode resonated, follow the show and share it with a parent, educator, or caregiver who is shaping childhood in powerful ways. And if you want to create an impact for kids in your own community through movement and mindfulness go to www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners. 💛 Have thoughts, stories, or questions? I love hearing from listeners. Send a note anytime and it might even make it into a future episode. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2435620/fan_mail/new] FB & IG: playmotionkids Website: www.playmotionkids.com and www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners IG: better.childhood.project

Ep: 15 Motion Calms Emotions: Movement, Trauma, and Nervous System Regulation in Children with Tami Lysher

In this episode of Wait, Am I Saving the World?, host Carrie sits down with educator and movement specialist Tami Lysher, who brings over 40 years of experience in early childhood education, trauma-informed care, and nervous system integration. Tami shares how movement, breathwork, and connection play a critical role in helping children regulate their nervous systems—especially children impacted by trauma, sensory challenges, ADHD, and learning differences. Through her framework Move Into Calm, she explains why children are not meant to sit still, how stress and trauma show up in the body, and why regulation must come before learning. This conversation explores the powerful connection between parent and child regulation, practical ways adults can support co-regulation, and simple movement strategies that can be woven into everyday life at home or in the classroom. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver, this episode offers grounded, body-based insights to help children feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. In this episode, we cover: * Why movement supports brain development and emotional regulation * How trauma and chronic stress affect children’s learning and behavior * The role of parent and educator self-regulation * Simple movement and breathwork tools for daily routines * Why every behavior is an unmet need ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to movement and trauma-informed education  01:26 The importance of movement for children  04:35 Understanding dysregulation in children and parents  09:09 Strategies for self-regulation in adults  18:17 Practical movement techniques for educators  27:13 Creating safe spaces for children  35:59 The role of connection in learning and development  44:42 Final reflections and resources 🔗 Find Tami Lysher Website: https://www.moveintocalm.com [https://www.moveintocalm.com] Instagram: @studiotpilatesmi YouTube: Studio T Pilates Facebook: Tami Lysher | Studio T Pilates 💛 Have thoughts, stories, or questions? I love hearing from listeners. Send a note anytime and it might even make it into a future episode. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2435620/fan_mail/new] FB & IG: playmotionkids Website: www.playmotionkids.com and www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners IG: better.childhood.project

EP 14: Raising Readers in a Screen-Filled World with Literacy Expert Stephanie Affinito

What if reading wasn’t just about academics but about health, emotional regulation, connection, and joy? In this episode, Carrie sits down with Stephanie Affinito, literacy teacher educator, author of Leading Literate Lives, and host of the KidLit Love podcast, to talk about how books truly shape childhood. Stephanie shares why reading helps children feel seen and understood, how strong reading identities are formed, and what families can do to support reluctant readers without pressure or power struggles. You’ll also learn how journaling and notebooking can deepen a child’s emotional processing, why reading is an underrated wellness tool, and how adults can reconnect with reading for themselves, even in busy seasons of life. This conversation is full of practical insight, gentle mindset shifts, and permission to make reading feel inviting instead of forced. In this episode, we cover: * Why books help children make sense of their world * How reading builds empathy, resilience, and emotional health * What to do when a child says “I hate reading” * Simple ways to create meaningful reading rituals at home * How journaling supports both literacy and nervous-system regulation * The role of audiobooks — and when they’re most helpful * What gives Stephanie hope for the future of literacy ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 – The Power of Reading in Childhood  03:27 – Books as Portals to Understanding  06:49 – Building Strong Reading Identities  09:34 – Encouraging Reluctant Readers  12:26 – Creating a Reading Ritual at Home  15:37 – Common Missteps in Promoting Reading  18:40 – The Benefits of Journaling with Reading  21:42 – Reconnecting Adults with Reading  24:34 – The Role of Audiobooks  27:34 – Challenges and Hopes for Literacy  30:46 – Connecting with Stephanie Affinito 🔗 Connect with Stephanie * Website: https://www.alitlife.com [https://www.alitlife.com] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit [https://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit] * Podcast: KidLit Love * Book: Leading Literate Lives ✨ Special Project: Stephanie also offers 365 Book Postcards — a free, handwritten book recommendation sent by mail based on your (or your child’s) reading interests. It’s a fun way to connect readers with the books they need most. 🌱 Create Impact in Your Own Community If you’re inspired by this conversation and feel called to support children through movement, mindfulness, and whole-child wellness, you can learn more about becoming a PlayMotion Kids Certified Instructor. 👉 Visit https://www.playmotionkids.com [https://www.playmotionkids.com] to explore training opportunities and bring joyful, purpose-driven movement to kids in your community. 💛 Have thoughts, stories, or questions? I love hearing from listeners. Send a note anytime and it might even make it into a future episode. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2435620/fan_mail/new] FB & IG: playmotionkids Website: www.playmotionkids.com and www.playmotionkids.com/businessowners IG: better.childhood.project