Shame - Hidden in Plain Sight

Guilt - Interview With a Feelings Expert

In this episode of How Are You Feeling Today?, Alex is joined by six-year-old Sloan, a curious, brave, and imaginative guest who helps us understand the feeling of guilt. Through the story of Theo and the heart-shaped stone at the Gathering Pool, Sloan explores what it feels like when a child does something wrong, wants to hide, and needs help telling the truth. Together, Alex and Sloan talk about forgiveness, repair, and the comfort children need after saying “I’m sorry” — reminding kids and parents that guilt is not here to shame us, but to help us come back into connection. Resources, activities, and discussion tools for families are available at:  🌱 howareyoufeelingtoday.net [https://www.howareyoufeelingtoday.net/] Learn more about counseling and family resources at:  🌿 vothcenter.com [https://www.vothcenter.com/]

Guilt - The Heart-Shaped Stone

In this episode, Theo learns that guilt is not just about feeling bad, but about knowing when we have done something wrong and needing to tell the truth. As Theo admits his lie about the heart-shaped stone and experiences repair with his friends at the Gathering Pool, kids and parents are invited to explore how guilt can lead us toward honesty, forgiveness, and restored connection.  Resources, activities, and discussion tools for families are available at:  🌱 howareyoufeelingtoday.net [https://www.howareyoufeelingtoday.net/] Learn more about counseling and family resources at:  🌿 vothcenter.com [https://www.vothcenter.com/]

Anger - Interview With A Feelings Expert

Alex has his son Reed back on the podcast! This time for an interview about anger. When anger is handled safely, it can help children stand up for what matters, set boundaries, include someone who’s left out, and say the hard thing with honesty. We also talk about what kids often need most from parents in those moments: calm company and support so they can speak for themselves. Resources, activities, and discussion tools for families are available at:  🌱 howareyoufeelingtoday.net [https://www.howareyoufeelingtoday.net/] Learn more about counseling and family resources at:  🌿 vothcenter.com [https://www.vothcenter.com/]

Anger - Kai Stands Tall

This episode is another jungle story where Bin the leopard storms up to a peaceful gathering pool and announces, “This is mine now.” The whole jungle goes still, and you can feel what fear does to each friend. Then Kai feels something different rising in his chest: anger, not to hurt anyone, but to protect a place and a community that matters. Resources, activities, and discussion tools for families are available at:  🌱 howareyoufeelingtoday.net [https://www.howareyoufeelingtoday.net/] Learn more about counseling and family resources at:  🌿 vothcenter.com [https://www.vothcenter.com/]

Shame - Interview with a Feelings Expert

A four-year-old can teach us a lot about feelings when we actually slow down and listen. We’re joined by Griffin, who loves baseball, team chants, and superheroes like Hulk and Captain America. From there, we step into the “gathering pool” story world with characters like Kai, Liam, and Theo and use play to talk about real emotional skills. When Liam struggles, we unpack what kids often feel in those moments: the mix of relief and sadness when someone helps. That’s where we introduce a powerful idea for parents and caregivers: healthy shame. Not the crushing kind, but the healthy signal that says, “I’ve hit a limit. I need help.” We also dig into a parenting truth that can change how you respond to hard moments: kids don’t always ask for help with words. Sometimes they show it with their bodies, faces, and behavior.  Resources, activities, and discussion tools for families are available at:  🌱 howareyoufeelingtoday.net [https://www.howareyoufeelingtoday.net/] Learn more about counseling and family resources at:  🌿 vothcenter.com [https://www.vothcenter.com/]