Let’s Explore That

S1E8-1: Trauma-Informed Practices with Dr. Stuart Ablon

We handed the mics over to Rich Graziano and Dave Paxton to talk to Dr. Stuart Ablon about why Collaborative Problem Solving is a useful approach in the field of child behavioral health. Listen in on this conversation among experts to learn more about how  and why The Village Network adopted Collaborative Problem Solving as an integral part of its trauma-informed culture!
Stuart Ablon, Ph.D. is an award-winning psychologist, Associate Professor and Thomas G. Stemberg Endowed Chair at Harvard Medical School. He is the Founding Director of Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital's Department of Psychiatry. He focuses on transforming our understanding and response to challenging behavior. An award-winning psychologist and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, he has authored four books, including Changeable, which was selected by notable figures for the Next Big Idea Club. Dr. Ablon speaks globally at conferences like SXSW and TedX, promoting a practical approach to understanding and addressing behavioral challenges while fostering mental health skills.
 
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Let’s Explore That is a production of The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health providef for children. If you’d like to learn more about The Village Network, visit www.thevillagenetwork.org or subscribe to our newsletter.
 
If you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Please visit https://findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help and find resources near you. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately.
 
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of The Village Network. The material presented here is for general informational purposes and for personal use only and is not intended to replace or constitute medical advice, medical information, legal advice, investment advice, or other professional advice or guidance for a particular purpose.  All copyrighted information and trademarks and all forms and abbreviations of the same are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

S1E8- Dr. Stuart Ablon: Collaborative Problem Solving

When you’re in an argument, do you tend to fight? Flee? Shut down? In this conversation, Dr. Stuart Ablon presents a secret third option—Collaborative Problem Solving. He talks us through the many valuable applications of this approach, from parenting to classrooms to the workplace. And he explains his philosophy that people do well if they can. Don’t miss Dr. Ablons tips and tricks for communicating more effectively and productively with the people in your life! J. Stuart Ablon, Ph.D. is an award-winning psychologist, Associate Professor and Thomas G. Stemberg Endowed Chair at Harvard Medical School. He is the Founding Director of Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital's Department of Psychiatry. He focuses on transforming our understanding and response to challenging behavior. An award-winning psychologist and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, he has authored four books, including Changeable, which was selected by notable figures for the Next Big Idea Club. Dr. Ablon speaks globally at conferences like SXSW and TedX, promoting a practical approach to understanding and addressing behavioral challenges while fostering mental health skills. Follow Let’s Explore That on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! Let’s Explore That is a production of The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health providef for children. If you’d like to learn more about The Village Network, visit www.thevillagenetwork.org or subscribe to our newsletter. If you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Please visit https://findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help and find resources near you. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of The Village Network. The material presented here is for general informational purposes and for personal use only and is not intended to replace or constitute medical advice, medical information, legal advice, investment advice, or other professional advice or guidance for a particular purpose. All copyrighted information and trademarks and all forms and abbreviations of the same are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

S1E7- A'yanna Hall: Mental Health in Early Childhood Education

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Let’s Explore That is a production of The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health provided for children. If you’d like to learn more about The Village Network, visit www.thevillagenetwork.org or subscribe to our newsletter.
 
If you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Please visit https://findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help and find resources near you. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately.
 
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of The Village Network. The material presented here is for general informational purposes and for personal use only and is not intended to replace or constitute medical advice, medical information, legal advice, investment advice, or other professional advice or guidance for a particular purpose.  All copyrighted information and trademarks and all forms and abbreviations of the same are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
We all know that teaching little kids is a gift few people possess. When those little ones have special mental health needs, that job gets even more complicated. A’yanna Hall is one of the heroes in the school who help make sure that kids are regulated enough to get the most from their education. In this episode, we discuss challenges faced by teachers and students in modern classrooms and the need for greater mental health support in schools. This episode is a must-listen for educators, school administrators, and parents!
A'yanna Hall, M.A., NCC, LPCC, is a dedicated mental health professional with extensive experience in providing mental health services across a variety of settings. Her focus is on promoting emotional well-being and resilience in young children. Over the course of her career, she has transitioned from working as a clinical therapist with children and adolescents in alternative school environments to serving as a Program Director for early childhood mental health consultation and prevention services.
In her current role, A’yanna applies a strong foundation in trauma-informed care that is developmentally appropriate, helping to address complex behavioral and emotional issues in young children. Although she holds certification in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, her work now emphasizes implementing evidence-based mental health practices tailored to young children in early educational settings. Her primary goal is to create nurturing spaces that foster healthy development and provide children with the tools they need to thrive. As a leader, A’yanna strives to inspire and support her teams in delivering effective mental health consultation and prevention services, ensuring that every child receives the care and assistance they need.
 

S1E6-Patrick Hinds: Becoming a Foster Parent

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Let’s Explore That is a production of The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health providef for children. If you’d like to learn more about The Village Network, visit www.thevillagenetwork.org or subscribe to our newsletter.
If you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Please visit https://findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help and find resources near you. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of The Village Network. The material presented here is for general informational purposes and for personal use only and is not intended to replace or constitute medical advice, medical information, legal advice, investment advice, or other professional advice or guidance for a particular purpose.  All copyrighted information and trademarks and all forms and abbreviations of the same are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
 
We are overjoyed that podcast-lebrity, Patrick Hinds, joined us to talk about his journey as a foster parent! Patrick sought to adopt a child through the foster care system in New York City. You don’t want to miss Patrick’s hilarious re-telling of the day their daughter was delivered to her new home—just like a pizza! 
Patrick Hinds is widely known as the co-creator and co-host of the hit true crime comedy podcast,True Crime Obsessed (TCO). Since its launch in 2017, TCO has achieved over 200 million downloads, solidifying its place as one of the top true crime podcasts. In 2022, the show made history by becoming the first podcast to take the Broadway stage in a live performance.
Patrick’s memoir, Failure is Not NOT an Option, shares his hilarious journey from aspiring leading man to failed daycare provider to podcast superstar. Patrick recently launched a second podcast,The Golden Girls Deep Dive, in which he and his co-host delve into each episode of the beloved series.
In addition to his storytelling work, Patrick is a proud advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and for foster families. He lives in NYC with his husband and their daughter. 
 Follow Patrick on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook, or visit his website at patrickfails.com.
 

S1E5- Dave Paxton: Brain Mapping

**Trigger warning** mention of child abuse
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Let’s Explore That is a production of The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health providef for children. If you’d like to learn more about The Village Network, visit www.thevillagenetwork.org or subscribe to our newsletter.
If you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Please visit https://findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help and find resources near you. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of The Village Network. The material presented here is for general informational purposes and for personal use only and is not intended to replace or constitute medical advice, medical information, legal advice, investment advice, or other professional advice or guidance for a particular purpose.  All copyrighted information and trademarks and all forms and abbreviations of the same are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.Have you ever wished you could just open up your brain and figure out what’s going on with all those swirling thoughts, feelings, and memories? Us too! So we called in Dave Paxton, Chief Clinical Officer at The Village Network to teach us about the practice of brain mapping. Brain mapping helps clinicians figure out how a client’s experiences shaped their brain development.  Find out why this is a helpful tool and what Matthew learned from his own brain mapping experience!
Dave Paxton, LISW-S, is the Chief Clinical Officer for The Village Network in Ohio. For over seventy- five years The Village Network has been serving abused and neglected children in residential programs, treatment foster care, and outpatient programs. Mr. Paxton's department at The Village Network is responsible for training and assuring the fidelity to TV's chosen clinical models: The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics and the Collaborative Problem-Solving approach. Starting his career as a residential childcare worker and eventually becoming the residential director, Dave helped the State of Illinois develop a program to reintegrate children back into their communities after being placed in out-of-state locked residential programs. Mr. Paxton earned his BA in Sociology & Juvenile Justice from DePaul University and his Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at the University of Chicago.

S1E4- Rich Graziano: Never Give Up: A Path to Leadership

We’re on our best behavior today as we’re joined by our boss, Rich Graziano, President & CEO of The Village Network. Rich shares his experience transitioning from a high school athlete to an educator to a nonprofit leader. He tells us about the mystical reason he decided to move to Ohio and the motivation behind dedicating his life to mental healthcare.
Under Rich Graziano's steadfast leadership over the past 12 years, The Village Network has experienced remarkable growth, now serving thousands of children annually across Ohio and West Virginia. His commitment to excellence, combined with a deep sense of compassion and strategic foresight, has not only expanded the organization's reach but also significantly enhanced the quality of services provided. Richard's leadership is marked by a relentless pursuit of positive outcomes, inspiring his team to continually innovate and improve the lives of those they serve.
Rich lives in Wooster, Ohio with his wife, Mary. He is the proud parent of two young adults and a loving grandfather to his grand-dog.
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Let’s Explore That is a production of The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health providef for children. If you’d like to learn more about The Village Network, visit www.thevillagenetwork.org or subscribe to our newsletter.
If you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Please visit https://findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help and find resources near you. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of The Village Network. The material presented here is for general informational purposes and for personal use only and is not intended to replace or constitute medical advice, medical information, legal advice, investment advice, or other professional advice or guidance for a particular purpose.  All copyrighted information and trademarks and all forms and abbreviations of the same are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

S1E3-Emily Mariola: Parenting through ADHD

Emily Mariola joins us to talk about the journey of parenting a child with ADHD. In our candid conversation, Emily shares the challenges and frustrations of raising a child who seemed defiant, finding a diagnosis, and the power of relentless love. You might want to keep your tissues nearby for this honest and powerful story.
Emily Moorefield Mariola, E-RYT 500 and Certified ADHD Life Coach founded Flex Yoga, a vinyasa flow studio in downtown Wooster, Ohio. She conducts ADHD empowerment sessions to help individuals learn to manage and understand their minds' patterns through yoga practice. Emily’s motto is, "You can create a life that works to your talents."
Emily is also a talented potter, crafting one-of-a-kind pieces for her store, Stonehouse Pottery. She lives on a farm with her husband, Mike, their four children, and many animals.
Follow Emily on Instagram: @emily_mariola and @stonehouse_pottery

S1E2-Tiffany White: Dealing with Dysregulation

The Village Network’s own Tiffany White is here to help us learn about dysregulation and how to deal with it. Tiffany breaks down why we act irrationally when we’re upset and strategies for helping others work through their big feelings. If you know a kid- or an adult- who is prone to tantrums, this episode is a must-listen!
 
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Let’s Explore That is a production of The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health providef for children. If you’d like to learn more about The Village Network, visit www.thevillagenetwork.org or subscribe to our newsletter.
 
If you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Please visit https://findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help and find resources near you. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately.
 
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of The Village Network. The material presented here is for general informational purposes and for personal use only and is not intended to replace or constitute medical advice, medical information, legal advice, investment advice, or other professional advice or guidance for a particular purpose.  All copyrighted information and trademarks and all forms and abbreviations of the same are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

S1E1-2 Bruce Perry with Rich Graziano, Dave Paxton and guests

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Let’s Explore That is a production of The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health providef for children. If you’d like to learn more about The Village Network, visit www.thevillagenetwork.org or subscribe to our newsletter.
 
If you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Please visit https://findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help and find resources near you. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately.
 
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of The Village Network. The material presented here is for general informational purposes and for personal use only and is not intended to replace or constitute medical advice, medical information, legal advice, investment advice, or other professional advice or guidance for a particular purpose.  All copyrighted information and trademarks and all forms and abbreviations of the same are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

S1 E1-1 Bruce Perry with Rich Graziano and Dave Paxton

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Let’s Explore That is a production of The Village Network, a nonprofit behavioral health providef for children. If you’d like to learn more about The Village Network, visit www.thevillagenetwork.org or subscribe to our newsletter.
 
If you are struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. Please visit https://findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get help and find resources near you. If you are in crisis, please call 988 immediately.
 
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of The Village Network. The material presented here is for general informational purposes and for personal use only and is not intended to replace or constitute medical advice, medical information, legal advice, investment advice, or other professional advice or guidance for a particular purpose.  All copyrighted information and trademarks and all forms and abbreviations of the same are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.