Regulated & Relational

Ep 118: Nature, Earthing, and Grounding

Sometimes healing doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from getting grounded in what’s already around us. In this inspiring episode, Julie and Ginger explore the powerful connection between nature and nervous system regulation, diving into the fascinating science behind why time outdoors calms, heals, and restores us.From the forest floor to the garden bed, you’ll learn how nature interacts with our bodies and brains—on a chemical and cellular level—to reduce stress, boost mood, strengthen immunity, and bring us back into balance.Try these easy, no-cost ways to reconnect and regulate:Take a barefoot walk in the grass with your child.Make mud pies, dig in the dirt, or plant something together.Sit under a tree, journal outdoors, or simply breathe in the fresh air.Create a “sit spot” at home or school to notice daily and seasonal changes.Step away from screens and let the rhythm of nature help you downshift into calm.Nature helps the body move from hyperarousal or dissociation into safety and connection—what trauma-sensitive educators call the window of tolerance. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or caregiver, grounding yourself in nature isn’t just restorative—it’s regulating.As Ginger reminds us: “Healing doesn’t just happen in therapy offices. It’s also waiting for us—just outside the front door.”Resources & References:The Nature Fix — Florence WilliamsShinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing — Dr. Qing LiLast Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder — Richard LouvYour Brain on Nature — Eva Selhub & Alan LoganEarthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth's Surface Electrons — Chevalier et al., Journal of Environmental and Public Health (2012)Polyvagal Theory — Stephen PorgesChildren & Nature Network: childrenandnature.orgRegulation and Co-Regulation: Accessible Neuroscience and Connection Strategies for the Classroom and Beyond — by Ginger Healy

Ep 117: Using & Defusing with Humor

What if growth could sound like laughter?In this conversation, Billy Kaplan, a licensed clinical social worker at Treehouse Health, joins Ginger and Julie to explore how healing with youth can emerge through humor, play, and connection. Billy shares stories from his therapeutic work, showing how joy and pain often live side by side, and how a simple “yes, and” can open space for change.Together, they reflect on the power of reframing, the meaning of PACE approach (playful acceptance, curiosity, and empathy), and the surprising truth that sometimes the most serious work is play.

Ep 116: A Community for Resilience

What if healing didn’t require a therapy license—only presence, connection, and courage?Andi Fetzner joins Ginger and Julie and shares how her Origins Training work in Arizona supports adults in understanding trauma, building resilience, and reconnecting to themselves and others. The discussion explores the powerful truth that you don’t have to be a therapist to be therapeutic.Together, they unpack key trauma concepts—ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), stress, and resilience—while grounding the conversation in relationship and practical human connection.A central theme emerges: Healing happens in connection.And just as important—uncomfortable does not mean unsafe.This episode is an invitation to rethink what support, growth, and restoration can look like in everyday spaces.

Ep 115: A Conversation about Generational Trauma

What are children learning that no one is explicitly teaching?Ingrid Cockhren joins Julie and Ginger to explore how historical trauma shapes social learning, schooling, storytelling, and bias across generations. From the lasting impacts of colonization and slavery to concepts like white flight and white-washed education, the conversation highlights how coping patterns, beliefs, and behaviors are quietly passed down—and absorbed by children.Together, they reflect on the limits and responsibilities of schools as microcosms of society, the need for anti-bias and restorative practices in trauma-informed education, and why stronger mental health supports are essential for meaningful change.At the heart of the episode is a simple truth:What is learned implicitly must be addressed explicitly—so stories of hope and growth can be passed on alongside history.

Ep 114: Why Mattering Matters

In this episode, Julie Beem and Ginger Healy explore Julie’s research on mattering—what it is, why it matters, and how it shows up in adult-child relationships. This episode is created for parents, teachers, and caregivers who want to better understand externalized relationship-seeking behaviors, such as acting out, defiance, attention-seeking, or emotional outbursts. The conversation focuses on how adults can respond to these behaviors in ways that strengthen connection rather than strain it. Julie and Ginger also share the core components of mattering, along with practical takeaways and reflective questions to help bring mattering to the forefront of everyday interactions with children.