Chalk and Coffee – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I’m joined by Charlotte Sharp—a highly qualified counsellor, coach, clinical supervisor, and trainer with a wealth of experience working with adults and teens who have experienced trauma and are neurodivergent.

Charlotte is passionate about supporting individuals on their healing journey and equipping caregivers with the skills they need to provide trauma-informed care. She also works closely with residential children's care homes, delivering essential training on trauma care and support.

Recently, Charlotte launched a parenting group aimed at empowering parents with practical strategies and a deeper understanding of trauma and neurodiversity. In this episode, we’ll dive into her experiences, insights, and practical tips for parents, educators, and caregivers alike.

If you're looking to better support neurodivergent individuals or navigate trauma with greater empathy and knowledge, this episode is a must-listen!

listen to the test of our discussion in the next episode.

Get in touch with a Charlotte

Charlotte's Website

Instagram

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Feature as a Guest

If you're interested in being a guest o the podcast, I'd love to hear from you. Please fill out the expression of interest form. I look forward to connecting with you.

Until next time, take care.

In this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I sit down with Kathy Imabayashi, a retired Canadian international educator who has spent decades working as a classroom teacher and school leader in Japan, Lebanon, Thailand, Georgia, and Qatar. Kathy’s passion has always been focused on children, their parents, and educators, and she brings a wealth of experience and insight to our conversation.

Now based in Japan, Kathy is the founder of Sonhood Coaching, where she guides parents raising boys to better understand their sons and the world they are growing up in. Through her work, she advocates for protecting boys’ inner emotional worlds while equipping adults with the knowledge and tools needed to help boys thrive during their earliest years.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate for children’s well-being, you won’t want to miss this thoughtful and insightful episode!

Get in touch with a Kathy

Kathy's Website

Instagram

Facebook

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Feature as a Guest

If you're interested in being a guest o the podcast, I'd love to hear from you. Please fill out the expression of interest form. I look forward to connecting with you.

Until next time, take care.

In this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I sit down with author Teena Raffa-Mulligan to explore her inspiring writing journey. Teena shares how her stories spark imagination, foster connection, and resonate with parents, children, and educators. Don’t miss the audiobook section of the episode that follows Teena’s interview.

You can find more information about Teena ⬇️

Website

Facebook

All listeners can use the code COFFEE to get 10% off! Head to her website to get your copy!

Book Summary

It's been four years since the dark days when Chloe lost her mum to cancer. Nana’s been wonderful but it’s time their family had a mum person. When Dad brings home a special friend Chloe knows immediately that Fern is wrong for the job. She’s in a wheelchair so can’t skate to the shop, turn cartwheels on the lawn or race along the seashore. Chloe will have to be good at being bad to stop Fern joining their family. Or is she making a mistake? What if Fern is the perfect mum for the job?

A warm-hearted story about letting go of limiting expectations and opening up to 'can' rather than 'can't.'

Let’s get into it!

Be a Guest

I love hearing people’s stories and would love to have you as a guest. If you would like to share your story and feature in an episode, please complete an expression of interest form.

Supporting Others

Here at Chalk and Coffee, we are all about supporting each other as parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to help children thrive. One way I am trying to do that is by supporting new and early-career teachers. 

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠

In this episode of Chalk and Coffee, I sit down with Leslie Kuny, a professional dance teacher, choreographer, adjudicator, and dance studio owner with over 20 years of experience working with and mentoring kids. Leslie shares how her love for education and dance led her to create a unique teaching approach that prioritises meaningful, lasting connections with her students.

She talks about rejecting outdated norms of shame and guilt in dance education and how she has instead built successful, competitive artists through honesty, joy, laughter, and encouragement. Leslie also opens up about her human-first teaching philosophy, which centres on trust, humour, and genuine connection to help young dancers thrive on and off the stage.

This is an inspiring conversation about how the arts can empower and transform young lives. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or simply passionate about creative expression, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas and inspiration for fostering connection and growth in the next generation.

Get in touch with Leslie

Leslie’s Website

Absolute Motion Website

Leslie Instagram

Absolute Motion Studio Instagram

Be a Guest

I love hearing people’s stories and would love to have you as a guest. If you would like to share your story and feature in an episode, please complete an expression of interest form.

Supporting Others

Here at Chalk and Coffee, we are all about supporting each other as parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to help children thrive. One way I am trying to do that is by supporting new and early-career teachers. 

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠

In this episode, I am joined by Tala Hershey a speech pathologist practicing in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. She is the owner of Hershey Therapy Practice, a paediatric private practice serving New York and Connecticut as well as Hershey Speech & Language Coaching, extending its coaching services to parents worldwide. Tala specialises in toddler language development and coaching for parents to learn research-based strategies to boost their toddlers' language for toddler’s who present with expressive language difficulties. Her favourite role of all is being the mother of two wild and loveable boys, ages 3 and 1.

Let’s get into it!

Get in touch with Tala

To learn more about Tala or access the free guide we discussed in today’s episode, using the links below.

Facebook Group

Instagram

Parent Guide

Be a Guest

I love hearing people’s stories and would love to have you as a guest. If you would like to share your story and feature in an episode, please complete an expression of interest form.

Supporting Others

Here at Chalk and Coffee, we are all about supporting each other as parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to help children thrive. One way I am trying to do that is by supporting new and early-career teachers. 

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠

In this episode, Michelle De Robillard, a published children’s book author, joins me to discuss her book Maisy and Daisy Move House. This book includes themes of inclusivity, disability and accessibility. I recommend checking it out! Don’t miss the audiobook section of the episode that follows Michelle’s interview.

You can find more information about Michelle ⬇️

Website

Instagram @berrybeepublishing

TikTok @Berry.bee.95

All listeners can use the code COFFEE to get 10% off! Head to her website to get your copy!

Book Summary

Maisy and her wheelchair Daisy are moving to a new home with new access barriers to navigate. Join them as they roam their home, find their room and rush to their favourite place.

Let’s get into it!

Be a Guest

I love hearing people’s stories and would love to have you as a guest. If you would like to share your story and feature in an episode, please complete an expression of interest form.

Supporting Others

Here at Chalk and Coffee, we are all about supporting each other as parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to help children thrive. One way I am trying to do that is by supporting new and early-career teachers. 

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠

In this episode, I use my experience as an educator and a parent to illuminate the crucial roles of educators and parents in nurturing and supporting children's development and growth. I also explore the power of collaboration and how these roles intersect and share strategies for establishing effective partnerships.

Let’s get into it!

Be a Guest

I love hearing people’s stories and would love to have you as a guest. If you would like to share your story and feature in an episode, please complete an expression of interest form.

Supporting Others

Here at Chalk and Coffee, we are all about supporting each other as parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to help children thrive. One way I am trying to do that is by supporting new and early-career teachers. 

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠

I am thrilled that in today's episode, I am joined by Ash who shares her teaching journey and experiences working as a casual relief and contract teacher. I hope our discussion can give beginning career teachers a different perspective as they begin their career.

Be a Guest

I love hearing people’s stories and would love to have you as a guest. If you would like to share your story and feature in an episode, please complete an expression of interest form.

Supporting Others

Here at Chalk and Coffee, we are all about supporting each other as parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to help children thrive. One way I am trying to do that is by supporting new and early-career teachers. 

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠

In this episode, I chat with Emilie Tunstill, a published children’s book author, about her book The First Year. Audiobook reading starts at 26:29.

Book Summary

The First Year is a beautiful keepsake children’s book with a touching story about the adventures a mama and bub have together in the first year – the highs, lows and everything in between.Following their journey from birth to first birthday, it highlights the special bond between a mother and her new baby.Babies will enjoy listening to the heartfelt rhyming tale – feeling love and connection from their mums. At the same time, it helps new mums feel seen – normalising the challenges of that first year and celebrating the pure joy that a new baby brings.

Get in Contact with Emilie

⁠Website⁠

Instagram - @the_tunstill_tales

⁠Facebook⁠

TikTok - @the_tunstill_tales

When purchasing a copy of her book, all listeners can use the code COFFEE to get 10% off!

Let’s get into it!

Supporting Others

Here at Chalk and Coffee, we are all about supporting each other as parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to help children thrive. One way I am trying to do that is by supporting new and early-career teachers. 

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠

Hello Everyone!

It's an honour to have you here with me for the first episode of Chalk and Coffee! Eep!

In this episode, I discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in children and how it contributes to their well-being and development.

Let’s get into it!

Links

Here are the links to the studies mentioned in the podcast episode about emotional intelligence and social-emotional learning for children:

• ​The Future of Children: Social and Emotional Learning - This report discusses the development of SEL skills in schools and afterschool programs and emphasises the importance of professional development for adults working with children.
• ​Evidence for Social and Emotional Learning in Schools - This report from the Learning Policy Institute highlights the evidence base for SEL programs in PreK–12 schools, showing their positive impact on academic performance, behaviour, and emotional well-being.
• ​Implementing Social-Emotional Learning in the Elementary Classroom - This article outlines best practices and necessary components for successfully implementing SEL in elementary schools, including the importance of teacher preparation and creating a supportive learning environment.

Supporting Others

Here at Chalk and Coffee, we are all about supporting each other as parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to help children thrive. One way I am trying to do that is by supporting new and early-career teachers. 

Stay Connected

Please find all the information below to stay in the loop and join the Nurture Connect Play Community!

Visit my ⁠website⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠

Find me on ⁠Facebook⁠

Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠