Empowered to Connect Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

On this next part of our mini-series “When You’re Tired”, we reflect on being emotionally tired. It is the quiet exhaustion that comes from caring deeply, showing up consistently, and holding space for others. Dr. Archandria Owens and Jesse discuss naming and expressing emotions, unmet expectations, and explore gentle ways to care for ourselves when we are exhausted in this particular way.

On today’s episode, Jesse and Jill Stockburger dive into a big question: What do we do when we’re living in chronic stress? They talk about how stress, adversity, and trauma impact us on a deeper level, and what it actually feels like to carry these experiences in our bodies. If you’re feeling tired in your body, you are not alone.

In this episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast, Jesse, Tona and Becca unpack a powerful analogy from Dr. Becky (@drbeckyatgoodinside), the idea that parenting differently than how we were parented isn’t instinctual, it’s intentional.⁣ We explore what it means to rewire our responses, embrace connection when it feels unnatural, and do the deep, courageous work of parenting with awareness and healing.⁣ If it’s ever felt like you’re “doing it wrong” because it doesn’t come naturally, take a listen.

Learn more about Dr. Becky here.

This week on the ETC Podcast we bring in Cultivate Connection Facilitators Matt and Carissa Davis from Memphis, TN to talk with us about a foundational Connecting Practice: Giving Voice. This idea has long been critiqued as 'permissive' parenting due to children being taught to advocate for their needs. Giving your child a voice, however, is far from permissive - on the contrary, it is imperative to connected parenting. Why? Well, you'll just have to tune in today to find out!

Hear Matt and Carissa share their story as well as share practical insights and strategies to help your child (and your spouse, relatives, friends and everyone you interact with daily!) learn to have their voice heard and needs met. We cannot understate the importance of this episode enough and the Davises are an absolute delight to hear from!

To learn more about Empowered to Connect, check out our website, follow us on social media and YouTube!

Today on the Empowered to Connect Podcast we delve into a pivotal connecting practice: the power of play in parenting with one of our favorite guests, Tom Jordi. Hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, Tom is not only a TBRI Practitioner but also a Cultivate Connection Facilitator, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to our conversation. He and his wife Dawn have 4 kiddos and are an absolute joy to be around, if this is your first time hearing an episode with the Jordis, you're gonna love it!

In this episode, Tom engages in a captivating discussion with our host, JD Wilson, and ETC Executive Director, Mo Ottinger, about the profound impact that play can have on the parent-child relationship. Together, they explore how play serves as a transformative tool for fostering connection, building trust, and nurturing healthy attachments.

With a refreshing perspective, they discuss various playful strategies that parents can incorporate into their everyday interactions with their children. From imaginative play to sensory experiences, he shares practical insights on how these approaches can cultivate emotional resilience, enhance communication, and create joy-filled moments within the parent-child dynamic.

Throughout the episode, our guests share personal anecdotes and real-life examples that illustrate the transformative power of play, highlighting its ability to bridge gaps, facilitate healing, and strengthen the parent-child bond. Tom's expertise and passion shine through as he emphasizes the importance of creating safe and secure spaces where children can express themselves freely and experience the power of unconditional love and acceptance.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or professional working with children, this episode offers a wealth of valuable strategies and insights that can revolutionize your approach to parenting and caregiving. Tune in as we explore the profound impact of play and its ability to empower parents and children alike on the journey of connection and growth.

Join us for an enlightening episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast as we welcome Cultivate Connection Facilitator Angie Grant and talk about utilizing scaffolding as a fundamental parenting principle. In this episode, we explore the profound impact of scaffolding on our children's growth and development.

Scaffolding is a transformative approach that empowers parents to provide the necessary support and guidance to their children as they navigate various challenges and tasks. Becca and Angie, with their wealth of knowledge and expertise, delve into the intricacies of this powerful concept, sharing practical strategies and insights on how to implement scaffolding in our everyday parenting journeys.

Through heartfelt discussions and real-life examples, Becca and Angie reveal how scaffolding promotes independence, resilience, and confidence in our children. They guide us through the process of tailoring our support to match our child's unique needs and abilities, creating a solid foundation for their success. With their compassionate and empowering approach, Becca and Angie inspire us to embrace the power of scaffolding as a transformative parenting principle.

To learn more about Empowered to Connect, check out our website, follow us on social media and YouTube!

In Today's episode we dive deep into the art of being fully present. Joining us today are Nick and Jesse Faris, cultivate connection facilitators based in Memphis, TN, who bring a wealth of wisdom and experience to the topic.

Jesse, who serves on staff at Empowered to Connect as a Program and Training Specialist, and Nick have 2 kiddos through adoption and have been Empowered to Connect trainers for years. Today they share profound insights on the transformative power of presence and its impact on our relationships, creativity, and overall well-being.

Together with ETC Institute Program Manager Becca McKay, we explore practical strategies and mindset shifts that can help us cultivate presence in our daily lives. From the art of deep listening to the beauty of embracing stillness, Nick and Jesse guide us on a journey to reconnect with the present moment and uncover its transformative potential.

Join us as we delve into the art of being fully present today with a couple that's been making presence a priority for years now!

Reminder - if you haven't already purchased your Connecting Practices Handbook, you can do so from our website today! You can also learn more about Empowered to Connect and all that we've got going on across the globe!

Today on the Empowered to Connect Podcast, we are joined by Todd and Brandy Baumann, two remarkable people who bring a unique blend of expertise and compassion to the world of parenting and caregiving. Todd, an engineer, and Brandy, the coordinator for True Vine Ministries, serving foster and adoptive families at their church, share their insights on on why balancing nurture and structure quickly became their favorite connecting practice in our Cultivate Connection Parenting Course!

If you've ever approached the worlds of connected parenting, gentle parenting, attachment-based parenting, etc you'll know this is an absolutely foundational skill to learn. One common misnomer in our way of parenting is that it's all nurture - that discipline and structure go out the window. Well, we're here today to remind you that's not true at all! 

Todd's analytical approach as an engineer, combined with Brandy's deep understanding of the needs of foster and adoptive families, creates a powerful synergy that informs their insights on finding the right balance. Together, they share what they've learned about providing the right balance of nurture and structure - we believe it will empower you to connect with your children on a deeper level and promote healthy growth!

Reminder - if you haven't already purchased your Connecting Practices Handbook, you can do that as well as check out thousands of other resources and ways to connect to ETC from our website today!

Today, we are thrilled to have special guests Matt and Laurel Smith, Memphis, TN facilitators of ETC Cultivate Connection (ETC's own parenting curriculum). Join us as we delve into the heart of our summer series and explore the very first connecting practice: "Be Curious."

Curiosity is a powerful tool that holds the key to deepening connections and fostering healthy relationships. Matt and Laurel guide us through the transformative potential of curiosity in parenting, teaching us how to unlock the doors to understanding and empathy. Both Matt and Laurel are brilliant professionals and veteran parents and they share practical insights and strategies that empower us to cultivate a genuine curiosity in our interactions with our children, friends, family and beyond! You'll recognize Matt's voice as a frequent guest, he currently serves as the Clinical Director of the Memphis Family Connection Center, one of ETC's 3 main programs. Laurel has been in the educational system as a teacher in every age range and has worked to incorporate attachment based, connection-centered practices into her classroom for years.

Throughout this conversation, we uncover the profound impact of curiosity on our children's emotional well-being and development. Matt and Laurel share their personal stories and wisdom, leaving us inspired to embrace the beauty of curiosity as a foundational pillar in our parenting journeys.

Reminder - if you haven't already purchased your Connecting Practices Handbook, you can do so from our website today! Get ready to embrace the power of curiosity and cultivate deeper, more meaningful relationships with your children.

Join Tona Ottinger, Becca McKay, and host JD Wilson in today's episode of the Empowered to Connect Podcast as we delve into the exciting new resource available at empoweredtoconnect.org/store — the Connecting Practices Handbook! This handbook is a comprehensive guide designed to empower individuals, families, and professionals with an overview of the 9 Connecting Practices found in our parenting curriculum course, Cultivate Connection.

During this episode, Tona, Becca, and JD highlight the significance of the Connecting Practices Handbook and how it can positively impact the lives of children and families. They discuss the various chapters and sections of the handbook, exploring its rich content and actionable insights.

In addition to exploring the handbook itself, we share some exciting news! Throughout the summer, the Empowered to Connect team will embark on a special journey, walking through the nine connecting practices with facilitators from all over the world. Listeners will have the opportunity to learn from these experienced practitioners as they dive deep into each practice, sharing their wisdom, stories, and practical application tips.

To learn more about Empowered to Connect, check out our website, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and Subscribe to our YouTube channel for hundreds of hours of valuable teaching content from renowned experts like Dr. Karyn Purvis, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, Mona Delahooke, The Empowered to Connect Team and more!