In this enlightening conversation, Kokeb is joined by Fran Rubio-Katz—also known as Coach Franny—for a deep dive into the emotional and physiological layers of supporting children through behavioral challenges. Fran, a seasoned educator and coach, shares her powerful "Is it the water or the fish?" metaphor that helps reframe how we interpret children’s behavior. Together, they explore the vital connection between co-regulation, nervous system awareness, and therapeutic success. You’ll hear how Fran and Kokeb’s partnership is bringing together top-down and bottom-up strategies for a holistic approach—and why breathwork, nervous system literacy, and mindful(ish) parenting or teaching can make all the difference. Plus, get a preview of Fran’s upcoming 4-week program designed to help parents, therapists, and educators build resilience and calm in their own lives and practices.
🎧 Whether you're a therapist, educator, or parent—this episode is packed with powerful takeaways and a practical, compassionate framework for supporting both children and the adults who care for them.
#ReflexIntegration #MindfulnessInAction #PrimitiveReflexes #CoRegulation #ChildBehavior #NervousSystemHealth #TraumaInformedCare #ParentSupport #EducatorTools #TherapistSupport #ConsciousParenting #RITPPodcast #FranRubioKatz #EmotionalRegulation #KokebMcDonald #HealingThroughPlay #BehaviorReframed
Highlights -
00:00 – Why Kokeb invited Fran to collaborate with the RITP community
02:00 – Meet Coach Franny: Educator, parent, and emotional-behavioral coach
04:30 – The need for both bottom-up (reflex) and top-down (coaching) approaches
07:00 – Fran’s discovery of MNRI and her emotional reaction to learning about reflexes
10:00 – The therapist’s dilemma: Great plans don’t always reach dysregulated children
13:00 – “Is it the water or the fish?” A metaphor for environmental vs. internal behavior
16:00 – Exploding, imploding, or breathing: how adults process stress
20:00 – Practical advice for therapists, educators, and parents
29:00 – Introducing “Mindfulness in Action”: a 4-week program to reset and reframe**
34:00 – What does being “mindful-ish” really mean—and why it works
37:00 – Coaching calls, real-time support, and how to join the July program
** Register here **
Reflex Integration Through Play - Mindfulness in Action: A Toolkit for Calm, Connection & Co-Regulation - Reflex Integration Through Play
A four-part series for parents, educators, and pediatric professionals—including OTs, PTs, and SLPs. Learn how to show up calm, steady, and ready to co-regulate—even when things get hard.