Jeff and Suzanne discuss their son, Zach Souers, the namesake of the Zach Souers Giving Hope Fund at The Village Network. They share details about Zach's background and his struggles with mental health, as well as how these challenges affected them as parents. They also explain how the Zach Souers Giving Hope Fund was established and introduce a new skating event organized by The Village Network to benefit this fund. 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 provider 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’re excited to celebrate the season with a joyful talk about one of our favorite shows. We invited fellow TVN colleague and mom, Amanda Phillips, to chat with us about Bluey, why it resonates with children, and how it has become part of the greater mental health dialogue for families. Bluey is currently the biggest cultural touchstone for children and families around the world. This funny, heart-warming animated series originated in Australia and became the most streamed program in the United States in 2024. It is beloved by kids and parents alike, even attracting superstar fans like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Natalie Portman. Amanda Phillips is the Northeast Regional Administrative Supervisor at The Village Network. Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Amanda has been a part of TVN for almost five wonderful years. She loves working with her colleagues and seeing all the positive things everyone does for TVN youths and families. Amanda has a 4-year-old daughter who is determined to be a future RAS at TVN! Amanda and her daughter are avid Bluey fangirls.    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 provider 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 learned a ton about our colleague, Travis Porter, in today’s conversation! Travis proudly recounts his experience growing up in a home alongside both biological and foster siblings and how that inspired him to become an advocate. His incredible story of how family can be built on love and commitment will make your heart grow several sizes this holiday season. Travis Porter is the Foster Care Marketing and Recruiting Program Manager at The Village Network. He is a community leader in foster care services and mental health.  Travis is active in the community, serving kids and volunteering with various programs.  Travis is trained in multiple mental health disciplines and intervention skills to aid the populations he serves.  He has had experience in residential settings as a caseworker, mentor, and program supervisor. Travis completed his studies at Ohio Dominican University and Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He lives in the Columbus area with his wife and their children.   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 provider 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.

*Trigger Warning** This episode contains a brief mention of sexual misconduct. Please listen with caution and call 988 if you need support. How do you handle trauma at work? In this episode, we sit down with Katharine Manning, author of The Empathetic Workplace. Katharine draws from her extensive experience supporting trauma survivors in the workplace to discuss how leaders and organizations can cultivate environments that are not just productive but also deeply supportive and empathetic.  In this fascinating conversation, discover the critical role empathy plays in employee well-being, learn actionable strategies to address trauma in the workplace, and understand how compassion can become a cornerstone of organizational culture. We were also excited to welcome guest-host, Tammy Wargo, Vice President of Human Resources at The Village Network!   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 provider 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.

**Trigger Warning** This episode contains brief mentions of child abuse and suicide at 25:55-28:28. Please listen with caution and call 988 if you need support.   Everyone at The Village Network knows “Mr. Stan” as the man who loves his job! We’re here today to learn why – and how—in the face of hardship and tragedy, Mr. Stan remains hopeful. This inspiring conversation taught us about the incredible courage it takes to change young lives.   Stanley Gates is originally from Pontotoc, Mississippi and currently lives in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where he works as the Crisis Prevention and Retention Coordinator for The Village Network. Prior to joining TVN, Mr. Stan graduated from Mississippi Valley State University and worked in corrections. When he's not working, Mr. Stan enjoys bike riding, watching movies and cooking.   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.

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.   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 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.

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 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.

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 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.  

 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 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 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.  

**Trigger warning** mention of child abuse 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 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.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.

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.

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.

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!

Follow Let’s Explore That on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads!   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.

Follow Let’s Explore That on Facebook, Instagram, 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.

Dr. Bruce Perry, neuroscientist and founder of the Neurosequential Network, joins us to talk about raising resilient kids, why our brains don’t always work the way we want them to, and how we can all make the world a kinder place.

Check out our season one teaser to hear the fantastic guests we will have on!