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“How do I build trust with a kid who has gone through trauma?” “What can I do to help my child open up to me?” “Why does it feel like my child isn’t healing from trauma?” — Two weeks ago, we heard Eddie Acosta’s story going from an abused foster kid to an advocate for breaking the cycle of trauma in families. Today, we hear the rest of Benoit Harpey and Amina Elsamahy’s interview with Eddie, in which he gives us practical advice to break the cycle of trauma. He shares tips for building a safe emotional environment, modeling accountability, and encouraging kids who feel hopeless; shares the importance of vulnerability and investing in children; and explains why patience, consistency, and openness is crucial to avoiding shutdown. It is possible to break the cycle of trauma in your life and in your family, like Eddie did, but it takes dedication, vulnerability, and care. Hit play on this episode and take the first step to erasing the trauma in your family. You’ll hear real stories, practical advice, applicable tips, and strategies that work.

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#SpeakUpForKids #SpeakUp #fostercare @parentsspeakupforkids #HealingHeartsPodcast #TraumaInformedCare #SafeParenting #EmotionalSafety #BreakingTheCycle #ParentingWithPurpose #FosterParentSupport #HealingAfterTrauma #TrustBuilding

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“How can I break cycles of generational trauma?” “How can I stop my Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) from reflecting onto my kids?” — Almost everyone experiences trauma in their lives, and it weighs heavily on each of us. 33% of people who experienced trauma in their childhood reflect it onto their children, creating a cycle of trauma. But we aren’t defined by our trauma, and generational trauma is avoidable. In fact, today Benoit Harpey and Amina Elsamahy sit down with Eddie Acosta, who is a child abuse and neglect survivor, speaker on trauma-informed parenting, youth professional, author, and advocate for breaking the cycle of trauma. In part one of this conversation, Eddie tells his story from being an abused foster kid to a father who broke the cycle of trauma in his family, explains why trauma is often repeated, and tells us what it takes to build a trauma-free home. This isn’t out of reach—Eddie did it, and so can you. Hit play to hear meaningful insights, gain practical advice, and to start breaking the cycle of trauma in your family today.

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#SpeakUpForKids #SpeakUp #fostercare @parentsspeakupforkids #HealingHeartsPodcast #BreakingTheCycle #GenerationalTrauma #TraumaInformedParenting #FosterCareJourney #ChildAbuseRecovery #ResilientParenting #ParentingAfterTrauma #ACEsAwareness #TraumaSurvivor #HopeAfterTrauma #CycleBreaker #HealingFamilies #ParentSupport

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“How can I help my teen get through self-harm and suicidal behavior?” “Am I harming my teen when I’m trying to help?” “Is healing actually possible?” — The pain, fear, and hopelessness you feel when your teens act out, shut down, or self harm is real. This behavior, though, isn’t manipulative or defiant; it’s survival. Today, Kayla Richerson sits down with Katie K. May, a therapist, speaker, and the bestselling author of You’re on Fire, It’s Fine. Katie explains to us that when our teens express big emotions or behave irrationally, it’s because they feel like they’re on fire, and they’re trying to extinguish it. She tells us that the way to extinguish the fire isn’t always hospitalization; it’s often validation, understanding, and self-regulation. If you struggle with your teen’s behavior, or fear that one day you will, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear valuable insights from lived experience, practical advice, and applicable strategies.

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👉 The Book: youreonfireitsfine.com

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#HealingHeartsPodcast #teenmentalhealth #parentingteens #selfharmrecovery #traumainformedparenting #mentalhealthawareness #parentingsupport #fostercare #fosterparenting #attachmentmatters #emotionalhealing #SpeakUpForKids #SpeakUp #fostercare @parentsspeakupforkids

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“Why does no one talk about trauma?” “What are the real effects of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?” “How can we recover?” — Two weeks ago, Benjamin Perks told us how important love and connection is in healing trauma, and we started discussing the taboo that lies around trauma. As we finish Benoit Harpey’s interview with him, we hear how important it is that we talk about trauma and why parenting support needs to be universally available. Trauma’s impact extends far beyond what many believe, and we need to learn to talk about it and to advocate for change. Benjamin Perks brings forth applicable strategies for removing the taboos around trauma, shares true stories of the impact of talking about trauma, and explains how we can apply trauma-informed parenting to our own lives. Tune in and replace trauma with confidence.

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👉 Book: Trauma Proof

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#HealingHeartsPodcast #traumainformedparenting #childhoodtrauma #ACEs #attachmentmatters #breakingcycles #fostercare #fosterparenting #parentingsupport #mentalhealthawareness #raisingkidswithtrauma #emotionalhealing #SpeakUpForKids #SpeakUp #fostercare @parentsspeakupforkids

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“Why does my kid have disproportionally big responses to things that happen?” “How can I help my child heal from trauma?” — There’s a taboo around trauma that cannot seem to be lifted, but it is crucial that we lift it so that we can heal. Today, Benoit Harpey sits down with Benjamin Perks, who’s dedicated his life to removing that taboo. A father himself, Benjamin is a UNICEF Global Advocate for ending child maltreatment and healing trauma. What most people don’t understand, he explains, is that trauma is healed through connection and love, not just therapy. Benjamin shares his years of expertise, explains the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the reciprocity of healing, and emphasizes the value of investing in support as parents. Listen in for incredibly valuable tips, advice, and practical strategies that will change the way you parent and change your life.

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#HealingHeartsPodcast #traumainformedparenting #attachmentmatters #childhoodtrauma #fostercare #fosterparenting #parentmentalhealth #raisingkidswithtrauma #parentingsupport #emotionalregulation #connectedparenting #adversechildhoodexperiences #SpeakUpForKids #SpeakUp #fostercare @parentsspeakupforkids

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“How can I help my kid find the right path?” “How can I pay for college while avoiding student debt?” “What is the right college for my kids?” — The college admissions process seems daunting; your baby is making decisions that will change their future. What’s the right college, what’s the right major, what’s the right career? And the nagging question: how will we pay for college? But this process isn’t actually daunting. Rather, it can be fun, if approached correctly. Today, Benoit Harpey and Amina Elsamahy sit down with Shellee Howard, mother of four, certified college strategist and founder of College Ready Plan. Shellee tells us how she was able to help her kids discover themselves and their paths, find the right college, and graduate debt free. Spoiler alert: it’s not as hard as you might think. Tune in and see how you can take the first step now; even if your kid is still in middle school.

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👉 Website: www.collegereadyplan.com

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#HealingHeartsPodcast #parentingteens #collegeplanning #collegeadmissions #payingforcollege #studentdebtfree #parentingstress #raisingteens #financialliteracyforfamilies #educationplanning #collegebound #parentingtips #traumainformedparenting #SpeakUpForKids #SpeakUp #fostercare @parentsspeakupforkids

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“How can I stay calm when my child is having a breakdown?” “What does it mean for me to be an emotional anchor for my kid?” — Most parents struggle with their children's emotional regulation; you are not alone. Last episode, we heard from Todd Sarner, who explained to us that parenting is not about perfection, but presence. Today, we hear the rest of Sophia Mills and Amina Elsamahy’s conversation with Todd, psychotherapist, parenting coach, and founder of Transformative Parenting. He dives deeper into what it means to be an emotional anchor, and gives practical tips and advice for helping children through emotional breakdowns, dysregulation, and trauma. Todd’s insight will help you see patterns and the importance of structure in emotional recovery, understand how to build emotional safety, and support emotional growth over time. If you missed part one of our conversation, tune into that first! Otherwise, press play to continue your journey to becoming an emotional anchor.

This was the last Healing Hearts episode of 2025. If you enjoyed the show this year, we’d greatly appreciate a review! Want to help us grow and improve going into 2025? Please fill out our feedback form!

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“Why don’t discipline or behavior systems work for my child?” “Why does my child shut down so easily?” “What is trauma-informed parenting, and how can I apply it?” — Parenting is tough, and sometimes it feels like we’re doing it all wrong. Behavior can be difficult to understand, especially in kids with trauma. Today, Sophia Mills and Amina Elsamahy sit down with psychotherapist, parenting coach, and founder of Transformative Parenting: Todd Sarner. Todd shares why traditional discipline systems tend to fail, the impact stress has on children, and the importance of connection to form a firm foundation for emotional growth. He explains that as parents, we don’t need to be perfect; we need to be present. “Your job,” he assures us, “is to be a good guide.”

Tune in today to hear practical tips, learn about trauma-informed parenting, and understand more about your child’s behavior. In Part 2, we’ll dive deeper into what it means to be a child’s anchor and learn applicable strategies to build a transformative relationship with our children.

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