Mindful Living With Athea Davis

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about mindful breathing tools for teens.   I'm  so excited to have my friend and colleague, Matt Dewar, Ed.D., back on the show this week! We had such a great conversation talking about mindful breathing tools for teens and his new book, The Mindful Breathing Workbook for Teens. Motivated by his own personal struggle with anxiety as a young adult and informed by almost two decades of teaching mindfulness and emotional intelligence in schools, Dr. Matt Dewar’s message is simple: Through increased awareness, knowledge, and skill, you have the ability to transform stress and adversity into emotional strength and resilience. Dr. Dewar has shared his message with Fortune 500 executives, collegiate and professional athletes, and school districts across the country. He is the former president of the Coalition for Schools Educating Mindfully and the author of The Mindful Breathing Workbook for Teens (2021) and Education and Well-Being: An Ontological

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about kindness and meditation, and the practices you can take on to bring more love, kindness, and compassion into your everyday being and life.  I enjoyed my conversation so much with meditation teacher and author, Amanda Gilbert. Amanda Gilbert is a meditation teacher, lecturer of mindfulness at the University of Southern California, speaker, and author. She leads meditation for top companies like NBC, Paramount Pictures, W Hotels, Merrill Lynch, Macy’s, and YouTube. Before dedicating herself to teaching full-time, Amanda was the center director for Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center at the University of California, San Francisco, a world-renowned health psychology laboratory conducting scientific research and publishing investigations on the biological and psychological effects of mindfulness, meditation, and stress resilience. Her formal meditation training has been with UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, Deepak Chopra, and in t

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about self-care for teachers and the new app that helps them prioritize it, and makes it accessible anytime, anywhere.I enjoyed my conversation with the co-founders of the JabuMind App – Jill Manly, Ann Rankowitz, and Carolyn Grabiel. The Jabu Mind Team are a passionate group of teachers, coaches, artists, school principals, and mental health clinicians who share a common goal of creating a safer, stronger, and more supportive classroom experience for both teachers and students. Their mission is to support teachers in their own social and emotional growth so they, in turn, can help their students and school communities. Their solution is to provide an app that will help teachers connect to their innate wisdom and strengths. The Jabu Mind Team believes this will fortify their well-being and, therefore, their confidence in supporting not only students but also school communities in SEL (social and emotional learning).Jill, Ann, Carolyn and I talk ab

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about what leadership means, particularly for kids, and giving you all the mindful tips to help you and the kids in your life actually live not only with more passion, vision, and clarity, but to actually be able to live your life authentically and on your own terms. This episode is not about helping your kids lead a group of people. I believe true leadership is an inside out job, so I’m sharing the number one teaching that I believe we all need to truly lead and live our own lives authentically and meaningfully. I hope you gain a ton of value from this one. If so, please share with a friend or colleague that has kids or works with kids. If you’re ready to take your leadership practices with kids a step further, please check out my comprehensive course, Mindfulness Education University by going to https://bit.ly/mindfulnesseducationuniversityIf you have any questions, thoughts, or comments I would love to hear from you: connect with me on social m

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about how we can strengthen our inner state so we can cultivate the joy and success we desire in our life.   I enjoyed my conversation with entrepreneur and visionary intuitive, Stacy Bahrenfuss. Stacy is the founder of The Truth Teachers and works privately consulting 7 and 8 figure women leaders. After over a decade helping buyers find their external home in real estate, now Stacy guides women leaders to their internal home, leading them to activate all of their power, accelerating their success personally and professionally. Her Certified Consultants, The Truth Teachers are on a mission to revolutionize the transformation process and smash the shackles of suffering. Stacy believes that illuminating the truth, addressing subconscious suffering at the root, combined with the program’s exclusive approach, is the fast track to success centered on freedom and fulfillment. Stacy and I talk about: ~ understanding how your inner state is the key to joy

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about living with less, also known as minimalism.  I invited Christine Platt, a minimalist and author of the new book, The Afrominimalist’s Guide To Living With Less, on the show to help you understand this concept and lifestyle a little more so you can gain a little more liberation in your everyday lifestyle. I enjoyed my conversation with Christine Platt so much! It was fun, engaging, and perspective-shifting. I know that you will love it too. Christine Platt is a modern-day Renaissance woman. From serving as an advocate for policy reform to using the power of storytelling as a tool for social change, Christine’s work reflects her practice of living with intention. She holds a BA in Africana Studies, an MA in African-American Studies, and a JD in General Law. Christine has written over two dozen literary works for people of all ages. When she’s not writing, Christine spends her time curating The Afrominimalist—a creative platform chronicling her

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about life balance. And, yes, it’s achievable.  Life balance will look differently for each of us, and there’s no one right way. Don’t get caught in the alignment versus balance debate. It’s not an either/or situation. We need both, and I’m breaking it all down for you. Plus, giving you all the tips to help you get your life in balance and alignment so you can keep your spark in action. I hope you gain a ton of value from this episode and find my tips very practical and useful. If so, please reach and let me know. And, share the episode with others so they can benefit from the tips as well. If you have any questions, thoughts, or comments I would love to hear from you: connect with me on social media @atheadavis!   And, don’t forget to subscribe so you can stay tuned in to all the mindful living love.Stay connected

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about boundaries and mental health and well-being. I absolutely loved my conversation with my special guest, Even Whitehead. He’s got a great 3-part framework – Balance, Boundaries, and Breaks - to help you break unhealthy mental and emotional patterns that drain your energy, and instead, cultivate mental and emotional well-being to sustain and optimize daily energy, ultimately creating a more joyful YOU! Evan Whitehead has been an educator for more than 20 years spanning three decades in private, public, and state level education. Over the course of his career, he has held positions ranging from special education paraprofessional and teacher, community outreach coordinator, director and assistant superintendent of special services. Currently, Evan is the director of special services for a PK–8 school district in Illinois. In his current role, Evan oversees special education, English learners, early childhood education, multi-tiered system of supp

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about edtech, STEAM, and mental health.   My special guest, Rachelle Dene Poth, is an edtech consultant, presenter, attorney, author, and teacher. Rachelle teaches Spanish and STEAM: What’s nExT in Emerging Technology at Riverview Junior Senior High School in Oakmont, PA. Rachelle has a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Master’s in Instructional Technology. She is also a consultant and speaker, owner of ThriveinEDU LLC Consulting. She serves as the past-president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network and serves on the Leadership team of the Mobile Learning Network. At ISTE19, she received the Making IT Happen Award and a Presidential Gold Award for volunteer service to education. Rachelle is the author of five books, "In Other Words: Quotes ThatPush Our Thinking,” “Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU” (EduMatch) and “TheFuture is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead,” Rachelle Dene’s latest book is withISTE “Chart A

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about how we can teach mindfulness practices to the young children  in our lives.  My special guest, Andrea Dorn, has created some engaging and relatable resources for young children in order to teach them mindfulness practices to help them develop healthy and thriving minds called, Mindful Step Series. Andrea’s books and other resources are step-by-step guides with beautiful illustrations helping young minds connect to the ideas and practices of mindfulness, and helps them learn from an early age the foundational building blocks of mental and emotional regulation, and self-awareness.  Andrea Dorn, MSW, LISW-CP, is a mom, licensed clinical social worker, and author whose interest in mindfulness and behavioral theories began in graduate school. Since that time, Andrea has worked in to incorporate the benefits of mindfulness into every aspect of her life and frequently uses behavioral theories to guide her clinical practice. She has found these theo

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about self-love and self-care and how it relates to the overall success we desire in our lives. My special guest, Dr. Samantha Fecich, guides new teachers on their professional growth journey in education, and we dive into all the necessary ingredients for success in that process. Whether you’re a new teacher or not, each of us is on a personal and/or professional journey, and there are so many nuggets of wisdom in this episode to help you along any season (and in any profession) in your life. Dr. Sam Fecich guides future teachers to become educators of excellence and beyond. She says that teaching doesn’t begin when you walk across the stage at graduation, but instead begins during your first college class at 8:00 a.m. She’s been a professor of education for over 7 years, and gives teachers tangible tips, strategies, and encouragement to guide them along their professional journey. Sam and I talk about: ~ Self-love and self-care boundaries; ~ sel

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about how one entrepreneur, creative, leader, and parent struggled with anxiety and depression for years, what she’s doing to thrive despite her mental health struggles, and why she’s talking about it now. My special guest Melissa Bernstein, along with her husband Doug, is the Co-Founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug, which has created over 5,000 children’s products and sold billions of dollars of toys since its inception. Raised by educators, Melissa and Doug started the business in their garage in 1988, and they’ve been on a mission ever since to provide open-ended, inventive, non-technologically driven playthings for young children. Throughout Melissa’s remarkable career, she kept secret her lifelong battle with severe depression and anxiety. She reveals her struggles in Lifelines, her first book, which she wrote to help others who are also suffering. Melissa’s book heralds the launch of Lifelines.com, and on-line ecosystem she and Doug

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about how you and the young people in your life can use 7 mindfully-informed principles that I personally use as a parent and teacher to create a healthy relationship to technology and social media. I hope you and the young people in your life find them valuable. Would love to know what you think!If you have any questions, thoughts, or comments I would love to hear from you: connect with me on social media @atheadavis!   And, don’t forget to subscribe so you can stay tuned in to all the mindful living love.Stay connected

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about how yoga and mindfulness are making their innovative mark in classrooms and schools around the globe. I thought it was the perfect way to celebrate the 100th episode of the podcast, as the work of Yoga Ed. aligns completely with my mission on the podcast: focused energy, joy, and purpose every single day - for young people and big people alike! My special guest, Brynne Caleda, began her journey with Yoga Ed. in 2005 as a top-performing trainer under the leadership of Tara Guber, offering in-person yoga education and training. Recognizing the importance of Yoga Ed.’s mission, Brynne made equity and access top priorities when she took ownership of the company in 2013. By spearheading the use of on-line platforms, Brynne strategically leveraged the company’s powerful results in the U.S. – as studied and vetted by Time Magazine, Harvard, Tulane, and more – to expand Yoga Ed.’s impact across the globe. For the past 20 years, Brynne’s entrepreneur

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about how to recognize trauma, the best practices for trauma recovery, and how to build resilience in community.My special guest, Lisa Cherry is an author and a leading international trainer and consultant, specializing in assisting those in education, social care, and fostering to understand trauma, recovery, and resilience for vulnerable children, young people and families. Lisa has nearly 30 years of experience in this field and combines academic knowledge and research with professional skills and personal experience. Lisa and I talk about: ✨ what trauma is, and how we can recover and heal from it; ✨ resilience, and how to build it in community; ✨ how people develop the motivation to change through pain; ✨ best practices in trauma recovery; ✨ learning, growing, and building resilience in conversation; ✨ and, so much more. It such a deep and raw conversation. I hope you gain a lot of value from it. To connect with Lisa and her work, click the li

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode I’m talking about toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is a form of communication that can invalidate the complexity of our emotional terrain. As I discuss in this episode, it’s the tendency to invalidate difficult emotions such as anger, fear, frustration, sadness, and grief. I wanted to spend some time on this topic because while I’m a big advocate of having a positive growth mindset and feel the research is clear that it’s important to our overall success, it’s not at the expense of naming, managing, and processing difficult emotions. We must have the skillset to cultivate a positive mindset and outlook, and walk through difficult emotions and challenges if we desire to reach our goals, have healthy relationships, and experience authentic joy in our lives. It’s key to building resilience, and whole success. In this episode I define what toxic positivity is, how to recognize it in our communication and others’ communication, and I’m sharing some pro-active tip

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about how to manage your anxiety, turn your mistakes into big learning lessons, how to set effective boundaries, and healing your mental and emotional health with animalsMy special guest, Jess Lee, is an author, blogger, storyteller, homesteader, donkey rescuer, and mental and chronic illness advocate who believes in loving our whole selves, broken pieces and all. She writes snippets of moments where truth shines through the dark. “We should always be willing to share our candle’s flame with another”, says Jess.  Jess and I talk about: ~ her background in being a homesteader and donkey rescuer; ~ her journey with anxiety and she found healing in working with her donkey rescues; ~ how she’s maintaining her mental and emotional health these days; ~ setting mental and emotional boundaries; and~ what she’s learning from her mistakes. To connect with Jess and her work, click the links below. Before you dive in, if you have any questions, thoughts, or c

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about how to live a purpose-filled life by adopting a variety of health, wellness, spirituality, and mindset tools to help you fuel your mind, body, and heart to reach your dreams and goals.  My special guest, Kristel Bauer, started her company + podcast, Live Greatly, to inspire others to awaken to their ultimate potential. Kristel is a wellness expert, female entrepreneur, consultant, keynote speaker, and podcast host sharing a unique and inspiring message with the world. After years of practicing traditional medicine, a loved one’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis awakened a burning desire in Kristel to explore and examine what wellness truly means. As an Integrative Medicine Fellow, Physician Assistant, and Reiki Master, she founded Live Greatly to share her findings on how to best achieve optimal health in mind, body & spirit to attain success. Kristel and I talk about: ~ the impetus for her transition from a traditional medical knowledge backgro

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about how we can help our kids navigate uncertainty, gain focus, and increase emotional stability through mindful arts & literacy.  My special guest, Andrew Nance, is the founder and lead trainer for Mindful Arts San Francisco. He offers trainings and assemblies around the globe for libraries, and school districts to provide the principles of mindfulness to students and staff. He is the author of four mindfulness books, the popular Puppy Mind, Mindful Arts in the Classroom, The Lion In Me, and The Barefoot King.Andrew and I talk about: ~ the mindfulness tools he teaches to students and teachers to navigate uncertainty; ~ strategies to teach our kids to be more empathetic, compassionate, and loving; ~ how parents and teachers can learn to be more present; ~ and mindful arts and literacy for the home and classroom. To connect with Andrew and his work, click the links below. Before you dive in, if you have any questions, thoughts, or comments: co

Happy Day, Friend! On this week’s podcast episode, I’m talking about low self-worth, how it can create an insidious parenting dynamic with our kids that causes unnecessary mental and emotional pain and suffering, and how to break the cycle so our kids grow up confident and emotionally intelligent. With her groundbreaking research, Maggie Nick has cultivated a global community of cycle breakers – parents changing the trajectory of their children’s lives. A decade of healing her own childhood trauma informed and inspired Maggie’s work counseling children and adults, leading to her groundbreaking insights on the root causes of low self-worth in modern parenting and how we’re told to discipline our kids. Her own parenting framework, Parenting With Perspectacles, has a global community from 30 countries. With truth bombs and brutal honesty, she offers a comprehensive framework to use for kids of all ages. She helps parents tap into their own experiences of low self-worth, and then helps them understand critical sh