Guest : Kelli May Douglas

Ms. Kelli May Douglas has served as the Defense State Liaison covering the Pacific Southwest region, within the Defense-State Liaison Office (DSLO), Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military, Community and Family Policy, since 2018. In this role, she serves as an expert resource on a variety of quality of life issues affecting Service members and their families, providing relevant information and research, knowledge of policies and processes, and assistance with state legislation to policy makers and military leaders in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Hawaii and the Pacific territories.

Prior to joining the DSLO team, Ms. Douglas served as the Regional School Liaison for Marine Corps Installations West, providing programmatic and state policy expertise in support of quality education for military school-age children in the Southwest. Ms. Douglas has also taught elementary school in several states and overseas for the Department of Defense Education Activity; and worked as a special needs advocate and educational consultant throughout Southern California. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of West Florida and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.

Ms. Douglas is the proud daughter of a career Marine Corps family. She and her husband, Jason, live in Oceanside, California with their three dogs. She has two adult children, Chloe and Elijah; and a grandson, Sebastian.

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Host: Jill

https://www.jillannecastle.com

Jill Anne Castle, M.Ed has been a state and national advocate in both education and healthcare systems for over 20 years.

Jill holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Human Relations as well as a Master level certification in Behavioral Analysis and Positive Behavior Support. Jill has designed curriculum and been an adjunct professor of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. She has been a State Department Mediator, a Special Education Director, and a Behavior Coach for parents, educational professionals and industry.

She is currently the Director of Education and Patient Advocacy for Little Hercules Foundation, an organization focused on access to treatment in the rare disease space. Jill also consults with several other national and state organizations to help bridge the gap between families, educational institutions and the healthcare industry.

Lastly, and most importantly, Jill is a parent of two wonderful young men, one of which lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Are you interested in a "Let's Talk it Through" session?

Contact Jill : https://www.jillannecastle.com

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Talk too much? Maybe. But that’s how some of us process and grow. Talking through the discomfort of the messy middle can help us turn struggles into strength.

Talks Too Much is a space for honest conversations about life in progress—when you’re not at the beginning, not at the end, but deep in the chaos of becoming. Whether you’re facing an unexpected diagnosis, a sudden shift in your path, or a challenge you never saw coming, this is a place to unpack it all.

We don’t hide the struggles—we speak them, explore them, and reshape them into something powerful like Alchemists.

Because through talking, we heal—and sometimes, saying it out loud is the first step forward.

About Jill

https://www.jillannecastle.com

Jill Anne Castle, M.Ed has been a state and national advocate in both education and healthcare systems for over 20 years.

Jill holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Human Relations as well as a Master level certification in Behavioral Analysis and Positive Behavior Support. Jill has designed curriculum and been an adjunct professor of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. She has been a State Department Mediator, a Special Education Director, and a Behavior Coach for parents, educational professionals and industry.

She is currently the Director of Education and Patient Advocacy for Little Hercules Foundation, an organization focused on access to treatment in the rare disease space. Jill also consults with several other national and state organizations to help bridge the gap between families, educational institutions and the healthcare industry.

Lastly, and most importantly, Jill is a parent of two wonderful young men, one of which lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Talk too much? Maybe. But that’s how some of us process and grow. Talking through the discomfort of the messy middle can help us turn struggles into strength.

Talks Too Much is a space for honest conversations about life in progress—when you’re not at the beginning, not at the end, but deep in the chaos of becoming. Whether you’re facing an unexpected diagnosis, a sudden shift in your path, or a challenge you never saw coming, this is a place to unpack it all.

We don’t hide the struggles—we speak them, explore them, and reshape them into something powerful like Alchemists.

Because through talking, we heal—and sometimes, saying it out loud is the first step forward.

About Jill

https://www.jillannecastle.com

Jill Anne Castle, M.Ed has been a state and national advocate in both education and healthcare systems for over 20 years.

Jill holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Human Relations as well as a Master level certification in Behavioral Analysis and Positive Behavior Support. Jill has designed curriculum and been an adjunct professor of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. She has been a State Department Mediator, a Special Education Director, and a Behavior Coach for parents, educational professionals and industry.

She is currently the Director of Education and Patient Advocacy for Little Hercules Foundation, an organization focused on access to treatment in the rare disease space. Jill also consults with several other national and state organizations to help bridge the gap between families, educational institutions and the healthcare industry.

Lastly, and most importantly, Jill is a parent of two wonderful young men, one of which lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Guest: Stephanie

I am a dynamic and forward-thinking professional passionate about transforming education through Al.

With a background in communications from UCLA and a deep interest in science-heavy roles, I specialize in helping parents, educators, and businesses navigate the evolving landscape of Al-driven learning.

As a homeschooling mother, I understand firsthand the importance of adaptable, student-centered education. I am committed to integrating Al into education to create efficient learning models that free up time for critical thinking, real-world skills, and creativity.

My goal is to prepare children and families for the Al-driven future while ensuring learning remains engaging and meaningful.

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Host: Jill Anne Castle

https://www.jillannecastle.com

Jill Anne Castle, M.Ed has been a state and national advocate in both education and healthcare systems for over 20 years.

Jill holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Human Relations as well as a Master level certification in Behavioral Analysis and Positive Behavior Support. Jill has designed curriculum and been an adjunct professor of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. She has been a State Department Mediator, a Special Education Director, and a Behavior Coach for parents, educational professionals and industry.

She is currently the Director of Education and Patient Advocacy for Little Hercules Foundation, an organization focused on access to treatment in the rare disease space. Jill also consults with several other national and state organizations to help bridge the gap between families, educational institutions and the healthcare industry.

Lastly, and most importantly, Jill is a parent of two wonderful young men, one of which lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Guest:

Christopher Tiffany, Executive Director, Encircle Families, Arizona Parent Training and Information Center (PTI)

Tiffany has served as the Executive Director of Encircle Families (formerly

Raising Special Kids), Arizona's Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), since 2010. He brings experience from his background in the public education system, where he worked as a special education teacher. As a parent of a child with Autism and Intellectual Disability, Tiffany is deeply committed to improving outcomes for children, youth, and young adults with disabilities. In addition to overseeing Arizona's Parent Training and Information Center, RSK also serves as Arizona’s Family to Family Health Information Center, the state’s chapter of Parent-to-Parent USA, and a Family Voices Affiliate Organization. Tiffany also serves on the Arizona State Advisory Panel for Special Education (AZ SEAP). His dedication is rooted in strengthening families and systems of care.

Resources:

https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/

https://encirclefamilies.org/

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Host: Jill Anne Castle

https://www.jillannecastle.com

Jill Anne Castle, M.Ed has been a state and national advocate in both education and healthcare systems for over 20 years.

Jill holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Human Relations as well as a Master level certification in Behavioral Analysis and Positive Behavior Support. Jill has designed curriculum and been an adjunct professor of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. She has been a State Department Mediator, a Special Education Director, and a Behavior Coach for parents, educational professionals and industry.

She is currently the Director of Education and Patient Advocacy for Little Hercules Foundation, an organization focused on access to treatment in the rare disease space. Jill also consults with several other national and state organizations to help bridge the gap between families, educational institutions and the healthcare industry.

Lastly, and most importantly, Jill is a parent of two wonderful young men, one of which lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

About Jill

https://www.jillannecastle.com

Jill Anne Castle, M.Ed has been a state and national advocate in both education and healthcare systems for over 20 years. Jill holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Human Relations as well as a Master level certification in Behavioral Analysis and Positive Behavior Support.

Jill has designed curriculum and been an adjunct professor of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. She has been a State Department Mediator, a Special Education Director, and a Behavior Coach for parents, educational professionals and industry.

She is currently the Director of Education and Patient Advocacy for Little Hercules Foundation, an organization focused on access to treatment in the rare disease space. Jill also consults with several other national and state organizations to help bridge the gap between families, educational institutions and the healthcare industry.

Lastly, and most importantly, Jill is a parent of two wonderful young men, one of which lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Guest : Shellie Ruge LPC

https://beyondexcellencecounseling.com/bvsd/shellie-ruge/

I am an EMDRIA Approved Consultant/Certified Therapist and Certified Brainspotting therapist in private practice. I specialize in trauma-informed treatment, implementing EMDR with somatic and ego-state modalities and Brainspotting. Special populations include first responders and transgender/transfamily care. I have a post-trauma-growth focus that inspires a commitment to helping clients build resilience out of challenges. In addition to clinical work, I advocate for gender variant clients and their families, and educate the community on gender variance issues. I am passionate about EMDR consulting, collaborating, teaching and learning.

My office includes a beautiful training space and hosting area specifically for consulting, EMDR and Brainspotting study groups, trainings with co-owner Stacey Beck LPC, guest trainers, and networking events.

Certifications & Specializations

Certified EMDR Therapist EMDRIA Approved Consultant Certified Brainspotting Therapist

Host Jill Anne Castle

https://www.jillannecastle.com

Jill Anne Castle, M.Ed has been a state and national advocate in both education and healthcare systems for over 20 years.

Jill holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Human Relations as well as a Master level certification in Behavioral Analysis and Positive Behavior Support. Jill has designed curriculum and been an adjunct professor of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. She has been a State Department Mediator, a Special Education Director, and a Behavior Coach for parents, educational professionals and industry.

She is currently the Director of Education and Patient Advocacy for Little Hercules Foundation, an organization focused on access to treatment in the rare disease space. Jill also consults with several other national and state organizations to help bridge the gap between families, educational institutions and the healthcare industry.

Lastly, and most importantly, Jill is a parent of two wonderful young men, one of which lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Guest Resources:

https://www.bestdamnyou.com/post/understanding-self-abandonment

https://www.bestdamnyou.com/post/people-pleasing

Guest: Kimberly Mahr MSC, LPC-S, NCC, CCTP, CCFP

In my life prior to becoming a therapist I enjoyed several decades as an entrepreneur, business owner, motivational speaker, and trainer. Always sensing there was a higher purpose for my knack for inspiring others, I went back to grad school where I completed a Master of Science in Counseling degree.

My education, experience and credentials allow me the expertise to confidently step into the arena with you, while my diverse life experiences and the sense of ease I create with people allow me to meet you where you are. I'm also a people person; I love to know, understand, and figure out what makes people tick. I have a knack for making people feel truly "heard" and seeing the "big picture" of what's going on in their lives. ​ Together, these skills and personality traits will help you bring down your walls so we can get at the stuff that needs to be uncovered and re-shaped, pull you out of your slump, and propel you into massive action!

Learn more about Kimberley https://www.bestdamnyou.com/about-kimberly

Host Jill Anne Castle

https://www.jillannecastle.com

Jill Anne Castle, M.Ed has been a state and national advocate in both education and healthcare systems for over 20 years.

Jill holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Human Relations as well as a Master level certification in Behavioral Analysis and Positive Behavior Support. Jill has designed curriculum and been an adjunct professor of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. She has been a State Department Mediator, a Special Education Director, and a Behavior Coach for parents, educational professionals and industry.

She is currently the Director of Education and Patient Advocacy for Little Hercules Foundation, an organization focused on access to treatment in the rare disease space. Jill also consults with several other national and state organizations to help bridge the gap between families, educational institutions and the healthcare industry.

Lastly, and most importantly, Jill is a parent of two wonderful young men, one of which lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.