In this episode of Hydrated Mind & Soul Podcast, Dr. Hackford welcomes Dr. Brooke Hall, trauma-informed care specialist and Director of Outpatient Services at Tykes & Teens, to dive into a powerful conversation titled “The Bond Beyond Behavior.”

Dr. Hall shares her journey from Nashville to Vero Beach, where she’s dedicated her career to helping children and families through trauma-informed care and mental health education. Together, they explore the critical importance of connection over judgment, especially for children who struggle with behavior, trauma, or inconsistent caregiving.

✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why behavior always has a function — and what it’s really telling us
• The role of trauma and childhood experiences in shaping adult challenges
• How educators and parents can meet kids where they are through non-judgmental care
• The concept of the “window of tolerance” and why self-care matters for caregivers
• Practical strategies for building connection with children who resist it (consistency, nonverbal cues, repairing after ruptures, patience, and more)
• Real-life insights into how love, bonding, and intentional parenting can change the trajectory of a child’s life

📊 Dr. Hall also discusses eye-opening statistics about the link between trauma, poor parental bonding, and long-term behavioral struggles — along with hope-filled solutions for breaking these cycles.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, counselor, or anyone working with children, this episode will challenge and encourage you to see beyond behavior and invest in authentic connection.

🙏 Tune in, share this episode, and be reminded that one person can change the trajectory of a child’s life.