The Life is Good Playmaker Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids heal from childhood trauma. Clinical Social Worker, Steve Gross is the "Chief Playmaker."

For over 30 years, Steve has pioneered innovative, play-based, trauma interventions for communities around the world. Steve's work is rooted in his belief that play is the universal language of children and that adults must speak it fluently in order to help them heal, grow, and thrive. His unique approach has been instrumental for communities around the world facing large-scale trauma events including Ukraine, Haiti and communities impacted by gun violence. Steve's work was featured as an example of how play can be used in therapy in the longtime #1 New York Times Bestseller, "The Body Keeps the Score."

In this podcast Steve discusses the following:

-His response to those who say that focusing "optimism" and "play" is unrealistic when it comes to addressing trauma.

-How to handle the aftermath of a traumatic event with a child. Do we discuss or not discuss it? Avoid reminders or sit with reminders?

-How to help children who are burdened by constant worrying

-Tools and games that parents - particularly foster parents - can use to help emotionally dysregulated kids feel safe

-Why kids who have experienced trauma need both choice and structure and how parents and caregivers can provide this.

-Why unstructured play - in the form of jumping, running, and climbing are essential for kids who have endured trauma and are just as "therapeutic" as conventional "therapies."

-Why caring for your own needs is the first step in bringing the power of optimism and joy to your child.

-Why trauma is not about what has happened to a child. It is about how the child "perceives" what happened.

Dr. Peter Levine, founder of Somatic Experiencing and author of numerous bestselling books including, "Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma," and "Trauma Through a Child's Eyes." This podcast disucsses the following topics:

-How and why less significant stressors such as certain medical procedures or accidents can lead to symptoms of trauma
-Caring for your own fear/activation in order to avoid it being projected onto your child
-Signs of trauma a parent or caregiver may miss.
-Why we need to stop saying, "kids are resilient."
-Healthy Aggression
-Dr. Levine's perspective on the root of the youth mental health crises
-Cultivating wordless experiences that help a child know "in their body" that they are loved.
-The most important thing adults can do to "co-regulate" with a child who has had a trauma.

For more info on Dr. Levine's work, visit: www.somaticexperiencing.com.
To view "Somatic Experiencing - Ray's Story," visit: • Somatic Experiencing® -- Ray's Story

In this episode, Suzy and Catherine have an engaging and edifying discussion with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk whose seminal book, The Body Keeps the Score has provided invaluable perspective on the subject of trauma. Among topics discussed in this episode:

• Benefits of EMDR
• Shame
• Risks of "Mindfulness"
• Medication
• Finding the Right Help for Your Child
• Psychedelics
• Screen Time/Social Media
• What is Meant by "Getting Stuck in Trauma"
• The Difference Between Trauma & Anxiety

And more...