Conversations with Kristi

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi sits down with author, educator, and speaker Lael Stone to explore a powerful and often overlooked truth: the way we parent our children has everything to do with how we were parented ourselves.

Lael shares her incredible journey-from starting a children’s entertainment company at age 20 to becoming a doula, a sex educator, and eventually co-founding the Woodline School. Together, Kristi and Lael unpack why parenting in the age of social media takes so much courage and how our own unresolved childhood "stuff" often bubbles to the surface the moment our kids hit certain milestones .

This conversation is warm, honest, and deeply practical. It challenges the traditional "compliant child" paradigm and offers a new way of thinking about connection, emotional intelligence, and the healing power of repair-reminding every parent that it is genuinely never too late to start over.

Content Covered in This Episode

The Evolution of Connection: Why Lael’s career shifted from entertainment to birth trauma, sex education, and founding a school.

The Courage to Parent: Navigating the "battlefield" of modern opinions and coming back to your own inner intuition.

Unresolved Childhood Imprints: How our own history determines which of our children's "big feelings" we can actually tolerate.

The "Poo Head" Test: Understanding why we feel "activated" when children challenge us and how to respond with calm instead of power.

Raising Humans, Not Robots: Why the goal of parenting is deep connection and self-accountability rather than just raising "good," compliant children.

Non-Punitive Discipline: Inside the Woodline School philosophy of removing shame, punishments, and rewards from the learning environment.

The Power of Repair: Why an apology to your child-even when they are 18-is the most profound way to stop a traumatic lineage.

Every Day is a New Day: Small, practical steps for reconnecting through play and listening without an agenda.

Why This Conversation Matters

Many parents today feel the weight of "failing" or passing on their own traumas to the next generation . But as Lael explains, our children are often our best teachers, pushing the exact buttons we need to look at so we can finally heal.

When we have the bravery to acknowledge what we didn't get as children, we open a doorway to change the story for our own kids. This episode encourages parents to shift from:
"How do I shut this behavior down?
to:
"What is my child's behavior telling me about their unmet needs?"

Because when a child feels seen, heard, and allowed to express their full self, they don't just behave—they grow into resilient, empathetic adults.

About Lael Stone

Lael Stone is an author, educator, and speaker whose work centers on connection and understanding the "why" behind human behavior. She is the co-founder of Woodline School, an innovative primary school that prioritizes emotional intelligence and non-punitive discipline.

Through her clinical work and workshops, Lael helps adults understand their own imprints so they can show up as the best versions of themselves for their families. She is the author of Own Your Story and the host of the Humans Being podcast.

Learn More About Lael Stone
🌐 Website: laelstone.com.au
📱 Social Media: Instagram: @laelstone
🎙️ Podcast: Humans Being
📖 Books: laelstone.com.au/books

Kristi’s Resources for Parents & Carers

If this episode resonated with you, Kristi offers trauma-informed education and practical tools to support children and families.

🔗 Explore resources: www.kristimcvee.com

Support Services (Australia)

Lifeline: 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (ages 5–25): 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services.

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Louise Mansell to explore a powerful question:

Why are we waiting so long to teach children how to understand and manage their emotions?

Dr. Louise shares how her early experiences supporting her own mother through anxiety shaped her career, and how years of working with children-particularly those experiencing trauma-revealed a major gap in how we support emotional development.

Rather than accepting that gap, she created a solution.

Introducing Tedology - an innovative, therapeutic teddy bear designed to help children understand, regulate, and process their emotions in a safe and accessible way.

Together, Kristi and Dr. Louise unpack why children aren’t meant to “get rid” of emotions like worry, how emotional suppression impacts long-term wellbeing, and why early emotional education has the potential to change entire generations.

This conversation is warm, honest, and deeply practical. It challenges common parenting approaches and offers a new way of thinking about how children can be supported-long before issues become overwhelming.

Content Covered in This Episode

Why emotional education needs to start earlier

The difference between regulating emotions vs. avoiding them

Why children can’t (and shouldn’t) “get rid” of worry

How unprocessed emotions impact mental and physical health

The role of play in helping children understand feelings

Why many children struggle to talk about their experiences

The impact of trauma, silence, and emotional suppression

How sensory tools support emotional regulation

Why children need safe spaces before they can use their voice

How Tedology supports children between therapy sessions

Why This Conversation Matters

Many children today are struggling with anxiety, overwhelm, and emotional dysregulation.

But as Dr. Louise explains, the issue isn’t that children are “too sensitive” or “not coping”-it’s that they haven’t been given the tools to understand what they’re feeling or what to do with it.

When emotions are ignored, dismissed, or misunderstood, they don’t disappear.

They grow.

This episode encourages parents and carers to shift from:

“How do I stop this feeling?”

to:

“How can I help my child understand and work through this feeling?”

Because when children learn how to process emotions early, they don’t just cope-they thrive.

About Dr. Louise Mansell

Dr. Louise Mansell is a clinical psychologist who trained and worked in the UK before moving to Australia.

Her work has focused on childhood trauma, emotional development, and early intervention-particularly supporting children who struggle to express or process their experiences.

Through her clinical work, Dr. Louise identified a major gap in accessible emotional support for children and created Tedology to bridge that gap.

Tedology combines psychology, sensory regulation, and play-based learning to help children build emotional awareness and resilience from a young age.

About Tedology

Tedology is more than a teddy bear.

It’s a therapeutic support tool designed to help children:

Understand and name their emotions

Regulate overwhelming feelings

Practice expressing thoughts safely

Build emotional confidence over time

Each Ted includes:

Guided emotional support features

Sensory elements for calming and regulation

Emotion cards and play-based learning tools

A companion guide for parents and carers

Tedology is not a replacement for therapy-but it can be a powerful bridge, helping children feel safe, supported, and understood in their everyday environment.

Learn More About Tedology

🌐 Website
https://tedology.com.au

📱 Social Media
Instagram / Facebook: @tedology

💡 Access Support
Tedology may be accessible through NDIS or available grants depending on eligibility.

Practical Support & Resources

If this episode resonated with you, Kristi offers trauma-informed education and practical tools to support children and families.

🔗 Explore resources:
👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Resources include:

Conversation tools for parents and carers

Guidance on emotional safety and regulation

Support for children navigating anxiety and overwhelm

Trauma-informed parenting strategies

Support Services (Australia)

If you or someone you love needs support:

Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78 | mensline.org.au
1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au
Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) – 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi sits down with child safety consultant, author, and educator Nicole Talarico to explore what it really takes to create cultures of safety for children - not just policies, but everyday practice, mindset, and leadership.

Kristi and Nicole discuss why child safety cannot be treated as a compliance checklist, and instead must be embedded into culture, relationships, and daily decision-making across education and care settings.

They unpack the uncomfortable truth that harm does not happen because people don’t care - but often because systems become complacent, reactive, or underprepared. Together, they explore how real safety comes from preparation, awareness, and a willingness to sit with discomfort before something goes wrong.

Nicole shares her journey from early childhood educator to consultant, author of Asserting a Culture of Child Safety, and creator of practical safety systems designed to support services in real-world risk situations. Her work highlights the importance of embedding safeguarding into everyday routines, not as an add-on, but as a foundation of quality practice.

The conversation also explores the tension between fear and empowerment - especially for educators and parents who worry that talking about risk might create fear in children. Instead, Kristi and Nicole emphasise that children are already exposed to information and experiences, and adults have a responsibility to guide those conversations safely and intentionally.

A key theme throughout the episode is the role of communication - how children, teenagers, and families can build trust through ongoing dialogue rather than one-off “big talks.” They discuss practical strategies such as co-creating safety plans, using text-based communication with teens, and maintaining open, non-punitive relationships so children feel safe to seek help when needed.

Kristi and Nicole also challenge common misconceptions around child safety in education settings, including the belief that risk only exists outside of services. They highlight that while the majority of harm does not occur in early childhood education settings, the responsibility to remain vigilant, trained, and prepared remains critical.

This episode encourages educators, parents, and leaders to shift from avoidance to action - and from discomfort to capability.

Because safety isn’t about eliminating risk entirely.
It’s about being ready for it.

Content Covered in This Episode

Why child safety is about culture, not compliance

The dangers of complacency in education and care settings

How Nicole’s experience in early childhood shaped her safeguarding work

Why risk awareness should be part of everyday practice

The importance of embedding safety into curriculum and routines

How to talk to children and teens about risk without fear-based messaging

Co-creating safety plans with children and young people

Supporting teens through open, ongoing communication

Why children are more likely to be harmed outside of education settings

The gap between educator responsibility and training in real-world disclosures

Why uncomfortable conversations are necessary for protection

Building confidence through preparation, not fear

Understanding bias in adult decision-making and how it impacts children

Consent, boundaries, and autonomy from early childhood

Technology, online exposure, and safeguarding in digital spaces

Creating safer environments through awareness and intentional action

Why This Conversation Matters

Child safety is often discussed in policy documents, audits, and compliance frameworks - but Nicole and Kristi remind us that real safety lives in everyday decisions.

When adults are prepared, informed, and willing to engage in uncomfortable conversations, children are more likely to be protected, heard, and supported early.

This episode is a call to move beyond reactive systems and toward proactive cultures of care.

Because protecting children is not about fear.
It’s about readiness, responsibility, and relationship.

About Nicole Talarico

Nicole Talarico is a child safety consultant, author of Asserting a Culture of Child Safety, and an experienced early childhood educator with decades of sector experience.

She works with education and care services to embed safeguarding into everyday practice, with a focus on prevention, culture, and practical implementation.

Nicole is also the creator of safety tools designed to support services in emergency preparedness and child protection awareness.

Learn More About Nicole Talarico

Book
Asserting a Culture of Child Safety: Offering Children the Protection and Care That They Deserve

📱 Social Media
@talaricoconsulting

Practical Support & Resources

If this episode has raised questions about protecting children, having safety conversations, or supporting a child, Kristi provides trauma-informed education and practical tools for parents and carers.

🔗 Explore education and resources:
👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Resources include:

Guidance on teaching children body safety and boundaries

Tools for building open and safe communication

Support for navigating difficult conversations

Trauma-informed parenting strategies

Resources & Support

If this episode raises concerns or questions about child safety or wellbeing, support is available:

Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au
Kids Helpline (5–25 years) – 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi sits down with Adam from the Family Advocacy and Child Abuse Alliance to explore one of the most difficult but important topics we face as a society - child abuse prevention, awareness, and advocacy.

Kristi and Adam discuss the realities of child abuse, the warning signs that are often missed, and the critical role that education and awareness play in protecting children. This conversation sheds light on how abuse can occur in ways many people don’t expect, and why it’s essential for adults to feel confident recognising and responding to concerns.

Together, they unpack the importance of empowering children with knowledge about their bodies, boundaries, and safety, while also addressing the discomfort many adults feel when having these conversations.

This episode challenges the idea that child protection is someone else’s responsibility. Instead, it highlights how every adult - parent, educator, or community member - plays a role in creating safer environments for children.

Kristi and Adam also explore how trauma impacts children, why some behaviours are often misunderstood, and how we can better support children who may be experiencing harm.

This is not an easy conversation - but it is a necessary one.

It’s about awareness, education, and taking meaningful steps toward protecting children.

Content Covered in This Episode

The realities of child abuse and why awareness matters

Common signs and indicators that a child may be at risk

Why many cases go unnoticed or unreported

The importance of teaching children about body safety and boundaries

How to have age-appropriate conversations with children about safety

The role of parents, educators, and communities in prevention

How trauma can impact behaviour and development

Why children may not disclose abuse immediately

How to respond when a child shares something concerning

The importance of creating safe, trusted environments for children

Why This Conversation Matters

Child abuse is often misunderstood, and many people feel unsure about what to look for or how to respond.

As Adam shares, education is one of the most powerful tools we have in preventing harm.

When adults feel informed and confident, they are better equipped to recognise concerns early, respond appropriately, and support children in a way that prioritises safety and trust.

This conversation encourages a shift from avoidance and discomfort to awareness and action.

Because protecting children is not the responsibility of a few - it is the responsibility of all of us.

About Adam & FACAA

Adam is a representative of the Family Advocacy and Child Abuse Alliance, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness, educating communities, and advocating for the prevention of child abuse.

FACAA works to equip parents, educators, and professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to better understand, recognise, and respond to child abuse.

Their work focuses on prevention through education, helping create safer environments for children through informed and empowered communities.

Learn More About FACAA

🌐 Website
www.facaaus.org

📱 Social Media
@faca_aus

Donate to FACAA at
Donation FACAA

Practical Support & Resources

If this episode has raised questions about protecting children, having safety conversations, or supporting a child, Kristi provides trauma-informed education and practical tools for parents and carers.

🔗 Explore education and resources:
👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Resources include:

Guidance on teaching children body safety and boundaries

Tools for building open and safe communication

Support for navigating difficult conversations

Trauma-informed parenting strategies

Support Services (Australia)

If you or someone you love needs support:

Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au
Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) – 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi sits down with neurodevelopment specialist and educator Dr. Christine Payard to explore something many parents and teachers have never been taught - how early physical development shapes the way children learn.

Dr. Christine explains how the body and brain work together during the earliest years of life, and how movements such as rolling, crawling, balancing, and reflex responses play a foundational role in learning, attention, reading, and behaviour later on.

Together, Kristi and Dr. Christine unpack the concept of primitive reflexes - automatic movement responses present from birth - and how these reflexes help build the neurological pathways that support learning. When these reflexes don’t fully mature, children may struggle with things like sitting still, focusing, reading, or coordinating their movements.

This conversation challenges the idea that children who struggle in school simply “aren’t trying hard enough.” Instead, it encourages parents and educators to consider what a child’s body might be communicating about their learning needs.

Kristi and Dr. Christine also discuss why many children are quickly labelled with behavioural or attention challenges, when in reality their nervous system may still be developing foundational skills that support learning.

This episode is not about blame - for parents, teachers, or children.
It’s about understanding development, recognising what children’s bodies are telling us, and supporting them to thrive.

Content Covered in This Episode

What primitive reflexes are and why they matter in early development

How early movement patterns influence learning later in life

Why some children physically struggle to sit still or concentrate

The connection between balance, vision, and reading ability

How retained reflexes can impact attention, behaviour, and coordination

Why children often develop creative workarounds when learning is difficult

The importance of crawling, movement, and sensory development

How educators can better understand what behaviour may be communicating

Why supporting the body-brain connection can improve learning outcomes

Why This Conversation Matters

Many children who struggle in classrooms are quickly labelled as disruptive, inattentive, or difficult.

But as Dr. Christine explains, behaviour is often the body communicating something important.

When children haven’t fully integrated early movement patterns or reflexes, their nervous systems may still be working hard just to regulate movement, balance, or focus. This means far less energy is available for academic learning.

Understanding the body-brain connection can help educators and parents shift from asking:

“What’s wrong with this child?”

to asking:

“What might this child’s body be telling us?”

When we understand how development works, we can support children in ways that build confidence, resilience, and learning capacity.

About Dr. Christine Payard

Dr. Christine Payard is an educator, researcher, and neurodevelopment specialist who works with schools and educators to help them better understand how early development impacts learning.

Her work focuses on the connection between movement, reflex development, sensory systems, and academic learning, helping teachers identify underlying developmental factors that may influence behaviour and learning in the classroom.

Dr. Christine is the creator of the Body to Brain Learning at School program, which provides educators with practical tools and strategies to support children’s neurological readiness for learning.

Learn More About Dr. Christine’s Work

🌐 Website
https://bodytobrainlearning.com

📱 Social Media
Instagram/Facebook: @bodytobrainlearning

💼 LinkedIn
Dr. Christine Payard

Practical Support & Resources

If this episode has raised questions about parenting, boundaries, or guiding children through adolescence, Kristi offers trauma-informed education and practical tools for parents and carers.

🔗 Explore education and resources:
👉 www.kristimcvee.com

Resources include:

Guidance on connection-based parenting

Tools for teaching children advocacy and self-expression

Conversation guides for families

Trauma-informed strategies for resilience and safety

Support Services (Australia)

If you or someone you love needs support:

Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au

MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78 | mensline.org.au

1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 | 1800respect.org.au

Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) – 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au

If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services.