Episodios

  • 211. Are we rushing kids out of emotions they actually need?

    211. Are we rushing kids out of emotions they actually need?
    Oct 14 2025

    Kids don’t always slam doors or shout when emotions overwhelm them. Sometimes the signs are quieter—flat energy, withdrawal, or a heavy sadness that feels impossible to shift.


    In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline explores the “low-energy” emotions that often get misunderstood: loneliness, sadness, disappointment, boredom, confusion, embarrassment, regret, guilt, and shame.


    You’ll learn how each of these emotions sends a signal about a child’s deeper needs, why rushing to “cheer them up” backfires, and practical ways to respond with presence and connection. These quieter feelings carry just as much meaning as anger or anxiety. The goal isn’t to fix them—it’s to help kids feel safe enough to sit with them, learn from them, and eventually find their way through.


    Homework Ideas:

    • Create connection rituals: a bedtime check-in, a morning high-five, or weekly “just us” time.
    • Encourage journaling or drawing when kids feel any emotion. This gives emotions a safe outlet.
    • Use emotion coaching scripts:
    • “It makes sense you feel disappointed—this mattered to you.”
    • “Everyone makes mistakes. What can we learn from this one?”
    • “Boredom is your brain asking for something meaningful—what could you explore?”
    • Provide open-ended opportunities (art supplies, building materials, role play) to turn boredom into curiosity.
    • Model healthy shame repair: Share your own small mistakes, show how you recover, and affirm that worth is never on the line.


    🛠️ Be sure to grab the emotional literacy workbook https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/emotionaliteracy

    Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh


    Follow Dr. Caroline

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzanko

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/

    LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/

    X: https://x.com/drcarolinebuz

    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/

    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/#resources

    Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/


    Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/
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    29 m
  • 210. How do we help kids handle big emotions with confidence?

    210. How do we help kids handle big emotions with confidence?
    Oct 7 2025
    In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline discusses the high-energy, often “unpleasant” emotions that kids struggle with — the stormy ones like anxiety, anger, frustration, and overwhelm.These emotions aren’t problems to fix or behaviours to shut down. They’re signals, calling for safety, connection, fairness, or skill support.Listen in to learn how to:Recognize behaviours as the tip of the iceberg — with deeper emotions underneathSupport kids in pausing before reacting, so they can ride the emotional wave without drowning in itTeach grounding, movement, and self-coaching tools that keep the self-regulating prefrontal cortex onlineReframe frustration, envy, and jealousy into opportunities for growth and resilienceUnderstand resentment as a warning of unspoken boundaries and unmet needsInstead of teaching kids to suppress or escape emotions, this episode shows how to help them tolerate, explore, and grow through them — building self-awareness, confidence, and lasting emotional resilience.“When we rush to fix a child’s emotion, we send the message that the feeling itself is unsafe. But when we sit with them — quietly, patiently, without solving — we teach that emotions are just part of being human. The goal isn’t to feel better right away. It’s to get better at feeling.”🛠️ Be sure to grab the emotional literacy workbook https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/emotionaliteracyHomework IdeasPause Practice: Teach kids to notice a big feeling without reacting. Use phrases like: “Let’s let this feeling be here for a bit.”Frustration Flip: When kids feel stuck, guide them to ask: “What’s another way to try this?” Normalize frustration as a sign their brain is learning.Assertive Anger Scripts: Practice “I feel… when… I need…” statements to channel anger into boundary-setting instead of explosions.Overwhelm Sort: With schoolwork or chores, use a “must-do / can-wait / let-go” list to reduce overload.Jealousy Rituals: Create consistent 1:1 connection rituals to strengthen security and belonging.Resentment Reset: Teach kids (and model yourself) how to say no, set boundaries, and release built-up frustration with journaling or conversations.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/X: https://x.com/drcarolinebuzWebsite: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/#resourcesBusiness inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/
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    24 m
  • 209. How can excitement help kids learn—and when does it tip into chaos?

    209. How can excitement help kids learn—and when does it tip into chaos?
    Sep 30 2025

    In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline explores the often-overlooked role of pleasant emotions in self-regulation. From the high-energy buzz of excitement and joy to the quiet calm of contentment and gratitude, she unpacks what these feelings signal, the needs behind them, and how adults can guide children to channel them in healthy ways.


    Learn how excitement fuels motivation but can tip into dysregulation without support, why pride is a powerful pro-social emotion, and how gratitude and love deepen connection and resilience. Caroline shares practical strategies that help kids strengthen their emotional awareness and regulation skills.


    Learn actionable tools to nurture children’s motivation, curiosity, and sense of belonging while reinforcing the “rest stops” of calm and contentment that every child needs.


    Homework Ideas


    Help kids learn to:

    Channel excitement:

    • Use countdown calendars, planning rituals, or physical play to help kids release energy safely.
    • Redirect silliness into storytelling, drawing, or creative outlets.


    Savour Joy:

    • Pause in the moment and ask: What feels good right now?
    • Create joy rituals: end-of-day reflections, photo sharing, or a family “joy jar.”


    Reinforce Pride:

    • Offer descriptive praise focused on effort, not outcomes.
    • Help kids create a “brag book” or journal for proud moments.


    Cultivate Curiosity:

    • Model open-ended questions (“I wonder…”).
    • Provide exploration opportunities—STEM kits, nature walks, disassembling old gadgets.


    Anchor Calm & Contentment:

    • Build quiet, screen-free downtime into daily routines.
    • Use grounding practices (breathing, mindfulness, cozy snuggles, weighted blankets).


    Encourage Gratitude & Love:

    • End the day with “3 things I’m grateful for.”
    • Practice small acts of kindness—thank-you notes, hugs, or helping tasks.


    🛠️ Be sure to grab the emotional literacy workbook https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/emotionaliteracy

    Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh


    Follow Dr. Caroline

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzanko

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/

    LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/

    X: https://x.com/drcarolinebuz

    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/

    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/#resources

    Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/


    Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/
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    24 m
  • 208. How can we help kids understand their own emotional map?

    208. How can we help kids understand their own emotional map?
    Sep 23 2025
    Decoding Emotions: Helping Kids Understand What They Feel—and WhyEmotions aren't problems. They're messages. And when we teach kids how to read them, we give them a powerful tool for self-regulation, resilience, and connection.In this episode, Dr. Caroline breaks down the difference between emotions and feelings, explore how the body and brain work together during intense emotional moments, and show you how to use tools like emotion mapping, quadrant models, and weather metaphors to build emotional awareness in kids and teens.You’ll learn:Why emotions are adaptive survival tools, not just meltdowns or moodsHow to help kids identify the root needs underneath big behavioursA breakdown of how to map emotional experiences with kidsWhy a child’s “defiance” may actually be a nervous system responsePlus, she introduces the four emotional quadrants (based on arousal and valence) and how to use this approach to tailor regulation strategies to what kids actually need—whether they’re storming, stuck, or shutting down.Be sure to get the emotional literacy workbook to get started!https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/emotionaliteracyHomework Ideas:1. Emotion Mapping Have the child or teen walk through a recent emotional situation using the 6-part mapping model:Situation (e.g., “Struggling to finish a homework assignment”)Thoughts (e.g., “I’m so stupid,” “This is too hard”)Feelings (e.g., Frustrated, Anxious, Overwhelmed)Body Sensations (e.g., Tight chest, Shaky hands)Impulses (e.g., Slam the book, Avoid the task)Behaviours (e.g., Procrastinated, Gave up)Optional: Have them draw it out as a connected mind map to visualize the emotion cycle. Use arrows to show how one piece influenced another.2. Use Quadrant MappingIntroduce the Emotion Quadrants based on:High vs. Low Energy (Arousal)Pleasant vs. Unpleasant (Valence)Ask:“Where do you think you are in this chart right now?”Then match strategies to what they need:🌪 High energy, unpleasant = Movement or somatic tools🌧 Low energy, unpleasant = Connection or activation strategies3. Weather Mapping FeelingsAsk:“If your emotions were weather right now, what would they be?”Then map feelings onto different weather types:☀️ Sun = Joy, Calm🌧 Rain = Sadness, Grief🌪 Storm = Anger, Fear💨 Wind = Curiosity, Nervousness🌫 Fog = Confusion, OverwhelmHelps externalize emotions and destigmatize them as natural, necessary, and manageable. 4. Emotional Awareness Reflection PromptsWrite or talk about:“What did you feel in your body?”“What thoughts were going through your mind?”“What did you want to do—and what did you actually do?”“What emotion do you think was underneath it all?”“What did you need in that moment?”Helps increase emotional granularity, which improves regulation.Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/X: https://x.com/drcarolinebuzWebsite: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/#resourcesBusiness inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/
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    28 m
  • 207. What is silent trauma and why does it stay hidden?

    207. What is silent trauma and why does it stay hidden?
    Sep 16 2025

    In this powerful conversation, Dr. Caroline speaks with Dr. Shahrzad Jalali—clinical psychologist and trauma specialist—to unpack the idea of silent trauma—those unseen wounds from early childhood or minimized adult experiences that often go unacknowledged, but leave lasting emotional imprints.


    Together, they explore:

    • Why trauma doesn’t need a dramatic event to be real
    • How silent trauma shapes behavior, relationships, and emotional patterns
    • Why labeling and processing emotions is key to healing
    • How kids and adults can learn to recognize and manage their inner world through body awareness and grounding strategies
    • Practical steps for growing resilience, even when the past still lingers


    This episode is essential listening for anyone working with kids, navigating their own healing, or simply wanting to understand what sits beneath the surface.



    About Dr. Shahrzad Jalali


    Dr. Shahrzad Jalali is a licensed clinical psychologist with a deep passion for trauma resolution, emotional resilience, and relational healing. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of silent trauma—emotional wounds that often go unspoken but shape our behaviors, relationships, and well-being. Her work integrates psychoanalysis, somatic healing, and neuroscience to provide a holistic approach to mental health. She is currently working on her upcoming book, set to launch in 2025, which delves deeper into trauma healing and personal transformation.


    Website: https://www.drjalaliandassociates.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahrzad-jalali-psyd-2b547320/

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/alignremedy/

    FB: https://www.facebook.com/people/Align-Remedy/61567336701015/

    Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh


    Follow Dr. Caroline

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzanko

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/

    LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/

    X: https://x.com/drcarolinebuz

    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/

    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/#resources

    Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/


    Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/
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    28 m
  • 206. Are kids being misdiagnosed when their bodies are just tired?

    206. Are kids being misdiagnosed when their bodies are just tired?
    Sep 9 2025

    Emotions don’t just “happen”—they’re built on signals from the body. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we explore how affect—the body’s internal state—shapes what kids (and adults) feel, label, and act on. From blood sugar crashes that masquerade as anger, to dehydration that looks like anxiety, you’ll learn how body signals are often misread as emotional problems.


    Discover practical strategies to help children and teens decode their body’s “dashboard lights,” build emotional literacy, and prevent misdiagnosis of mood or behavior challenges. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or mental health professional, this episode will help you shift the way you support kids who seem dysregulated for “no reason.”


    Check out this video for kids to learn about their brain/body budget: https://youtu.be/yCxstApZsP0


    Homework Ideas


    ✅ Daily Body Budget Check-ins

    • Ask kids: “What’s your body telling you right now?”
    • Use body scan visuals (head, chest, stomach, muscles) to track signals.


    ✅ Battery Analogy

    • Print or draw a battery chart (100% → low power mode).
    • Have kids check their “charge level” before school, after school, and bedtime.


    ✅ Hydration + Snack Routine

    • Create a snack station with healthy, quick options.
    • Encourage kids to drink water at transitions (before school, after recess, after homework).


    ✅ Sleep Reset

    • Use a “sleep log” for one week to track bedtime, wake time, and energy.
    • Share the pattern with kids so they can see how rest affects mood.

    Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh


    Follow Dr. Caroline

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzanko

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/

    LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/

    X: https://x.com/drcarolinebuz

    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/

    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/#resources

    Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/


    Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/
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    20 m
  • 205. Are kids melting down because they don’t have the right words?

    205. Are kids melting down because they don’t have the right words?
    Sep 2 2025

    In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline zeroes in on emotional literacy as an essential foundation of all self-regulation. From everyday behaviours to big emotional outbursts, the ability to name and understand emotions changes everything.

    Learn why kids often shut down, spiral, or explode when they don’t have the right words—and how to build their emotional vocabulary in ways that are playful, specific, and powerful.

    You’ll walk away with real-world tools and creative strategies to support kids at every stage.

    Learn what you need to help kids feel, name, and regulate emotions—so they can build confidence, connection, and resilience.

    Homework Ideas & Resources

    Daily Feelings Check-Ins

    Using a visual, like a feelings wheel or emojis, ask:

    · How do you feel right now?

    · How do you know?

    Resource: use the feels wheel, emotions list, or emojis in the emotional literacy resource book

    Build an Emotion Word Wall

    Start with basic categories (mad, sad, happy, scared). Then expand with synonyms and nuance (e.g., “annoyed,” “resentful,” “embarrassed,” “overwhelmed”). Ask kids to:

    · Sort words by intensity

    · Compare synonyms (What’s the difference between nervous and uneasy?)

    · Add new words they discover in books, music, or real life

    Emotion Detective Journal

    Each day, kids track:

    · One emotion they felt

    · What may have triggered it

    · What they noticed in their body, thoughts, and behaviour

    · What helped, what didn’t

    This supports emotional tracking and self-awareness over time.

    Check out the Emotional Literacy Resource to help you with each of these activities (https://korulearninginstitute.kit.com/emotionalliteracy)

    Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh


    Follow Dr. Caroline

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzanko

    IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/

    LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzanko

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/

    X: https://x.com/drcarolinebuz

    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/

    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/#resources

    Business inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/


    Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/
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    21 m
  • 204. What’s the difference between emotions, feelings, affect, and moods? (And why does it matter?)

    204. What’s the difference between emotions, feelings, affect, and moods? (And why does it matter?)
    Aug 26 2025
    Emotions aren’t just “big feelings” — they’re information. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions Dr. Caroline breaks down the building blocks of affect, emotions, feelings, and moods to show why understanding the differences matters for kids’ self-regulation. Learn how the brain interprets emotional signals, why emotions guide survival and decision-making, and how pleasant and unpleasant emotions both play a role in resilience. You’ll walk away with a clearer map for helping children (and yourself) move from overwhelmed to informed by emotional experiences.Homework IdeasBoosting Pleasant Moods Journal: Each day, have kids write or draw one moment of pleasant emotions. Talk about how it gave them energy for learning or connecting.Behaviour vs Emotion Reflection: When a child engages in a behaviour, separate it from emotion: “It makes sense your body wanted to slam the door when you were angry. Anger’s job is to protect. Let’s find another way to do that.”Brain Mapping: Help kids recognize the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and show how their brain can be “rewired” to respond differently over time.Draw (or print) a simple brain with two key parts labeled:Amygdala = “Alarm System” (sometimes right, sometimes glitchy)Prefrontal Cortex = “Wise Coach” (helps calm the alarm with reason and practice)Explain: “When something scary or stressful happens, the amygdala sets off the alarmbefore you even think. Your prefrontal cortex can calm it down—but only if youpractice sending it the right messages. We’re going to map how your brainreacts, and then practice rewiring it.”Map a Real-Life Situation: On a piece of paper, draw four columns:Trigger / Situation (“What happened? What set off the alarm?”)Thoughts (“What was running through your mind?”)Feelings / Body Signals (“What did your body do?” Racing heart? Sweaty palms? Stomach ache?)Actions / Behaviors (“What did you do next? Did you avoid, yell, freeze, or something else?”)Have kids fill them in whenever they experienced strong emotions. Guide with prompts like: “When did your amygdala set off the alarm this week?”Connect the dots:Show how actions (like avoidance) may have made the amygdala stronger (“see, I was right, that was dangerous!”).Show how helpful actions (like staying in the situation, using calming skills, or reframing a thought) send the opposite message (“actually, this wasn’t dangerous, I can handle it”).Draw arrows to make a cycle diagram: Trigger → Thoughts → Feelings → Actions → Amygdala ResponseAsk: “Did your brain get tricked into making the cycle worse, or did your brain start learning it could handle it?”Practice rewiring the brain: For each mapped example, add a new column called: “Rewire Response” (What could I think, feel, or do differently next time to help my brain learn I can handle it?)Examples:Thought: “This is panic, but I can ride it out.”Action: “Instead of leaving, I’ll stay one more minute.”Feeling: “I might still feel scared, but it doesn’t mean I’m in danger.”Reflect & Track Progress: At the end of the week, ask:“When did your prefrontal cortex win this week?”“What did your amygdala learn?”“What cycle do you want to rewire next?”Enjoying the show? Help out by rating this podcast on Apple to help others get access to this information too! apple.co/3ysFijh Follow Dr. Caroline YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.carolinebuzankoIG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.carolinebuzanko/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dr-caroline-buzankoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCarolineBuzanko/X: https://x.com/drcarolinebuzWebsite: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/#resourcesBusiness inquiries: https://korupsychology.ca/contact-us/Want to learn more about helping kids strengthen their emotion regulation skills and problem-solving brains while boosting their confidence, independence, and resilience? Check out my many training opportunities! https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/upcoming-events/
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    31 m