PodcastsEducationOverpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

Dr. Caroline Buzanko
Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience
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230 episodes

  • Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

    231. Heart-Focused Attention for Kids | Emotional Regulation Without Power Struggles

    10/03/2026 | 26 mins.
    What do you do when a child’s anger shows up fast—and keeps showing up? In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline sits down with Luminara (Esther Clyne), an intuitive energy healer with 20+ years of experience supporting kids, teens, and adults through overwhelm, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation.

    Luminara shares why teens who struggled early often hit a wall later, and how “secure support” changes everything. You’ll hear practical, school-friendly tools she teaches students (and encourages them to teach their parents), including HeartMath-inspired heart-focused attention, guided imagery for anger that builds self-compassion, and a simple grounding practice she calls “look, listen, feel” to bring attention back into the body.

    Educators, parents, and mental health professionals will walk away with language you can use in the classroom, at home, or in session—especially when breathing exercises don’t land well for a child. This conversation is warm, real, and full of techniques you can try today.

    About Luminara (Esther Clyne)
    Luminara, also known as Esther Clyne, is an intuitive energy healer, author, and musician with over 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, and adults through trauma, overwhelm, and nervous system dysregulation. Her work blends energy awareness, body-based practices, guided visualization, and heart-focused regulation, with a strong emphasis on compassion, safety, and emotional presence.

    Luminara works closely with teenagers in school settings and one-on-one, drawing from both lived experience and decades of practice. She is known for translating complex emotional and nervous system concepts into language kids understand, and for teaching tools that empower young people to regulate themselves—and confidently share those tools with the adults in their lives.

    Homework activities for adults
    A) The “hand on heart” reset (60–90 seconds)
    Put a hand on your chest.

    Focus on the sensation of heart/chest warmth on the hand… then hand warmth on the chest.

    If you have space, slow breathing slightly and imagine breath moving through the chest.
    Resource: none.
    Best use: when your child escalates; do it before you talk.

    B) Anger-as-a-puppy visualization (3–5 minutes)
    Picture sitting in a rocking chair outdoors.

    Imagine holding a puppy/kitten/baby that represents anger.

    Offer the same soothing you’d give that creature.

    When it calms, bring it “back into the heart centre.”
    Resource: quiet corner + 3 minutes.
    Best use: bedtime, after school, before tough transitions.

    C) “Look, listen, feel” for presence (2 minutes)
    Look slightly up (about 20%) and fix eyes gently on one spot.

    Listen to sounds around you.

    Feel one body sensation (heart, hands, feet).
    Try to hold all three. When thoughts rush in, restart.
    Resource: none.
    Best use: sleep support, anxiety spirals, classroom reset.

    D) Proactive practice schedule (simple)
    Heart-focused attention: morning + night (as suggested in the episode).

    “Look, listen, feel”: once midday (lunch break, prep period, school pick-up).
    Resource: phone reminder (optional).

    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/
    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/
    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/
    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/
  • Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

    230. What’s the “Next Right Thing” to Say When a Student Is Panicking?

    03/03/2026 | 24 mins.
    Radical acceptance is a strong start… then kids still look at you like, “Okay, now what?” In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko teaches the missing step: agency—helping kids and teens take the next right thing even when they feel anxious, angry, embarrassed, or stuck.

    You’ll hear simple scripts, plus kid-friendly metaphors (GPS detours, storms and umbrellas, rivers, and the “two arrows”) that turn spirals into small, doable moves. Dr. Caroline also shares a real story from parenting a 10-year-old through a tough coaching situation—without swooping in—and shows how to validate emotions while still building resilience.

    If you support youth with anxiety, school refusal, perfectionism, overwhelm, or big feelings, this episode gives you practical language and quick activities you can use today: grounding in the body, values-based choices, “even though” self-coaching, and daily reflection that trains courage over avoidance.

    Homework activities for adults supporting kids/teens

    A) The 3-step reset (use in real time)
    Prompt 1: “Name the reality.” (“This is hard.” “This hurts.”)
    Prompt 2: “Find it in your body.” (“Where do you feel it—chest, hands, stomach?” “Left or right?”)
    Prompt 3: “Pick one small step.” (“What’s one thing you can do right now?”)

    Resource to prep: a tiny cue card for adults (phone note or printed) with the three prompts.

    B) The “Even though… I still can…” script practice (2 minutes/day)
    Have the child complete 1 sentence daily:
    “Even though I feel ___, I still can ___.”
    “Even though I want to ___ (avoid), I still can ___ (stay/try).”
    Adults model it too (kids copy what they see).
    Resource to prep: a note in the kitchen/classroom wall, or a journal page with 10 blank lines.

    C) Values Compass (15 minutes, then weekly check-ins)
    Draw a circle, divide into “pie slices” of important areas (friendship, learning, family, health, fun, etc.).
    Rate satisfaction 1–10 for each slice.
    Ask: “What makes it a 2 and not a 1?” then: “What bumps it up by 0.5?”
    Resource to prep: blank “values pie” worksheet (paper + markers) or a whiteboard template.

    D) Choose-your-response scenarios (flexibility training)
    Pick one common stressor (pop quiz, reading aloud, being left out, forgotten homework).
    Brainstorm 3 response types:
    avoidance (run away)
    neutral/mixed (ask to read with partner)
    approach/values-aligned (read one sentence even while nervous)
    Resource to prep: a list of 10 scenarios relevant to your child/student group.

    E) Daily “bravery receipt” reflection (2–5 minutes)
    Question: “What was something hard today?”
    Question: “What did you do anyway?”
    Close: “Today, I acted like someone who values ___.”
    Resource to prep: a journal, sticky notes, or a simple nightly routine prompt.

    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/
    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/
    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/
    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/
  • Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

    229. Radical acceptance for kids & teens: Reduce big emotions without pretending it’s fine

    24/02/2026 | 40 mins.
    Big feelings don’t go away just because we want them to. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko teaches radical acceptance as a practical skill for kids, teens, and the adults supporting them—educators, parents, counselors, and clinicians.

    You’ll learn how to help young people spot when the “Hulk brain” is running the show, get the self-regulating brain back online, and choose a response that keeps them moving—without pretending the situation is okay. Dr. Caroline uses simple metaphors (rainstorms, quicksand, traffic jams, finger traps) plus classroom-ready scripts like “This is hard, and I can handle it.” You’ll also get hands-on tools: a control-circle exercise, a radical acceptance jar, coping cards, and “yet” language that builds confidence over time.

    If you support kids who get stuck in “it’s not fair” loops, this episode gives you language, visuals, and practice ideas you can use the same day.

    Homework for Adults

    A) The Control Map (10 minutes, weekly)
    Draw two circles: Inside = In my control, Outside = Not in my control
    Put the current stressor in the middle, then list what belongs where.
    Resource: paper + marker; optional printable you can make with two circles.

    B) “BUT → AND” Script Practice (2 minutes a day)
    Take common complaints and rewrite them out loud using AND. Try:
    “This is hard, and I can handle it.”
    “I’m feeling upset, and it’s okay—this is normal.”
    “I can be uncomfortable and still be brave.”
    Resource: sticky notes on a wall/mirror; coping cards in backpack.

    C) “Yet” Statements + Progress Tracker (5 minutes, 2–3x/week)
    Swap “I can’t” with “I can’t… yet.”
    Track wins so anxiety doesn’t erase them.
    Resource: a simple chart with columns: What I’m working on / What I tried / What helped / What changed.

    D) Radical Acceptance Jar (weekly celebration)
    Kids write one moment they didn’t like, accepted, and kept going.
    Pick a few each week and celebrate effort, not results.
    Resource: jar + slips of paper; optional stickers for effort.

    E) “Rain vs. Umbrella” Daily Check-In (30 seconds)
    Ask at dinner or after school: “What was your rain today? What was your umbrella?”


    F) Role-Play Micro-Frustrations (3 minutes)
    Practice with tiny stuff: marker color, waiting a turn, a plan change.
    Use the same closing line: “I don’t like it, but I can handle it.”
    Resource: a short list of role-play prompts on your phone.

    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/
    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/
    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/
    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/
  • Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

    228. Are We Accidentally Making Anxiety Worse by Reassuring?

    17/02/2026 | 18 mins.
    Kids and teens don’t struggle because they feel anxious — they struggle because they believe they can’t handle uncertainty. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline breaks down one of the most overlooked skills in anxiety treatment: learning how to sit with not knowing.

    Drawing from real clinical moments, classroom realities, and everyday parenting struggles, this episode walks through how reassurance, predictability, and “just checking” can quietly keep anxiety running the show. You’ll hear practical ways to help children stay in the moment even when outcomes feel scary — from separation anxiety and perfectionism to social worries and OCD.

    After listening to this episode, leave with concrete ideas that actually work: behavioural experiments, playful practice, language shifts, and debrief questions that build confidence without chasing calm. This is an episode about raising brave kids who can move forward even when nothing feels guaranteed.

    Homework Ideas to Support Kids & Teens
    Delay answers on purpose
    Acknowledge questions without providing certainty. Use: “That’s a good question — what do you think?”

    Set short, clear uncertainty challenges
    Stay in a room for five minutes without checking. Wait before asking. Leave a question unanswered.

    Use playful unknowns
    Mystery lunches, dice-decided choices, surprise plans, cliffhangers in stories or shows.

    Practice language swaps
    “I can handle not knowing yet.”
    “I want to know, but I can wait.”
    “This feels hard, and I’m okay.”

    Debrief after every practice
    Ask about effort, not outcomes. What helped? What was harder than expected? What surprised you?

    Helpful resources:
    Timer or visual countdown
    Notebook or scrapbook for “I didn’t know, and I handled it” moments
    Age-appropriate riddles or puzzles
    List of values-based goals the child cares about

    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/
    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/
    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/
    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/
  • Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

    227. What If Emotional Regulation Starts With Discomfort, Not Comfort

    10/02/2026 | 17 mins.
    Big emotions don’t shrink by talking about them. They shrink through practice.

    In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline shares playful, practical distress-tolerance activities that help children and teens stay with discomfort without exploding, avoiding, or shutting down. From ice cube challenges to boredom practice, rule-changing games, and urge-surfing exercises, this episode shows how to train the brain to stay online when emotions spike.
    Designed for classrooms, therapy rooms, and families at home, these tools help kids learn that discomfort rises, shifts, and passes — and that they can handle it.

    Homework Ideas
    These activities work best when adults join in. Keep them brief. Stay curious. Talk about what shows up.

    Ice Cube Hold
    Hold an ice cube and notice the sensations as they change. The goal isn’t endurance — it’s staying present until it melts.
    Ask:
    “What did your body want to do?”
    “Did the feeling stay the same?”

    Silent Sound Challenge
    Sit quietly and listen for small sounds around you. Notice boredom, restlessness, or wandering thoughts without fixing them.
    Ask:
    “What showed up when things got quiet?”
    “What urge did you notice?”

    Sour Candy or Lemon Bite
    Let the sour hit. Stay with it as the intensity fades.
    Ask:
    “How long did the strongest part last?”
    “How is this like big emotions?”

    Still-as-a-Statue
    Stay in one position and notice urges to move, scratch, or quit.
    Ask:
    “What urge was hardest to ignore?”
    “What happened when you didn’t act on it?”

    Itchy Nose / Ride the Urge
    Notice an itch or urge without giving in. Watch it rise and pass.
    Ask:
    “Did the urge change over time?”
    “When else do urges feel like this?”

    Rule-Change Games
    Change the rules halfway through a game and watch what comes up.
    Ask:
    “What feeling showed up when things changed?”
    “What helped you keep going?”

    Delayed Gratification Practice
    Wait between episodes, treats, or rewards. Sit with the wanting.
    Ask:
    “What did waiting feel like?”
    “What helped you handle it?”

    Urge Timer
    Set a short timer and sit with an urge without acting. Slowly increase time.
    Ask:
    “What helped you stay?”
    “What would you try again?”

    One Rule for All Homework
    Keep it short (3–5 minutes).
    Do it together.
    Always link it back:
    “What did you do here that could help next time something feels hard?”

    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/
    Website: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/
    Resources: https://drcarolinebuzanko.com/resources/articles-child-resilience-well-being-psychology/
    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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About Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

Practical, science-based strategies to help kids and teens manage anxiety, navigate big feelings, and build resilience. Overpowering Emotions is the #1 resource for adults who want to confidently support children and teens through emotional challenges.Children and teens today are struggling with more anxiety, overwhelm, and emotional intensity than ever before—and adults are desperate for tools that actually work. This podcast is here to change that.Dr. Caroline gives you the knowledge and tools you need to support children and teens through anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and everyday challenges. Whether you’re a parent, educator, clinician, or caregiver, you’ll learn exactly what to do (and what not to do) right away to help young people feel calmer, braver, and more capable.Each episode delivers:• Clear, practical steps you can use immediately• Expert interviews with leading psychologists and researchers• Real-life examples that make complex concepts easy to understand• Tools for emotional regulation, anxiety mastery, confidence-building, and resilience• Effective approaches for home, school, and clinical settingsIf you’ve ever wished for a trusted guide to help you navigate child and teen anxiety, emotional outbursts, and overwhelming emotions, you’ve just found it.Subscribe now and join the movement to help the next generation thrive.About Dr. Caroline BuzankoDr. Caroline is a psychologist, researcher, speaker, and internationally recognized expert in child and teen anxiety. With more than 25 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families, she is known for her ability to translate cutting-edge research into practical, compassionate strategies that make a meaningful impact.In 2024, Dr. Caroline was honoured as Alberta’s Psychologist of the Year, a recognition that reflects her significant contributions to advancing child and youth mental health practices. Often called the “Yoda of anxiety,” she blends scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and real-world tools to help young people build confidence, emotional regulation, and lifelong resilience.
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