Let's Reconnect with Breanna Jayne Sada

How do we teach children what healthy love, self-worth, boundaries and emotional safety look like before harmful relationship patterns begin?In this powerful and deeply important episode of Let’s Reconnect, Breanna Jayne Sada speaks with educator, advocate and founder of the Self Love Safe Love Collective, Lauren Armstrong.Lauren shares her lived experience of domestic violence in both childhood and adulthood, and how that inspired her mission to help children build an internal compass strong enough to guide them toward safe, respectful relationships and away from harm.Together, Breanna and Lauren explore how parents, teachers and trusted adults can start age-appropriate conversations with children about safe love, unhealthy behaviours, self-esteem, boundaries, coercion, emotional safety and family violence prevention.They also discuss why these conversations cannot wait until the teen years, and how teaching children to value themselves may be one of the strongest protective factors we can offer.This episode also includes an important discussion on the rise of teen gambling in Australia, new government restrictions on gambling advertising, and what parents need to know.In This Episode We DiscussWhat “safe love” means for children and teenagersWhy self-love helps protect young people from unhealthy relationshipsHow childhood experiences can shape adult relationship patternsSigns of controlling, coercive or emotionally unsafe relationshipsHow parents and teachers can respond if a child discloses abuseWhy believing children mattersHow to repair after yelling or conflict at homeTeaching children confidence without arroganceAge-appropriate relationship education for tweens and teensThe rise of teenage gambling in AustraliaWhy betting ads during sport matter for childrenKey TakeawaysChildren learn what love looks like early.The relationships they witness and experience can shape what feels normal later in life.Self-worth is protective.Children who value themselves are more likely to notice disrespect, coercion and unhealthy treatment.You don’t need all the answers.Parents, teachers and coaches do not need to “fix” everything. Often being a safe adult who listens is the first step.Repair matters.No parent is perfect. Apologising, owning mistakes and reconnecting after conflict builds trust.It is never too late.Whether your child is 5 or 15, healthy relationship conversations can start now.Resources Mentioned1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800Lauren Armstrong - Self Love Safe Love CollectiveSelf Love Safe Love Collective Self Love Safe Love on Instagram Purchase the books hereBreanna runs a short 4 hour course for adults called Conversations about Gambling. If you'd like her to run this for your organisation you can get some more information here If you like this episode or see it importance, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent, teacher or caregiver. These conversations help protect children.

How do we raise kind, emotionally healthy boys in today’s world? Breanna Jayne Sada speaks with Daniel Principe about masculinity, body image, pornography, the manosphere and parenting boys in todays world. In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of Let’s Reconnect, Breanna Jayne Sada speaks with educator and advocate Daniel Principe about the pressures facing boys and young men today.From body image concerns and social media algorithms to pornography exposure, emotional suppression and the rise of harmful online masculinity content, this episode explores how modern influences are shaping boys’ identity, confidence and relationships.Most importantly, this conversation focuses on what parents, schools and trusted adults can do to help boys become emotionally aware, respectful and resilient young men.If you are parenting boys, working with young people, or simply trying to understand the challenges boys face today, this is an important episode.In This Episode We DiscussWhy boys today may feel more pressure than previous generationsBoys and body image concerns in AustraliaWhat the “manosphere” is and why it mattersHow social media algorithms influence young boysExposure to pornography and healthy conversations about consentWhy emotional literacy matters for boys’ mental healthHow shame and peer culture silence boysWhat parents can do if they feel they’ve made mistakesHow to start conversations with boys about masculinity, respect and relationshipsWhy role modelling matters more than lecturesKey Takeaways for ParentsBoys need connection more than correction.Many boys are craving guidance, emotional safety and trusted adults who will listen without shame or panic.Parents do not need to be perfect. What matters most is staying engaged, being curious and continuing the conversation.Healthy masculinity is not about dominance or emotional shutdown. It is about courage, kindness, respect, trust and accountability.Resources & LinksGuest: Daniel PrincipeWebsite: danielprincipe.comSupport Services (Australia)Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800Emergency: 000Call to ActionIf you found this episode interesting, please subscribe/follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with another parent, teacher or professional supporting boys today.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges facing both adults and children today — and if you’re a parent, chances are you’ve seen it show up at home.In this episode of Let’s Reconnect, I sit down with psychologist and mum Nancy Sokarno to have an honest, practical conversation about anxiety. Together, we unpack what anxiety actually is, why it shows up, and how parents can better support both themselves and their children through it.With anxiety affecting around 17% of Australians each year, this is a conversation that so many families need .We also answer listener questions and share simple, evidence-based strategies you can start using straight away.What you'll hear about;What anxiety actually is and why it’s a normal human experienceWhy no one is immune to anxiety — including parents and psychologistsThe difference between helpful anxiety and when it becomes overwhelmingHow anxiety can show up differently in children, teens, and adultsWhy understanding your child’s anxiety is more powerful than trying to “fix” itHow generational patterns can shape how we respond to anxietyWhat to say (and not say) when your child is anxiousPractical ways to support your child without reinforcing anxietyKey Takeaways; Anxiety is common and part of being human — it’s not something to eliminate, but something to understandYour child’s anxiety may not look the same as yoursCuriosity builds connection — asking “what does this feel like for you?” can open powerful conversationsParents often carry their own anxiety, which can influence how they respond to their childSupport starts with connection, not controlWe answer listener questions including;“I’ve always been an anxious person — how do I stop passing this onto my children?”“What do I do when my child’s anxiety seems to be getting worse?”“How can I support my child when I don’t fully understand what they’re feeling?”We discussed practical strategies including;Using open, non-judgmental questions to understand your child’s experienceSupporting your child without immediately trying to remove discomfortRecognising your own anxiety triggers as a parentBuilding emotional safety so your child feels comfortable opening upSmall ways to respond in the moment when anxiety shows upIf this conversation helped you better understand anxiety, either in yourself or your child please share it with someone who might need it too.And if you haven’t already, make sure you follow Let’s Reconnect so you don’t miss future episodes. You can also follow Nancy on Instagram @psychwithsokz

In today's episode Breanna answers listeners questions. You can send Breanna a question you'd like answer on the podcast but remember all advice in general in nature and does not substitute personalised professional mental health advice. In todays episode we discuss separation and how to seperate from your parent while making decisions that keep your children at the heart of your decisions. I've linked some resources if you'd like some more information; Emerging Minds have some useful information here The Anchor - a safe space for children and young people We also discuss how teachers can help make their classroom Trauma informed Here is a great PL from ACF - Making Space for Learning. DM me and I can send you some more stuff if you are interested to. If you like our listener you sent in a question are supporting a child or young person who is engaging in self-harm you can check out the ChatSafe resource for parents here rand listen to our episode with Dr Louise La Sala who created these guidelines. You can also look at the Orygen Guidelines for Parents here and watch a helpful video from headsapce here

In this weeks episode of Let's Reconnect Breanna is joined by Frank Iorfino - Associate Professor at the University of Sydney- Brain and Mind Centre Frank discusses how things like our phones, smartwatches, digital health platforms and AI can help support young people's mental health. Frank is also one of the brains behind MIA - AI applied expertise for personalised mental health care and he talks about how AI will help fill the gaps within the Australian Mental Health system, how does the pro's weigh up against the risks of AI for mental health support. We also discuss the new Age Verification Laws now in place in Australia for accessing explicit pornopgraphic content and what this means for young people but also a warning for parents that this isn't a free pass. Frank has a Substack where you can sign up to called Minds and Machines and i encourage you to check out Minding Your Mind to help you find the right support

In this weeks episode of Let's Reconnect registered Psychologist Breanna Jayne Sada discusses what to consider when asking yourself is my child school ready? She encourages parents to consider beyond ABCs and 123s and start considering their child's; emotional regulation skills, social skills, communication skills, fine and gross motor skills and self care skills as true markers of whether their child is school ready. Breanna gives examples about how you can develop these skills as you prepare your child for Kindergarten.It's never to early to start preparing your child for big school. So whether your preparing for next year or your child has already started and you are concerned they might need some more support.

In this weeks episode of Let's Reconnect Breanna is joined by Dr Louise La Sala a Research Fellow at Orygen, the Centre for Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne. Louise’s work focuses on youth self-harm and suicide prevention, with a particular emphasis on how young people engage online on social media.Louise and Breanna discuss how parents and professionals working with kids can support children and young people who may be mentally unwell themselves or who may be supporting a friend with suicidal thoughts or engaging in self harm. They discuss the Chatsafe guidelines which have been developed by Louise and her team at Orygen, which you can download yourself here. They also discuss Lousie's PHD research into how young peoples social media use impacts mental health and how young people are using AI for mental health support.Orygen has resources for parents and carers who want to support their children and young people to have safe online conversations and they are available in 31 different languages which you can find here. You can also read up about their research into their resources here. Breanna discusses how Punch the Monkey reminds her of a classic Psychological experiment from the 1950's and how Punch the monkey can remind us as parents what children really need from us.

On this episode Breanna Jayne Sada is joined by Victoria Barendsen from The Safe Kids Project to discuss how to prevent Child Sexual Abuse. We discuss if it is possible for our children to have safe sleep overs and how teaching children about consent and their bodies works in combating child sexual abuse. Please take a moment to follow the podcast, rate us and share this episode with a friend who has children and would be interested. If you are in Australia and worried about yourself or someone else and would like to speak with someone about anything in this episode you can contact 1800 RESPECT If you are in New Zealand and would like to speak to someone you can contact Safe to Talk