In a time marked by chronic stress, fear-based media, and nervous system overload, how do we create lives that feel steady, connected, and human? In this conversation, Tina Payne Bryson joins Michelle to explore cues of safety, co-regulation, play, predictability, and the small intentional practices that help adults stay grounded in difficult times. Together, they discuss why joy, laughter, community, and nervous system care are not luxuries — they are essential capacities for anyone hoping to care for others well.

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Most workplace drama isn't created by bad people. It's created by good people trying to navigate stress, uncertainty, frustration, and fear.

In this episode, Michelle explores the second of The 3 Vital Questions: How are you relating? Drawing on the work of David Emerald and Donna Zajonc, she examines the Drama Triangle, the Empowerment Dynamic, and the ways we can become trapped in cycles of blame, helplessness, or rescuing without even realizing it.

Along the way, listeners are invited to consider a powerful question:

How am I seeing the other person?

Because often we're not simply responding to reality—we're responding to the stories we've created about ourselves, other people, and the situations we're facing. And those stories shape our relationships, our leadership, and ultimately what becomes possible between us.

This episode is an invitation to step out of automatic patterns, reconnect to choice, and cultivate relationships rooted in curiosity, accountability, growth, and empowerment.

Opt in HERE for a complimentary subscription to the magazine. (https://oxygenforeducators.com/#read-the-magazine)

Visit the Oxygen for Educators website to learn more. (https://oxygenforeducators.com/)

Follow on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oxygen-for-educators/id1775510846

Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2i21QueuqVqmEPmI7gzFfQ?si=1bef3354bff2402c

Follow on Audible: https://www.audible.co.uk/podcast/Oxygen-for-Educators/B0DKL68DLX?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdbuPy-L7p4RZKZ_VWKCXwK_j8vbjZF2&si=7SHeSWZRllrseygs

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Thank you to our sponsor, Tacky Box.

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Episode Summary: José Luis Vilson is an educator, researcher, author, and longtime advocate for teacher voice and educational equity. In this conversation, we explore what professionalism in education really means, why relationships are foundational to learning, the emotional realities educators are navigating, and how schools shape not just academic outcomes, but our capacity for empathy, citizenship, and shared humanity.

Opt in HERE for a complimentary subscription to the magazine. (https://oxygenforeducators.com/#read-the-magazine)

Visit the Oxygen for Educators website to learn more. (https://oxygenforeducators.com/)

Follow on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oxygen-for-educators/id1775510846

Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2i21QueuqVqmEPmI7gzFfQ?si=1bef3354bff2402c

Follow on Audible: https://www.audible.co.uk/podcast/Oxygen-for-Educators/B0DKL68DLX?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdbuPy-L7p4RZKZ_VWKCXwK_j8vbjZF2&si=7SHeSWZRllrseygs

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Thank you to our sponsor, Tacky Box.

Website: https://tackybox.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacky_box/

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

X: https://x.com/thetackybox