Tools for Your Big Feelings: Emotional Regulation Series
Journey With Me Through ADHD: A Podcast for Kids
Release Date: 03/05/2026
Journey With Me Through ADHD: A Podcast for Kids
Do you feel your energy go up and down throughout the day!? Does this effect you in every way!? If you do, me too! Our energy often matches the many intense emotions we rollercoaste through in different situations and environments. In this episode, we will hear from communication and emotions expert, Elizabeth Sautter, who encourages us all to become energy detectives! When we can discover when our energy rises and falls, that's when we can truly discover the best tools and strategies to add to our toolbox. You can visit Elizabeth's website for some incredible free resources, including...
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Have you ever been told, "You are just being too sensitive!"? If so, you are absolutely not alone! In this final episode of our Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) series, we bring everything together by focusing on self-compassion and a powerful thought reframe: Your sensitivity is not a flaw-it's a strength! After learning what rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is and how it can show up in your thoughts, feelings, and reactions, this episode will help you take the next step- understanding yourselves in a kinder, more empowering way. Instead of seeing big feelings as "too much," we...
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Big feelings can show up FAST! Especially for those of us with ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). In this episode, we will continue to explore this very important topic together. Bottom line... your feelings are always real and important...but the story your brain tells you in the moment, isn't always complete! Get ready to put your imagination cap on as we relate playing the thoughts in our head like a movie... if we fastforwarded to the end of the movie, we wouldn't have all of the information, so we would need to pause and go back to gather all of the info before coming to a...
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Bottom line, RSD can be one of the most painful parts of ADHD, so let's keep exploring how we can name it to tame it!! In this episode of our Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria series, you will learn how to recognize and start to name big feelings and pain points in the moment, especially when those feelings show up fast and feel overwhelming! To recap, RSD is when the brain reacts strongly and the body experience different intense feelings when experiencing different forms of rejection. It may be real, possible, or just something the brain is guessing, but the emotional response remains intense...
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Do you ever feel left out, ignored, or like someone doesn't like you? You feel it to your core, but not sure why or how to respond to it!? If so, you are not alone my friend! In this episode, we are going to put on our investigator hats to solve a tricky mystery: Was that real rejection, or is my brain just guessing!? Our busy, colorful, ADHD brains tend to work super fast and try to fill in the blanks- especially in social situations with peers. If a friend doesn't text/respond back, a teacher gives a stern look or harsh tone, or someone laughs nearby, our brain might jump to...
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Are they mad at me? Did I do something wrong? They must hate me! I feel sick to my stomach (in response to a tone of voice) They don't think I'm good enough. What does that look mean? Do these narratives sound familar? If so, you are not alone... In this episode, I introduce this beast called "Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria" (RSD)- This is a common intense, even painful and overwhelming emotional experience when faced with internal, external, or percieved rejection. We will stay creative and curious as we use the metaphor of a microphone and speaker to explore how your brain may be...
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YIKES! This last episode really hits home! "I'm too much" was a fixed thought that I ALWAYS struggled with growing up and still to this day it creeps in and I have to talk back to that false belief! Does "I am too much..." creep up on you too!? In this final episode of this emotional regulation series, we focus on identity, confidence, and self-compassion for kids with ADHD and big feelings. You were created for a beautiful purpose! Sometimes you hear that you are "too loud", "too sensitive", "too emotional", etc... This episode reframes those experiences and reminds you that...
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Did you know that your feelings are not your enemy!? I know sometimes it feels like they are! But in this episode, we will talk about how feelings are messengers that is giving you a signal that your mind and body may need help in some way. In this episode, we will explore the idea of feelings being like mail being delivered to your brain and body. Every feeling carries a message that is trying to tell you something important. Feelings aren't good or bad, they are simply information. We will look at what anger, worry, sadness and anxiety are trying to tell us and ideas of how we...
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Big emotions can feel like a tornado tearing through the house. Doors slam. Words fly. Feelings crash. But here is the truth: The storm is not the end of the story! In this episode, we talk about what happens after emotional dysreguation strikes- when the wind dies down and everyone is standing in the quiet. Because after every storm, we can rebuild. What you'll take away from this episode: Why dysregulation isn't misbehavior- it's a nervous system overload Why repair and reset are an important next step. How to reconnect after everyone is regulated What a healthy apology sounds like...
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Episode focus: Practical ADHD friendly regulation tools! Core message: Different tools work at different times and that's ok! Do you have BIG feelings too!!? I know I do and all 4 of my own kiddos with ADHD do too! They all look a little different and show up at different times, but we can all agree that the term, "just calm down never has and never will work! Do you agree!? The goal is learning how to REGULATE through using different tools in our toolbox! In this episode, I will introduce the idea of builing a regulation toolbox- because not every tool fits every job!...
info_outlineEpisode focus: Practical ADHD friendly regulation tools!
Core message: Different tools work at different times and that's ok!
Do you have BIG feelings too!!? I know I do and all 4 of my own kiddos with ADHD do too! They all look a little different and show up at different times, but we can all agree that the term, "just calm down never has and never will work! Do you agree!?
The goal is learning how to REGULATE through using different tools in our toolbox!
In this episode, I will introduce the idea of builing a regulation toolbox- because not every tool fits every job! Just like you wouldn't use a spoon to fix a bike, you won't use the same strategy for every feeling! And that's totally OK!
You'll learn in this episode...
- Why big feeling aren't bad- they're signals!
- Different categories of tools that can be helpful: Including- movement, breath, sensory input, words, and connection!
- How to build a small, practical menu of go-to tools
- Why it's OK if a tool works one day and not the next...
Movement helps the nervous system reset (wall pushes, jumping jacks, animal walks, quick sprints, etc...
Breath that is slow and intentional- This is an internal tool that we can always turn to when our body feels safe to slow down (box breathing, balloon breaths, smell pizza and blow on it if it's too hot, etc.)
Sensory input tools help your brain organize itself! (squeeze stress ball, weighted lap blanket, cold water on wrist, listening to calm music, etc...)
Words- naming what's happening will lower the intensity ( "I'm in the yellow zone. I need a break, my brain needs help."
Connection is key! This creates safety and helps the brain come back online to think of the next best step to take. (Sit next to trusted adult, ask for a hug, co-regulate before problem solving.)
Key Takeaways-
- Not every strategy works in every moment.
- Different feelings need different tools
- What works today might not work tomorrow!
- That doesn't mean you fail, it just means you're continuing to learn your brain a little better every single day!
Remember that big feelings are NOT bad behavior, they are information. Practice makes progress and the more confident you will become in using your toolbox! You don't need every tool, you just need a few that fit YOU!
Visit me at www.katelynmabry.com for more resources or to share a future episode topic or series idea! I would love to hear from you!
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