Episode #85: Logan Taylor - Trauma Informed Educators Network Podcast
Unapologetic Disrupter for Good PodcastShow Notes
Having it easy" is never a phrase you would use to describe Logan Taylor's childhood. Raised by his grandmother in low-income housing and with an absent father and barely-there mother, Taylor struggled as a child and young adult. Add to these issues sexual abuse, drug addiction, a horrible car wreck, multiple suicide attempts, and crippling anxiety, and it's hard to imagine how he ever made it.
And yet, he not only persevered but has also used the memory and pain of these experiences to help other at-risk kids and poverty-stricken families day. Taylor is an author of educational journals for students, an entrepreneur, and a popular speaker who has made it his life's work to help students and teachers maximize their potential."Never accept the life given to you ... If you want to change it, you can actually change it;' he says.
Taylor has spoken to thousands upon thousands of people worldwide, inspiring them to be great and find their purpose in life. Through the magic of YouTube, he's motivated even more students and adults, with more than 8 million views of his videos. Taylor is also the founder of Y.B.Normal?, a organization that helps struggling youth in schools and implements curriculum and journal writing that focuses on social-emotional development. In addition, he leads community outreach events. One that he is particularly proud of is called Cut the Hate and Share the Love.
This annual outreach initiative provides haircuts, clothing and shoes, and hot meals for the homeless community and people less fortunate. Leaving an environment better than the way he found it is Taylor's goal. He is certified in Social Emotional Learning from the University of Colorado and ACEs certification Taylor is currently working to obtain a master's degree as a therapist. Dr. Martin Luther King said, "Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve and I am honored to be able to do my part. Logan Taylor has proven this to be true. He lives his life by the mantra of Y.B.Normal?, when you can be extraordinary.
More from Unapologetic Disrupter for Good Podcast
Ginger Healy, LCSW, brings more than 25 years of experience in trauma and attachment. She began her career as a child abuse investigator and hospital social worker before becoming a school therapist. For 15 years, she served as a social services supervisor at an international adoption agency, deepening her expertise in developmental trauma and attachment.
Julie Kurtz, M.S., LMFT is a renowned author and national speaker specializing in trauma-responsive, social-emotional, and resilience-building skills, particularly within educational settings ranging from early childhood to 12th grade. As the Founder and CEO of the Center for Optimal Brain Integration®, Julie is dedicated to amplifying the voices of those who have experienced toxic or traumatic stress, empowering both children and adults, and nurturing humane beings through intentional social-emotional learning and resilience strategies.
Beth Tyson, MA, is a childhood trauma therapist, children’s book author, and founder of Beth Tyson Trauma Consulting. She creates trauma-informed training, curriculum, and tools to help prevent and heal childhood trauma. She serves as the co-chair of the Pennsylvania Child Abuse Prevention team, volunteers as a CASA, but most importantly, she is a mom who is trying her best to break the cycle of trauma in her family.
Dr. Michael Gaskell is an author, speaker and principal in East Brunswick. He models the pursuit of lifelong learning as he mentors new principals through the New Jersey Leaders to Leaders (L2L) program. An NJPSA Stars recipient, presents on AI in the Classroom, at NJPSA/FEA and at Rutgers, has been published in over 6 dozen education journals and blogs, including ASCD Smartbrief, Tech & Learning, Education Post, eSchoolNews, NASSP, Edtech, currently writes a monthly column for ASCD Smartbrief, and made the most-read section of ASCD Smartbrief. Mike presents at national conferences, including the Learning and the Brain conference, November 2021; FETC January 2022,, January 2023 January 2024, January 2025, & 2026, CEC January 2023, NJCEC 2024 & 2023and ISTE June 2023. He has been on numerous podcasts including Larry Ferlazzo’s Education Week Classroom Q&A. Mike has published three books: Radical Principals, Leading Schools Through Trauma and Microstrategy Magic. Dr. Gaskell supports instructional excellence and student success for all.
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