Regulated & Relational

Ep 83: Being Safe Enough Not to Bully

Regulated & Relational

Show Notes

Listen in as Julie and Ginger talk to Ginger Lewman about Bullying.

Ginger Lewman is a national consultant & keynote speaker with ESSDACK, a non-profit education service center based in Hutchinson Kansas. She holds a Master of Science in Psychology and Special Education and Gifted Education, With 30 years in education, she inspires and helps all levels of educators figure out the hard hurdles for innovative teaching and learning.

Why do people bully? There are many reasons but Ginger boils it down to the messages we hear as kids and feeling a lack of safety, dignity and/or belonging.

Ginger encourages us to get upstream and gives great strategies and tools and states that these and other tools are best utilized in an environment steeped daily in the foundation of the science of trauma and resilience-building and utilizing restorative practices whenever conflict arises anywhere.

“Once we become unafraid of our own stories, we all become safer.” ~ Steve Halley

Resources:

www.stopbullying.gov

https://www.essdack.org/

Peaceful Schools and Families: https://www.essdack.org/psf

Favorite takeaways:

It is difficult work for someone who is hurt, for someone who has hurt other people to move toward conflict. They’ve got to listen to them and they can only do that if I feel safe.

When we’re talking about bringing people into circle toward conflict this is an opportunity for each person to examine what their role has been. It’s not just “you did it”, it’s “we are experiencing this and this is not good for any of us in our community, this isn’t about you just cleaning up what you did wrong”. It’s all of us.

More from Regulated & Relational

Oct 20, 2026

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, Ginger and Julie explore key concepts from 7½ Lessons About the Brain by neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett. Drawing from Barrett's research, they examine how many of her findings align with attachment-focused and trauma-informed principles, particularly in understanding how the brain manages energy, uses past experiences to predict future outcomes, develops through relationships, and continually adapts to its environment. While some of Barrett's conclusions challenge traditional views of brain development, emotion, and regulation, her work offers thought-provoking perspectives that invite listeners to reconsider how the brain truly functions. “Nobel medicine prize goes to 3 scientists for shining light on brain activity” - AP Newshttps://tinyurl.com/54bayecc 7½ Lessons About the Brain:

Oct 6, 2026

When you hear the word calm, what comes to mind? Sitting still? Being quiet? Not reacting?

Sep 22, 2026

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, Julie Beem and Ginger Healy explore anxiety through an attachment-focused and trauma-informed lens. Together, they discuss how worry, avoidance, emotional numbness, and perfectionism often develop as protective coping strategies, while also examining how these strategies can unintentionally keep us disconnected from ourselves and others.

Sep 8, 2026

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, Ginger Healy and Tracy Leonard welcome nationally recognized special education advocate, speaker, author, and trainer Karen Mayer Cunningham, also known as The Special Education Boss®. With over 30 years of experience supporting students with disabilities, families, educators, advocates, and school systems, Karen brings a unique blend of expertise, humor, and compassion to the conversation. As a USA Today National Bestselling Author of The Epic IEP™, Karen has become a leading voice in helping families and professionals navigate special education services and achieve meaningful outcomes for students. Our hosts explore with Karen the importance of collaboration, advocacy, communication, and student-centered supports within the special education process along with practical insights for families and educators who sit at the IEP and 504 table for creating stronger relationships and better educational outcomes for children. Karen's mission is simple but powerful: when we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone. Quotes:“All kids are RA - Ridiculously Amazing” KMC “The hardest people to teach are adult learners” KMC Official Website Special Education Academy Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham Apple Podcasts: Special Education Boss® Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Aug 25, 2026

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, hosts Tracy Leonard and Lorraine Schneider welcome Dr. Roberts Anda, co-founder and principal investigator of the groundbreaking Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. For more than two decades, Dr. Anda's work has transformed our understanding of how early adversity impacts physical health, mental health, education, relationships, and lifespan outcomes. As one of the architects of the original ACE Study, he helped shine a light on the profound connection between childhood experiences and adult well-being, sparking a global movement toward trauma-informed practices. Today, Dr. Anda reflects on the origins of the ACE Study, the unexpected reach of its findings, and the evolution of trauma-informed approaches across healthcare, education, social services, and communities. He also shares insights into where the field is headed next and his continued vision for creating a trauma-informed nation. ACE Interface: https://www.aceinterface.com

See all episodes →