In this first-ever listener question episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, we’re diving into something so many of us quietly carry:

👉 How do you start taking care of yourself when everyone else is used to you taking care of them?

Heather asks a powerful question about navigating self-care as a midlife mom, partner, and eldest daughter—and what it means to shift long-standing patterns of overgiving.

We also explore:

• Why your nervous system feels “stretched” (the rubber band effect)
• How self-care is actually modeling, not selfishness
• What it looks like to reclaim time without guilt
• The power of predictability and communication when setting boundaries
• How to begin saying “no” when you’ve never been shown how

PLUS:
A second listener question on how to stay grounded when your kids’ emotions feel like a rollercoaster—and what co-regulation actually looks like in real life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognize when you’re over-functioning
• Why boundaries feel uncomfortable (and why that’s normal)
• Practical ways to “dose” regulation into your daily life
• How to stay steady when others are not

Key Takeaway:
Taking care of yourself doesn’t take away from others—it allows you to show up safer, steadier, and more present.

Have a question you want answered on the podcast?

📩 Email me: stacy@gobeyou.org

In this episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, I’m taking you inside one of the most powerful professional experiences I’ve had in years—the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium.

After four days immersed in learning from leaders like Dr. Bruce Perry, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, and Dr. Dan Siegel, I walked away with insights that don’t just apply to clinicians—they apply to all of us.

We’re talking about:

• The connection between trauma and what you consume (yes, even food)
• Why some of your habits may actually be protecting your nervous system
• The truth about ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and why this is a public health issue
• What therapists get wrong—and what actually helps people heal
• How dissociation shows up in everyday life
• Why relationships—not techniques—are the real drivers of change
• The hidden cost of over-functioning and burnout
• Two powerful questions to ask yourself:
  • What am I tolerating?
  • Where am I over-functioning?

This episode is both personal and professional—pulling back the curtain on what I’m learning, how I’m applying it, and what it means for you.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, clinician, veteran, or just someone doing the work of becoming more aware—this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaway:
You don’t need to be in therapy to have healing experiences—but you do need to understand your nervous system.

Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast?

📩 Email me at: stacy@gobeyou.org

What does it really mean to teach in rural America?

In this episode of Chitty Chats with Stacy, Stacy shares reflections from her recent travels to small communities in Montana and Colorado and dives into the unique realities of rural education. In many rural schools, educators wear multiple hats—teacher, coach, counselor, mentor, and sometimes the only consistent support system a child has.

With limited resources and fewer specialists available, rural educators often have to rely on their own understanding of child development, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed practices to support students.

Stacy explores:

• Why understanding brain development is critical for educators today
• How stress cycles impact student behavior and learning
• Why many of today’s children are arriving at school with developmental delays
• The importance of educators understanding their own nervous systems
• How rural schools can creatively support students even with limited resources
• Why involving the community and parents matters more than ever

Rural schools face challenges that many people don’t fully understand—but they also have unique opportunities to build connection, creativity, and resilience.

Whether you are an educator, parent, or community member, this episode offers insights into how we can better support kids and the adults who show up for them every day.

If you live or work in rural America, this conversation is for you.