In this episode, Dr. Robert Sege and Dr. Baraka Floyd are joined by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California's first-ever Surgeon General. The conversation explores the profound impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress, alongside the biological healing power of positive childhood experiences (PCEs). Through a compelling patient story, Dr. Burke Harris illustrates how buffering care—like child-parent psychotherapy—can reverse the effects of trauma and promote healthy growth. The hosts also discuss the importance of recognizing discrimination as a risk factor for toxic stress and emphasize that positive childhood experiences are essential for all children.

For more on the HOPE framework, visit positiveexperience.org.

Continuing their conversation, Dr. Robert Sege, Dr. Baraka Floyd, and guest Dr. Bruce Perry discuss using the HOPE framework in practical, everyday ways to interact with children. They highlight how brief, in-person moments of connection can calm stress responses and support healthy development. Practical takeaways include the four P's (present, parallel, patient, persistent), the power of proximity and social contagion, simple activities, and the "bubble of effectiveness" strategy to combat burnout and maximize impact, even in short encounters.

For more on the HOPE framework, visit positiveexperience.org.