In this episode, Gina Simm returns to Language of Life to delve deeper into the transformative power of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in classrooms and homes. Building on her book Heart to Heart: Three Systems for Staying Connected, Gina shares insights into family meetings and the importance of empathy in problem-solving.

Join Gina and host Nate Guadagni as they explore the art of connection and the profound impact of empathy on relationships.

Tools discussed in this episode:

• Heart to Heart Book & Empathy Cards for Kids

• Family meetings can foster empathy and understanding in both home and classroom settings.

• Teaching NVC principles enhances communication and connection.
• Empathy and connection are more effective than problem-solving alone in addressing conflicts.

Gina offers workshops, coaching, and resources for those eager to integrate NVC into their lives.

Website: www.teachingfromyourheart.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginasimmcreator

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.simm.9

About the Host:

Nate Guadagni is an NVC based Life Coach with over 15 years of experience in coaching and group facilitation. He is also a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Qigong⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher, the founder of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bo Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an accessible yoga system and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Balance for Life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a senior fitness program.

1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DOWNLOAD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the NVC Template Pack here:

• The Magic Formula - 4 Step NVC Process

• List of Basic Needs We All Have

• Feelings When Your Needs Are Not Satisfied

• Feelings When Your Needs Are Satisfied

• Free Templates, Coaching, & Resources: ⁠Language of Life Website⁠
• NVC Teaching Videos - ⁠YouTube⁠
• Apply to be a guest on the Podcast - Free NVC Coaching
• Books and Trainings - ⁠CNVC Official Website

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background

01:34 Exploring Family Meetings and Empathy

06:12 The Wheel of Choice in Action

09:12 Empowering Children with Choices

12:40 The Role of Empathy in Conflict Resolution

20:22 Integrating NVC into Daily Life

24:26 The Three Systems in 'Heart to Heart'

27:04 Building Connections through Empathy

30:04 Practical Tools for Parents and Educators

33:14 Teaching Requests and Needs

36:29 The Spiritual Dimension of NVC

38:02 Transforming Relationships and Communities

49:06 Workshops, Coaching, and Resources

Most of us are trapped in the cycle of labels—using diagnoses and judgments as weapons instead of tools for genuine understanding and healing.

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Yvette Erasmus, a certified NVC trainer, clinical psychologist, author, and host of the podcast Conversations from the Heart. Her work seamlessly combines neuroscience, mindfulness, and social-emotional skills to help individuals and organizations thrive.

Website: https://yvetteerasmus.com/

With over 20 years of experience guiding a community of over 2,000 members from conflict to connection, she reveals how nonviolent communication (NVC) offers a revolutionary way to shift from blame and critique to compassion, connection, and real transformation.

In this eye-opening episode, Yvette shares her inspiring journey from high school teacher in Bali to NVC trainer and clinical psychologist, highlighting how these tools can bridge cultural gaps and foster more empathetic relationships—whether with students, clients, or our own families.

Discover how she’s integrating NVC with systems like education, psychology, and even community building, all rooted in the profound understanding that labels are snapshots, not definitions of our identity. You'll learn concrete strategies to transform critique into curiosity—sometimes as simple as swapping the red pen for a yellow highlighter—and how to build relational safety in difficult moments.

We break down:

• How to navigate diagnosis without falling into judgment or stigmatization
• The power of subjective experience and personal authority in communication
• Practical parenting tools for fostering autonomy and trust with children
• Ways to hold boundaries with kindness and presence in challenging situations
• The importance of cultivating curiosity over authority in creating cultural change

This episode is a vital listen for anyone tired of the blame game, yearning for authentic connection, or eager to unlock the true magic of empathy.

Whether you’re a parent, therapist, educator, or curious human, you’ll walk away with tools to foster a more compassionate and resilient world—one conversation at a time.

Hit play and start transforming your interactions today.

0:01 Introduction

0:42 Yvette's Path to NVC

2:04 Implementing NVC in Education

3:26 Transition to Clinical Psychology

5:28 The Role of Diagnosis

12:20 Challenges of Applying NVC

25:20 Parenting with NVC

36:05 Yvette's Courses and Offerings

44:08 Conclusion

About the Host:

Nate Guadagni is an NVC based Life Coach with over 15 years of experience in coaching and group facilitation. He is also a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Qigong⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher, the founder of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bo Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an accessible yoga system and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Balance for Life⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a senior fitness program.

1) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DOWNLOAD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the NVC Template Pack here:

• The Magic Formula - 4 Step NVC Process

• List of Basic Needs We All Have

• Feelings When Your Needs Are Not Satisfied

• Feelings When Your Needs Are Satisfied

"Empathy is the bridge to understanding and connection."

Chris Hartstein, author of 'An Inside Story' and creator of the Empathy Doll, shares her journey into Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and its application with children. In her book, she offers readers a profound and deeply intimate exploration of the human experience through her compelling narrative, and in this episode, she discusses the transformative power of empathy dolls and storytelling in helping kids express their feelings and needs. Chris introduces the concept of using tangible tools like empathy dolls to facilitate emotional understanding and connection. Her book 'An Inside Story' is aimed at young children, providing them with the language and tools to navigate their emotions.

In this conversation, Chris Hartstein and Nate Guadagni explore the profound impact of empathy and connection in nurturing emotional intelligence in children. They emphasize the importance of addressing feelings and needs to foster genuine connections. Chris offers workshops and resources for parents and educators interested in integrating NVC into their interactions with children.

Website: Chris Hartstein's Website

About the Host: Nate Guadagni is an NVC-based Life Coach with over 15 years of experience in coaching and group facilitation. He is also a Qigong teacher, the founder of Bo Yoga, an accessible yoga system, and Balance for Life, a senior fitness program.

DOWNLOAD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the NVC Template Pack here:

• Free Templates, Coaching, & Resources: Language of Life Website
• NVC Teaching Videos - YouTube
• Apply to be a guest on the Podcast - Free NVC Coaching
• Books and Trainings - CNVC Official Website

• 
  

• Empathy dolls can be a powerful tool for emotional understanding and connection.
• Storytelling provides children with a language to express their feelings and needs.
• Teaching NVC principles explicitly can create a supportive environment for emotional growth.
• Focusing on empathy and connection is more effective than solely problem-solving in nurturing emotional intelligence.
• The intention to connect is the ultimate goal in addressing emotional needs with children.
• Chris Hartstein offers workshops and resources for parents and educators interested in implementing NVC.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:00 Discovering NVC and the Empathy Doll

06:00 Using Empathy Dolls in Emotional Sessions

10:00 The Power of Storytelling with Children

15:00 Facilitating Emotional Understanding

20:00 The Impact of 'An Inside Story'

25:00 Conclusion and Resources