Raising Our Gifted Children past shows

RG26-29. Mike Canfield ED– Trouble? Take It On

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Raising Our Gifted Children with Sara Troy and her guest Mike Canfield. On air from July 21st

My passion is helping children and families navigate life’s challenges in ways that build hope, resilience, and healthy relationships. Through stories, coloring books, and practical skill-building activities, I translate complex concepts such as emotions, behavior, trauma, and personal responsibility into language that children can understand and use. By bringing adults and children together through storytelling and creative activities, I create opportunities for meaningful conversations that strengthen connections and support positive growth. My work is designed to help families recognize that problems do not define who they are, and that with support, practice, and encouragement, every child and family has the ability to overcome challenges and build a brighter future.

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My journey began in 1983 when my wife Beth and I became house parents for teenage boys who needed stability, guidance, and a place to belong. What started as a commitment to care for a few young people grew into a lifelong mission of supporting children and families facing adversity. Over the years, I served as a Child and Family Therapist, became a Washington State Aggression Replacement Training Trainer and Consultant, and took on leadership roles advocating for foster, adoptive, kinship, and biological families throughout Washington State. These experiences taught me that lasting change happens through relationships, practical skills, and the belief that every person has strengths that can be developed.

Today, as the Executive Director of Family Success Northwest, I continue that mission by creating trainings, conferences, books, and resources that help families build stronger connections and healthier futures. Behind the professional titles, I am a husband, caregiver, mentor, author, and lifelong learner who believes that people grow best when they feel understood, supported, and empowered. My work is deeply personal because it is rooted in decades of walking alongside children, parents, and caregivers as they navigate life’s challenges and discover their own resilience and potential.

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https://familysuccessnw.org/#

facebook.com/familysuccessnw

alignable.com/bremerton-wa/family-success-northwest

facebook.com/mikecanfield55

linkedin.com/company/family-success-northwest

instagram.com/familysuccessnw

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All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation and subscribe. Thank you.

Please join Our Forgotten Seniors anthology and help to bring this book to awareness.

RG26-18. Dr Susan Blumberg & Marriage with a Neurodivergent Child

Self Discovery Wisdom Podcast

Raising Our Gifted Children with Sara Troy and her guest Dr Susan Blumberg, on air from May 5th

Today, we’re opening a conversation that touches the heart of many homes, the delicate dance between communication, relationships, and the realities of raising a neurodivergent child within a marriage.

There’s a common belief that having a child with special needs automatically places a marriage under greater strain, even leading to higher divorce rates. But the truth is more nuanced than that. It isn’t the child who defines the outcome—it’s how the couple chooses to walk the journey together.

When communication remains open, when both partners feel seen, heard, and supported, the relationship can deepen in ways never imagined. The challenge then becomes not just caring for the child, but consciously nurturing the partnership, making space for connection, understanding, and shared resilience.

This is about balance… about choosing each other as much as you choose your child, and recognizing that a strong relationship becomes one of the greatest gifts you can offer your family.

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I’m a married mother of two young adult, twice-exceptional children. I’ve lived in Colorado for over 40 years, but I still think of myself as a New Yorker!

My background in cognitive behavioral therapy informs my work as a life coach, as I help people set goals, plan their journey, and achieve success. I worked as a licensed clinical psychologist for over 20 years, in mental health agencies, in private practice, and for the federal government overseeing child welfare and adoption services in the Rocky Mountain region. This has given me a solid and varied background, and extensive level of experience.

Working as a special education advocate for 40 years means I have honed my skills as a negotiator, my ability to collaborate, and my understanding of being a team member. I always put your child first. I have training from the Arc, Wrightslaw, and I was a member of COPAA, the Council Of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. I have sat on both sides of the IEP table, as a professional and a parent, which gives me an unique perspective. Though I am not currrently taking new clients, I am available for consultation as needed.

I am also the coauthor of multiple books, including Fighting for Your Marriage (2010, Markman, Stanley & Blumberg), 12 Hours to a Great Marriage (2003, Markman, Stanley & Blumberg) and Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: a family guide to understanding and supporting your sensory-sensitive child (2006, Auer & Blumberg).

University of Denver, MA, 1983; PhD, 1991 Brandeis University, BA, 1980.

Certified Neurodiversity Professional

Certified Autism Professional

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Susan’s last show

RGC26-15. Dr. Susan L. Blumberg, Ph.D. & Neurodivergences

Free Gift stressless.drsusanblumberg.com

https://drsusanblumberg.com

https://drsusanblumberg.com/contact-us

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-l-blumberg-phd

https://www.facebook.com/susan.blumberg

https://www.instagram.com/drsusancoaching

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All my links can be found on linktr.ee/saratroy

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RGC26-15. Dr. Susan L. Blumberg, Ph.D. & Neurodivergences

Self Discovery Wisdom Podcast

Raising Our Gifted Children with Sara Troy and her guest Dr. Susan L. Blumberg, Ph,D. On air from April April 14th

I help families go from chaos and conflict to mutual trust, respect and connection, and help teens become the successful, independent adults they are meant to be. I help all teens,  but love working with neurodivergent and twice exceptional teens.

I also specialize in working with youth and adults with Nonverbal Learning Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

I am passionate about helping people reach their goals. For over thirty years, my goal has been to help children, adolescents, adults, and families to overcome stress, anxiety, depression and other obstacles to find joy and success in their own lives. Why? Because working with families and individuals to achieve their life goals is my goal in life! I find great satisfaction in supporting my clients through their tough times, in helping them think through issues, and in resolving emotional and behavioral problems.

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I’m a married mother of two young adult, twice-exceptional children. I’ve lived in Colorado for over 40 years, but I still think of myself as a New Yorker!

My background in cognitive behavioral therapy informs my work as a life coach, as I help people set goals, plan their journey, and achieve success. I worked as a licensed clinical psychologist for over 20 years, in mental health agencies, in private practice, and for the federal government overseeing child welfare and adoption services in the Rocky Mountain region. This has given me a solid and varied background, and extensive level of experience.

Working as a special education advocate for 40 years means I have honed my skills as a negotiator, my ability to collaborate, and my understanding of being a team member. I always put your child first. I have training from the Arc, Wrightslaw, and I was a member of COPAA, the Council Of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. I have sat on both sides of the IEP table, as a professional and a parent, which gives me an unique perspective. Though I am not currrently taking new clients, I am available for consultation as needed.

I am also the coauthor of multiple books, including Fighting for Your Marriage (2010, Markman, Stanley & Blumberg), 12 Hours to a Great Marriage (2003, Markman, Stanley & Blumberg) and Parenting a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: a family guide to understanding and supporting your sensory-sensitive child (2006, Auer & Blumberg).

University of Denver, MA, 1983; PhD, 1991 Brandeis University, BA, 1980.

AMAZON

Free Gift stressless.drsusanblumberg.com

https://drsusanblumberg.com

https://drsusanblumberg.com/contact-us

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-l-blumberg-phd

https://www.facebook.com/susan.blumberg

https://www.instagram.com/drsusancoaching

FIND MORE SHOWS OF ILLUMINATION HERE

All my links can be found on linktr.ee/saratroy

BE OUR GUEST AND SHARE THE WISDOM

Self Discovery Wisdom is sustained by those who believe in conscious conversation. If this episode resonated with you, subscribe and, if you feel called, make a donation. Your support helps us keep amplifying voices that inspire growth, courage, and compassion. Thank you.

RG25-43. Louise Wannier’s TREE SPIRITS.

Self Discovery Wisdom Podcast

Raising Our Gifted Children with Sara Troy and her guest Louise Wannier, on air from October 28th

Visual artist and photographer, Louise Wannier, author of the new children’s book TREE SPIRITS AROUND THE WORLD. Louise talks about inspiring children to open their imaginations and connect more meaningfully with the world around them; a call to get away from the constant screen time and get outside and explore nature.

Her years behind the camera taught her to notice the quiet details—light, texture, and emotion—and that same attentiveness soon sparked a desire to tell stories beyond the frame. What began as a creative outlet with a camera eventually blossomed into writing a children’s book, beautifully illustrated with her own photography. Her goal is to keep young readers happily engaged while nurturing both their imagination and their essential life skills. Through nature-inspired imagery and playful rhyming text, her book encourages children to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with the feelings of each tree spirit they encounter.

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LOUISE WANNIER is an author, artist, and creative entrepreneur. As a visual artist and photographer, she attempts to capture and present the energy and spirit she observes and feels in our complex world. Her work has been exhibited at galleries and museums nationwide and appeared in the book Less Clutter More Life. She has built four companies and advised many others in industries from Education Technology to Fashion Design and is currently creating her own textile art prints and collections for fashion and the home under the label LOUIS JANE™. A graduate of the Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising in Textile Design, she also holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School and a BS in Astronomy from the California Institute of Technology. She feels very fortunate to be “Safta” to nine grandchildren.

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LouiseWannier.com 

https://www.instagram.com/treespiritsbook

https://www.facebook.com/TreeSpiritsBook

https://ca.pinterest.com/treespiritsbook

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ll of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support. Thank you. Please support Our Forgotten Seniors anthology and help to bring this book to awareness.

RGC25-39. Fiona and Molly McIntosh. U Shape Us

Sara Troy

Raising Our Gifted Children with Sara Troy and her guests Fiona & Molly McIntosh, on air from September 30th

U Shape Us: The power of imagination to turn ideas into friendships

So many of our children carry creative gifts that go unseen. I first noticed this with my daughter Molly, when we used a simple imagination game to help her make friends. From that moment grew U Shape Us—our mother–daughter social enterprise creating playful imagination games to spark creativity, connection, and belonging across generations. Each time a child shares an idea and sees it welcomed, it builds self-esteem and the deeper belief: “I am someone whose ideas matter. I am creative.” Parents, grandparents, and teachers often tell us they’ve discovered a new side of their children through these games, as ideas turn into friendships and voices are heard. At its heart, our message is simple: you belong where your ideas are welcomed.

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Molly and her mum Fiona McIntosh co-founded U Shape Us, a social enterprise based in Canberra, Australia using imagination games to build belonging. What began when Molly was just six years old—with a simple game that helped her make friends during a difficult time—has grown into games now reaching families, schools, and communities across the world. Today, Molly plays an active role in shaping and running the enterprise, bringing fresh creativity, lived experience, and the voice of a young person showing what it means to belong. Fiona, a solo mum with a background in human services, community development and inclusion, works alongside Molly to bring the games to life and share them widely. Together, they are proving how simple, playful ideas can ripple out to create lasting confidence, connection and community.

20 sec version : Fiona and her daughter Molly McIntosh are the co-founders of U Shape Us, a social enterprise from Canberra, Australia. What started when Molly was six years old as a simple game to help her make friends has now grown into imagination-based card games reaching families, schools, and communities around the world. Together, they’re proving how playful ideas can spark creativity, build confidence, and turn ideas into friendships.

www.ushapeus.com.au

www.instagram.com/ushape_us

www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-mcintosh-

facebook.com/ushapeus22

https://linktr.ee/ushapeus

FIND MORE SHOWS OF ILLUMINATION HERE

Discover the sites we share on linktr.ee/saratroy

BE OUR GUEST AND SHARE THE WISDOM

All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support. Thank you. Please support Our Forgotten Seniors anthology and help to bring this book to awareness.