Sometimes the hardest part of working with children isn’t their behavior — it’s what their behavior brings up in us.

In this deeply reflective episode of The Safe Space Podcast, I, Malakai, explore what happens when our unresolved triggers collide with a child’s trauma. Why do certain behaviors feel personal? Why do some moments hit harder than they should? And how can self-awareness transform the way we respond?

This episode challenges educators, mentors, caregivers, and leaders to examine their own emotional responses, regulate before correcting, and break cycles instead of repeating them. Because when trauma meets trauma, someone has to be grounded — and that someone is the adult in the room.

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Is it more important to be liked… or to be trusted?

In this episode of The Safe Space Podcast, I, Malakai, unpack the powerful difference between being a “popular” adult and being a truly safe one. While popularity is built on approval, safety is built on consistency, boundaries, and emotional security — and kids can feel the difference.

This conversation challenges mentors, educators, and caregivers to reflect on their leadership: Are we guiding children, or are we auditioning for their approval? You’ll learn why boundaries create security, how validation-seeking can quietly undermine authority, and what it really means to be a safe presence in a child’s life.

Because long after popularity fades, safety is what they remember.

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Have you ever watched a child grow quieter… not because they had nothing to say, but because they started to feel invisible?

In this powerful episode of The Safe Space Podcast, we explore how favoritism, comparison, and labeling can deeply shape a child’s confidence, identity, and sense of belonging. Children are always asking one silent question: “Do I matter here?” — and the way adults respond can influence how they see themselves for years to come.

Join myself, Malakai, as I unpack the subtle ways children can feel overlooked, why comparison can do more harm than motivation, and how labels often stick longer than we realize. More importantly, you’ll walk away with practical, intentional ways to help every child feel recognized, valued, and emotionally safe.

Because when kids feel seen… they begin to believe in who they can become.

All music provided by Loki on YouTube and JG's Barney Musical Arena on Youtube.

Not all children need the same things — and that doesn’t make them difficult or demanding. In this episode of The Safe Space Podcast, I, Malakai, explore why some kids need more attention and how that need is often rooted in safety, connection, and unmet emotional support.

This episode breaks down the difference between equality and equity, how unmet needs show up as behavior, and why labeling children as “attention-seeking” often misses the deeper message. You’ll learn how to respond with compassion while still maintaining healthy boundaries, and how intentional, consistent connection can change behavior over time.

If you work with kids who seem to need “a little extra,” this episode will help you see that need not as a problem — but as an opportunity to lead with empathy and purpose.

All music provided by "JG's Barney Musical Arena" and "Loki"

When kids lie, it’s easy to focus on the behavior — but the real story often runs much deeper. In this episode of The Safe Space Podcast, I, Malakai, explore why children lie and what fear is usually driving dishonesty.

This episode breaks down how adult reactions, punishment-based responses, and lack of emotional safety can unintentionally encourage lying. You’ll learn how to respond calmly, protect honesty, and guide children toward truth without shame or fear.

If you want kids to feel safe enough to tell the truth — even when it’s hard — this episode offers insight and practical tools to help honesty grow through trust, connection, and care.

All music provided by the extremely gifted "TheBarneyDesk" on Youtube! Thank you Desk!

Teaching kids responsibility doesn’t have to involve guilt, embarrassment, or fear. In this episode of The Safe Space Podcast, I, Malakai, break down how adults can guide accountability in ways that protect a child’s confidence and emotional safety.

This episode explores the difference between shame and responsibility, why kids often avoid owning mistakes, and how calm, reflective guidance helps children learn from their choices. You’ll hear practical strategies for encouraging honesty, using natural consequences, and teaching repair instead of punishment.

If you want kids to take responsibility without shutting down or hiding the truth, this episode offers tools to build accountability with care, clarity, and compassion.

All music provided by the wonderful "TheBarneyDesk!"

Why do some kids respond to guidance while others push back? In this episode of The Safe Space Podcast, I, Malakai explore a simple but powerful truth: real change begins with connection.

This episode breaks down why correction often fails without relationship, how disconnection shows up as behavior, and what it actually means to build trust with kids without losing boundaries. You’ll hear practical ways to create emotional safety, strengthen relationships, and guide behavior in a way that feels supportive instead of controlling.

If you work with kids and want your guidance to land with impact, this episode will remind you that connection isn’t optional — it’s the foundation for growth.

All music provided by the insanely gifted "TheBarneyDesk" on YouTube!

No adult gets it right all the time — and that’s okay. In this episode of The Safe Space Podcast, I, Malakai, talk about what truly matters after a hard moment with a child: repair.

This episode explores why repair is more powerful than perfection, how unaddressed moments can affect a child’s sense of safety, and how simple, sincere apologies can restore trust. You’ll learn what healthy repair looks like, what it is not, and how modeling accountability teaches kids emotional responsibility and resilience.

If you’ve ever walked away from a situation wishing you’d handled it differently, this episode will remind you that growth doesn’t come from never making mistakes — it comes from how we return, reconnect, and rebuild.

All music provided by the insanely talented Matthew Goldstein!