Lori Woodley: The #1 Thing Kids Need from Adults Right Now

BREAKDOWN

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

[00:00] Welcome to SuperLife and sponsor intro
[05:21] Introducing Lori Woodley: School Counselor Advocate of the Year
[07:52] The gift of setbacks: how rejection led her to a career she loved
[09:34] Why surrendering control often opens doors we couldn’t imagine
[11:10] The pandemic’s impact on kids and why Lori started her nonprofit in 2010
[12:38] Early warning signs of mental health decline among kids
[13:52] How unrealistic expectations overwhelm educators and families
[16:01] Why Lori still believes in public schools — and how parents can advocate
[18:28] Educators aren’t mental health professionals… but they can still make a difference
[23:34] How one positive or negative comment from a teacher changes a child’s life
[25:39] Creating trusted spaces: why teachers must heal themselves too
[27:11] The “pity party” culture in staff rooms and how it spreads hopelessness
[29:07] Lori’s framework: Notice – Use – Act, and her book SEL Muscle Mastery
[35:39] Meeting people where they are, instead of “should-ing” on them
[40:26] Why autopilot keeps us stuck — and Lori’s “cross backwards” exercise
[44:03] Two steps forward: how small disruptions in routine spark transformation
[50:29] Tools for everyday life: don’t take things personally, radical accountability, noticing needs
[53:35] How appreciation styles can fracture relationships if misunderstood
[55:32] Why service-driven people struggle to receive recognition
[58:14] Hustle culture, shame, and learning to embrace rest
[01:06:10] The blame cycle between schools, parents, and kids
[01:07:24] Respect and care: why kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care
[01:12:00] Building belonging and attachment through simple daily gestures