When you're at the end of your rope with parenting challenges that seem insurmountable, finding a beacon of hope is crucial. This episode of Legit Parenting welcomes the remarkable Gina He-man, who lights the way for parents grappling with the complexities of raising children impacted by trauma. With a heartfelt blend of personal insight and unwavering support, Gina reflects on her world and the creation of Trauma Drama University, which offers strategies and hope to those facing similar trials.

Parenting isn't a one-size-fits-all journey, Our conversation with Gina is a testament to the power of personalized parenting strategies that resonate with each unique child and situation and having the proper support.

Gina Heumann is a professor, author, speaker, designer, and founder & CEO of Trauma Drama University. In her day job, she is a professor of interior design at Rocky Mountain College or Art + Design.

​After adopting their boys from Guatemala, Gina & her husband were thrust into the eye of the trauma storm, realizing their youngest was neglected by his previous caregiver. After over a decade of researching and testing out a multitude of therapies and treatments, the family finally found the right combination of tools and began healing together. Now, a connected unit, the family is dedicated to sharing experiences, offering hope, and passing on what they've learned with the next generation of parents.

​The journey began in 2019, when Gina launched her book, Love Never Quits: Surviving & Thriving After Infertility, Adoption, and Reactive Attachment Disorder, winner of a gold seal from the prestigious Mom's Choice awards. In 2020, Gina spoke at TEDx Grand Junction about how "Childhood Trauma Affects Us All". As a curriculum designer, Gina began creating TDU's online courses during COVID and launched as an official non-profit in the Fall of 2022.

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In a world where the reality-altering temptation of substances beckons, we're peeling back the layers on teen experimentation and its cultural influences. We tackle the hard questions – like how to manage when you discover your teen may be vaping or using marijuana – with a focus on communication and understanding rather than anger. The the return of Steve Carleton, LCSW, CAS guides us through the warning signs of substance abuse and the delicate balance that must be struck within the family dynamic.

Wrapping up, we confront the heart-wrenching considerations of cannabis use linked to psychosis in youth and its impact on the developing brain. The stakes are high, and the decisions tough, but with an emphasis on 'good enough' parenting, we reaffirm that the strategies once effective in early childhood retain their power during the teenage years.

LCSW, CAS - Chief Clinical Officer

Steve Carleton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Addictions Specialist. He has been practicing in the field of substance use, trauma, and mental health since 2007. Steve is a leader in the mental and health substance space, an individual therapist, spokesperson, facilitator, and expert witness. Steve is a professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. He provided 10 years of service for the Department of Veterans Affairs and was the Chief Clinical Officer for Gallus Detox, a cutting-edge medical drug and alcohol detox facility.
https://porchlighthealth.com/

Navigating modern parenting, Dr. Andrea Mata, Ph.D joins our crew, sharing her knowledge from the front lines of clinical child psychology and tips from her new book The No. 2 Parenting Book: Practical Tips for the Pooped Out Parent. Dr. Mata guides us through strategies to ward off the exhaustion that tip the balance of parental sanity. We reflect on the idea that reaching for "just good enough" is worth more than gold in parenting, and how instilling independence and setting consequences are essential navigational tools for guiding our children's growth and maintaining our own mental health.

About our guest. Dr. Andrea Mata, the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, grew up in a gang infested neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. At 11 years old, her life dramatically changed, and it fueled a desire to become a clinical child psychologist who specializes in treating antisocial and aggressive behaviors in children and teens in the hopes that other families would never experience what she went through. In 2021, she left a tenured position to live out her life’s mission of fortifying families by starting BrightSpot Families where she creates and delivers customized workshops on individual coping, relationships, and parenting skills. In 2023, she delivered a powerful TEDx talk, titled From Murder to Mission: How I Found My Life’s Calling, that’s available on YouTube.