What does a worn-out pair of ballet slippers have to do with emotional development, attachment theory, and raising resilient kids? More than you might think.

In this week's Beyond the Stories, host Rita sits down with Sophie Pierce — the real-life dance teacher who inspired Sophie's Slippers — and Rebecca Callahan, a marriage and family therapist in training. Together, they unpack the layers beneath the story: what transitional objects really mean for children, how we as caregivers can sit with big feelings instead of rushing past them, and why the magic we try to give our kids has always lived inside them.

IN THIS EPISODE

The conversation moves from attachment theory to real-life parenting moments — including a moving story about a lost cat named Iris, a family ritual on a balcony, and how one five-year-old's perspective shifted grief into something unexpectedly beautiful. Rita, Sophie, and Rebecca explore:

- What a transitional object is — and why losing one matters more than we think

- How our culture conditions us to move on too fast, and what that costs our children

- The difference between fixing feelings and truly being with a child in them

- Why children's books work so differently than words from a parent

- What empathy actually looks like in practice (hint: it's not fixing or doing)

- How emotional capacity — not credentials — is what will make our kids stand out

---

MEET THE GUESTS

Sophie Pierce

Dance teacher, studio owner, and the real inspiration behind Sophie's Slippers. Sophie grew up with two kindergarten teacher parents who modeled unconditional love, creativity, and the belief that every child carries a light worth finding. She brings that same spirit to her dance studio, which teaches students from 18 months through 18 years old.

Rebecca Callahan

Marriage and family therapist trainee and mother. Rebecca explores how attachment theory, transitional objects, and emotional co-regulation show up in everyday parenting — and how the stories we read with our children can become powerful tools for connection, empathy, and growth.

"People are not going to remember what you're wearing, where you went to school, or how many degrees you have. But they will remember how you made them feel." — Rita & Sophie

COMING UP

Stay tuned for more episodes of Once Upon a Feeling and Beyond the Stories. Each week, a new story, a new conversation, and new tools for the caregivers raising the next generation.

🌟 EXPLORE THE GOOSHI WORLD

Free expert-reviewed digital stories and resources to help families support children through big feelings and life's transitions. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the Gooshi app.

👉 linktr.ee/gooshi_world

💌 WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

Did this episode resonate with you? Have a topic you'd love us to explore, or feedback to share? Send us a message — we read every one.

Are you a children's book author, early childhood educator, child psychologist, or family therapist? We'd love to have you on the show. Reach out through our links — we'd be honored to have your voice in this conversation.

👉 linktr.ee/gooshi_world

#transitionalobjects #childrensemotionalhealth #parentingpodcast #attachmenttheory #socialemotionallearning #earlychildhoodeducation #bigfeelings #empathy #onceuponafeeling #gooshi #childdevelopment #consciousparenting #storiesforchildren

What happens when a child loses the thing they love most — the toy, the blanket, the worn-out pair of shoes that made them feel like themselves? In this episode, we explore transitional objects, big feelings, and the beautiful truth that the magic children believe lives in their treasured items has always lived inside them. This week's story, Sophie's Slippers, captures that journey with warmth, imagination, and a powerful message for kids and caregivers alike.

---

IN THIS EPISODE

Sophie's dance slippers are tattered, torn — and absolutely magical. They fly her to outer space, turn her into a dinosaur, and make her feel bigger, bolder, and braver than ever before. But one morning, they're gone, replaced by a perfect shiny new pair. Sophie is heartbroken. Without her slippers, she believes her magic is gone too.

It takes a mother's gentle wisdom — and one more breath, one more try — for Sophie to discover the truth: the magic was never in the shoes. It was hers all along.

---

STORY DETAILS

Written by: Kelly Gary

Illustrated by: Michaela Jean

Read by: Malina Besla

---

COMING UP — BEYOND THE STORIES

Rita sits down with Sophie — the dancer behind the story — and Rebecca, a marriage and family therapist in training and a mother herself. Together they unpack the concept of the transitional object: what it means developmentally, how children experience loss and change, and how parents and early childhood educators can best support little ones through those hard moments.

🌟 EXPLORE THE GOOSHI WORLD

Stories, tools, and resources thoughtfully designed to help families support children through big feelings and life's transitions. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the Gooshi app.

👉 linktr.ee/gooshi_world

💌 WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

Have feedback about the show? A story that moved you, a topic you'd love us to explore? Send us a message — we read every one.

Are you a children's book author, early childhood professional, or family therapist? We'd love to have you on the show. Reach out and let's talk.

👉 linktr.ee/gooshi_world

#childrensemotionalhealth #transitionalobjects #parentingpodcast #storiesforchildren #earlychildhoodeducation #socialemotionallearning #onceuponafeeling #gooshi

When Mom Goes Out — Parenting Guilt, Big Feelings, and Raising Emotionally Aware Kids

What happens to a family's emotional world when mom isn't there? And why does leaving — even for an hour — trigger such a loud alarm in so many parents?

In this episode of Beyond the Stories, Rita sits down with Dr. Anna Huang — licensed therapist, Chinese-American mom, and founder of The Mindful Peach — to explore the emotional landscape of modern parenting, from the science of parental guilt to the books she wrote because the ones she needed simply didn't exist.

Dr. Anna brings both clinical expertise and her own lived experience as a new mom to a conversation that is honest, grounding, and full of warmth.

What you'll hear in this episode:
— Why parental guilt is a biological alarm — not a sign you're doing it wrong
— The "24/7 available parent" myth and why it's harming families
— How dads can build their own irreplaceable bond with their kids
— Why children need parents to have their own special roles — not identical ones
— How The Mindful Peach came to life — and the gap in children's literature it was built to fill
— What the Eden's Big Feelings bilingual book series is, and who it's for
— Why emotional literacy in toddlers starts with colorful, joyful books — not definitions

This episode pairs beautifully with the story episode featuring "When Mom Goes Out." Listen to both — the conversation and the story work together.

Dr. Anna Huang is a licensed therapist in private practice and the founder of The Mindful Peach, a family wellness brand dedicated to helping families become more emotionally aware. She is the author of the Eden's Big Feelings bilingual children's book series — covering the six primary emotions for toddlers ages 2–6, available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and more. She lives with her husband and daughter and launched The Mindful Peach two years ago.

🎧 New episodes every other Tuesday 

✍️ Author or professional? Reach out — we want to feature you.

💬 Parents & caregivers — drop your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

📍 Instagram: @themindfulpeach.co
🌐 Website: https://www.mindfulpeach.co/
📚 Books: Available at themindfulpeach.co and Amazon

That heavy feeling in your tummy when mom or dad has to leave. What do you do with it? And what if someone told you it was completely okay to feel it?

In this episode of Once Upon a Feeling, Rita's daughter Annatina reads "When Mom Goes Out" — a children's book written by Dr. Anna Huang, clinical psychologist and co-founder of The Mindful Peach. It's a story about Eden, a little girl who feels sad when mom has to go, and how she and dad find their own adventure while she's away.

After the story, Rita sits down with Annatina for a real conversation — one kid to the world — about what it actually feels like when a parent leaves, what helps, and how she's learned that goodbyes don't have to be scary.

What you'll hear in this episode:
— Annatina reads "When Mom Goes Out" aloud, in full
— What it feels like in your body when someone you love leaves (Annatina's answer will stay with you)
— The gray bunny, the special goodbye, and other real tools kids use
— How tracking a plane together can turn worry into connection
— Why one parent leaving can also mean a different kind of fun
— The one piece of advice Annatina has for any child who misses their mom or dad

This episode is Part 1 of a two-part experience. Next up: Rita interviews Dr. Anna Huang herself — the psychologist and mom behind the story — to explore what's really going on in your child's mind when sadness hits, why parental guilt is biological, and how emotional literacy starts earlier than you think. Listen to both. The story and the science belong together.

"When Mom Goes Out" is part of the Eden's Big Feelings series by The Mindful Peach — bilingual children's books covering the six primary emotions, for toddlers and kids ages 2–6. Available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and more.

🎧 New episodes every other Tuesday 

✍️ Author or professional? Reach out — we want to feature you.

💬 Parents & caregivers — drop your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

https://linktr.ee/gooshi_world

🌐 The Mindful Peach:mindfulpeach.co

📚 Books: Available mindfulpeach.co and Amazon

📍 Instagram: @mindfulpeach.co

How Children Grieve — and How to Talk About It

What does grief actually look like in a child? And how do you talk about death, loss, and big feelings with kids who don't have the words yet? 

In this episode of Beyond the Stories, Rita sits down with Jessica Correnti— certified child life specialist, bereaved mom, and author of the ABCs of Grief series — to explore one of the most avoided conversations in parenting.

Jessica has spent 14 years working in pediatric intensive care units before building her own grief support practice. 

She brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to a conversation that is honest, warm, and surprisingly hopeful.

What you'll hear in this episode:

— Why children process grief through play, not words — The myth that we need to protect young kids from death and loss — How to use books as an entry point for hard conversations — What "grief bubbles" are — and why your child isn't doing grief wrong — The red flags that mean a child needs extra support — Why grief is not just about death — and how to help kids name ALL their losses — How to show your own emotions without making your child your caretaker

This episode pairs with the Once Upon a Feeling story episode on the same theme. Listen in order — the magic is in both together.

Jessica Correnti is a certified child life specialist, bereaved mom, and author of the ABCs of Grief book series. She spent 14 years working in pediatric ICUs before founding her own grief support practice, serving families across the U.S. and internationally.

📍 Instagram: @kidsgriefsupport 

🌐 Website: kidsgriefsupport.com 

📚 Books: Available at kidsgriefsupport.com and Amazon

What does grief feel like when you're a child? In this episode, Madlaina reads Always In My Heart — a gooshi story about Milo, a little boy who loses his grandfather and learns that love doesn't disappear when someone does.

This is one of the most requested topics in our community — and one of the hardest to talk about. Grief isn't just about death. It's about missing a friendship that fell apart, a summer camp that ended, a world that feels a little overcast and droopy.

After the story, Rita sits down with Madlaina — her 11-year-old daughter — for a real conversation about what grief means, what color it is, and where she feels it in her body (her answer will surprise you).

📖 STORY SUMMARY

Always In My Heart follows Milo, a little boy who loves painting with his grandfather. When grandpa dies, Milo feels all kinds of things — sadness, anger, confusion, and sometimes nothing at all. Through a memory book, his family's honesty, and a paintbrush he finds in the art box, Milo discovers that love doesn't end — it lives on in the things we carry.

A gentle, honest story for children ages 3–10 and the grown-ups who love them.

Read by: Madlaina Bezzola

⭐ New to the podcast? We recommend listening to the companion episode — Beyond the Stories — where Rita sits down with Jessica, a certified child life specialist, to help parents navigate grief conversations with their kids. Listen in order. 

The magic is in both together.

Hi! We're really glad you're here!

In this episode of Beyond the Stories, host Rita talks with Lacey Holmquist, a Certified Child Life Specialist, about helping children navigate dental visits and medical experiences. 

Paired with the Once upon a feeling episode “Bobby Goes to the Dentist”, this conversation explores why kids fear the dentist, how parents can prepare them, and strategies to build coping skills, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation.

Topics covered include: understanding fear of the unknown, using play and visualization, positive reinforcement after visits, comfort tools like Buzzy, and building lifelong coping skills. This episode is essential for parents, caregivers, and educators supporting children through medical experiences.

Helpful Links:

• Listen to Once Upon a Feeling: https://linktr.ee/gooshi_world
• Gooshi App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gooshi/id6737409774
• Parenting Tips & Updates: https://www.instagram.com/gooshi_world

This episode pairs perfectly with  Once upon a feeling where parents and kiddos can dive explore ways to express and regulate emotions during real-life medical and dental experiences.

Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] Welcome & intro — why listen after the story episode
• [00:01:30] Introduction to Lacey Holmquist, Certified Child Life Specialist
• [00:02:00] What is a Child Life Specialist? Understanding their role in hospitals
• [00:03:00] Lacey’s origin story: How she chose her career in child life
• [00:05:00] Working with children and families in medical settings
• [00:06:00] Example stories from oncology and hospital visits
• [00:07:00] What is Buzzy? Pain and anxiety relief tool
• [00:08:00] Preparing children for dental visits: managing fear
• [00:10:00] Strategies for young children: play, reading, visualization
• [00:12:00] Consistency & exposure: familiarizing children with visits
• [00:14:00] Handling strong reactions during appointments
• [00:15:00] Positive associations post-visit: rewards and reinforcement
• [00:18:00] Coping strategies: weighted blankets, iPads, distraction
• [00:19:00] Childhood experiences shaping adult attitudes
• [00:22:00] Addressing parental anxiety
• [00:24:00] Skills children develop: coping and self-advocacy
• [00:27:00] Practical advice for parents before dental visits
• [00:30:00] Comfort items, advocacy, tips for smoother experiences
• [00:34:00] Wrap-up & final takeaways
  
  

Guest info:
 Lacey Holmquist, Certified Child Life Specialist, Pasadena, CA
Instagram: @laceymarie337

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacey-holmquist-69bb3050/

Hi ! We're so glad you're here :)

Welcome to Once Upon a feeling!

In this episode of Once Upon a Feeling , we explore how to help children prepare for and cope with dental visits through the story “Bobby Goes to the Dentist”, read by Annatina. 

Dental appointments can be stressful for kids and parents alike—but with preparation, play, and supportive guidance, children can learn to navigate the dentist’s office with confidence.

This episode provides practical parenting tips for easing dental anxiety, building coping skills, and creating positive experiences around oral health. 

Parents will learn what to say, how to prepare their child, and strategies for turning potentially scary moments into opportunities for growth.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to explain cavities, dental tools, and procedures to children
• Strategies for reducing fear and sensory overwhelm at the dentist
• Preparation tips using play, visualization, and positive reinforcement
• Coping methods for children during uncomfortable procedures like X-rays, expanders, or oral surgery
• How parents can support children’s emotional well-being during medical experiences
• Encouraging long-term confidence in children to actively seek healthcare

Story Details:
Bobby experiences his dental checkup, explores the “magic chair,” chooses fun toothpaste flavors, and learns coping skills for discomfort. Anna Tina shares her personal experiences with dental visits, oral surgery, and strategies that helped her feel brave.

Helpful Links:

• Listen to Once Upon a Feeling: https://linktr.ee/gooshi_world
• Gooshi App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gooshi/id6737409774
• Parenting Tips & Updates: https://www.instagram.com/gooshi_world

This episode pairs perfectly with Beyond the Stories, where parents can dive deeper into supporting children’s emotions during real-life medical and dental experiences.

⏱ Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome & introduction by host Rita
 [01:00] Emotional impact of dental visits for children and parents
 [02:00] Story introduction: Bobby Goes to the Dentist
 [03:00] Understanding cavities, brushing, and oral hygiene
 [04:00] Preparing children for dental tools and sensations
 [05:00] Meeting Dr. Lily & exploring the dental chair
 [06:00] Sensory experiences: lights, buzzing tools, and distractions
 [07:00] Story conclusion: stickers, rewards, and positive reinforcement
 [08:00] Interview with Anna Tina: dental experiences and feelings
 [09:00] Oral surgery and ghost tooth explanation
 [10:00] Coping with X-rays, expanders, and uncomfortable procedures
 [12:00] Advice for children facing the dentist
 [13:00] Tips for parents: what to say, how to prepare
 [14:00] Using play and visualization to reduce anxiety
 [15:00] Episode wrap-up & preview of Beyond the Stories

In Episode 2 of Beyond the Stories, we explore the sensory world of children, especially those who experience the world differently — with more intensity, more sensitivity, or simply from a neurodivergent perspective.

This conversation picks up where our story episode “Big Orange Sky” left off — a story inspired by the Eden Fires and how the trauma of an emergency evacuation impacted one child in unexpected ways.

While the fire was the external event, it was the internal storm — the meltdowns, overwhelm, and misinterpretations — that lingered. In this conversation, we unpack the meanings beneath those behaviors.

Joining us is Kira Bender, MS OTR/L — pediatric occupational therapist, accessibility consultant, and founder of Here We Grow. Kira’s compassionate approach helps us understand how the sensory and nervous systems work, how neurodivergent kids experience stress, and the powerful shift that happens when we stop labeling behaviors and start listening to them.

What we explore in this episode:
🔥 The hidden trauma of events like evacuations or loud disruptions
🧠 What “sensory overload” actually feels like to a child
🌪 What happens when the nervous system doesn’t feel safe — and how to gently restore regulation
🌈 Why neurodivergent children are often misunderstood, even when their needs are valid
🧘🏽‍♀️ Tools that help build co-regulation, emotional safety, and stronger parent-child connection
🎒 How families and educators can create more inclusive, accessible spaces
💛 The mindset Kira recommends parents adopt when working through behavior challenges

Whether your child is neurodivergent or not, this episode offers powerful insight into what it means to be truly seen — especially when words are hard to find.

🟠 If you haven’t yet, start by listening to “Big Orange Sky” from Once Upon a Feeling — a story about fear, fire, and the emotions we carry after the flames are gone:
🎧 Listen here → https://linktr.ee/gooshi_world

🔄 Then come back to this episode of Beyond the Stories for helpful reflection and support for the real-life emotions behind the fiction.
🎧 Listen here → https://linktr.ee/gooshi_world

About Our Guest:

Kira Bender, MS OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist, parenting expert, speaker, and the founder of Here We Grow. Based in Los Angeles, she supports families, educators, and organizations through a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming lens. Her work includes direct support for families, professional development for teachers, and accessibility consulting for institutions like the LA Public Library, Southern California Children’s Museum, and the Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

Contact Info:

https://www.instagram.com/herewegrow.co

herewegrowkira@gmail.com

https://herewegrow.co/

New episodes of Beyond the Stories release weekly. Each one pairs with a Once Upon a Feeling story — giving grownups space to unpack big feelings, ask deeper questions, and find little moments of clarity in the messy beauty of parenting.

Powered by Gooshi
🧸 "We are dedicated to helping families become the biggest advocates in their children’s health experiences, with stories, toys, and carefully curated resources."

Big Orange Sky: When Home Changes After a Wildfire

We’re so happy you’re here for our second episode of Once Upon a Feeling — the podcast where we talk about growing up: the fun parts, the weird parts, the messy parts… and the magical parts too.

This podcast is inspired by stories from Gooshi, read by kids who have lived through similar experiences. You can explore more stories in the app here:
🌎 https://gooshi.world/

 About This Episode;

In this episode, we talk about wildfires and other natural disasters — and what it feels like when something big and sudden changes the place you call home.

Our special guest and reader today is Dylan (11 years old), who lost her home 10 months ago in the Eden Fire in Southern California. 

Dylan shares:

• What she remembers from the day of the fire
• How it felt to evacuate
• What helped her feel safe
• What “home” means to her now

📖 Storytime: Big Orange Sky

Dylan reads Big Orange Sky, the story of three siblings — Sienna, Mateo, and Lily — who notice the sky turning orange as a wildfire approaches their neighborhood.

Through their eyes, we explore:

• The fear of having to pack just one special thing
• The uncertainty of leaving home
• The many different emotions adults feel
• A community coming together to help
• The mix of sadness and hope after loss

This story gently reminds us that big feelings are normal after something scary — and that even when things change, people can help rebuild what matters most.

💬 A Conversation with Dylan

After the story, host Rita Bezzola talks with Dylan about her real-life experience during the fire.

Some powerful moments from their conversation include:

•  Evacuating to a hotel and waking up to a bright red sky
•  Choosing just one stuffed animal to pack
•  How evacuating with a close friend helped her feel calmer
•  Returning to the “dirt patch” where her home once stood and planting seeds
•  Recovering her childhood stuffed animal and restoring it
•  Her message to other kids going through something similar:
   “Everything is going to be okay. It might feel really sad at first, but when you get a new house, things will start to feel almost normal again.”

Welcome to Beyond the Stories.

Beyond the Stories is the companion podcast to Once Upon a Feeling, where the stories open the door — and the conversations go deeper.

Hosted by Rita Bezzola — a mother, community builder, musician, and creator — the podcast brings together thoughtful experts to gently untangle the questions surrounding children’s emotional well-being and development.

New listeners are encouraged to begin with the corresponding story episode in Once Upon a Feeling, as listening to the story first adds meaningful depth and context to each conversation.

In the inaugural episode of Beyond the Stories, Rita sits down with family therapist Paige Howard to explore the emotional and social challenges children face today. Together, they discuss Paige’s journey into therapy, what resilience truly means, and how parents can support their children’s emotional growth without overpowering it.

Each episode offers practical, compassionate strategies to help children articulate their feelings, navigate social dynamics, and feel more deeply understood.

00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Story

01:23 Meet Paige Howard: A Family Therapist's Journey

04:06 Childhood Experiences and Their Impact

07:12 Understanding and Navigating Children's Social Dynamics

10:38 Strategies for Parents: Communication and Intervention

19:29 Building Resilience in Children

26:16 Conclusion and Contact Information

https://gooshi.world/

https://linktr.ee/gooshi_world

Paige Howard's contact info and qualification

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 148453) 

Registered Play Therapist ™ (RPT6934).

Populations: kids (ages 3-11), teens, parents

Qualifications: Child-Centered Play Therapy Specialty (Registered Play Therapist Certification)

Email: paige@paigehowardtherapy.com
Phone: 626-214-5874

Playhouse Collective

https://www.playhousetherapy.co/meetus

https://www.instagram.com/playhousetherapy.co/?hl=es

Psychology Today profile:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/paige-howard-pasadena-ca/1177590

Hi! We're so happy that you're here, this is our first episode of Once upon a Feeling.

This podcast is based on Gooshi's  stories read by kids that went through similar moments, feel free to explore the app and let us know if any of the stories that we shared there resonate with you

  https://gooshi.world/

For our first episode we had a very special guest called Madlaina.

Madlaina is an intrepid 11 year old kiddo that´s always ready for new adventures and today she told us her story and narrated  three of our tales from the series Playground Problems: 

Leo is left out, Marcus´s choice and Sorayah´s stumble.

The three stories connect in between and provide a really interesting point of view on similar issues that we don't always talk enough.

After the stories, host Rita Bezzola discusses the complexities of friendships with Madlaina ,who also shares her own experiences of feeling left out and how she learned to navigate friendships. 

The episode concludes with an invitation to a deeper dive in 'Beyond the Stories' with therapist Paige Howard.

Let's jump in!

00:00 Welcome to Once Upon a Feeling

01:03 Playground Problems: Leo is left out

03:20 Playground Problems: Marcus's Choicee

05:19 Playground Problems: Soraya's Stumble

07:40 Meet Madlaina: A Real-Life Story

10:38 Navigating Friendships: Tips and Reflections

10:59 Stay Tuned for Beyond the Story

https://gooshi.world/

(linktree) 

Hi! 

We're really glad you´re here, this is our first episode!

Once Upon a Feeling is  a podcast where stories help families listen more closely to what’s happening inside.

Each story episode features a real child reading—unpolished, honest, and fully themselves—followed by a conversation about what stood out and what they wish adults understood. 

There are no right or wrong answers, just curiosity and space to be honest. 

In companion episodes called Beyond the Stories, Rita talks with experts like child life specialists, therapists, or doctors to explore the feelings behind the story. 

The show focuses on understanding emotions and helping grownups listen and respond with care, without rushing kids through feelings. 

Once Upon a Feeling and Beyond the stories are an extension of Gooshi, an app that supports kids’ emotional wellbeing through storytelling

In Gooshi we are dedicated to helping families be the biggest advocates in their children’s health experiences with stories, toys, and carefully curated resources. You can leave us a comment, fill our survey or download the app for IOS here:

https://linktr.ee/gooshi_world