The Broken Brain Train Your Amygdala with Anna Housley Jester
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Nov 26, 2024 
In this engaging conversation, Anna Housley Jester, a mental health clinician and former Sesame Street Director of Content, shares her expertise in early childhood education and emotional regulation. She discusses her children's book, which personifies the amygdala in a lovable way, helping kids understand their emotions. Anna emphasizes the importance of honest communication, therapeutic play, and intrinsic motivation in classrooms. She also touches on neuroscience and strategies to calm anxiety, making complex topics accessible for both children and caregivers.
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Career Thread: Play, Learning, Therapy
- Anna Housley Juster described a long career spanning Head Start, Sesame Street, Boston Children's Museum, and clinical social work.
- She said each role kept her focused on play, learning, and creating compelling educational stories for kids.
Playful Content Is Therapeutic Learning
- Anna explained that TV content development and clinical work share a through-line: play and storytelling to teach social-emotional skills.
- She argued therapy techniques and educational content both scaffold feelings into language and skill-building.
Answer Kids Honestly — Then Stop
- Answer children's questions honestly and stop when their question ends to avoid increasing anxiety.
- Build trust by giving accurate short answers so children will ask again later.
