

The TBRI Podcast
Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development TCU
The TBRI® Podcast features conversations about Trust-Based Relational Intervention®, an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. On this podcast we talk about the elements of trauma-informed care and chat with experts in the field about implementing TBRI® across different communities of care and practice.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 4, 2022 • 33min
TBRI® Camps with Dr. Casey Call
Dr. Casey Call is the assistant director of education at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, and has seen the evolution of our therapeutic camps over the years. Dr. Call not only leads our undergraduate and master’s programs, and also oversees the Hope Connection 2.0, a reimagined therapeutic camp that is based on TBRI Principles. If you are a professional who is considering a therapeutic camp, or if you’re just interested in what all goes into designing a camp, this episode is for you!
Linked References from this episode:
Hope Connection Camp
TBRI Practitioner Training
Stories from Our Founder (Dr. David Cross's Podcast Episode)
Hope Connection 2.0
Free Camp Resources Online Camp Trainings

Jul 27, 2022 • 27min
The Power of Play (Part II) with Dr. Debbie Rhea
This episode continues the conversation from season 4, episode 1. Dr. Debbie Rhea joins us once again to talk about the difference between unstructured and structured play and why outdoor play is so important.
For more information about Dr. Rhea's work and research, visit https://liinkproject.tcu.edu/

Jul 20, 2022 • 22min
The Power of Play (Part I) with Dr. Debbie Rhea
Today’s guest is TCU Faculty member, Dr. Debbie Rhea. Dr. Rhea is the creator and director of the LiiNK Project. LiiNK, or Let’s Inspire Innovation N Kids, is an initiative to address the needs of the whole child by incorporating more unstructured, outdoor play as part of the school day. Our host, Sarah Mercado, sat down with Dr. Rhea to talk about LiiNK and the importance of unstructured, outdoor Play. This is part one of a two part series with Dr. Rhea.
https://liinkproject.tcu.edu/

May 25, 2022 • 42min
A TBRI® Coffee Chat with Kimberly Glaudy and Sarah Mercado
What happens when one parent is on board with TBRI and one isn’t? What does raising and lowering the bar for behavior actually mean? Are there consequences in TBRI? On this episode of the TBRI Podcast, Sarah Mercado and Kimberly Glaudy discuss these questions and more. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this one - this laid-back conversation is full of TBRI wisdom for professionals and parents alike.
child.tcu.edu/podcast

May 18, 2022 • 40min
Yohannes' Story
Last week we heard from Dr. Melody Aguayo about parenting in the trenches. Today, we hear from her son, Yohannes Aguayo. Yohannes is an alumnus of our Hope Connection Camp and joins us on the podcast today to share his experience growing up in his family, his struggles, and his experience as an adopted person.
child.tcu.edu/podcast

May 11, 2022 • 40min
Seeing the Real Child with Dr. Melody Aguayo
Dr. Melody Aguayo is a wife, a mom, and a parent consultant for overwhelmed parents who are looking for support and solutions to navigate their parenting journey. Melody is a longtime friend of the Institute. She is both a TBRI Practitioner and an alumnae of our Hope Connection Camp. Today we’ll hear a little about her TBRI journey, some insights about implementing TBRI in a family setting, and a little more about her professional work. Whether you’re listening as a parent, or as a professional, this conversation has something for you today.
Linked References from this Episode:
TBRI Portrait - Aguayo family | Real Child Consulting | Hope Connection | Hope Connection 2.0 | Brushing protocol
child.tcu.edu/podcast

May 4, 2022 • 34min
Foster Care & TBRI®
Today’s conversation is just in time for National Foster Care Month. Jamie Finn is the author of the book, Foster the Family, founder of the Foster the Family Organization, and a sought after speaker for foster and adoption conferences and events. Her popular social media accounts offer a glimpse into the real life of a foster parent and provide encouragement to thousands of foster parents. Jamie recently became a TBRI Practitioner and sat down with our host, Sarah Mercado, to chat about foster care, shifting our parenting paradigms, and TBRI.
Linked References from this episode:
Foster the Family (book) | The Connected Child | The Connected Parent | KPICD videos for purchase | KPICD YouTube Channel | Follow Jamie on Instagram and Facebook | Jamie's website

Apr 27, 2022 • 40min
The Impact of Trauma in War with Raya Shelashska
Today’s guest is Raya Shelashska, a TBRI Practitioner and a PhD candidate and Research Assistant here at our Institute at TCU. Raya currently lives here with her family, in Fort Worth, TX, as she’s completing her PhD, but her home is Ukraine. Since the war broke out in February, Raya’s studies have shifted to helping her people through her clinical experience and trauma research background. Our host, Sarah Mercado, sat down with Raya to talk about the trauma of war and what she’s doing to help.
Linked References from this episode:
Raya's Instagram: @rayashel
EMDR
TCU 360 feature on Raya

Apr 20, 2022 • 37min
Preoccupied Attachment with Dr. Jamie DeLuna
Today we are continuing the conversation with Dr. Jamie DeLuna about Adult Attachment patterns. Last week we talked about Dismissive Attachment in adults, and this week we’re diving into the Preoccupied/Entangled Attachment pattern. Our host Sarah and Jamie talk about what this pattern looks like in adulthood, how it shows up in caregiving, and how to become mindful about attachment and move toward security.
Linked References from this episode:
Jamie's previous episode on the TBRI Podcast about Adult Attachment
Jamie's previous episode about the Dismissive Attachment Pattern

Apr 13, 2022 • 37min
Dismissive Attachment with Dr. Jamie DeLuna
Today we are excited to welcome Dr. Jamie DeLuna back to the podcast for more conversation about adult attachment. For many years, Jamie was a research scientist for TCU's Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development who specialized in administering and the Adult Attachment Interview. Dr. DeLuna has administered thousands of interviews and she speaks with so much wisdom and nuance on the topic of adult attachment. Jamie recently moved into a new role outside of the institute, but she was kind enough to join us for two more episodes. Today you’ll hear a conversation about dismissive attachment, and then next week we’ll continue with a conversation about ambivalent attachment.
Linked References:
Dr. Jamie DeLuna - Adult Attachment Episode
For more information, visit child.tcu.edu/podcast