The Pinwheel Podcast: Hope for Florida's Families

In this episode, Lauren Mayo interviews Natalia Pineda, the Director of Philanthropy and Community Service for Kappa Delta at Florida State University.This episode was recorded on 4/30/2026.

In this episode, Lauren Mayo interviews Rebekkah Sheetz, MSW, Executive Director of Healthy Families Florida.

In this episode, Lauren Mayo interviews Liz Randall, Senior Director of Help Me Grow Florida and one of Florida's Act Early Ambassadors for the "Learn the Signs. Act Early." program.

In this episode, Lauren Mayo interviews Sandra Velazquez, autism advocate, mother, and author of Call Me Tunes and Tunes: Goes on a Field Trip.

In this episode, Lauren Mayo interviews Chesley Richardson, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Florida, and Shelby Garner, Assistant Director of Prevent Child Abuse Florida.Episode recorded March 10, 2026.

In this episode, Lauren Mayo interviews Kalisha Staten, who is a Training Specialist at Prevent Child Abuse Florida.Episode recorded March 6, 2026.

In this episode, Shelby Garner interviews Keller Stout, who is the Programs Coordinator at Prevent Child Abuse Florida.Episode recorded January 22, 2026.

In this episode, Heather Jones interviews Dr. Kayla Thomas, who is the Director of Research, Evaluation & Systems at the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida.Episode recorded June 20, 2025.

In this episode, Heather Jones interviews Robin Hart about Motivational Interviewing. Robin is a trainer with 30 years of experience working with the Ounce and Healthy Families Florida.Motivational Interviewing (MI) can be used every single day, even in our personal lives. It is an opportunity for us to have real conversations with people who are considering change and all the obstacles that come with that change.Motivational Interviewing can be defined as a lifelong quest; it provides four skill sets that are the focus of development for people. The first one being: asking open-ended questions; this allows conversations to have moments of reflection, not just yes and no answers. The second tool for MI is using affirmations; this confirms the connection between the two individuals. The third skill set is reflective listening; the average person listens 17 seconds before they start forming a response, so reflective listening helps a person listen to understand, not to respond. The last step for MI is summarizing; this is the final opportunity to connect with someone to make sure you understood their message. When using Motivational Interviewing during home visits, it takes away from the idea that when talking to families you must strap on your cape and try and fix people. It instead holds up a mirror, allowing family members to see their strengths, and the mountains they have already climbed.Episode recorded June 12, 2025.

Host Heather Jones speaks with Shelby Garner, Period of PURPLE Crying® Project Coordinator for Prevent Child Abuse Florida, about the increased crying phase of an infant's normal development, what parents should expect, and ways they can cope with a crying baby.Episode recorded May 15, 2025.

Join us this episode with Dr. Jeanne O'Kon, an accomplished psychologist with 45+ years of experience, as we talk about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their effect on mental, emotional, and physical health. 

Rebecca Harvin, founder of Haven Retreats discusses foster and adoptive parent burnout and coping skills for all members of the family. 

This episode contains content relating to human trafficking and child abuse. Listener discretion is advised.In this episode, Prevent Child Abuse Florida Project Coordinator Heather Jones speaks with Executive Director of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) Robin Hassler Thompson, JD, MA.Episode recorded June 19, 2024. 

Join us for this episode, where we talk with Dr. Rachel Scharlepp, Licensed Psychologist, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Infant Mental Health Specialist about the ins and outs of child therapy. We discuss play therapy, common misconceptions by parents, and potential signs that therapy could be beneficial for a child.

In this episode, Prevent Child Abuse Florida Training Specialist Briana J. Parlor, M.S./Ed.S., and Project Coordinator Heather Jones speak with the CEO & Founder of Melanin Mothers Meet, Trishay “Mama Yata” Young.Episode recorded December 19, 2023.

In this episode, Heather Jones interviews Jackie Hester, TBRI Practitioner with Parenting Matters, about emotional regulation and positive parenting tips. Episode recorded October 30, 2023.

Join us as we discuss with Mike McCormick the most common types of poisonings among young children and how to put prevention in action to keep them safe!

Host Heather Jones discusses Nonviolent Communication with Dr. Cindy Bigbie, Founder of The Bigbie Method and Author of "My Link to Mildred: Interrupting the Epidemic of Trauma via Nonviolent Communication."Episode recorded August 7, 2023.

Heather Jones interviews Stacey Hoaglund, the President of the Autism Society of Florida. They discuss water safety/drowning prevention and the dangers of wandering for a child on the autism spectrum, the rights parent have to request screenings for children, and how the organization is partnering with law enforcement. Episode recorded on June 15, 2023.

In this episode, Heather Jones talks with Curtis Campogni, founder of Speak4MC. Recorded April 28, 2023.

In this episode, Project Coordinator Heather Jones interviews the new Executive Director for Prevent Child Abuse Florida, Chesley Richardson. 

Prevent Child Abuse Florida Project Coordinator Heather Jones interviews Brevard Family Partnership President and CEO Phil Scarpelli.Brevard Family Partnership is a community-based care lead agency contracted with the Department of Children and Families.Brevard C.A.R.E.S. is a non-profit organization that helps prevent child abuse and neglect by providing resources to strengthen families so that children may remain safely at home.This episode was recorded on January 19, 2023.

In Chris Lolley's farewell episode of The Pinwheel Podcast, he talks with Project Coordinator Heather Jones about the statewide Circle of Parents peer support groups.Learn more about Circle of Parents Contact Heather Jones: email [email protected] or call (850) 921-4494 ext. 202

In this episode, Chris interviews Jennifer Wills, Network Partner and Expansion Lead for with Care Connect+ BRAVE (Be Resilient And Voice Emotions).Learn more about the program: www.careconnectplus.com/programs/brave/ Watch a video about the BRAVE program and some of the impacts they have made since they started in 2019:  https://youtu.be/Vk_V1fFeydgThe 2023  BRAVE Summit is scheduled for March 29, 2023.For the Zoom link to join the information session on November 15 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, email [email protected]. 

Chris Lolley discusses the six Protective Factors that help prevent abuse and neglect.

Director of Communications Zoe Linafelt, APR, speaks with Executive Director Chris Lolley about the many free resources and materials available to everyone on PreventChildAbuseFL.org.Links to materials mentioned in this episode:Parent and Advocacy GuidesSafe SleepWater Safety"Resilience" FilmOrder Portal for Books & Educational Resources (create a new account or log in to order)Circle of Parents®Webinars and PodcastsFacebookTwitterInstagram

Prevent Child Abuse Florida Executive Director Chris Lolley spoke with Megan Diehl, Florida State Director of Unite Us.This episode was recorded on June 17, 2022.

In recognition of Water Safety Month, Prevent Child Abuse Florida Executive Director Chris Lolley speaks with Dr. Robert Karch, the Deputy Secretary for Children’s Medical Services at the Florida Department of Health, about drowning prevention and urgent water safety issues parents need to know. Please note, some topics in this episode are heavy/troubling and may not be appropriate for children.This episode was recorded on May 23, 2022.

Prevent Child Abuse Florida Executive Director Chris Lolley and Communications Director Zoe Linafelt led a webinar for partners about how to use the Child Abuse Prevention Month online toolkit, and two partners shared their plans for the special month.There is a video of this webinar available on YouTube. This episode was recorded on March 17, 2022.

Prevent Child Abuse Florida Executive Director Chris Lolley answers a few general questions from Director of Communications Zoe Linafelt about Child Abuse Prevention Month.2022 Child Abuse Prevention Month partner toolkitLocal events around Florida recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month

Prevent Child Abuse Florida Executive Director Chris Lolley, Project Coordinator Heather Jones, and Communications Director Zoe Linafelt led a webinar for partners about how to use the Child Abuse Prevention Month online toolkit, and two partners shared their plans for the special month. Link to Positive Parenting website mentioned in webinar. There is a video of this webinar available on YouTube. This episode was recorded on March 9, 2022.

Prevent Child Abuse Florida Executive Director Chris Lolley, Project Coordinator Heather Jones, and Communications Director Zoe Linafelt led a webinar for partners about how to use the Child Abuse Prevention Month online toolkit and other ways to get involved in Florida's campaign. There is a video of this webinar available on YouTube. This episode was recorded on February 25, 2022.

Chris Lolley (Prevent Child Abuse Florida Executive Director) and Zoe Linafelt (Director of Communications for The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida) talk about Child Abuse Prevention Month and the importance of one caring adult in a child's life.

Prevent Child Abuse Florida Executive Director Chris Lolley talks about Family Resource Centers with the following guests:Pebbles Edelman, M.Ed., Ed.S., LMHC, Senior Vice President of Clinical and Community Services for Partnership for Strong FamiliesStacy Merritt, Director of Resource Centers for Partnership for Strong Families This episode was recorded on December 9, 2021.

Prevent Child Abuse Florida Executive Director Chris Lolley talks with the following guests about Community Partnership Schools:Children’s Home Society (CHS) Regional Executive Director Jessica DavisProgram Coordinator for the UCF Center for Community Schools Robert Palmer, M.Ed.Statewide Director of Community Partnership Schools with CHS Jarvis Wheeler, MPA, MSWSuperintendent of Manatee County Schools Cynthia SaundersChair of the Manatee Elementary Cabinet and Treasurer of Manatee Community Foundation Conrad Szymanski (Retired President of Bealls Department Stores and Bealls Outlet Stores)Community Partnership School Director at Manatee Elementary School through CHS Renita Houston This episode was recorded on November 16, 2021.

Special guests Jennifer Ohlsen, Vanessa Fischel, and Melba Zavala join Chris Lolley and talk about safe sleep environments for infants and how Healthy Families Florida staff including home visitors can help families. Jennifer Ohlsen is the Executive Director of Healthy Families Florida. Vanessa Fischel is the Program Manager of Healthy Families Hendry & Glades. Melba Zavala is the Supervisor of Healthy Families Hendry & Glades. To learn more about Healthy Families Florida, visit healthyfamiliesfla.org. Contact Healthy Families Florida Jennifer: [email protected]: [email protected] Melba: [email protected] This episode is the second in a series of interviews in recognition of October as Safe Sleep Awareness Month.

Special guests Retired Major Connie Shingledecker and Rebecca Albert  join Chris Lolley and talk about the ABCs of Safe Sleep for babies. This episode is the first in a series of interviews in recognition of October as Safe Sleep Awareness Month. Ret. Maj. Shingledecker is a member of Florida’s Child Abuse Death Review Team. Rebecca Albert is the Strategic Initiatives Manager for the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County. 

Special guests Suzan Gage and Lindsay Holmes join Chris Lolley and talk about their work at the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida. Learn more about their organization here: www.elcnwf.org

Special guest Bart Klika, Chief Research Officer for Prevent Child Abuse America, joins Chris Lolley to talk about prevention policy and upcoming opportunities.

Chris and Nydia talk to Yaridis Garcia, Community Planning Manager for the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, about the Juvenile Welfare Board's Neighborhood Family Centers and 2021 Child Abuse Prevention Conference.

Join us as we kick of the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month in Florida. 

Chris and Nydia talk about the upcoming Pinwheels for Prevention campaign in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. We discuss strategies for a successful campaign and meet guests who participate in the campaign in a variety of ways. To see the slides used in the original webinar or learn more about the campaign, visit https://www.ounce.org/CAP_toolkit.html. 

Chris and Nydia talk about the upcoming Pinwheels for Prevention campaign in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. We discuss strategies for a successful campaign and meet guests who participate in the campaign in a variety of ways. To see the slides used in the original webinar or learn more about the campaign, visit https://www.ounce.org/CAP_toolkit.html. 

Learn about the Pinwheels for Prevention national awareness campaign for Child Abuse Prevention Month and plans for participation throughout Florida. 

Chris Lolley and Nydia Ntouda explore the importance of mentoring with guests from Inspire Daytona.