Episodes

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck dig into one of the most common challenges in education and beyond: how to navigate difficult conversations with adults without escalating conflict. Charle explains why people in distress lose access to skills before they lose access to emotion, and why lowering the threat, slowing the pace, and keeping your tone calm can make all the difference. Josh and Charle break down practical strategies for de-escalation, includi...

In this special replay from the 2026 Student Behavior Summit, Brad Waid interviews Josh Stamper and Charle Peck about the work behind The Language of Behavior and why emotional intelligence matters now more than ever in schools. Together, they unpack the connection between adult behavior and student behavior, common misperceptions about discipline and consequences, and the importance of simplifying behavior support so it is actually sustainable for educators. Josh and Charle also share how thei...

In this newly formatted episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh and Charle switch things up with a fun and honest “educational hot takes” conversation. From narcissistic tendencies in education to why email may be the devil, they unpack some of the most frustrating dynamics educators face and share practical ways to protect your mental health and stability. Charlie breaks down the difference between narcissistic behavior and a clinical diagnosis, why it is so important not to label kids too e...

What is really happening in your body and brain when panic hits, and what can you do about it? In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh and Charle tackle a question that is deeply relevant for educators, students, and adults alike. They unpack panic through a nervous system lens, explaining how trauma, stress, and unresolved experiences can trigger intense physical responses that feel overwhelming and even frightening. Josh and Charle explore the difference between generalized anxiety...

How much is stress impacting the way you show up at work and at home? In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh and Charle explore how chronic stress narrows performance, increases reactivity, and affects the brain, body, and nervous system. They share practical ways to respond intentionally, including rapid resets, identifying triggers, and using small, consistent steps to reduce stress before it escalates. They also talk about the importance of building capacity inside the system, no...

What if the behavior crisis in your school is not a student problem — but a system problem? In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh and Charle respond to a question straight from the NCMLE conference: "We are seeing behavior spike in the spring — how do we address this as a whole system?" The answer is not more programs or more staff. It is about stabilizing a flooded, reactive system before trying to fix it — using the people and resources already in place. Josh and Charle unpack wh...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh and Charle tackle a bold listener question straight from their NCMLE conference session: "Do we need compliance when we work in a school system?" The answer is more nuanced than you might think. Josh and Charle unpack why compliance-first thinking ignores what students are actually communicating through their behavior, creates unnecessary power struggles, and prioritizes short-term control over long-term growth. They are clear that expectations ...

We are back from the NCMLE Conference! In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh and Charle tackle a powerful listener question that hits close to home for so many educators right now: "I'm struggling to feel like I'm enough in my role. How do you know your own value when the job consistently makes you feel like you're falling short?" Josh and Charle get real and personal by sharing stories of going to work sick, skipping meals, running on five hours of sleep, and still feeling like it ...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh and Charle go solo to unpack one of the most important—and often overlooked—dynamics in schools: what happens to student behavior when adults are overwhelmed, fearful, exhausted, or unsupported? Using their upcoming NCMLE conference session as a springboard, Josh and Charle invite listeners to fill in the blank: "Student behavior usually escalates when adults feel ___." The answers are real, relatable, and revealing. From fear and powerlessness t...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh and Charle welcome Dr. Cameron Caswell (Dr. Cam), co-author with Charle and expert on teen behavior. Dr. Cam reveals why teen "defiance" is often self-protection, not rebellion, and shares how understanding the powerful, learning-ready teen brain (ages 14-25) changes everything. Key insights include: Partnering with parents without blame—empowerment over finger-pointing Trading compliance for autonomy to reduce power struggles De-escalation t...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh and Charle sit down with special education leader Victoria Veneziano to explore how we can better support students with complex behavioral and emotional needs. Drawing from her experience in special education and systems-level work, Victoria unpacks practical ways to build trust with students, collaborate with families, and partner with classroom teachers so behavior supports feel proactive instead of punitive. She also discusses how to navigate ...

In this powerful episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck sit down with Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools, to explore how a life marked by adversity became the foundation for a hope-filled, student-centered leadership journey. Dr. Bean shares his remarkable story from being abandoned in Saigon with polio and surviving Operation Babylift, to being adopted by the Bean family, discovering his voice through a sixth grade teacher who saw his “gift of ...

In this Webinar Replay, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck share practical, school-tested strategies from The Language of Behavior that help staff move from reactive discipline to proactive, relationship-based support. You’ll learn how to: - Shift from isolated trainings to a cohort model that embeds skills into daily practice - Use “Consider Your Environment” to audit classroom and campus conditions that fuel or calm behavior - Provide staff with simple, repeatable language and tools for respond...

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck address a leader’s question about new year initiatives: “If I’m trying to implement practices to help students and staff, how do I make sure they don’t fall to the wayside?” They explain why one and done PD fails and why long term sustainability requires the cohort model, where a committed team embeds skills into everyday practice with consistent touch points.​ Charlie calls out the need to stop adding tasks and ...

In this milestone episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck celebrate the book’s first birthday with reflections on its impact, favorite reader takeaways, and practical tools educators are using across the country. They highlight the “Consider Your Environment” inventory for transforming social and physical classrooms, and Josh’s free Relationship Inventory a checklist of 20 daily best practices like door greetings that boost engagement despite the chaos of interruption...

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck answer a listener’s question about daily stress and practical routines that actually help, rather than add more pressure. Charlie explains how habits live in the basal ganglia, why we cannot “think” our way into new routines, and how tiny, brain friendly steps like a funny alarm or simply throwing the covers off can jump start change for people stuck in overwhelm or depression.​ Josh shares how shifting from outc...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck unpack a critical question from a recent Kentucky training on non-suicidal self injury (NSSI): how can we train teachers to respond effectively when self harm shows up in classrooms and hallways? Charlie shares the AAA framework assessment, attitude, and action that she uses with educators and clinicians to clarify roles, keep protocols simple, and move adults from freezing or overreacting to calm, supportive next steps....

In this timely episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck respond to a vulnerable question from an educator: "I'm still overwhelmed and stressed out even after the break. We keep talking about mental health, but where are the solutions?" Drawing on their work with teachers, counselors, social workers, and school psychologists, they name what everyone is feeling too much on the plate, rising student behavior, and a system that keeps taking without giving back and then off...

In this uplifting conversation on The Language of Behavior, Charle Peck sits down with author, consultant, and continuous improvement expert Lainie Rowell to explore how gratitude and intentional noticing can transform stressed-out schools and organizations from the inside out. Lainie introduces her Notice–Evolve–Thrive framework and shares the science-backed reason “notice” is the essential first step in healing, behavior change, and culture work.​ Together, Charle and Lainie unpack practical ...

In this New Year’s episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck tackle a question they hear constantly from educators: “How do I know if behavior is trauma or just manipulation?” Kicking off 2026 with honesty and nuance, they unpack why this either/or framing rarely fits real students and explain a crucial distinction: manipulation is a learned skill, while trauma is a fast, reflexive survival response in the nervous system.​ Charlie explains how trauma and attachment wou...

In this timely holiday episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck answer a pressing question many educators are asking: “Student behavior is shifting—what can we do differently in the new year?” As schools head into the spring semester and the pressure of state testing ramps up, they unpack why behavior often spikes and how leaders can respond with intention instead of exhaustion.​ Josh and Charle walk listeners through the power of creating a Relationship Action Team (...

In this powerful holiday episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charlie Peck unpack a question from their educator cohort: How do we respond to people who constantly frustrate us—students, colleagues, or even ourselves? Centering on the concept of social plasticity, they explore how quickly brains jump to fixed labels like “jerk,” “bad student,” or “burnt-out teacher,” and how those snap judgments silently shut the door on curiosity, compassion, and change.​ Charlie shares her ...

Have you ever wondered how to respond when a parent walks into your office already angry, defensive, or full of ego? In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck shift the focus from student behavior to parent behavior, unpacking what is really happening in those high-intensity encounters and why traditional “holding your ground” often backfires.​ What if the real power move is not “shutting a parent down” but refusing to climb the ladder of conflict with them? Dr...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck tackle one of the most triggering topics in schools today: student cell phones. Starting with the question “How do cell phones influence student behavior?”, they break down how constant notifications, social media, and late-night scrolling rewire reward pathways, ramp up impulsivity, and strain attention, often showing up as behavior challenges in the classroom.​ Instead of stopping at “cell phones are the problem,” Jos...