Episodes

Have you ever given a simple direction and watched a student suddenly shut down, explode, or spiral into a full meltdown? In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck dig into one of the most urgent questions that came out of a recent McGraw Hill International keynote. Why are so many students reacting so intensely to the smallest requests? Joshua and Charle explore how today’s students are navigating a perfect storm of chronic stress, disrupted routines, post pan...

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior, Josh Stamper welcomes back Charlie Peck for a deep dive into the fight, flight, and freeze responses often witnessed in classrooms. Together, they break down why these instinctual reactions matter for both students and staff, helping educators shift from misinterpretation and power struggles to empathy and effective support. Josh and Charlie share practical insights and classroom examples to help listeners: Recognize and accurately categorize...

What if the key to unlocking student success isn’t more motivation—but better systems? In this inspiring episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper sits down with educator, author, and Organized Binder founder Mitch Weathers to unpack how structure, routine, and executive functioning skills don’t just boost achievement, they build safety, predictability, and less cognitive load. Mitch shares real stories from classrooms where predictable systems transformed chaos into calm, helping stu...

Sometimes it’s not the crisis itself that breaks us—it’s the little moments afterward. The forgotten email. The sharp tone. The student who suddenly shuts down. In this heartfelt November episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck explore how acute stress silently weaves its way through classrooms and campuses after life-altering moments—both personal and collective. From community tragedies to quiet, unseen struggles, they unpack how stress reshapes behavior, focus, an...

Are our emotions contagious to other people? In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck explore the unseen force that shapes every classroom and staff meeting: emotional contagion. The tone of your voice, the tension in your shoulders, even the pause before you respond… it all ripples outward, influencing students and colleagues more than words ever could. Through real stories and powerful brain-based insights, Josh and Charle unpack how our emotional states spr...

In this special crossover episode, Josh Stamper welcomes listeners to the Language of Behavior Podcast—and introduces the launch of Charlie Peck’s bold new show, “Thriving Under Pressure.” As the very first guest, Josh flips the script and shares candid stories about leading through relentless demands, navigating culture shock, and finding balance during seasons of burnout. Dive into actionable insights on: How to break free from email overload and set healthy boundaries Why relationship walk...

In this deeply honest episode of The Language of Behavior, Joshua Stamper and Charle Peck dive into a powerful question from a first-year assistant principal: “How do I handle the emotional weight of supporting students in crisis without burning out myself?” Drawing from their years in school leadership, therapy, and trauma-responsive practices, Charle and Josh unpack what secondary trauma really looks like in educators—and how compassion fatigue can quietly take root in even the most passionate...

In this week's episode of The Language of Behavior Podcast, hosts Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper dive deep into a pressing question from a school administrator: how can teachers shift their mindset when facing an increase in student referrals? Fresh from their professional learning in sunny Florida, Josh and Charle unpack the importance of understanding students' stories, trauma, and stress and why reactive discipline often misses the mark. They discuss practical ways educators can humanize thei...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper unpack a common scenario in schools: a student becomes dysregulated, an administrator is called in to help, and instead of calming the situation, the student’s behavior escalates even further. Together, they break down the misperceptions that often fuel these interactions, the hidden triggers that push students into fight, flight, or freeze, and the impact of approaching discipline through fear instead of understanding. ...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper tackle a thoughtful listener question: How do I confront an issue with someone so it’s a productive conversation? Using brain-based research, stories of volatile conflict, and years of leadership and classroom experience, Charle and Josh explore why tough conversations often escalate and how to approach them in ways that lead to resolution instead of rupture. They share practical planning strategies, communication skills...

In this inspiring conversation from the School Behavior Solutions Summit 2025, Brad Waid sits down with Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper—co-authors of the award-winning book The Language of Behavior—to explore how schools can rethink discipline and create trauma-responsive systems that truly support students and staff. Together, they discuss: ✅ How their unique backgrounds as a former administrator and a former teacher-turned-therapist shaped their framework for transforming behavior practices ...

When a student is melting down, many educators default to the same response: “Take it to the hallway.” But does this actually help? In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper unpack why isolating dysregulated students often escalates the problem instead of resolving it. Drawing on brain science, trauma-responsive practices, and their own classroom and leadership experiences, they explore: Why the hallway strategy can trigger shame, embarrassment, or heightened...

When a student returns to school after time in a mental health facility, the transition can feel like walking a tightrope for the child, their family, and the educators who want to help. In this episode of The Language of Behavior, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper dig into a listener’s question about what reintegration really requires. Drawing from their experiences as leaders and educators, Charle and Josh shine a light on the hidden challenges students face during this vulnerable moment, from d...

In this episode of The Language of Behavior, co-hosts Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper tackle a timely listener question: “Now that we’ve been in school for a few weeks, I’m starting to see new behaviors. What may be the cause of this?” Together, they explore why the “three-week mark” often brings an uptick in student behavior challenges. From shifting routines and rising academic rigor to stress, working memory overload, and hidden factors beneath the surface, Charle and Josh uncover what’s reall...

What does it really take to create a school community where both teachers and students thrive? In this energizing episode of The Language of Behavior, co-hosts Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper sit down with educator, author, and edupreneur Kim Gameroz to unpack the power of belonging, intentional SEL, and celebrating the small wins that make a big difference. From her days as a high school dance coach to leading nationwide movements like Celebrate Good Times and Teaching Inside Out, Kim shares ho...

Fresh off inspiring events in Ohio and Colorado, co-hosts Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in education: the belief that punishment alone changes behavior. Spoiler—it doesn’t. This episode was sparked by a powerful moment during a recent professional development session, where an “eye roll” from a student led to a deeper conversation about what consequences really mean, how power struggles escalate, and why skill-building—not fear—creates lasting change. ...

Fresh off the VIBE EDU conference in California, Josh and Charle reunite to answer a powerful audience question: Should parents of neurodivergent students reach out to teachers at the start of the school year—and how can they do it well? In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Josh and Charle explore the sometimes tricky terrain of parent-teacher communication. Drawing from their experiences as educators and parents, they unpack the stigma that can surround neurodivergence, the fear of bei...

In this special episode of The Language of Behavior, hosts Josh and Charlie reunite after an inspiring trip to the 2025 MTSS conference in California. They share personal reflections on connecting with passionate educators and mental health professionals and highlight key takeaways from their in-person sessions. The spotlight for this episode is a question on the “push-in” model, a practical, team-based approach for supporting teachers and managing student behavior that’s sparking transformative...

What if the most powerful academic tool isn’t a textbook—but a relationship? In this episode, Charle and Joshua respond to Velma Knowles’ heartfelt question: “How do you empower students to believe that they can achieve their goals?” Drawing from trauma-informed strategies and years of experience in the classroom, they share practical ways to build trust from day one—through one-on-one conferences, daily check-ins, relationship circles, and intentional communication that uplifts rather than crit...

When students misbehave, emotions run high—for teachers, administrators, and the students themselves. In this episode, Charle and Joshua dive into the complex, often misunderstood world of school suspensions. What role do In-School and Out-of-School Suspensions really play in a student’s growth? How can we hold students accountable without pushing them away? Together, we explore the emotional toll behavior incidents take on educators, the balancing act leaders face when assigning consequences, ...

Not all behavior supports are created equal—and some do more harm than good. In this episode, Charle and Joshua dive into the listener question: “What behavior supports most influence student learning?” Using John Hattie’s research as a foundation, they unpack the true academic impact of practices like in-school and out-of-school suspension, the over-identification of students for special education, and common misperceptions around ADHD and behavior. This episode challenges the traditional narr...

In this episode, Charle and Joshua tackle a timely question from an administrator planning for the year ahead: How do we make real progress when the pressure from the state, district, or politics seems to get in the way? With candor and practical insight, they discuss how to stay rooted in your campus vision while navigating the noise. From creative funding options and neutralizing politically charged language, to strategically using data and “slow-rolling” initiatives over time, this conversat...

Sometimes the biggest cries for help are the quietest ones. In this episode, Charle and Joshua respond to a listener’s powerful question: What subtle signs indicate that a child or adult is struggling emotionally or behaviorally? They unpack the vital, often-overlooked clues—like mood swings, sleep changes, irritability, physical illness, sudden grade drops, or disengagement—that might seem like defiance or laziness on the surface, but actually point to something much deeper. Instead of labelin...

What happens when school staff are emotionally exhausted, unsupported, and silently burning out? In this episode, Charle and Joshua answer a powerful listener question: How does school culture contribute to behavioral issues among staff? They explore the disconnect between what’s said and what’s modeled—especially around mental health. Too often, educators are told to “take care of themselves,” yet are given no time, tools, or real support to do so. This “do as I say, not as I do” culture is fue...