#135: Why Adult Dysregulation Looks Like Resistance (And What to Do About It) Artwork

Coaching the Whole Educator

This podcast helps instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and school leaders improve their educators’ effectiveness and resilience, especially the ones who need it most by focusing on the mindsets and motivations that are at the source of unproductive behaviors. Each week, we’ll cover quick tips, strategies and coaching mindsets so that you can be on top of your coaching game.

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Coaching the Whole Educator

#135: Why Adult Dysregulation Looks Like Resistance (And What to Do About It)

May 04, 2025 • Becca Silver • Season 3 • Episode 135

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What looks like resistance is often dysregulation in disguise—showing up as avoidance, blame, or burnout.

We talk all the time about helping kids manage their emotions, but what about adults? When adults become dysregulated, their brains shift from thoughtful decision-making to fight-or-flight mode, sabotaging effective communication and clear thinking. Kim Hall breaks down exactly what's happening during these moments and shares a simple, powerful strategy to hit the “calm the heck down” button—helping you move from knee-jerk reactions to intentional responses.

Because as coaches and leaders, we can’t effectively support our beautiful educators and students until we've regulated ourselves first.

The Whole Educator is now booking for the 2025–2026 school year—keynotes, PD, and our Human Centered Academy are all designed to turn resistance into real progress. Check out the options at https://bit.ly/WholeEdPrograms and let’s make next year the one where things finally shift.

🌐 Explore Kim’s work:

Lots of free tutorials on YouTube

Find all of her classes and courses on the Flourish Teaching Platform