.png)
Living in 3D Power Podcast
Discover how to live authentically and lead courageously with Dr. Amber M. Sessoms on the Living in 3D Power podcast. Explore transformative questions, liberatory storytelling, and heartwarming insights her 10-year-old daughter, Emma, to uncover your power through Discovery, Discernment, and Determination. New episodes every week!
Living in 3D Power Podcast
Episode 45: Amplifying Student Voice in Schools (Live at NASP 2026)
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
This special episode was recorded live at the National Association of School Psychologists 2026 Annual Convention in Chicago.
What happens when student voice is not extracted but trusted?
What shifts when adults move from manager to learner?
Based on my paper, Amplifying Child Voice Through Intergenerational Storytelling and Reflection, this live conversation blends research, storytelling, audience engagement, and Emma’s now-famous “Chicken Nugget Wisdom” to demonstrate a model of healing-centered, culturally responsive SEL practice.
This is not a performative conversation about student voice.
It is a lived demonstration of it.
Chapters
04:20 — Rapid Fire Emotions
School psychologists name the emotions they hide at work.
08:20 — Adults as Robots
What is lost when professionals suppress emotion?
What is the cost to creativity, belonging, and humanity?
10:50 — Protecting Black Girl Joy
A conversation about adultification, safety, and cultural armoring.
13:09 — Student Voice vs Performative Listening
When is voice real and when is it tokenized?
14:23 — The 3D Power Framework
Discovery. Discernment. Devotion.
A scaffold for shifting adult stance and centering youth wisdom.
28:23 — Black Barbie & The Solar System
Emma’s metaphor:
Who is positioned as the sun?
Who is required to orbit?
32:04 — Redesigning the System
What would it take to build schools where more students are centered?
40:19 — Beyond Compliance to Change
Moving from mandatory voice to meaningful systems transformation. Emma closes with this: “Listen to kids more. They have a lot of wisdom.”
Connect with Me:
Instagram: @natural_inclination
Youtube: @naturalinclination
TikTok: Amber Sessoms
LinkedIn: Dr. Amber M. Sessoms, NCSP
Bluesky: @ambersessoms.bsky.social
Facebook: Natural Inclination
Website: www.aninclination.com
Like, Comment, Share, Engage
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who would love these conversations. Engage with the Curiosity Cards and ask the youth in your life about their experiences because you might be surprised by what you learn. Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments or on social media using #LivingIn3DPower. And, don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s conversation!
