65: GUEST | Why Your Kid Can’t Handle Hard Things with Leroy Slanzi

Grades aren't the problem. Emotional illiteracy is.

In this bold and expansive episode, Davina sits down with Leroy Slanzi, Canadian principal and founder of Emotional Schools, to unpack what’s really going on in classrooms (and homes) today. From emotional regulation in 5-year-olds to burnout in school leaders, this episode is a masterclass in behavior, boundaries, and the education revolution nobody's talking about loud enough.

Leroy brings 25 years of experience and no-bullshit clarity to this conversation about emotional intelligence, cultural pushback, and practical solutions for parents and educators. If you’ve ever wondered why your kid melts down over math or why your school's still obsessed with standardized tests, this one’s for you.

🔍 In This Episode, We Talk SHIFT About:

00:01 – Introducing Leroy + the mission behind Emotional Schools

02:20 – Why school leaders resist emotional intelligence integration

04:10 – Helicopter parenting, fear-driven admin, and cultural barriers

11:00 – Teaching 5-year-olds about polyvagal theory (!?)

14:05 – The calming space model: not your typical principal’s office

16:30 – Indigenous education, land-based learning, and the medicine wheel

21:20 – Boredom, play, and the emotional consequences of disconnection

23:30 – What happens when emotionally intelligent kids go home to emotionally unavailable adults

27:00 – The collapse of speech development + rise in reactivity

30:40 – The myth that emotions have no place in academic rigor

37:15 – Why superintendents resist culture change

39:45 – How to spark intrinsic motivation in your child

42:00 – Raising emotionally intelligent kids without the tech trap

51:15 – How to support kids with low frustration tolerance

53:00 – Why mistakes are the best teachers

56:00 – Davina & Leroy reflect on parenting regret and repair

60:00 – Davina’s theory on being wired as a parent vs partner

63:00 – A reality check on what teachers really go through

65:00 – How to bring emotional intelligence to your school, district, or home

66:00 – Where to find Leroy and Emotional Schools

🧠 Connect with Leroy

🌐 Website – Programs, consulting, and free resources

📲 LinkedIn – Follow Leroy’s work

📧 Email: info@emotionalschools.com

💥 Want Your Kids to Be Emotionally Intelligent?

Start with you. A Steady Space exists to equip parents not to parent “perfectly,” but to parent from a place of regulation, resilience, and repair.

🚀 Ready to SHIFT?

• Join SHIFT Live
• Book a Clarity Call
• Follow along on IG/TikTok → @asteadyspace