Everyone that knows Ben knows he is a huge Ted Lasso fan. And one line from season one sets the tone for this conversation: "Be curious, not judgmental." Ben is joined by Kim Botto, an advocate, trainer, author, and longtime champion for kids and teens whose voices are often minimized, especially those impacted by neurodivergence, disability, trauma, adoption, and foster care. Kim has spent decades equipping church and nonprofit leaders to create spaces that are safe and welcoming for everyone. She is also a mom of five and a grandmother of eleven. In her book, Boundless Hope for Every Child, Kim shares lessons from more than 30 years of experience working with children and teenagers, with a simple but powerful takeaway: disruptive behavior is often communication, and curiosity is the first step toward connection. In this episode, Ben and Kim talk about:

Why "fixing behavior" often misses what a child actually needs
What trauma can look like in everyday moments, and why kids may resist adults
What neurodivergence means, and how environments can overwhelm without us noticing
How to choose your parenting battles and focus on long term formation, not short term compliance
How curiosity improves every relationship, including with coworkers, spouses, and ourselves
Why hope matters, and how speaking identity into kids can change the trajectory of a life

You do not have to be a parent to benefit from Kim's wisdom. This conversation is about becoming the kind of person who seeks to understand first and leads with compassion.

Brief legal disclaimer: This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. The ideas and opinions on this episode do not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Listeners should seek the input of their own tax, legal, and financial planning professionals before acting on any of the information provided. Any speaker on this podcast expresses ideas that are subjective to the time of the recording, and are subject to change without notice, and are not always indicative of the opinions of the underwriters of this show. This episode should not replace the diligence of a full financial plan with a financial planning professional that can take your specific situation into account.