
The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 6
NO! Part 2
In the last episode, we started talking about the word NO! Make sure you listen to that episode first. We talked about how important it is to be able to notice that you feel uncomfortable so you can make the choice to say it when you need it – and to be able to say it like you really mean it!
In this episode, we’re going to think through a few examples of times when your body might be alerting you and you feel scared. We’re going to talk through some of these times and break them apart together. I’m going to also ask you to pause this podcast a couple of times and talk through different examples with the trusted adult you are listening to this with. So, if your trusted adult is not here listening with you? Go get them first! OK? OK!
Note: Adults please listen first then listen and discuss with your kiddo!
Special thanks to my producer/editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart
Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/
Thank you!
#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #no
Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact
The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 5
NO! Part 1
In this episode, we’ll start to understand the power of being able to say “NO!” This word unlocks empowerment for kids! Being able to say “NO!” is one of the most important tools in a kid’s self-defense toolkit. If someone is asking you to do something and you get a funny feeling, saying “NO!” is one of the first things you can do. In this episode, I want to talk about this one little word. It’s got superpowers. It really does! It lets you stand your ground especially when you say it like you really mean it.
Special thanks to my editor Azucena Melchor
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart
Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/
Thank you!
#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #no #nomeansno
Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact
The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 4
TELL!
What do you do when there is a teacher at school making you feel uncomfortable? Hear the story of a group of brave middle schoolers, what they did and what happened next. Learn action steps to take – for both kids and the adults who love them. What do you do when concerns arise whether at school, in a religious community, on sports teams, with neighbors, friends or even family.
CONTENT WARNING – This is a story about middle schoolers, so, trusted adults, listen first or at least be present and listen with your kiddo. My hope is that after listening, you have a lot to talk about!
Special thanks to my producer, Henry Smart-Denson & my editor, Azucena Melchor!
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart
Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/
Thank you!
#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #TELL
Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact
The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 3
How does it feel to be threatened by a bully at school? How can kids power up and respond? What works for kids and what support can parents provide? How can schools respond in a way that is safe, effective and fair?
Join this age-appropriate conversation with Emilia, daughter of host Silvia Smart, and find out what happened when a school bully tried to intimidate her in fourth grade. What did she do when he pulled out a pair of scissors and threatened her? How did it feel, at 10 years old, to find herself in that vulnerable position?
Listen as Emilia describes what she did, how she handled this complex situation, and how her mom supported her when the school fumbled. Use this conversation as a jumping-off point for a family conversation. Add these important strategies to your child’s self-defense toolkit. Engage with your kiddo’s school to ascertain what their bullying policies are. Hint: “No Tolerance” is a good start.
Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart
Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/
Thank you!
#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #bullying, #nobully, #nobullying, #antibully, #standuptobullies, #schoolbully
I want to hear your story! Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact
The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 2
Our bodies are designed to warn us when something is wrong. Learn about your amazing alarm system and find out how to pay attention when your body is talking to you! Listen to Silvia’s story which illustrates this concept, find out what happened, and learn ways to practice. This is one of the most important tools in your self-defense toolkit!
Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart
Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/
Thank you!
#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #thepowerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity, #firstlineofdefense
The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 1
Welcome to Episode #1 of The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast! Meet your teacher and host, Silvia Smart. Find out what we’re going to learn and how this podcast is going to unfold. Get to know and understand some of the basic concepts so we can all be on the same page. This is exciting! So happy you are here!
Special thanks to my producer/editor, Henry Smart-Denson
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silviasmart
Donate through my website: https://nagacommunity.com/product/support-the-empowerment-podcast-by-naga/
Thank you!
#powerup, #theempowermentproject, #kidselfdefense, #selfdefense, #powerupkidsselfdefensepodcast, #nagacommunity,
Connect with Silvia: www.nagacommunity.com/contact

Silvia Smart | Podcast Host
With over three decades of experience teaching self-defense to children, teens, and adults, host Silvia Smart is a sixth-degree black belt and Head Instructor at her martial arts school in Oregon. Smart an inductee into the Association of Women’s Martial Arts Instructors Hall of Fame is recognized for both her dedication and body of work. Smart shares her compassion, ferocity, and wisdom with companies, organizations, private groups, schools, and universities around the country.
It is Silvia’s joy to share the gifts of power and safety through understanding, humor, and storytelling. Smart’s hope is that by listening together, children, and the adults who care about them, find connection and communication around the important topic of personal safety and empowerment. Her passion for this work is evident from the very first episode.
Available here on the website and also on most podcast platforms.
Search: The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast
Production and Editing: Henry Smart-Denson
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The Empowerment Podcast
Interrupting the Cycle Violence through Self Defense.
Research proves that empowerment self-defense programs work. Participants are less fearful, more aware of their boundaries, and are able to speak up sooner when faced with manipulative or threatening situations.
Furthermore, for those who have experienced trauma in the past, evidence shows that empowerment self-defense training can interrupt the cycle of violence and decrease the likelihood of a future assault. Join host Silvia Smart in this safe space. With over three decades on the frontlines, she’ll give you all the skills and knowledge you need to live your most fearless and empowered life!

The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 41
Join host, Silvia Smart and her guest, Tasha Ina Church, an empowerment self-defense teacher with a life story you want to hear about! On her website, she writes: “Empowerment goes beyond physical safety. It is understanding that YOU have a VOICE and that voice has POWER — It’s about knowing that in any fight; physical, psychological, or emotional, YOU are Worth Fighting For!”
Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)
Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group.
#theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #elleliveaction, @elleliveaction
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 40
Empowerment & Dragons! Empowerment is a lifelong journey. Celebrate your wins and contemplate next steps. Join host, Silvia Smart, as she shares a piece of her journey into and beyond a lifelong challenge that impacted every area of her life. Find out how she vanquished her dragon and lived to tell about it!
Empowerment means doing stuff that is hard and scary, looking at the way we limit ourselves, the way society limits us…and facing it, moving through it, living to tell about it, seeing, feeling and knowing how strong and powerful we are because of these choices and this journey, and then going on to share our experiences, challenges and successes as a way of helping others who face similar trials and tribulations.
Connect with Silvia
Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)
Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
LINKS:
Video about Joseph Campbell,“Finding Joe” (beware, it’s heavy on the references to men.)
“Because I said I would”.
My blog on Food Addiction which has links to the program that is working for me.
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee
Donate through my website
Thank you!
Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group.
#theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #becauseisaidiwould, #brightlineeating, #ble, #findingjoe,
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 39
Self Defense and Martial Arts – An Interview with Jim Wetzel
Join host, Silvia Smart, and her guest, Jim Wetzel as they discuss the martial art they train and so much more. Poekoelan Tjimindie was brought to the US from Indonesia in 1956 by Willy Wetzel. Jim is his youngest son, has been training in this art since he was 4 years old, and is a font of wisdom. He’s kind, and generous and is a wonderful human being and teacher.
In this episode, Silvia and Jim discuss all things self-defense. Also, if you are looking to begin some of your own martial arts training, they spend some time talking about how to pick the right style, school, and teacher for you.
Connect with Silvia
Connect with Jim: wetzelsystems@gmail.com
Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)
Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee
Donate through my website
Thank you!
Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group.
#theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #poekoelan, #poekoelantjimindie
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 38
Zero Tolerance
Are you ready to set a Zero Tolerance Policy? Is another person’s behavior toward you hurtful, demeaning, disrespectful or downright threatening? In this episode, we contemplate our tolerance levels for others’ behaviors. We think through becoming ready to make a boundary and draw a line: to have “Zero Tolerance”. We look at the planning and preparation needed to ensure we set ourselves up for the greatest success possible.
Hear two stories: one that illustrates a “mushy” policy and one that illustrates “Zero Tolerance”. Explore an example with host, Silvia Smart. Hear about the “Zero Tolerance Policy” of the NBA and yes, her favorite team, The Portland Trailblazers as they’ve codified it into expectations of fans at games.
Connect with Silvia
Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)
Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee
Donate through my website
Thank you!
Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group.
#theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #zerotolerance, #blazers, #trailblazers, #portlandtrailblazers
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 37
Blowback What it is and How to Handle it!
Blowback is another person’s reaction when you reclaim your power, take up your space, set boundaries and make changes in your life. Blowback comes in a large variety of sizes and shapes and can look and feel many different ways. Ultimately, it’s about the other person trying to maintain the status quo. It’s their way of trying to keep the power dynamic between you from changing.
Like all of our self-defense, the level of blowback will vary up and down the continuum of assault and violence. When you know it’s coming and can plan and prepare for it, you get to practice handling it. This practice helps you respond to blowback when the stakes are higher or if it comes as a surprise.
You have every right to claim your space, set boundaries, and step into your power. Here are some thoughts about blowback and some tools for your self-defense toolkit to deal with it when it happens to you.
Chances are good that as you set boundaries and step into empowerment, you WILL get blowback. So be prepared! You’ve got this!
Connect with Silvia
Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)
Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee
Donate through my website
Thank you!
Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group.
#theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity, #blowback
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 36
Listeners ask questions. Let’s discuss: What should I do if I see someone being followed or pursued? Do I help? If so, HOW do I help? Here’s a quick episode to talk you through some options.
Support this important work:
Buy Me a Coffee
Donate through my website
Thank you!
Join “The Empowerment Project” Group on Facebook. For everyone’s safety, please know that if you don’t answer the questions, we will not accept you into the group.
#theempowermentpodcast, #theempowermentproject, #theempowermentpodcastybynaga, #emowermentselfdefense, #selfdefense, #nagacommunity,
Connect with Silvia
Special thanks to my editor, Collin Taber (@that2ndtaberkid)
Resources:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
