
The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 8
Meet Jill Shames, Empowerment Self Defense Instructor. Listen in as she and host, Silvia Smart, share a cool kids’ self-defense success story and talk about all the things the kid did RIGHT! You are strong and powerful and Jill and Silvia believe in you!
The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast – Episode 7
Reflections on Bullying from Dad and Pastor Chris Dela Cruz
Chris Dela Cruz reflects on times when he was teased and bullied as a kid. Smart and Dela Cruz discuss what it was like, how it felt, and how he handled this behavior. They think through feelings and self-talk that accompany a kid getting harassed and mistreated. From his perspective as an adult, dad and pastor, Dela Cruz shares his wisdom with kids who are living through similar experiences. If you want to be an ally – adults and kids alike – for a child suffering bullying, teasing, cruelty or intimidation, you will find understanding and insight here too.
Together, we can empower kids, schools and families to confront this issue head-on with sensitivity and compassion.
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 48
Finding Empowerment within the Upsetting Context of Mass Shootings – an Interview with SAC Kieran Ramsey, FBI Portland
There’s a clear uptick in mass shootings across the country leading to lots of fear, confusion and anguish. Who better to talk to than the FBI? Join me and my guest, Special Agent in Charge of the Portland FBI, Kieran Ramsey.
We discuss how regular people like you and me can help prevent mass shootings and play a role in stopping this disturbing cycle of violence. (Hint: it will not make the news.) We discuss the ins and outs, ups and downs of knowing what to look for, fact versus myth, reporting, planning, preparation and yes, believe it or not, empowerment!
Many thanks to SAC Ramsey for sharing his experience and wisdom as we negotiate the complex landscape we all live in right now.
Please share this episode far and wide. Together, we can create a kinder and safer world, one relationship at a time. We’ve got this!
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
• Call 911
• Call Your Local Non-Emergency Police Phone Number: Directory by City
• Report to the FBI
• Contact Your Local FBI Field Office
• FBI Phone #: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
Connect with Silvia
Trauma Informed Active Shooter Trainings with Silvia
Special thanks to my editor, Henry Smart-Denson
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 47
Folks, Florida is on the front lines right now. There are huge safety concerns brought on by the cruel laws, restrictions, rhetoric, and policies of Ron DeSantis and his friends that are affecting many people. Because of this, Equality Florida, along with the NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens, have all issued travel advisories for the State of Florida.
I wanted to find out more and am thrilled to introduce you to Brandon Wolf, the Press Secretary of Equality Florida.
In April 2023, Brandon’s organization, Equality Florida warned against traveling to the state of Florida for folks in the LGBTQ+ community saying it could be risky and potentially unsafe. The warning says: “Taken in their totality, Florida’s slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those traveling to the state.”
The League of United Latin American Citizens issued its own warning, saying bluntly: “Traveling to Florida is dangerous.” The advisory goes on to say travel in Florida “can be unsafe for people of color, individuals who speak with an accent, and international travelers,” and people in those groups could face “a heightened risk of harassment, possible detainment, and potential family separation based on racial profiling.”
From the New York Times: The NAACP became the latest to issue a travel advisory to the Sunshine State, warning that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’s “aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools” have turned the state into an openly hostile place for people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.”
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 46
Denial, Safety, and Empowerment – If we’re gonna talk about Empowerment Self Defense, we have to talk about denial. When talking with survivors of sexual assault and survivors of other types of relational violence it is common to hear that the survivor had a funny feeling something was wrong but then doubted themselves or rationalized or minimized their intuition and flat out ignored it. This is called denial.
Denial can put us at risk and because of that, breaking through denial in all the ways it manifests in our lives keeps us safer. Period. Looking at and talking about denial is directly connected to empowerment self-defense AND to our safety as we walk through the world.
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 45
Meet Jill Shames, Empowerment Self Defense Instructor. Listen in as she and host, Silvia Smart, share a few self-defense success stories and talk about all the things the survivors did RIGHT! Find out why they recommend a perspective shift as you think through your own experiences! You are strong and powerful and Jill and Silvia believe in you!
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 44
Meet Lauren Taylor who has been working to end gender-based violence since 1978, when she co-founded Washington, D.C.’s first shelter for abused women. As an empowerment self-defense teacher and founder-director of Defend Yourself, she’s trained more than 35,000 people in the D.C. area and elsewhere in the U.S. She’s also trained dozens of trainers around the country and around the world.
Join us as we find out more about Lauren and what makes her tick. Learn about the book she co-authored with Nadia Telsey, which will be published in the fall! Importantly, follow the links here to learn how to pre-order the book and support this important work!
The Empowerment Podcast – Episode 43
I Survived a Cult
Join host Silvia Smart as she shares pieces of her journey to empowerment and survival from a cult-like martial arts system. Listen to the red flags that crop up around these dysfunctional and sometimes dangerous systems and people.
Cults and charismatic leaders with ill intent are everywhere – Qanon, NXIVM, Scientology, and The Children of God, are just a few examples. Cults and narcissistic, manipulative, and sociopathic leaders exist within conspiratorial cultures, churches, and spiritual groups. People get stuck in these systems – especially when they are vulnerable. Learn the signs so you can protect yourself and stay safe.
