This week, we sit down with Joe McQueen, a powerhouse educator and mental health professional who’s spent over two decades working with youth that the world often turns away from. Joe doesn’t just talk the talk — he’s in the trenches daily, helping young people navigate trauma, crisis, and the messy reality of mental health struggles.
As a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 2 million downloads, we’re honored to bring you another raw, eye-opening conversation that pulls no punches.
Joe’s work through Therapeutic Perspectives LLC is grounded in real-life experience, not just theory. His approach to trauma-informed de-escalation, restorative practices, and mental health education for schools changes the way teachers, parents, and youth workers connect with kids who are hurting. In this episode, we unpack how trauma shapes behavior, why relationships matter more than rules, and how empathy can literally save lives.
🧠 “The kids who need love the most will ask for it in the most unloving ways.” — Unknown
If you’ve ever felt burned out, frustrated, or helpless working with youth, this one’s for you. Joe’s message: hope lives in hard work.
👉 Drop your thoughts or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442a
Meet Our Guest — Joe McQueen
Joe McQueen has spent over 20 years working in education and mental health, dedicating his life to helping the youth others send away. He calls himself “a kid who can relate to the kids I work with every day,” and his passion shows in every training, keynote, and mentoring session.
As the founder of Therapeutic Perspectives LLC, Joe delivers trauma-informed de-escalation, restorative practices, and school mental health awareness training that blend research, experience, and heart. He’s also the Author of “Calming Young Minds: Understanding Escalation and De-Escalation in Youth.”
🌐 Website: https://www.theraputicperspectives.com/ 📘 Book: https://www.amazon.com/Calming-Young-Minds-Understanding-Escalation/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-mcqueen-360729240/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookcalmingyoungminds/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalmingYoungMindsBook
Key Takeaways
- Real change in youth work starts with understanding trauma, not punishment.
- Crisis de-escalation is about connection, not control.
- Educators need healing, too — burnout is real.
- Relationships are the foundation of mental wellness in schools.
- Data doesn’t fix kids — empathy and consistency do.
Actionable Items
- Learn trauma-informed language — replace “What’s wrong with you?” with “What happened to you?”
- Implement daily check-ins with youth to build safety and trust.
- Read Joe’s book “Calming Young Minds” for practical de-escalation tools.
References Mentioned
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Calming Young Minds: Understanding Escalation and De-Escalation in Youth – Joe McQueen
Important Chapters (Timestamps + Context)
00:00 – Welcome & Joe’s backstory 08:45 – Growing up “that kid” who gets sent away 16:10 – Why trauma-informed care matters more than policy 23:30 – How burnout shows up in educators and youth workers 31:00 – De-escalation in real time: practical stories from the field 40:20 – Healing through relationships, not consequences 50:00 – Final thoughts: choosing hope daily
Closing CTA
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