Hóčhoka – St. Joseph’s Indian School Podcast, Season 3

Hóčhoka podcast returns to the airwaves this January with Season 3, offering 15 more episodes that engage the viewer/listener in the conversation about Native American education today. St. Joseph’s Indian School hopes you enjoy learning about the people and ideas that make our school the special place our families tell us it is.

Season 3 Teaser

Season 3 guests and topics include:

  • President Mike Tyrell discusses his newly published book, “Detour Home” about houseparenting and more.
  • High School Senior Basil Eagle Star takes two turns as podcast host.
  • Two experts on residential life share their perspectives on working with students in a residential setting.
  • We showcase our “Circle of Care” and share how that model is served by the Counseling Services Department.
  • We “Talk Thiyóšpaye” with a former staff person and a former student and spend time with two donors to learn why they give to St. Joe’s thiyóšpaye.
  • Dr. Paul Monson gives a fresh perspective on Catholicism through an indigenous lens as he tells us about Bishop Martin Marty and Sitting Bull.

Episode 1

Houseparenting – who wants that job? Lets’ find out by talking to someone who wasn’t so sure at first, the President of St. Joseph’s Indian School. Today we talk with Mike Tyrell. Tyrell is the author of the recently published “Detour Home,” whose name we steal for this series. The novel is a series of fictional stories sewn together to tell a more significant tale. It is loosely based on his experience as a young man who moved with his wife to St. Joseph’s Indian School to become a houseparent. Like the other two parts in this series, it explores the true meaning of the residential setting as a crucible for growth and relationship. Anyone with a connection to the school will listen and enjoy.

Episode 2

What happens when a high school senior interviews a residential school administrator? We’re here to find out. Today senior Basil Eagle Star talks with Sean Milner. Sean is an alumnus of The Baptist Children’s Village. He came to the ministry at a young age with his three brothers and one sister and remained there for 18 years. He is the only former childcare resident to serve as executive director of The Baptist Children’s Village and the only one nationwide among all Southern Baptist childcare agencies.

Episode 3

Ever wonder what “that kid” thinks? We’ve got someone with us today who was “that kid?” We talk with Sean Milner, an alumnus of The Baptist Children’s Village. He came to the ministry at a young age with his three brothers and one sister and remained there for 18 years. He is the only former childcare resident to serve as executive director of The Baptist Children’s Village and the only one nationwide among all Southern Baptist childcare agencies. Today he gives us perspective on a residential upbringing as someone who lived that life.

Episode 4

Today’s guest says, “If you want to understand kids, you must learn to dance.” We talk with Mark Freado, who, with JC Chambers and Matt Merrit, wrote the book “The Art of Kid Whispering, Reaching the Inside Kid.” Mark is currently revising the text for a new edition. He has more than four decades of experience in services for young people and their families. He provides consultation and training services to public and private organizations worldwide. Mark has been an essential partner to St. Joseph’s Indian School for many years.

Episode 5

Look out, Gucci, you have competition. Kids with pain and trauma are costume designers. Today Mark Freado joins us again to unpack the wisdom in his book, “The Art of Kid Whispering, Reaching the Inside Kid.” Listen and learn about kids, costumes and being present to the Inside Kid.

Episode 6

You don’t need to be a superhero to be a top-flight Kid Whisperer, but there are four superpowers you’ll want to make your own. Today Mark Freado joins us again to unpack the wisdom in his book, “The Art of Kid Whispering, Reaching the Inside Kid.” Hone your superpowers with kids here.

Episode 7

What happens when a high school senior meets a professional trainer and coach in youth development, forensic psychology, social services, mental health, juvenile justice and education? We’re here to find out. Mark Freado has more than four decades of experience in services for young people and their families. He provides consultation and training services to public and private organizations worldwide. Listen as St. Joseph’s high school senior Basil Eagle Star gets to know Freado.

Episode 8

What is a wraparound environment? Why does it matter? St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Executive Director of Child Services Jennifer Renner-Meyer discusses the “Circle of Care,” our approach to student care. Learn about this practical and comprehensive concept.

Episode 9

One counselor to every twenty students? That isn’t the only exceptional feature of St. Joseph’s Indian School’s Counseling Services Department. Today we talk with Robyn Knecht, director of Counseling Services. Robyn is here to discuss Counseling Services’ role in the “Circle of Care,” our approach to student care at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Episode 10

Where you look affects how you feel. Really? Today we talk with Dr. Karen Wiemers, psychologist, and Robyn Knecht, director of Counseling Services. Dr. Wiemers helps us understand “Brainspotting” – that where you look does affect how you feel. She and Robyn tell us how this therapy is utilized in Counseling Services provided by St. Joe’s to our students.

Episode 11

Equine Therapy at St. Joseph’s Indian School – learn why it is more than horse sense. Today we talk with Patty Bourne, equine specialist, and Robyn Knecht, director of Counseling Services. Patty gives us insight into the dynamics at the heart of equine therapy. She and Robyn tell us how this therapy is utilized in Counseling Services provided by St. Joe’s to our students.

Episode 12

What would Sitting Bull and Bishop Marty talk about? Why does it matter? In our first two seasons of Hóčhoka, we completed several podcasts to bring fresh perspectives to the relationship between Catholicism and Lakota spirituality. We continue that theme with today’s conversation. Today we talk with Dr. Paul Monson, associate professor of church history and academic dean at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology near Milwaukee, Wisc. Dr. Monson discusses the relationship between these two iconic figures and wonders about the influence Sitting Bull had on Bishop Marty.

Episode 13

Why contribute to the mission of St. Joseph’s Indian School? During the school’s 46th Annual Powwow, host Scott Woster sat down with Steele and Debbie Alphin to learn how this couple came to be donors and what motivates their generosity.

Episode 14

Let’s hear about what it was like from someone with soul. Today we talk with Virgil Taken Alive, former counselor in the Big Boys Dormitory, enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, retired station KLND DJ who went by Lakota Soulman and our treasured powwow emcee.

Episode 15

Been here, done that! Let’s get acquainted with a former student. Today we talk with Larry Jandreau, a student here from 1960 to 1964. Larry is currently the Director of Facilities Management for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and a member of the St. Joseph’s Indian School Board of Directors. Enjoy as he looks back to St. Joe’s in the 60s.

The podcast is directed at internal and external audiences and will vary by topic. Audiences might include employees, potential employees, families and students, the general public, supporters, advocates, educators and donors.

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