Thriving Together, LLC

08/14/2026

What a week at the Communities Collaborative Brain Development Conference - this valuable learning experience did not disappoint! SO MUCH JOY was delivered. WOO HOO!

*400 Brain Builders showed up and were ALL IN! - Doing the Finding Joy was so rewarding and participants were so engaged - sharing laughter, poignant insights, and maybe even a tear. I even received several "YOU deserve JOY!" hugs. What a joy! the reality is, this work is tough. But we are going to find joy ANYWAY!
*So many amazing speakers! From the Tuesday night pre-conference through the final keynote! Excellent learning = better for us ALL - children, families, and educators.
*Great networking events. Many said this was an invaluable opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with others.
*A smooth wonderful experience. They have this event DOWN! No wonder after 22 years. The latest research, engaging speakers, great flow, all food included... so supportive and energizing. WOO HOO!

Thank you to Kim Lage, Sue Heisler, and the team for inviting me to be the opening Keynote. It was a truly remarkable experience all around! 🙏

My heart is filled also because of the great trainers/leaders who showed up, spoke words of support, stayed for the Keynote, and then shared positive feedback with me. You lifted me up that day. It was all the more rewarding because you were all there to cheer me on. 🥰The Karoake bar was a fun time as well. Kristen Wheeler Highland, Kim Woehl, Cherida, Brenda, Paula, Kelly, and the rest of you made it all even more special. What a lucky gal!

Such a heart-filling event! WOW! This was 100% "Thriving Together"!
Thank you friends!

WE DESERVE JOY!

Heart. Full.

Thriving Together, LLC

08/14/2026

What a week at the Communities Collaborative Brain Development Conference - this valuable learning experience did not disappoint!

*400 Brain Builders showed up and were ALL IN! - Doing the Finding Joy was so rewarding and participants were so engaged - sharing laughter, poignant insights, and maybe even a tear. I even received several "YOU deserve JOY!" hugs. What a joy! the reality is, this work is tough. But we are going to find joy ANYWAY!
*So many amazing speakers! From the Tuesday night pre-conference through the final keynote!
*Great networking events. Many said this was an invaluable opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with others.
*A smooth wonderful experience. They have this event DOWN! No wonder after 22 years. The latest research, engaging speakers, great flow, all food included... so supportive and energizing. WOO HOO!

Thank you to Kim Lage, Sue Heisler, and the team for inviting me to be the opening Keynote. It was a truly remarkable experience all around! 🙏

My heart is filled also because of the great trainers who showed up, spoke words of support, stayed for the Keynote, and then shared positive feedback with me. You lifted me up that day. It was all the more rewarding because you were all there to cheer me on. 🥰The Karoake bar was a fun time as well. Kristen Wheeler Highland, Kim Woehl, Cherida, Brenda, Paula, Kelly, and the rest of you made it all even more special. What a lucky gal!

Such a heart-filling event! WOW! This was 100% "Thriving Together"!
Thank you friends!

Heart. Full.

Thriving Together, LLC

08/11/2026

08/11/2026

Frogstreet's Splash conference was another wonderful experience!!

Presenting one of my favorite sessions - Inspiring Terrific Toddlers Part 2 - was another heart-filling session. A couple educators stayed after to share the insight that was important to them and the positive impact of the session. What a gift!

Yes! These little humans are doing their best to learn, explore the world, and get the attention they need to thrive. They do not have a master plan to make a toddler educator frustrated!

Working with toddlers can be extra challenging, but it can also be extra joyful! YAY for a toolbox with evidence-based strategies that work!

Frog Street and Raelene Ostberg with Thriving Together, LLC - What a great opportunity Frog Street brought - Thank you for including me once again!!

And, thank you to the organization that sent this wonderful educator to her first conference!! Woo hoo!!🙌

AND, last but not least, thank you to my daughter Halie Ostberg and her talented videographer Bryce for capturing it all (videos coming soon!)

08/10/2026

✨ Infant & Toddler Educators—YOU Deserve Joy! ✨

I’m thrilled to be bringing my Finding Joy keynote to the Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children’s Infant & Toddler Day this fall!

Caring for infants and toddlers can be incredibly joyful—their aha moments, silly antics, and the genuine love they give us make this work so special. ❤️

But, let’s be honest…this work can also be really stressful. Hitting, biting, kicking, screaming, big emotions, and the constant demands of the day can take a toll.

After 15 years in infant and toddler classrooms, I know firsthand that this work isn’t always a walk in the park. And I also know that we deserve joy—even when the work is hard.

Join me as we explore practical ways to reduce stress, break through barriers, and increase your personal joy factor so you can show up as your best self for the little ones who need you.

Because you are a brain builder. You are making a difference. And you deserve joy, too. 💛

I can’t wait to see you in beautiful Mystic, Connecticut!

Brought to you by the

CT Association for the Education of Young Children
in collaboration with
Thriving Together, LLC

This conference is going to inspire, engage, and connect all the wonderful humans in our early childhood work - from leaders to teachers - aides to advocates - we are going to have SO MUCH FUN!

We truly are more together - WOOT WOOT!

08/07/2026

✨ Exciting news for early childhood professionals!

For nearly 20 years, my passion has been helping educators experience less stress, more joy, and greater success in the important work you do every day.

Today, I'm thrilled to launch the Thriving Together Learning Library—a collection of six FREE self-paced professional development courses designed specifically for early childhood educators.

You'll find practical, brain-based strategies for:

💛 Reducing stress and increasing joy
🧠 Responding to challenging behavior
🤝 Building stronger relationships
🌱 Supporting self-regulation and social-emotional development

Whether you're a teacher, family childcare provider, home visitor, director, or leader, these resources are here to support you.
✔ Self-paced
✔ Evidence-based
✔ Practical strategies you can use right away

Please share this with another educator who could benefit. Together, we can support the adults who make such a difference in the lives of children.

Explore the Learning Library: https://onlinechallengingbehaviorseries.thinkific.com/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=08+07+2026&utm_campaign=A+Gift+for+the+Early+Childhood+Community+

07/03/2026

What if we've been chasing the wrong goal?

As early childhood professionals, we spend our days helping children learn, grow, and thrive. We want them to experience happiness.

But what if happiness isn't the destination?

In this keynote clip, I share why I believe joy is something much deeper—and why understanding the difference has changed the way I approach both my work and my life.

Because happiness comes and goes. Joy can remain, even on the hard days.

And in a profession where stress is real and the work is deeply meaningful, that distinction matters.

I'd love to hear your thoughts after you watch.

💛 Do you think there's a difference between happiness and joy? What does joy look like in your life or your work?

✨ Finding Joy is a series of short keynote clips exploring how we can decrease stress, build resilience, and create more joy in our lives and our work.

✨ Follow our page and watch for more to gain the deep insight and easy-to-apply strategies to get less stress and more joy - right here on Facebook!

Thriving Together, LLC

06/29/2026

One of my favorite parts of speaking isn't standing on the stage.

It's hearing what people are thinking and feeling afterward. Rebekah Bazan and Ashley Wachal made our day this June!

"We deserve to feel joy!"

"It was a really good reminder, and I think we're all going back home a little bit more fired up."

WOO HOO!

When early childhood professionals tell me they're leaving with renewed joy, a stronger sense of connection, and a reminder that they matter too...that's why I do this work.

Another favorite part? Partnering with conference organizers who care deeply about creating an experience that truly serves their attendees. The behind-the-scenes collaboration is one of the most rewarding parts of every event.

A heartfelt thank you to Drew Gerdes and everyone involved with the Concordia University, Nebraska - Department of Education 2026 Early Childhood Conference for such a warm welcome and for creating an event that absolutely ROCKED! Your hospitality, thoughtful planning, and passion for supporting early childhood professionals made it a joy to be part of.

Our field asks so much of educators, caregivers, home visitors, and leaders. It's easy to spend every ounce of energy caring for everyone else.

But here's what I believe:

✨ Joy isn't a luxury.
✨ Enjoying our early childhood work is a necessity.
✨ When the adults are thriving, children thrive too.

Thank you to the wonderful leaders who shared what resonated with them after the keynote. Hearing how the message will live on in your programs is the greatest gift.

Thriving Together, LLC
Raelene Ostberg

06/24/2026

As a full-time speaker, I get a lot of requests from programs saying "Come help my team with challenging behaviors! They are getting so burned out!"

And, one of my first questions is: "How stressed is your team?"

Because here's what we know: a stressed adult cannot effectively support a stressed child.

When an early childhood professional's stress level is through the roof, it impacts everything—their patience, responsiveness, problem-solving, and ability to stay present in difficult moments. And children feel it.

Young children don't know why they feel more unsettled, more emotional, or more reactive. They just know something feels different.

That's why, during a recent presentation for the National Head Start Association Annual Conference, I talked about a goal that is becoming increasingly important in our field: helping educators thrive, not just survive.

We often talk about burnout as people leaving the profession. And yes, that is a huge loss.

But there is another kind of burnout.

It's when someone is physically present but emotionally exhausted. They're going through the motions, trying to cope, counting the minutes, and struggling to bring their best self to the children in their care.

The children didn't choose that classroom: “Please, give me the teacher is burned out, crabby, and stressed!” Ah – no.

I have been that teacher under significant strain. And, I needed to do better. With the right support and transformative information on how to reduce stress, thankfully, I did. I also found more joy and rewards when I did.

Young children deserve adults who are supported, energized, and equipped to do this incredibly important work.

If we want to improve children's behavior, emotional well-being, and learning outcomes, we must also focus on the emotional well-being of the adults caring for them.

Supporting children starts with supporting the people who support children.

Less stress. More joy. Better outcomes for everyone. ❤️

You deserve joy.

Raelene
Thriving Together, LLC

This video was taken at the National Head Start Association conference on May 4-6, 2026. What a conference! What an audience! LOVED this experience.

06/22/2026

This conference. These people. ❤️

The incredible professionals at the Early Head Start First 1000 Days Conference reminded me exactly why I do this work.

For my closing keynote, Small Moments, Lifelong Impact, I did something different. Instead of my typical keynote format, I invited participants to help co-create the content. Throughout the conference, we conducted interviews and gathered their best strategies for supporting Early Head Start teams as they create meaningful learning environments for infants and toddlers.

WOW. What a gift.

The message was simple: infants and toddlers need TRUST.

Trusting time. Trusting children. Trusting ourselves.

We know what young children need—time, responsiveness, understanding, safety, and togetherness. But we also need to acknowledge something important: caring for infants and toddlers in group settings (and supporting those who do) is incredibly meaningful work, and it can also be incredibly demanding.

Supporting families and meeting the needs of very young children requires constant attention, responsiveness, flexibility, and emotional regulation. It asks a great deal of the adults who show up every day with patience, skill, and heart.

So the bigger question becomes: How do we create workplaces where adults have what they need to provide these trust-building experiences every day?

The answers shared by participants were thoughtful, practical, and inspiring. Hearing and amplifying their voices strengthened both this keynote and my commitment to uplifting the professionals who make such a profound difference for children and families.

As it turns out, this keynote required trust from me too—trusting others’ voices, trusting the process, and trusting the wisdom already within our field.

A heartfelt thank you to:

❤️ Edward Condon, Melissa Sahagun, Danya Torp, and the entire Head Start WEST team for creating opportunities for learning, growth, and connection.

❤️ Denyse Cardoza, Yasha Nasiripour, and Lisa Fuller from Placer Community Action for your leadership, insight, and collaboration.

❤️ Guadalupe Hernandez, Parent Advocate Extraordinaire from Plaza de la Raza Early Head Start, for your perspective and passion.

❤️ Hamida Newsome, Lynda de la Mora, Mindy Huang, Carmen Salcedo, and the SETA team for your strategies and unwavering commitment to children and families.

This June was one of the most challenging months I’ve experienced personally, and your kindness, partnership, encouragement, and shared commitment to children made all the difference.

Together, we build trust. Together, we reduce stress and increase joy. Together, we create environments where children—and the adults who care for them—can thrive.

My heart is full, and I am deeply grateful. ❤️

— Raelene Ostberg
THRIVING TOGETHER, LLC