Episode 9: Emotional Safety, Belonging, and the Courage to Speak Up (with Ron Prasad)

There are moments in life when a single comment can shrink you.
And there are moments when a single choice can rebuild you.

Episode 9 of Chocolate and Coffee Break, hosted by Andrea Putting, is one of those conversations that reminds us how powerful words can be—both in harm and in healing.

Today’s guest is Ron Prasad, co-founder of the Beat Bullying with Confidence Foundation, a charity dedicated to creating emotionally safe environments in schools, workplaces, sports clubs, and youth organizations.

Ron’s mission isn’t theory.
It’s lived experience.

Join the Conversation

If you take one thing from Episode 9, let it be this:

Belonging is not a luxury.
Emotional safety is not optional.
And asking for help is not weakness.

So grab your chocolate, pour your cup, and check in with someone—especially someone who seems “fine.”

And until next time…

Let love be the loudest voice.

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What Emotional Safety Really Means

Andrea begins with a question that opens the heart of the episode:

What does emotional safety look like to you?

Ron’s answer is simple and essential:
Emotional safety is being allowed to be yourself without fear of being judged, criticized, ridiculed, or rejected.

And when emotional safety is missing—whether in a classroom or a workplace—people don’t thrive.

They survive.

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Ron’s Story: When School Becomes a Place You Fear

Ron shares how he and his best friend were bullied extensively in high school in the early 1990s—at a time when support systems were far less developed than they are now.

With a speech impairment (a lisp) and a visual impairment, Ron became a target.

What kept him going was connection: the support of a friend, the endurance to get through, and the decision years later to ensure others wouldn’t have to suffer alone.

In 2014, Ron and his best friend turned pain into purpose and created the Beat Bullying with Confidence Foundation.

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A Moment That Would Have Stopped Many People

One of the most striking parts of the episode is a story Ron shares from adulthood.

After joining Toastmasters to build speaking confidence, he competed in a contest. Then a judge said—publicly, in front of everyone:

“Ron, that was a great speech… for someone with a speech impediment. You should not be speaking in public.”

For some people, that moment would have been the end.

For Ron, it became fuel.

Today, he has spoken to thousands of children across Australia, proving that confidence is not something you’re born with—it’s something you build.

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Bullying: The Signs Parents Should Watch For

Andrea reflects on something important: even as adults, we may not recognize bullying right away—especially when it shows up in subtle, toxic ways.

So how can a child name what’s happening?

Ron explains that children may:

• blame themselves
• assume they deserve it
• hide it to avoid making things worse
• say “I’m fine” even when they are not

That’s why Ron encourages parents to look for subtle signs and keep the door open.

Simple daily check-ins that matter

Ron suggests small, consistent questions:

• “How was your day?”
• “Did anything feel hard today?”
• “Are you happy at school?”
• “How is (friend’s name) going?”

And when the child shares anything, even something small, respond with:
“Thank you for sharing.”

It teaches the child:
this is a safe space.

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When Schools Don’t Act: Escalating the Right Way

Ron shares a real story from a parent workshop:
A Year 9 student had been bullied for almost three years. The school hadn’t separated the child from the bullies—despite repeated requests.

Ron’s advice was clear:

1. Request a meeting with the school immediately
2. Remind the school of their duty of care
3. If the school does not act, escalate to the Department of Education

When the parent mentioned the Department, the response changed quickly—and the school finally acted.

The takeaway:
Parents must advocate early and firmly for their child’s safety.

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How Parents Can Protect Children at Home

With social media, bullying can follow kids home.

Ron emphasizes:

• create a safe space
• keep check-ins consistent
• watch patterns, not just answers
• give teens space, but keep the dialogue open

Children don’t need perfect parents.
They need present parents.

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No One Is Born a Bully

Ron also makes an important point:

Bullying is learned behavior.

And what is learned can be unlearned—with support, accountability, and guidance.

Schools can:

• observe behavioral patterns
• support children who report bullying
• and work with children who bully to address causes (self-worth, home issues, learned behaviors)

It’s not about excusing harm.
It’s about interrupting the cycle.

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Workplace Bullying and the BELONG Framework

This episode isn’t only about children.

Andrea shares her own experience of workplace toxicity—and how long it took her to realize it was bullying.

Ron explains how belonging becomes the antidote.

Inclusion vs Belonging

Ron offers a powerful line:

“Diversity and inclusion invite you to the table. Belonging makes you feel you have a place at the table where you can be yourself.”

Belonging must start at the top of organizations and filter down. And when belonging is real, bullying “by default” reduces because people treat each other with respect, kindness, courtesy, and empathy.

Ron even shares a chilling example: a worker who physically shakes when the elevator doors open to their office floor—because they fear judgment and ridicule.

That’s not work.
That’s survival mode.

Belonging changes everything:

• retention
• innovation
• productivity
• wellbeing
• culture

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Ron’s Final Message

Andrea asks the most important question:

If you could say one thing to someone being bullied right now, what would it be?

Ron’s answer is a lifeline:

You are not alone. There is support. Don’t suffer in silence. This too shall pass—especially with the right support around you.

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Learn More

 Ron’s organization: beatbullyingwithconfidence.com
 Show website: www.ChocolateAndCoffeeBreak.com