In this episode, Sarah Rose Cavanagh joins Duncan and Laine to discuss how K-12 educators can harness emotion to enhance student engagement, the connection between emotions and learning, and what “teacher burnout” really looks like and how school systems can better support teacher well-being. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/ai-therapy-chatbot-eating-disorder-treatment https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com...
Jun 17, 2025•44 min•Ep. 36
In this episode, Jordan Shapiro, PhD, from Temple University and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss how educators should differentiate between healthy and harmful digital practices, issues of digital equity, and lessons K-12 educators can learn about designing digital experiences that are developmentally appropriate. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/children-adolescent-mental-health-anxiety-depression/ https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com/...
May 20, 2025•46 min•Ep. 35
In this episode, Dr. Jenny Radesky from the University of Michigan Medical School joins Duncan and Laine to discuss the impact of technology and social media on youth mental health. She shares recommendations about how educators can navigate the digital ecosystem with students and offers advice for families and caregivers to help students have healthy relationships with digital media. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/04/22/teens-social-media-and-mental-health/ https://effectiveschoolsol...
May 06, 2025•43 min•Ep. 34
In this episode, Dr. Daniel Eisenberg, Professor of Health Policy and Management at UCLA, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss his research on adolescent and young adult mental health. He explores findings from the Healthy Minds study and highlights the importance of systemic solutions, including multi-systemic therapy (MST), and discusses the economic benefits of investing in mental health, from improved graduation rates to higher lifetime earnings. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/14/nx-s1-5262897/par...
Mar 18, 2025•45 min•Ep. 33
In this episode, Dr. Sharmil Shah joins Duncan and Laine to discuss where she sees the biggest opportunities for improvement in school-based mental health initiatives over the next 5-10 years, the role of Certified Wellness Coaches, and what the state of California is doing to fund sustainability for school-based mental health initiatives. https://theconversation.com/technology-is-supposed-to-decrease-teacher-burnout-but-we-found-it-can-sometimes-make-it-worse-243683 https://effectiveschoolsolut...
Feb 18, 2025•49 min•Ep. 32
In this episode, Duncan and Laine are joined by Ross Szabo to explore how we can transform the conversation around mental health and make these discussions a regular part of school culture. Ross shares his personal journey and offers valuable insights on taking control of your mental well-being while breaking down stigma. https://www.nj.com/opinion/2024/12/mental-health-services-in-nj-schools-are-severely-lacking-heres-a-strategy-opinion.html#:~:text=Despite%20the%20state%20budget%20allocating,t...
Jan 21, 2025•40 min•Ep. 31
In this episode, Duncan and Laine are joined by Dr. Jodi Aman to discuss her journey into the mental health field, the mental health crisis’ ties to screen time, how C.O.M.P.A.S.S. empowers students, tips for boosting student confidence, and managing device use. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-school-social-workers-underutilized-resource.html https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com/
Dec 17, 2024•43 min•Ep. 30
In this episode, Duncan and Laine are joined by five district partner leaders to discuss the current state of school-based mental health in the aftermath of the pandemic. The conversation explores the interconnected challenges of mental health, severe absenteeism, and disciplinary issues, while also highlighting the most effective strategies they’ve found for supporting educators in these areas. https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2024/10/24/four-new-facility-schools-open-in-colorado-mental-behav...
Nov 19, 2024•50 min•Ep. 28
In this episode, Duncan and Laine are joined by five of Effective School Solutions’ clinical and professional development staff members to discuss what they are seeing with respect to mental health, emotional, and behavioral challenges so far this school year. They also unpack the root causes driving some of the challenges and actionable steps educators can take to enhance mental health support in their schools this year. https://www.npr.org/2024/10/08/g-s1-26823/states-sue-tiktok-child-safety-m...
Oct 22, 2024•55 min•Ep. 29
In this episode, Joseph Engelhardt, Principal of Alexander Hamilton High School, Elmsford Union Free School District, and mental health keynote speaker, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss challenges and resistance to restorative discipline in an educational setting, ways to measure the success of alternatives to suspension, as well as the links between mental health and discipline. https://www.k12dive.com/news/mental-health-chronic-absenteeism-student-achievement-outcomes-linked-usc-study-2020/72...
Sep 24, 2024•43 min•Ep. 28
In this episode, former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, mental health advocate, and Founder of the Kennedy Forum, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss his new book, “Profiles in Mental Health Courage,” as well as the progression behind the stigma of mental health, inspiring change in our society surrounding mental health issues, and the areas of opportunities in supporting school-based mental health outcomes. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/raising-mindful-kids/202405/social-media-use-and-y...
Jun 18, 2024•43 min•Ep. 27
In this episode, Colleen Patterson and Zanetah Sasser from Effective School Solutions join Duncan and Laine to discuss teacher burnout, how leadership at schools can create supportive environments to decrease burnout, their recommendations to support teachers’ mental health, and how they avoid burnout themselves. https://www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/examining-new-medicaid-resources-to-expand-school-based-behavioral-health-services/ https://www.effectiveschoolsolutions.com/...
May 21, 2024•41 min•Ep. 26
In this episode, Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), joins Duncan and Laine to discuss how CAPSS collaborates with district leaders and legislators to address the mental health needs of students in Connecticut schools, the ways CAPSS advocates for mental health awareness in educational settings, and the biggest gaps school districts need for mental healthcare delivery. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plain-english-wit...
Apr 23, 2024•45 min•Ep. 25
In this episode, Jenna DiMauro, an Elementary School Counselor and District Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Carmela Somershoe, a Superintendent and Elementary School Principal, and Jordan Katz, a Licensed Social Worker at ESS, join Duncan and Laine to discuss why Jenna and Carmela sought support from ESS, how transition resets have affected their buildings, and the impact social emotional support has on learning. https://www.app.com/story/news/education/in-our-schools/2024/03/12/toms-river-beast-post...
Mar 26, 2024•47 min•Ep. 24
In this episode, Jason Dane, a Health and Physical Education teacher, and Mike Zito, a Licensed Psychologist, join Duncan and Laine to discuss the evolution of youth sports, the significant pressures faced by student athletes and effective strategies to navigate these challenges. https://www.the74million.org/article/report-schools-wont-recover-from-covid-absenteeism-crisis-until-at-least-2030/ https://www.effectiveschoolsolutions.com/...
Feb 20, 2024•56 min•Ep. 23
In this episode, Bryan Cote, Managing Director of Berkeley Research Group LLC, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss school-based mental health programs, how to have conversations with insurance companies about these services, and how districts can sustainably fund these initiatives. https://edsource.org/2023/california-looks-to-the-health-system-to-sustain-mental-health-funds-in-schools/702583 https://www.effectiveschoolsolutions.com/...
Jan 30, 2024•53 min•Ep. 22
In this episode, Dr. Kari McGann, Superintendent of Flemington-Raritan Regional School District, Dr. Joe Maluchnik, Superintendent of Wilkinsburg School District, and Jeanette Mosso, Director of Student Services and Federal Programs at Wilkinsburg School District join Duncan and Laine and share valuable advice for administrators seeking to enhance their mental health support systems, effective strategies to combat stigma around mental health in schools, and much more. Tune in for a thought-provo...
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 21
In this episode, Jayne Demsky, founder of School Avoidance Alliance, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss signs and symptoms to identify school avoidance in a student, the underlying causes and triggers that lead to school avoidance, and practical strategies for parents and educators to support a student experiencing school avoidance both at home and school. https://childmind.org/article/what-to-do-and-not-do-when-children-are-anxious/ https://www.the74million.org/article/post-pandemic-2-out-of-3-s...
Nov 20, 2023•46 min•Ep. 20
In this episode, Mark DiRocco, who spent eight years as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss how to effectively address the challenges superintendents face when it comes to funding mental health services in school, best practices for funding school-based mental health services, and emerging trends and innovations superintendents could explore to better support the mental well-being of their students. https://www.americ...
Oct 23, 2023•55 min•Ep. 19
In this episode, Cortnee Shuey, Megan Reynoso, and Jalen Washington from Effective School Solutions join Duncan and Laine to discuss the current state of mental health in schools, the impact of the pandemic on young people’s mental health, how to tell the difference between typical adolescent challenges and more serious concerns, and what makes them most optimistic about the new school year ahead. https://www.bbrfoundation.org/content/youths-suicide-and-self-injury-related-emergencies-are-often-...
Sep 25, 2023•40 min•Ep. 18
In this episode, school district administrators James Tuohy, Ed Moran, and Anna Pulido join Duncan and Laine to discuss how the role of schools has changed relating to mental health, why and when school districts may choose to use an external partner to support the mental health continuum, and sustainable funding for mental health programs. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/health/2023/05/15/school-avoidance-becomes-crisis-after-covid/11127563002/
Jul 03, 2023•48 min•Ep. 17
In this episode, Elizabeth Cotter and Vanessa Audelo join Duncan and Laine to discuss their work in supporting the mental health needs of early learners. https://www.npr.org/2023/05/20/1176438893/this-high-school-seniors-science-project-could-one-day-save-lives
Jun 21, 2023•45 min•Ep. 16
In this episode, Effective School Solutions’ Chief Clinical Officer Lisa Ciappi joins Duncan and Laine to discuss summer planning for student mental health, including the challenges students encounter during the summer months, the best ways to support the mental health of students, and what parents can do to help their children throughout the summer. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/health/2023/05/15/school-avoidance-becomes-crisis-after-covid/11127563002/
Jun 06, 2023•40 min•Ep. 15
In this episode, Marta Audino, Dr. Sylvia Zircher, and Mike Roseman join Duncan and Laine to discuss how the true impact of the pandemic on youth mental health is just now being seen in schools, utilizing a restorative community service approach to discipline, the continuum of mental health supports they offer in their districts, their insights on teachers’ mental health and how to best support their needs, and what lies ahead for students in the next five years. https://www.washingtonpost.com/e...
May 22, 2023•51 min•Ep. 14
In this episode, Michael Lombardo from Placer County‘s Office of Education joins Duncan and Laine to discuss the multi-faceted approaches to school-based mental health in California, the increase in student support via an MTSS for mental health framework, how to effectively implement and integrate student supports in school districts, and how best to fund school-based mental health in schools. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/kids-declining-mental-health-is-the-crisis-of-our-time-surgeon-genera...
May 09, 2023•41 min•Ep. 13
In this episode, Dr. Ilana Nankin the Founder and CEO of Breathe for Change, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss Breathe for Change’s mission to enhance the health and well-being of educators, students, and entire communities through her yoga meets meditation meets SEL approach, the relationship between SEL and yoga, and the benefits of yoga for students and teachers. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/04/04/1167856499/recovery-high-schools-help-kids-heal-from-an-addiction-and-build-a-...
Apr 25, 2023•47 min•Ep. 12
In this episode, Brian Boyd from UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Education and the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute joins Duncan and Laine to discuss how schools can improve their treatment of students with autism spectrum disorder, exploring care at the intersectionality of ASD and under-represented student populations, how to best support teachers working with autistic students, and the inter-relationship between ASD and mental health disorders. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...
Apr 11, 2023•43 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, Jennifer Baum and Diandra Kaufman, from Effective School Solutions’ clinical team, join Duncan and Laine to discuss the challenges students are facing today, how mental health challenges have changed, what makes a good partnership between a school district and mental health provider, and their advice for teachers and parents on how to identify mental health warning signs. https://hechingerreport.org/a-surprising-remedy-for-teens-in-mental-health-crises/ https://www.effectivescho...
Mar 28, 2023•49 min•Ep. 10
In this episode, Sharon Hoover, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Co-Director of the National Center for School Mental Health, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss the “state of the practice” of school-based mental health, the key components of a high functioning school-based mental health continuum, and the biggest barriers that prevent school systems from implementing high-quality mental health. https://www.cbsnews.com/n...
Mar 14, 2023•48 min•Ep. 9
In this episode, Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education for the Obama Administration and the leader of Chicago CRED, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss the gaps in school-based mental health services, sustainable funding for school districts’ mental health initiatives, and a look back at his tenure as the U.S. Secretary of Education from 2009-2015. https://districtadministration.com/are-districts-frugal-or-simply-confused-when-it-comes-to-esser-spending/ www.chicagocred.com
Feb 28, 2023•42 min•Ep. 8
