Is the true heart of pediatrics found in the connection between practitioner and family? In this powerful episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with physician, educator, and hand-in-hand parenting advocate Dr. Pam Oatis, who brings decades of primary care and hospital experience to the forefront. Together, they explore how listening, humility, and authentic relationships transform patient outcomes far beyond medical treatments alone. From the challenges of working in high-need...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 250
Are you curious about what really happens behind the microphones of a successful pediatric podcast—and the unconventional journeys that brought an incredible team together? In this special milestone episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Lia brings her entire production and strategy team on-air for an unfiltered, dynamic conversation. Discover the circuitous career paths that shaped a jazz singer-turned-podcast producer, a teacher turned ADHD coach and social media strategist, and a web developer w...
Jun 04, 2025•49 min•Ep. 249
How do we help kids and teens when social media is fueling a resurgence of body image issues and eating disorders? In this special conversation, Lia’s daughter, Julia Parzyck shares her personal and professional journey navigating the tumultuous landscape of body acceptance in a world obsessed with appearance. The episode explores the influence of social media platforms, like TikTok and Instagram, and the impact they have on pediatric mental health and body positivity. Listeners will discover pr...
May 28, 2025•36 min•Ep. 248
Have you ever considered that victims of human trafficking might be walking into your clinic, hidden in plain sight, longing for someone to notice their silent signals? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with Dr. Dena Nazer , a leading child abuse pediatrician, to dispel widespread myths and expose the heartbreaking realities of child trafficking. They dive deeply into what human trafficking truly looks like, why language and empathy shape outcomes, and how ped...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 247
Can medication truly transform the landscape of pediatric mental health, or are we oversimplifying the complexities of growing minds? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino welcomes Dr. Jess Pierce, a hospital-based child psychiatrist whose expertise bridges the worlds of pediatrics and mental health, especially for children in rural areas. Unraveling the fascinating history of psychopharmacology and delving into the mechanisms of action for the antidepressants, this episode offe...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 246
Are you struggling to support young patients—and maybe even yourself—with the emotional aftermath of our “new normal”? In this compelling episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Colleen Cullinan returns to unpack the reality of pediatric depression in a world rocked by uncertainty. Discover why traditional approaches, like focusing solely on symptoms, may actually miss the bigger picture when kids are faced with unprecedented stress. Learn how changing the narrative, adopting techniques such as Accep...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 245
Have you ever wondered why anxiety in children can look and feel so physical—and what we as pediatricians, parents, or caregivers can do about it? We’re visiting a fan favorite from Episode #26 of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with Dr. Colleen Cullinan, a leading pediatric psychologist, to dissect the powerful 3 B’s approach: Brain, Body, and Behavior. Together, they reveal eye-opening truths about integrated behavioral health, the ways anxiety manifests in kids, and practical, a...
Apr 30, 2025•54 min•Ep. 244
Are pediatricians prepared for the mental health crisis that’s impacting so many of our children today? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with nationally recognized child psychiatrist and podcast host Dr. Elise Fallucco to uncover the urgent realities facing pediatric practice. From understanding why a simple podcast name change can transform the reach of critical mental health education, to exploring the real-world, stepwise journey pediatricians navigate whe...
Apr 23, 2025•47 min•Ep. 243
Can one person truly make a difference in the complex world of pediatric healthcare? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino explores how primary care pediatricians can step up amidst the chaos in Washington DC and stand as the trusted advocates children need. While Lia prepares for the pediatric academic society PAS in Honolulu, she is wrestling with the disastrous current health policy challenges and calls for local action. Lia pleads with her peers to organize and cause “g...
Apr 16, 2025•21 min•Ep. 242
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the world's chaos and seeking hope amidst uncertainty? In this moving episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia welcomes Dr. Robert Saul to discuss the powerful principles guiding his commitment to advocacy and change. Dr. Saul introduces the transformative 12 words that have anchored his life's work and how these principles can propel communities forward. Together, they examine the impact of truth, trust, and the little-known role of the communal aspect in tackl...
Apr 09, 2025•46 min•Ep. 241
Have you ever wondered how pediatricians balance autonomy, mentorship, and the pressing demands of modern healthcare? In this episode of “Pediatric Meltdown,” host Dr. Lia Gaggino welcomes Dr. Chris Peltier, MD, FAAP, who describes the rewards and hurdles of serving children through private practice, collaborative initiatives, and academic roles. He underscores the power of supportive peer networks to tackle shifting hospital structures, financial complexities, and the mental health needs of gro...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 240
What does it really take to guide a teenager toward independence in an ever-changing world? From managing IEPs and beginning transition planning at 14 to fostering self-awareness and skills for adult life, the journey is layered with challenges and growth. Parents like today’s guest, Natasha Robertson grapple with teaching social media safety, addressing emotional needs, and balancing day-to-day struggles with long-term goals. The process is both exhausting and inspiring, requiring patience, per...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 239
Have you ever wondered what happens when children's healthcare programs like Medicaid and CHIP face cuts? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino emphasizes the urgent need to stand up for kids, who are disproportionately impacted by shifts in policy and funding. She highlights the power of sharing real-life stories and forging unexpected partnerships to protect essential resources. Advocacy takes perseverance and creativity, as complacency only enables political and social obstac...
Mar 19, 2025•19 min•Ep. 238
Could coaching be the key to overcoming burnout and moral injury that plagues the medical profession? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino welcomes back Dr. Adrienne Mann and Dr. Tyra Fainstad, pioneers in physician well-being research, as they unpack the results from their studies on the impact of group coaching on physicians. Drs. Mann and Fainstad share their journey from a "cute little study" to a groundbreaking national program that offers a lifeline to medical students, r...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 237
Are today's youth the missing voice in mental health advocacy? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino invites passionate mental health advocate Ria Babaria to talk about the unique struggles and strengths of today's youth. In her journey from high school advocate to college policy specialist, Ria emphasizes the need for youth representation in mental health decisions. She discusses the Youth Power Project's initiatives, access to mental health resources, and the importance o...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 236
Have you ever wondered what to do when traditional treatments for chronic pain in children don’t seem to help? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown , Dr. Lia Gaggino chats with Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer and Kim Poston Miller about innovative ways to address pediatric chronic pain. They discuss CHYP (Creative Healing for Youth in Pain), an organization offering hope to families through a creative, holistic approach to healing. Kim shares her personal story of supporting her son Grant’s remarkable recov...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 235
Did you know that nearly twenty-five percent of adolescents suffer from chronic pain, and for some, it’s severe enough to impact daily life? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino and guest Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer talk about the complexity of chronic pain in children and adolescents—a subject often misunderstood and inadequately addressed in pediatric medicine. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, Dr. Zeltzer shares her journey from a curiosity about adolescent medicine to ...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 234
Could a simple cash transfer program hold the key to reducing child poverty? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino chats with pediatrician and advocate, Dr. Brittney Tayler, about an innovative program called Rx Kids. Together, they explore how cash transfers can improve child health and well-being, especially in communities facing deep poverty. Dr. Tayler shares her firsthand experience in Flint, Michigan, detailing the transformation she's witnessed through the Rx Kids pr...
Feb 12, 2025•54 min•Ep. 233
Ever wonder how the current chaotic world and the state of healthcare are affecting our children, the most vulnerable members of society and those of us who care for them? Listen to this episode as Lia shares her angst and hope with the complexities of a world facing climate disasters, political strife, physician burnout, and a dwindling trust in science. This solo episode is a self-reflection about building the courage, commitment, and resilience required to safeguard children's health in these...
Feb 05, 2025•16 min•Ep. 232
Raising Good Citizens Through Conscious Parenting What does it take to raise thoughtful citizens and build stronger communities while navigating the challenges of parenting, aging, and personal growth? In this episode, Dr. Robert Saul], an author and pediatrician, shares his insights from his career dedicated to advocating for children, families, and communities. Dr. Saul discusses his journey of writing books that cater to parents, children, and physicians, including one described as "Goodnight...
Jan 29, 2025•47 min•Ep. 231
This episode was actually published in June 2022, but this is STILL a huge issue, so we thought we would take another listen … How can pediatric primary care effectively integrate mental health services amid insurance barriers and coding complexities? In this episode, we tackle the significant obstacles impacting the compensation and delivery of mental health services for children. By examining Medicaid, CHIP and commercial insurance coverage for mental health, we highlight challenges that hinde...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 230
In 2020, I had the privilege of being a guest speaker on Sandy Fowler’s podcast “Mighty Parenting” for a candid discussion about youth mental health, suicide prevention, and the critical role parents play in supporting their children through emotional challenges. I thought it would be interesting to blow the dust off this episode where I was being interviewed by Sandy. As a medical professional deeply committed to improving mental health care in primary care settings, I shared insights specifica...
Jan 15, 2025•53 min•Ep. 229
What happens when a physician who regularly discusses wellness and burnout finds herself in need of her own advice? In this personal episode of "Pediatric Meltdown," host Dr. Lia Gaggino candidly shares her journey through an overwhelming period in late 2024, marked by her father's death, her mother's hip surgery and subsequent move-in, and the unexpected loss of her beloved pet. Despite having a strong support system that includes her husband Rodger, adult daughters, and one-year-old grandson G...
Jan 08, 2025•17 min•Ep. 228
What does it truly mean to cultivate resilience and well-being in today's challenging world? In this insightful episode of Dr. Lia Gaggino's podcast (episode 227), she thoughtfully explores seven fundamental pillars of well-being while reflecting on the transition into 2025. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience, particularly while caring for her aging mother, Dr. Gaggino presents a comprehensive approach to health that encompasses sleep, nutrition, movement, family co...
Jan 01, 2025•15 min•Ep. 227
Ever wondered what it's like to blend personal traditions with familial expectations during the holidays? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino shares her experiences with Christmas celebrations, highlighting the unique blend of Polish traditions from her husband's heritage and her own family's rituals. Family Rituals: Dr. Gaggino discusses the significance of family rituals, such as sharing a wafer similar to the Catholic host and wishing each other well, despite some family me...
Dec 25, 2024•14 min•Ep. 226
Ever wondered how a simple injury can change the course of one's life? This episode explores the fascinating journey of a sports enthusiast turned medical professional, inspired by a personal encounter with a sports medicine provider after a college injury. The conversation delves into the complex world of concussions, discussing the evolution of treatment protocols, the importance of individualized care, and the severe risks of prematurely returning to play. You'll learn about tools like the SC...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 225
Ever wondered how to smoothly transition pediatric patients with complex conditions like ADHD into adult care? This episode talks about the challenges and strategies involved in this critical handoff. Dr. Peter Jensen and Dr. Lia discuss the importance of educating and empowering teens to manage their conditions independently, drawing parallels with other chronic illnesses like asthma and diabetes. They explore the nuances of preparing both the patients and the accepting providers to ensure a se...
Dec 11, 2024•59 min•Ep. 224
Have you ever wondered if ADHD is being misunderstood or misdiagnosed in children, leading to feelings of failure and unchecked anxiety? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino and Dr. Norrine Russell talk about the complexities of ADHD, from its nuances to the pressing need for systemic change in how it's perceived and treated. They shed light on the importance of recognizing ADHD as non-willful behavior, the role of early intervention, and the imperative of individualized e...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 223
Can a doctor's strongest medicine be kindness to themselves? In this candid conversation, Dr. Kathy Stepien, physician coach and advocate for medical wellness, challenges the notion that self-criticism leads to better performance. Speaking with host Dr. Lia Gaggino, she unpacks how physician coaching has evolved from executive suites to mainstream medicine, backed by clinical trials from institutions like Mayo Clinic and Stanford. Dr. Stepien shares powerful stories about identity transitions in...
Nov 27, 2024•58 min•Ep. 222
What happens when a pediatrician hands a free book to a parent and changes the trajectory of a life? Meet Claudia Aristy whose first encounter as a new immigrant mother with “Reach Out and Read” sparked a remarkable transformation. Through her work with the Health Education and Literacy for Parents (HELP) Project, Claudia demonstrates how pediatricians can encourage literacy through books while supporting immigrant families. Her personal story describes the power of how parent-child reading led ...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 221
