Episodes

Send us a text In this heartfelt episode, we talk with Jason Tuttle, a former stay-at-home parent and father of two children with significant disabilities. After the tragic loss of his 15-year-old son, Zachary, Jason created an online group called Letters to Zachary to openly share his grief and help others navigate similar experiences. Jason bravely discusses male grief, societal expectations, and the raw realities of losing a child. He opens up about his family's journey, the emotional toll, a...

Send us a text What if we could equip young people—and ourselves—with the tools to handle mental health challenges before they happen? Erin Harris, founder of Undo Mindset, shares her powerful journey from surviving a school shooting to creating a nonprofit dedicated to reshaping mental health care. Erin’s experience as a teacher in a traumatic crisis sparked a mission to make mental health skills as essential as reading and math in schools, giving students the resilience to face life’s ups and ...

Send us a text In this inspiring episode, Millionaire Williams, author of 'Military Mom on a Mission', shares her poignant journey of supporting her son through PTSD and severe mental health challenges following his return from the Iraq war. Millionaire discusses the unexpected path that led her to become a mental health advocate, highlighting the importance of family support and creating awareness about PTSD. The conversation touches on her efforts to navigate the healthcare system, her determi...

Send us a text Our children spend nearly one-third of their waking hours at school, presenting countless opportunities for positive interactions with trusted adults. In this episode of This Way Up, we discuss how the San Marcos Unified School District took this reality and turned it into an opportunity to dramatically expand mental health support for its students. Amid a growing mental health crisis and a mental health system struggling to keep up, the district—supported by the city of San Marco...

Send us a text In this lighthearted conversation between Janet Krebs and Andrea, they dive into the idea of parents as the CEOs of their families, leading with both courage and compassion. The discussion touches on the power of having a clear vision for your family, the importance of honest and open communication, and the deep connections we build with our children. Janet, who brings her wealth of experience as a consultant, coach, and former educator, shares candid stories and actionable insigh...

Send us a text Have you ever felt like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, trying to keep it all together while hiding the mess inside? I’ve been there—juggling a career, motherhood, and everything in between, looking picture-perfect but feeling completely overwhelmed. In this reel, I share a story that opened my eyes to the truth: staying polished on the outside while struggling on the inside kept me lonely and disconnected. It wasn’t until I embraced vulnerability with ...

Send us a text In this heartfelt episode of This Way Up, host Andrea welcomes Gwen Gulick, a resilient mother and wife who has faced significant challenges in her family life. Gwen's journey includes supporting her husband through depression and navigating the complexities of her children's mental health conditions, including depression, OCD, anxiety, and ADHD. On top of these challenges, Gwen and her husband have both battled and overcome cancer. Gwen generously shares the invaluable lessons s...

Send us a text Welcome to Season 2 of This Way Up! We’re thrilled to kick off another season with an amazing lineup of guests, all set to dive into the topics that matter most to you, our listeners. In this clip, I’m excited to give you a sneak peek at just a few of the episodes coming your way in the weeks ahead. Thank you so much for tuning in and being a part of this journey with us! Support the show Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational p...

That's a wrap until season 2. We will have a fresh line up of inspiring guests starting in September. Can't wait to see you then! Until then, go back and listen to your favorite episodes!

Growing up is challenging, especially in a society obsessed with achievement, comparison, and the constant influx of information through social media. Breanna Kulwin, a specialist in the mental health of girls and young women, shares her valuable insights on nurturing their well-being. Trauma is often misunderstood and oversimplified as the cause of fragile mental health. Breanna highlights the importance of processing trauma, explaining that it isn't just about major, headline-grabbing events. ...

This episode is a must-listen for parents of young athletes, musicians, or any child involved in competitive activities. It offers invaluable insights on making these activities enjoyable and creating a positive environment for your kids. Although Jennie Carlestav addresses performance anxiety in competitive sports, her advice and techniques are universal for managing anxiety in any high-pressure situation. She explains how events from our past, even as far back as early childhood and in utero, ...

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Courtney Tracy for an inspiring conversation about her journey with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and thriving in parenthood. Dr. Tracy shares her refreshing human-first philosophy, urging us to see beyond labels and roles. We dive into the world of BPD, where Dr. Tracy sheds light on the emotional rollercoaster it can entail, emphasizing the importance of a validating environment and therapeutic interventions like dialectical behavior therapy. With ...

We are thrilled to introduce Stuart Perry, a licensed clinical social worker, child therapist and the imaginative force behind Mr. Stu TV. Stuart's passion for helping children navigate their big emotions shines through his playful and insightful approach. With a spirit that's as youthful as it is wise, Stuart, who's a big kid himself, guides parents on a delightful journey through the intricacies of raising children. Throughout the episode, Stuart shares his empowering mantra: "There are no ...

Prepare to uncover the secrets to optimizing mental health through the power of nutrition! Francesca Orlando, a science-based functional and integrative nutritionist and health coach, is here to address all your burning questions about the connection of food and mental well-being. Get ready for an enlightening discussion as Francesca dives deep into the impact of nutrition on every aspect of our bodies, with a special focus on the brain. Discover the intricate relationship between the gut mic...

Shockingly eating disorders affect over 30 million people of all ages, regardless of gender? What’s more is, they also hold the highest mortality rate among all mental health disorders. With such alarming statistics, this is an episode that demands attention from everyone. In this crucial episode, Sarah Archer from Align Eating Disorder Treatment in Escondido, California, sheds light on the challenging subject of eating disorders. She guides us in recognizing the signs, finding effective evid...

Get ready for an awesome episode where we chat with Veronica Alvarez, a true powerhouse in women's sports as the US Women’s National Baseball Team and the coordinator of player development for the Oakland A's. Oh, and did we mention she's also been a firefighter? Veronica's kick-ass career is nothing short of inspiring as she forges the way for females in some of the most male-dominated professions. In our conversation, she shares what these life experiences have taught her and how they trans...

In this episode of This Way Up we dive deep into the fascinating life journey of Jumpei Kontani, a man who defied the odds and found his path to joy despite a childhood filled with complexities and challenges. Growing up in Japan amidst a split family, Jumpei faced the weight of cultural norms that viewed divorce as shameful. He navigated not only the challenges of managing this perception but also, the complexities of intense internal family conflicts. But instead of succumbing to the pressures...

Join us on This Way Up as we dive into this with Gretchen Hess, the force behind The High Functioning Anxiety Solution. Gretchen opens up about her own journey, tracing back to a childhood filled with tension that shaped her into a successful yet deeply anxious adult. Despite outward success, her inner turmoil brewed. With the arrival of her children, stress escalated, and her daughter's anxiety and OCD symptoms only heightened Gretchen's own struggles. But there's hope. Gretchen shares he...

Have you ever found yourself at wit's end with a rebellious teen? You're not alone. Many parents turn to the troubled teen industry (TTI) for answers, hoping boarding schools and wilderness retreats will save the day. But guess what? Our guest, Ciara Fanlo, knows firsthand that these places often do more harm than good. Drawing from her own journey, Ciara shares that she has been through it all – residential programs, boarding schools, wilderness retreats – you name it. But instead of being w...

We're diving into the real meaning of organization. It's not just about tidying up your space or labeling boxes – it goes way beyond that. Ever wondered why some "seem" to have their lives together while others look like they're swimming in chaos? Let's unpack that mystery and uncover what true organization is all about. Meet our guest, Ann Pereira. She's not your typical organizer. Her specialty? Working with the neurodivergent community. Yeah, you heard that right. She's all about understandi...

Imagine thinking you had it all under control, only to have life throw you a curveball with the surprise arrival of a special needs child. How would you respond? In today's moving episode, we have the pleasure of introducing super mama Susan Hedstrom who with fearless honesty opens her heart to share how she manages the intricate dance of navigating family dynamics while caring for her son, Jayden. Jayden was born with the rare genetic disorder of Prader-Willi syndrome, a condition laden with p...

“What I love about breathwork is that I feel like it really shows us the untapped potential that we have as something that comes so natural to us, but it can be something that is so profound.” Ashlene Patten Breathing. Yes, that simple, automatic act we usually don't give a second thought to. But what if we told you that paying attention to how you breathe could change everything? Today, we're joined by Ashlene Patten, a holistic breathwork facilitator and somatic therapy practitioner. She...

Today, we're tackling a subject that's often misunderstood and downright frightening for parents: PANDAS, or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal. Yep, it's a mouthful, but trust me, understanding it could make a world of difference for your child. Our special guest today is Jennifer Kozek, a licensed clinical social worker and a mom who's intimately familiar with PANDAS because both of her children have been diagnosed with it. Jennifer's journey is no...

Today, we're tackling a topic that's become all too familiar: our obsession with screens. It used to be that baseball was America's favorite pastime. But now? It's all about those screens—video games, social media, and more. But are we going too far? Are we inadvertently hurting our kids by giving them free rein with technology? Our guest today, Nicole Rawson, founder of Screentime Clinic, knows firsthand the damaging effects of technology overload. As a mom to two boys, she initially saw the...