Episodes

“If you sit and just experience thoughts and emotions fully, you will be able to process them and make way for logical thought.” Ella Srholez, The Art of Vulnerability, 2018 TEDxYouth@Vail In this episode, we will introduce you to Ella, a bubbly and confident, 20-year-old, who shares her thoughts on the importance of vulnerability to healing and health. Art became her sanctuary and her way to speak out. It turned into her relief valve for all the tough moments, allowing her to process her deep ...

Today we're diving deep into a topic that hits close to home for many of us: eating. But hold up, because we're not just talking about grabbing a snack here. We're delving into what happens when food becomes a battleground, a weapon even, especially when it's your child who's caught in the crossfire. Our guest, Judy Krasna, opens up about her daughter, Garbiela's journey. From a vibrant, happy teenager to someone tormented by the mere thought of eating, Judy shares the raw truth of navigating t...

Close your eyes and transport yourself back to the awkwardness of being a 14 or 15-year-old, navigating the maze of where you fit in. Remember those jittery feelings and the struggle of talking to your parents, echoing Will Smith's timeless phrase, 'Parents just don't understand.' Today, we're joined by the insightful Douglas Knutson, a seasoned psychologist specializing in the LGBTQ+ community. He's here to share his wisdom, not just for kids in the LGBTQ+ community but for all parents wading t...

Picture this: a teenager rocking his way through the ups and downs of the teenage years, while grappling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and guess what? He is given the opportunity to drop all of his classes to do an independent project. Hold on tight because this isn't your average project completed by an average teenager – it's the kind that becomes a superhero cape for building a lifestyle of peace and contentment and against those pesky intrusive thoughts. Clayton Johnson, started ...

“Music can heal the wounds that medicine cannot touch.” --Debasish Mrihda Get ready to be inspired by our incredible Emmy award-winning guest, Chris Boardman, as he unpacks decades of wisdom on the transformative power of music in our latest episode. After basking in the spotlight for years, Chris had a life-altering moment that ignited his passion to create something meaningful for future generations. Join us as he delves into the impact of music on our emotions, the intricate dance with brain...

In this episode, Marie Hommel gets real about the ups and downs of supporting her transgender daughter, Ashley. It's not just about identity exploration – mental health is in the mix too. Marie shares how trust and acceptance were foundational in creating a safe space for her daughter to open up, which is not easy as a teenager. This episode is a straight-up, no-nonsense conversation that's part heart, part uplifting. BIO: Marie began her career as an educator. She taught High School English. S...

Summary: As a caregiver, do you ever wish you could see behind the eyes of your loved one to really understand their experiences? Do you ever find yourself questioning the impact you, as a caregiver, make in your loved one's life? In today's episode, we join Rebecca, who has grappled with paranoid schizophrenia for decades as she takes us through her personal evolution, from encountering her first delusions at 27 to the transformative impact of finding her soulmate. She highlights the crucial ro...

Are you finding yourself as perplexed as we are about distinguishing between "typical" child development and conditions warranting a diagnosis? In this engaging podcast, licensed therapist Ed Block challenges the current culture of labeling and delves into its potential impact on the healthy development of adolescents. Drawing inspiration from the theories of Polish psychologist Dabrowski, specifically the concept of Positive Disintegration, Block explores the idea that personality evolves throu...

Pour yourself a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and settle in for a lively and candid conversation with Seren Waldman, a K-12 school therapist. She shares ideas on preparing our kids for adulting And keeps it real with social media expectations and how it messes with our heads. She even shares practical and simple advice on taming anxiety. The best part? Seren will calm your worries by letting you in on a little secret: therapists, just like the rest of us, goof up in parenting too. Get ready t...

Are you feeling stressed about navigating insurance coverage for your family's mental health care needs? If the answer is yes, tune in to this week's episode featuring Bridget Meyers, Vice President of Sales at Evernorth Health Services. Bridget delves into benefits offered by many companies to assist families dealing with both chronic and short-term mental or behavioral health challenges. In this insightful discussion, she also explores the latest trends and services that employers are adopting...

If you find yourself drained, isolated, and possibly resentful while caring for your child with special needs, this episode is just for you. Join Lisa Druxman, the Founder of Fit for Mom, as she stresses the importance of self-care and its positive impact on your role as a caregiver. Lisa shares practical insights into her daily routines, revealing effective strategies to integrate self-care seamlessly into your presumably hectic schedule. As an additional treat, she guides you through the basic...

What lengths would you go to for your child if they were diagnosed with an "incurable disease"? When Tracy Slepcevik, the mother of Noah, learned that her three-year-old son had autism, she refused to just accept the diagnosis. Determined to provide her son with the best possible life, Tracy delved into extensive research to understand the underlying causes of his autism. She discovered a spectrum of factors, ranging from inflammation to the body's compromised ability to detoxify itself. Tracy, ...

Is your child acting out, or are they simply trying to communicate their feelings without the necessary skills or words to express themselves? Join us as Glenn Dyke, owner of Blind Mule Behavioral Services sheds light on how behavior is a powerful form of communication. Drawing from the understanding that behavior carries meaning, he helps to uncover the messages behind a child's actions and provides strategies for fostering positive change. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply intereste...

Have you heard the advice, “Don’t meet your child’s emotions with the same intensity as theirs.”? It sounds easy, but actually doing it is another story. In this episode, mindfulness and meditation coach Christine Dowding Schmitz offers practical tools for both parents and children. She'll guide us in recognizing emotions by staying present, tuning into our body's responses, accepting these feelings, and then gently steering our minds back to a state of calm. Tune in to learn how to navigate emo...

How do you find ways to breathe during periods of incredible stress? How do you choose joy during moments of grief and sadness? Join us to discover the healing perspective that has helped thousands of parents of children who struggle with their mental health. Author and speaker, Kay Warren, shares her story about her son, his mental illness, and the organization she founded, Breathe, which supports families across the world find mental health resources and support. To find more about Breathe and...

How far would you push to ensure your child with autism experiences the most enriching life as possible? Meet Christa, a tenacious mother whose determination and resilience shine through as she recounts her incredible journey alongside her son, Nicolas, who was diagnosed as a toddler with autism. Christa's story serves as an inspiring symbol of hope and a testament to the profound impact of a mother's love in shaping a joyful childhood. It's a poignant reminder that every modest triumph is worth...

Are you exploring alternatives to traditional medication for your child's mental health? Dr. Heather Davidson recently shed light on some progressive therapies for conditions like anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD. She explained the immediate benefits of Biofeedback, which leverages the mind-body connection to help patients regulate their physiological responses, most importantly breathing. Dr. Davidson shares the importance of breathing techniques as a tool to mitigate the body's stress reacti...

In this episode of This Way Up, we are joined by Dr. Brian Grass for a compelling discussion centered around a crucial facet of your child's journey - their educational experience. Dr. Grass delves into the fundamental right of every child to access a free and appropriate education and sheds light on what this entails. Moreover, he shares of the distinctions between a 504 plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP), providing valuable insights into what parents can anticipate when utilizi...

Andrea and Emie sit down with Amanda to discuss the heartbreaking decision she made to send her 8-year-old son to live in a residential treatment facility. Amanda shares her candid feelings and imparts valuable advice on coping with the complexities of raising a child with severe mental illness. The episode delves into the difficulties of finding suitable residential facilities for her son and explores the profound impact this journey has had on her entire family. Amanda's story provides listene...

Welcome to Episode 0 of This Way Up, where hosts Andrea Nanigian and Emie Watters take you on a journey from their high school days in sunny Arizona to the inception of this podcast. In this episode, Andrea and Emie rekindle their friendship and recount the randomness that brought them back together, setting the stage for the creation of This Way Up. They share their personal stories as parents who have navigated the challenging waters of raising children dealing with various mental health strug...