Episodes

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...