Ask Jen Psych

By Jennifer Hunt Roden, School Psychologist

Friendly neighborhood School Psychologist, Jennifer Roden, has been a public educator in Pennsylvania for 25 years. Her goal is to provide a nonjudgmental, friendly space for parents and teachers to a... more

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FAQs about Ask Jen Psych:

How many episodes does Ask Jen Psych have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.

Ask Jen Psych episodes:

April 03, 2023Ryan Hogan: The World's Okayest School Psychologist
Today on the show, Jen welcomes virtual guest Ryan Hogan, who has recently gained Instagram fame as the witty and jovial “World’s Okayest School Psychologist”. He has been a school psychologist for about 18 years in the state of Texas, and he also is the Dad to a boy with Autism. Thank you for joining us, Ryan!
Today in our discussion:
We talk about how Ryan turns the art of making Instagram memes into a therapeutic activity

How he and his wife came to realize and accept that their son demonstrated Autism symptoms

What to look for if you suspect your child may have symptoms of Autism

How families can support their child with a disability, while helping to curb resentment in their typically developing child

Destigmatizing mental health treatment
Ryan is a wealth of information with his many years of experience as a school psychologist! He was a lot of fun to Zoom in to the studio!
Follow him on Instagram @worldsokayestschoolpsych
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50min
March 29, 2023 Athletics and Concussion Managment with Michael Balko
Sports podcaster, Michael Balko, joins Jen in the studio to talk about his anticipation of fatherhood, overcoming childhood adversity, and how he began his dream of playing and talking about football! Because March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, we also talk about navigating concussions as an athlete who still wants to play.
According to his Podcaster profile, The Michael Balko Show is an inspiration-based podcast, is a podcast focused on interviewing high-level athletes and public figures and allowing them to share their stories in an effort to inspire the youth of our country. Balko, an Erie PA native, aims to not only put his city on the map-but to create some of the most unique content in the world. The Michael Balko Show is unique in it’s own right, and Balko urges you to give his show a listen.
Michael was a wonderful conversationalist, and we thank him for appearing on today's podcast! Never stop chasing your dreams!
To learn more about Michael and his show:
To listen to his podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michaelbalkoshow?fbclid=IwAR2xjkbLXTHEsy7etmHCKrLuCpzOPCOHgt2nhYwYil38L0FWUa9OufrWx6U
On Instagram: @themichaelbalkoshow
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themichaelbalkoshow/
To learn more about brain injury awareness and second impact syndrome:
https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/brain-injury-awareness
https://www.brainsteps.net/default.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448119/
...more
40min
March 20, 2023Dr. Byron McClure and Dr. Kelsie Reed: Hacking Deficit Thinking
Today, Nationally Certified School Psychologists, Dr. Byron McClure, D.Ed. and Dr. Kelsie Reed, Ph.D. remotely visit the studio to talk with Jen about:
Reframing your view of students from what’s wrong to what’s strong!

Supporting students' social-emotional skills

Having difficult conversations with your kids about racism and tragedies in the news

Positively guiding and building the future story for youth in need
Dr. Reed and Dr. McClure are co-authors of Hacking Deficit Thinking: 8 Reframes That Will Change The Way You Think About Strength-Based Practices and Equity In School
According to the authors, in Hacking Deficit Thinking, you’ll learn how to:
Build on student strengths

Think about student empathy

Humanize your data

Recognize the value of differences

Think about teacher empathy

Talk about equity in schools

Tap into school-wide strengths

Flourish as an educator
To learn more about today's guests:
https://www.strengthbasedcollective.com/who-we-are
On Instagram: @bmcclure6 @dr.kelsiereed @bestrengthbased
To purchase their wonderful book, Hacking Deficit Thinking: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1956512241?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_DYJT3QA10JMQC4R3KEZ2
...more
45min
March 13, 2023 United Way Community Schools: Removing the Barrier Beast with Joelyn Bush and Sara Musone
Today, Jen chats with Joelyn Bush, Vice President Marketing and Communications, United Way of Erie County and Sara Musone, United Way Community School Director, Grover Cleveland Elementary. The ladies share what resources and supports are available through Community Schools, how Community Schools came to Erie, the role of the Community School director, upcoming events, and more! According to Ms. Bush: Economic and workforce development implications of the community school model are critical and often overlooked. There is great economic impact our community can realize with an improved public school system. Student success has a direct tie to workforce development. Together with the public schools, United Way hopes to smash poverty, removing the barrier beast that impedes children in need from meeting their full potential.
To learn more about the "Barrier Beast":
https://www.unitedwayerie.org/our-impact/student-success/community-schools/
To meet the Community School Directors:
https://www.unitedwayerie.org/learn/the-team/the-team-csds/
To Donate:
https://www.unitedwayerie.org/csdrive/
On Social Media:
Instagram: @unitedwayerie
Facebook: Grover Cleveland Elementary, A Community School
...more
33min
March 08, 2023 Chatting with Sonya Byes
My guest today is the lovely and inspiring Ms. Sonya Byes. You may know her from hosting the popular “Chatting with Sonya and Friends” on WICU Channel 12, Erie News Now. Sonya’s show features a diverse group of professional women of various talents and backgrounds engaging in real, relevant, and unscripted conversations. Sonya and I chat about her experience with motherhood, how racism impacts mental health, and all of the wonderful resources she shares for our community. Thank you, Sonya, for visiting me for a chat today!
To learn more about Sonya and her show:
https://www.eriereader.com/article/chatting-with-sonya-friends
To watch previously recorded episodes:
https://www.erienewsnow.com/sonya
Follow on Instagram:
@chattingwithsonya
To learn more about the CROWN act and to take action in your state:
https://www.thecrownact.com/email-your-federal-legislator

...more
37min
February 06, 2023 The Corporate Class
Heather Christie Morris and Lee'a Thigpen have created a tremendous community resource. Their business, The Corporate Class - The Pinnacle Leader Program is a four-week personal and career development initiative specifically engineered for young women of color, ages 18-24. Through their unique competency based curriculum, they are able to assist, inspire and support their candidates as they learn new techniques to strategically build and develop their professional capabilities. It is their goal to Coach, Consult, and Connect qualified, competent job ready women with local organizations throughout the city of Erie. They introduce their participants to community leaders for paid positions, volunteer opportunities, and internships. (Excerpted from their website)
Today, Ms. Morris and Ms. Thigpen and I discuss their services and upcoming course (starting February 20), their "why", career readiness tips for parents of young girls, thinking about retirement in your 20s, and more! I can't wait to share their vision and support for the future!
To learn more about these phenomenal women:
https://www.thecorporateclass.com/contact-us
https://www.radiusco.work/member-list/heather-morris-leea-thigpen
@thecorporateclassllc on Facebook and Instagram
https://linktr.ee/thecorporateclass
...more
59min
January 30, 2023 Children's Author Samantha Randall
What? Your son or daughter decided they want to be vegan, vegetarian, plant based? Or, do they suffer from allergies to milk, meat, fish, or eggs? No matter what you call it, or why your child needs a dietary adjustment, it can be daunting (but fun) learning a new way to cook. Luckily, Erie treasure, Samantha Randall, and her exceptionally handsome golden retriever, Charlie Ryan, are here to help!
Today, Samantha and Charlie come by the studio so she can read her first published children's book: "Charlie Ryan's Greatest Adventure". Samantha has written a beautiful story about her dear Charlie, as he works to save the planet by keeping things clean and being kind. We chat about her charities, and she offers some solid, simple advice for honoring your child's desire to stop eating animals. We talk about substitution ideas for eggs and dairy, and some very simple recipes that will keep your child nourished and happy.
In addition to being an author to TWO children's books, Samantha is the mastermind behind Erie PA's Sundae Vegan Desserts and Sundae Vegan ice cream truck, designs couture fashions at the House of Charlie Ryan, is a social justice activist who supports animals, the undernourished, and the planet. Additionally, since this recording, she has formally announced her second book, and her gourmet vegan ristorante, Sauce, is heavily in the works. There is literally nothing this woman cannot do!
Learn more about Samantha and her empire here:
https://www.eriereader.com/article/eries-40-under-40-class-of-2022/samantha-randall
On Instagram or Facebook: @sundaevegandesserts
On Instagram: @authorsamantharandall @sauceristorante
Please reach out if you need more support if one of your kids decides to adopt a plant-based lifestyle!
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34min
January 23, 2023 Mothers talking Motherhood: Amanda Duncan and Jenny Marofsky-Poff
Today, Amanda Duncan and Jenny Marofsky-Poff stop by the studio to talk with Jen about balancing motherhood with work and business, navigating modern problems facing children, self-care without guilt, and more! Finally, the ladies ask Jen some questions about school psychology and who to talk to at the school for different needs. Big shout out to our United Way community schools!
I met both women at Radius CoWork where I record. You can learn more about them here:
https://www.radiusco.work/member-list/amanda-duncan
https://www.radiusco.work/member-list/jenny-poff
https://www.radiusco.work/about
https://www.unitedwayerie.org/our-impact/student-success/community-schools/
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55min
January 09, 2023 John Roden and Dave Tatar: Band is Healing (2 of 2)
John Roden and Dave Tatar are back this week to punctuate our discussion about band creating a sense of belonging for students, and how band helped both gentlemen and their students heal from grief, trauma, and tragedy. Thank you kindly for listening, please subscribe, rate, download, and write a review on Apple Podcasts if you like what you hear!
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34min
January 02, 2023 John Roden and Dave Tatar: Band is Belonging (1 of 2)
Happy New Year! This week's conversation was so much fun and chock full of great information, I decided to make it into a two part series. My two favorite music teachers, John Roden (my husband) and our friend Dave Tatar talk about the importance of selecting a quality band instrument, how to make practice into play, and how the band room facilitates meaningful relationships for students of all abilities and social status. Everyone deserves to belong, and the band room is one place where the playing field is leveled to include everyone who wants to participate, even if the rest of their school day is a struggle.
Next week, we dig deep about how music and band helped both gentlemen heal from grief and tragedy. You won't want to miss my dynamic conversation with these wonderful teachers!
...more
37min

FAQs about Ask Jen Psych:

How many episodes does Ask Jen Psych have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.