Brewing Wellness

By UFT Member Assistance ProgramEducation Self-Improvement

Brewing Wellness episodes

September 26, 2022 32: How to Avoid Power Struggles
Have you ever wondered how to avoid power struggles at home and in the classroom? In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, we are joined by Chazz Lewis (aka Mr. Chazz), a parent and teacher coach with a huge social media following. A former Montessori teacher and the author of "No Bad Kid," Mr. Chazz will share his experiences guiding parents and educators in managing difficult situations with children, and he'll talk about turning interactions from war to peace. Learn how to see children for who they are to better guide them and win their trust as you foster a healthy environment.
51 min
August 29, 2022 31: Creating equitable classrooms
Classroom equity is achieved when all students feel understood, respected and included. In this episode of the Classroom Café we will take a deep dive into what equity is and is not. Special guest Moza Coote, a veteran New York City public school teacher who is now a teacher development specialist with the city's Department of Education, will share insights and resources to help educators bring their compassion and kindness to the experience of teaching and learning.
43 min
July 25, 2022 30: Using art as a form of therapy
Art can be a way of expressing our thoughts and feelings when words come up short. In this episode of Classroom Café, we explore art as a way to alleviate stress, help us process trauma and get to know ourselves better. Listen in as our special guests Caitlin Hanvey, a creative art therapist, and Asha Hanna, a Brooklyn-based artist, discuss their experiences using art as a form of therapy for both children and adults.
33 min
June 28, 202229: Good Nutrition Nourishes Body and Soul
Food plays a role in our emotional, physical and even psychological health. In this episode of Classroom Café, Leeann Rybakov, a health coach who is certified in functional medicine, will discuss how we can make healthier choices to support our overall well-being. Rybakov will share some practical and time-saving food choices that will nourish our bodies and spare our wallets.

Free Pantry Swaps Resources from Leeann Rybakov

Leeann Rybakov on Instagram
41 min
May 30, 2022 28: Talking to Teens about Mental Health, Part 2: Mindfulness
Mindfulness strategies can help teenagers take back some control over their emotions and overall mental health. In this episode of Classroom Café, Lexi Mulee, a licensed mental health clinician who works with teens, will discuss some short, innovative approaches to mindfulness that pique teens' interest, including mindfulness meditation. This is a technique that can calm anxieties and help both teens and adults manage their emotions.
20 min
May 23, 2022 27: Talking to Teens about Mental Health, Part 1: How to talk to teens
Teenagers test limits and push boundaries. But some behaviors, such as withdrawing from friends and family or increased anger and mood swings, may indicate your teenager or child is struggling with their mental health. In this episode of Classroom Café, we are joined by Lexi Mulee, a licensed mental health clinician and the founder of Wise Mind Counseling. Mulee specializes in working with teens and will discuss ways to build positive relationships with them as well as the warning signs that your student may need help.
39 min
April 25, 2022 26: Coping with grief
Grief is an intensely personal experience, which can look very different from one person to the next. There is no "right" way to grieve. In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, we are joined by Ashley Groesbeck, a clinical social worker, and Alain Metellus, the UFT's director of crisis intervention, for a discussion of ways we can validate the experience for the bereaved and help them, or ourselves, to accept and move through the grieving process.
40 min
March 29, 2022 25: How our view of addiction takes shape
What does addiction look like, and how can our personal biases, experiences and judgments affect the way we view this illness? In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, we are joined by Steven Sulzer, a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, educator and credentialed substance use disorder counselor. He will share his own experience as well as tools and resources we can use when a family member or loved one may be dealing with substance misuse.
31 min
February 28, 2022 24: Helping students affected by domestic violence
Learn practices, techniques and resources that can be used in school-based settings to identify survivors of domestic violence and support their health and well-being. In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, Jules Perkél, a trauma psychotherapist and clinical social worker, will discuss the most commonly seen behaviors of survivors of domestic violence and the best practices when working with those who have experienced this trauma.
31 min
September 23, 2021 23: Helping kids avoid substance use
Learn ways of identifying students at risk of substance use and how to support them. In this episode of the Classroom Café podcast, the New York Times best-selling author Jessica Lahey will discuss her latest book, The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. She will share her personal story as an educator with addiction, the latest research around youth and substance use and resources to support students and their families. Learn how the UFT Member Assistance Program helps union members cope with substance use and the pandemic through individual consultations, virtual support groups and online resources at www.uft.org/map.
45 min