Connectopod™

Meet 11th Grader Nysha Prasad who will explore youth perspectives on mental health with her peers and health professionals as host of Mind Matters! Learn more about this project at: https://www.mindmattersteens.com/

In this episode, host, Melissa Peruch, interviews an individual, who reflects on their years struggling with not just an eating disorder, but the neglect and invalidation they received from professionals. They had to grapple with reality and their emotions when their disorder was not believed since they didn’t “look sick enough” to play the part. Thank you so much for joining us!

Transcript Available for restrictED Episode 04 (link)

Eating Disorder Definitions:

Beat Eating Disorders: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/ 

Healthline Nutrition: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders#other-types 

Resources for Support:

Books:

• "Life Without Ed" by Jenni Schaefer

Podcasts: 

• "Unrestrict-ED" (https://open.spotify.com/show/0XOxPP7kAWRC9CZLlH5U1m?si=12dff0b16f0a49d7")

Youtube Channels:

• Abbey Sharp (https://youtube.com/@AbbeysKitchen?si=F9uGdsXDNZVm8HWz) 

Resources:

• National Associated of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders- ANAD (https://anad.org/)

Contacts:

• ANAD Helpline- 1 (888) 375-7767

Produced By: Melissa Peruch (@p3ruch.me)

In this episode, host, Melissa Peruch, interviews her brother, Moises Peruch, who brings with him the perspective of a younger sibling trying to understand the world around them when much of it is centered on the strange concept of his sister’s war with food. Moises finally shares some of the emotions he tried to navigate as an 11-year-old and where the experience has brought him now, five years later. Thank you so much for joining us!

Transcript Available for restrictED Episode 03 (link)

Guest: Moises Peruch

Instagram: @jstvibinbruv 

Eating Disorder Definitions:

Beat Eating Disorders: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/ 

Healthline Nutrition: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders#other-types 

Resources for Support:

Books:

• "Life Without Ed" by Jenni Schaefer

Podcasts: 

• "Unrestrict-ED" (https://open.spotify.com/show/0XOxPP7kAWRC9CZLlH5U1m?si=12dff0b16f0a49d7")

Youtube Channels:

• Abbey Sharp (https://youtube.com/@AbbeysKitchen?si=F9uGdsXDNZVm8HWz) 

Resources:

• National Associated of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders- ANAD (https://anad.org/)

Contacts:

• ANAD Helpline- 1 (888) 375-7767

Produced By: Melissa Peruch (@p3ruch.me)

In this episode, host, Melissa Peruch, interviews Kevin Olmsted, a father who experienced an eating disorder through a caregiver's perspective. Kevin opens up about his story, reflects on his experience, touches on some of the myths about eating disorders, and shares what drove his book publication. Thank you so much for joining us!

Transcript Available for restrictED Episode 02 (link)

Guest: Kevin Olmsted 

Phone Number: (415) 312-2393

Email: [email protected]

Website/Book: https://www.scareddadfeeding.com/ 

Eating Disorder Definitions:

Beat Eating Disorders: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/ 

Healthline Nutrition: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders#other-types 

Key Definitions: 

Family and Medical Leave Act- the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 is a United States labor law requiring covered employers to provide employees with job-protected, unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons.

Family Based Treatment (FBT)- Family-Based Treatment, or FBT, is a type of psychological treatment to treat eating disorders. It is offered by therapists who are trained in the method and follow the FBT treatment manuals. FBT is a type of family therapy, where the patient and the family visit the therapist together. FBT differs from most family therapy approaches for eating disorders:

• FBT is “agnostic” about the cause of eating disorders, and does not try to find underlying issues or causes.

Orthosatic- a decrease in blood pressure that happens soon after standing or sitting up. 

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)- PHP patients have individual therapy twice weekly and meet with their dieticians once weekly to establish a meal plan and discuss nutritional guidelines. They are also evaluated weekly, monitored medically, and complete lab work and other necessary testing by a nurse practitioner. 

Residential Programs- residential treatment is conducted in a home-like environment. The patient will stay in a bedroom and share a living space with other program participants. The focus of a residential program is treating the psychological and emotional aspects of an eating disorder, but the patient will still have 24-hour access to medical staff to ensure they are provided the best care possible.

Resources for Support:

Books:

• "Life Without Ed" by Jenni Schaefer

• "Unrestrict-ED" (https://open.spotify.com/show/0XOxPP7kAWRC9CZLlH5U1m?si=12dff0b16f0a49d7")

• Ro Mitchell (https://www.youtube.com/@RoMitchell)

• National Associated of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders- ANAD (https://anad.org/)

• ANAD Helpline- 1 (888) 375-7767

Produced By: Melissa Peruch (@p3ruch.me)

Join Malia Mahelona-Janilkarn, Caleb Leong, Michelle Chiu, and Ryan, dedicated members of the Teen Council at the Los Angeles Public Library-Chinatown branch, as they delve into the heart of their community's concerns. In this episode, they sit down with John Yi, Candidate for District 54 California State Assembly, to explore the pivotal role of local governance and its impact on Chinatown.

As they navigate the responsibilities and powers of the State Assembly, listeners gain insight into how legislative decisions directly affect the fabric of Chinatown. John Yi, a passionate advocate for seniors' rights and quality of life, brings a fresh perspective to the table, offering innovative solutions to longstanding issues.

find out more: https://www.johnforassembly.com

About the Teen Council

Since July 2022, these dedicated members of the Teen Council have spearheaded a grocery delivery program at the Chinatown Library, witnessing  firsthand the harsh realities faced by the seniors they serve. These elders, living below the poverty line, confront the disruptive impacts of gentrification in Chinatown, jeopardizing their ability to remain in their homes. Driven by empathy, the teens have embraced the responsibility of documenting and sharing the personal narratives of these seniors, and advocating for the rights of the immigrant community

Producer: Betsy Foldes Meiman

Assistant Producer: Melissa Peruch

Stop the Gondola

Malia Mahelona-Janilkarn, Caleb Leong, and Michelle Chiu, Teen Council members at the Los Angeles Public Library-Chinatown branch,  interview  community activists Phyllis Ling and Tany Ling from Stop the Gondola

LA Metro is letting a billionaire build an aerial gondola over the Chinatown neighborhood that research proves won’t reduce traffic or greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of $500 million dollars to the tax payers of LA.  Stop the Gondola is advocating to let the voices of the Chinatown community be heard by the Metro Board and have a say in their own future.

Stop the Gondola represents a collective effort to oppose the development plans for the LA ART Gondola, championed by former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. This proposed aerial transit initiative seeks to establish a connection between Union Station and Dodger Stadium, yet significant apprehensions surround its execution.

Learn more: https://www.stopthegondola.org

About the Teen Council

Since July 2022, these dedicated members of the Teen Council have spearheaded a grocery delivery program at the Chinatown Library, witnessing  firsthand the harsh realities faced by the seniors they serve. These elders, living below the poverty line, confront the disruptive impacts of gentrification in Chinatown, jeopardizing their ability to remain in their homes. Driven by empathy, the teens have embraced the responsibility of documenting and sharing the personal narratives of these seniors, and advocating for the rights of the immigrant community

Producer: Betsy Foldes Meiman

Assistant Producer: Melissa Peruch

Karen Law and Winnie Fong from the Chinatown Land Trust

Malia Mahelona-Janilkarn, Caleb Leong, and Michelle Chiu, Teen Council members at the Los Angeles Public Library-Chinatown branch,  interview  Karen Law and Winnie Fong, community activists from the LA Chinatown Land Trust.

Established in June 2021, the LA Chinatown Land Trust aims to safeguard and manage affordable housing within the LA Chinatown community, offering a sustainable solution to combat displacement and gentrification in an increasingly unaffordable landscape for low-income, long-term, immigrant, and senior residents. 

About the Teen Council

Since July 2022, these dedicated members of the Teen Council have spearheaded a grocery delivery program at the Chinatown Library, witnessing  firsthand the harsh realities faced by the seniors they serve. These elders, living below the poverty line, confront the disruptive impacts of gentrification in Chinatown, jeopardizing their ability to remain in their homes. Driven by empathy, the teens have embraced the responsibility of documenting and sharing the personal narratives of these seniors, and advocating for the rights of the immigrant community

Producer: Betsy Foldes Meiman

Assistant Producer: Melissa Peruch

This song,Find me Next to You,  is from Changing the Narrative season 3. 

Gayle lost her brother DJ ( Denny John) to suicide. He left this song unfinished. With the help of musician Joe Foldes, she finished it as a tribute to DJ. 

 Eugene Moy  had so much knowledge to share that the Teen Council of the Chinatown Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library created 2 episodes!  A past president of the Chinese Historical Society of SoCal and long time advocate for the Chinese community, Eugene shared his personal history growing up in LA as the son of immigrants, the history of Chinatown , and the challenges faced to today in a Chinatown that is a hotbed of gentrification. The great resources he shared in the interview with Malia Mahelona-Janilkarn, Caleb Leong, Qihao Huang, and Zhangyang Wu are listed below. Here is a link to Eugene Moy Pt. 1 ICYMI!

1) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal V. 29, N.1 2006 : Chinese Grocery Edition 2006

2) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal V. 35, N.1 2013 : Three Enduring Legacies: Castelar School, Chinese American Museum, and Far East Cafe

3) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal Special Edition 2004 : Delbert Wong: First Chinese American Judge by Marshall Wong

4) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal V. 40, N.1 2018: 80th Anniversary of Chinatown

5) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal V. 36, N.1 2014 : Voices of Chinatown 

6) The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California 2005 Annual Spring Dinner Celebrating Chinese American Pioneers in Law

7) Roads into and out of Chinatown by Annie  Chin Siu, D. D. S.

8) Images of America: Chinatown in Los Angeles by Jenny Cho and the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California