Today's classrooms look nothing like they did a generation ago. Teachers are showing up every day to reach students who are anxious, exhausted, withdrawn, and sometimes in crisis — and they're doing it without the resources, time and support they need.

In this episode, we talk with Amanda Morin, neurodiversity expert and nationally known speaker and author. Our conversation takes an honest look at what K-12 educators are facing right now: the surge in student mental health needs, the pressure to act as teachers, counselors, and therapists all at once, and the very real toll it's taking on all of them.

We also talk about what teachers say they actually need — and where they turn when they need support. School counselors are stretched thin, mental health professionals carry overwhelming caseloads, and teachers are often left to figure it out on their own.

That's exactly why Ellis was created. Ellis is a free, trusted resource built specifically for K-12 educators – designed to help teachers confidently respond to the mental health needs and learning challenges they encounter every day with their students. Ellis was developed with direct input from teachers, ensuring it reflects the real, nuanced realities of classroom life. It's practical, it's evidence-informed, and it's available right now at askellis.org – at no cost.

If you're a teacher who's ever felt overwhelmed, underprepared, or simply alone in a hard moment with a struggling student — Ellis was made for you. Visit askellis.org today.

Resources:

• CHC Online
• CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
• CHC's Resource Library
• Learn more about Ellis

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

In this candid and thoughtful episode, two teen leaders from the CHC Teen Collaborative share what it’s like to manage mental health in a world shaped by academic competition, social comparison, and constant pressure to perform. Cailey, from My Digital TAT2, and Brian, from allcove, talk openly about burnout, therapy, family communication, identity, and the emotional weight many teens carry while trying to balance school, activities, friendships, and future plans.

They also discuss how older generations often approach mental health differently, why teens need adults to listen instead of immediately trying to solve the problem, and how trusted spaces at school and in the community can make a real difference. With honesty, empathy, and practical insight, this episode speaks to both parents and teens who want stronger communication and a deeper understanding of each other’s experiences.

Launched in fall 2023, the CHC Teen Collaborative is a powerful group of high school students working together to improve mental health and learning support in their communities. Students from six youth-focused organizations – AIM Youth Mental Health, allcove, Bring Change to Mind, Challenge Success, My Digital TAT2, SafeSpace, and Taarika Foundation – joined forces to share ideas, identify needs, and lead change. Brian represents allcove, and Cailey represents My Digital TAT2.

Resources:

• CHC Online
• CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
• CHC's Resource Library
• Learn more about Ellis

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

What happens when screens become the go-to tool for calming big emotions?

In this episode of Voices of Compassion, CHC post doctoral fellows, Sydney Hernandez, PhD, and Elsa Cincione, PsyD, explore how technology impacts emotional regulation in young children. They explain what the research says about the latest screen time guidelines and what it means for families.

Listen in to hear about the development of emotional regulation in young children, practical guard rails for healthy use of devices and why co-regulation matters more than quick fixes. This conversation offers clarity, compassion, and realistic strategies for families navigating screen time in early childhood.

Resources:

• CHC Online
• CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
• CHC's Resource Library
• Learn more about Ellis

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Artificial intelligence is everywhere – from homework tools to social media algorithms. But what does all of this mean for your child?

In this episode of Voices of Compassion, we sit down with renowned computer scientist and AI expert, Kerrie Holley, to break down what AI is (and isn’t), how it’s shaping our daily lives, and how parents can set healthy guardrails without fear or panic.

Listen in as we discuss how generative AI works and the importance of teaching critical thinking and reasoning and how to support your kids in this age of AI. The takeaway? You don’t need to outsmart AI – you just need engaged parenting, open conversations, and clear values.

Resources:

• CHC Online
• CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
• CHC's Resource Library
• Learn more about Ellis

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Wondering what a neuropsychological evaluation actually tells you – and what to do with the results?

In this episode, CHC experts, Joaquin Burciaga, PhD, and Whitney Geller, PhD, break down how neuropsych testing helps clarify a child's learning, attention, memory, language, and emotional regulation – so families can move from questions to a clear plan.

You'll discover what a neuropsych evaluation for kids really is (and what it isn't), how it differs from the psychoeducational testing done through schools for IEP or 504 support, and the signs that suggest it might be time to consider one – whether you're navigating ADHD, autism, learning differences, or anxiety. Our experts also share practical guidance on how to cut through the jargon, focus on the summary and recommendations section, and turn that thick report into actionable next steps that actually help your child.

Whether you're just starting to wonder if testing might provide answers or you've got a report sitting on your desk that feels overwhelming, this conversation will help you understand what these evaluations reveal and how to use them to advocate effectively for your child.

CHC offers free 30-minute consultations to help families decide their next steps.

Resources:

1. CHC Online
2. CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
3. CHC's Resource Library

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

What if hope isn't just a feeling – but a teachable skill that can transform learning? In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection of hope science and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with Brenda Green, a former math teacher turned educational leader from CAST.

Learn how the UDL framework creates the conditions for hope to flourish by honoring learner variability, removing barriers in design (not in students), and providing flexible options for engagement, representation, and expression.

Whether you're new to UDL or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation offers practical strategies you can start using tomorrow: from creating choice boards to designing goals that don't embed the means, to gathering student feedback that amplifies their voice. Most importantly, you'll understand how small, intentional shifts in lesson design can create meaningful change – building not just academic success, but the agency and belonging every student deserves.

Ready to redesign learning with hope at the center? Listen in!

Resources:

1. CHC Online
2. CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
3. CHC's Resource Library

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

What does it take for students with learning differences to find their voice and advocate for their own needs? In this episode, we explore self advocacy with CHC experts, Emily Hsu, PhD and Yi-Hua Lin, PsyD as a learnable skill that's critical for academic success and beyond. We'll discuss when students can start developing this ability, how it evolves from elementary through high school, and the practical strategies kids can use to speak up in the classroom—even when they feel different from their peers.

We'll also tackle the parent perspective: how to build your child's confidence at home without overstepping, and how to partner with teachers to create a safe environment for self-advocacy. Whether you're a parent, educator, or advocate, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to help every learner stand up for themselves.

Resources:

1. CHC Online
2. CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
3. CHC's Resource Library

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Join us for an important conversation about the mental health challenges facing young people in our community where academic pressure, perfectionism, and social media create unique stressors for students and families.

We talk with CHC’s CEO, Ryan Eisenberg, EdD, about how CHC can come alongside families in their toughest moments with compassionate care – through clinical services, school partnerships, and innovative community programs. CHC is working to make mental health support accessible to all – including free parent consultations and free parent support groups to culturally competent services in multiple languages.

Discover practical steps parents and educators can take today: normalize conversations about mental health, engage support systems, and remember that we're all part of a community. This episode offers hope that when we work together and eliminate the shame around asking for help, every young person can thrive.

Resources:

1. CHC Online
2. CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
3. CHC's Resource Library

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Executive function is the brain's management system – helping us plan, organize, manage emotions, and adapt to change. But for neurodivergent youth, these skills develop differently. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Mayra Quezada, PsyD and Rosinel Ermio, MS  break down what executive function really means.

Learn to recognize the difference between defiance and genuine executive function struggles, discover practical strategies for supporting youth, and understand when to seek professional help. Our experts share insights on time management challenges, task initiation difficulties, and the role technology can play in building independence. Whether it’s struggling with homework completion, keeping track of schedules, or adapting to routine changes, this episode offers compassionate, actionable guidance. Discover how to balance scaffolding with independence as your youth prepares for adulthood, and learn to celebrate progress, no matter how small.

Resources:

• CHC Online
• CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
• CHC's Resource Library

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

What does it really mean to trust your child—and how is that different from being permissive or naive? In this episode, we talk with CHC experts, Marjan Ebadi, PhD and Dylan Stewart, PsyD, about the psychology of trust, from early independence to adolescence, understanding what is realistic throughout a child’s development.

We’ll talk about how parents can tell the difference between productive struggle and true distress, how to rebuild trust after setbacks, and how to resist the urge to hover while still keeping kids safe.

Ultimately, trusting our children—at every age—builds the foundation for confidence, self-reliance, and stronger relationships throughout life.

Resources:

• CHC Online
• CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services
• CHC's Resource Library

Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at [email protected].

Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/