Welcome! It's a new season, Season 3, and we're glad you've joined us. For the last two episodes of Season 2, we spent time talking about the A:Shiwi Core Values and how much they mean not only to the students in Zuni ISD but also to the Zuni community. In today's episode, Ally, a Zuni ISD counselor and David, a Zuni ISD consultant, give us their thinking on the importance of being aware and intentional in our thoughts and actions that can lead to the manifestation of empathy and equity in our communities. Let's listen in as Ally and David talk with Melina about the changes they've seen whe ..read more

During the past two episodes we spent time talking about the A:Shiwi Core Values and how much they mean not only to the students in Zuni ISD but also to the Zuni community. In today's episode, Nikki and Horatio, two Zuni High School students, give us their thinking on the importance of empathy, respect, and responsibility, the A:Shiwi way. You can earn more about Zuni Indepdent School District and the A:shiwi Core Values here ..read more

Dawn Eriacho, Counselor, Zuni High School and David Den Hartog, Lead District and School Strategy Consultant, at Green Schools National Network join host Gillian Parker to discuss the work they're doing around providing "safe spaces" for the students they work with in Zuni, New Mexico. while focusing on their traditional A:shiwi Core Values. They also shared what it means to support students' and educators' mental, emotional and social health and why community is so important ..read more

This week we’re joined by Adriana and Noeh, two students at Henrietta M. King High School in Kingsville, Texas. Their school is in Kingsville ISD, the same district whose superintendent Dr. Cissy Reynolds-Perez spoke with us in our last episode.  Adriana and Noeh open up about their reactions to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas – about 200 miles northwest of Kingsville – that took the lives of 19 students and 2 teachers on May 24, 2022.  They share their feelings about yet another mass shooting – shock, fear, anger, hope – and reflect on how this latest trage ..read more

In May 2022, The Washington Post reported that more than 311,000 students have experienced gun violence at school since the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado.  And that includes the 500 students that experienced tragedy in their school district on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, TX where 19 students and 2 teachers were killed. In today's episode, we're honored to be talking with Dr. Cissy Reynolds-Perez, Supt., Kingsville ISD - an educator who has taught and led schools at all levels and who truly "walks the talk."  Not only has she engaged the students in the district ..read more

Today teens continue to endure a life-changing crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health issues have reached a critical breaking point. ER childhood mental health visits continue to be at epidemic proportions, high schools students have felt sad or depressed through the pandemic. More than 3,000 students attempt suicide each and every day. Dr. Jeff Hutchinson,  a retired US Army Colonel and Adolescent Medicine specialist, has 25 years of experience caring for children, teens, young adults and service members. His unique approach combines the science of behavioral economics with the met ..read more

In Part 1, How Do I Love My Unique Bipolar Brain?, Sara explored how she learned to accept her bipolar brain, how she navigated life pre- and post-diagnosis and the exciting book that she’s just published BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum. Now, in Part 2, we get to hear a little more from Sara plus her super helpful 5-Step Action Plan - Choose your Brain Buddy, Create an Affirmation, Establish a Code Red Process, and Exhale and Celebrate.  It’s an episode you won’t want to miss.  Be sure to check out Sara's recently published memoir BrainStorm: From Broken to ..read more

Everyone has mental health challenges from time to time. The decisions we make determine whether our outcome is positive or negative. By taking care of ourselves and getting enough sleep, eating the right food and consistently exercising, we are setting ourselves on the right path for success. Sara Schley is a successful entrepreneur and author, and the aim of her work is to make the world a kinder and more inclusive place. She also happens to be bipolar, and her recently published memoir, BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum, tells the story of how she made peace with he ..read more

Dark and turbulent times in our lives often leave us feeling hopeless. How do you find hope when you are in a dark place and feel totally hopeless?  In this episode, Ben interviews Lisa Arie, co-founder and CEO, Vista Caballo, the most innovative human and leadership development program in the world. Lisa discusses how to find control in circumstances where you feel like you have none.  We may not be able to control what happens to us in life, but we can control our own minds. By utilizing the power of imagination through deep breathing techniques, we can write our own story of our ..read more

In this introductory episode in Season One, Host Ben Marullo introduces the "Mental Muscle" podcast and interviews Jennifer Furlong, LPC, about what emotions are in the first place. Key takeaways: What is mental (or mental-emotional) health and mental muscle? What is the Mental Muscle podcast all about? What does it mean to have a strong mind? Lastly, What are emotions? All Teens Considered podcast was previously the Mental Muscle podcast ..read more