MindBeat Podcast

Latest Episode

EP 37: Navigating the Digital Childhood: Mental Health, Media, and Development

In this episode, Dr. Ellen Wartella, a leading expert on children, media, and development, joins Laine and Megan McCullough, Director of Student Services at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District to explore the evolving role of media in shaping mental health, common misconceptions about screen use, and practical ways families and schools can support healthy development in a digital age.
Hosted By:
Laine Whitaker

December 22, 2025

42 min

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Voices of ESS

Cortnee, Megan, & Jalen

EP 17: School-based Clinicians Weigh in on the Youth Mental Health Crisis

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EP 15: Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Early Learners

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EP 14: Summer Planning for Student Mental Health

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All Episodes

Sasser & Patterson
May 24, 2024
29 MIN

EP 25: Focusing on Educators’ Self-Care

In this episode, Colleen Patterson and Zanetah Sasser from Effective School Solutions join Duncan and Laine to discuss teacher burnout, how leadership at schools can create supportive environments to decrease burnout, their recommendations to support teachers’ mental health, and how they avoid burnout themselves.
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Fran Rabinowitz Graphic
April 23, 2024
29 MIN

EP 24: The School-Based Mental Health Landscape in Connecticut and Beyond

In this episode, Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), joins Duncan and Laine to discuss how CAPSS collaborates with district leaders and legislators to address the mental health needs of students in Connecticut schools, the ways CAPSS advocates for mental health awareness in educational settings, and the biggest gaps school districts need for mental healthcare delivery.
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DiMauro, Somershoe, Katz
March 27, 2024
29 MIN

EP 23: Harnessing the Power of Professional Development to Build a District-Wide Social-Emotional Foundation

In this episode, Jenna DiMauro, an Elementary School Counselor and District Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Carmela Somershoe, a Superintendent and Elementary School Principal, and Jordan Katz, a Licensed Social Worker at ESS, join Duncan and Laine to discuss why Jenna and Carmela sought support from ESS, how transition resets have affected their buildings, and the impact social emotional support has on learning.
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At ESS, we have an unrelenting focus on data, measuring results, and communicating to our partners the proven impact our programming has on mental health, school outcomes and financial sustainability.

With every ESS partner, we will:

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