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

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May 22, 2023
29 MIN

EP 13: Restorative Community Service

In this episode, Marta Audino, Dr. Sylvia Zircher, and Mike Roseman join Duncan and Laine to discuss how the true impact of the pandemic on youth mental health is just now being seen in schools, utilizing a restorative community service approach to discipline, the continuum of mental health supports they offer in their districts, their insights on teachers’ mental health and how to best support their needs, and what lies ahead for students in the next five years.
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May 9, 2023
29 MIN

EP 12: Implementing & Funding School-based Mental Health in CA & Beyond

In this episode, Michael Lombardo from Placer County‘s Office of Education joins Duncan and Laine to discuss the multi-faceted approaches to school-based mental health in California, the increase in student support via an MTSS for mental health framework, how to effectively implement and integrate student supports in school districts, and how best to fund school-based mental health in schools.
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April 25, 2023
29 MIN

EP 11: Benefits of Breathe for Change to Enhance Students’ Mental Health

In this episode, Dr. Ilana Nankin the Founder and CEO of Breathe for Change, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss Breathe for Change’s mission to enhance the health and well-being of educators, students, and entire communities through her yoga meets meditation meets SEL approach, the relationship between SEL and yoga, and the benefits of yoga for students and teachers.
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Our Unwavering Focus on Data Collection

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:

• Set data driven goals at the beginning of every implementation

• Have regular “Report Card” meetings in which we share the impact of ESS services

• Monitor data along the way to look for potential risk areas so that these can be proactively addressed

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