Breaking the Cycle: Communities Combating Adverse Childhood Experiences

Youth mental health concerns are rising — and primary care providers are often the first line of support. In this episode, we explore how small, meaningful changes in everyday practice can make a real difference. Joining Dr. Ruth Gubernick in conversation are Drs. Deborah Braun-Corville and Aimee Johnson as they share how they introduced strengths-based conversations, collaborative safety plans, and practical mental health supports right in their pediatric offices — without overwhelming workflows or adding hours to the day. This conversation highlights:How small tests of change can transform care over timeStrength-based approaches that build trust and connectionPractical, realistic tools for supporting adolescents in distressThe power of teamwork and shared learning among providers This episode is a reminder that care doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful — sometimes, it starts with just one small step with the next patient you see.

Shared decision making is more than offering choices — it’s about trust, partnership, and seeing families as the experts of their own lives. In this heartfelt conversation, two mothers and family partners, Sarah Farmer and Amy Rachel, share what it looks like when care feels supportive… and what happens when it doesn’t. Their stories highlight how trauma exposure, communication, and respect shape every moment of care. Together, we explore:How to build trust long before a crisis occursThe role of strength-based conversations in mental health careWhy asking “What’s strong?” can be more powerful than asking “What’s wrong?”How pediatricians and families can work as a team, even in emotionally charged moments This episode is a reminder that compassion isn’t extra — it’s essential. And that the most transformative care begins not with instructions, but with listening.

In this episode, Elizabeth Waetzig from the National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health, sits down with Emily Drabinski, the current President of the American Library Association and an Associate Professor at Queens College, City University of New York. They explore the expansive role of libraries in communities, moving beyond traditional book lending to discuss how libraries serve as vital hubs for information, learning, and family support. Tune in to discover how you can support your local library in enriching children's education, supporting youth development, and strengthening family bonds

In this energizing episode, guests Atsie Sanchez and Jenna Cataleta join host Lisa Knight to explore what it means to truly care for the people who care for others. From creating time and space for reflection to building trust and modeling boundaries, this conversation offers practical ideas to support staff mental and emotional well-being. It’s a timely reminder that when we care for staff, we strengthen the entire system.

In the powerful conclusion of this two-part series, Dr. Dionne Coker-Appiah and Angie Williams explore how rural communities can lead change through trust, advocacy, and self-care. From creating “yes” where there was once “no” to creating sustainable connections, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to serve with heart. Tune in for stories of resilience, actionable strategies, and a reminder that you might be the only hope someone sees.

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Dionne Coker-Appiah sits down with Angie Williams to unpack the deep-rooted stigma around mental health in rural communities. From the silence passed down through generations to the power of simply showing up, this conversation explores why connection must come before correction. Tune in to hear real stories, bold truths, and the hope that drives change.

In this insightful episode, Kristi Silva is joined by Gabriela Zapata-Alma to explore how spirituality can be a powerful part of mental health and wellness. Together, they discuss the importance of honoring the full experience of individuals, the use of tools like HOPE in practice, and how professionals can create space for spiritual identity and healing. It’s a conversation that offers practical takeaways and a reminder that whole-person care includes the spirit.

In this powerful episode of Conversation Corner, Dr. Sebrina Lindsay-Law joins host Melissa Smith for a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation about school-based systems of care. Together, they explore how education, health, and justice systems can align to better support the mental health of children, youth, and families. Dr. Lindsay-Law offers a refreshing perspective on using both qualitative and quantitative data meaningfully—moving beyond transactional actions to build truly transformational practices. With real-life examples, practical insights, and a call for humanity, flexibility, and intentionality, this episode inspires us to reimagine what’s possible when care is at the center.Special Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Steven Jimenez, Director, and Ashley Singleton, Producer, for their leadership and creativity on Conversation Corner. Their work helps inspire new ideas and strengthen the path forward for child, youth, and family mental health — one conversation, one connection at a time.

Join us for an enlightening conversation about the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how communities can come together tofoster healing and resilience.

Let’s shift the paradigm! In this episode, two youth advocates with lived experience, Shayn McDonald (they/them) and Maxx LaBrie (they/he), shed light on the limitations of psychiatric labels in honoring the complex tapestry of young people's lives, and explore the power of shifting to intentional, person-first, human experience language. Discover the importance and foundations of human experience language as we seek to amplify the voices of young people and challenge you to think differently about the human experience. This episode is a call to action for those dedicated to supporting youth to challenge convention and to embrace the stories and narratives of young people in their words.  Shifting from Pathologizing to Person-First Language pdf