Safety First: Tackling Tough Topics with Teens

In this episode, Amanda talks to Dr. Andy Finch, NCE, LPSC, about adolescent substance use and recovery high schools. They discuss features of recovery high schools, the unique needs of students attending recovery high schools, adolescent substance use and co-occurring disorders, and ways to support teens in recovery.Helpful resources:https://recoveryschools.org/https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zSxL38grPpq48YSuoSxTx4mPo6tlvP-D/edithttps://sites.google.com/view/recovery-school-reference/home?pli=1&authuser=0https://www.amazon.com/Salvaging-Teenage-Wasteland-Finch/dp/0190645504/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uEQG0A4Is1KozFva4iw9YQ.UKSCsb2iT7EH3wa6LSpzFRYJE95Y7FDrsYOmyHTHi6k&qid=1788293556&[email protected]*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations

In this episode, Amanda talks to Dr. Tracy R. Gleason about features of parasocial relationships among adolescents. They discuss the nature of parasocial relationships (both benefits and risks), the importance of imagination and social relationships among adolescents, and the differences between parasocial relationships and forming emotional connections with AI chatbots. Helpful resources:https://www.wellesley.edu/people/tracy-gleason*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations

In this episode, Amanda talks to Heather Maurer, MA, CAE, the Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling about adolescent sports betting, prediction markets, and online gambling behaviors. They discuss accessibility of online gambling, the normalization of sports betting, gambling-features of prediction markets, and the importance of prevention.Helpful resources: https://www.ncpgambling.org/ncpg/https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-MY-RESET)Call or Text: 1-800-MY-RESETChat: 1800myreset.org*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations

In this episode, Amanda talks to Michaela Guthrie, LCSW, about the process of aging out of the foster care system. They discuss the experiences of youth in foster care, effects of multiple placements, challenges faced by young adults aging out of the system, and ways to support transition-aged youth. Helpful resources: https://bloomfosters.org/https://bloomfosters.org/bloom-beyond/ *The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations

In this episode, Amanda talks to Dr. Sabrina Jennings, LCP, about supporting adolescent athletes. They discuss the pressure and demands of athletics, recovering from mistakes, returning to sport after an injury, perfectionism, and cultivating mental fortitude. Helpful resources: https://www.sportpsychs.com/*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations

In this episode, Amanda talks to both Dr. Cindy Murphy, LPC, ACS, NCSC, NCC and LeAnne Hale, MSW, Ed.S. about anxiety among children and teens. They discuss potential causes of heightened anxiety among youth, effects of anxiety among students, the importance of externalizing anxiety, and ways to respond to adolescent anxiety. Helpful resources: https://www.spacetreatment.net/ https://www.anxiety.org/https://www.lynnlyons.com/*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations

In this episode, Amanda talks to Dr. Brett P. Kennedy, Psy.D., CSAT about teen pornography use. They discuss the average age of pornography exposure, compelling features of digital media, sexual scripting, and the importance of parental involvement in adolescents' digital media use. Helpful resources: https://www.drbrettkennedy.com/  https://digitalmediaoverusescale.com/*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations

In this episode, Amanda talks to Officer Emily Tipsord about sexting behaviors among teens. They discuss motives for sexting, potential legal ramifications, the crime of sextortion, and how to talk to adolescents about sending or asking for nude photos. Helpful resources:Take it down websitehttps://takeitdown.ncmec.org/Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/news-blogs/what-is-undress-ai-guidance-for-parents-carers/Thornhttps://www.stopsextortion.com/caregivers/https://www.thorn.org/blog/the-growing-threat-of-sextortion/*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations.

In this episode, Amanda talks to Hilarie Cash, PhD, Co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of reSTART Life, PLLC, about adolescent gaming addiction. They discuss the addictive features of gaming, gambling imbedded in games, technoference, the neuroscience of gaming addiction, and gaming addiction treatment.Helpful resources: restartlife.commybabygains.org Books: Video Games and Your Kids: How Parents Stay in Control Facing Internet Technology and Gaming Addiction Website*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations

In this episode, Amanda talks with Dr. Vinita Sharma, MPH, CPH, CHES about kratom use among teens. They discuss the addictive nature of kratom, ways in which it is obtained and used, and how parents can talk to their adolescents about kratom. Helpful resources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X21005024https://doi.org/10.1080/17512433.2024.2305798*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organization