Stories matter, especially when it comes to children's mental health and wellbeing.

For our season finale, Gene and Khadijah are joined by two special guests from Barefoot Books – book editor Lisa Rosinsky and children’s author Joelle Retener. They explore how stories help kids to make sense of the world in all of its confusion and beauty by taking a closer look at Marley’s Pride, a new children’s book about overcoming big anxieties and realizing the power of community. Plus, stay tuned to the end to hear everyone’s favorite children’s book!

Media List

• The Importance of Stories for Child Health (MGH Clay Center)
• Barefoot Books - About Us
• Joelle Retener
• Marley’s Pride (Goodreads)
• Mindful Kids Card Deck (Barefoot Books)
• Berry Song, by Michaela Goade (Goodreads)
• Little Witch Hazel, by Phoebe Wall (Goodreads)
• The Snowy Day, by Jack Keats (Goodreads)
• The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams Bianco (Goodreads)

We wish you a story-filled summer! We’ll see you back here in October on the Third Thursday of every month. Until then, be well.

Episode music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Spenser Egnatz and Sara Rattigan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you hear the term “eating disorders” what do you think of? Probably not boys and men. Yet, adolescent boys struggle with body image and disordered eating behaviors nearly just as much as girls.

On today’s show, eating disorder specialist Jason Nagata, MD joins Gene and Khadijah to unpack what every parent should know about disordered eating in boys. They discuss the pressures boys face when it comes to body ideals, the impact of sports culture, and how to recognize signs of an eating disorder in your child.

Media List

• Jason Nagata, MD (University of California, San Francisco)
• Why eating disorders are affecting more adolescent boys (PBS News Hour)
• Parents’ perception of their child’s body image (Mott Poll Report)
• Boys, Bulk, and Body Ideals: Sex Differences in Weight Gain Attempts Among Adolescents in the United States (Journal of Adolescent Health)
• The real cost of a “Marvel body”: How the pressure to look like Thor and Captain America is hurting men (Salon)
• Muscle Dysmorphia (National Eating Disorders Association)
• Research suggests student athletes face body image concerns, develop rigid eating habits (Clemsen News)
• Disordered eating and considerations for the transgender community (Journal of Eating Disorders)
• What Are the Treatments for Eating Disorders? (MGH Clay Center)
• Being You: The Body Image Book for Boys (Charlotte Markey, Daniel Hart, Douglas N. Zacher)
• Resource Center (National Eating Disorders Association)
• 19 of Your Favorite Superheroes: Then and Now (RVCJ)

Special thanks to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for connecting us with special guest Jason Nagata, MD.

Podcast theme music by Gene Beresin, MD, MA

Episode research by Spenser Egnatz

Episode produced by Sara Rattigan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re a regular listener, you’ll know we often reference the benefits of casual roleplay games - from dress up to Dungeons & Dragons - for healthy child development. It can help kids better understand themselves, gain a deeper understanding of others, and build confidence.

Today, Gene and Khadijah explore roleplay through a more therapeutic lens. They are joined by special guests John Corbett, MD and Terrance Dolan, MD, two MGH/McLean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellows (and lovers of roleplay games) to delve deeper into how it can be used in therapy and at home to support our kids’ mental health. Stay tuned to the end to hear everyone’s favorite games!

Media List

Follow along with the conversation.

• John Corbett, MD (Harvard Catalyst Profiles)
• Terrance Dolan, MD (Harvard Catalyst Profiles)
• The Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Residence of MGH/McLean (YouTube - Mass General Brigham)
• Role-playing (Wikipedia)
• The use of clinical role-play and reflection in learning therapeutic communication skills in mental health education: an integrative review (Advances in Medical Education and Practices)
• What Is Family Therapy? (MGH Clay Center)
• The Positive Value of Conflict Resolution (MGH Clay Center)
• The Psychology of Video Game Avatars (The Psychology of Video Games)
• Why do kids love Roblox? (LinkedIn - Education Next)
• Helping Kids With Challenging Behavior, feat. Stuart Ablon, PhD (YouTube - MGH Clay Center)
• The Incredible Hulk, TV series (IMDB)

Thanks for joining in this conversation. We’ll see you back on the THIRD Thursday of next month!

Podcast music by Gene Beresin

Episode produced by Sara Rattigan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.