Ashley Leonard highlights her extensive experience leading mentoring programs in chicago, and how it builds connection and belonging in students and teachers. We explore the benefits of mentoring and its relationship to improved academic and emotional outcomes for adolescents.

Guest:
Ashley Leonard. Education for 23 years. Counselor at Langston Hughes in Roseland Neighborhood of Chicago, IL. She has been a counselor for 15 years. Program Ambassador for Erika's Lighthouse. Speaks for their program which is free. Also do part time therapy, at Olive Branch Associates.

To connect with Ashley, please email:
aleonard3@uchicago.edu

To learn more about mentoring, please explore the following:
https://toandthrough.uchicago.edu/research

Timestamps:
4:00 – Personal Story – What Led You to Exploring Mentorship?
7:30 – Concept – Social Capital to Connect to Experiences
9:45 – Personal Story – How did you start the To & Through Program?
13:15 – Concept – Adolescence is the 2nd Most Important for Child development
13:15 – Research - Life course epidemiology: recognizing the importance of adolescence (Viner et al., 2015)
17:22 – Concept – What can mentorship look like in a high school?
18:30 – Concept – Mentors Need Understanding Adolescent Issues
19:22 – Concept – Mentors Benefit from Encouraging While Having High Expectations
20:00 – Concept – Mentoring Takes Time Commitment
21:20 – Benefits – Relationships (Belonging) are the Foundation for Success Academically
22:00 – Research - The University of Chicago Consortium on School Research - Foundations for Young Adult Success Report
22:00 – Research - The University of Chicago Consortium on School Research - Investing in Adolescents
24:20 – Strategy – Strength Based Conferences
27:00 – Research – The Impact of Student–Teacher Relationships on Black Middle School Boys (Leverett et al., 2022)
28:30 – Student Strategy – Finding Mentors – Ask For Help!
28:30 – Parent Strategy – Exploring Mentors – Formal Mentorship Programs Help, Especially for Post-Secondary Work
34:20 – Parent Strategy – Exploring Mentors – Ask Other Parents about Partnerships
38:30 – Student Strategy – Build Your Board of Directors
46:00 – Idea – How to Start a Mentorship Program
47:10 – Personal Strategy – Music & Walks

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/

Korey Wade:
@koreywade / @sphereofhiphop
Available now wherever you stream/download music.
Bandcamp: https://sphereofhiphop.bandcamp.com

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Dr. Cottone explores the ideas of tribalism and how it offers benefits and drawbacks around human connection. He emphasizes how identifying with a group can help people connect, survive, and have positive feelings, while having the potential to harm others.

Guest:
John G. Cottone, Ph.D., is a psychologist in private practice and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry within the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. His research—on psychotherapy outcome, executive functioning and the neurological correlates of schizophrenia—has been published in acclaimed peer-reviewed journals, including Archives of General Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. He has a youtube channel called MindCube 3D. He has contributed to Psychology Today, The New York Times, and The Washington Post and is the author of several books included: Who Are You? Essential Questions for Hitchhikers on the Road of Truth and Z-score: How a Statistic Used in Psychology Will Revolutionize Baseball.

To learn more about Dr. Cottone, please visit:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-cube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcuWgaynspx77K4vavXIRfw
mindcube3d@gmail.com

Timestamps:
5:00 – Personal Story – What Brought Dr. Cottone into Exploring Tribalism
8:00 – Personal Story – Stepping Outside Tribes
8:55 – Book – Sapiens : a brief history of humankind (Harari, 2014)
9:30 – Reference – Tribalism: How to Be a Part of the Solution, Not the Problem (Cottone, 2025)
10:20 – Concept – Impact of Critiquing Your Own Tribe (Truthtellers and Traitors)
12:00 – Research – ‘They Saw a Protest’: Cognitive Illiberalism and the Speech-Conduct Distinction (Kanahan et al., 2011)
13:50 – Concept – Our Fist Tribe is Our Family
17:30 – Concept – Tribalism & Resources/Survival
17:47 – Research – Threat and the Rise of Fear Politics and Tribalism (Hobfoll, 2019)
19:00 – Concept – What Can Tribalism Look Like Day to Day?
22:10 – Research – Being part of a group can create positive feelings (Research)
23:40 – Benefit – You Can Make Connections with Other People in New Places
26:30 – Benefit – Decrease Loneliness, Increased Feelings of Empowerment
28:00 – Concept – Positive Benefits of Tribalism
29:50 – Concept – Options to Act on the Excesses of Your Tribe
34:00 – Dangers – Turning a Blind Eye to Your Tribe (Denial)
37:00 – Concept – How to Sit with Cognitive Dissonance from Your Tribe
42:30 – Student Strategies – Being Flexible to Making New Connections
51:30 – Story – Story of Shibboleth & Tribalism
54:50 – Parent Strategies – Emphasize Time and Perspective
58:00 – Research – Social connection as a key target for youth mental health (Birrell et al., 2025)
64:00 – Emotional Practice – Meditation & Spirituality

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
DJsNeverEndingStory: https://djsneverendingstory.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

In this In Practice Episode, Audra leads a conversation about Resilience, emphasizing the power of stories to explore resilience. She shares her professional stories helping parents and teens to create safe spaces for resiliency in stressful situations.

Guest:
Audra Lancaster is a District leader for school counselors in the State of Virginia.
Audra is an accomplished VCU graduate with a master's degree in Education, School Counseling. She has returned to VCU in pursuit of her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision to continue her lifelong work in providing comprehensive services and leadership in this field. With over 16 years in education, both in K-12 and Higher Education, Audra has worked intensively to serve her community as a counselor, educator, advocate, leader, and administrator (district leader in the state of VA). Along the way, she has supported her students, families, clients, and colleagues as they set out to grow personally and professionally. Audra currently serves as the district leader for School Counseling in a large school district in the US.

To learn more about Audra Lancaster, please visit:
https://www.noirecoaching.com/coach

Timestamps:
4:30 – Personal Story – What Connected Audra to Exploring Resilience
7:00 – Concepts – Important Ideas on Resilience
9:10 – Idea – How to Create Spaces for Resilience
12:30 – Research - Pain and emotion: a biopsychosocial review of recent research (Lumley et al., 2012)
13:20 – Concept – Responding Differently to the Same Difficulties
15:30 – Themes for Resilience Skills – Community, Opportunities, Choice
19:50 – Parent Strategies – Creating Safety to Explore Options and Next Steps
25:30 – Professional Story – A Professional Story on Resilience in Real Time
32:10 – Student Strategies – Using Your Support Network (Co-Regulation)
33:10 – Student Strategies – Having A Community
35:00 – Book - Restorative Circles in Schools: A Practical Guide for Educators - Second Edition
35:00 – Concept – Building Community to Navigate Future Distress
37:30 – Professional Story – Building Connections to Have Support
40:00 – Concept – No One Size Fits all for Resilience
42:00 – Concept – Nuance in Resilience
45:00 – Research - Population vs Individual Prediction of Poor Health From Results of Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening (Baldwin et al., 2021)
46:00 – Concept – ACEs score is limited in predicting poor health at the individual level
49:00 – Concept – Parenting Changes Developmentally from Providing Safety to Providing Skills
52:00 – Research – Effectiveness of resilience-based interventions in schools for adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis (Llistosella et al., 2023)
53:00 – Personal Strategy – Connection w/ People

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Gas Lab: https://gas-lab.bandcamp.com/music

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Dr. Hanek explores the importance of vulnerability and how it can show up in sex and intimacy. She explores how this area of life is extremely important for discovering adulthood and establishing healthy relationships

Guest:
Dr. Bailey Hanek is the co-author of Navigating Intimacy: An Introductory Guide to Couples and Sex Therapy. She focuses her work on sex therapy, where he co-author focuses on relationships and communication. She has trained in a variety of behavioral health settings, providing individual, couple, and family therapy, as well as testing services.

To learn more about Dr. Bailey Hanek, please visit:
https://www.centralsquarepsych.com/
drhanek@centralsquarepsych.com

Timestamps:
4:20 – Concept – What makes talking about sex hard?
6:25 – Idea – Vulnerability and Talking About Sex
8:00 – Idea – The Golden Rule of Sex
11:20 – Previous Episode – E17: Consent and Becoming an Adult
13:10 – Concepts – Cultured and Gendered Scripts for Vulnerability
16:00 – Concepts – Scripts Get in the Way of What Individually Desire
18:00 – Concepts – Challenging Assumptions about Desire Based on Identity
21:10 – Concepts – Dialogue and Talking About Desire
27:00 – Concepts – Comfort and Desire
29:00 – Concepts – Fear of Shame and Vulnerability
31:30 – Personal Strategies for Vulnerability – Layout a Gameplan / A Desire Menu
31:30 – Personal Strategies for Vulnerability – Debrief After the Act
37:00 – Personal Strategies – Roses and Thorns
38:00 – Barriers to Vulnerability – Shame
40:00 – Barriers to Vulnerability – Differences & Incompatibility
43:00 – Parent Strategies – Changing Perspective From Fear to Pleasure & Safety
46:45 – Parent Strategies – Normalizing STI Screening
50:00 – Story – How Dr. Hanek Found This Work
53:40 – Debunking Sex Myths – #1: Men Have a Higher Sex Drive
54:20 – Debunking Sex Myths – #2: Sex is not a Drive, It’s a Motivated Behavior
55:00 – Debunking Sex Myths - #3: You Can Influence Sexual Desire
56:00 – Book - Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski
57:40 – Debunking Sex Myths – #4: Level of Desire is Related to Attraction
54:20 – Debunking Sex Myths – #5: Sex is not a Drive, It’s a Motivated Behavior
60:00 – Personal Strategies for Wellness - Gardening

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Stan Forebee: https://stanforebee.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

In this In Practice Episode, Tiffany explores how talking about depression education is helpful for supporting children. She serves as an ambassador tor Erika's Lighthouse, which she uses in schools to talk with kids about depression .

Guest:
Tiffany Ruffin. Education for 23 years. Counselor at Langston Hughes in Roseland Neighborhood of Chicago, IL. She has been a counselor for 15 years. Program Ambassador for Erika's Lighthouse. Speaks for their program which is free. Also do part time therapy, at Olive Branch Associates.

To learn more about Tiffany or Erika's Lighthouse, please visit:
https://erikaslighthouse.org/
https://www.olivebranchcounselingassociates.com/

Timestamps:
2:00 - Story - How Tiffany Landed in Education
3:30 - Personal Story - How Struggling with Depression Helped Tiffany Professionally
10:30 - Struggles - What were things Tiffany's students struggled with
15:20 – Research – Talking About Suicide [Reference]
16:00 – Personal Definition – Depression
17:00 – Helpful Strategies – Talking About Depression
18:30 – Helpful Strategies – Support & Compassion for Students Struggling
19:52 – Research – Benefits of Connection – XXX
21:30 – Helpful Family Strategies – Talking About Mental Health
26:00 – Helpful Strategies – Partnering with Teachers
28:30 – Classroom Strategies – Recharge Cards to Reset the Classroom
31:00 – Classroom Strategies – Connecting Stories
35:15 – Approaches – Everyone Can Teach Mental Health
35:40 – School Strategies – School Clubs Focusing on Mental Health
38:20 – Concept – Exploring Suicide in Schools
39:00 – Statistics – Correlation of Suicides and Undiagnosed Mental Health
40:45 – Concept – Taking Peoples Comments about Depression Seriously
42:00 – Goal -Seeking Help is the Goal of Depression Education
45:00 – Student Strategies – Evaluate Friend Circle
47:30 – Student Strategies – Being Open To Listen
49:30 – Parent Strategies – Self-Awareness + Creating Open Parent Spaces on Difficulties
55:15 – Personal Strategy – House Hunters + Big Bang Theory
56:00 – Personal Strategy – Laughing

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
zendo: https://zendobeats.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Martin explores ideas related to food consumption and it's implications on mental health. He explores his extensive knowledge of literature on the topic and his own experiences to highlight a insightful new approach to food and wellness.

Guest:
Martin Pytela became a health coach after overcoming serious health challenges. Martin traded his career as a management consultant for building a health coach business called Life Enthusiast and a superfood manufacturing business called Exsula.

To learn more about Martin, please visit:
Website: https://www.life-enthusiast.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MartinPytela
Instagram: @lifeenthusiast15

To learn more about metabolic typing, please explore the following:
The Metabolic Typing Diet by William L. Wolcott

Timestamps:
4:30 - History - Peposdent Advertising Campaigns (1920s)
4:45 - Personal Story - How Martin's Health Declined
10:45 - Book - The Metabolic Typing Diet by William L. Wolcott
11:45 - Concept - Metabolizing Carbs vs. Fats
16:30 - Concept - Biological Individuality
19:45 - Concept - Understanding How Food Impacts Your Body
22:30 - Example - Understanding How Alcohol Influences Your Metabolic Type
25:40 - Concept - The Microbiome and Neurotransmitters
26:00 - Concept - Chlorine and Roundup and Their Impact on the Microbiome
30:30 - Review - The Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Obesity (Davis, 2017)
32:00 - Concepts - Prebiotics and Post-biotics
38:10 - History - Subsidies of Corn, Wheat, & Soybean
39:00 - Strategy - Don't Follow Your Taste Buds
39:50 - Healthy Food Strategies - Avoid Refined Food
40:50 - Healthy Food Strategies - Avoid Refined Seed Oils
40:50 - Healthy Food Strategies - Avoid Refined Food
42:00 - Recipe - Romaine Burrito
45:00 - Self-Discovery - Learning About Your Metabolic Type
47:50 - Personal Story - Martin's Developing Wheat Allergy & The Hybridization of Wheat
57:00 - Personal Strategy - Meditation + Gratitude

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Soii: https://soii.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Dr. Cole explores alternative routes to education. He explores the idea that all student need to go to college, unpacking the opportunities that exist for young adults who want to learn skills outside the traditional post high school route.

Guest:
Dr. Steven Cole. Retired educators for 46 years in education. Steven worked in school administration, and also public and private education settings in Kansas City. He has been at the Universal Technical Institute for the last 14 years, currently as the National Director of High School Development.

To learn more about Dr. Cole, please visit:
Email: scoyle@uti.edu
Instagram: stevecoyle2793
Website: www.uti.edu

Timestamps:
4:30 - Personal Story - How Steven Found his Role
6:00 - Idea - Rule of 1-2-7
8:00 - History - Griggs vs. Duke Power & Energy 401 U.S. 424 (1971)
10:40 - Stats - 1/2 of all college graduates are no using their degree
14:00 - Idea - Underrepresentation of Women in High Skilled Trades or STEM
16:20 - Idea - Practical Non-College STEM Pathways
17:50 - Professional Pathways - What are ways of entering STEM career opportunities
20:00 - Adult Strategy - Ideas for Exploring Careers: Give Presentations
20:00 - Student Strategy - Ideas for Exploring Careers: Explore Careers & Technical Businesses
23:00 - Career Theory - Gottfredson Theory of Circumscription and Compromise
24:40 - Parent Strategy - Exploring Career Ideas: Pay Attention to What Your Kids are Good At
26:10 - Parent Strategy - Exploring Career Ideas: Know What Your Kids Can Handle
30:30 - Unknown Careers - Non-Destructive Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Diesel Technicians
38:00 - Personal Stories - Exploring Passions and Careers
44:30 - Personal Strategy - Taking Time for Self

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
G Mills: https://gmills.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Alicia explores Trauma-Informed Practices from the viewpoint of an educator. She highlights her experiences as a teacher, administrator, parent, and trainer to expand on ideas and specific strategies to help stressed out students.

Guest:
Alisa Kaczorowski has spent almost two decades in education as an elementary and intermediate teacher, instructional coach and administrator. Her topics of expertise include: multi-sensory literacy instruction, writing instruction, social emotional learning, trauma-informed practices and leadership best practices.

To learn more about Alicia, please visit:
https://akeducationalconsulting.com/

IG: akeducationalconsulting

Youtube Channel: akeducationalconsulting

To learn more about Trauma Informed Practices, see resources below:

Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education by Alex Shevrin Venet

University of Michigan School of Social Work - TRAUMA INFORMED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES FOR SCHOOLS (TIPPS) PROGRAM GUIDE

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Child Trauma Toolkit
for Educators

SAMHSA - Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach

Timestamps:
3:20 - Personal Story - How Alicia found her interest in Trauma Informed Practices
7:40 - Bio - Alicia Kaczorowski's Bio (Remembered Late!)
9:20 - Concept - What is important to know about being a Trauma-Informed School?
9:45 - Trauma Concept - Being Trauma Informed is a Mindset
10:20 - Trauma Concept - All Students Experience Trauma
11:20 - Trauma Concept - Everyone Experiences Traumas or Stressors Differently & Has Different Needs
11:50 - Trauma Concept - Trauma Informed Strategies Help Meet Students Needs
15:20 - Stress Concepts - Difficulty Accessing Learning when in Significant Distress
17:45 - Stress Concepts - How we Communicate is Important
22:00 - Stress Concepts - Emotional Regulation is Important to Model
25:40 - Idea - How Do We Learn Emotional Management Strategies?
25:15 - Effective Strategies - Modeling: Talking Aloud Whats Happening in the Moment
29:23 - Effective Strategies - Options: Trying Different Strategies
23:50 - Concept - Understanding the Vagus Nerve
37:00 - Stress Strategies - Seven Regulation Strategy Catergories
37:50 - Breathing Strategy - 5 Finger Breathing
42:00 - Mindfulness Strategy - Noticing Strategy
47:45 - Funny Story - Mammoth Park National Park Response to Negative Reviews
50:40 - Concept - Decentering and Being Present
51:50 - Student Strategy - Try New Strategies! Not Every Strategy Works for You
54:20 - Student Strategy - Start with Easy Strategies
56:00 - Parent Strategy - Be Mindful Of the Worlds you Choose: Modeling
60:00 - Adult Strategy - Apologize When You Make a Mistake
71:00 - Personal Strategy - Swimming. Mindfulness

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Zendo: https://zendobeats.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast