Kids Matter!

Alisa Minkin MD

A podcast for parents and professionals who care for kids- raising healthy happy children takes a village- let's build it together!

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Our Daughters, Ourselves: Eating Disorder Education, Awareness and Prevention with Marcy Forta, EdD

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Marcy Forta discusses body image, social media influences, how we talk to our kids about food and our bodies, and so much more. Dr. Marcy Forta is the Founder and Director of Atzmi, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening self-worth, self-compassion, emotional wellbeing, and healthy body image in Jewish orthodox adolescent girls, with the goal of preventing eating disorders before they begin. She is the creator of the My Best Self Project, a school-based prevention curriculum implemented in schools across the United States and internationally and supported by ongoing research evaluating its effectiveness. Through student programming, parent education, and educator training, Dr. Forta helps communities better understand the cultural pressures girls face and equips them with practical, evidence-based tools to foster resilience, emotional regulation, and a healthier relationship with the body. She is a sought-after speaker who presents to schools, communities, and professional audiences on adolescent mental health, eating disorder prevention, parenting, and self-compassion. Dr. Forta is the author of How Can I Help My Daughter? A Mother’s Guide to Nurturing Her Daughter’s Best Self and remains deeply committed to helping the next generation of girls grow into confident, emotionally healthy young women. https://marcyforta.com/ https://atzmi.org/ https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/the-body-project/ https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/about-us/ https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/atzmi-my-body-is-not-my-self/id1500215343?i=1000567473562 Cover art by Charlotte Feldman  Please note that while I am a pediatrician, I am not your child's pediatrician. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For any medical concerns or decisions, please reach out to your child’s health care professional.

    54 min
  2. 17 MAR

    What We CAN Do About Environmental Toxins with Dr. Bruce Lanphear, MD, MPH of Little Things Matter

    Send a text In this episode, Dr. Bruce Lanphear discusses what we all CAN do about environmental toxins, which is a WE problem, not just a ME problem- we need to band together to solve this ! He also discusses what you CAN do as an individual, as well. A REALLY important topic! Bruce Lanphear, MD, MPH, is a preventive medicine physician and professor at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver—and one of the world’s leading voices on how toxic chemicals shape children’s health. For more than 30 years, he’s studied everyday exposures like lead, fluoride, and pesticides, helping drive the landmark conclusion that there is no safe level of lead and informing federal health standards along the way. What sets Bruce apart is his focus upstream: not just treating disease but preventing it. Through his project Little Things Matter, he creates clear, engaging videos that reveal how invisible chemical exposures affect our kids—and what we can do to stop harm before it starts. He also writes on Substack about the hidden burden of toxic chemicals and why protecting our health begins long before the doctor’s office. https://littlethingsmatter.ca/ https://blanphear.substack.com/ Oulthote Phthalates SRS EHP 2020 (1).pdf Alampi Chemical Mixtures Folate ASD Env Epi 2025 (1).pdf https://nontoxicneighborhoods.org/ https://www.sfu.ca/fhs/about/people/profiles/bruce-lanphear.html Cover art by Charlotte Feldman Please note that while I am a pediatrician, I am not your child's pediatrician. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For any medical concerns or decisions, please reach out to your child’s health care professional.

    52 min
  3. 10 MAR

    Great Expectations: Beyond The Baby Blues with Danielle Mizrahi, LCSW, PMH-C

    Send us Fan Mail This is an overview of normal mood changes after birth and  perinatal mood disorders with perinatal mental health therapist Danielle Mizrahi, LCSW, PMH-C Danielle Mizrahi, LCSW, is a certified perinatal mental health professional. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/danielle-mizrahi-west-hempstead-ny/228219 https://okclarity.com/directory/danielle-mizrahi/ https://postpartum.net/ Get Help Call the PSI HelpLine: 1-800-944-4773 #1 En Español or #2 English Text “Help” to 800-944-4773 (EN) Text en Español: 971-203-7773  The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential 24/7 support for pregnant and postpartum individuals facing mental health challenges (PMADs). Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) to connect with counselors, available in over 60 languages. It is not a crisis line, but offers support for depression and anxiety https://www.amazon.com/s?k=good+moms+have+scary+thoughts&adgrpid=187088767355&hvadid=792718917249&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9004447&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=8784437303127279620--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8784437303127279620&hvtargid=kwd-563735239642&hydadcr=13689_13765081_2455692&mcid=d3b922baf6993953b6413b15eb155ab6&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_9sjnr8xrmd_e Bio As a dedicated therapist specializing in maternal mental health, I am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care to help individuals navigate the complex emotional challenges that can arise during fertility treatments, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore your feelings, build resilience, and find the strength to thrive during these significant life transitions. Together, we can work towards your mental well-being and overall quality of life. As a dedicated therapist specializing in maternal mental health, I am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care to help individuals navigate the complex emotional challenges that can arise during fertility treatments, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore your feelings, build resilience, and find the strength to thrive during these significant life transitions. Together, we can work towards your mental well-being and overall quality of life. I specialize in providing support to women throughout all stages of their reproductive lifespan. Take the first step to help. Call or Email Danielle Mizrahi now - (516) 259-6964 Cover art by Charlotte Feldman ________________________________________ Please note that while I am a pediatrician, I am not your child's pediatrician. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For any medical concerns or decisions, please reach out to your child’s health care professional.

    30 min
  4. 3 MAR

    Navigating Divorce: Helping Our Children AND Ourselves with Dr. Staci Weiner

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Staci Weiner, a child psychologist who is also a forensic psychologist, discusses helping children deal with family stressors, with a focus on divorce.  Staci Weiner, Psy.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist expert with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Weiner has experience in private practice, day treatment, university, as well as school settings in clinical, supervisory, and teaching roles. Her experience involves working with children, adolescents, adults and families with various levels of mental health concerns. Dr. Weiner also works for Robson Forensic, Inc for the past 6 years as an expert psychologist and applies her extensive experience to forensic investigations related to the mental health status and supervision of children and adolescents as well as their diagnosis and emotional stability.  While working as a psychologist, Dr. Weiner has experience conducting psychological evaluations in an effort to understand diagnosis, best treatment strategies, as well as the needs of children and adolescents to assist them with optimal learning.  She has worked collaboratively with schools, physicians, as well as attorneys to ensure a holistic view to each situation. Dr. Weiner has conducted multiple presentations in both school and clinical settings addressing a variety of topics such as Test Anxiety, Social Skills Training, Psychological Evaluations and the Special Education System, amongst others. Her specialty areas include ADHD, the assessment and treatment of Post Traumatic Stress-Disorder, particularly with survivors of sexual abuse, Depression, and Anxiety. Dr. Weiner was an Adjunct Professor at Pace University, as she taught Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to graduate students in the Psy.D. School/Clinical Child Psychology program. She holds a Masters degree in School Psychology as well as a Doctoral degree in School/Clinical Psychology from Pace University.  https://applepsychological.com/team/   Dr. Weiner is Licensed in New York and Florida. She is also a member of PSYPACT allowing her to practice Telepsychology in in PSYPACT participating states. For a list of PSYPACT participating states, Click HERE     Recently honored for her dedication to the field, she’s here to share practical advice on keeping families stable during difficult transitions. Dr. Weiner, welcome to the show.  Cover art by Charlotte Feldman Please note that while I am a pediatrician, I am not your child's pediatrician. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For any medical concerns or decisions, please reach out to your child’s health care professional.

    39 min
  5. 17 FEB

    Building Resilience To Bullying with Izzy Kalman

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Izzy Kalman discussed bullying, what does not work to stop bullying, and how to help your child respond to bullying more effectively. Israel “Izzy” Kalman, MS, has been a school psychologist and psychotherapist since 1978. He has developed a quick, fun and powerful system for teaching people how to solve interpersonal problems, including bullying, without anyone’s help and without getting anyone in trouble. He is director of Bullies to Buddies, Inc., creator of the Bullies to Buddies Golden Rule System, and author of a book for youth called Bullies to Buddies: How to Turn Your Enemies into Friends, as well as a number of other publications and video programs for kids and adults. He is the lead author of the Be Strong Resilience Program. Izzy writes a Psychology Today blog called Resilience to Bullying, and has been the world’s foremost critic of the anti-bullying movement, warning since the Columbine massacre that the “war against bullying” will backfire. History has been confirming his predictions.   More than 50,000 mental health professionals and educators have attended Izzy’s full day seminars on bullying and anger control. His articles have appeared in newspapers, magazines and journals, and he has presented at many professional conferences. Izzy is a sought-after expert on bullying for radio and TV shows. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America and TEDx  https://www.izzykalman.com/ My store page: https://www.izzykalman.com/shop My Psychology Today blog, Resilience to Bullying: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/resilience-bullying https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/magazine/bullying-teenagers-gilbert-goons-gang.html Cover art by Charlotte Feldman Please note that while I am a pediatrician, I am not your child's pediatrician. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For any medical concerns or decisions, please reach out to your child’s health care professional.

    59 min

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A podcast for parents and professionals who care for kids- raising healthy happy children takes a village- let's build it together!

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