The Little Brain Campaign

Dr. Lauren LaRose MD
  • 4.8 (20)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works.

  1. 10h ago

    How Chess Builds Focus, Confidence & Resilience in Kids | Dan Shapiro

    Dan Shapiro is the author of the newly released book Decoding Genius: The Unexpected Lessons of After-School Chess Club. After seeing how chess helped his son Harry build confidence and stronger decision-making skills, Dan set out to better understand the mindset behind the game and what it can teach kids beyond the board. We sat down with Dan to explore how chess can support focus, patience, resilience, memory, creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to think ahead. We also discuss how the game can be especially valuable for kids who may not naturally connect with more traditional extracurricular activities, and how it can help strengthen executive functioning, frustration tolerance, and self-confidence. We also dive into the ideas behind Decoding Genius, a thoughtful and practical book for parents, caregivers, and families looking for new ways to help kids build confidence, resilience, and real-world thinking skills. Dan shares how the lessons his son learned through chess began carrying over into school, music, technology use, and everyday decision-making, while highlighting the social and lifelong benefits of the game. To learn more about Dan and Decoding Genius, visit https://www.decodinggeniusbook.com/. You can also follow along on social media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding.genius/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decoding.genius. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

  2. Sep 28

    Mental Health, Burnout, and the Future of Healthcare | Dr. Athena Hall

    Dr. Athena Hall is a pediatrician and the founder of ZNA Health Network, where she is working to help reshape healthcare around stronger relationships between patients, providers, and communities. We sat down with Dr. Hall to talk about how her experiences working in Rwanda and the Navajo Nation changed the way she viewed the traditional healthcare system, particularly the limitations of top-down models that do not always reflect the needs, culture, or priorities of the people they are meant to serve. We also discuss physician burnout, distrust in healthcare institutions, the importance of addressing mental, physical, social, and environmental factors together, and why Dr. Hall believes communities should have a greater voice in designing their own care. She shares the vision behind ZNA Health Network, her hope for a more community-centered and relationship-driven healthcare system, and examples of alternative models that show meaningful change is possible. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

  3. Sep 21

    What If Mental Illness Is Also a Metabolic Problem? | Dr. Matthew Bernstein

    Dr. Matthew Bernstein is a metabolic psychiatrist and founding partner of Accord, a mental health program focused not just on reducing symptoms, but on helping people regain meaningful, lasting functioning in their daily lives. We sat down with Dr. Bernstein to explore how metabolic health may influence serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and treatment-resistant depression. He shares how his experience in traditional psychiatry led him to question the long-term reliance on antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, and why factors like insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and brain energy may deserve more attention in psychiatric care. We also discuss the role of ketogenic nutrition, exercise, sleep, circadian rhythm, stress reduction, and other lifestyle interventions in supporting brain health. Dr. Bernstein explains how these approaches may help some patients reduce medication burden, improve motivation and functioning, and build a better quality of life. He also shares a powerful patient story, discusses the importance of carefully tapering medications when appropriate, and explores why improving metabolic health earlier in life could potentially play a role in preventing future mental health challenges. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

  4. Sep 14

    The Bully-Victim Cycle: Why Hurt Kids Sometimes Hurt Others

    Dr. Lauren LaRose is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist exploring the psychology of bullying and why not every bully fits the stereotype we expect. We take a closer look at “bully victims,” children who are both bullied by others and display aggressive or bullying behaviors themselves. We discuss how peer rejection, low self-worth, emotional dysregulation, shame, and a heightened sensitivity to threats can create a cycle where victimization leads to aggression, which then leads to even more rejection. We also explore what chronic bullying and social stress can do to the developing brain, including how the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and stress-response system may influence reactive aggression, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Dr. LaRose explains why punishment alone may not be enough for children caught in this cycle and how supportive relationships, psychotherapy, social-emotional learning, parent support, and healthier school environments can help change their trajectory. This conversation challenges us to look beyond simple labels of “bully” and “victim” and better understand the complex experiences driving a child’s behavior. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

  5. Sep 7

    Non-Speaking Autism: Unlocking Communication Through Letterboard | Episode 100 with Amanda McDaniels

    Amanda McDaniels is a special educator and the founder of Vibe Learning Center, where she works with non-speaking autistic individuals to develop intentional motor skills and access communication through letterboarding. We sat down with Amanda to explore how her years working in special education led her to question traditional assumptions about autism, cognitive ability, and communication. She explains how apraxia can make it difficult for some autistic individuals to physically demonstrate what they know, how letterboarding works as a low-tech AAC method, and why developing intentional motor control can open new possibilities for communication. We also discuss the controversy surrounding spelling-based communication, the differences between behavior-focused approaches and Vibe's philosophy, and the importance of presuming competence in non-speaking autistic children and adults. Amanda shares stories of individuals who have gained new ways to express their thoughts, interests, relationships, and goals through spelling, while challenging parents, educators, and healthcare professionals to reconsider what someone's outward behavior actually tells us about their abilities. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or clinician, this conversation offers a thought-provoking perspective on autism, communication, and what can happen when we give non-speaking individuals more opportunities to show us what they know. If you’re interested in learning more about Amanda's work, you can visit Vibe Learning Center's website, https://vibelearningcenter.com, for additional information and resources. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

  6. Jul 27

    The Hidden Brain Damage Risk in Youth Football | Episode 99 with Lee Schwartz

    Lee Schwartz is the father of two former NFL players and a member of the Concussion Legacy Foundation's West Coast Board of Advisors. We sat down with Lee to discuss the growing concern surrounding chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), what current research tells us about repeated head impacts, and why so many experts are urging parents to reconsider tackle football before age 14. Drawing from his family's firsthand experience in football and his work with the Concussion Legacy Foundation, Lee explains the difference between concussions and the repetitive, non-concussive hits that researchers believe may contribute to long-term brain injury, while also exploring what scientists still don't know about who is most at risk. We also discuss youth sports culture, early specialization, travel teams, and the pressure many families feel to pursue elite athletics from a young age. Lee shares why he believes children benefit from playing multiple sports, how parents can better weigh the risks and rewards of contact sports, and why education is the most important tool families have when making these decisions. Whether you're a parent, coach, educator, or healthcare professional, this conversation offers an important look at the science, uncertainty, and real-life stories surrounding brain health and youth athletics. If you’re interested in learning more about the work of Concussion and CTE foundation, you can visit EnLyte's website, https://concussionandcte.org/, for additional information and resources. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

  7. Jul 20

    The Science of Speech Delays, Autism & Stuttering | Episode 97 with Ashlyn Lelej

    Ashlyn Lelej is a speech-language pathologist and owner of Speech Matters in Charlotte, North Carolina. We sit down with Ashlyn to explore how speech therapy supports children with autism, developmental language delays, and stuttering. Together, we discuss how communication challenges can look different from child to child, why modern speech therapy embraces neurodiversity-affirming care, and how therapists help children build meaningful communication by working with their unique strengths rather than trying to change who they are. We also dive into the latest understanding of autism and language development, including what researchers know about the brain, sensory processing, and social communication. Finally, we take an in-depth look at stuttering, covering its genetic and neurological roots, what is happening physiologically during a stutter, and the evidence-based techniques speech-language pathologists use to help children and adults communicate with greater confidence. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or healthcare professional, this conversation offers practical insights into supporting communication across every stage of development. If you’re interested in learning more about Ashlyn’s work, you can visit Speech Matters' website, https://www.speechmattersclinic.com/, for additional information and resources. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

  8. Jul 13

    Pregnancy Doesn't Mean Stop Exercising—Here's Why | Episode 97 with Lane Slattery

    Lane Slattery is a Pre & Postnatal Strength Specialist and founder of WOMA, where she helps women build strength, improve pelvic floor health, and navigate pregnancy and postpartum recovery through evidence-based movement. We sat down with Lane to discuss why pregnancy shouldn't mean putting fitness on hold, how functional strength training supports both the mom and the baby, and why core and pelvic floor health are essential before, during, and after childbirth. We also explore common misconceptions about exercising during pregnancy, diastasis recti, pelvic floor therapy, postpartum recovery, and the importance of treating mothers as athletes rather than patients. Lane shares how becoming a mother herself deepened her perspective, why postpartum care often leaves women feeling overlooked, and how honest conversations about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and recovery can help women feel stronger, more supported, and less alone. You can learn more about Lane Slattery's work and WOMA here: https://www.woma.co Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign

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4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Lauren LaRose MD
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Lauren LaRose MD
  • Show Website
    The Little Brain Campaign

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