Growing Stronger Together

Growing Stronger Together

Growing Stronger Together is a podcast for people who care about children. Growing Stronger Together was developed by faculty at East Tennessee State University, including members of the ETSU Health Department of Pediatrics, the ETSU Center for Early Childhood Learning and Development, and the ETSU Child and Family Health Institute. East Tennessee State University is located in the beautiful Appalachian Highlands. We appreciate the financial support provided through a Community Health Improvement Site Investment from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health.

  1. 11/11/2025

    Preventative Care with Dr. Sukhvir Singh | Teens on Tuesdays

    Preventative Care with Dr. Sukhvir Singh During our Teens on Tuesday's segments with host Dr. William Dodd, learn more about ways to support adolescents' well-being during their journey to adulthood. Join us today for a discussion about Preventative Care. Financial support for Growing Stronger Together is provided through a Community Health Improvement Site Investment from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health and through competitive funding from Tennessee Department of Health's Maternal Mortality Prevention program. Further reading / resources: https://www.aap.org/en/practice-management/bright-futures/ https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/ Music derived from Song: Justhea - Happy Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported Video Link: https://youtu.be/h8RmuRCZCWg

    42 min

  2. 10/21/2025

    Acne with Dr. Katie Seale | Teens on Tuesdays

    Acne with Dr. Katie Seale During our Teens on Tuesday's segments with host Dr. William Dodd, learn more about ways to support adolescents' well-being during their journey to adulthood. Join us today for a discussion about Acne. Financial support for Growing Stronger Together is provided through a Community Health Improvement Site Investment from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health and through competitive funding from Tennessee Department of Health's Maternal Mortality Prevention program. Further reading / resources: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/What-Causes-Acne.aspx Music derived from Song: Justhea - Happy Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported Video Link: https://youtu.be/h8RmuRCZCWg

    20 min

  3. 09/29/2025

    Connecting Mothers with Farmers: Project MANNA | Moms on Mondays

    Summary In this episode of the Growing Stronger Together podcast, host Dr. Karen Schetzina speaks with Aliyah Smith-Gomis about Project MANNA, a community-based initiative aimed at connecting Black mothers in Appalachia with local Black farmers to provide access to fresh, nutritious foods. The conversation explores Aliyah's background in public health, the importance of nutrition for maternal health, and the goals of Project MANNA to address disparities in health outcomes for Black women. Aliyah shares her personal experiences that inspired the project and discusses future aspirations for its growth and impact in the region. If you would like to learn more about Project MANNA, please email or check out our socials! Email: ProjectManna@outlook.com Instagram: @ProjectManna_

    14 min

  4. 07/04/2025

    Unlocking Literacy: The Power of Home Libraries | Families on Fridays

    Summary In this episode of Growing Stronger Together, host Kim Hale discusses the critical role of home libraries in fostering early literacy with Heather Logan from the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation. They explore the impact of having books at home on children's academic success, the importance of choice in reading materials, and practical tips for parents to create a rich literacy environment. The conversation also highlights various literacy programs available in Tennessee, including the Imagination Library and book gifting initiatives, emphasizing that access to books is essential for children's development and well-being. Takeaways Home libraries significantly enhance children's academic success.Children with 100 books at home are 214% more likely to succeed academically.Books should be considered a necessity for families, not a luxury.Choice in reading materials increases children's interest and engagement.Building relationships through shared reading experiences is vital.Bilingual books can strengthen children's reading skills in both languages.The summer slide can negatively impact reading skills if children do not read during breaks.Creating a culture of reading at home is essential for literacy development.High-quality reading materials in schools correlate with better student outcomes.Engaging with books through activities can enhance learning and comprehension. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Home Libraries01:15 Building Relationships for Literacy04:15 The Role of Book Buses and Community Initiatives06:56 Addressing the Summer Slump in Literacy16:26 The Importance of Home Libraries19:41 Building Confidence Through Reading22:32 The Role of Choice in Reading24:22 Bilingual Literacy Initiatives28:33 Community Efforts in Literacy31:27 Engaging Families in Reading36:39 The Impact of Early Literacy Standards

    41 min

  5. 06/13/2025

    Unintentional Injury prevention with Dr Alisa Vasileva | Families on Fridays

    Summary This podcast episode focuses on unintentional injury prevention in young children, discussing the leading causes of injuries such as falls, poisoning, and drowning. Dr. Alisa Vasileva shares insights on the importance of supervision, creating safe environments, and educating families on preventive measures. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and proactive strategies to protect children from common hazards. Takeaways Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for children.Falls are the most frequent types of injury in young children.Supervision is crucial to prevent falls and other injuries.Creating a safe home environment can significantly reduce injury risks.Poisoning is a common risk due to children's curiosity.Parents should lock away harmful substances and medications.Drowning is a leading cause of death in young children.Swimming lessons are recommended for children by age four.Educating families about injury prevention is essential.Always call poison control in case of poisoning emergencies. Growing Stronger Together is a podcast developed by faculty at East Tennessee State University for people who care about children and families. We appreciate support provided for the podcast from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health and Tennessee Department of Health’s Maternal Mortality prevention program.   Our Families on Friday series, features topics important for the health and well-being of families.  I am host Dr. Karen Schetzina and am thrilled to welcome our guest today,   Dr Alisa Vasileva Resident Physician ETSU Health Pediatrics and Niswonger Children’s Hospital

    44 min

  6. 06/06/2025

    Empowering Families Through Pediatric Care | Families on Fridays

    Summary In this episode of Growing Stronger Together, host discusses the importance of pediatric care and community support with Dr. Joe Wilson, a first-year pediatric resident at ETSU. They explore the Reach Out and Read program, which promotes literacy by providing books to children during medical visits. The conversation highlights the impact of reading on child development, the role of community engagement in healthcare, and personal experiences that shape a love for reading. Dr. Wilson shares his journey into medicine and his commitment to fostering a supportive environment for families in his future practice. Takeaways The podcast focuses on children, families, and community resources.Dr. Joe Wilson is a first-year pediatric resident at ETSU.Pediatric clinics often serve low-income families with Medicaid and Medicare.The importance of community support in pediatric care is emphasized.Reach Out and Read promotes literacy by providing books to children during visits.Reading to children from a young age fosters development and communication skills.Personal experiences with books can shape a child's love for reading.Community events help foster relationships between healthcare providers and families.The impact of pediatric care extends beyond medical treatment to community engagement.Dr. Wilson plans to incorporate Reach Out and Read in his future practice.

    45 min

  7. 05/30/2025

    Cultural Dynamics and Literacy Challenges | Families on Fridays

    Summary In this episode of Growing Stronger Together, host Kim Hale and guest Luann Davis discuss the importance of literacy for children in Appalachia, the unique cultural dynamics of the region, and practical strategies for families to support literacy development. They emphasize the need for community engagement, access to resources, and the preservation of Appalachian culture in education. The conversation highlights the role of storytelling, music, and practical teaching strategies that can be implemented at home to enhance children's literacy skills. Takeaways Reading does not happen automatically; access to books is essential.Cultural dynamics in Appalachia impact literacy and education.Storytelling is a vital part of Appalachian culture and literacy.Teachers must balance meeting standards with engaging students.Preserving local culture in education enriches the learning experience.Practical strategies can be implemented at home to support literacy.Modeling reading behavior is crucial for children's learning.Access to technology and resources is a significant challenge in rural areas.Free resources can greatly benefit families in need.Community partnerships are essential for supporting literacy initiatives.

    38 min

  8. 05/23/2025

    Navigating Child Development Challenges | Families on Fridays

    Summary In this episode of Growing Stronger Together, host Kim Hale welcomes back Kim Thornhill to discuss the critical topics of child development, literacy, and the challenges faced by young children, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. They explore the role of Child Care Resource and Referral, the impact of stress and anxiety on children's behavior, and the importance of understanding the underlying causes of challenging behaviors. The conversation emphasizes the need for parents and educators to model emotional awareness and self-regulation techniques to help children navigate their feelings and behaviors effectively. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the emotional challenges children face and how parents and educators can better support them. They discuss the importance of understanding emotional triggers, preparing children for stressful situations, and the role of literature in teaching emotional intelligence. Techniques such as mindful breathing and recognizing stress responses are emphasized, along with the significance of building familiarity with new environments to ease anxiety. The conversation highlights the need for emotional awareness in both children and adults, advocating for intentional communication about feelings. Takeaways The podcast aims to support parents and educators in raising healthy children.Challenging behaviors in children have increased, especially post-COVID.Understanding the underlying causes of behavior is crucial for effective intervention.The iceberg model illustrates that visible behaviors often have deeper issues beneath the surface.Parents should model emotional awareness and coping strategies for their children.Calming techniques can significantly improve morning routines and reduce stress.Children may not have the vocabulary to express their feelings, making it essential to teach them.Educators face immense pressure, which can affect their interactions with children.Taking a moment to breathe can prevent escalation of stress for both parents and children.Teaching emotional regulation is a long-term process that requires consistency and patience. Children often struggle to express their emotions effectively.It's crucial to prepare children for potentially stressful situations.Books can serve as valuable tools for discussing emotions with children.Recognizing stress responses in children can help address their needs.Mindful breathing techniques can aid in emotional regulation for kids.Building familiarity with new environments can reduce anxiety for children.Anger and other emotions serve a purpose and should be acknowledged.Starting emotional education early can benefit children's development.Encouraging open conversations about feelings fosters emotional intelligence.Parents and educators should model emotional awareness and regulation.

    55 min
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About

Growing Stronger Together is a podcast for people who care about children. Growing Stronger Together was developed by faculty at East Tennessee State University, including members of the ETSU Health Department of Pediatrics, the ETSU Center for Early Childhood Learning and Development, and the ETSU Child and Family Health Institute. East Tennessee State University is located in the beautiful Appalachian Highlands. We appreciate the financial support provided through a Community Health Improvement Site Investment from Ballad Health’s Department of Population Health.

Information

  • Creator
    Growing Stronger Together
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Growing Stronger Together
  • Show Website
    Growing Stronger Together