Voices of Compassion

CHC

Featured on Voices of Compassion are CHC mental health, wellness and learning specialists, parents in the trenches and other experts who can help us with the mighty job of raising compassionate and courageous kids. CHC focuses on ADHD, Learning Differences, Autism, Anxiety & Depression, providing best-in-class learning and mental health services to kids, teens and families. CHC’s Voices of Compassion Podcast host Cindy Lopez has worked in K-12 education for roughly 30 years as both a teacher and an administrator, in public and private schools. Find us online at podcasts.chconline.org or email us at podcasts@chconline.org. Find us on Facebook @chc.paloalto, Twitter and Instagram @CHC_paloalto, and visit our YouTube channel at chconlinepaloalto. And we are on LinkedIn. Subscribe to Voices of Compassion on Apple podcasts, Spotify and other podcast apps! Sign up for our Virtual Village email list at chconline.org/enews so you never miss an update or an episode. We always love to hear from you so send us an email or a voice memo at podcasts@chconline.org.

  1. 1d ago

    Learner Variability: Designing for Every Learner

    We often hear about different learning styles, but what if we shifted the focus to designing learning environments that support and encourage every student? In this episode of Voices of Compassion, we sit down with Chaula Gupta and Dr. Stefani Pautz Stephenson of Digital Promise, an organization working at the intersection of education, research, and technology, to explore learner variability and what it means to create more inclusive, accessible learning environments where every student feels a sense of belonging. Together, we discuss how a child's learning environment can influence their ability to thrive, how parents and educators can recognize and remove barriers to learning, and the opportunities and challenges of using artificial intelligence in education. At the heart of this conversation is the understanding that every child brings unique strengths, experiences, and needs to the classroom. When we design with those differences in mind, we create more opportunities for all students to learn, grow, and advocate for themselves. Listen today! Resources: CHC OnlineCHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical ServicesCHC's Resource LibraryLearn more about Ellis Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at podcast@chconline.org. Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

  2. Oct 7

    Riley’s Story: Finding Strength in Learning Differently

    For any parent who lies awake at night worrying about a diagnosis, a label, or whether their child will be okay — this conversation is for you. We sit down with Riley Mulcahy, now an accomplished adult, who shares his journey from childhood struggles to real self-acceptance — not a story of "overcoming" or "fixing" anything, but of learning to live authentically in a world that often demands conformity. He talks openly about the adult who finally saw him clearly, the moment something shifted, and the "before and after" in how he saw his own potential. Riley’s story includes recognizing the strengths that come with his different way of thinking, how he stays true to himself without bending to outside pressure, and what skills actually matter for a neurodivergent young person stepping into adulthood. He also opens up about how his relationship with his own learning difference has changed since childhood — and what hasn't changed at all. It’s a warm, honest reminder that different isn't less — it's just different. Listen today! Resources: CHC OnlineCHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical ServicesCHC's Resource LibraryLearn more about Ellis Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at podcast@chconline.org. Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

  3. Sep 23

    What We Carry: How Trauma Shapes the Way We Parent

    People often talk about what it means to go through a traumatic event – but what does trauma really mean? And how do we better understand the layers behind intergenerational trauma? CHC’s Clinical Director of Medi-Cal Dana Cook, MSW, LCSW, brings both a clinical and parent perspective to this important conversation. We talk about how chronic stress and trauma can affect a child’s developing brain and nervous system, why those responses may look different for neurodivergent children, and how our own unresolved experiences can show up in the way we respond to our kids. We also talk about something every parent needs to hear: raising resilient kids isn't about getting everything right. It's about understanding our own triggers, recognizing what our children may be communicating through their behavior, and learning how to move through challenges together. Listen today! Resources: CHC OnlineCHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical ServicesCHC's Resource LibraryLearn more about Ellis Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at podcast@chconline.org. Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

  4. Sep 9

    Beyond Quick Fixes with Dr. Celeste Birkhofer

    understand their mental health – but her perspective is also deeply personal. In this episode of Voices of Compassion, Dr. Birkhofer draws from her personal journey, decades of clinical experience, and her new book, Beyond Quick Fixes, to explore how our own childhood experiences can show up in the way we parent. She shares why listening can sometimes be more powerful than trying to fix a problem, how moments of rupture and repair can strengthen parent-child relationships, and what parents can do to help children build resilience, confidence, and healthy coping skills. Listen now for a compassionate conversation about raising resilient kids, growing alongside them, and pairing compassion with wise action. Resources: CHC OnlineCHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical ServicesCHC's Resource LibraryLearn more about Ellis Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at podcast@chconline.org. Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

  5. Aug 26

    Neurodiversity & Parenting: Finding Belonging

    Listen to this heartfelt episode where a father shares his family's journey raising a neurodivergent child — navigating learning differences, sensory needs, and mental health challenges that unfolded in a learning environment that wasn't built for his son. He opens up about the moment he knew something had to change, what it took to advocate for the right support, and the search for a school where his child could finally feel understood, supported, and accepted. When the right supports came together, the transformation was remarkable — not just academically, but in his son's confidence and sense of self. For any parent or caregiver walking this path, this is an honest, hopeful conversation about recognizing when your child needs something different — and how finding the right fit can change everything. Listen now for a story about advocacy, love, and the difference the right environment can make. Resources: CHC OnlineCHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical ServicesCHC's Resource LibraryLearn more about Ellis Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at podcast@chconline.org. Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

  6. Jun 17

    What Teens Wish Adults Understood About Mental Health

    What does it feel like to be a teenager today? In this special Voices of Compassion episode, CHC's Teen Leadership Collaborative takes the mic to share an honest, unfiltered look at the challenges young people are navigating right now. From academic pressure and social media to friendships, anxiety, and the struggle to ask for help, these student leaders offer powerful insights into what it's really like growing up in today's world. Representing youth organizations across the Bay Area, the panel discusses how achievement culture impacts mental health, why some students' struggles go unnoticed, how social media shapes self-worth and connection, and what schools, families, and communities can do to better support young people. Moderated by Natalie Tamburello, Community Engagement Manager at CHC, and introduced by CHC’s CEO Dr. Ryan Eisenberg, this conversation offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from teens about what they need most from the adults in their lives. Whether you're a parent, educator, mental health professional, or caregiver, this episode provides valuable perspective, practical insights, and a reminder that listening to youth voices is one of the most powerful ways to support their well-being. Resources: CHC OnlineCHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical ServicesCHC's Resource LibraryLearn more about Ellis Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at podcast@chconline.org. Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

  7. Jun 3

    Parenting with Pride: Showing Up for Your LGBTQIA+ Child

    Content Note: This episode includes discussion of transgender identity, mental health, depression, self-harm, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) in the United States for free, confidential support 24/7. What does it actually feel like to watch your child become more fully themselves – and realize that your child’s journey may ask you to grow alongside them? We sit down with parent and REEL co-founder, Callie Turk, a mom who gets it in her bones. She's not a researcher or a clinician. She's a parent who has lived it – the sleepless nights, the fear of getting it wrong, and the profound, unexpected joy of watching her daughter thrive. She opens up about raising her transgender daughter: what the early days really looked like, how her own assumptions were quietly dismantled, and what she wishes someone had told her when her family was just finding its footing. She talks honestly about the moments that changed her, and why creating a family atmosphere where her daughter feels completely safe and seen has become such a meaningful part of her life. This is a conversation about love in action – messy, learning, fiercely committed love. It's also about finding your people, setting aside the noise, and trusting your kid. If you're a parent trying to figure out how to show up for your child, or if you've ever felt alone on this road – this one's for you. Resources: CHC OnlineCHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical ServicesCHC's Resource LibraryLearn more about Ellis Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at podcast@chconline.org. Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

  8. May 20

    What Young People Need Most

    What if the most powerful thing an educator can do has nothing to do with curriculum? Search Institute has spent over 60 years studying what helps youth thrive – and the answer keeps coming back to one thing: relationships. In this conversation with President & CEO of Search Institute, Ben Houltberg, PhD, LMFT, we unpack the science of developmental relationships – a specific, research-backed framework that goes far beyond simply "being nice" to students. We explore how a single teacher relationship can reshape a young person's trajectory, and how to shift from a deficit mindset to a strengths-based one – even when you're running on empty. Because it turns out, the small things aren't small at all. Resources: CHC OnlineCHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical ServicesCHC's Resource LibraryLearn more about Ellis Sign up for our Virtual Village email list to receive our latest episodes and recent CHC updates. Visit Voices of Compassion online for full show notes including additional resources. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and visit our YouTube channel for videos. Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen! We love to hear from you - email us at podcast@chconline.org. Santo Rico by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

See All (158)

4.4
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Featured on Voices of Compassion are CHC mental health, wellness and learning specialists, parents in the trenches and other experts who can help us with the mighty job of raising compassionate and courageous kids. CHC focuses on ADHD, Learning Differences, Autism, Anxiety & Depression, providing best-in-class learning and mental health services to kids, teens and families. CHC’s Voices of Compassion Podcast host Cindy Lopez has worked in K-12 education for roughly 30 years as both a teacher and an administrator, in public and private schools. Find us online at podcasts.chconline.org or email us at podcasts@chconline.org. Find us on Facebook @chc.paloalto, Twitter and Instagram @CHC_paloalto, and visit our YouTube channel at chconlinepaloalto. And we are on LinkedIn. Subscribe to Voices of Compassion on Apple podcasts, Spotify and other podcast apps! Sign up for our Virtual Village email list at chconline.org/enews so you never miss an update or an episode. We always love to hear from you so send us an email or a voice memo at podcasts@chconline.org.

Information

  • Creator
    CHC
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 CHC
  • Show Website
    Voices of Compassion

You Might Also Like