The Just A Mom Podcast

Susie Gurley
  • 5.0 (114)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

My name is Susie.  I have three children, the youngest of whom struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. I never thought this could happen to me, and I missed the signs.  Being a parent is really hard, and I'm here to help! I'm talking to parents and experts to help you with the issues your kids may face.  I want you to know that you are not alone and there is hope. 

  1. 6h ago

    Episode 141: Sarah Callender, Mom and Author of Lucy In Between

    This episode features Sarah Callender, friend, mom, and author, for an open, deeply personal conversation about her own depression, anorexia, postpartum depression, bipolar II disorder, and what it means to parent a child with similar struggles. Sarah shares about the lengthy battle to understand her symptoms, why the diagnosis of bipolar II felt like a relief, and how speaking openly about her mental illness has changed the story for her family.  Sarah discusses the stigma associated with mental health issues, along with the difficulty of recognizing suicidal ideation in herself. Additionally, Sarah expresses the challenge of parenting a young child with a mental illness, as well as how her daughter, Anna, has been very open about her own mental health issues. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768761/lucy-in-between-by-sarah-callender/

  2. Oct 20

    Episode 140: Ellen Riley

    In this deeply personal episode, Ellen Riley reflects on her son Aidan’s social media mistake, the legal response that followed, and the grief that changed her family’s life. After someone shared a screenshot of Aidan’s inappropriate comment, police arrested him when he was 13 years old. Ellen describes the nine-month legal battle that followed and shares why families need to meet young people’s mistakes with accountability, compassion, and room to recover. Ellen discusses the shame and isolation Aidan experienced, the bullying and community pressures that added to the family’s pain, and the questions she continues to ask about how adults and systems respond when young people make mistakes. Ellen also explores what it means to hold teens accountable while still leaving room for learning, repair, and recovery.  She also shares why she believes families need safe ways to work through mistakes together, and why a child’s relationship with their parent matters alongside rules and consequences. They discuss how screenshots and social media can make a difficult moment feel permanent, as well as the challenge of guiding young people through technology that continues to change. Ellen talks about the different ways her daughter and younger son have grieved, how she and her husband try to keep Aiden present in family life, and why siblings need care and understanding too. She remembers Aidan as adventurous, funny, gifted, and full of life, and shares the message his family carries forward: “Be brave enough to be kind”.

  3. Oct 13

    Episode 139: Dr. Amy Wilson, Board Certified Music Therapist

    Dr. Amy Wilson, a music therapist and clinical researcher, shares how music can support healing across behavioral health, hospice, and rehabilitation. Drawing on her experience with people facing grief, trauma, mental illness, and the challenges of stroke recovery, Amy explains how music can offer a meaningful way to express emotions, reconnect with identity, and find hope when life changes unexpectedly. Amy discusses the connection between music and hope, including the ideas of agency—believing you can take steps toward a goal—and pathways—finding ways to move forward, even when circumstances change. Amy shares how singing, drumming, and songwriting can help people process difficult experiences, regulate emotions, and take part in rehabilitation. She also discusses the importance of making room for lament alongside hope, the role of families and caregivers in recovery, and how music can create connection and comfort at home. The conversation closes with practical encouragement for parents to listen and make music with their children, building shared memories and nurturing connection through everyday moments.

  4. Oct 6

    Episode 138: Karina Weinstein, Mom and Mental Health Advocate

    In this transparent episode, Karina Weinstein, a mother and mental health advocate, shares her journey of navigating her son’s sudden mental health crisis, hospitalization, diagnoses of autism, anxiety, and depression, and the challenges of finding appropriate care and school support. Karina shares how guilt, stigma, masking, limited post-discharge guidance, and her own family history shaped the experience, while emphasizing the importance of trusting your child, building peer support, and recognizing that mental health crises can happen in any family. She also discusses Roots and Resilience, the program she is creating with a mission of a more parent-centered youth mental health system that offers caregivers clear guidance, trauma-informed care, and meaningful support. https://rootsandresiliencenyc.my.canva.site/

  5. Sep 29

    Episode 137: Dr. Leslie Treece, Pediatrician (https://leslietreecemd.com/)

    Don’t miss this great conversation with Dr. Leslie Treece, a practicing pediatrician in Cookeville, Tennessee, about the mental health challenges she sees in kids every day. The conversation focuses on how primary care physicians and providers are often the first stop for worried parents, especially in rural areas where child psychiatry and therapy access is limited.  Dr. Treece also shares practical guidelines on recognizing red flags, handling anxiety, understanding the impact of screens and social media, and supporting kids without blame or shame. https://leslietreecemd.com/

  6. Sep 22

    Episode 136: Jason Reid, Dad, Author, Speaker, and Filmmaker

    Back for a second time on The Just A Mom Podcast is entrepreneur, author, speaker, and filmmaker Jason Reid.  Don’t miss this deeply personal conversation about grief, depression, and the power of creative purpose. Jason shares how the loss of his son Ryan to suicide changed his life, why he now focuses on helping parents and kids talk more honestly about mental health, and how his latest film, Shift, is designed to spark those conversations in schools and communities. We also discuss what self-care really looks like beyond the usual advice, why adults need creative outlets just as much as kids, and what Jason learned after discovering he may have been living with a form of depression himself. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tellmystorycommunity/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1tellmystory/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tellmystory-org/

  7. Sep 15

    Episode 135: Dr. Jerry Weichman, Psychologist, Author, and Creator of the Raising Families Platform and Podcast

    In this episode of the Just a Mom podcast, psychologist Dr. Jerry Weichman talks about the realities of parenting teens today, the impact of social media and device addiction on mental health, and practical ways parents can create healthier boundaries at home. Dr. Jerry Weichman is a child and adolescent psychologist with over 27 years of experience working with preteens, teens, and parents. He is also the founder of the Raising Families platform, which offers free resources to help families navigate mental health, parenting, and technology challenges.. Weichman shares why he chose to work with teens and families, what he has learned from more than 27 years in practice, and how parents can better support their kids through adolescence with short, consistent, real-world conversations. This conversation is a powerful reminder that parenting requires intention, consistency, and connection. Dr. Weichman’s guidance gives parents practical steps they can use right away to reduce chaos, build trust, and help their kids develop the skills they need for life. http://drjerryweichman.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingFamilieswithDrJW https://www.raisingfamiliespodcast.com/ https://theweichmanclinic.com/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1435717473?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

  8. Mar 31

    Episode 134: Lisa Katona Smith, Mom, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and Author

    In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Lisa Katona-Smith shares her journey as a mother navigating her son’s mental health challenges and substance use disorder. Through moments of fear, resilience, and hard-earned clarity, Lisa transformed her personal experience into a meaningful framework to support other families facing similar struggles—captured in her book, Parallel Recovery: A Guide for Those Who Love Someone with Substance Use Disorder (https://a.co/d/07C8FLzz).This episode offers both emotional validation and practical guidance—helping parents recognize early warning signs, advocate effectively for their children, and set boundaries that prioritize safety without sacrificing love. Lisa introduces a compassionate shift in perspective—from simply “loving harder” to “loving better,” and explores how families can move from crisis toward sustainable, long-term recovery together.

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About

My name is Susie.  I have three children, the youngest of whom struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. I never thought this could happen to me, and I missed the signs.  Being a parent is really hard, and I'm here to help! I'm talking to parents and experts to help you with the issues your kids may face.  I want you to know that you are not alone and there is hope. 

Information

  • Creator
    Susie Gurley
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    145
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Just a Mom Podcast LLC
  • Show Website
    The Just A Mom Podcast

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