MINDBEAT by Effective School Solutions

Laine Whitaker
  • 4.6 (11)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

MINDBEAT by Effective School Solutions is the definitive go-to podcast for all topics related to school-based mental health, and the first podcast dedicated to this vital topic. From sharing best practices to highlighting innovative school districts to keeping track of legislation, MINDBEAT is the must-have resource for educators and administrators that are implementing (or thinking about implementing) a mental health care continuum. www.effectiveschoolsolutions.com

  1. EP 37: Navigating the Digital Childhood: Mental Health, Media, and Development

    12/21/2025

    EP 37: Navigating the Digital Childhood: Mental Health, Media, and Development

    In this episode, Laine Whitaker and guest co-host Megan McCullough, Director of Student Services for the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, welcome Dr. Ellen Wartella, a leading expert on children, media, and development. Together, they explore the evolving role of media in shaping mental health, common misconceptions about screen use, and practical ways families and schools can support healthy development in a digital age. https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com/

    42 min
  2. EP 36: The Emotional Brain in the Classroom: Exploring the Science of Learning

    06/17/2025

    EP 36: The Emotional Brain in the Classroom: Exploring the Science of Learning

    In this episode, Sarah Rose Cavanagh joins Duncan and Laine to discuss how K-12 educators can harness emotion to enhance student engagement, the connection between emotions and learning, and what “teacher burnout” really looks like and how school systems can better support teacher well-being.  https://www.teenvogue.com/story/ai-therapy-chatbot-eating-disorder-treatment https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com

    44 min
  3. EP 35: Raising and Teaching in a Connected World

    05/20/2025

    EP 35: Raising and Teaching in a Connected World

    In this episode, Jordan Shapiro, PhD, from Temple University and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss how educators should differentiate between healthy and harmful digital practices, issues of digital equity, and lessons K-12 educators can learn about designing digital experiences that are developmentally appropriate. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/children-adolescent-mental-health-anxiety-depression/ https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com/

    46 min
  4. EP 34: Rewiring Childhood: The Impact of Tech & Media on Young Minds

    05/06/2025

    EP 34: Rewiring Childhood: The Impact of Tech & Media on Young Minds

    In this episode, Dr. Jenny Radesky from the University of Michigan Medical School joins Duncan and Laine to discuss the impact of technology and social media on youth mental health. She shares recommendations about how educators can navigate the digital ecosystem with students and offers advice for families and caregivers to help students have healthy relationships with digital media. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/04/22/teens-social-media-and-mental-health/  https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com/

    43 min
  5. EP 33: The ROI of Mental Health: Investing in the Well-Being of Our Youth

    03/18/2025

    EP 33: The ROI of Mental Health: Investing in the Well-Being of Our Youth

    In this episode, Dr. Daniel Eisenberg, Professor of Health Policy and Management at UCLA, joins Duncan and Laine to discuss his research on adolescent and young adult mental health. He explores findings from the Healthy Minds study and highlights the importance of systemic solutions, including multi-systemic therapy (MST), and discusses the economic benefits of investing in mental health, from improved graduation rates to higher lifetime earnings. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/14/nx-s1-5262897/parents-solutions-anxiety-stress-burnout https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com/

    45 min
  6. EP: 32 Creating Youth Mental Health Innovation at a Statewide Level

    02/18/2025

    EP: 32 Creating Youth Mental Health Innovation at a Statewide Level

    In this episode, Dr. Sharmil Shah joins Duncan and Laine to discuss where she sees the biggest opportunities for improvement in school-based mental health initiatives over the next 5-10 years, the role of Certified Wellness Coaches, and what the state of California is doing to fund sustainability for school-based mental health initiatives.  https://theconversation.com/technology-is-supposed-to-decrease-teacher-burnout-but-we-found-it-can-sometimes-make-it-worse-243683 https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com/

    49 min
  7. EP 31: Building a Stronger Future: Empowering Students Through Mental Health

    01/21/2025

    EP 31: Building a Stronger Future: Empowering Students Through Mental Health

    In this episode, Duncan and Laine are joined by Ross Szabo to explore how we can transform the conversation around mental health and make these discussions a regular part of school culture. Ross shares his personal journey and offers valuable insights on taking control of your mental well-being while breaking down stigma. https://www.nj.com/opinion/2024/12/mental-health-services-in-nj-schools-are-severely-lacking-heres-a-strategy-opinion.html#:~:text=Despite%20the%20state%20budget%20allocating,the%20584%20public%20school%20districts. https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com/

    40 min
  8. EP 30: Navigating the Mental Health Maze: Empowering The Next Generations

    12/17/2024

    EP 30: Navigating the Mental Health Maze: Empowering The Next Generations

    In this episode, Duncan and Laine are joined by Dr. Jodi Aman to discuss her journey into the mental health field, the mental health crisis’ ties to screen time, how C.O.M.P.A.S.S. empowers students, tips for boosting student confidence, and managing device use. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-school-social-workers-underutilized-resource.html  https://effectiveschoolsolutions.com/

    43 min
See All (38)

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

MINDBEAT by Effective School Solutions is the definitive go-to podcast for all topics related to school-based mental health, and the first podcast dedicated to this vital topic. From sharing best practices to highlighting innovative school districts to keeping track of legislation, MINDBEAT is the must-have resource for educators and administrators that are implementing (or thinking about implementing) a mental health care continuum. www.effectiveschoolsolutions.com

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