Libsyn Directory

Ep. 227: Teen Depression Gone Viral with Dr. Meredith Gansner

Release Date: 03/04/2025

Ep. 252: How to Make the School System Work for Your Child with Stacey Shubitz

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined in this episode by , K-6 literacy consultant, a former elementary school teacher, and the co-founder of the blog and podcast. Her forthcoming book, empowers parents to navigate the special education system. In this episode, we talk openly about what it really takes to support a child with learning challenges in today’s school system. Drawing from decades of experience on both sides of the table, Stacey shares why she wrote Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities and what she wishes someone had told her when she was first trying to make sense of...

Ep. 251: Sensory Processing & Regulation: How Play Rewires the Brain with Dr. Allie Ticktin, MA, OTD, OTR/L

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We happily welcome Dr. Allie Ticktin to Diverse Thinking Different Learning! Dr. Ticktin is dedicated to helping children and their families thrive through sensory-based play, having founded Play 2 Progress and writing Play to Progress, introducing parents to all eight senses and offering practical ways to support them at home. Blending child development science with playful learning, Dr. Ticktin focuses on building kids’ confidence and supporting their growth across emotional, social, physical, and academic areas. At the core of her philosophy is the belief that empowering parents from the...

Ep. 250: Reimagining Learning: The Evolving Power of 1:1 Learning in 2025 with Jaime Porras

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are happy to welcome Jaime Porras for this episode! Jaime Porras is the District Vice President for , overseeing nine campuses across Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. With more than two decades in education (including fourteen years at Fusion), he has held roles from teacher to Head of School and is passionate about fostering student-centered, relationship-driven learning environments. He holds an MA in Education with a focus on Social Justice from Antioch University Los Angeles and a BA in English from Ohio State University. A proud Buckeye and Culver City resident, Jaime enjoys sports,...

Ep. 249: Using Technology to Support Neurodivergent Students with Joan Green

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

For this edition of the show, we warmly welcome Joan Green! Joan Green, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, assistive technology specialist, and founder of in the Washington, DC area. For nearly 40 years, she has helped people of all ages (especially neurodiverse learners) use technology to enhance communication, learning, and independence. Passionate about accessibility and innovation, Joan also educates families and professionals on how everyday tech and AI can change our daily lives. Our conversation explores how technology, including AI-powered tools, can be used to help...

Ep. 248: The Power of Early Intervention: How Neuroplasticity Shapes Young Brains with Dr. Viannae Nelkin

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is . Dr. Viannae Nelkin is a board-eligible pediatric neuropsychologist and founder of . She earned her master’s and doctorate in clinical psychology, training at top institutions including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Her work focuses on early intervention, neurodiversity-affirming care, and empowering families to help their children thrive. Deeply committed to supporting children with neurological and genetic...

Ep. 247: Helping Kids by Building Stronger Families: A Systems Approach to Support with Dr. Adi Soffer

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We happily welcome to Diverse Thinking Different Learning this week! Adi Soffer, PsyD is a licensed psychologist who works with children, teens, and families, and she combines family structure therapy with evidence-based practices to help families strengthen communication, establish healthy boundaries, and deepen emotional connections. Passionate about guiding parents and children through challenges such as anxiety, behavioral issues, and major life changes, Dr. Soffer offers care via her private practice, Kesher Psychological Services. She sees clients in Los Angeles and provides virtual...

Ep. 246: Accommodations, Modifications, or Remediation? How to Know What Your Child Really Needs with Amy Cushner

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

For this episode of the show, we are joined by ! Amy has dedicated more than 30 years to the Shelton School and a lifetime to advocating for neurodivergent individuals, infusing passion, humor, and wisdom into every stage she graces. From classrooms in Dallas to conferences in China, she has become a sought-after voice championing inclusive, strengths-based approaches across both education and business.. In this episode, Amy breaks down the important differences between accommodations, modifications, and remediation in the education system, explaining how these terms are often used...

Ep. 245: What Is Executive Function Coaching? with Rana Lustyan

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is Rana Lustyan! is the founder of Growing Minds Coaching, where she helps students with learning differences develop confidence, independence, and academic achievement. She combines strength-based coaching, neuroscience-informed methods, and practical executive function tools to create personalized routines that last. Rana shares her personal journey with ADHD and how it inspired her to help students, especially girls and young women, build the essential life skills needed for lasting confidence and independence. She...

Ep. 244: From Burnout to Balance: Supporting Parents Raising Neurodivergent Kids with Leslie Forde

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Joining us for this episode of Diverse Thinking Different Learning is Leslie Forde! Leslie is the CEO and Founder of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs® and soon-to-be published Author of Repair with Self-Care: Your Guide to the Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs. Her business provides evidence-based tools to help moms reclaim their time and well-being from the never-done-list while also helping employers retain working parents and caregivers. Since March of 2020, over 3,700 parents have participated in her research study (the longest-running of its kind) on the pandemic’s ongoing impact on work,...

Ep. 243: From Inclusion to Belonging: Creating Neurodiversity-Affirming Schools with Amanda Morin

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are happy to welcome to the show this week! Amanda is a neurodivergent advocate for neurodiversity, an award-winning author of six books, an early childhood expert, and a nationally recognized speaker who is passionate about building accessible and inclusive spaces for neurodivergent people. Drawing on her background in learning and child development, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), special education, advocacy, and mental health, she translates complex information into clear, practical insights for parents, educators, and employers striving to design inclusive content, programs, and...

More Episodes

We are joined this week by Dr. Meredith Gansner. Dr. Gansner is a child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializing in high-risk digital media use in teens. She has received multiple research grants, including a K23 career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and she is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry media committee. Her first book, Teen Depression Gone Viral, explores the challenges of treating adolescent depression in the digital age.

In this episode, Dr. Meredith Gansner discusses depression in teens, something that has been on the rise especially in today’s digital age. She sheds some light on how adolescent depression often looks different from adult depression, sometimes showing up as irritability, aggression, or even physical symptoms like headaches and stomach pain. She helps us break down why it’s so important for parents to recognize these signs early on and seek professional support instead of just dismissing them as typical teenage behavior.

Dr. Gansner also examines the relationship between social media and mental health. While some teens find support online, others are exposed to harmful content that can reinforce unhealthy coping mechanisms and worsen or even cause poor mental health. She offers some practical advice on improving digital media literacy, setting boundaries, and developing safety plans to help young people engage with the internet and social media in a way that is not detrimental to their well-being.

Dr. Gansner also discusses effective treatments for teen depression, stressing a multi-faceted approach including lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication when appropriate. She also clarifies the differences between suicidal thoughts and non-suicidal self-injury, offering guidance on how parents and caregivers can respond with the right level of support. With a focus on family-based strategies, this conversation with Dr. Meredith Gansner helps provide insightful information for anyone looking to strengthen emotional resilience in today’s teenagers!

Show Notes:

[2:13] - Dr. Gansner reflects on initially feeling optimistic about addressing mental health in youth online but grew frustrated.
[5:56] - The youth mental health crisis peaked during COVID and remains a pressing issue.
[6:23] - Depression is a physiological illness with many contributing risk factors.
[8:03] - Teen depression often manifests as irritability or anger, making it harder for parents to recognize.
[11:29] - Some children with depression experience physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
[13:08] - Hear about the inspiration behind the title of Dr. Gansner’s book.
[15:53] - Social media spreads both helpful and harmful information about depression, requiring careful oversight and guidance.
[18:32] - Social media can both support and worsen teens' mental health, creating harmful echo chambers.
[19:26] - Dr. Gansner feels that rather than banning social media, teaching digital literacy can help children take on harmful content.
[21:40] - Teaching teens responsible internet use with guidance, like learning to drive, helps ensure safer engagement.
[24:43] - What are some of the best ways to treat depression in teens?
[27:31] - Parents often struggle to differentiate suicidal thoughts from non-suicidal self-injury in teens.
[28:05] - Dr. Gansner explains that non-suicidal self-injury involves self-harm without suicidal intent, often as a distress signal or coping mechanism.
[31:21] - Simply telling teens to "just stop" self-harm can lead to shame, worsening depression and leading to a harmful cycle.
[33:17] - Improving sleep is important for teens' emotional resilience, helping prevent impulsive decisions and risky behaviors.
[36:58] - Parents limiting their own screen use helps depressed teens feel supported and less isolated.
[38:38] - Be sure to get Dr. Gansner’s book at a discounted price here!

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