In this In Practice Episode, Xavier shares personal stories from his experience spending time outdoors as a camp counselor in Northern Wisconsin. He shares what time in Nature has taught him and the kids at his camp.

Guest:
Xavier Meza is 19 years old, born and raised in Chicago. He didn't go to college after graduating high school while taking college classes. He became a swim coach for kids for a year, and works at a local Chicago gym. Currently, Xavier working towards entering the field of real estate, while leading summer camps in Northern Wisconsin.

To learn more about Xavier, please visit:
xavierdmeza@gmail.com

Timestamps:
3:00 – Personal Story – How Xavier found nature
5:45 – Concept – Open to being uncomfortable
7:30 – Process – What did you notice slowing down?
11:45 – Process – Slowing down and building a fire
15:30 – Concept – Learning about Camp!
17:50 – Process – Learning about the outdoors, being from the city
22:05 – Personal Story – Interesting story from traveling to canoe trip
31:00 – Impact – Natures impact on Xavier
34:45 – Idea – How to get connected to nature
39:00 – Everyday Experiences – Taking a bath out in a lake
41:00 – Personal Strategy – Exercise
44:24 – Research - Mindfulness meditation and exercise both improve sleep quality: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of community dwelling adults (Barrett et al., 2020)

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Marysia Osu: https://marysiaosu.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

Guest:
Dr. Will Dobud is a social worker, researcher, and educator who has worked with adolescents and families in the United States, Australia, and Norway. Will is from Washington, D.C. and divides his time between the United States and Australia each year. Will is an award-winning researcher and educator who has received recognition for excellence in research, teaching, and crime prevention. Dr. Dobud is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University, Australia's largest social work school. Willis an invited international speaker who conducts workshops for therapists and families around the globe.

To learn more about Dr. Dobud, please visit:
https://www.kidsthesedaysbook.com/will-dobud

Timestamps:
3:00 – Personal Story – How Dr. Dobud Found His Interests
6:00 – Concepts – Common Misconceptions About Supporting Teen Mental Health
7:40 – Concepts – Misconception of Labeling
9:05 – Research - Examining Self-Esteem Consequences for Youth with Mental Health Problems (Dupont-Reyes et al., 2023)
9:43 – Survey – Polling Data and Identifications with Mental Health Labels
15:00 – Idea – How to approach seeking mental health support
15:30 – Concept – Most Common Number of Sessions
16:55 – Idea – Counseling is about a Good Fit
17:30 – Idea – Achieving Mastery
18:16 – Research - Nonblind placebo trial: An exploration of neurotic patients' responses to placebo when its inert content is disclosed (Park & Covi, 1965)
21:00 – Idea – Changing a Diagnosis from a Noun to a Verb (Externalizing Issues)
25:35 – Book Idea – Interference (Illusions about what’s Wrong with a Generation)
27:00 – Survey - Why children work: The children's answer (Todd, 1913)
29:20 – Concept – Interference in Chemicals
36:00 – Concept – Important Ideas to Prioritize
41:00 – Parent Strategy – How to Reframe Looking at Teen Problems
42:20 – Parent Strategy – Connection before Correction
45:50 – Funny Story – Banning Pinball in New York (Example of Interference)
55:00 – Personal Strategy – Learning How I Learn (Writing)

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Soii: https://soii.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast

This episode is for parents. Sophia explores her professional insights from working in clinical and school settings, to help anxious teens. If you are a parent, you'll get practical skills and ideas to help any stressed out teens in your home.

Guest:
Sophia Vale Galano is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private therapy practice in Los Angeles, California. Sophia has been working with teens and their families for over a decade, and is the author of the book “Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teenager Cope with Worry” on the 7th of October.

Sophia provided counseling to students at a large public high school, and offered both case management and group therapy at a psychiatric hospital. Sophia has extensive experience working as a therapist in residential, inpatient, outpatient and educational settings. She also served as a primary therapist for young adult males in a long-term, highly structured treatment center for substance use. She now provides mental health services in the Los Angeles Area. Sophia’s first book “Calming Teenage Anxiety” was published in 2025, and available from multiple online booksellers.

To learn more about Sophia and her book Calming Teenage Anxiety, please visit:
https://sophiagalano.com/book/
https://sophiagalano.com/

Timestamps:
3:00 – Personal Story – How Sophia Found Work on Teen Anxiety
5:00 – Generational Differences for Anxiety – Technology, Social Media, Academic Pressure
8:40 – Concept – Anxiety & Social Media
10:15 – Concept – Not Restrict, Discuss and Modify Use
12:30 – Parent Strategy – Sprinkle Social Media Use Suggestions as a Coach
14:15 – Concept – How to Approach Dialogue with Your Teen
14:30 – Parent Strategy – Come from a Place of Learning, Not Fixing
16:00 – Parent Strategy – Initiating Conversations in Casual Spaces
17:30 – Parent Strategy – Revisit Conversations
22:30 – Concept – Rise in Academic Pressure + Increased Competition
25:30 – Parent Strategy – Lead By Example About Pressure (Modeling)
29:00 – Concept – Exploring Regular Stress vs. Anxiety
29:50 – Parent Strategy – Monitor How Often Their Teen is Feeling Anxious
31:45 – Concept – Helpful Ideas for Supporting Students with High Anxiety
33:45 – Concept – What’s Happening Under the Surface in Dialogue w/ Teens
39:15 – Parent Strategy – Self Care and Self Awareness
41:00 – Study - Secure Base Provision: A New Approach to Examining Links Between Maternal Caregiving and Infant Attachment (Woodhouse et al., 2020)
41:00 – Concept – “Good Enough Parent” and 50% of the Time
42:00 – Parent Strategy – Try Lots of Different Approaches

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
Chris Keys: https://chriskeys.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast