NPC in the 413

In this episode NPC sat down with the lovely Shelly Lenn, Bereavement Coordinator for Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice and The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens. Grief isn't something our culture is always comfortable addressing, especially when it comes to children and teens. Shelly sat down with us to share how The Garden serves youth and their families and offered compassionate advice and tips for anyone wishing to know more about grief and how to help loved ones who may be experiencing grief.  Listen in to learn more about this local treasure; the services they provide, how you can support their work, and a bit about how children process grief in comparison to adults.  Shelly Bathe Lenn came to The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens as a volunteer facilitator in 2002 where she worked in the young teens, teens and littles’ groups. She became the Program Coordinator in 2004 and has been Director since 2006.  Shelly holds a Master’s of Education (M.Ed.) and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) in school counseling from University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Bachelor’s degree in women’s studies and education from the University of California Santa Cruz. She lives in Longmeadow with her husband, David and fourteen-year-old son, Evan. In her free time she enjoys the beach, trail running and painting. This podcast would not be possible without the generous support of Northampton Community Television. NCTV provided the equipment, expertise, and technical support necessary to get NPC in the 413 off the ground. To learn more about them please visit: http://northamptontv.org/ To learn more about The Garden and t support their work, please find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gardennoho/ or on their website: www.cooleydickinson.org/thegarden Resources mentioned in this podcast have been shared on NPC's Facebook page. To view and download visit here:https://www.facebook.com/NorthamptonPrevents/ They can be found on our timeline from 4/25/19 or in our photos.     

In this episode NPC sits down with Melinda Calianos, Director of the Hampshire Franklin Tobacco-Free Community Partnership to give us the facts on vaping: what is it? what do vapes contain? why are kids picking up the habit of a device designed originally to help smokers quit? how can adults talk to kids about this trend before it becomes a life-long habit? and if you are a teen who wants to quit where can you get help? Resources mentioned in this podcast: https://truthinitiative.org/quitecigarettes https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2019/01/24/the-dangers-of-vaping-monica-bharel https://teen.smokefree.gov/ Helpline within Massachusetts: 1-800- QUIT - NOW As always a special thanks to Northampton Community Television for their equipment, tech support, and advice. NCTV is a community treasure. Learn more about them here: http://northamptontv.org/  

Rachel Simmons is the author of Enough As She Is: How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy and Fulfilling Lives, and the New York Times bestsellers Odd Girl Out and The Curse of the Good Girl. As an educator, Rachel teaches girls and women skills to build their resilience, amplify their voices, and own their courage so that they—and their relationships—live with integrity and health. The cofounder of national nonprofit Girls Leadership, she is an experienced curriculum writer and educator. She is currently the leadership development specialist at the Wurtele Center for Leadership at Smith College, and is Girls Research Scholar in Residence at The Hewitt School in New York. Rachel has served as a national spokesperson for the Always #LikeAGirl and Keds Brave Life Project campaigns, and consults nationally on women’s professional development. Rachel was the host of the PBS television special, “A Girl’s Life,” and her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Atlantic, Slate, and The New York Times. Rachel is a regular contributor to Good Morning America and appears often in the national media. Odd Girl Out was adapted into a highly acclaimed Lifetime television movie. Rachel lives in Western Massachusetts with her daughter. On this episode NPC was fortunate to to have the opportunity to sit down with the delightful Ms. Simmons and learn more about what she has to offer families and young people as they navigate life and relationships. This podcast would not be possible without Northampton Community Television. Check them out here: http://northamptontv.org/

Sometimes learning at a traditional high school just doesn't work for all students. When this happens, what options does a student have outside of dropping out?  In this episode of NPC in the 413 I sat down with five students from the Mt. Tom Academy on the Holyoke Community College Campus to find out how they managed to answer this question for themselves. They share their stories of how they found Mt. Tom, how it has impacted their learning and self esteem, and their goals for the future. A special thanks to Barbara Cheney, Lead Teacher at Mt. Tom Academy, for opening her classroom to NPC and for creating such a warm and welcoming space for learning to take place! And lastly, this podcast would not be possible without the help of Northampton Community Television. NCTV provides us with the equipment, technical support, and other services that are indispensable. You can learn more about them here: http://northamptontv.org/  Further Resources:   Pursuing Social and Emotional Development Through a Racial Equity Lens: A Call to Action - The Aspen Institutehttps://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/pursuing-social-and-emotional-development-through-a-racial-equity-lens-a-call-to-action/     New Study Suggests That A Teacher’s Impact On Student Behavior More Important Than Test Scores | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/10/23/new-study-suggests-that-a-teachers-impact-on-student-behavior-more-important-than-test-scores/   A Playbook: 7 Moves for Teachers to Create Happier Healthier Classrooms https://www.christenseninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/How-to-create-higher-performing-happier-classrooms-in-seven-moves.pdf

Rebekah Bardwell discusses how eating disorders take on a life of their own after a while. 

Rebekah Bardwell, Assistant Vice President at Walden Behavioral Care likens an eating disorder to an abusive relationship.

In this clip Rebekah Bardwell, Assistant Vice President at Walden Behavioral Care discusses ways well meaning families can unintentially encourage or perpetuate disordered eating. 

This episode dissects Eating disorders, dieting, disordered eating, risk factors, treatments, and how a well-entrenched disorder is very similar to a substance use disorder. Rebekah Bardwell of Walden Behavioral Care ( full bio in podcast) sits down with us to define all of the various forms of eating disorders (ED). Though traditionally a disorder that develops during adolescence, some EDs strike at infancy, and others that can crop up in mid-life. She also shares ways for families to reduce the risks for their kids and how to approach your child if you suspect they may have an ED.   As always this podcast could not be possible without the wonderous support of NCTV!!! Check them out here: http://northamptontv.org/ And check NPC out too  www.northamptonprevents.org  

In this episode NPC in the 413 sits down with Diane Fedorchak, Director of the BASICS program at UMass Amherst. Diane has worked in the health education department at UMass Amherst since 2000, specializing in alcohol and other drug abuse prevention.She is Director of the BASICS Program, coordinator of the Fresh & Sober program and an active member of the Campus and Community Coalition to Reduce High-Risk Drinking, and a member of the NPC Steering Committee. In this episode she shares how the program works, what types of conversations parents and guardians should consider having with their colleg-bound kids, and how open lines of communication are essential.    As always, a special thanks to NCTV for making this podcast possible!   Learn more about them here: http://northamptontv.org/ And check out our website and Facebook page: http://northamptonprevents.org/ https://www.facebook.com/NorthamptonPrevents/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel    

In this episode Maryann Eckert, mother of Aaron Pitrat, talks about her son. She describes how he was as a child, her hopes and dreams for him, and how, when she discovered he had become addicted to heroin, she didn't know what she was dealing with.  Many thanks to Northampton Community Television for making this podcast possible, and to Maryann for be so giving of her time and for her willingness to share her story in the hope that it may help other families.     

Melissa Roberts-Cote has ALWAYS lived in Northampton and during her lifetime has worked primariliy in fields that serve the public: EMT, dispatch, and Public Health, In this interview she talks about her time working at the Hampshire House of Corrections under a grant for communicable diseases. For several years she taught inmates about HIV, safe injection practices, safe sex practices, and was able to provide free HIV testing.  Melissa now works for the Northampton Health Department and is a big fan of Pampered Chef! NPC in the 413 would not be possible without Northampton Community Television or the wonderful people of Northampton who allow us to interview them.   Thank you!  

In this second installment of our interview with Dr. Sharon Saline we continue our converstion on ADHD. She discusses the five C's that are essential to parenting/raising an ADHD child. Please check out her new book,  What your ADHD child wishes you knew: Working together to empower kids for success in school and life, at local bookstores or online. This podcast would not be possible without the services and excellent staff at Northampton Community Television. They offer equipment rentals for free to Northampton residents, as well as workshops on how to use their equipment. The learn more visit: http://northamptontv.org/   To learn more about the Northampton Prevention Coalition follow us on Facebook and visit our website: http://northamptonprevents.org/ www.facebook.com/NorthamptonPrevents

Dr. Sharon Saline has been practising her craft for nearly 30 years and in addition to her clinical work, offers workshops and presentations for schools and pediatrician offices, and now has a book on her craft , What your ADHD child wishes you knew: Working together to empower kids for success in school and life, available at local bookstores or online. In this episode, part one of two,  Dr. Saline demystifies this common condition and shares insights from her decades of work with clients and families who are impacted by ADHD.  This podcast would not be possible without the services and excellent staff at Northampton Community Television. They offer equipment rentals for free to Northampton residents, as well as workshops on how to use their equipment. The learn more visit: http://northamptontv.org/   To learn more about the Northampton Prevention Coalition follow us on Facebook and visit our website: http://northamptonprevents.org/ www.facebook.com/NorthamptonPrevents

In this episode NPC sits down with psychodynamic psychotherapist Kipp Armstrong. Kipp speaks about working with clients who struggle with dependancy and addiction, his own past struggles with addiction, and offers advice for families on how to deal with addiction and how to do what you can to prevent it from happening within your family. This podcast would not be possible without the services and excellent staff at Northampton Community Television. They offer equipment rentals for free to Northampton residents, as well as workshops on how to use their equipment. The learn more visit: http://northamptontv.org/   To learn more about the Northampton Prevention Coalition follow us on Facebook and visit our website: http://northamptonprevents.org/ www.facebook.com/NorthamptonPrevents

Seth Dunn is a local therapist who has been practising his craft since the 70's. He is also a father of two. Seth reached out to NPC this past winter to see how he could get involved in our coalition. He has a strong passion for seeing young people lead and mentor each other. And has been motivated to do relevant work since he was a young man himself. In this podcast Seth discusses his work, the process of therapy, and the importance of real relationships, meaningful engagement, and real replacements for substance use so that those in recovery have something else to turn to.  This podcast would not be possible without the services and excellent staff at Northampton Community Television. They offer equipment rentals for free to Northampton residents, as well as workshops on how to use their equipment. The learn more visit: http://northamptontv.org/   To learn more about the Northampton Prevention Coalition follow us on Facebook and visit our website: http://northamptonprevents.org/ www.facebook.com/NorthamptonPrevents

This is a short clip from our interview with Sarah Buteux, a pastor at First Churches in Northampton. In this clip she discusses how we as humans experience a sense of hollowness.

Sarah Buteux is the pastor at First Churches in Northampton. NPC sat down with her to discuss faith, community, real relationships, spirituality, what kids and adults need, and how she works to meet these needs within her congregation.  This podcast would not be possible without the services and excellent staff at Northampton Community Television. They offer equipment rentals for free to Northampton residents, as well as workshops on how to properly use their equipment. To learn more visit: http://northamptontv.org   To learn more about the Northampton Prevention Coalition follow us on Facebook and visit our website: http://northamptonprevents.org www.facebook.com/NorthamptonPrevents  

This is the last episode featuring Aaron Pitrat. In this episode he recounts his downward spiral and multiple attempts at rehab.    Thank you again to NCTV for making this podcast possible and to Aaron for allowing us the time to speak with him and to hear his story.     

In this episode Aaron describes how he went from functioning well enough to pass high school to experiencing his first taste of true withdrawal and first foray into treatment centers.

A short clip from NPC's interview with Aaron Pitrat. In this clip he summerizes how addiction works and his analogy of how the progression is like climbing a flight of stairs. 

In this second installment of Aaron Pitrat's story, Aaron talks about his mom's remarriage, the ironic affect family stability has on his drug use, the social strata of high school, and the progression of addiction through the lens of a high functioning student in denial.  Special thanks as always to Northampton Community Televison for making this podcast possible! Check out all that they have to offer at http://northamptontv.org/ And learn more about us, the Northampton Prevention Coalition on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthamptonPrevents/ and our website http://northamptonprevents.org/    

A clip from a longer interview with former Northampton High School student Aaron Pitrat. Aaron battled with a substance use disorder from a young age. In this clip he offers a piece of advice for parents of children who are prescribed a controlled substance, such as ADHD stimulant medication, as he was as a child. 

Aaron Pitrat is an alumnus of Northampton High School, a current UMass student, and is also 4 years into recovery from a substance use disorder. In this episode Aaron discusses divorce, ADHD, addiction, stimulant medication, and marijuana in this first installment of NPC's interview with him in March 2018.  Aaron's story will be shared in numerous segments. Part 2 will be published on Tuesday May 15th, 2018. This podcast would not be possible without the services and excellent staff at Northampton Community Television. They offer equipment rentals for free to Northampton residents, as well as workshops on how to use their equipment. The learn more visit: http://northamptontv.org/   To learn more about the Northampton Prevention Coalition follow us on Facebook and visit our website: http://northamptonprevents.org/ www.facebook.com/NorthamptonPrevents  

This is a short clip from NPC's interview with Aaron Pitrat, former NHS student and person in recovery, on what he would say to teens about substance use. 

Former NHS student, current UMass transfer student, and person in recovery, Aaron Pitrat, talks marijuana in this short clip from his longer interview with NPC. 

A clip from our interview with Susan Wallace as she explains what folks can expect during our April 24th Training Active Bystanders workshop. 

March 2018 NPC sits down with Northampton resident and veteran, John Pearson, to ask him about recovery. The questions we asked him were generated by Northampton High School students.   A special thank you to NCTV for all of their help making this podcast possible; to NHS students for taking the time to craft these well-thoughtout questions; and to John Pearson for his time and willingness to help us with this project.

NPC sits down With Susan Wallace of Quabbin Mediation to learn what they do and to discuss their upcoming workshop, Training Active Bystanders, happening on April 24th and sponsored by Cooley Dickinson Hospital, The Unitarian Society of Florence and Northampton, and the Northampton Prevention Coalition.

Welcome! We talk to folks in Northampton, MA who have something to share. Today we sat down with Kate Jopson to ask her about her role at Northampton High School and the rewards and challenges that come from working with teenagers. This podcast would not have been possible without the help of Northampton Community Television's generous technical support, equipment rentals and overall guidance and support. Thank you NCTV!