Understanding Gaming Addiction Among Adolescents with Dr. Hilarie Cash, LMHC, CSAT, WSGC
In this episode, Amanda talks to Hilarie Cash, PhD, Co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of reSTART Life, PLLC, about adolescent gaming addiction. They discuss the addictive features of gaming, gambling imbedded in games, technoference, the neuroscience of gaming addiction, and gaming addiction treatment.
Helpful resources:
restartlife.com
mybabygains.org
Books: Video Games and Your Kids: How Parents Stay in Control Facing Internet Technology and Gaming Addiction Website*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
25 Sept 2026
Understanding Kratom Use Among Adolescents with Dr. Vinita Sharma, MPH, CPH, CHES
In this episode, Amanda talks with Dr. Vinita Sharma, MPH, CPH, CHES about kratom use among teens. They discuss the addictive nature of kratom, ways in which it is obtained and used, and how parents can talk to their adolescents about kratom.
Helpful resources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X21005024
https://doi.org/10.1080/17512433.2024.2305798
*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organization
22 Dec 2025
Understanding AI Use Among Adolescents with Dr. Akanksha Dadlani, MPH
In this episode, Amanda talks with Akanksha Dadlani, MD, MPH, about teens' AI use. They discuss the many forms of AI, potential positive uses of AI, the risks of AI use (e.g., deepfakes, emotional connection with AI, replacement for mental health support), and developing safety plans for AI use.
Helpful resources:
https://akankshadadlani.carrd.co/
https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/29/chatbots-doctors-guide-medical-appointments-questions/
https://www.bark.us/
*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
21 Dec 2025
Understanding Adolescent Nutrition and Exercise with Dr. Erin Hennessy
In this episode, Amanda talks to Erin Hennessy, PhD, MPH, about adolescent nutrition and physical activity. They discuss the elements of a nutritious diet for teens, the effects of sugar and ultra-processed foods, the importance of reading ingredient labels, and recommendations for exercise and physical activity.
Helpful resources: https://childobesity180.tufts.edu/ (https://childobesity180.tufts.edu/) https://nutrition.tufts.edu/ (https://nutrition.tufts.edu/)*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
20 Dec 2025
Understanding Eating Disorders Among Youth with Erin Birely, LCPC
In this episode, Amanda talks with Erin Birely, LCPC, about disordered eating among adolescents. They discuss the various types of eating disorders, the role of emotional avoidance, and biopsychosocial risk factors.
Helpful resources:
www.renfrewcenter.com
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
17 Dec 2025
Understanding Adolescent Gambling with Alison Wood, MSW
In this episode, Amanda talks to Alison Wood, MSW about gambling among youth. The two discuss the various forms of gambling, motives behind gambling activities, myths about gambling, and the need for media literacy.
Helpful resources:
https://bhs.unc.edu/adolescent-gambling-and-gaming-series
morethanagame.nc.gov
https://www.ncpgambling.org/ncpg/
*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
9 Dec 2025
Understanding Digital Media Use Among Teens with Jean Rogers, M.S.Ed., CPE
In this episode, Amanda talks with Jean Rogers, M.S.Ed., CPE, about digital media use among adolescents. They discuss the impact of digital media use on teens, risks such as cyberbullying, advocacy efforts, and both helpful and unhelpful strategies for managing teens' digital media use.
Helpful resources:
www.jeanrogersconsulting.com (http://www.jeanrogersconsulting.com/)
https://fairplayforkids.org/pf/onlineharmskit/ (http://fairplayforkids.org/pf/onlineharmskit/)
https://screentimenetwork.org/resource/dear-parents-digital-well-being-resource-teens-parents
https://www.screenaware.org/ (https://www.screenaware.org/)
https://www.waituntil8th.org/*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
9 Dec 2025
Understanding Self-Injury Among Adolescents with Dr. Ryan Madigan
In this episode, Amanda talks to Dr. Ryan Madigan about nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among youth. They discuss motives for NSSI, the relationship between NSSI and suicidality, treatment for NSSI, and the importance of perceiving emotions as signals.
Helpful resources:www.BostonChildStudyCenter.com (http://www.bostonchildstudycenter.com/)
behavioraltech.org
*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
8 Dec 2025
Understanding Nicotine Pouches and Adolescent Nutrition with Dr. Jennifer Middleton
In this episode, Amanda talks to Dr. Jennifer Middleton about two distinct topics related to adolescent health: nicotine pouches and diet/nutrition. They discuss the effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain, the availability of nicotine pouches, the effects of consuming ultra-processed foods, and the benefits of whole foods among teens.
Helpful resources:
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/afp-community-blog/entry/are-your-adolescent-patients-using-oral-nicotine-patches.html
AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians): https://www.aafp.org/home.html
AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics): https://www.aap.org/en/
*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
8 Dec 2025
Adolescent Internet Safety: Understanding Cybercrimes with Special Agent in Charge Brian Johnston
In this episode, Amanda talks with Special Agent in Charge Brian Johnston about online crimes against children. They discuss different types of cybercrimes including child sexual abuse material and sextortion, as well as ways to increase online safety among teens.
Helpful resources: Any Georgia law enforcement agency wishing to become an affiliate of the Georgia ICAC Task Force may contact the GBI CEACC Unit at 404-270-8870 or visit https://www.gaicactaskforce.com/ (https://www.gaicactaskforce.com/)
Instances of child exploitation can be reported to your local law enforcement agency and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through the CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 or https://report.cybertip.org/ (https://report.cybertip.org/). *The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
7 Dec 2025
Understanding Cannabis (marijuana) Use Among Youth with Dr. Amelia Arria
In this episode, Amanda talks to Dr. Amelia Arria about adolescent cannabis (marijuana) use. They discuss topics including substance use and the adolescent brain, THC potency, negative consequences of cannabis use, and potential warning signs that a teen might be using cannabis.
Helpful resource:
www.collegeparentsmatter.org
*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
7 Dec 2025
Understanding Teen Mental Health Concerns and Treatment with Amy Rene, LCSW
In this episode, Amanda talks with Amy René, LCSW, about adolescent mental health--particularly anxiety and depression. They discuss signs of mental health concerns, what professional services entail, and how parents can talk about mental health with their teens.
Helpful resources:
Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD by Eli Lebowitz, PhD
Loving Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder by Shari Manning, PhD
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder by Marsha Linehan, PhD
What Happened to You? By Bruce Perry, MD, PhD
Hillside website: www.hside.org (http://www.hside.org/)
*The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host, the Safety First team, or any affiliated organizations
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