Unmasking Social

48: The Bright Light of Maddie: A Conversation on Youth Mental Health With Chris Coulter

In this heartfelt episode, Chris Coulter shares the raw truth behind his inspiring journey of advocacy after losing his daughter Maddie to suicide. He reflects on the warning signs parents and professionals often miss, the importance of trusting your gut instincts, and how we can help families and employers recognize when something is off before it becomes a crisis. The conversation also explores the power of emotional intelligence, the need for safe environments, and why listening without rushing to "fix it" can make all the difference. Chris’s story is a call to action for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to support our teens with more compassion, connection, and care; allowing them to seek connection through the right guide. To get in touch with Chris   THE MENTOR WELL | Empower Young Minds Toda [https://www.thementorwell.com/]y How are you feeling? [https://www.howareyoufeeling.org/] Follow Unmasking Social at:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1 [https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1] YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@socialunmasking/podcasts]

47: Back by Popular Demand: College Transition Strategies with Lorraine Wolf & Jane Thierfeld Brown

🎓 Special Re-Release Episode As summer begins and students prepare for the transition from high school to college, we're bringing back one of the most important conversations from the archives. Whether you're an incoming college student, a parent, educator, or clinician, the transition to college involves much more than academics. Success often depends on executive functioning, self-advocacy, independence, social connection, and knowing which supports to access and when. That's why we're revisiting this valuable discussion with Lorraine Wolf and Jane Thierfeld Brown, nationally recognized experts in college transition, disability support, and helping students navigate life after high school. In this episode, we discuss: *  Self-advocacy and disability accommodations in college  *  Executive functioning demands beyond high school  *  Building independence and daily living skills  *  Navigating social life and campus involvement  *  Common transition challenges for our neurodivergent students  Although this conversation originally aired previously, the insights remain as incredibly relevant. As students head into the summer before college, now is the perfect time to begin thinking about the skills that support smoother transitions. If you know a student preparing for college this fall, consider sharing this episode with them and their family.  https://collegeautismspectrum.com/ [https://collegeautismspectrum.com/] Follow Unmasking Social at:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1 [https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1] YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@socialunmasking/podcasts]

46: Solo: The Loneliness Epidemic: Why Connection Matters More Than Ever

In this heartfelt solo episode, I dive deep into the heart of a silent crisis impacting teens, tweens, adults, and entire communities - loneliness. It's not just about being alone; it's about feeling unseen, unheard, and disconnected even amidst a sea of people. The invisibility.  You will hear about practical insights will move you to re-evaluate how we connect and care for one another. Follow Unmasking Social at:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1 [https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1] YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@socialunmasking/podcasts]

45: Authentic Connection and Mental Health: What Neurodivergent Adults Need to Thrive: With Dr. Daniel Wendler

In this episode with Dr. Daniel Wendler , we dive deeply into the world of mental health and authentic connections. Dr. Daniel Wendler is a proudly autistic clinical psychologist, two-time TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and workplace mental health expert. He combines  hisclinical expertise with personal lived experience to help audiences better understand neurodivergent burnout, mental wellness, and human connection in a way that feels authentic and comfortable. He shares his own love story of meeting his current wife who has ADHD, and how the overlap brings thim closer together with a deeper understanding of one another.  Prepare for a raw, honest discussion on building confidence, overcoming the shackles of learned helplessness navigating support, and fostering genuine relationship in both the personal and professional domains. To Follow  Dr. Daniel: https://www.danielwendler.com/ Follow Unmasking Social at:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1 [https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1] YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@socialunmasking/podcasts]

44: Understanding Fear Through Psychiatry, Neurology, and Storytelling: With Dr. Randolph Schiffer

In this deeply emotional and thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Randolph Schiffer, neurologist, psychiatrist, author and former founding director of the Cleveland Clinic Centre for Brain Health.and  shares his extraordinary journey from enlisting in the Vietnam War to becoming a pioneering neurologist, psychiatrist, and advocate for resilience, responsibility, and ultimately courage. Through personal stories, reflections on medicine, and powerful insights into human behavior, Dr. Schiffer explores how courage is developed, and why facing fear, grief, and vulnerability is essential for both personal growth and compassionate leadership. This episode is a profound conversation about living through fear by facing it, while raising emotionally resilient children in an increasingly complex world. To follow Dr. Schiffer's work: https://randolphbschiffer.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Bedtime-Stories-That-Terrify-Children/dp/1738339440 Follow Unmasking Social at:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1 [https://www.instagram.com/unmaskingsocial1] YouTube: Unmasking Social: The Podcast - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@socialunmasking/podcasts]