S.T.A.Y. Tuned Podcast
S.T.A.Y. Tuned: Supporting Transition-Age Youth Podcast is a podcast made for and by young adults with mental health conditions. Guests include:
- Researchers and colleagues who share information from their studies and interventions designed to support transition-aged youth and young adults navigating school or work.
- Young adults with mental health conditions who share their journeys navigating high school, college, and post-grad life. These authentic conversations offer an inside look into what it’s like transitioning to adulthood when you have a mental health condition.
Listen below from Spotify; or on Apple, Google, Pandora, Stitcher and YouTube.
Episode 30: My Therapist Has Paws- A Path to Better Mental Health and Social Connection
In this episode of Stay Tuned: Supporting Transition Age Youth, co-hosts Gillian and Mei speak with returning guest Jamie Yang about the powerful role pets can play in improving mental health and supporting community participation. Jamie shares how caring for their dog, Mendelssohn, helped create daily structure and opportunities for self-compassion during challenging periods of mental health recovery. The conversation also explores how dogs (and other pets) can encourage social interaction through daily caretaking responsibilities, resulting in meaningful moments of community through everyday encounters with others. And if anything, give this episode a listen to meet Mr. Mendelssohn himself.
This podcast was funded by grants from NIDILRR & SAMHSA (grant numbers 90RTCP0010).
Episode 29: Connection Over Perfection: Holidays & Navigating Social Stress
In this episode of STAY Tuned, Gillian and Mei discuss the challenges many people with mental health conditions face during the holidays and share realistic ways to cope, set boundaries, and stay grounded. Through personal stories and practical tips, they highlight the power of community and self-compassion. This episode is for anyone who needs a reminder that it’s okay to navigate the holidays in your own way.
This podcast was funded by grants from NIDILRR & SAMHSA (grant numbers 90RTCP0010).
Episode Archive
2025 - Episodes 24-28
Episode 28: Overcoming Systemic Barriers in Mental Health and Education with Ty Smith
In this episode, Ty Smith joins us to share their powerful story of resilience and advocacy. From difficult experiences in the mental health system to designing their own college degree and becoming a policy advisor, Ty’s journey challenges the stigma around mental health and disability while shining a light on the importance of peer-led support and meaningful, dignified employment for all.
We explore the systemic gaps in education and behavioral health services, the role of individualized support in recovery, and the incredible work Ty is doing today. Whether you're a student, provider, peer, or policymaker, this episode is packed with lessons on advocacy, inclusion, and building systems where everyone has a chance to thrive. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTE0012).
Read the Transcript or Watch it on YouTube
Episode 27: Bridging the Gap in College Mental Health: Peer Academic Supports for Success
In this episode, we chat with Paul Cherchia, Assistant Director at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, about PASS (Peer Academic Supports for Success) — a peer coaching program supporting college students with mental health challenges. Paul shares how PASS was developed, its evidence-based success, and its unique model that pairs trained student coaches with other students to foster academic and emotional well-being. We also dive into the current state of college mental health and why peer support can be a powerful complement to traditional counseling services. Listen to find out if PASS sounds like the right fit to disseminate this fully manualized and evidence-based support to your school. If you would like to contact Paul Cherchia to get more information, please email him at: Cherchia@bu.edu. This podcast was funded by grants from NIDILRR (90RTEM0005 and 90RTE0012).
Read the Transcript or Watch it on YouTube
Episode 26: Body Talk and Belonging: Eating Disorder Recovery in a Social World
In this inspiring episode, Jamie Yang, a graduate student and mental health advocate, shares her journey of resilience and growth in navigating recovery from an eating disorder. She highlights the powerful role of community in fostering healing through friendships and hobbies. Through her journey, Jamie explores how recovery involves unlearning toxic messages about food and bodies, setting boundaries, and intentionally choosing communities that nourish rather than deplete. With honesty and insight, Jamie shows how surrounding yourself with supportive, values-aligned people can build strength, shift focus toward wellness, and create space for lasting recovery. This podcast was funded by grants from NIDILRR & SAMHSA (grant numbers 90RTCP0010).
Episode 25: The Journey Within, Together: Spiritual Exploration and Community
In this episode, Micah Webster shares his journey of living with anxiety, supporting a sibling with serious mental health conditions, and finding healing through both therapy and his faith. As a behavioral health researcher and person with lived experience, Micah offers a unique perspective on the intersection of mental health, spirituality, and community.
Micah discusses how supportive, inclusive faith communities can offer a space of grace, flexibility, and belonging, especially for those navigating mental health challenges or feeling socially disconnected. He explores how spirituality is not just a personal journey but can be a communal experience rooted in shared growth. We also talk about how faith can support emotional resilience, the importance of universal design in religious spaces, and how newcomers to spirituality can begin exploring questions of meaning and purpose, especially when they don’t know where to start. Whether connected to a spiritual tradition or seeking new ways to engage with community and inner healing, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and practical wisdom. This podcast was funded by grants from NIDILRR & SAMHSA (grant numbers 90RTCP0010).
Episode 24: Roots and Change: Youth Advocacy in Rural Communities
In this episode, we sit down with Wyatt Wagner - a dynamic 21-year-old youth peer advocate, nonprofit founder, and newly announced candidate for his district's board of legislators. Wyatt shares the powerful story behind Youth of Lewis County, the nonprofit he started to create safe spaces and supports for young people in his rural community. We dive into the challenges and triumphs of building youth-led programming in areas with limited infrastructure, strong religious influences, and limited funds. From organizing the county's first youth-run Renaissance Fair to advocating for safe and inclusive spaces, Wyatt speaks candidly about why youth voice is critical to community development and what he is doing to encourage youth and young adults to participate in their communities. This podcast was funded by grants from NIDILRR & SAMHSA (grant numbers 90RTCP0010).
2024 - Episodes 13-23
Episode 23: Finding Personal Fulfillment as a YA: Careers, Community & the Help that Gets Us There
In this episode, we dive into the impactful work of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (now known as MassAbility) and how it empowers young adults with disabilities to build fulfilling careers and independent lives. Our guest, Amanda Baczko from MassAbility, shares personal insights from her journey with her mental health and professional exploration, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of navigating career and personal exploration with a disability. We discuss MassAbility’s unique programs—ranging from Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to peer and family supports. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about fostering meaningful inclusion and support for those navigating mental health challenges and disabilities. Join us for an inspiring, honest, and hopeful conversation on finding purpose, facing detours, and thriving through community support.
This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005). Read the transcript Watch it on our YouTube Channel
Episode 22: Living With a Disability- Work, Life, and Self Advocacy with Destiny Maxam
In this episode, we chat with Destiny Maxam. Destiny is a therapist who shares her story about self-advocacy and navigating life with chronic illness and a spinal cord injury while building a career in the mental health field. She opens up about going back to school while living in a nursing home, her passion for psychology, and what drives her to help others living with chronic illness, disabilities, and mental health conditions. She also speaks on how the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (now known as MassAbility) provided life-changing resources, and how people can find similar services in their states. We dive into the challenges of balancing work and life in a mental health career and how she’s learned to set boundaries to avoid burnout. Plus, she shares some great tips on self-care, managing mental health, and how professionals can better support their clients. It's a conversation full of wisdom and practical advice! This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005). Read the transcript Watch it on our YouTube Channel
Episode 21: Improving mental health through community-based music, writing, and art programs
In this episode, we sit down with Davy, a musician and member of our young adult advisory board who shares his experience of using creativity and music to support his mental health. We discuss the transformative power of creative communities and their impact on mental health. Davy talks about discovering creative writing groups, and musician groups in both virtual and hybrid communities. He shares how structured environments, like virtual writing sessions and local art events, fostered accountability, inspired creativity, and provided a sense of belonging. Ready to get more creative? This episode offers practical tips on finding local resources, connecting with like-minded individuals, and enhancing your well-being through creativity. This podcast was funded by grants from NIDILRR & SAMHSA (grant numbers 90RTCP0010).
Episode 20: Scott Bryant-Comstock on Youth Mental Health and "Getting Busy" (Part 2)
Part 2 of our conversation with Scott Bryant-Comstock covers the intention of and evolution of, the Children’s Mental Health Network (CMHN), an organization he founded to act as an independent voice supporting improvements in mental health practices for children and young adults. The CMHN managed to bring together people from diverse backgrounds for dialog around interventions, policy change, and current systems of care. This “old geezer” (his words) shares experiences and wisdom, but reminds us that as an “elder” he can give us his wisdom, but that the engine that’s going to drive mental health improvements forward in the hands of the young adults with lived experience, and he urges us to “get busy”. Scott’s storytelling abilities and his journey are not to be missed! This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 19: ADHD Unpacked: The Impact of Being Diagnosed as a Young Adult
Do you procrastinate until the last minute for assignments and then feel frustrated at yourself for not starting sooner? You’re not alone. In this episode of STAY Tuned, Emily and Mei (our podcast hosts) get real about their personal ADHD journeys, exploring what it’s like to be diagnosed later in life. From struggles throughout school and work in young adulthood, they share their highs, lows, and everything in between.
Join us for a relatable conversation about the challenges faced by women who are diagnosed with ADHD as adults, including issues with self-esteem, procrastination, and managing day-to-day responsibilities.
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in learning more about ADHD or seeking a deeper understanding of late diagnoses. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 18: Paving the way for patient-centered therapy with Scott Bryant-Comstock (Part 1)
In today's episode, we speak with a remarkable guest, Scott Bryant-Comstock, an advocate in the field of mental health for over 40 years, and Founder and CEO of the Children’s Mental Health Network. Scott shares his decades-long journey from working in halfway houses in San Jose to pioneering parent-professional collaboration in national mental health policy. His career is filled with funny stories and transformative encounters and has powerfully impacted the mental health space.
Join us for part 1 of his story, as Scott unravels his personal and professional evolution, revealing the lessons learned from navigating complex systems and embracing human imperfections. Whether you're new to Scott's work or familiar with his impactful legacy, prepare to be inspired by his unyielding commitment to listening, learning, and forging new paths in mental health support. If you enjoyed this episode, stay tuned for part 2 of Scott’s story coming soon! This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 17: Leveling Up Together: Gaming, Community, and Mental Health
There is a stereotype that gaming is a waste of time, but this episode with Derek Lewis, a member of our Young Adult Advisory Board challenges that notion head-on. Derek shares his personal journey, revealing how gaming became a lifeline for him while growing up in a gang-prone LA neighborhood. We talk about how gaming helped Derek build meaningful relationships, including one with a gamer friend who stood by him as his best man at Derek's wedding! Tune in to learn how virtual worlds can become real sources of support and community, proving that sometimes, the best friendships can be found behind a controller. This podcast was funded by grants from NIDILRR & SAMHSA (grant numbers 90RTCP0010).
Episode 16: Suffering in Silence? How to obtain mental health accommodations at work and school
Debbie Nicolellis, the Training Director for the Helping Youth on the Path to Employment (HYPE) Study at the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research brings her knowledge on all things accommodations in this episode. What can mental health accommodations look like in school and work? If your medication makes you drowsy in the morning, maybe it’s shifting your work hours to start and end an hour later. Who can use accommodations and how do you set them up? Debbie answers all our questions on how accommodations can help you be the best version of yourself in school and work. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 15: “Nothing About Us Without Us”- Practicing self-advocacy as a young adult with a mental health condition
AmandaGrace Krier, a certified peer specialist with Youth MOVE National joins the show and discusses her journey advocating for herself in school and then in the workplace. There is not just one way to practice advocacy. It can look like anything from standing up for yourself to standing up for others through legislation. For AmandaGrace, self-advocacy was not always easy but was a skill she had to practice. Now she teaches others how they can practice advocacy for themselves, and she shares these tips with us including tips on obtaining accommodations in work and school. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 14: Can Avatars Help Young Adults Manage Alcohol Use Problems & Suicidal Thoughts?
Can a mobile intervention using avatars help young adults manage their mental health after being discharged from the emergency department? Dr. Lourah Kelly’s “Avatar Project” explores this possibility. She’s testing an app-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for young adults with alcohol misuse and suicidal thoughts who have visited the ED. Lourah shares that “this age group [has] the highest rates of alcohol use disorder and suicidality, but very low rates of utilization of behavioral healthcare for either problem.” There aren’t enough healthcare providers available, and young adults often want to manage their problems on their own. This avatar-based mobile intervention may help bridge this need and access gap. This is a fascinating episode where we learned how an avatar-based app is created and how input from young adults is driving the content of this tool. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 13: Salsa Dancing, a Youth Advisory Board and Peer Support for Mental Health
Today we talk with Joshua Calarino, a member of our Youth Advisory Board, about ways getting involved in his community has helped his mental health. Joshua shares his journey from someone who struggled with their mental health in high school to the discovery of the different things he found that helped him feel better and more connected to his community. His story of recovery started when he said “yes” to an invite to a salsa dance class. We talk about Youth Move, peer support, and Joshua’s experience as a member of our Youth Advisory Board where he joins other young adult members to provide valued feedback from the youth perspective to our research team at Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research. Joshua highlights the impact that a strong sense of community can have on young adults’ mental health. This podcast was funded by grants from NIDILRR & SAMHSA (grant numbers 90RTCP0010).
2023 - Episodes 6-12
Episode 12: Why Millennials and Gen Z Love Nostalgia & How it Impacts Mental Health
Do you find yourself going back to your childhood favorite shows and movies like Wizards of Waverly Place, Mulan, or Max and Ruby? Maybe you find yourself playing your old games like Webkinz, The Sims, and Pokemon. It’s actually quite common if sometimes all you want to do after a long day of work is consume the nostalgic content you grew up with. But what we wanted to know is, what is it about nostalgia that soothes us? Why do we find comfort in the things from our past? Can nostalgia be intentionally implemented as a tool to help us cope with our stressors in life? Join us as we explore these questions and discuss our childhood favorites to hopefully give you your own dose of nostalgia for the day. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Read the transcript. Watch it on our YouTube Channel.
Episode 11: Progress isn't Linear, You Might Even Need a Detour Out of School
Graduate high school, graduate college, get a job. A deceivingly simple timeline that young adults were expected to follow since they were kids. In reality, life is messy and we're here to tell you detours along the way are normal and there's more than one way to reach your goals. In this episode, we bring on Maya Ingram, a Project Director here at UMass Chan Medical School. Maya tells her story of how she navigated the ups and downs life has thrown at her all while paving the way for her career. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Read the transcript. Watch it on our YouTube Channel.
Episode 10: "Too sick" to work? - Breaking the narrative
Join us and Dr. Michelle Mullen CRC, CPRP, as we discuss her work on preventing disability and keeping young adults out of a system that breaks them. She explains why the language used to describe the mental health of young adults is so key and what can be done to change the narrative of self-blame. We also get into her thoughts on what the future of mental health care should look like for young adults and how we can work towards it. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 9: Trauma is a thief- reclaiming your power
Left alone at a baseball field in a thunderstorm with no way to get home, 17-year-old Joan Sullivan found that her life had changed forever. Joan would later be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), in part from the tangled web family often weaves. As young adults, many are left to overcome the traumas they were dealt growing up, leaving them confused and powerless as they transition to adulthood. In this episode, Joan shares her story about how she was able to find her power again. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Read the transcript. Watch it on our YouTube Channel.
Episode 8: Prioritizing YOU - taking a leave of absence
How does one go about sharing their mental health conditions with their supervisor? What's it like coming back from taking a leave? How might you address your leave of absence with colleagues? Mei and Emily, our podcast hosts, have brought on Ali Gold, a State-Wide Youth/Young Adult Peer Coordinator to help answer these questions. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005)
Episode 7: Is anybody out there? The isolation of adulthood.
Hello hello! Emily and Mei are back this week with a special episode of STAY tuned. In this episode, we wanted to let you guys get to know us a little bit better. We keep it real and discuss our struggles in creating healthy routines in a life where screens dominate our whole day and later get into the lonely reality of post-grad life. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 6: We're working on it! featuring Emma Narkewicz, MPA
Today's episode features iSPARC's very own Emma Narkewicz, a research coordinator here at the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research. Emma begins by walking us through her work on Pre-employment Transition Services in Massachusetts. Later we dive into what it's like being a young adult with mental health conditions entering the workforce and sustaining a career. Let's talk about navigating mental health as a young professional, living wage, and what we wish we had known going into college! This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
2022 - Episodes 1-5
Episode 5: The WEIGHT of Weight Stigma featuring Dr. Nana Yaa Marfo
Today's podcast episode features Nana Yaa Marfo, PhD, a clinical psychology postdoctoral fellow here at iSPARC. Dr. Marfo provides outpatient clinical care and conducts mental health services research. Her past experiences working on weight-related studies informed our chat today. We discuss unrealistic body expectations promoted by social media, food insecurity on college campuses, the impact of weight stigma on young adult mental health, and how the social determinants of health play a role in weight stigma. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005)
Episode 4: Trauma-informed care for LGBTQ+ youth with Antonia Barba, LCSW
Join in on our conversation with Antonia Barba, as she guides us through her expertise in trauma-informed, affirming care for LGBTQ+ youth. We touch on how clinicians can work with unwilling caregivers to accept gender and sexual identity, the intersectionalities of LGBTQ+ youth, advocacy work, and even dive into the systemic issues within our healthcare system. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 3: Tailoring Mental Health Treatments to Young Adult Voices with Dr. Michelle Munson
In this episode, we interview Michelle Munson, PhD, a professor at NYU's Silver School of Social Work. Dr. Munson walks us through her innovative research, collaborating with youth to fully understand what implementation strategies and tools will best meet their unique needs and desires. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005)
Episode 2: Engaging Youth in Mental Health Services featuring Dr. Vanessa Klodnick
In this episode, we interview Vanessa Klodnick, PhD, at Thresholds, on her work in youth and young adult services engagement and speak with her about her vast experience in participatory action research in transition-age youth mental health services. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
Episode 1: The Unique Importance of Transition-Age Youth Services featuring Dr. Maryann Davis
In this episode, we interview Maryann Davis, PhD, an internationally renowned expert in youth and young adult mental and behavioral health services on her journey into developing the field of transition-age youth mental health services research. This podcast was funded by a grant from NIDILRR (grant number 90RTEM0005).
