Episode Details

On today’s episode of Growing Up in America, co-hosts Briauna Derry and Becky Quintanilla brought together an incredible lineup of guests for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation on the emotional, educational, and societal challenges our children face in time for the back-to-school season.

Taylor Medlin, Media Relations Specialist at UTHealth Houston, focuses first on youth mental health, sharing insights into the current mental health landscape for children and teens, and how families and schools can better support emotional well-being during times of transition and stress.

Dana Sheridan, educator at The Village School, followed with a timely and heartfelt discussion on back-to-school preparation. From nerves to new routines, she gave a clear picture of how students are feeling and how educators and parents can make the return to school smoother and more positive.

The conversation took a powerful turn with Angela Clark from Beyond Freedom, who shed light on the reality of human trafficking, especially how it intersects with children’s vulnerabilities. She emphasized the prevention, awareness, and how communities can come together to protect children.

Rounding out the episode, Lyn Lucas returned to share her expertise on early childhood education, emphasizing the critical role that early learning environments play in building strong foundations, not just for academics, but also for emotional development and lifelong success.

From safety and well-being to learning and advocacy, today’s episode reminded us that every child deserves to grow up supported, protected, and prepared.

Thanks for tuning in to Growing Up in America, where we keep children at the center of every conversation.