Brewing Wellness

For student-athletes, success can become so central to their identity that the pressure to perform leaves little room for vulnerability or self-discovery. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Corrine Barros, chairperson of the UFT Physical Education Committee, speaks with Kotaro Umeda, a motivational speaker, about his journey from athlete to mental health advocate. Together, they disc...

For school-based professionals, being capable, dependable and always ready to take on the next thing can feel like a strength — but what happens when the pressure to keep it together comes at the expense of your own well-being? In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Irene Zajac, an integrative health coach and educator, and Mandy Paraponiaris, a 3rd-grade teacher in Brooklyn, explore why...

If you've heard the phrase, "Put on your oxygen mask first before helping others," you'll understand why strengthening educators' emotional well-being and resilience is so important. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Dr. Cynthia Kaplan and Ryan Oelrich from the Center for Trauma and Stress Education, share practical strategies for navigating stress, trauma and difficult emotions. Le...

What does it take to support students' mental health, academic success and personal growth in schools today? In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Reverly Holder and Diane Washington, school counselors and members of the UFT School Counselors Chapter Executive Board, explore the vital role counselors play in helping students navigate life's challenges. Learn how to recognize a child in...

In a rapidly changing world, how can we find our calling and live a more fulfilling life? In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Dr. Reef Karim — keynote speaker at the 2026 UFT MAP Mental Health Symposium — joins us to explore how we can "master the madness" and cultivate our passion, fostering greater personal growth and fulfillment.  Dr. Karim, a transformational scientist and humanis...

There are as many reasons to seek counseling as there are people. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Loredana Zito, a licensed mental health counselor and school psychologist, joins us to demystify the counseling experience. Together, we explore why people seek therapy, how to find the right fit in a counselor and what to expect in those first few sessions. Stigma sometimes prevents...

Women's health is often discussed as separate symptoms, but the lived experience — hormonal shifts, misunderstood conditions and the emotional weight of postpartum life — deserves deeper attention. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Dr. Pina LoGiudice, naturopathic doctor and owner of InnerSource Wellness, joins us to discuss concerns women bring into care and issues that often go un...

Supporting a young person who has thoughts of suicide can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Jessica Torres, a licensed master social worker and crisis counselor, and Brennan Spector, a former Trevor Project volunteer and licensed mental health counselor, offer guidance for adults navigating these conversations. They explore the subtle signs a student may be strugg...

When trust is broken by someone (or something) you rely on, the impact can be deeply disorienting. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, trauma-informed therapists Suzanne Shanley and Emily Sanchez of Glass Psychotherapy describe what betrayal trauma is and how it impacts the nervous system, self-trust and attachment. They also explore how it can show up in both personal relationships a...

Our bodies respond to stress with a fight-or-flight response that may be disproportionate to the situation we're encountering. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Lisa Siclari, a licensed mental health counselor, shares some simple somatic techniques that support emotional regulation, stress relief and overall well-being. Bring your body into the conversation with techniques that can...

Substances promoted as beneficial to wellness may be anything but; online pharmacies sell tainted products that look like real pharmaceutical drugs; and friends vouch for products that may be unsafe. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Jo Venturelli, a leader in addiction and behavioral health, shares insight into how the substance-use landscape has evolved and what that means for sch...

Bullying: To overcome it, we have to understand it. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Carol Morrison, a licensed clinical social worker and director of New Directions Clinic, explores how bullying impacts not only students, but educators, school staff and entire school communities. Unpack what bullying looks like in 2025 and how its dynamics shape the emotional climate of our school...

Welcome back to The Brewing Wellness Podcast, brought to you by the UFT's Member Assistance Program. We're kicking off Season 7 with a powerful reminder: You don't have to navigate life's challenges alone. This episode is all about reintroducing MAP — what it is, why it exists and how it can support you as an educator and as a whole person. From counseling and support groups to workshops and welln...

As students return to their classrooms, many carry the weight of fresh or long-held grief. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, we are joined by Cara Belvin, founder of Empower, a nonprofit supporting children and young adults who have lost a parent. Belvin, who lost her mother at a young age, explores how loss affects young people's academic and emotional well-being and how educators...

Pets can soothe, amuse and distract us. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, we are joined by Marc Lenci of Cat Colony Crusade, a group that cares for and rehomes feral cats. Lenci explains how animals support our mental and emotional well-being, easing anxiety and offering a reprieve from burnout. Tune in to learn more about the quiet power of the connection between humans and their p...

Whether you're already active or just movement-curious, explore the ways physical activity can help release stress, regulate emotions and build resilience. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Cristina Santamaria, DPT, a Rumble Boxing instructor, physical therapist and advocate for movement as a tool for healing, shares practical ways to recharge your mind and body this summer.

Whether you're looking for a complete reset in your wellness routine or some simple tweaks, join us as we revisit our conversation with Dr. Pina LoGiudice, a naturopathic doctor and co-founder of Inner Source Health, in this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast. Explore how everyday habits shape our physical health and overall energy. Dr. LoGiudice will be hosting two holistic health workshops...

Would you like to build greater emotional resilience and improve your communication under pressure? In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Lexi Mulee, a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) specialist and licensed mental health counselor, shares practical skills for managing tough emotions, setting boundaries and strengthening relationships, both in and out of the classroom. Join us for pa...

Work and life can both be stressful, but you can acquire practical tools for staying grounded, managing stress and navigating challenging moments with greater ease. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Lexi Mulee, a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) specialist, licensed mental health counselor and owner of Wise Mind Counseling, shares skills specifically tailored to support school pro...

March can feel like the longest month of the school year for educators. That's why we're taking a moment to revisit our August conversation with Carleton Archer, the vice president of operations at Vibrant Emotional Health, to discuss the UFT's partnership with Vibrant to launch the union's 24/7, year-round mental health support line for UFT members at 866-UFT-FOR-U. Tune in as we discuss the impo...

In this episode, we dive in to the fascinating topics of attachment styles and love languages. Join us as licensed clinical social worker Julia Di Giacomo explains how our early relationships shape the way we connect with people as adults, and how understanding your attachment style can transform your relationships. She also breaks down the five love languages, offering practical tips on how to co...

Do the short winter days leave you feeling down? Join Dr. Gail Brightwell, a licensed school psychologist with the Positive Learning Collaborative, to learn about the impact of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and how the changing seasons can affect our mental health. In conversation with the UFT Member Assistance Program staff, Dr. Brightwell shares practical strategies and expert advice for man...

Do you always sweat the small stuff? Hold back until everything is just right? Let small flaws ruin the big picture? Listen in as Debbie Missud, licensed mental health counselor and owner of the Manhattan Psychotherapy Collective, discusses perfectionism with the UFT's MAP team. Missud explains why people tend to develop perfectionistic tendencies and shares practical strategies and tips to help m...

Happy National Book Month! Celebrate with the Brewing Wellness Podcast as we discuss the power of literature in healing and personal growth. Sherry Reiter, LCSW, a "poetry therapist" and founder of the Creative Righting Center, talks with Vincent Corletta, an ELA teacher from Queens, about practical strategies to bring reading and writing into your own wellness journey. For more on Sherry's work,...

In the Season 6 premiere of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Jessica Torres, a licensed master social worker with the Victim Support Program, talks with District 11 Representative Dana Falciglia about navigating the transition into a new season. Listen in as they discuss both the highs and the lows in the change of season and ways to manage the emotions that often come along with these shifts.