Pediatric Meltdown

Is the true heart of pediatrics found in the connection between practitioner and family? In this powerful episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with physician, educator, and hand-in-hand parenting advocate Dr. Pam Oatis, who brings decades of primary care and hospital experience to the forefront. Together, they explore how listening, humility, and authentic relationships transfo...

Are you curious about what really happens behind the microphones of a successful pediatric podcast—and the unconventional journeys that brought an incredible team together? In this special milestone episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Lia brings her entire production and strategy team on-air for an unfiltered, dynamic conversation. Discover the circuitous career paths that shaped a jazz singer-tur...

How do we help kids and teens when social media is fueling a resurgence of body image issues and eating disorders? In this special conversation, Lia’s daughter, Julia Parzyck shares her personal and professional journey navigating the tumultuous landscape of body acceptance in a world obsessed with appearance. The episode explores the influence of social media platforms, like TikTok and Instagram,...

Have you ever considered that victims of human trafficking might be walking into your clinic, hidden in plain sight, longing for someone to notice their silent signals?  In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with Dr. Dena Nazer , a leading child abuse pediatrician, to dispel widespread myths and expose the heartbreaking realities of child trafficking. They dive...

Can medication truly transform the landscape of pediatric mental health, or are we oversimplifying the complexities of growing minds?  In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino welcomes  Dr. Jess Pierce, a hospital-based child psychiatrist whose expertise bridges the worlds of pediatrics and mental health, especially for children in rural areas. Unraveling the fascinating hi...

Are you struggling to support young patients—and maybe even yourself—with the emotional aftermath of our “new normal”?  In this compelling episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Colleen Cullinan returns to unpack the reality of pediatric depression in a world rocked by uncertainty. Discover why traditional approaches, like focusing solely on symptoms, may actually miss the bigger picture when kid...

Have you ever wondered why anxiety in children can look and feel so physical—and what we as pediatricians, parents, or caregivers can do about it?  We’re visiting a fan favorite from Episode #26  of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with Dr. Colleen Cullinan, a leading pediatric psychologist, to dissect the powerful 3 B’s approach: Brain, Body, and Behavior. Together, they re...

Are pediatricians prepared for the mental health crisis that’s impacting so many of our children today? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino sits down with nationally recognized child psychiatrist and podcast host Dr. Elise Fallucco to uncover the urgent realities facing pediatric practice. From understanding why a simple podcast name change can transform the reach of critic...

Can one person truly make a difference in the complex world of pediatric healthcare? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino explores how primary care pediatricians can step up amidst the chaos in Washington DC and stand as the trusted advocates children need. While Lia prepares for the pediatric academic society PAS in Honolulu, she is wrestling with the disastrous current hea...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the world's chaos and seeking hope amidst uncertainty?  In this moving episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia welcomes Dr. Robert Saul to discuss the powerful principles guiding his commitment to advocacy and change. Dr. Saul introduces the transformative 12 words that have anchored his life's work and how these principles can propel communities forward. To...

Have you ever wondered how pediatricians balance autonomy, mentorship, and the pressing demands of modern healthcare?  In this episode of “Pediatric Meltdown,” host Dr. Lia Gaggino welcomes Dr. Chris Peltier, MD, FAAP, who describes the rewards and hurdles of serving children through private practice, collaborative initiatives, and academic roles. He underscores the power of supportive peer n...

What does it really take to guide a teenager toward independence in an ever-changing world?  From managing IEPs and beginning transition planning at 14 to fostering self-awareness and skills for adult life, the journey is layered with challenges and growth. Parents like today’s guest, Natasha Robertson grapple with teaching social media safety, addressing emotional needs, and balancing day-to...

Have you ever wondered what happens when children's healthcare programs like Medicaid and CHIP face cuts?  In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino emphasizes the urgent need to stand up for kids, who are disproportionately impacted by shifts in policy and funding. She highlights the power of sharing real-life stories and forging unexpected partnerships to protect essential reso...

Could coaching be the key to overcoming burnout and moral injury that plagues the medical profession?  In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino welcomes back Dr. Adrienne Mann and Dr. Tyra Fainstad, pioneers in physician well-being research, as they unpack the results from their studies on the impact of group coaching on physicians. Drs. Mann and Fainstad share their journey fro...

Are today's youth the missing voice in mental health advocacy? In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino invites passionate mental health advocate Ria Babaria to talk about the unique struggles and strengths of today's youth. In  her journey from high school advocate to college policy specialist, Ria emphasizes the need for youth representation in mental health decisions. Sh...

Have you ever wondered what to do when traditional treatments for chronic pain in children don’t seem to help?  In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown , Dr. Lia Gaggino chats with Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer and Kim Poston Miller about innovative ways to address pediatric chronic pain. They discuss CHYP (Creative Healing for Youth in Pain), an organization offering hope to families through a creative,...

Did you know that nearly twenty-five percent of adolescents suffer from chronic pain, and for some, it’s severe enough to impact daily life?  In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino and guest Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer talk about the complexity of chronic pain in children and adolescents—a subject often misunderstood and inadequately addressed in pediatric medicine. Through person...

Could a simple cash transfer program hold the key to reducing child poverty?  In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, host Dr. Lia Gaggino chats with pediatrician and advocate, Dr. Brittney Tayler, about an innovative program called Rx Kids. Together, they explore how cash transfers can improve child health and well-being, especially in communities facing deep poverty. Dr. Tayler shares her fi...

Ever wonder how the current chaotic world and the state of healthcare are affecting our children, the most vulnerable members of society and those of us who care for them?  Listen to this episode as Lia shares her angst and hope with the complexities of a world facing climate disasters, political strife, physician burnout, and a dwindling trust in science. This solo episode is a self-reflecti...

Raising Good Citizens Through Conscious Parenting What does it take to raise thoughtful citizens and build stronger communities while navigating the challenges of parenting, aging, and personal growth?  In this episode, Dr. Robert Saul], an author and pediatrician, shares his insights from his career dedicated to advocating for children, families, and communities. Dr. Saul discusses his journ...

This episode was actually published in June 2022, but this is STILL a huge issue, so we thought we would take another listen … How can pediatric primary care effectively integrate mental health services amid insurance barriers and coding complexities?  In this episode, we tackle the significant obstacles impacting the compensation and delivery of mental health services for children. By examin...

In 2020, I had the privilege of being a guest speaker on Sandy Fowler’s podcast “Mighty Parenting” for a candid discussion about youth mental health, suicide prevention, and the critical role parents play in supporting their children through emotional challenges. I thought it would be interesting to blow the dust off this episode where I was being interviewed by Sandy.  As a medical professio...

What happens when a physician who regularly discusses wellness and burnout finds herself in need of her own advice?  In this personal episode of "Pediatric Meltdown," host Dr. Lia Gaggino candidly shares her journey through an overwhelming period in late 2024, marked by her father's death, her mother's hip surgery and subsequent move-in, and the unexpected loss of her beloved pet. Despite hav...

What does it truly mean to cultivate resilience and well-being in today's challenging world?  In this insightful episode of Dr. Lia Gaggino's podcast (episode 227), she thoughtfully explores seven fundamental pillars of well-being while reflecting on the transition into 2025. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience, particularly while caring for her aging mother, Dr....

Ever wondered what it's like to blend personal traditions with familial expectations during the holidays?  In this episode of Pediatric Meltdown, Dr. Lia Gaggino shares her experiences with Christmas celebrations, highlighting the unique blend of Polish traditions from her husband's heritage and her own family's rituals. Family Rituals: Dr. Gaggino discusses the significance of family rituals...