This Helps with Marlon Morgan

This week we're joined by Jill Murphy, Chief Content Officer at Common Sense Media, and self-proclaimed Golden Girls superfan. Jill has been at the forefront of media literacy since 2005, helping families navigate everything from streaming shows and video games, to social media apps and classroom tech. We talk about raising kids in a world of YouTube, iPads, and AI, how to build real connection th...

Nicole Hockley, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, joins us to talk about grief, prevention, and what it really means to protect our kids. Since losing her son Dylan in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Nicole has transformed unimaginable pain into a national movement rooted in connection, compassion, and action. Drawing from her experience leading one of the most impactful viol...

Journalist and author Anya Kamenetz joins us to talk about what it means to raise thriving kids in a changing world. Drawing from her bestselling book The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children's Lives, and Where We Go Now and her Substack The Golden Hour , Anya shares what she's learned from reporting on screen time, trauma, and climate anxiety, and how her own values shifted in the wake of the...

New York Times bestselling author Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs joins us to talk about the power of storytelling, the roots of American patriarchy, who gets erased from history, and why. Drawing from her bestselling book  The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation and her forthcoming release Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from...

Dr. John B. King Jr., Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), former U.S. Secretary of Education, and lifelong advocate for students, joins Marlon to talk about mentorship, the power of authentic connection, and the role teachers play in shaping lives. Drawing from his new book, Teacher by Teacher, King shares personal stories, reflections on education policy, and why supporting edu...

Alex Briscoe is the Principal of Public Works Alliance, a nonprofit consultancy that seeks to expand school-based mental health services, strengthen the behavioral health workforce, and advance equity-driven policy reform. A longtime mental health advocate, Alex joins us to talk about his journey to PWA, youth mental health, and how we can better support the well-being of young people. 🔗 Public W...

Merve Lapus is the Vice President of Education Outreach and Engagement at Common Sense Media. He joins Marlon and Hannah to explore the challenges of raising kids in a digital world. They dive into screen time, social media, and the digital experiences shaping today's youth, offering insights on how families can take a values-driven approach while fostering confidence and connection. Connect with...

Graham Wiseman is the co-founder and CEO of BeingWellCA, an organization dedicated to improving youth mental health. After losing his son to suicide, he became a passionate advocate, leading initiatives like California's mental health awareness license plate campaign to spark conversations and reduce stigma around mental health. BeingwellCA:  https://beingwellca.org/ Mental Health License Plate: h...

In this episode of This Helps , MariaEsther Izquierdo-Hemmen, CEO & Co-Founder of Mending Matters, shares her journey of grit and perseverance. She opens up about her personal experiences and how they fuel her mission to expand accessible, youth-driven mental health services and create real, lasting change for young people. Learn more about Mending Matters: https://www.mendingmatters.org 🎥 Watch ...

In this episode of This Helps , Marlon and Hannah sit down with comedian, actor, and writer Chris Gethard and Britney Stone, Senior Director of Outreach and Engagement at Wellness Together. They dive into Laughing Together, a Wellness Together program that sends comedians into schools to lead improv workshops designed to help students connect, communicate, and build confidence. Chris and Britney s...

It's a family affair on this episode of This Helps! Marlon and Hannah dive into a cross-generational conversation on mental health with Marlon's Gen Alpha son, Oliver, and his Millennial brother, Gabe. We explore how different generations navigate mental health, technology, social interactions, and relationships. Listen for insights, personal stories, and practical tips for a healthier digital lif...

  This week, we're bringing you Marlon's heartfelt keynote address from the 8th Annual Wellness Together Conference. Marlon shares personal stories about connection and community in his own life, and stresses the impact of meaningful, offline relationships on mental health. His insightful talk is a call to action for educators and mentors to prioritize genuine human connection in 2025 and beyond....

We're switching things up with this episode to share something special: Marlon's inspiring keynote address from the 7th Annual Wellness Together Conference. He reflects on the importance of connection, community, and tackling loneliness in an increasingly disconnected world. As we head into 2025, his insights offer a powerful reminder that we're truly at our best when we're together. Learn more ab...

Dr. Louise L. Hayes is a clinical psychologist, author, and meditation teacher dedicated to helping people thrive through mindfulness and acceptance practices. She co-developed the DNA-v model and leads retreats in the Himalayas to support mindful living and raise funds for children in Nepal. Louise Hayes' publications: What Makes You Stronger: How to Thrive in the Face of Change and Uncertainty U...

Sarah Rice, AMFT, a nine-season veteran of The Challenge known for her strength and determination, is a mental health advocate and podcast host. As host of This Changes Everything and co-host of The Brain Candy Podcast , she blends humor, insight, and personal experience to explore topics like mental health, relationships, and pop culture. In this candid discussion about life beyond reality TV, Sa...

Lenore Skenazy is a journalist, author, and advocate for children's independence, best known for founding the "Free-Range Kids" movement. She is also the co-founder of Let Grow, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting childhood independence and challenging the culture of overprotective parenting. Skenazy's work, including her book Free-Range Kids, encourages parents to let their children e...

Fareedah Shaheed (also known as CyberFareedah), is an award-winning internet safety expert and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and founder of Sekuva and the Protect Kids Online (PKO) Membership to help parents protect their children in the digital world. With expertise in cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and online gaming, she developed the SAFE Method to teach parents how to create safe online spa...

Recorded live at Wellness Together's 8th Annual Student Mental Wellness Conference ! Patrick J. Kennedy is a former U.S. Representative known for his pivotal role in co-authoring the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. In 2013, he founded The Kennedy Forum, a nonprofit dedicated to improving mental health and addiction policies through collaboration among advocates, business leaders, an...

Vikram Patel is the Paul Farmer Professor and Chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, where he also leads the Mental Health for All Lab. Learn more about the Mental Health for All Lab & the EMPOWER program: https://mentalhealthforalllab.hms.harvard.edu/ Sign up for the Global Mental Health @ Harvard newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gY0NYD   🎥 Watch  Th...

Season 2 of This Helps drops October 17th! 🎉 Expect great chats with leading helpers including Vikram Patel, Lenore Skenazy, and Patrick Kennedy. Until then, catch up on past episodes and join us on Instagram and TikTok @thishelpspodcast! 📲💬 🎉 The 8th Annual Wellness Together Conference welcomes GLENNON DOYLE! Anaheim, CA on October 9-11th Learn more and register here. 🧠 The annual event has...

Simran Jeet Singh, Ph. D., is an assistant professor of history at Union Theological Seminary, senior adviser for the  Aspen Institute 's Religion & Society Program, a Soros Equality Fellow with the Open Society Foudations, and the author of  The Light We Give: The Power of Sikh Wisdom to Transform Your Life which was named one of the best books of 2022 by Publishers Weekly . In 2020, he was recog...

Ryan Stanger is an actor, comedian, and podcast host sharing his love of movies on  Action Boyz and his love of fitness on The Dumbbells . He is also a longtime friend of Marlon's. He joins Marlon and Hannah this week to talk about building sustainable routines, using your health journey to develop self-efficacy, changing approaches to fitness, and so much more. Listen to Ryan's podcasts here:  Th...

Dena Trujillo, CEO of Crisis Text Line, has spent over 20 years operating at the intersection of nonprofit and for-profit, discovering and amplifying models that scale innovative solutions and maximize social impact.  Natalia Dayan, LMSW, is the Global Expansion Director at Crisis Text Line, spearheading the nonprofit organization's Spanish service in the US. She is a Latina immigrant to the US wh...

John MacPhee is the CEO of The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit organization that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults. JED works across the country helping youth, families, schools, and community organizations to take actions to support youth mental health and reduce risks for suicide. Passionate about supporting young adults in their transition to ad...

Steven Adelsheim, MD, is a Clinical Professor & Associate Chair for Community Engagement at Stanford's Department of Psychiatry, directing the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing. Steve's work is focused on early detection/intervention programs for young people. He leads the effort to bring allcove® to the US, an integrated youth mental health model. Dr. Adelsheim co-leads PEPPNET, the na...