Pediatric Meltdown

Pediatric Meltdown

Tune in to Pediatric Meltdown and listen to experts provide insights and strategies on a wide variety of behavioral health and mental topics anytime and anywhere that fits your busy schedule. Guests include published researches, primary care colleagues, therapists, educators, parents and even patients. Caring for children and teens with major meltdowns, depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, school struggles to name a few along with a myriad long list of behavioral and mental health concerns is daunting and most of us did not receive formal training in residency to prepare us to meet this need. Access to child psychiatry nationally is limited and in some regions just not available at all and as a result we must often provide what can only be called psychiatric care for our pediatric patients. In an effort to increase our understanding of behavioral and mental health assessment and treatment, we attend conferences, read articles, and participate in webinars. You can now add Pediatric Meltdown; the podcast dedicated to children's emotional well-being. Providing behavioral health care at its best is collaborative and connecting with others across disciplines enriches and enhances the care we provide. In the words of Maya Angelou "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Let's do better together!

Episodes

June 11, 2025 64 mins

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 transform patient outcomes far beyond medic...

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    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-turned-podcast producer, a teacher turn...

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    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, and the impact they have on pediat...

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    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 deeply into what human trafficking ...

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    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 history of psychopharmacology  an...

  • 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 kids are faced with unprecedented stres...

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    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 reveal eye-opening truths about integr...

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    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 critical mental health education, to explo...

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    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 health policy challenges and calls for ...

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    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. Together, they examine the impact of t...

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    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 networks to tackle shifting hospital ...

    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-day struggles with long-term goals....

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    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 resources. Advocacy takes perseverance a...

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    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 from a "cute little study" to a groundb...

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    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. She discusses the Youth Power Project'...

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    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, holistic approach to healing. Kim sha...

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    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 personal anecdotes and expert insights, Dr...

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    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 firsthand experience in Flint, Michiga...

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    February 5, 2025 16 mins

    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-reflection about building the courage, comm...

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    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 journey of writing books that cater to par...

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