Scrambled: The Children‘s Mental Health Podcast

Kids aren’t usually trying to be difficult—they’re usually struggling. In this episode, Nikki and Chad talk about what therapists wish parents and teachers understood about behavior, meltdowns, consequences, anxiety, and why collaboration beats blame every time.

In this episode, Chad and Nikki  explore how to discipline children without relying on guilt or shame. We break down why those approaches don’t work long-term and share practical ways to set boundaries, teach skills, and repair after tough moments.

In episode 123 of Scrambled, Chad and Nikki explore a key idea: Depression isn’t just one thing, it’s a spectrum. They break down the different types of depressive disorders, how they vary in intensity and duration, and why context (like life stage, seasons, or health) matters. The goal is to simplify a complex topic, reduce stigmas, and help listeners better understand what depression can really look like.

Nikki and Chad explore how exercise and everyday movement can help manage anxiety and support emotional wellbeing for kids, families, and adults

Parents can have anxiety too. In this episode, Chad and Nikki unpack how parental anxiety shows up in family life and share concrete, research-informed strategies to help you manage it, so your child’s emotional wellbeing can thrive.

In their 120th episode of Scrambled, Nikki and Chad have a general conversation about some of the challenges parents may face at bedtime as well as the importance of healthy sleep to overall wellbeing.

Chad and Nikki explore the links between trust and childhood mental health. From creating a trust based relationship with your child, to repairing broken trust and everything in between, this episode digs deep into the psychological importance of trusting others.

Nikki and Chad talk about what kids and adults alike need when having a meltdown, providing information for different age groups. Hint: it’s not to be told to “calm down!”

Chad and Nikki discuss what to do if your child needs therapy or counseling but doesn't want to go, with emphasis on the importance of finding out what is behind their reluctance.

Joined by Anne, Speech Therapist, and Claire, Occupational Therapist, Nikki and Chad learned about Pediatric Feeding Therapy and how this can help kids who may struggle with food textures, the mechanics of eating, and other feeding related challenges. 

Chad and Nikki welcome back special guest Natasha Daniels, Anxiety and OCD Child Therapist https://childocdtherapist.com/ for a conversation about Caregiver Fatigue, something many people caring for children or other family members experiencing mental health concerns may experience. Clinical and personal perspectives are shared along with self-care strategies for caregivers.

Nikki and Chad dive into the beautiful chaos of adolescence — the brain changes, big emotions, shifting behavior, growing independence, and the parental worry that comes with it all.They unpack why teenagers suddenly feel like entirely new people, how parents can stay connected without hovering, and what really matters when guiding them through relationships, safety, and decision-making.

Chad and Nikki discuss defiant and manipulative behavior as a form of communication for children and provide suggestions for uncovering the causes and solutions to these less than desirable behaviors. 

Nikki and Chad discuss how to model and teach emotional language to help kids build a strong emotional vocabulary to express themselves from an early age.

Chad and Nikki talk with Lynnae Glascock, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, about the many ways that OT’s can help children with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.

Nikki and Chad discuss intrusive thoughts...what they are, how to cope with them, and when to seek professional help.