Emotional Wellness
-
When Speed Hurts: Why We Built Our Behavioral Health Solution the Hard Way
Our booth at the AI Show @ GSV + ASU was tiny—just 3×3. We were flanked by past winners of the Tools Competition, NewSchools, and Fast Forward—programs we’re now going through ourselves. It was inspiring to be among them—but I’ll admit, I had a moment of doubt. Had I waited too long? Most startup advice…
Read more about When Speed Hurts: Why We Built Our Behavioral Health Solution the Hard Way
-
Monumental (but not in the way you think)
This week is monumental for me. Not because of some achievement or award (don’t worry, no humblebrags here 😉), but because—for the first time in 16.5 years—I have five consecutive days to myself. No caregiving. No rushing from one in-person meeting to the next. Just… me. It’s the first time since before my children were…
-
Understanding Behavioral Health for Learning
Behavioral health encompasses our emotional, social, and psychological well-being, significantly influencing our thoughts, actions, and interactions. For students, good behavioral health is essential—not just for their happiness but for their ability to learn, achieve academically, manage stress, and build positive relationships. Importance of Behavioral Health for Students Supporting Behavioral Health Students can foster behavioral wellness…
Read more about Understanding Behavioral Health for Learning
-
Loneliness Across Generations
Definition of Loneliness Loneliness is a complex emotional state that many people experience at some point in their lives. Defined as a feeling of sadness or distress about being alone, it can occur even in the presence of others. This emotional experience can impact various aspects of life, including social interactions, mental health, and overall well-being. Loneliness’s…
-
Parenting Is Hard. The Advice Is Confusing. What’s the Real Solution?
Parenting: A Life-Diminishing Factor? I couldn’t believe it when a colleague told me that research suggests parenting is one of the most stressful roles an adult can take on. It made me pause—how could something so deeply meaningful also be so exhausting? But then I looked around: parents today are juggling work, life, guiding kids…
Read more about Parenting Is Hard. The Advice Is Confusing. What’s the Real Solution?
-
Leaning In on Nonprofits in Uncertain Times
Sometimes, the world just sucks. Jobs disappear overnight, bills skyrocket, and each day seems to usher in a new crisis. I’ve witnessed firsthand how these harsh realities—the uncertainty of 2025—can knock the wind out of families and erode our sense of hope. But I’m not here to wallow. It’s clear people need help, and our…
-
The Hardest Thing to Build: An Ecosystem Where People Stay
During my interview with Twilio for Transform Together, I was asked “What metrics tell you that you are succeeding at your mission?” I had metrics that should impress: All of that matters. Each of our team operates with quantifiable metrics—OKRs, KPIs, and data-driven goals that ensure we aren’t just doing good work, but the most…
Read more about The Hardest Thing to Build: An Ecosystem Where People Stay
-
Strategies to Alleviate Burn Out
According to WHO (World Health Organization), burnout is defined as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: No matter if the burnout episode lasts a day or an entire month, it can be safe to say that burnout feels terrible. From…
-
Dear Daughter, And to Every Young Person Feeling the Pressure
Junior year of high school can feel like a battleground. You’re loaded up with AP classes, preparing for the SAT, outdoing each other in extracurricular activities and trying to map out a future that everyone says depends on this one year. “It’s make or break time.,” they tell you. I’ve been feeling frantic, depressed, and…
Read more about Dear Daughter, And to Every Young Person Feeling the Pressure
-
Peer pressured into academic pressure
At the beginning of the second semester of my sophomore year of highschool, I made the decision to take AP Chemistry instead of a free period. And just like that, I was on track to have the hardest, most tiring semester I’ve ever had. It’s not as though it wasn’t obvious to me at the…
-
Youth Voice in Youth-Centered Technology
In a world fueled by rapid technological advancements, it’s more important than ever for kids to have a say in youth-focused technology. Why? Because our voices in this space are severely limited. Just as products are designed with a specific audience in mind—like cancer treatments for those battling cancer or glasses tailored to people with…
-
The Role of Community in Suicide Prevention
It’s often said that you might not fully understand a feeling until it hits close to home. That was true for me when my brother confided in me that he had attempted suicide a couple of times in the past week. I was both shocked and scared, unsure how to process the gravity of what…
