Emily Balsley describes the way drawing supported her when she felt overwhelmed.
Dr. Arjune Rama describes how important it is to reach out for support, and he shares a story about how and when he decided to see a therapist to help him with his own challenges.
Jaden shares a letter from his papa that helped him change his perspective and describes the way writing letters to his papa helped him throughout his life whenever he needed wisdom and advice.
Milja describes the way drawing and writing helps her with issues like self-harm, PTSD, OCD and with the process of returning to school during the pandemic.
Peyton describes the pressures to fit a certain beauty standard in high school, and the way her drawing helped her realize that she wants to resist these pressures.
Jay describes a difficult time in his life when an injury prevented him from playing soccer, and shares the way his emotions helped him reflect on changes he could make in his life to manage that challenging time.
Paty Abril Gonzalez describes the way her unaddressed traumas from her childhood led her to unhealthy behaviors as an adult, such as insomnia and drinking alcohol. She explains that her artwork helped her see that she needed to make changes in her life.
Dr. Gowri Aragam describes several key ideas that offer students more information about the way identity develops over time. She shares that music often supports her in pausing to reflect on her identity and determine who she wants to be.
Lin-Manuel Miranda explains that writing music is a wonderful way of working through difficult times and a rewarding form of expression.
Cordelia Zars describes her experience with an eating disorder as a teenager and explains that writing her own music supported her in expressing the feelings that felt locked inside of her.
DJ Osh Kosh explains that she creates music playlists as a form of emotional expression and that she can always find a song for every feeling.
Meaghan Birnie and Clare Kehoe – founders of Morgan’s Message – share the way music was one support that helped them get through the loss of their friend Morgan to suicide. They also share their friend Morgan’s connection to music.
Ashton and Carter Ryan describe how writing, playing, and listening to music have been tools to help them through difficult times.
George Lopez shares the way music has helped him learn how to navigate life’s difficult moments while also offering him a sense of identity and self-confidence.
Bryan Cranston shares the way he learned to reframe negative self-critical thoughts when he was auditioning for roles at the start of his career.
Dr. Nina Vasan describes the relationship between emotions, thoughts and behaviors. She uses the example of feeling insecure about her body to illustrate this idea.
Dani Silva describes her life-long struggle with feeling insecure about her body and the way writing poetry finally allowed her to feel heard and understood for the first time.
Paige shares a found poem she created that reframes catastrophizing thoughts about not doing well in school.
Eliza shares a found poem she wrote about the thought that she is a burden to her friends, and the transformation of that thought into an understanding that her friends genuinely care about her.
Dr. Robin Berman offers several methods for resolving conflicts: standing in someone else’s shoes, validating others’ feelings, staying present in a conversation, and avoiding exaggerated language.
Lin-Manuel Miranda explains that developing empathy and considering where someone else is coming from is an important part of writing, art, and life.
Melanie explains the way she used the phrase ‘the story I’m telling myself’ to see her friend”s struggles though a more compassionate lens.
Dr. Robin Berman describes the importance of self-compassion, especially when we’ve made a mistake and feel shame or embarrassment.
Preston Pollard explains that he learned to think affirming thoughts as he pursued his dream of becoming a professional skateboarder. He interviews Danai Gurira, an actress from the movie Avengers, and she shares that it is crucial not to look to others for our own feeling of self-acceptance.
Nalan explains that he tries to approach his mistakes with self-compassion and empathetic self-talk.