College is a critical period where students are exploring and solidifying their values and their identities. Polarizing social topics, like religion, politics, social justice, are often at the core of these developing identities. Now more than ever, polarization on these issues is worsening, and deeply impacts the lives of college students. Exploring these tensions on and off campus can feel daunting, and often leads students chronically swinging from avoidance to activism. We get it. There are so many tough conversations to be had with people we care about. In this week’s episode we avoid avoiding, and discuss how you can develop a framework to find a balance between keeping relationships that are important to you, while also continuing to live in accordance to your values.

What we will discuss in this episode:

• The importance of dialectics
• Why you should always assume you are assuming
• How to draw relationship boundaries
• Redefining goals within relationships
• How to use the DBT FAST and GIVE skills to handle value differences
• How to gently pushback in conversations in a non-confrontational way

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

Put down that red Solo cup and listen in as we talk with Dr. James McOwen, clinical director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service at Massachusetts General Hospital. In this eye-opening chat, we dive into the real deal about college drinking and drug culture.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• What percentage of college students drink, and when does it slip into a problem drinking
• Tips for partying smart if you do choose to drink
• Why pizza is your drinking ally
• Is drinking the same for men and women?
• Is drinking too much the only sign of a drinking problem?
• What do to if you’d like to cut back or take less risk when you’re drinking
• Is switching to weed the better solution?
• Specific red flags that your drinking might be a problem

Perfect for college students trying to navigate the drinking scene, parents worried about their kids, or anyone interested in the fascinating connection between mental health and substance use in young adults. This episode keeps it real while giving you practical advice you can actually use!

RESOURCES:

Thank you to Dr. McKowen for sharing these resources with us!

https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov/resources/federal-national

https://www.acha.org/college-health-topics/substance-use/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365113

Questionnaires:

https://nida.nih.gov/taps2/ (click “I’m a patient” at the bottom)

https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/checkyourdrinking/index.html

https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/10526/drug-abuse-screening-test-10-dast-10

MORE ABOUT DR. McKOWEN:

Dr. James McKowen is a licensed clinical child psychologist and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He completed his post-doctoral training at MGH in addiction medicine and pediatric neuropsychology. He is currently the clinical director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service, an outpatient clinic specializing in the treatment of adolescents and young adults with substance use and comorbid mental health issues. He conducts research in youth addiction including neuropsychological predictors engagement, marijuana smoking and aggression in youth, and he developed a protocol for treating substance use in youth with autism. In addition, for the past several years, Dr. McKowen has been expanding his clinical and research interests in the impacts of climate change on youth mental health. He is co-chair of the MGH Climate and Mental Health Initiative, Associate at the MGH Center for Environmental and Health, Affiliate Faculty, Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE) Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and member of the Climate Psychology Alliance – Youth Subcommittee. He is trained in climate-aware therapy and conducts research on climate change related emotions and coping in youth.

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner

Up until college, a lot of our problems are solved for us. Whether its the high school teacher who notices you are falling behind pulling you aside after class to offer help, or your parents cleaning your room for you when you're feeling overwhelmed. College is the first time our independent problem solving skills are put to the test. Unfortunately, many students skip the problem-solving part and go straight to panic mode. If you are feeling overwhelmed and having a hard time approaching problems on campus, this microdose episode is your guide to trying to get your college life together. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lindsay Tulchin, a Cognitive Behavioral therapist in NYC, who lays out the steps to tackle a problem effectively. Dr. Tulchin walks us through a 5-step guide to problem solving.

DEFINE THE PROBLEM

• Get specific and focus on one problem at a time

GENERATE SOLUTIONS

• List all solutions you can think of without judgment
• Start with "bad" solutions
• Include solutions you've already tried

ASSESS PROS & CONS

• Short or long term?
• Is this realistic? What are potential obstacles?
• How difficult will it be to implement?
• How likely is it to work?
• How might it affect others?

PICK & PLAN

• When? At a specific time or in response to something?
• How do you need to prepare?
• How will you remember?

EVALUATE

• Did it work?
• If not, why not and how can you tweak it?
• Or try another option

Dr. Tulchin's Private Practice:

https://www.lindsaytulchin.com/

Dr. Tulchin's Group Private Practice:

https://www.nycognitive.com/about-lindsay-tulchin

Want to share your story, give us feedback or offer up an episode idea? Reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

Insta: @collegeisfinepodcast
Tik Tok: @collegeisfinepodcast
Email: collegeisfinepodcast@gmail.com

Music is Deadbeats by Rex Banner