SUMMARY:

Have an idea for a book but not sure where to start? In this episode of TLC Connections, we sit down with Amy Lynch, founder of Fernling Creative, to unpack the world of ghostwriting and book development. Amy shares how her team helps subject matter experts—like therapists, educators, healthcare professionals, and business leaders—turn their insights into high-quality nonfiction books. From book coaching to publishing and bundling content for social platforms, Amy offers practical advice for anyone considering authorship.

Whether you’re looking to publish for influence, legacy, or business development, this episode offers a clear roadmap from concept to completion.

Helpful Links:

• Fernling Creative – Amy’s ghostwriting and publishing firm
• Amy Lynch on LinkedIn
• Journeys with June Book Series – A TLC project developed in partnership with Fernling Creative

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Amy Lynch is the founder and principal writer at Fernling Creative, a boutique ghostwriting and publishing firm that specializes in helping high-level professionals turn their expertise into polished, publication-ready books. With a background in education and creative writing, Amy and her team guide clients from the earliest stages of ideation through to editing, design, and publishing. She has worked with CEOs, psychologists, TED Talk speakers, and healthcare executives to shape nonfiction narratives that are both insightful and impactful.

SPONSORS:

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company serving the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.

SUMMARY:

In this episode of TLC Connections, JC Jones, school counselor and outpatient therapist, reflects on his path into education and mental health, and the moments that most shaped his approach to supporting students.

Drawing from his dual roles in schools and private practice, JC shares how relationships built on consistency, presence, and belief can make all the difference for students navigating trauma, self-doubt, or difficult circumstances. Whether he is helping teens reframe their choices or guiding families through a crisis, JC emphasizes that support, not punishment, is what young people need most.

This episode is a powerful look at how empathy, patience, and perspective can lead to real change in the lives of young people.

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JC Jones, M.Ed., LAPC is a school-based counselor and success coach serving students in Norristown Area School District. His work goes beyond the counseling room, connecting with students through movement, mentorship, and community-building. JC is passionate about helping young people develop emotional skills, academic goals, and life pathways. In addition to his work in schools, JC provides outpatient counseling for adults and teens at TLC Wellness, offering creative approaches like walk-and-talk therapy and values-based coaching. His background in fitness, leadership, and education gives him a unique lens on what today’s students truly need to thrive.

EPISODE LINKS:

Psychology Today Profile: JC Jones

Dr. Jonathan Haidt – The Anxious Generation

Leonard Sax – The Collapse of Parenting

SPONSORS:

TLC Wellness is dedicated to serving individuals of all ages and addressing a diverse spectrum of mental health needs. Our mission is to provide compassionate and effective therapy services tailored to each person’s unique circumstances, and to promote healing, resilience, and holistic well-being within the community. By utilizing proven modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, acceptance and commitment therapy tools, and family systems/relational models, TLC Wellness strives to empower individuals on their journey toward a more authentic and fulfilling life.

SUMMARY:

Fran Dunphy may be best known as one of Philadelphia’s most respected college basketball coaches, but his legacy stretches far beyond the hardwood. In this episode, Dunphy shares how his upbringing shaped a lifelong commitment to leadership and service.

From helping young athletes develop as people, to championing causes like Big Brothers Big Sisters and Coaches vs. Cancer, Dunphy reflects on what it truly means to lead, to give, and to show up for others. He opens up about hard lessons, second chances, and why even the smallest gestures can say the most about who we are.

It’s a conversation with humor, heart, and the kind of wisdom only a life of service can bring.

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Fran Dunphy is one of the most respected figures in Philadelphia basketball history, known as much for his leadership and service as for his decades of success on the court. A proud La Salle University alum, Dunphy played both basketball and baseball during his college years before returning to his alma mater as head men’s basketball coach from 1989 to 1994.

He went on to make history as the first person ever to serve as head coach at both the University of Pennsylvania (1989–2006) and Temple University (2006–2019), compiling over 580 career wins and leading his teams to numerous NCAA tournament appearances. Dunphy is widely admired for his no-nonsense coaching style, emphasis on academics, and deep commitment to his players' personal growth.

Beyond basketball, Fran Dunphy is a longtime volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters and a founding force behind the Philadelphia chapter of Coaches vs. Cancer—raising millions for cancer research and community support. His life and career are rooted in a simple philosophy: serve others, show up, and do the right thing.

EPISODE LINKS:

• Fran and Big Brothers Big Sisters: CBS News – Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Fran and Coaches vs Cancer: Main Line Media News – Coaches vs. Cancer

SPONSORS:

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company serving the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.

SUMMARY:

In this episode of TLC Connections, we sit down with Michael Flynn, a school counselor at Penndale Middle School in the North Penn School District, to talk about the power and importance of connection in middle school. With over a decade of experience in school counseling—and a previous career in construction—Michael brings a grounded, relatable perspective to the often-overlooked complexities of middle school life.

The conversation touches on:

• Mental health challenges facing today’s students
• The impact of cell phones and screen culture
• Supporting families through tough conversations
• Teaching basic social-emotional skills in structured and unstructured settings
• What makes a great school counseling team
• Why middle schoolers need safe, steady adults in their lives

Michael’s compassion, clarity, and commitment make this a must-listen for anyone working with middle school students.

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Michael Flynn is a school counselor at Penndale Middle School in North Penn School District, where he has served for over 12 years. As department chair, Michael plays a key role in guiding the district’s counseling efforts and supporting students across grades 6–8. Known for his approachable, relationship-driven style, Michael helps students and families navigate everything from academic pressures and social challenges to mental health concerns. Before entering the field of education, he spent 15 years as a project manager in the construction industry. Today, Michael draws from both his life experience and deep commitment to student well-being to build trusting, lasting connections with the middle schoolers he serves every day.

EPISODE LINKS:

Listen now and explore more TLC Connections episodes at: https://www.youtube.com/@TLC_Connections

Learn more about North Penn School District: https://www.npenn.org/

Watch Michael being honored with the North Penn 4Es Award: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpGxiOXUCq4

SPONSOR

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company serving the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.

SUMMARY:

In this episode of TLC Connections, we speak with Dr. Christa Lee-Chuvala, Dean of the College of Business and Leadership at Eastern University, about the evolving mission of business education. Christa shares how Eastern is preparing students to become transformational leaders through programs that integrate ethics, purpose, and relationship-building into every level of the learning experience.

The conversation explores Christa’s journey, from urban economics and social justice advocacy to higher ed leadership, and how Eastern is leveraging online innovation and AI, combined with real-world experiences and values-driven curriculum, to create accessible and impactful programs. Whether you're in education, business, or leadership, this episode offers timely insight into what it takes to equip the next generation for meaningful, purpose-driven work.

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Dr. Christa Lee-Chuvala is the Dean of the College of Business and Leadership at Eastern University, where she leads undergraduate and graduate programs that emphasize ethical leadership, social responsibility, and transformational change. Before stepping into administration, Christa served as a faculty member teaching economics, statistics, and leadership. She received an MUP from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Studies from MIT, and brings a background in urban studies, economic development, and faith-based social justice to her work in higher education. Passionate about the power of relationships in business and education, Christa is committed to preparing students to become change agents in business and beyond.

Connect with Christa on LinkedIn

EPISODE LINKS:

Learn more about Eastern University’s College of Business and Leadership

Explore Eastern’s online degree programs

SPONSOR

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company serving the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.

SUMMARY:

In this episode of TLC Connections, we’re joined by Tory Bright, Director of the Southeastern Regional Mental Health Services Coordination Office. Representing five Pennsylvania counties, Tory shares her powerful insight into the evolution of the public mental health system—discussing key shifts in crisis response, the impact of closing civil beds at Norristown State Hospital, and the need for coordinated, compassionate alternatives to incarceration.

She dives into her work around co-responder programs, reentry planning, and the importance of data-informed decisions and community partnerships. Listeners will also learn more about Mental Health First Aid and the pivotal role of organizations like NAMI in creating lasting change.

Whether you're a policymaker, service provider, or community member, this conversation will broaden your understanding of the challenges and opportunities in mental health today.

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Tory Bright is the Director of the Southeastern Regional Mental Health Services Coordination Office, serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. With over 30 years of experience in public mental health, she has played a central role in advancing community-based care models, co-responder programs, and reentry services. Tory is deeply committed to collaboration across systems and brings a trauma-informed, person-centered lens to her work. A former case manager and crisis worker, she now helps shape policy and coordinate services across Pennsylvania’s southeastern region.

EPISODE LINKS:

• Mental Health First Aid Trainings: www.fivecountymh.org
• NAMI Montgomery County PA: https://namimontcopa.org
• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988): https://988lifeline.org

SPONSORS:

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company serving the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.

SUMMARY:

In this episode of TLC Connections, Plymouth Township Police Chief John Myrsiades joins us to discuss an important partnership with The Lincoln Center, a collaboration that embeds a licensed social worker into the department to support officers in addressing behavioral health needs in the community.

Chief Myrsiades shares the personal story that helped shape his belief in the need for more than just policing when people are in crisis. He walks us through how the program came to be, why it matters, and the impact it’s already having, not only for the people they serve, but for the officers on the front lines.

Whether you’re in law enforcement, social services, education, or community development, this is a conversation about the power of partnerships, the importance of community care, and what it means to lead with compassion.

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Chief John C. Myrsiades is the Chief of Police in Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania, and a veteran law enforcement leader with over 35 years of service. Throughout his career, Chief Myrsiades has been committed to advancing the role of police within the community, championing modern approaches to officer wellness, accountability, and public trust. Under his leadership, the department has embraced forward-thinking initiatives, including a new partnership with The Lincoln Center to integrate licensed social work support into daily police operations. Chief Myrsiades brings a thoughtful, pragmatic voice to conversations about the future of public safety and the evolving needs of the communities police serve.

SPONSORS:

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company serving the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.

SUMMARY:

In this episode of TLC Connections, Todd Shirley, school counselor and licensed professional counselor, shares how a series of tragedies and professional curiosity led him to discover Attachment-Based Family Therapy.

When multiple student suicides rocked his school community, Todd was determined to find tools that could truly support students and their families in crisis. He describes how this therapeutic approach helps rebuild connection and trust between adolescents and parents, sometimes making the difference between despair and healing.

Todd also reflects on his dual experience in public schools and private practice, offering thoughtful insights on the real-world impact of school-based mental health work. With warmth, humility, and a deep commitment to supporting young people, Todd’s story and perspective are powerful reminders of the difference one caring adult can make.

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Todd Shirley, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor and veteran school counselor with over 17 years of experience supporting adolescents and families. He currently works in a Pennsylvania public school district and also maintains a private counseling practice where he specializes in Attachment-Based Family Therapy. Known for his ability to merge research-driven strategies with deep empathy, Todd is passionate about bridging the gap between school systems and mental health care. Whether working one-on-one with teens or supporting families through difficult seasons, Todd’s work is grounded in the belief that connection and compassion can be transformative.

Connect with Todd at: https://toddshirleycounseling.com/

SPONSORS:

The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company serving the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.

To learn more about TLC visit: TheLincolnCenter.com