Behavioral Health Today

Continuing education is required, but the way we earn it is evolving. In this episode of BHT Bytes, host Peter Fenger is joined by Sharlee Dixon to explore the growing shift toward podcast-based continuing education (CEs) for mental health professionals. If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling for credits, zoning out in long webinars, or wishing CE requirements fit better into real life, this conversation is for you. We break down what podcast-based CEs actually are, how they work, and what clinicians need to know about accreditation, post-tests, and license requirements. You’ll hear how this format compares to traditional self-study courses, who it tends to work best for, and where its limitations lie, especially for visual or skills-based learners. We also discuss accessibility, burnout, and how podcast learning can feel more like mentorship or consultation than instruction. Finally, we walk through trusted platforms offering podcast-based CE credits, what to look for before enrolling, and how clinicians can build a sustainable CE plan using audio-based learning, without adding another task to an already full plate.   Follow Behavioral Health Today on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/behavioralhealthtoday/ Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@behavioralhealthtoday Follow us on Threads at: https://www.threads.net/@behavioralhealthtoday Or watch us live on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOeCMGsF7B2gNBHuWxt-fQ

Stop chasing vague goals like “being healthier.” Real change starts when you discover your why, shift your mindset, and commit to progress, not perfection. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. James Thompson, physician, author, and passionate advocate for transformational wellness. With more than 35 years of medical experience, Dr. Thompson’s own health journey took a powerful turn after a life-changing 21-day Daniel Fast in 2012. That experience led him to embrace a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, earn a certification in integrative holistic nutrition, and ultimately develop his FEARLESS framework, the foundation of his book, “Fearless Wellness”. In “Fearless Wellness”, Dr. Thompson shows how lasting health is built through plant-based nutrition, movement, stress management, meaningful relationships, and purposeful living. His mission is simple but profound: to empower people to take control of their health and live more vibrant, fulfilling lives. We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. James Thompson as he dives into the FEARLESS framework for holistic wellness, shares practical tips for improving diet, exercise, sleep, stress, social connection, and spiritual purpose, and explores how his book and programs can help you truly transform your health and well-being.   For more information about “Fearless Wellness: Transform Your Life One Step at a Time” by Dr. James Thompson, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/FEARLESS-Wellness-Transform-Your-Life-ebook/dp/B0DZ8P5X8Z?dplnkId=31f20456-3ece-42ca-b8b0-cbc9f5ddc6ac&nodl=1 For more information about Healthy Living With A Vision, please visit: https://healthylivingwithavision.org Register for the Healthy Living with a Vision Foundation 28 Day Based Kickstart, pleas visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/cyv8AfVYT5ecj155GR_wsg#/registration For more information about the FEARLESS framework and Blog, please visit: https://fearlessmd21.com Connect with Dr. Thompson on Linkedin at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/james-thompson-md-WFPB/ Connect with Dr. Thompson on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fearlessmd21/ Connect with Dr. Thompson on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Mindfuleatingandnutrition/ Connect with Dr. Thompson on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8eni5WkBFk-d3YgeEOhQBw Connect with Dr. Thompson on X at: https://x.com/jamesathompso12

Storytelling isn’t about explaining people, it’s about humanizing them so we can finally see each other. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with John Morgan, a filmmaker, social worker, and co-founder of Live Your Purpose Media, a storytelling platform rooted in healing, equality, and social justice. With more than a decade of experience in community mental health, including work in Akron’s public schools and at the county’s first Black-owned, nationally accredited mental health agency, John brings a rare and grounded perspective to the intersection of wellness and creativity. Today, he leads powerful film projects that explore Black maternal health, incarceration, and men’s mental health, while also directing Soft Work, a support network creating space for men to embrace vulnerability, emotional honesty, and healing. In this conversation, we explore John’s journey from social work to filmmaking and men’s mental health advocacy, and how he uses storytelling, community building, and softness as tools for transformation. At the core of John’s work is a commitment to helping people live their purpose, and to telling stories that don’t just inform, but inspire real change.   For more information about Live Your Purpose (LYP) Media, please visit: https://www.lypmedia.com For more information about Live Your Purpose podcast, please visit: https://www.lypmedia.com/podcast For more information about LYP Media films, please visit: https://www.lypmedia.com/film Contract LYP Media to purchase the film rental at:  info@lypmedia.com. For more information about Soft Work, please visit: https://www.soft-work.org To contact Soft Work, please email at: support@softwork.org Shop the LPY store at: https://www.lypmedia.com/shop Connect with LYP Media on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourpurposemedia Connect with LYP Media on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-morgan-133a47296?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Connect with LYP Media on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@mr.lyp1?_t=ZP-8u40QM2Q3Op&_r=1 Connect with LYP Media on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw1reF41STK-a0I5KjGhv4g Connect with Soft Work on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/softworkorg

SchoolPulse is reshaping student mental health by shifting from reactive crisis response to proactive, human-driven outreach. What began as a simple “check-in” text has evolved into an ongoing relationship, real people listening, supporting, and gently nudging students toward resilience long before challenges escalate. In this episode, Peter Fenger speaks with Iuri Melo, a licensed therapist with more than 20 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate stress, anxiety, relationships, and emotional growth. He’s the best-selling author of “Know Thy Selfie” and “Mind Over Grey Matter”, and a dedicated advocate for mental fitness and personal development. Iuri is also the co-founder of SchoolPulse, a pioneering, text-based SEL platform that empowers students through proactive outreach, positive psychology, and meaningful connection. Above all, he’s someone who believes deeply in human potential and is committed to helping young people live boldly and intentionally. We’re thrilled to have Iuri on the show to explore how SchoolPulse blends tech-enabled emotional support with clinical insight to foster engagement, autonomy, and resilience, ultimately helping students and school communities thrive.   For more information about SchoolPulse, please visit: https://schoolpulse.org To explore SchoolPulse’s model and methodology: https://schoolpulse.org/our_approach/ Parents interested in learning more or enrolling their teen can go to: https://schoolpulse.org/parents/ To contact Iuri Melo, please email at:  Iuri@schoolpulse.org Connect with SchoolPulse on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/schoolpulse/ Connect with SchoolPulse on Linkedin at: https://linkedin.com/company/schoolpulse Connect with SchoolPulse on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/schoolpulse.org

Infertility isn’t a failure, it’s a complex story your body is trying to tell, and you deserve someone who listens. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Gabriela Rosa. Gabriela is a renowned fertility specialist, reproductive health educator, and Harvard University awarded scholar, as well as a seasoned entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of The Rosa Institute, the world’s first fully virtual, holistic fertility clinic, serving patients across more than 110 countries. Gabriela’s innovative, science-backed approach has helped over 140,000 couples overcome infertility and recurrent miscarriage, even after years of failed treatments. She’s also the host of the “TalkSex” with Gabriela Rosa™ podcast, where she continues to break down barriers around fertility, intimacy, and reproductive health. We’re honored to welcome Gabriela Rosa to the show to delve into the often-overlooked emotional toll of infertility, and how her integrative, trauma-informed approach helps couples navigate this deeply personal journey with compassion, clarity, and a holistic path to healing and hope.   For more information about The Rosa Institute, please visit: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com For more information about “Fertility Breakthrough” by Gabriela Rosa, please visit: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com/fertility-breakthrough-book/ For more information about “TalkSex” with Gabriela Rosa podcast, please visit: https://talksexpodcast.com For more information about Fertility Screen Testing, please visit: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com/the-rosa-institutes-fertility-screening-test/ More free resources for families, please visit: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com/free-resources/ If you are interested in consultation, please visit: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com/tri-services/ Connect with The Rosa Institute on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitybreakthrough/ Connect with The Rosa Institute on Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/company/the-rosa-institute Connect with The Rosa Institute on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FertilitySpecialistGabrielaRosa Connect with The Rosa Institute on TikTok: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSJjuQNaK/ Connect with The Rosa Institute on X: https://twitter.com/gabrielarosa

Change one person, change a community, that’s the quiet power behind resilience training. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Andy Pierce, a Master Resilience Expert with a graduate degree in Performance Psychology and extensive experience helping people build mental strength and navigate adversity. Andy has trained elite Special Operations Soldiers, Army Rangers, adults in addiction recovery, and resource caregivers, equipping each group with practical skills to think clearly, regulate emotions, and bounce back from hardship. As the founder of iBounceUp, Andy is committed to empowering at-risk communities with the tools they need to meet life’s challenges with clarity and confidence. We’re thrilled to have Andy back for our Clinicians Series, where we explore the clinical strategies, teaching methods, and personal transformations that emerge from his resilience skills training, along with actionable insights for clinicians and educators eager to bring this work to life.   For more information about iBounceUp, please visit: https://www.ibounceup.org Consider a donation to iBounceUp and help transform lives: https://www.ibounceup.org/donate-now Connect with iBounceUp on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibounce-up/ Connect with iBounceUp on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ibounceup For more information about Andy Pierce and resilience training, please visit: https://www.bounceresilience.com

If 87% of profits come from 5% of gamblers, the game isn’t fair. It’s engineered. In this episode of BHT Bytes, hosts Sharlee Dixon and Peter Fenger take a compelling look at the rapid rise of sports betting and how it’s transforming our culture. Everywhere we turn, our phones, TVs, social feeds, even college campuses, gambling has become woven into the sports experience. But beneath the excitement and big-win promises lies a growing set of consequences that few are talking about. Sharlee and Peter trace how the 2018 repeal of PASPA opened the door to a multibillion-dollar industry powered by polished ads, real-time data, and instant-access betting apps. They discuss the psychological hooks, VIP tactics, and predatory strategies that keep people wagering, even when it’s no longer fun. With addiction rates climbing, athletes facing new risks, and young people being pulled into betting earlier than ever, this episode asks an urgent question: What happens when an entire generation grows up seeing gambling as just part of the game? This is a grounded, eye-opening conversation about the line between entertainment and harm, and why recognizing the darker side of sports betting has never been more important.

Healing isn’t a rescue moment, it’s a long, supported journey. Survivors deserve time, safety, and people who show up. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Erin Williamson, the Chief Programs & Strategy Officer at Love146, a leading organization dedicated to preventing child trafficking and providing holistic, trauma-informed care for survivors. Erin brings more than two decades of experience in social services and criminal justice, with deep expertise in human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and serves on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United States. Through her leadership at Love146, Erin helps shape innovative prevention education and survivor-support programs across the country. In today’s conversation, we dive into how Love146 is working to stop trafficking before it starts, challenge common misconceptions, address the growing risks of the digital age, and support survivors with care that honors their voice, agency, and long-term healing.   For more information about Love146, please visit: https://love146.org For additional resources about risk factors and protection, please visit: https://love146.org/resources/ For more information about bringing the Not A Number program to your community, please visit: https://love146.org/notanumber/ If you would like to make a donation to Love146, please visit: https://love146.org/ways-to-give/ Sign up for Parent Tip emails by visiting: https://love146.org/caregivers/ Connect with Love146 on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/love146.org Connect with Love146 on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/love146/ Connect with Love146 on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/love146/ Connect with Love146 on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/love146US  

Safe communities scale care: when people feel protected, they finally feel seen. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Tamar Blue, Founder and CEO of MentalHappy, a pioneering health tech platform that brings peer-led emotional support to people from all walks of life. Tamar began her career in staffing and co-founded a successful HR tech company before pivoting to health innovation, driven by a passion to make mental health care more accessible and community-based. Since founding MentalHappy in 2016, she has led the mission to empower both providers and individuals through expert-led support groups that combine technology with human connection. Based in San Francisco, Tamar continues to champion scalable solutions that reduce barriers, combat provider burnout, and promote healing. In this episode, we dive into how her early passion for peer support grew into MentalHappy, explore the challenges of building secure, human-centered communities, and discuss how technology and inclusive design are reimagining scalable, community-based mental health care.   For more information about Mental Health, please visit: https://www.mentalhappy.com To browse support groups, please visit: https://www.mentalhappy.com/find-support-group If you’re interested in creating a free account, please visit: https://community.mentalhappy.com/login For Health Organizations, see how MentalHappy can provide support for your patients: https://www.mentalhappy.com/health-support Connect with MentalHappy on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mentalhappy Connect with MentalHappy on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/livementalhappy/ Connect with MentalHappy on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@mentalhappy1863

Teaching social skills isn’t just about steps, it’s about helping kids understand why connection matters and how to cope when things don’t go as planned. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Melissa Connor-Santos, MA, BCBA, Founder and CEO of Oceanview Behavior Solutions and a nationally recognized expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). With over 15 years of experience, Melissa works at the intersection of clinical excellence and compassionate care, consulting with schools, training professionals, and mentoring families. She’s also a full-time ABA faculty member at Felician University, a certified PFA/SBT Level 6 Supervisor, and a leading voice in school-based behavioral support. As a parent of a child with a behavioral disorder, Melissa brings a deeply personal perspective to her work, one grounded in empathy, ethics, and strengths-based practice. Together, Sharlee and Melissa explore how ACT can bridge the gaps in traditional social skills instruction for children with autism and behavioral differences, blending evidence-based practice, personal insight, and emerging research to reimagine how we support emotional regulation, self-narratives, and long-term well-being.   For more information about Melissa Connor-Santos and Oceanview Behavior Solutions, please visit: https://www.oceanviewbehaviorsolutions.com For more information about supervision for aspiring BCBAs, please visit: https://www.oceanviewbehaviorsolutions.com/services For more information about “The Happiness Trap” by Russ Harris, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Trap-Struggling-Start-Living/dp/1590305841 For more information about “Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life” by Steven C. Hayes, PhD., please visit: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/noresults/get-out-of-your-mind-and-into-your-life-steven-c-hayes-phd/1129445963 Connect with Melissa on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-connor-santos/