Conversations with Sydney is a solutions-oriented podcast series exploring effective ways for parents, teens, schools, and communities to respond to the ongoing crises of teen mental health and suicide. Each episode is framed as an intimate conversation between a father (Micah) and his non-binary teenager (Sydney) as they search for real-world solutions by speaking with parents, doctors, and national leaders in the field of teen suicide prevention. Some of the questions we raise include: Should parents talk to their kids about suicide? How can parents begin to talk about mental health and suicide with their kids?

What do we know about the signs of suicide and how can it be prevented? What is self-injury and how can parents help their kids find healthier ways to cope with their feeling? What role can schools and teachers play in addressing this unfolding national crisis? What role can teens play? Our hope is that these intimate and open-ended conversations will engage everyone who has a stake in helping young people lead healthy, happier lives – and encourage them to discuss these issues within their own families, schools and communities.

Micah, a journalist and filmmaker, and Sydney, a musician and artist, live in New Jersey.

The program is distributed by WBGO Studios, the podcasting arm of WBGO, the Public Radio Station in Newark, New Jersey, and is available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app, Amazon Music and Overcast.

CONVERSATIONS WITH SYDNEY was produced with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, and produced in association with WBGO Studios. Listening guides for K-12 educators will be available on May 10 at: www.pulitzercenter.org/conversationswithsydney

CONVERSATIONS WITH SYDNEY is a 2023 Signal Award Winner

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org