Dr. Jordan Teitelbaum, D.O., F.A.R.S. is an Otorhinolaryngologist at the Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists of Illinois, a practice focused on advanced care for sinus, nasal, and skull base conditions. He is also on staff at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Advocate Children’s Hospital, Golf Surgical Center, and Hawthorn Surgical Center. As a board-certified otorhinolaryngologist and a Fellow of the American Rhinologic Society, Dr Teitelbaum treats hearing loss, frequent ear or tonsil infections, voice, swallowing, reflux issues, and thyroid and salivary gland conditions.

Some doctors treat symptoms. Others treat people. How can a surgeon bring emotional intelligence, deep listening, and empathy into the exam room?

According to Dr. Jordan Teitelbaum, a board-certified ENT surgeon and Fellow of the American Rhinologic Society, connecting with patients is just as critical as performing a successful procedure. Listening carefully helps uncover subtle but serious issues, especially in children who can’t always articulate what’s wrong. When doctors prioritize empathy and partnership, they earn trust that makes every step of care more effective and less frightening. Dr. Teitelbaum’s approach underscores that medicine isn’t just about what you do with your hands; it’s about who you are when you walk in the room.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz speaks with Dr. Jordan Teitelbaum, Otorhinolaryngologist at the Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists of Illinois, about why human connection is essential in ENT medicine. They discuss how to spot ENT issues in kids, why a calm bedside manner matters in surgical specialties, and how trust changes treatment outcomes. Dr. Teitelbaum also gives advice on preparing children for medical procedures.

Dr. Doug Bolton is the Director of School Consultation at Formative Psychological Services, a mental health clinic offering therapy, neuropsychological assessments, and consultation services to individuals, families, and schools. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Bolton has worked extensively with children, adolescents, couples, and families, focusing on improving coping mechanisms through a family therapy model. Prior to his current role, he served as a Psychologist and Principal at North Shore Academy, a K-12 therapeutic school, for more than two decades. Dr. Bolton is also the author of Untethered: Creating Connected Families, Schools, and Communities to Raise a Resilient Generation, a book that addresses the mental health challenges facing adolescents today

Many parents believe the best way to secure their child’s future is to push them toward academic excellence, elite colleges, and high achievement from an early age. However, this well-intentioned pressure may be doing more harm than good. How does this narrow path to success undermine kids’ mental health and well-being?

According to Dr. Doug Bolton, a clinical psychologist and national consultant on student mental health, the pressure to succeed can erode resilience and increase anxiety. Students in affluent communities are classified as an at-risk group due to overwhelming stress tied to performance, status, and scarcity mindsets. When children equate their self-worth with achievements — grades, sports, or selective colleges — they lose the opportunity to develop emotional regulation and coping skills. This constant striving can damage relationships, distort priorities, and stunt healthy development. Instead, growth happens when kids are allowed to fail, face discomfort, and feel supported, not rescued, through it.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz sits down with Dr. Doug Bolton, Director of School Consultation at Formative Psychological Services, to talk about how to raise resilient kids without crushing them with achievement pressure. They explore the myth of elite colleges as success guarantees, how perfectionism can limit growth, and why distress tolerance is essential to mental health. Dr. Bolton also shares how parents can shift from outcome-based to process-focused support.

Dr. Leigh Weisz is the Founder of Coping Partners, a mental health clinic. As a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, she was on staff and affiliated with The Family Institute at Northwestern University for several years. She has experience working with children, adolescents, families, and individual adults in areas such as child and adolescent family therapy, grief and loss, and relationship issues.

Dr. Weisz earned her graduate degree in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology with a specialty in children and families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Spanish from the University of Michigan, having graduated with honors. Dr. Weisz has practiced in community mental health, hospitals, and outpatient family medicine practice settings.

Parenting during childhood development brings unique challenges, from navigating anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors to fostering emotional resilience and balancing technology usage. While overwhelming at times, these hurdles can present growth opportunities when families embrace understanding, validation, and proactive support. What insights can you gain from experts helping children cope with these challenges?

Dr. Aryn Froum sheds light on OCD in children, explaining how compulsions differ from superstitions and why these behaviors aren’t driven by choice. Dr. Eli Lebowitz explores the distinct nature of child anxiety, emphasizing that it’s rooted in developmental and biological differences. Demi Agaiby uses a “lighthouse” metaphor to help athletes — and anyone facing burnout — reconnect with their core motivation and purpose. Dr. Leigh Weisz highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for kids to process emotions, encouraging parents to prioritize validation over fixing. Meanwhile, Ben Kessler examines technology’s influence on kids’ functioning, illustrating how excessive use can disrupt sleep, hygiene, and emotional well-being.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, Dr. Leigh Weisz brings together experts like Dr. Aryn Froum, Dr. Eli Lebowitz, Demi Agaiby, and Ben Kessler to provide actionable strategies for parents, caregivers, and educators. Their insights offer a roadmap for helping kids navigate anxiety, OCD, and the everyday stressors of growing up.