Polyvagal theory emphasizes the role the autonomic nervous system — especially the vagus nerve — plays in regulating health and behavior. Created and developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the theory describes the physiological and psychological states underlying mental health challenges and everyday behavior. With his son, director and producer Seth Porges, Dr. Porges co-wrote Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us, the latest book in an expansive bibliography exploring polyvagal theory. They sat down with two of McSilver's visionary researchers, Dr. Kara Dean-Assael and Dr. Anthony Salerno, to discuss potential impacts of polyvagal theory for health practitioners, systems of care, and society in general.

Dr. Andrew F. Cleek, McSilver’s Deputy Executive Director, speaks with Dr. Kimberly E. Hoagwood, the Cathy and Stephen Graham Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, about how to make improvements to large and complex health systems.

Dr. Anthony Salerno, NYU McSilver’s Innovation and Implementation Officer, speaks with Dr. Stephanie Irby Coard of UNC–Greensboro about the important and often under-appreciated role of resilience in addressing mental health issues — especially in communities of color and among young people.

Dr. Andrew Cleek in Conversation with Commissioner Ashwin Vasan by McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research

Dr. Damali Wilson in Conversation with Dr. Erin Sadler by McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research

Dr. Anthony Salerno in Conversation with Linda Rosenberg and Helen ‘Skip’ Skipper by McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research

The Black Boys and Men: Changing the Narrative podcast series brings together thought leaders to analyze stereotypes and dispel myths concerning Black boys and men, to explore their strengths and achievements, and to discuss the many ways in which all of us can support their progress and well-being. Mackey is an educator and artist who understands the power of images and social media on the narratives built around Black men and boys. He is the Director of the Ethics and the Arts Program at the Emory University Center for Ethics, and the Creator of Black Men Smile, a platform to celebrate the way Black men see themselves. He shares the origins of his artistic movement, exploring images of Black men, masculinity and how we can change the narrative.

The Black Boys and Men: Changing the Narrative podcast series brings together thought leaders to analyze stereotypes and dispel myths concerning Black boys and men, to explore their strengths and achievements, and to discuss the many ways in which all of us can support their progress and well-being. Reverend Anderson has a strategic and collaborative role at Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, a private grant-making foundation focused on dismantling inequity and poverty in Arkansas. He discusses the role of philanthropy in improving outcomes for Black boys and men, and how our communities can be better connected to policy discussions.

The Black Boys and Men: Changing the Narrative podcast series brings together thought leaders to analyze stereotypes and dispel myths concerning Black boys and men, to explore their strengths and achievements, and to discuss the many ways in which all of us can support their progress and well-being. A social scientist focused on addressing the effects of criminalization and mass incarceration, Dr. Pryor is the former executive director of the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions in Brooklyn, New York. He discusses his journey from incarceration to higher education; the mass incarceration and over-policing of Black men, women, boys and girls; and what it takes for diversion and reentry programs to work.

The Black Boys and Men: Changing the Narrative podcast series brings together thought leaders to analyze stereotypes and dispel myths concerning Black boys and men, to explore their strengths and achievements, and to discuss the many ways in which all of us can support their progress and well-being. The leader of a social justice institute at historically-Black Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas discusses her work, how to make services for students more trauma-informed and how to create safe spaces for transgender and LGBQ students at HBCUs.

The Black Boys and Men: Changing the Narrative podcast series brings together thought leaders to analyze stereotypes and dispel myths concerning Black boys and men, to explore their strengths and achievements, and to discuss the many ways in which all of us can support their progress and well-being. London is an internationally-recognized Chicago poet, activist, educator and musician. He runs the largest youth open mic in Chicago alongside his friend Chance the Rapper. In this episode he explores toxic masculinity and his own journey through a restorative justice process relating to sexual assault against a woman. He also delves into how we can create safe spaces for conversations and reimagine masculine identities in positive ways.