Brewing Wellness

Brewing Wellness is a podcast created by the UFT Member Assistance Program to support the well-being of public school educators and the social-emotional health of their students.

Brewing Wellness is all about brewing the conversation with fellow educators. We cover everything from mindfulness meditation to confronting substance use – either your own, your students or a loved one — to navigating interpersonal relationships in challenging times.

A new episode is released on the final Monday of each month.

Listen to Brewing Wellness wherever you get your podcasts. It’s available on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts and SoundCloud.

Understanding Bullying in Our Schools

Nov 24, 2025

Bullying: To overcome it, we have to understand it. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Carol Morrison, a licensed clinical social worker and director of New Directions Clinic, explores how bullying impacts not only students, but educators, school staff and entire school communities. Unpack what...

Your Union, Your Well-Being: A Reintroduction to the UFT's Member Assistance Program

Oct 28, 2025

Welcome back to The Brewing Wellness Podcast, brought to you by the UFT's Member Assistance Program. We’re kicking off Season 7 with a powerful reminder: You don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone.

This episode is all about reintroducing MAP — what it is, why it exists and how it can support you as an...

Holding space for bereaved students

Sep 11, 2025

As students return to their classrooms, many carry the weight of fresh or long-held grief. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, we are joined by Cara Belvin, founder of Empower, a nonprofit supporting children and young adults who have lost a parent. Belvin, who lost her mother at a young age, explores...

Pets and Our Well-being

Jul 28, 2025

Pets can soothe, amuse and distract us. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, we are joined by Marc Lenci of Cat Colony Crusade, a group that cares for and rehomes feral cats. Lenci explains how animals support our mental and emotional well-being, easing anxiety and offering a reprieve from burnout. Tune in...

Reconnect With Your Body to Support Mental Wellness

Jun 30, 2025

Whether you’re already active or just movement-curious, explore the ways physical activity can help release stress, regulate emotions and build resilience. In this episode of the Brewing Wellness podcast, Cristina Santamaria, DPT, a Rumble Boxing instructor, physical therapist and advocate for movement as a tool for...