Open Doors: A podcast from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Welcome to Open Doors, a podcast that explores the people, programs, and partnerships making a difference in students’ lives.
From behavioral health resources to after-school programs and community partnerships, Open Doors shares stories and strategies that help students succeed — in school and beyond. Join host Shannon Fagan as we open doors to learning, support, and connection so every student can thrive. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode 5: Stop the Judgment
After losing their daughter Sienna, Sherry Jo Matt and Tom Bott turned their grief into action, creating the Stop the Judgment Project to help students break stigma, build empathy, and start honest conversations about mental health and substance use. Join us for this powerful conversation about compassion, connection, and creating safer spaces for young people.
Start this life-saving conversation. Schedule an assembly or family program.
Episode 4: Mindfulness in Motion
What if wellness spaces truly welcomed everyone? For nearly a decade, Marissa Vogel has been helping make that possible in Pittsburgh — teaching mindfulness through movement and art while centering people living with disabilities. Marissa and her team are building spaces where people feel seen, celebrated, and supported. In this episode, she shares why belonging should never be out of reach.
Bring inclusive mindfulness programming to your school or community.
Episode 3: Transforming Teen Mental Health
Teen mental health in the U.S. is in crisis— and the time for change is now. In this episode, Sarah Pesi, a policy specialist at the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, shares how Pennsylvania is reimagining mental health support by centering and empowering young voices. She’s joined by youth advocates Joy Oranwa and Aanya Angadi, who share their experiences and the hope they’re building for the next generation.
Learn more about the statewide initiative empowering teens and adult allies to advocate for mental health and meaningful policy change.
Episode 2: The SEL Movement
Dr. Shannon Wanless from the University of Pittsburgh is helping lead a countywide movement to make social-emotional learning everyone’s responsibility. In this episode, she shares how supporting the adults who care for kids is key to building belonging and creating a system of support for every child.
Explore social-emotional learning resources.
Episode 1: Beyond Public Health
The Allegheny County Health Department is going beyond traditional public health — helping shape the future of our schools and communities. In the inaugural episode of Open Doors, Kim Joyce shares how a powerful partnership with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit is strengthening mental health supports and changing what's possible for students across the county.
Discover programs to support students, families, and school communities.
About Open Doors
Open Doors builds on the AIU’s approach to systems-level student support — shaped by SEEKS SES (Supporting the Expansion and Enhancement of K-12 School Based Social-Emotional Supports) and lessons learned through the initiative, including the importance of coordinated partnerships, sustained adult learning, and proactive prevention.
Hosted by Shannon Fagan, SEEKS SES and special projects coordinator | Produced by Emily Wiley, communications specialist
Special thanks to the Center for Creativity at the University of Pittsburgh for use of their podcast studio.
