What Parents Aren’t Told About Behavior, Reflexes & the Nervous System with Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher

What if your kids didn’t just share a last name or household, but a lifelong friendship? In our final episode of Suburban Burnout, Megan breaks down how to raise siblings who root for each other, support each other, and actually like each other. From family team meetings to chore swaps to showing up in each other’s chaos, this is how you build a family unit that lasts. Then she goes off, in the best way, on the systems and social feeds that keep trying to divide moms. Stay-at-home vs. working. Gentle parenting vs. structured. Breast vs. bottle. Why are we still doing this? We’re done. This community sees through the guilt trips and superiority complexes. Moms don’t need comparison, we need connection. And the real power? That’s what happens when we stop trying to win and start standing together. And with that... we say goodbye, for now. From the therapy deep dives to the laugh-until-you-snort commentary, thank you for being here. Your support, your listens, your shares, they meant everything. Whether you’re on your fifth burnout or your first breakthrough, we’re rooting for you.

We’re talking heat, literal heat. When former tech exec and mom of three youth athletes Melissa Fortenberry sat sweating in the Texas stands at her son’s football game, she asked a question every sports parent should be asking: “If I’m overheating just sitting here… what’s happening to them?” That moment sparked the creation of HeatSense, a groundbreaking wearable that tracks real-time core body temperature, heart rate, and more giving coaches and parents actual visibility before a child hits the danger zone. In this episode, we dive into: Why the current heat protocols in youth sports aren’t cutting it What most people don’t know about heat illness (and how preventable it is) How HeatSense works (no rectal thermometers, we promise) The culture of "push through" toughness and what it costs our kids How parents can advocate, empower, and protect their athletes without being those parents Why this is a burnout prevention issue: yes, even in sports Plus, Melissa’s take on parenting, high standards, and letting your kids dream big and fail forward Whether you're on the sidelines in 100+ degree heat, parenting an athlete who never sits still, or just love a good mom-led startup story, this episode’s for you. 🧠 Learn more and get your own device: heatsense.com Suburban Burnout Podcast 

What if your competing thoughts aren’t a problem to fix, but a roadmap to self-awareness, deeper relationships, and emotional clarity? In this powerful conversation, Megan welcomes back therapist, author, and group practice founder Kelsey Blahnik to discuss her newly released book, The And Way: Assertive Peacemaking in a Divided World. Together they unpack the real-life parenting, relational, and personal transformation work that happens when we stop choosing either/or and start living in the “and.” Whether you’re navigating grief, generational wounds, political tension, parenting criticism, or your own messy impulses, this episode is your compassionate call-in to get curious, not combative. In this episode, we discuss: Internal Family Systems (IFS) and how to work with your “competing impulses” What it means to develop a “clay mindset” (yes, it’s different than growth mindset) How to stop labeling yourself (or others) with traits that leave no room for change The difference between being confident in conflict vs. comfortable The power of self-compassion in deconstructing childhood coping mechanisms Assertive communication tools for high conflict moments with family, partners, and workplace bullies How “true self energy” builds resilience, calm, and connection And why humanity isn’t black and white but a living, imperfect spectrum This episode is equal parts therapy session, book club, and brave conversation. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop avoiding hard conversations while still staying grounded in your truth, this one’s for you. 🛒 The And Way is available on Amazon (Prime shipping, obviously) 🔗 More from Kelsey at TheAndWayPress.com or @theandway 💥 Make it your next book club pic...we dare you. www.suburbanburnout.com  

What happens when life knocks you off your feet and you're still expected to show up, parent, and keep it together? Author, speaker, and former teacher Katie Wood joins Suburban Burnout to share how a life-saving surgery for her daughter led to one of the most powerful tools in her parenting toolbox: gratitude. In this deeply relatable and inspiring episode, Katie walks us through the chaos of parenting four kids, living with a first responder husband, and discovering how simple mindset shifts and morning routines rewired her outlook on life. Spoiler: it didn’t require an hour of silence or a Himalayan retreat, just a few minutes of intention (and a lot of humor). We dive into: Why gratitude can’t co-exist with fear or anxiety The neuroscience behind starting your day intentionally How Katie created her best-selling Simple Seed Journal (and got her kids hooked!) Why humor speeds up healing...literally How to teach kids to be proactive, not reactive, and build resilience from the inside out 🛒 Grab your copy of The Simple Seed Journal on Amazon 🔗 Learn more: www.simpleseedjournal.com 🎙️ www.suburbanburnout.com

In this solo episode of Suburban Burnout, Megan gets real (and a little sarcastic) about modern parenting myths, cosmic energy, generational blame, and why building a fort with your kids might be more therapeutic than your last therapy session. She dives into the generational Olympics of blame: from unsupervised kids on the playground to why Millennials were once labeled “the lazy workforce” but are now apparently “too soft” with their kids. Spoiler alert: We are the helicopter mom, the bulldozer mom, free range mom, lighthouse mom and wine mom. So, why are people quick to blame Millennials once again for being lazy.  We’ll also unpack the November supermoon (yes, it was the closest one to Earth until 2034), the emotional contrast between Lily Allen and Taylor Swift’s music, and why throwing some couch cushions on the floor and building a fort might be exactly what your nervous system needs. ✨ Featuring: stats, pop culture commentary, Dr. Karla callback moments, and parenting insights with just the right amount of sass. Topics include: – Why are we blaming Millennials for lazy parenting (and how that’s going for us) – What a supermoon can teach you about parenting presence – Adult music as therapy: Taylor Swift vs Lily Allen – How play, movement, and connection regulate your kid’s (and your) nervous system – A heartfelt fort-building confession Come for the cosmic parenting metaphors, stay for the fort story. This episode is for the parents who are doing their best, showing up messy, and maybe blaming the moon instead of themselves. 🔗 Explore more at www.suburbanburnout.com

If your child struggles with big emotions, sensory overwhelm, hyperactivity, food aversion or meltdowns, this episode is for you. We’re joined by Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher, a Board-Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and founder of Take Root Brain & Body, to explore what’s really behind so many of the behavioral challenges today’s parents are facing. Spoiler: it’s not always ADHD. Work with Dr. Karla LINK From primitive reflexes to nervous system dysregulation, Dr. Karla breaks down how a child’s brain and body adapt to stress and what signs we’re missing when we rely only on behavior labels. You’ll learn why some kids are stuck in fight, flight, or freeze… and how small, supportive changes at home can create safety, connection, and real growth. This holistic, science-backed conversation is essential for moms, dads, teachers, and caregivers navigating parenting in a modern world. We also talk about what it looks like for adults to heal their own nervous system and why that’s the first step toward parenting with clarity and compassion. Topics include: What primitive reflexes reveal about brain development The truth about behavior vs. biology Movement, meltdowns, and misdiagnosis How to support sensory-sensitive or emotionally overwhelmed kids Tools that help parents and children co-regulate www.suburbanburnout.com Produced by Megan Young, Suburban Burnout 

What happens when you’re the one making the big career move and it means uprooting your whole family? This week on Suburban Burnout, we’re joined by Hope Corona, a global executive at PepsiCo, mom of two, and bold decision-maker who’s built a powerhouse career without losing her sense of humor (or her sanity). 🎧 In this episode: From U.S. Embassy in Mexico City to executive hiring at PepsiCo Moving for her career—for the first time ever Balancing teen parenting with leadership at Fortune 50 companies Navigating burnout and choosing soul-filling over “safe” The best advice for moms re-entering or pivoting their careers If you’ve ever felt stuck between a job you’ve outgrown and a dream you haven’t dared to chase, this episode is your sign. Real talk, empowering insights, and moments that make you laugh and nod, “same.” LinkedIN: Hope Corona  

In this raw and revelatory episode, attorney and founder of Hembree Bell Law, Hannah Hembree Bell, joins Megan to talk about the messy truth of divorce, the emotional unraveling, the legal missteps, and the critical decisions that shape life after the papers are signed. Hannah shares her personal story of going through a high-stakes Texas custody trial while in law school, how that experience shaped her mission, and why she believes divorce can be a courageous, self-affirming decision, when done with clarity. Together, they explore: Why “healing him won’t save the relationship” is a truth many learn too late How to prepare emotionally and logistically before divorce (and why most wait too long) Should you stay in the marriage for the kids? Her take, as a mom and lawyer What’s different about divorce in 2025 and the biggest mistakes people still make The power of creating a ritual (aka your personal Ebenezer) before you leave Her free quiz and prep course that’s changing how women take back control This episode isn’t just about breaking up,  it’s about breaking through. If you’re in a marriage that no longer fits or supporting someone who is, this conversation will give you tools, validation, and a whole new language for what’s possible next. 📍 Resources mentioned: Free quiz + prep course: MyConfidentDivorce.com Follow Hannah: @hannahhembreebell or @hembreebelllaw Her law firm: hembreebell.com 🎧  SuburbanBurnout.com

Reposted from Year One: A Must-Hear Episode for Every Family Navigating Dementia In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mary Osborne, occupational therapist and founder of Your Dementia Therapist, to explore the emotional and practical realities of dementia care. From navigating a loved one’s changing abilities to making sense of the caregiver role, Mary shares the strategies, tools, and compassion she’s gained over a decade in the field. We talk about entering your loved one’s reality, avoiding common missteps, and how caregivers can protect their own mental and emotional health. Whether you're supporting a parent, grandparent, or partner through memory loss or just want to better understand dementia this conversation is filled with validation and insight. 🎧 Full episode streaming on Apple, Spotify, and suburbanburnout.com 📲 Follow Mary on Instagram and social: @yourdementiatherapist 🌐 Learn more at www.yourdementiatherapist.com

Feeling torn between work and home? In this episode, Audrey Pendergrass shares her journey through career pivots, stay-at-home life, and the grief of losing a parent while raising kids. Also how to keep yourself in the game, just in case you want to return. If you're weighing your next move or parenting through something heavy, you'll find clarity, encouragement, and real advice here. Find us on @suburbanburnout Instagram for clips and conversation.  www.suburbanburnout.com