In this deeply moving episode of Trust Me Mom, Ekaterina Konovalova sits down with author and mental health advocate Liza Long, whose viral essay “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother” ignited a national conversation about children’s mental health. Liza later wrote a book, "the Price of Silence: A Mom's Perspective on Mental Illness" that is a valuable resource for parents and caregivers of children with mental illness. Liza opens up about the painful, complicated journey of raising a child with severe mental illness — from crisis, misdiagnosis, and violent outbursts to finding the right treatment, rebuilding hope, and eventually watching her son, who eventually transitioned to become a daughter, thrive.Together, they explore what most parents of neurodivergent or mentally ill children face in silence:🔹 the emotional toll on families and marriages🔹 the overwhelming burden of navigating the mental health system🔹 stigma, survival mode, and mom-guilt🔹 misdiagnosis, medication challenges, and safety planning🔹 the importance of community, support systems, and self-care🔹 rebuilding a life after crisisLiza also shares rare insight into her daughter’s transition, her ongoing advocacy work, and the message of hope she wants every struggling parent to hear: “Hang in there — it gets better.”00:54 — Welcome & Introduction01:55 — Meet Liza Long02:02 — “The Essay That Broke the Internet”02:17 — Newtown Tragedy & A Mother’s Breaking Point03:57 — Going Viral & Choosing Advocacy06:18 — The Hard Realities of Misdiagnosis & Cost07:15 — The Hidden Burden on Parents08:26 — When Parenting Feels Impossible09:34 — Impact on Families & Marriages11:51 — Raising Difficult vs. Easy Kids14:08 — “It’s Not Your Fault, Mom”15:51 — How Liza Survived the Darkest Years17:23 — The Diagnosis That Changed Everything19:59 — When Violence Isn’t a Choice21:01 — Safety Planning & Law Enforcement22:04 — How Long the Violent Phase Lasted22:49 — Stabilization & Transformation23:52 — Navigating Gender Identity25:47 — Religion, Community & Support27:24 — What Liza Would Tell Her Younger Self28:48 — Life After Crisis29:59 — One Hour That Saved Her Life31:32 — Final Message for Parents#MentalHealthAwareness #ChildMentalHealth #ParentingStruggles #TrustMeMom #LizaLong #BipolarDisorder #NeurodivergentKids #MentalHealthAdvocate #MomLife #ParentingSupport #YouAreNotAlone #YouthMentalHealth #TraumaInformed #SpecialNeedsParenting #MentalIllnessInTeens

What if every conflict in your marriage or family was actually an invitation to grow? 💔In this honest and deeply human episode of Trust Me Mom, host Ekaterina Konovalova speaks with Jayson Gaddis about what it really takes to build lasting love, survive life’s challenges, and raise resilient kids. Jayson is the relationship expert, author of Getting to Zero, and founder of The Relationship School.Jayson opened up about his early struggles from emotional shutdown and risky choices in his 20s to transforming himself into a therapist, husband, and father who sees relationships as a spiritual path. He shares practical wisdom on conflict repair, emotional communication, financial strain, and even how a cancer diagnosis became a turning point in his growth.This is a must-watch conversation for anyone navigating love, parenting, or personal transformation — full of heart, humility, and hope. To learn more about Jayson, check out his website https://www.jaysongaddis.com/00:28 — Intro: Welcome & Jayson’s Story01:01 — “Maybe I’m the Problem”: Realizing the Pattern02:23 — Why Jayson Started The Relationship School03:06 — The Wild Years: Risk, Drugs, Pain, and the Search for Meaning04:58 — Becoming Authentic in Marriage05:35 — Why Marriage is the Hardest Relationship You’ll Ever Have06:25 — Balancing Space and Closeness in Relationships08:25 — The Art of Repairing Conflict12:30 — Common Mistakes Couples Make During Fights14:12 — How to Navigate Financial Struggles Together16:45 — Climbing Out of Failure and Self-Doubt17:25 — Jayson’s Health Scare: Lessons from a Cancer Diagnosis19:39 — Coping with Life’s “Zombie Attacks” - Building Resilience & Teaching Kids to Do Hard Things23:24 — Final Reflections & Takeaways#TrustMeMom #JaysonGaddis #Relationships #MarriageAdvice #ConflictResolution #Parenting #LoveAndGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #MarriageTips #RelationshipSchool #GettingToZero #SelfAwareness #ResilientKids #PersonalGrowth #TherapyTools #CommunicationSkills #ModernParenting

Parenting a teenager can feel like walking on eggshells, especially when anxiety enters the picture. In this episode Ekaterina Konovalova spoke with Sophia Vale Galano, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and author of Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Your Teen Cope with Worry.Sophia shared practical, compassionate strategies to help parents recognize anxiety, open up meaningful conversations, and model calm and emotional regulation without controlling or enabling their teens.You’ll learn:- How to tell normal stress from clinical anxiety- Why teens mirror their parents’ emotional energy- What to say (and what not to say) when your teen shuts down- How to navigate social media, body image, and comparison traps- Why self-care for parents is the foundation of calmer teensIf you’ve ever wondered how to truly connect with your anxious teen — this conversation will give you hope, insight, and practical tools to start today.To learn more about Sophia, check her website www.sophiagalano.com00:26 Introduction: Meet Sophia Vale Galano, author of “Calming Teenage Anxiety”01:19 Sophia’s journey: From career change to working with teens02:38 Why teen years are a pivotal moment for mental health03:06 How to recognize teenage anxiety vs. normal stress04:58 When to take a closer look at your teen’s behavior05:08 First steps for parents: Talking about anxiety early06:11 Conversation tips: How to ask open-ended questions07:54 When teens say “I don’t want to talk about it”08:52 Changing the setting: Why casual conversations work better10:18 Rebuilding trust when there’s a control history11:00 How parents can model emotional regulation13:09 Why teens notice parental behavior more than words14:35 Energy and emotional connection between parents and teens15:00 How parents’ stress affects their children17:33 When and how to seek therapy or outside support20:07 Different types of support beyond traditional therapy21:18 Overcoming control and trusting the process23:06 Teens in today’s world: Why social media changes everything24:02 Healthy social media habits for teens26:39 Dealing with comparison and body image28:20 Highlights from Sophia’s book: Self-examination for parents29:53 Leading by example: Modeling healthy emotional habits30:56 Parents’ invisible impact and long-term influence31:23 Finding joy and balance as a parent33:40 The line between helping and enabling35:23 Teaching resilience: Let teens “scrape their knees”36:31 Final advice: Be open, flexible, and patient36:56 Where to find Sophia’s book and connect with her#TeenAnxiety #ParentingTeens #MentalHealth #TrustMeMom #SophiaValeGalano #ParentingTips #AnxietyHelp #TeenTherapy #ParentingPodcast #CalmingTeenageAnxiety #MentalHealthAwareness #MindfulParenting #RaisingTeens

When we hear the phrase long-distance relationship, we often think of romantic partners separated by geography. But what about long-distance parenting—navigating fatherhood or motherhood from miles away. In this episode of Trust Me Mom, I sat down with Jason Cercone, a podcaster, strategist, and devoted father, who shared his story of co-parenting his teenage daughter after separation—and later, after she and her mother moved six hours away.00:43 Navigating Long-Distance Parenting04:14 Maintaining Connection Across Distances08:19 Communication Strategies for Safety11:50 Coping with Emotions as a Long-Distance Parent16:00 Teaching Resilience and Self-Defense20:12 Instilling Work Ethic and Values22:00 The Importance of Communication in Co-Parenting#trustmemom #LongDistanceParenting #CoParenting #CommunicationStrategies #EmotionalChallenges #Resilience #WorkEthic #ParentingAdvice #FamilyDynamics #TechnologyInParenting #MaintainingRelationships

In this conversation, Dr. Ross W. Greene discusses the importance of understanding child behavior through the lens of frustration responses rather than traditional rewards and punishments. He emphasizes the need for parents to meet their children where they are developmentally and to engage in collaborative problem-solving strategies. The discussion also highlights the significance of effective communication and listening in addressing children's needs, as well as the broader implications for child psychology and advocacy.By listening to this episode you will learn that:• Rewards and punishments do not solve underlying problems.• Children's concerning behaviors are often frustration responses.• Meeting kids where they are is essential for effective parenting.• Developmental variability means each child is unique.• Collaborative problem-solving is more effective than unilateral decisions.• Listening to children is crucial for understanding their needs.• Non-compliance can provide valuable insights into a child's struggles.• Parents should focus on individual progress rather than comparisons.• Frustration responses indicate unmet expectations.• Advocacy for children's mental health is increasingly important.0:00 Introduction to Dr. Ross Greene1:30 The Problem with Rewards and Punishments4:00 Understanding Kids' Frustration Responses7:00 Ask Your Child What’s Making it Hard for Them to Meet Your Expectations. 10:00 Plan A, B, and C Explained15:00 Developmental Variability and Meeting Kids Where They Are18:00 The Power of Listening and Empathy18:59 Upcoming Book and Advocacy Efforts#ChildPsychology #ParentingTips #PositiveParenting #ChildDevelopment#EmpathyInParenting #CollaborativeProblemSolving #DrRossGreene #kidsdowelliftheycan #DevelopmentalVariability#drgreene

What does it really mean to heal for your kids? Many parents say, “I’d die for my children,” but emotional authenticity coach Kenny Weiss believes the greatest gift we can give our children is doing the work on our own trauma.In this powerful conversation, Kenny shares his personal journey—growing up in a chaotic home, struggling with addiction, divorce, and even suicidal thoughts—and how he transformed pain into purpose. He opens up about the concept of the Worst Day Cycle, why small childhood moments (like cottage cheese for the dog) can shape a lifetime, and how suppressed emotions often show up in our health, from back pain to allergies.0:00 – Every adult emotion begins in childhood0:29 – Meet Kenny Weiss (Emotional Authenticity Coach & Founder of The Greatness University)1:05 – Kenny’s childhood story: chaos, trauma, and survival3:23 – How trauma shapes false identities and addictions6:17 – “I didn’t know how to be a man”: healing begins at 388:00 – Discovering his gift through therapy9:25 – Rock bottom: contemplating suicide and letting go of control10:54 – Spiritual epiphanies and writing his first book11:52 – Parenting truth: “Would you heal for your kids?”13:36 – The cottage cheese story: subtle childhood wounds17:19 – How parents can attune better to their child’s emotions18:36 – Why parents must heal their own trauma first20:00 – Life as a series of painful lessons (and gifts)22:00 – Seeing life clearly: emotional authenticity as the “3D glasses”24:21 – Why pain drives growth & the importance of emotions27:05 – How to shift from self-destruction to emotional authenticity28:34 – The link between emotions and illness29:27 – Back pain, family burdens, and hidden emotional weight33:33 – Allergies, coughs, and unspoken truths36:06 – Rebuilding after bankruptcy and mini “deaths”39:04 – Vulnerability, shame, and giving others permission to heal40:14 – Reliving your “worst day” and the Worst Day Cycle42:57 – The Authentic Self Cycle: truth, responsibility, healing, forgiveness44:33 – Resources: free content, books, classes, and coaching47:00 – Living in alignment: finding peace after 4948:47 – Embracing future awakenings and deeper peace49:15 – Closing words of inspirationWe talk about:Why “I’d die for my kids” can actually harm children.How parents unconsciously pass unresolved trauma to their kids.The connection between emotions and physical illness.The difference between living in the Worst Day Cycle vs. reclaiming your authentic self.Practical steps to start healing and modeling emotional authenticity for your family.Kenny’s message is clear: Pain is not the enemy—it’s the pathway to authenticity, healing, and freedom.Kenny’s website & free downloads: https://kennyweiss.net#Parenting #ChildhoodTrauma #EmotionalHealing #KennyWeiss #TrustMeMom

Join Ekaterina and licensed professional counselor Alexandra (Alex) Dimoff as they explore the complexities of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and screen addictions in children. Discover how family history and environmental factors contribute to OCD, and learn about effective interventions and therapies.0:00 – Why video games are so addictive0:40 – Introduction to guest Alex Dimoff (licensed counselor)1:16 – Alex’s journey into becoming a therapist2:00 – What is OCD? Definition and symptoms3:15 – How OCD develops: predisposition vs. triggers4:03 – Is screen addiction the same as OCD?5:22 – Treatment approaches: therapy vs. medication6:17 – Real client case study (hair pulling & skin picking)9:11 – Importance of parent participation in therapy10:06 – Coaching parents to change habits11:13 – Managing electronics: passwords & device control11:56 – Why screen addiction happens15:03 – Peer competition, skins & bragging rights in games15:49 – Strategies for parents to manage gaming addiction18:09 – Using timers, warnings, and smooth transitions18:15 – Handling aggression & consequences19:44 – What if a child breaks things at home?21:00 – Do kids outgrow screen addictions?22:46 – When to seek therapy & what to expect24:46 – How long therapy typically lasts26:02 – New obsessions replacing old ones27:12 – Can OCD last a lifetime? Extreme cases28:40 – Life events triggering relapse29:00 – Final advice for parents29:39 – Where to find Alex Dimoff

#OCD #MentalHealth #Parenting #Therapy #OCDinkids

Guest Information: Alex Dimoff is a licensed professional counselor specializing in OCD and screen addictions, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/alexandra-dimoff-mars-pa/1215088

Step into the enchanting world of fairy tales with Professor Anne Duggan as we unravel the forgotten magic of The White Cat — a story that blends the charm of Puss in Boots with the romance of Rapunzel.In this captivating conversation, we explore:- How The White Cat mirrors historical power dynamics between men and women- The extraordinary life of Madame D’Aulnoy — and how her experiences shaped her storytelling- The deep symbolism of sacrifice and the hidden meanings behind witchcraft in fairy tales- Surprising truths about the power women could wield in 17th-century society- How fairy tales served as a therapeutic outlet for their authors- The fascinating cultural connections between fairy tales from different regions- Modern adaptations that give children empowering role modelsWe also look at how The White Cat has been retold through the centuries, keeping its core themes alive while adapting to new audiences and cultures.If you love folklore, history, and the hidden layers of storytelling, this episode will change how you see fairy tales.00:35 Introducing the guest1:45 The White Cat fairy tale7:41 How the White Cat became a Rapunzel story 11:18 Why did female characters take on men's work?15:29 Anne explains the power dynamics of women in hierarchical societies and how inheritance laws shaped fairy tales18:33 Russian and Arabic fairy tales similar to the White Cat22:04 Rumpelstiltskin and the White Cat story parallels - why magical helpers are asking for a child 27:00 Why young women were forced to marry old men, the personal story of Madame D’Aulnoy 29:05 Were cats the pets of witches or the companions of aristocrats?30:38 Fairies and the Fate33:47 Why noble women had more power over most men38:18 The Financial Struggles and Survival of Female Authors47:00 How women wrote fairy tales as acts of empowerment, envisioning joy and hope in the midst of their own struggles48:23 Rare editions of the White Cat - Anne shows her collection #FairyTales #TheWhiteCat #History #Folklore #MadameDAulnoy #Rapunzel #PussInBoots #parenting

When you picture a marketing executive, you might not imagine a Zumba instructor, a stay-at-home mom, or someone who once questioned whether she'd ever have a career again. But Kate Speer is all of those things, and more. In a conversation with Trust Me Mom host Ekaterina Konovalova, Kate shares her winding, deeply relatable journey of balancing motherhood and ambition, and how she ultimately launched her career to new heights, after having four kids.

00:32- Ekaterina introduces the podcast and guest, Kate Speer.01:15 - Kate's career journey overview. 05:30 - How Kate stayed active while raising four children.10:45 - Motherhood penalty discussion, overcoming resentment, and the Zumba studio era.16:46 - How networking helped Kate advance her career.25:40 - How to overcome the imposter syndrome and career setbacks.#workingmomsnetworking #CareerGrowth #WorkingMoms #LifeAfterLayoff #VisibilityMatters #PersonalBrand #MomLife #LeadershipJourney #LinkedInTips #motheroffour #marketingexecutive

From influencing audiences to influencing kids: Nicole (Nikki) Ramirez, a marketing executive and personal branding coach, shares her unique perspective on how marketing strategies can be seamlessly applied to parenting. Discover how Nikki's viral post about rebranding food for her toddler sparked a conversation across the internet, and learn how negotiation, storytelling, and audience understanding are as crucial in parenting as they are in marketing. Join Ekaterina and Nikki as they explore the parallels between motherhood and marketing, and how each can enhance the other.1:05 Who is Nikki 2:15 How motherhood changed Nikki 2:57 How Nikki went viral with her parenting post5:06 Marketing tips and skills that parents can apply in parenting6:54 Advice for working moms who are drowning in work and family life. 'Diversify your happiness'8:32 Advocacy for moms, Chamber of Mothers, phased approach to come back from maternity leave10:35 Childcare cost - when the whole paycheck goes into childcare12:00 What happens when a mom gives herself completely to the family - motherhood penalty13:36 Blissful ignorance of younger women - would 50% of population have kids if they knew how hard it will be?14:57 Why moms are too tired to plan social events and keep up with friends16:23 Support from the husband17:40 Message for moms - keep your identity, find who you are without giving yourself awayNikki's viral post: “Motherhood is just marketing,” shared Nikki on LinkedIn. “My toddler hates fish but loves chicken. So last night, for dinner, I told him the salmon was ‘Beach Chicken.’ He cheered, ‘Yay! Beach Chicken!’ — and ate the whole thing.” “It’s not lying; it’s rebranding,” she explained. “Know your customer.”#parentingtips #beachchicken #salmonbeachchicken #nikkiramirez #nicoleramirez #marketingmoms #howtotalktotoddler #workingmoms #worklifebalance