Trust Me Mom

What really happens after we get married and have kids — and why does “equality” so often disappear?In this powerful episode of Trust Me Mom (Season 1, episode 30), host Ekaterina Konovalova sits down with Abby Eckel — content creator, educator, and advocate for equitable partnerships — to unpack the realities of modern motherhood, invisible labor, emotional load, and why so many women feel overwhelmed despite “doing everything right.”Abby shares her journey into advocacy, the TikTok moment that went viral when she talked about splitting household labor equally, and why so many men don’t even realize they’re at the center of their relationships. This conversation dives into:- Why motherhood feels nothing like what we were promised- How gender roles quietly reassert themselves after children- The danger of framing women as responsible for men’s well-being- Why “just communicate better” is often terrible advice- What centering yourself actually looks like in real life- How raising boys differently can change future generations- This conversation is honest, uncomfortable at times, deeply validating — and necessary.00:00 Introduction & why this conversation matters00:52 Meet Abby Eckel & the struggle of modern working moms01:49 “I felt lied to about motherhood” — Abby’s origin story03:20 The viral moment: splitting cooking & bedtime equally04:32 Raising boys without gendered roles06:48 Teaching kids to fully finish tasks (the train-track story)08:53 Why women don’t want to come home to chaos11:44 Equal custody laws & why they scare mothers12:34 Scott Galloway, single men, and misplaced responsibility15:37 Why women aren’t meant to “fix” men16:39 “Just get a divorce?” — a provocative starting point19:10 Michelle & Barack Obama and invisible labor22:00 Why gender norms explode after kids25:33 Men being centered — and not realizing it29:16 When wives stop being “fun” and why31:09 Religion, submission, and unequal expectations33:00 What women can do right now to reclaim themselves36:04 Centering yourself without burning everything down36:19 Closing thoughts & gratitude#TrustMeMom #MentalLoad #InvisibleLabor #EquitableMarriage #ModernMotherhood #WorkingMoms #EmotionalLabor #Feminism #ParentingBoys #GenderRoles #MarriageReality#MotherhoodUnfiltered #SelfCentering #BreakingTheCycle #weaponizedincompetence

What’s really behind the growing teen mental health crisis —and are we asking the wrong questions?

In this episode of Trust Me Mom, host EkaterinaKonovalova sits down with Dr. Will Dobud, social work clinician, researcher, and co-author of Kids These Days, to unpack how modern mental health systems may be unintentionally harming young people.

Dr. Dobud challenges the over-medicalization of childhood,the rise of diagnostic labels as identity, and the belief that more therapy manuals and rules equal better outcomes. Drawing from decades of research, clinical practice, and outdoor-based therapeutic work, he explains why teensare often the canaries in the coal mine, and how our systems prioritize control over care.

Together, they explore:

• Why therapy outcomes haven’t improved in 50+ years

• How labels like ADHD or depression can become limiting identities

• The real risks and rewards of outdoor and experiential therapy

• Power dynamics in therapy — and why acknowledging them matters

• What parents should know before outsourcing their child’s mental health

• How society shapes teen distress more than we want to admit

00:00 – Introduction: Kids, mental health, and whythis conversation matters
01:15 – Will Dobud’s personal journey into social work
05:30 – From troubled teen to therapist: learning what actually helpskids
09:40 – Overdiagnosis, labels, and identity in youth mental health
14:30 – Why therapy manuals don’t improve outcomes
18:40 – What outdoor therapy really is (and isn’t)
23:50 – The myth of “better” therapy models
29:10 – Group expeditions, agency, and giving kids control
33:40 – How positive experiences can heal more than trauma talk
38:20 – Power, safety, and the real risks in therapy
45:00 – When systems protect themselves instead of kids
51:30 – Teens as the “canaries in the coal mine”
56:00 – Environmental, social, and systemic contributors to distress
1:01:00 – Why this isn’t a parenting manual — and why that matters
1:05:30 – Final thoughts: hope, responsibility, and rethinking care

#TrustMeMom #KidsTheseDays #TeenMentalHealth #YouthMentalHealth #ParentingTeens #MentalHealthAwareness #TherapyReimagined #Overdiagnosis #ADHD #OutdoorTherapy #ExperientialTherapy #SocialWork #Psychology #MentalHealthSystem #RaisingKidsToday

In this episode of Trust Me Mom, Ekaterina Konovalova sits down with Brittany Maurizi, ABA therapist and founder of Balanced Behaviors, to demystify what ABA therapy really is — who it helps, how it works, and why it can transform the lives of children and adults.With over a decade of experience as an early childhood and special education teacher, and now a licensed Behavior Specialist, Brittany brings both professional expertise and personal insight as a mom navigating her own child’s developmental challenges.Together, we explore:- What ABA therapy actually is (and what it isn’t)- How ABA supports children with autism and beyond- The difference between ABA and other therapies- Why communication, functional skills, and socialization matter- How to use positive reinforcement effectively- What to expect if your child qualifies for ABA through insurance- Building community, reducing stigma, and supporting mental health- The importance of equipping kids and adults with life skillsWhether you’re a parent, educator, therapist, or caregiver, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and real-life examples to help you better understand ABA therapy and mental health support.00:36 — Welcome & Introduction to Brittany Maurizi00:52 — Brittany’s journey from educator to ABA therapist01:39 — What inspired her to pursue ABA therapy02:45 — What ABA therapy is and who it helps04:10 — Is ABA only for autism? Myths & misconceptions04:29 — What ABA looks like day-to-day05:46 — Working with children vs. adults in ABA06:50 — Examples of ABA for young kids, teens, and adults08:48 — Why community support matters for parents09:18 — Brittany’s personal experience as a mom navigating diagnoses10:05 — How personal experience strengthens her approach as a clinician10:50 — In-home, school, community-based ABA support11:36 — Plans for a future sensory space and ABA center12:18 — Beyond autism: Who else can benefit from ABA?13:17 — How insurance approval for ABA works14:25 — Assessment, treatment plans, and parental collaboration15:48 — Boundaries, crisis calls, and keeping kids safe17:10 — Why community familiarity with special needs matters18:25 — Police, crisis response, and neurodiversity training19:52 — The need for better systems and community education20:29 — What ABA looks like for “high-functioning” individuals22:04 — Antecedent interventions & visual schedules23:10 — Changing how we communicate with children23:51 — Positive reinforcement: the core of ABA24:55 — Examples of appropriate reinforcement & avoiding empty promises25:49 — How ABA differs from other therapies27:14 — Breaking stigma around mental health & ABA28:05 — Giving parents time to process diagnoses29:02 — Building community and support through Balanced Behaviors#ABATherapy #AutismSupport #BalancedBehaviors #MentalHealthAwareness #ParentingTips #ChildDevelopment #BehaviorTherapy #PositiveReinforcement #SpecialNeedsParenting #TrustMeMom #Neurodiversity #TherapistInterview #EarlyIntervention #ParentEducation #PodcastEpisode #KidsMentalHealth #AppliedBehaviorAnalysis

In this episode of Trust Me Mom, Ekaterina Konovalova interviewed Kepler Knott, the author of Raising Tomorrow: Talks to Prepare Our Kids for What Lies Ahead. Kepler is a former soldier, teacher, and long-time writer whose rich life experiences shaped a powerful book of letters to his daughters, exploring identity, values, critical thinking, service, culture, and what it really means to grow up in today’s complex world.This conversation dives into:

• Raising thoughtful, resilient kids
• Navigating multicultural family life
• Teaching critical thinking
• Understanding identity, values, and religion
• Why parents should be guides — not road clearers
• How conversations (not answers) shape our children’s futures

If you’re a parent, educator, or simply curious about raising grounded, empathetic humans, this interview is full of meaningful insights — lightly roasted, as Kepler likes to say.To learn more about the book, check https://RaisingTomorrow.org00:35 — Welcome to Trust Me Mom01:02 — Introducing Kepler's journey02:10 — Writing letters to his children during COVID03:00 — From military & teaching to authoring a book04:10 — Why kids struggle more today05:15 — What inspired Raising Tomorrow06:15 — Ekaterina’s thoughts on the book06:26 — Kepler’s favorite chapter: understanding boys08:00 — Humor, hormones & how boys’ brains work09:20 — Challenges boys face today10:05 — Ekaterina’s favorite chapters on values & critical thinking10:26 — Navigating multicultural identity in families12:10 — How identity & religion overlap13:15 — Raising kids with shared values across cultures15:00 — Teaching empathy & giving others the benefit of the doubt16:10 — Religion, spirituality & helping kids explore meaning17:50 — Critical thinking: teaching kids to evaluate information19:35 — Media, narratives & helping kids form their own opinions20:20 — Life skills vs. academic skills22:00 — Teaching responsibility, chores & real-world competence23:20 — Navigating traditions & family expectations25:00 — Politics at the dinner table & the olive branch approach26:35 — Final advice for parents & why communication matters27:40 — Kepler’s hope for future generations#Parenting #RaisingKids #WisdomForKids #ParentingTips #KeplerKnott #RaisingTomorrow #TrustMeMom #ModernParenting #FamilyValues #CriticalThinking #ParentingAdvice

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