Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children

Today we’re diving into a topic that so many women experience but far too few of us are adequately prepared for—perimenopause. My guest is Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a board-certified OB-GYN, Certified Menopause Practitioner, and New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause and her most recent book, The New Perimenopause. Through her clinical work, her online programs like The Galveston Diet, and her platform The ’Pause Life, Dr. Haver has become a leading voice in making menopause education accessible, practical, and grounded in science.

In our conversation, we explore the biological and emotional complexities of perimenopause, why early intervention—including hormone therapy—can be so important, and the gaps in medical training that have left many women feeling dismissed or unprepared. Dr. Haver shares practical strategies for managing symptoms, explains what she calls “The Menopause Toolkit,” and offers empowering guidance to help women advocate for their health and navigate this transformative phase with more knowledge, confidence, and support.

 About Dr. Mary Claire Haver 

Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD, FACOG, CMP, is a board-certified Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist, a Certified Menopause Practitioner from The Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society (NAMS)), an Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, and a passionate entrepreneur and best-selling author with a focus on women's health. Dr. Haver graduated from Louisiana State University Medical Center and completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at UTMB. 

As her patient population grew older, Dr. Haver started receiving numerous complaints and concerns about weight gain during menopause. This inspired her to do a deep dive into the science of menopause, aging, and inflammation beyond what she was taught in school and residency, which led to the creation of The Galveston Diet online program and, in 2023, a national bestselling book. Dr. Haver integrates a patient's medical history, symptomatology, nutrition, exercise, supplements, and possibly hormone therapy, or what she likes to call "The Menopause Toolkit." 

Dr. Haver has a large social media following of over 7 million, where she posts advice for menopausal women and learns a great deal from her followers and community. She aims to make menopause care easy and accessible for everyone. She founded The 'Pause Life, a comprehensive approach to menopause education and support, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The New Menopause and her most recent title The New Perimenopause. 

Things you'll learn from this episode 

What differences there are between the biological process of perimenopause and menopause

The impact of hormone shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone on women’s mental health and brain fog during perimenopause

Ways to effectively communicate with healthcare providers who may not be up to speed on menopause research and/or may be dismissive of symptoms

The benefits and timing of menopause hormone therapy during perimenopause

Resources mentioned


The Pause Life (Mary Claire’s website and online community)


The New Perimenopause: An Evidence-Based Guide to Surviving the Zone of Chaos and Feeling Like Yourself Again by Dr. Mary Claire Haver


The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts by Dr. Mary Claire Haver

UnPaused Podcast

Dr. Mary Claire Haver on Instagram

Dr. Mary Claire Haver on YouTube

Dr. Mary Claire Haver on Facebook

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Dr. Mike Postma joins me for a personal conversation about the many challenges facing gifted and 2e / twice-exceptional students, especially social and emotional challenges, and this is one of those episodes that just might leave you feeling pensive, concerned, and ignited all at the same time.

About Dr. Mike Postma

Dr. Michael Postma is an educator, author, speaker, coach and consultant dedicated to the holistic development of the gifted/twice-exceptional (2e) community. Over the last two decades, Dr. Postma has served as a gifted teacher in the classroom, as an administrator and leader of gifted schools – both public and charter schools in multiple states, and was the architect of the Minnetonka Navigator Program, a magnet school in Minnesota specifically designed for highly gifted and twice-exceptional students.

He currently is the President and co-founder of Gifted and Thriving, LLC and the Programming Director for the non-profit SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) organization.

Dr. Postma has published a number of articles and two books, the latest titled The Inconvenient Student: Critical Issues in the Identification and Education of Twice-Exceptional Students. He travels and speaks nationally and internationally on a variety of topics such as: the social/emotional development of the gifted, understanding twice-exceptional learners, gifted/talented programming, neuroscience and the gifted/2e brain and more.

Things you’ll learn from this episode

Mike Postma’s personal story of growing up a gifted and 2e kid with
very little support in a time when many neurodifferences weren’t
recognized or understood

What “holistic development” means in the context of children, especially twice-exceptional children

Why Mike says social emotional development has to be one of the foundations for academic and intellectual potential

Where society is with regards to understanding asynchronous development

How schools can make small accommodations to make school more successful for gifted and 2e students

Why Mike wrote his book The Inconvenient Student and what he hopes it does in the world

Mike thoughts on how the educational system needs to be revamped

Why Mike says 2e people are among the most vulnerable populations

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Today we’re turning the lens inward and talking about the inner life of parents—especially those of us raising neurodivergent kids. My guest is Matthew Fishleder, a licensed marriage and family therapist who works with adults navigating anxiety, life transitions, and the emotional complexity of being human. A central focus of Matthew’s work is supporting parents in understanding their own worry, guilt, and burnout—not as personal failures, but as understandable responses to chronic stress. In our conversation, we explore what’s actually happening when parents get stuck in chronic worry about their child’s future, how self-criticism takes root, and why tending to our own inner world is foundational to our kids’ sense of safety. Matthew shares practical, compassionate strategies for relating differently to anxiety so we can show up with more steadiness, presence, and connection—even in the most activated moments.

About Matthew Fishleder

Matthew Fishleder is a psychotherapist licensed in California and Maryland who works with adults navigating anxiety, life transitions, and the emotional complexity of being human. One focus of his work is the inner life of parents, especially those raising neurodivergent kids. His approach is neurodiversity affirming and grounded in humanistic and acceptance based frameworks. Matthew helps parents understand worry, guilt, and burnout as understandable responses to chronic stress, and supports them in relating differently to anxiety and self criticism so they can show up with more presence, steadiness, and connection.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

How tending to a parent’s inner life and emotional awareness strengthens the entire family system

Why chronic worry and anxiety are understandable responses to parenting—and how to relate to them differently

How parenthood reshapes identity and invites ongoing self-discovery

Why normalizing difficult emotions reduces shame and builds emotional resilience

How cultivating self-regulation and holistic self-awareness helps parents show up with steadiness and presence

Resources mentioned 


Growing Present (Matt’s website)

Internal Family Systems


Laura Key on ADHD Aha Moments, Parenting, and Burnout (Full-Tilt Parenting)


An Interview with Dr. Dan Siegel About The Yes Brain (Full-Tilt Parenting)

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Today I’m talking with neurodivergent educator Sam Young about a
topic I haven’t covered on the podcast before, and that is our
neurodivergent kids’ social lives. The world has changed so very much in
the past few years, including in no small way how our kids relate to other kids. I get a pang of nostalgia when I think about how I used to form friendships when I was younger in a more analog world, but I can also feel excitement about the many possibilities that have opened up for kids like ours to find their communities thanks to the technology they’re growing up with.

In this episode, Sam is going to talk with us about what a meaningful and healthy social life might look like for our differently wired kids, and how we can support them in the process. We explored how online communities
have impacted socializing for neurodivergent kids, how parents can
support kids in developing the skills to help with social anxiety, key
elements to look for in ideal social environments for our differently
wired kiddos, and much more.

 

About Sam Young

Sam Young MEd, or Mr. Sam as his families call him, is a growth-minded,
two-time Fulbright Scholar and Director of Young Scholars Academy, a
strength-based, talent-focused virtual enrichment center that supports
twice-exceptional, neurodivergent, and gifted students and their
families.

Mr. Sam is a neurodivergent educator who has ADHD. As an ADHD
learner, he has a tremendous understanding of, experience in, and
respect for all things related to neurodiverse education. Before
founding Young Scholars Academy, Mr. Sam taught in a variety of
capacities—including nearly a decade at Bridges Academy — at an array of
programs in the US, Europe, and Asia. Travel and culture are near and
dear to him. He has led 2e students to over 7 countries for immersive
cultural and educational trips.

Mr. Sam has been featured in the documentary 2e2: Teaching The Twice Exceptional, the textbook Understanding The Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Students, 2nd Ed., Variations Magazine, over 20 podcasts, 10 seminars, 2e News, and other publications.

 

Things You'll Learn from This Episode:

What reimagining our kids’ social life really is about

How online communities have impacted our kid’s social lives

What Sam’s students wish their social lives looked like

How parents or adults in kids’ lives can support them in building skills to help them with social anxiety

Sam’s thoughts on social skill groups and their efficacy

Expectations that parents have that might be getting in the way of their kid’s social lives

How parents can support a kid who is feeling alone to the point of their self-confidence and self-worth being affected

 Resources Mentioned

Young Scholars Academy

Young Scholars Academy Winter Courses

10 tips to help 2e kiddos socialize AND a bonus video

Young Scholars Academy on Facebook

Young Scholars Academy on Instagram

Bridges Academy

Davidson Young Scholars

Joseph Renzulli

Susan Baum


Asher Talks About the Highs and Lows of His Social Life (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

About Sam YoungThings you’ll learn from this episodeResources mentioned about the social lives of 2e students
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Today we’re talking about motivation—what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many of our neurodivergent kids get mislabeled as “unmotivated” when the real story is far more nuanced. My guest is Dr. Ellen Braaten, an expert on motivation and the author of several books including Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less, and her newest release, The Motivation Mindset Workbook: Helping Teens and Tweens Discover What They Love to Do. Ellen shares why motivation is not a fixed trait, how identity shapes whether kids lean in or shut down, and what often gets in the way for learners with ADHD and other differences. We talk about how parents can shift from pushing performance to supporting purpose, and how giving kids the space to discover what genuinely interests them can be transformative for confidence, engagement, and long-term growth.

About Dr. Ellen Braaten 

Dr. Ellen Braaten is the founding director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. She has published numerous scientific papers on topics related to ADHD, learning disorders, child psychopathology, processing speed, and intelligence, as well as many books for parents and professionals, including the bestsellers Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up, and Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less: How to Rekindle Your Child’s Motivation. Most recently, she coauthored The Motivation Mindset Workbook: Helping Teens and Tweens Discover What They Love to Do.Dr. Braaten has a strong interest in educating the public on topics related to child mental health, maintains an active speaking schedule, and contributes regularly to local and national news outlets.

Things you'll learn from this episode 

How motivation is a dynamic skill that ebbs and flows based on environment and context, not a fixed trait

Why helping teens and tweens identify their strengths and values lays the foundation for authentic motivation

How responsibility and meaningful real-world experiences spark engagement and ownership

Why identity development plays a central role in sustaining long-term motivation

How practical, strengths-based activities can reignite momentum when kids feel stuck

Resources mentioned 

Dr. Ellen Braaten’s website


The Motivation Mindset Workbook: Helping Teens and Tweens Discover What They Love to Do by Dr. Ellen Braaten & Dr. Hillary Bush


Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less: How to Rekindle Your Child’s Motivation by Dr. Ellen Braaten


Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up: Help Your Child Overcome Slow Processing Speed and Keep Up in a Fast-Paced World by Dr. Ellen Braaten


How to Rekindle Your Child’s Motivation, with Dr. Ellen Braaten (Tilt Parenting Podcast)


Exploring Slow Processing Speed with Dr. Ellen Braaten (Tilt Parenting Podcast)

Traits of Flow According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds

Dr. Martin Seligman / Positive Psychology

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