Trust Me Mom

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 admit00:00 – Introduction: Kids, mental health, and whythis conversation matters01:15 – Will Dobud’s personal journey into social work05:30 – From troubled teen to therapist: learning what actually helpskids09:40 – Overdiagnosis, labels, and identity in youth mental health14:30 – Why therapy manuals don’t improve outcomes18:40 – What outdoor therapy really is (and isn’t)23:50 – The myth of “better” therapy models29:10 – Group expeditions, agency, and giving kids control33:40 – How positive experiences can heal more than trauma talk38:20 – Power, safety, and the real risks in therapy45:00 – When systems protect themselves instead of kids51:30 – Teens as the “canaries in the coal mine”56:00 – Environmental, social, and systemic contributors to distress1:01:00 – Why this isn’t a parenting manual — and why that matters1:05:30 – 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 kidsNavigating multicultural family lifeTeaching critical thinkingUnderstanding identity, values, and religionWhy parents should be guides — not road clearersHow conversations (not answers) shape our children’s futuresIf 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