Parenthood Unscripted: Real Conversations with Parents

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Melissa, special education teacher, Wilson Reading instructor, and mom of two, for an honest conversation about dyslexia, reading challenges, parent advocacy, and what it means to support children who learn differently.Melissa shares how her experience as both an educator and a parent has shaped the way she works with families. Together, we discuss the early signs of reading difficulties, why some children need more than traditional classroom instruction, and how parents can confidently advocate for the evaluations and supports their child needs.Whether you're wondering if your child is struggling with reading, navigating intervention services, or trying to understand what dyslexia really looks like, this episode is filled with practical guidance, encouragement, and reassurance that you're not alone.In this episode, we discuss:Why early intervention matters when children are struggling with reading and spellingThe differences between classroom reading instruction, intervention services, and Wilson ReadingWhat makes structured literacy effective for children with dyslexia and other reading challengesEarly signs of dyslexia and reading difficulties parents should watch forHow reading, spelling, handwriting, and comprehension are all connectedUnderstanding Response to Intervention (RTI) and knowing when it's time to ask, "What's next?"Why some children compensate for reading challenges—and why those struggles often become more noticeable in later elementary schoolMelissa's perspective as both a special education teacher and a mom navigating speech delays and medical challenges with her own childrenWhy labels don't define a child. They simply help identify the supports they needPractical steps parents can take if they suspect their child is struggling with readingThe importance of trusting your instincts and advocating early for evaluation and interventionConnect with Melissa:🌐 Website: https://pittsfordreading.com/📩 Contact Melissa through the contact form on her website.Ready to Walk Into Your Child's Next IEP Meeting with Confidence?One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that parents know their children best.If something doesn't feel quite right, trust your instincts. Asking questions, requesting data, and understanding your child's options are all important parts of advocating for the support they need.If you're feeling overwhelmed by the special education process or unsure how to prepare for your child's next IEP meeting, I'd love to invite you to my FREE live workshop:How to Walk Into Your Child's IEP Meeting Calm, Prepared & Confident📅 Friday, August 14th🕑 2:00 pm ESTDuring this free workshop, you'll learn how to:Walk into your child's IEP meeting feeling calm and preparedKnow which questions to ask (and when to ask them)Better understand the special education processAdvocate confidently while building collaborative relationships with your child's team✨ Reserve your free spot hereI can't wait to see you there!If this episode encouraged you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who may be wondering if their child needs additional reading support. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and every parent deserves the confidence to advocate for the support their child needs. 🤍

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Morgan Tota, speech-language pathologist, owner of Tota Communication Therapy LLC, mom of four, and founder of The Wait With You Foundation, for an honest conversation about high-risk pregnancy, maternal mental health, asking for help, and finding purpose through adversity.Morgan shares the deeply personal story of her seven-week antepartum hospital stay during a high-risk pregnancy with her youngest son, Danny. She opens up about the emotional toll of living in the hospital, navigating motherhood from a hospital room, and the invisible mental health challenges that so many families experience during complicated pregnancies.Out of that difficult season came The Wait With You Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families facing high-risk pregnancies and extended hospital stays through comfort kits, community resources, and compassionate support.Together, we also discuss the importance of asking for help, the power of community, and why meeting children and parents where they are can make all the difference.Whether you've experienced a high-risk pregnancy, spent time in the NICU, are navigating a medical journey with your family, or simply need the reminder that you don't have to carry everything alone, this episode is filled with hope, honesty, and encouragement.• Morgan's experience with a seven-week antepartum hospital stay during a high-risk pregnancy• The emotional and mental health impact of prolonged hospitalization before birth• The unique challenges families face during high-risk pregnancies and NICU journeys• How The Wait With You Foundation was inspired by Morgan's personal experience• Why asking for specific help allows others to better support you• The importance of community during difficult seasons of parenthood• Navigating guilt, self-blame, and uncertainty as a parent• How healthcare providers can better support families through compassionate communication• Why developmental expectations should be adjusted for premature infants• Turning difficult experiences into meaningful change for other families💙 Website: https://www.waitwithyoufoundation.org/home📸 Instagram: thewaitwithyoufoundation🎁 Support through the Amazon Wishlist🤍 Donate to The Wait With You FoundationIf this episode encouraged you, we'd love for you to subscribe to Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who may need the reminder that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. It's often the first step toward healing.And if you know someone navigating a high-risk pregnancy, prolonged hospital stay, or NICU journey, we hope you'll share Morgan's story with them. Sometimes simply knowing you're not alone can make all the difference. 🤍

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I welcome back Dr. Anne McIntosh for another thoughtful conversation about communication, advocacy, accessibility, and what it truly means to create inclusive environments for everyone.Anne shares her personal experiences navigating marriage and parenting in a deaf-hearing household, offering practical wisdom about meeting people where they are, focusing on strengths instead of differences, and building relationships rooted in acceptance rather than expectations.We also dive into one of Anne's greatest passions: improving communication access in healthcare through transparent surgical masks. She explains why communication accommodations benefit far more than just the Deaf and hard of hearing community and how each of us can play a role in advocating for more accessible healthcare.Finally, we explore one of my favorite topics: parent advocacy. Anne shares practical advice for advocating confidently without becoming adversarial, why collaboration almost always creates better outcomes than confrontation, and how parents can prepare for difficult conversations with schools and medical professionals.Whether you're raising a child with disabilities, navigating IEP meetings, supporting someone with communication differences, or simply hoping to become a more effective advocate, this episode is full of practical strategies and perspective shifts that will leave you feeling empowered.In this episode, we discuss:• Navigating marriage and parenting in a deaf-hearing household• Why focusing on strengths creates healthier relationships than focusing on differences• Meeting communication partners where they are instead of expecting one-size-fits-all communication• The importance of transparent surgical masks and communication accessibility in healthcare• Why communication accommodations benefit everyone—not just Deaf and hard of hearing individuals• How to advocate for communication access at medical and dental appointments• The difference between advocating for your own child and advocating for systemic change• Why collaboration is often more effective than confrontation in IEP meetings and school conversations• Practical ways to advocate confidently without being perceived as "difficult"• The importance of practicing difficult conversations and regulating emotions before advocacy meetings• How trusted professionals and advocates can help parents communicate more effectively• Why the ultimate goal isn't winning the argument. It's helping your child succeedConnect with Dr. Anne McIntosh:🌐 Safe'N'Clear: https://www.safenclear.com📧 Email: [email protected] One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that effective advocacy isn't about being the loudest voice in the room. It's about being prepared, collaborative, and confident.If you've ever walked into an IEP meeting feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to say, or worried about advocating "the right way," you're not alone.That's exactly why I created the Advocacy Accelerator, my signature 8-week parent advocacy program designed to help you understand the special education process, communicate effectively, advocate strategically, and walk into meetings with confidence.✨ Enrollment is open now✨ Learn more: www.empoweredparentnetwork.org/advocacyacceleratorIf this episode encouraged you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent or professional who believes every child deserves to be heard and every family deserves to feel confident advocating for them. 🤍Ready to Feel More Confident Advocating for Your Child?

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Kimberly LaForte, voice guide, visibility coach, motivational speaker, and founder of Vocal Honey™, for a powerful conversation about reclaiming your voice, trusting yourself, and showing up fully in your life.Kimberly shares her own journey from struggling with intense fear of public speaking to helping women step into sacred self-expression and unshakable presence. Together, we explore why so many women lose trust in their voice, how nervous system regulation impacts confidence, and practical ways to speak up, even when it feels uncomfortable.Whether you're advocating for your child, navigating difficult conversations, building a business, or simply learning to take up space again, this episode offers encouragement and actionable tools to help you reconnect with yourself and your message.In this episode, we discuss:• Why so many women disconnect from their voice and authentic self-expression• The hidden cost of people-pleasing and constantly adapting to others' expectations• How nervous system regulation impacts confidence and communication• The difference between reacting from fear and speaking from grounded self-trust• Practical strategies for speaking up during difficult conversations• Why we need to stop making our body's reactions "wrong"• Using storytelling as a tool for connection, influence, and confidence• The concept of sacred self-expression and learning to trust your inner voice• Building confidence through small, consistent acts of visibility and self-expressionConnect with Kimberly:🌐 Website: https://kimberlylaforte.com/🎤 The Method: https://kimberlylaforte.com/the-method📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekimberlylaforte/▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VocalHoneyVoiceReady to Feel More Confident Advocating for Your Child?One of the biggest themes of this conversation is learning to trust your voice, even when you feel nervous, uncertain, or intimidated.As parents navigating special education, those feelings often show up during IEP meetings, evaluations, and difficult conversations with schools.If you're ready to feel more prepared, organized, and confident in those moments, enrollment is now open for the Advocacy Accelerator.The Advocacy Accelerator is my signature 8-week parent advocacy program designed to help you understand the special education process, communicate effectively, advocate strategically, and walk into meetings with confidence.✨ Enrollment is open now✨ Program begins July 10th🌐 www.empoweredparentnetwork.org/advocacyacceleratorIf this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with a friend who may need the reminder that her voice matters and deserves to be heard. 🤍

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Samantha Hawley, clarity coach, podcast host, and founder of the Leaders Table, for a powerful conversation about motherhood, people-pleasing, overwhelm, and what it really means to create a life that aligns with who you are.Samantha shares her journey through motherhood, divorce, entrepreneurship, and self-discovery, and how strategic journaling became the tool that helped her move from confusion and burnout to clarity and confidence. We talk about the invisible pressures women carry, the beliefs that keep us stuck in unhealthy patterns, and how small moments of courage can create lasting change.In this episode, we discuss:• How motherhood can shine a light on areas of life that no longer align with your values• The difference between knowing what you want and having the clarity to act on it• Using journaling as a tool for self-awareness, emotional processing, and decision-making• The hidden ways people-pleasing shows up in relationships, parenting, and everyday life• Why successful women often struggle with overwhelm despite "having it all together"• The beliefs that keep women trapped in cycles of stress, overachievement, and perfectionism• How micro action steps can help you move forward when big goals feel overwhelming• Learning to trust yourself and stop performing for the expectations of others• Creating space to be authentic instead of constantly feeling "on"Connect with Samantha:📸 Instagram: @samantha.s.says🎙️ Beyond Awareness Podcast🌐 Calm Mind Blueprint (5 Strategic Journaling Prompts):https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind🤍 Leaders Table (Dinner Community for Female Leaders & Established Entrepreneurs):https://www.samathapenkoff.com/leaders-tableIf this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another mom, entrepreneur, or woman who may need this reminder: Clarity doesn't come from doing more. It comes from understanding yourself more deeply. 🤍

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Ashley Brianna Walker, Rochester educator, devoted mom, and passionate advocate, for a heartfelt conversation about parenting a child with additional needs, navigating the special education system, and learning to trust your voice as a parent.Ashley shares her journey of recognizing her daughter’s speech delay, overcoming fear and uncertainty, and finding strength through faith, family, and advocacy. Together, we talk honestly about the emotional weight many parents carry into CSE meetings, the importance of asking questions, and why no parent should feel ashamed for needing support or accommodations for their child.This conversation is filled with encouragement, honesty, and reassurance for parents who may feel overwhelmed, defeated, or unsure of what comes next.In this episode, we discuss:• Navigating the emotional reality of parenting a child with additional needs• How faith, family, and community can help parents build confidence• The anxiety and overwhelm many parents experience during CSE and IEP meetings• Why labels and special education services are not “death sentences”• Learning how to advocate for your child with confidence and patience• The importance of reading IEPs carefully and asking questions• Balancing honesty about challenges while still celebrating progress and strengths• Letting go of comparisons and trusting your child’s individual timeline• How advocacy transforms not only your child, but you as a parent• Finding hope, resilience, and joy through difficult seasonsConnect with Ashley:📸 Instagram: AshleyBrieXOXO_🌐 Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/ashleybri__xoxo📘 Facebook: Ashley Brianna Walker🌐 Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1QTYQexhdf/Ashley’s warmth, honesty, and perspective will leave so many parents feeling seen and understood. If this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who may need this reminder: you are not alone, your child is not defined by a label, and your voice matters more than you know. 🤍

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Jenna D’Annunzio, second-generation entrepreneur, certified holistic leadership and business coach, author, and speaker, for an honest conversation about motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the invisible weight so many women carry.Jenna shares how she’s learned to move from survival mode into a more grounded, aligned, and joy-filled way of living. We talk about balancing family and business, setting healthy boundaries, asking for help, healing from childhood experiences, and giving ourselves permission to be human through every season of parenting.In this episode, we discuss:• The weight of expectations women carry in motherhood, business, and everyday life• Finding harmony instead of chasing perfect balance• How communication and intentional planning can reduce burnout• Recognizing when your “10-pound bag” is carrying 12 pounds• Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness• Parenting through repair, accountability, and authenticity• Healing from childhood experiences while creating a different path for your own children• Embracing the changing seasons of motherhood, marriage, and personal growthConnect with Jenna:🌐 Soul Purpose Institute📸 Instagram: jenna_dannunzio3💼 LinkedIn: jenna-d-annunzio📘 Facebook: JennaDAnnunzioCoachIf this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent, entrepreneur, or woman who may need this reminder: you don’t have to do it all to live a rich and meaningful life. 🤍

In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Dr. Anne McIntosh to talk about growing up deaf, advocacy, and resilience. She shares her experience navigating a hearing world without full access, the power of high expectations, and how problem-solving becomes a lifelong strength.We also dive into communication barriers in healthcare, the inspiration behind Clear Masks, and why trusting your instincts as a parent matters more than anything.In this episode, we cover:Growing up deaf in a mainstream settingThe importance of high expectationsAdvocacy and trusting your gut as a parentCommunication barriers and accessibilityThe power of resilience and problem-solvingLinks & Resources:🎙 YouTube: https://youtu.be/4a4tzTqaxpg📸 Instagram: @parenthood.unscripted🌐 Guest: safeandclear.com🌐 Guest email: [email protected]⭐ Advocacy Accelerator: www.empoweredparentnetwork.org🧠 Olive Speech Therapy: www.olivespeechtherapy.orgIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share with someone who needs it 🤍