Suburban Burnout

IVF to NICU in a Storm: Quad Life + Parenting Hacks w/Starlyn Cafferata

After years of infertility, Starlyn and Bill Cafferata (@caffsquad) finally saw two pink lines, except this time, there were four heartbeats. What followed was a wild ride through high-risk pregnancy, as specialist after specialist delivered conflicting information, survival odds, and gut-wrenching decisions. Somehow, Starlyn carried all four babies, Lennon, Enzo, Francesca, and Stella, through the chaos, uncertainty, and exhaustion.
Then came the next twist: just weeks after their NICU journey, a historic Texas ice storm left them trapped at home with no power, four newborns, and a toddler. In this episode, Starlyn gets real about parenting five kids (including quadruplets!), managing marriage and mental health, and relying on the only thing that kept them afloat: a fierce, loving village of family and friends.
This is the story of what it takes to survive the unimaginable, with humor, honesty, and a village that showed up in every way possible. If you’ve been through infertility, IVF, NICU life, or just trying to keep it together as a parent, this one will hit home.
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Triggered or Transforming? From Division to Connection Kelsey Blahnik

Forget surface-level advice and toxic positivity Megan and Laura dive headfirst into the emotional and psychological labor of modern life. From parenting and relationships to political tension and personal healing, this show unpacks the why behind our behaviors and offers practical strategies for growth, grounded in both clinical insight and real-life experience.
With raw conversations and expert-informed dialogue, guest Kelsey Blahnik, LCSW-S, explores what it really takes to stay connected to ourselves and others in today’s world.
Kelsey Blahnik, LCSW-S, @theandway, is a seasoned clinician and peace-making advocate with a deep commitment to community healing. https://www.theandwaytherapy.com/
Her background includes:
Leading a group private practice focused on mental health and trauma recovery
Working with vulnerable populations, including unhoused individuals with HIV, veterans at the VA, and clients in inpatient and outpatient substance abuse programs
Co-hosting monthly gatherings with Love Anyway, fostering understanding in politically polarized communitiesHer blend of clinical expertise and grassroots activism brings a unique and grounded perspective to every episode.
What We Talk About:
Emotional Labor in ParentingHow to identify, redistribute, and recover from the invisible workload.
Guilt, Shame & Compliance RegretLearn the psychological difference and how to move from self-blame to self-awareness.
Boundaries Without BurnoutPractical tips for setting boundaries in relationships, family, work, and parenting.
Unsolicited Advice & Assertive CommunicationWhen others overstep and how to speak your truth without spiraling.
Individualism vs. CollectivismHow cultural conditioning affects everything from parenting to conflict resolution.
Conflict as GrowthWe teach you how to navigate it, not avoid it—because real connection includes discomfort.
Parenting With Emotional IntelligenceRaising resilient kids while breaking cycles and building healthier dynamics.
Navigating Political ConversationsHow to disagree without disconnecting—and when to walk away.
Mental Health, Media, and Modern LifeCoping with anxiety, setting realistic expectations, and making intentional choices.
Why You’ll Keep Listening:
You’re done with surface-level advice and craving emotional depth
You’re parenting, partnering, or processing—and want to do it better
You want tools rooted in clinical insight, emotional intelligence, and real-life experience
You care about community healing, not just personal growth
You’ll Walk Away With:
Scripts for hard conversations
Tools to manage conflict and reduce emotional reactivity
Support for parenting in a mentally healthy way
Language to advocate for yourself in messy relationships
Permission to change, grow, and hold boundaries that honor your values
Perfect For:Parents, helpers, cycle-breakers, caretakers, adult children of dysfunction, educators, therapists, and anyone exhausted by the emotional gymnastics of modern life—but not willing to give up on connection.

Amanda Nelson: Reinvention, Surrogacy & Creating Motherhood On Your Terms

In this milestone episode, Amanda Nelson (@exploringamanda) gets real about what it takes to build a business, grow a family, and stay grounded through it all. From living on food stamps to launching a wellness brand, Amanda shares her journey of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal growth. She explains how she navigates all areas of life day by day. That is when you can truly choose the "balance" needed for you and your family. 
Tiktok @exploringamanda
Instagram @amandanelz
We dive into her evolving mindset around ambition, her first pregnancy experience, and her current path toward expanding her family through surrogacy. She opens up about emotional boundaries, navigating different parenting styles, and the power of trusting your intuition.
Whether you're a mom in burnout, a business-builder, or somewhere in between, Amanda’s story will meet you where you are, with honesty, heart, and hard-earned perspective.
Topics include:• Entrepreneurship and motherhood• Surrogacy and emotional support• Parenting styles and family boundaries• Mindset shifts and legacy building• Sharing personal stories while protecting your privacy

Trust Your Gut, Set the Boundary: Mother’s Day, Cats, & the Real World Advocating

This week on Suburban Burnout, Megan and Laura reflect on Mother’s Day and how it often brings more insight than rest. From hilarious cat chaos to complex parenting dynamics, they share personal stories and insight on the emotional labor of motherhood and the importance of trusting your gut.
They dive into the everyday moments that demand courage: advocating for your kids at school or on the field, speaking up at the doctor’s office, or dealing with pushy people who cross your boundaries. With real-life examples, they explore the pressures moms face to conform, the guilt that sneaks in when we push back, and why honoring your instincts is the ultimate act of self-care.
If you’ve ever felt conflicted about how to speak up, when to walk away, or whether to trust that nagging feeling in your gut—this one’s for you.
Topics include:– The unexpected drama of pet ownership (yes, the cats are back)– Why setting boundaries in parenting and business is hard—but necessary– How coaching, teachers, and school dynamics can shake your confidence– Emotional intelligence in communication, decision-making, and relationships– Real talk on guilt, self-advocacy, and why sometimes, you just need to say “no”
Chapters:00:00 Mother’s Day Reflections03:01 Navigating Parenting Challenges06:02 The Cat Saga: Unexpected Surprises11:59 Setting Boundaries in Life18:05 Advocating for Our Children24:00 The Complexities of Coaching and Trust31:50 Navigating Parenting Fears and Guilt34:01 The Importance of Speaking Up36:49 Trusting Your Instincts in Relationships42:02 Setting Boundaries with Uncomfortable People51:03 Understanding Business Relationships and Conflicts58:03 Advocating for Yourself in Various Situations

Raising Girls With Grit + Grace

Raising teenage girls isn’t for the faint of heart, and no, it’s not just the hormones. In this episode, Megan and Laura unpack the tangled web of adolescence with raw honesty, humor, and insights drawn from Lisa Damour’s Untangled. From eye rolls to emotional outbursts, they dive into the shifting dynamics of privacy, independence, and friendships (yes, including the dreaded frenemies).
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You’ll hear real talk about bullying, body image, food messaging, and why venting isn’t the same as complaining. They break down the difference between authoritative and authoritarian parenting and why the way you phrase things can make or break the moment. Whether you're in the thick of teen girl drama or bracing yourself for what's ahead, this episode offers relatable stories, fresh perspectives, and practical tools for staying connected, calm, and confident. Spoiler: Lighthouse parenting might just save your sanity.
 

A Guide to Decluttering & Organizing Without Losing Your Mind

Tired of stepping over toys, wrestling with Tupperware lids, or emotionally spiraling over that box of baby clothes in the attic? Same. In this episode, Megan and Laura share exactly how to spring clean and organize without the meltdown, yours or your kids’.
Find our guide to working through sentimental items or even your childhood home, Join our newsletter to receive this PDF for a step-by-step guide. www.suburbanburnout.com
You’ll learn:
How to declutter without guilt, using emotional tools for letting go of sentimental items (yes, it’s okay to keep some things).
Simple systems that help your home run smoother, from designated drop zones to realistic chore charts that even toddlers can follow.
How to create micro habits that prevent mess before it piles up.
Budget-friendly ways to refresh your space without a full-blown renovation.
Tips for teaching kids responsibility, money management, and why rotating toys is a sanity-saver.
This episode is your real-world guide to creating a home that functions better, feels lighter, and reflects what actually matters, without requiring a label maker obsession or Pinterest-worthy perfection.
Need an expert in the Austin, Texas Area? Look no further than BMoore Organized 

Tired, Anxious, Over It? Ask Yourself This

In this episode, Megan and Laura unpack the rising anxiety so many parents are feeling right now, but don’t worry, we’re not here to add to the noise. We’re here to help lighten the load.
From the invisible mental strain of parenting to financial stress and the endless digital overwhelm, we get honest about what’s really weighing us down. We share our own stories, validate the daily chaos you might be navigating, and offer some deeply reflective (and surprisingly satisfying) questions that can help bring clarity, calm, and a bit more control back into your life.
We’re diving into:
Why anxiety feels like the new baseline for parents
The emotional cost of doing it all (and doing it alone)
How modern life erodes community—and why rebuilding it matters
Letting go of pressure and reassessing your values
The questions you actually need to ask to move forward with more peace
This isn’t about bubble baths and deep breathing—this is about getting real, reclaiming your time, and remembering who you are underneath the mental load.
Find all these questions on our blog www.suburbanburnout.com 
Book Rec: Getting TO Neutral
 
 
 

Inside Today’s Public School System w/Leslie Oduwole

In this empowering episode of Suburban Burnout, we sit down with Leslie Oduwole—a two-time Collegiate All-American athlete turned educator and Assistant Principal at Pflugerville ISD. Leslie shares her personal journey from the tennis courts to school administration and dives deep into the realities of today’s public education system.
We discuss how parents can effectively support their children, whether they’re navigating academic pressures, school safety, bullying, special education needs, or the maze of college prep. Leslie also offers clear guidance on advocating for accommodations, understanding student rights during school investigations, and fostering student growth without getting lost in the college admissions race.
Whether your child is neurodivergent, anxious about school, or aiming for a top-tier university, this episode is packed with tools, insights, and encouragement for every stage of the journey.
www.suburbanburnout.com
Key Takeaways:
Leslie’s transition from student-athlete to school administrator
What real parental involvement looks like today
How to build better communication with teachers and school leaders
Understanding special education resources, both in and out of school systems
A breakdown of students’ rights during school investigations
Addressing bullying and digital peer pressure with empathy and clarity
How colleges evaluate applicants—and why balance matters more than burnout
Helpful Resources for Parents in Texas:
🌟 Special Education & Evaluation Resources:
Texas Project FIRST (Families, Information, Resources, Support, and Training) – A parent-friendly site created by parents, for parents of students receiving special education services.
Navigate Life Texas – Find diagnostic testing options and special needs support services outside of the school system.
Texas Education Agency – Special Education Parent Resources – Learn your rights and how to request an evaluation.
The Arc of Texas – Advocacy and education resources for families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Cyber Safety, Vapes, and the Real Consequences w/Crime Stoppers, Cally Conklin

In this eye-opening episode, we’re joined by Cally Conklin, Statewide Education Specialist and lawyer with Crime Stoppers of Houston. Cally breaks down the real dangers kids are facing today, from cyberbullying and sextortion to the rising addiction to vaping. We talk about the difference between peer conflict and bullying, the impact of David’s Law, and how parents can start tough but necessary conversations about online safety, sexting, and substance use. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the digital world your kids are growing up in, this conversation is a must-listen.
A proud native of Dripping Springs, Texas, Cally earned her BA in English from the University of Texas at Austin before going on to graduate from Texas A&M University School of Law. Mother of three she knows first hand the difficult decisions and guidelines we as parents need to enforce to keep our kids safe.
https://crime-stoppers.org/
www.suburbanburnout.com
Takeaways
Cally Conklin transitioned from law to nonprofit work.
Cyber safety is a top concern for parents and educators.
Bullying is defined as intentional, repeated harm.
David's Law mandates schools to investigate cyberbullying.
Parents play a crucial role in empowering kids against bullying.
Open conversations about expectations are vital for families.
Monitoring tools can help parents keep kids safe online.
Private profiles limit strangers' access to children.
Traffickers often pose as peers to exploit minors.
It's never too late for victims to seek help. Parents should lean into uncomfortable conversations with their teens.
Discussing sexting is crucial for understanding its implications.
Legal consequences of sexting can affect minors significantly.
Vaping devices are often disguised to evade detection by parents.
Nicotine in vaping products is highly addictive and more concentrated than in cigarettes.
Open dialogue about vaping can empower teens to make informed choices.
Schools are implementing strict policies against vaping to deter usage.
Parents should be aware of the potential dangers of digital communication.
Encouraging teens to share their experiences can foster trust.
Parents are doing better than they think by seeking information and having conversations.
Chapters
00:00Cally Conklin's Journey to Crime Stoppers
02:58Understanding Cyber Safety Concerns
06:01Defining Bullying vs. Peer Conflict
12:00The Impact of David's Law
14:57Empowering Kids to Be Upstanders
19:56Navigating Online Safety and Privacy
27:57Understanding Human Trafficking and Sextortion
40:50Navigating Difficult Conversations with Teens
44:27Understanding Legal Implications of Sexting
51:39Addressing the Vaping Epidemic
01:01:43Empowering Parents in Digital Conversations

Ways to Build Your Kid’s Work Ethic (Starting with You)

Raising hardworking kids isn’t just about chores and grades, it starts with the example you set. Megan and Laura break down five key parenting strategies to foster a strong work ethic while avoiding burnout. From modeling healthy habits to balancing grit with rest, this episode explores how your approach to work shapes your child’s mindset, resilience, and future success. Tune in for real talk on parenting, boundaries, and raising kids who thrive.
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Takeaways
Instilling a strong work ethic is crucial for children's future success.
Parents often make life too easy for their children, hindering their coping skills.
Parental burnout can negatively affect children's development and academic achievement.
Children learn work ethics from observing their parents' behaviors and attitudes.
It's important to balance passion and practicality in career choices.
Workaholism can lead to neglect of personal health and relationships.
Communication about work and its challenges is essential in parenting.
Children should be taught the value of hard work without tying their self-worth to it.
Setting boundaries around work is important for family dynamics.
The next generation may prioritize life over work more than previous generations. Adulting can be overwhelming and challenging.
Encouraging autonomy helps children develop resilience.
Promoting a growth mindset is essential for overcoming challenges.
Modeling positive character traits influences children's behavior.
Balanced parenting provides children with security and independence.
Encouraging new experiences fosters adaptability and growth.
Children should learn to navigate challenges independently.
Failure should be viewed as an opportunity for growth.
Open communication is vital in parent-child relationships.
Adjusting parenting styles based on circumstances is important.