Suburban Burnout

Evolving Burnout, Growing Pains, & Family Trip Fails

We’re back from our burnout break with another Suburban Burnout episode, diving deep into how burnout evolves, because it's not just about exhaustion anymore, it's about identity, pressure, and the mental load that never clocks out. Megan and Laura unpack the emotional rollercoaster of sports parenting, the “magical” family trip that didn’t quite deliver, and the quiet (and not-so-quiet) ways parents are stretched too thin.
Laura shares big news about her full return to law, how her client list took off, and how it feels re-entering that world while juggling motherhood and her marriage. She also opens up about the summer sports drama that tested her patience and the perspective she gained from it. Meanwhile, Megan reflects on the truth bombs that hit hardest during her recent family trip, and how the experts featured on the podcast have helped both hosts (and their listeners) navigate chaos with clearer vision and lighter hearts.
If you’ve ever cried in the car post-vacation or whispered “I can’t do this” between back-to-school nights and bedtime battles, this one’s for you.

BRB, Suburban Burnout: But First Gen Z Trends Parents Need to Know

In this episode of Suburban Burnout, Megan and Laura dive deep into the chaos of summer parenting, their decision to take a break and catch their breath, and the ever-evolving trends we need to keep up with as parents. Unless you want to be a lame parent. 
✨ We’ll keep you updated in our newsletter on what’s next. Stay loud, stay real, and take the break you need. You’ve earned it. www.suburbanburnout.com
They also break down the wildest Gen Z and Gen Alpha trends, like soft launching relationships, the truth behind “boop houses,” AI best friends, digital self-harm, and what the heck “Delulu is the Solulu” actually means. With humor, heart, and zero judgment, they explore how tech, fashion, and identity are reshaping childhood and parenting in 2025.
Thank you to all the burnouts who’ve listened, shared, and supported this podcast. We’re endlessly grateful for your messages, your vulnerability, and your humor. While we take this much-needed breather, we hope you’ll keep exploring past episodes there’s so much inspiration, validation, and honest conversation waiting for you.

When Motherhood, Cancer & a Bold Brand Collide: Alexandra Rutkay

What happens when life throws you cancer, a new baby, and a pandemic, all at once? If you’re Alexandra Rutkay, you build something beautiful anyway.
In this episode, Alex, founder of Citymouse, @citymouse_ny opens up about the chaos and clarity that came from facing a rare cancer diagnosis while navigating early motherhood in New York City. She shares how surviving the unimaginable inspired her to create a parenting brand that’s as stylish as it is practical and how an $8,500 investment turned into a seven-figure business in just two years, all while raising her kids and healing her body and mind.
Alex talks candidly about the messiness behind the highlight reel: finding strength in her support network, leaning into therapy, trusting her gut over business trends, and designing bags that help parents feel prepared and a little bit cool amid the daily chaos.
We dig into:
How she balanced chemotherapy appointments with playdates and prototypes
The behind-the-scenes of launching a brand from her living room
Why community and authenticity are non-negotiables in business
How fear can freeze us and what happens when we face it head-on
Her hard-won wisdom on time management, mental health, and creating real moments of peace
Alex’s story is proof that it’s never too late to start over, dream bigger, or do motherhood on your own terms, with a diaper bag you actually want to carry.
If you need a reminder that reinvention is possible (and worth it), this one’s for you.
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Fatherhood, Nutrition & Fertility: with Skylar Nelson

In this conversation, Skylar shares his journey into fatherhood, detailing his upbringing, the challenges of infertility, and the emotional toll it took on him and his wife. He discusses the importance of support during the postpartum period, both for mothers and fathers, and emphasizes the need for healthy routines to combat burnout. Skylar also reflects on his experiences as a father and the co-founding of I Am Nurtured, 
In this engaging conversation, Skylar shares his insights on fatherhood, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, presence, and creating lasting memories with children. He discusses the transformative power of becoming a parent, the significance of teaching healthy eating habits, and the role of community support for fathers. 
During his own postpartum experience, Skylar searched for answers, but unlike most, he brought a Registered Dietitian’s expertise to the table. Through this experience, he discovered that nutrition and natural solutions can make a huge difference, not just for new moms, but for dads too.
We’re thrilled to have him here to share what every dad should know about male fertility, finding your role in the postpartum stage, and nourishing your entire family well.
I Am Nurtured : "Our products were created to help you combat the most nagging symptoms of parenthood. Sleepless nights, long days, healing bodies, low energy, and mood swings all seem to come with the territory, but do the side effects have to be so extreme? Our answer is NO.
We tailor I Am Nurtured products to your individual stages of parenthood - planning for baby, pregnancy, and the postpartum period."
www.suburbanburnout.com
 

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.
www.suburbanburnout.com
 
 

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