When your child says "I don't feel like I belong," your heart breaks a little. You want to fix it instantly, wrap them in love, and make everything better. But what if the answer isn't in fixing—it's in understanding that belonging takes time, intention, and sometimes uncomfortable growth?

In this deeply moving conversation with hope dealer Natasha Kollaros, MSW and Life Coach, we explore the real meaning of belonging and how to raise confident, resilient young people who can navigate the messy, beautiful journey of adolescence. Natasha brings years of experience working with students in both school settings and private practice, offering wisdom that feels like sitting with your most trusted friend.

The Heart of Belonging

Belonging isn't just getting invited to the party—it's being asked to dance. It's that moment when someone sees you, really sees you, and pulls you into their circle. But here's what we often forget: belonging doesn't happen overnight, and it requires us to show up authentically, even when it feels scary.

Natasha shares practical guidance for parents navigating everything from middle school friendship drama to high school transitions, reminding us that sometimes our children need permission to feel uncomfortable while they find their people.

Building Real Confidence

There's no magic pill for confidence—it's built through action, practice, and yes, even failure. We explore how confidence, competence, and connection work together like a wheel, each strengthening the other as our children try new things, practice skills, and build relationships.

From the soccer field to the classroom, confidence grows when we set goals, break them into manageable pieces, and celebrate the small wins that lead to bigger achievements.

Here's what you can expect to gain from this conversation:

• Understand the true meaning of belonging and how to help your child find their authentic community
• Learn practical strategies for building confidence through action and meaningful goal-setting
• Navigate social media challenges with wisdom about comparison and authentic self-presentation
• Support your child through transitions while maintaining emotional safety and connection
• Discover daily practices like word-of-the-week mantras and grounding rituals that build resilience

The Foundation That Matters Most

Perhaps most importantly, Natasha reminds us that social-emotional wellbeing is 1A, and academics is 1B. When our children feel emotionally safe and deeply rooted in who they are and whose they are, they can weather any storm and thrive in whatever environment they find themselves in.

This conversation will leave you feeling more equipped to support your child's journey while giving yourself grace in the beautiful, messy work of parenting.

You can follow Natasha here: https://www.instagram.com/nvkollaros/

Choosing the right educational path for your child feels overwhelming, especially when considering boarding school. The questions swirl endlessly - is my child ready? Will they thrive away from home? What kind of environment will truly help them grow?

In this episode, I sit down with Mary Pryor, Assistant Director of Admission at Christchurch School, a stunning Episcopal day and boarding school nestled along Virginia's Rappahannock River. Mary shares how their unique approach to education goes far beyond traditional classroom learning, using the river itself as a living laboratory for growth and discovery.

We explore how experiential learning transforms students from ninth grade through graduation, with hands-on projects ranging from oyster restoration to brook trout conservation. Mary reveals how their nationally ranked sailing program - placing fifth in the nation at championships - teaches far more than boat handling and racing tactics.

The conversation reveals the deeper magic happening at schools like Christchurch, where students don't just learn subjects - they learn to become. Mary walks us through their comprehensive support systems, including specialized programs for students with learning differences and innovative approaches to building confidence and resilience.

• How place-based education creates lasting transformation - From local creek restoration to understanding global environmental connections
• The real benefits of competitive sailing - Building leadership, managing failure, and developing mental resilience under pressure
• Supporting students with learning differences - Creating toolkits for success that extend far beyond high school
• What belonging truly looks like - How faculty create environments where every student feels seen and valued
• Signs your child might be ready for boarding school - Practical guidance for parents considering this significant step

Mary's insights about failure and resilience particularly resonate. She shares how sailors learn to "rinse out the sponge" after difficult races, developing the mental edge to bounce back from setbacks - skills that serve them well beyond the water.

As Mary beautifully explains, "We're cultivating a community that thrives on connection, building relationships... recognizing the dignity of every single person."

Whether you're exploring boarding school options or simply curious about innovative educational approaches, this conversation offers a window into how the right environment can help students discover their potential and find their place in the world.

Learn more here!! https://www.christchurchschool.org/

What happens when you combine the strategic thinking of chess with the joy of music and movement? Something truly magical emerges—and that's exactly what Adrienne Tellier has created with Musical Chess.

As parents, we're constantly searching for activities that nurture our children's minds while keeping them engaged and excited about learning. Traditional chess instruction often feels too rigid for young learners, while many enrichment programs focus on just one aspect of development. But what if there was a way to blend cognitive growth, emotional intelligence, and creative expression into one beautiful experience?

In this conversation, Adrienne shares her fascinating path from Broadway stages to New York City classrooms, and how a simple melody that popped into her head while driving became the foundation for an innovative educational approach. Her program serves children ages two and a half to seven, proving that even our youngest learners can grasp complex concepts when presented through play, music, and imagination.

This isn't your typical chess club. Adrienne has crafted a developmentally rich environment where children learn each chess piece through song, movement on a life-size board, and hands-on play. But the real magic happens in the moments between moves—when a shy four-year-old gains the confidence to make decisions independently, or when children learn to navigate the big feelings that come with losing their queen.

One of the most compelling aspects of our conversation centers on how Adrienne creates space for children to fail safely and learn from those experiences. She shares specific examples of how she celebrates the small wins—like a child sitting still for ten seconds or moving a piece correctly, even if it doesn't accomplish the intended goal. This approach builds resilience and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the chessboard.

• How music and movement make complex strategic thinking accessible to preschoolers
• The off-board skills children develop through chess—confidence, emotional regulation, and empathy
• Why creating low-pressure learning environments leads to breakthrough moments
• Practical insights on parent involvement and when to step back
• The importance of celebrating incremental progress in child development
• How one entrepreneur is scaling creative education beyond traditional boundaries

Adrienne's story reminds us that learning doesn't have to be serious to be serious. When we honor children's natural love of play and creativity, we create conditions where deep learning can flourish. Her approach proves that academic rigor and joyful discovery aren't opposing forces—they're perfect partners in helping children develop both their minds and their hearts.

Whether you're curious about chess instruction, seeking innovative enrichment options, or simply want to hear how one educator is revolutionizing early childhood learning, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on what's possible when we meet children where they are.

Follow Adrienne here! https://www.instagram.com/musicalchessgvl/

The moment you become a mother, everything changes - but what no one prepares you for is how isolating and overwhelming those early months can feel. Even when you're surrounded by people celebrating your beautiful baby, you might find yourself wondering if what you're experiencing is normal, if you're doing enough, or if you're somehow failing at this thing called motherhood.

Licensed therapist and postpartum coach Susannah Long understands this struggle intimately. After experiencing her own unexpected battle with anxiety and intrusive thoughts six months after her first daughter was born, she recognized a gap in the support available to new mothers. Despite being a mental health professional herself, she felt lost and alone - which led her to transform her practice and become the resource she desperately needed during her own postpartum journey.

This conversation expands our understanding of postpartum mental health far beyond the commonly discussed depression and anxiety. Susannah introduces the concept of matrescence - the developmental process of becoming a mother, coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael in the 1970s. Just as adolescence doesn't happen overnight, neither does becoming a fully embodied mother.

We explore the reality that postpartum is fundamentally about releasing - emotionally, physically, and mentally - as you navigate this profound life transition. The intrusive thoughts, the overwhelming feelings, the sense of losing yourself while gaining a new identity - these experiences are far more common than most mothers realize.

One of the most powerful themes in our discussion centers on the invisible emotional load that mothers carry. While pregnancy often feels celebratory and supported, the postpartum period can feel surprisingly lonely. Susannah shares practical wisdom about what true support looks like - and it's not always about completing tasks or offering advice.

Sometimes the most healing thing someone can do is simply be present in the messiness without trying to fix anything. We discuss how friends and partners can show up authentically, moving beyond surface-level check-ins to create space for real emotional connection.

Rather than focusing on symptom management, Susannah's approach centers on values-based living. This means getting crystal clear about what you want your life to be about, then committing to actions that align with those values regardless of what difficult thoughts or emotions might be present.

This framework provides a powerful compass during the chaos of early motherhood, helping you make decisions from a place of intention rather than being swept away by the intensity of new parent overwhelm.

• Understanding that there's no threshold of suffering you must meet to deserve support
• Learning why connection with your baby doesn't always happen instantly - and that's completely normal
• Discovering practical tools for emotional repair in difficult moments
• Recognizing the importance of community and how to actively build it as a new mother
• Embracing the concept of matrescence as a developmental journey rather than a destination

We challenge the harmful narrative that mothers should quickly return to their pre-baby selves. Instead, this conversation celebrates the profound transformation that motherhood brings and encourages mothers to trust themselves through the process.

Susannah's message is clear: you don't need fixing. What you need is support, understanding, and permission to feel all the feelings that come with this monumental life change. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, feeling disconnected from your baby, or simply overwhelmed by the magnitude of your new role, there are people who understand and resources available to help.

This episode is an invitation to shift how we think about postpartum - from isolation and unrealistic expectations to connection, care, and authentic support for the whole mother.

Follow Susannah here: https://www.instagram.com/postpartumwithsusannah/?hl=en

Listen to her podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/postpartum-changed-my-life/id1671682300

Visit her website here: https://susannahlongtherapy.com/

When Mara's daughter came home deflated, saying "they're making me read baby books in school," she felt that familiar parental ache. You know the one - when you see your child struggling and you'd do anything to fix it. That moment with her middle daughter, who had been diagnosed with dyslexia, became the catalyst for something she never expected: writing a book.

But this story isn't just about one mom's solution. It's about creating home environments where children with dyslexia can thrive, feel confident, and develop a genuine love for reading despite their challenges.

What You'll Gain from This Episode:

• Practical strategies for making reading less stressful and more engaging for struggling readers
• Understanding how to advocate effectively while viewing teachers as teammates in your child's success
• The importance of finding your village and connecting with other families navigating similar challenges
• Ways to celebrate neurodiversity and help all children understand different learning styles
• Resources and tools that can support dyslexic readers at home and school

"Reading with your ears is the same as reading with your eyes," as Mara's tutor wisely says, highlighting how audiobooks and other accommodations aren't shortcuts—they're pathways to the same destination.

Learn more about Mara and her writing here!

https://www.humankind-books.com/

As parents, we're constantly searching for ways to help our children build confidence, courage, and connection. Sometimes the most powerful tools come wrapped in the simplest packages—like a beautiful children's book that speaks directly to a child's heart.

In this conversation with Kat Kronenberg, bestselling author of the beloved Live Big series, we explore how the right stories can become lifelines for children navigating big emotions, dreams, and challenges. Kat's books—Dream Big, Love Big, Think Big, and the upcoming Live Big with Ketchum—use the heroic journeys of African animals to teach kids they are the heroes of their own stories.

What started as divine inspiration at a symphony has blossomed into a series that helps children from foster homes to classrooms discover their extraordinary potential. Through flamingos that transform from white to gray to pink, caterpillars that dare to dream of flying, and dung beetles that turn difficult circumstances into something beautiful, these stories mirror our children's own capacity for growth and resilience.

Kat shares the heart behind her work, including those tear-filled moments when a 12-year-old foster child asked if she could really become a scientist, and how her books have become tools for parents seeking to calm anxious hearts and build confident spirits.

• The divine moment that sparked Kat's writing journey and changed everything
• How African animals became the perfect teachers for life's biggest lessons
• Creative ways to make story time interactive and transformative for your children
• The hidden meanings and "termite tricks" woven throughout each book
• Free resources and activities that extend the magic beyond reading time

Whether you're looking for books that calm anxious hearts, build confidence, or simply create magical bedtime moments, this conversation offers a beautiful reminder of how the right story at the right time can help a child find their light switch.

Find Kat's books here!! https://katkronenberg.com/

Follow Kat here: https://www.instagram.com/kat.kronenberg

As a parent navigating the complex world of college admissions, you know how overwhelming it can feel. The pressure, the uncertainty, the endless questions about what really matters in an application. But what if you could pull up a chair with an insider who truly gets it?

In this episode of The Prep Table, I sit down with Megan Tyler, interim vice president for enrollment at Wofford College. With her wealth of experience and passion for supporting students, Megan pulls back the curtain on what colleges are really looking for - and it might surprise you.

We dive deep into:

• How to show genuine engagement beyond just checking boxes
• The power of thoughtful questions during campus visits
• Why following up with a handwritten note can make you stand out

• Tips for starting your essay strong and captivating admissions readers
• The importance of focusing on qualities over just skills
• How to weave a cohesive narrative throughout your entire application

• Easy-to-avoid mistakes that could hurt your chances
• Why rushing at the last minute is a recipe for disaster
• The right way to approach your activities list

Plus, Megan shares insider insights on what makes Wofford unique and offers reassurance to anxious applicants: "We're looking for the positives. We are not looking to tear it apart."

Whether you're just starting the college search or putting final touches on applications, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered and inspired. So pour yourself a cup of coffee, take a deep breath, and join us for some real talk about creating bright futures - one meaningful conversation at a time.

• Focus on depth over breadth in extracurriculars
• Use specific details and stories to bring your essays to life
• Start early and give yourself time to review all application details
• Show authentic interest through thoughtful engagement with schools
• Remember that colleges want to advocate for strong applicants