Chat with Dr. Kat

If college applications and financial aid have your family overwhelmed, this conversation will help you breathe. Dr. Kat sits down with college admissions and financial strategist Shellee Howard to unpack why so many students do everything “right” and still get rejected, why box-checking backfires, and why this process can feel so emotional for both parents and teens.  Together, they talk about wh...

If you have ever wondered why loving parents can start to feel controlling, overprotective, or anxious as their kids grow up, this episode will hit home. Dr. Kat explores the emotional overwhelm in parenting that begins when you have a child, shows up on school campuses and in everyday conflicts, and often resurfaces during the college transition for parents and the struggle of letting go of your...

In this episode of Chat with Dr. Kat, Dr. Kat speaks with Daviana Memont, a trans woman, about gender identity, therapy, family acceptance, and the debate over youth transition. Daviana shares her personal transition story, including how she understood her identity from a young age, how her parents and daughter responded, and what it was like to begin living openly. Dr. Kat and Daviana also discus...

Hearing that your child needs surgery is one of the most frightening moments a parent can face. In an instant, fear, uncertainty, and grief can take over — even before the procedure begins. In this deeply personal episode of Chat with Dr. Kat , Dr. Kat is joined by Nee Zartoshty (@CranioCoach) , who shares her firsthand experience navigating pediatric surgery with her daughters. Together, they exp...

Why do so many people find themselves in the same relationship dynamic over and over again — even after a painful breakup? In this episode, Dr. Kat explores how unresolved issues from past relationships quietly shape future ones. From rebound relationships to emotional repetition, she explains why we’re often drawn to familiar patterns — even when they weren’t healthy the first time. You’ll learn:...

In today’s episode, Dr. Kat addresses a growing cultural trend: the vilification of parents. Across social media, labels like “toxic,” “narcissistic,” and “childhood trauma” are being used more loosely than ever. While real abuse and true personality disorders absolutely exist, many families are now finding themselves fractured over isolated moments of imperfection rather than patterns of harm. So...

Why do so many New Year’s resolutions fade just weeks after they’re made? In this follow-up episode, Dr. Kat checks in on the reality of change—what actually happens after the motivation wears off. She explores why good intentions often stall, how small, consistent actions create lasting impact, and why discomfort is often a normal part of growth rather than a sign of failure. This conversation fo...

In this episode of Chat with Dr. Kat , we step “into the wild” to talk about everyday public behavior — the small moments that reveal how much we consider the people around us. From spitting in public and man spreading, to shared armrests and all-gender restrooms, this conversation isn’t about controversy — it’s about awareness. What does our behavior communicate in shared spaces? How do we balanc...

Menopause doesn’t just affect a woman’s body — it reshapes emotions, relationships, patience, and identity. Yet many women enter this phase feeling confused, dismissed, or unsupported by the people closest to them. In this episode, Dr. Kat breaks down what menopause really looks like from a psychological and relational perspective. She explains why emotional tolerance shifts, why frustration can s...

In this episode of Chat With Dr. Kat , Dr. Kat breaks down how hierarchy actually functions in the workplace—and why the most disruptive people often end up with the most power. Using a clear, clinical framework, she explains the difference between high performers, developing contributors, and those who create chaos, and how organizations often misdirect their attention in ways that quietly lead t...

In this episode of Chat with Dr. Kat , Dr. Kat explores how unregulated emotion shows up in everyday public life — especially on social media, in parking lots, restaurants, and moments where people feel justified in being cruel. Drawing from clinical insight and real-world examples, she explains why angry and hurt people often act out in public spaces, how awareness is the first step to interrupti...

Resentment rarely shows up all at once. More often, it builds quietly — through missed moments, lost touch, and emotional distance that goes unnoticed until it feels unbearable. In this episode, Dr. Kat revisits The Cow Theory and goes deeper into how relationships slowly drift into disconnection, why resentment forms even when love is still present, and how people often push away the very closene...

In this episode of Chat with Dr. Kat , Dr. Kat takes a deep and honest look at difficult friendships — the kind we hold onto long after they’ve caused harm. Why do we stay connected to friends who betray us, cross boundaries, or create chaos? Why are we so often told to be the “bigger, better person,” even when we didn’t create the mess? And at what point does endurance become self-betrayal? Dr. K...

Welcome to a new year — and a new opportunity for real change. In this episode of Chat With Dr. Kat , Dr. Kat breaks down why New Year’s resolutions so often fail, and how to shift from good intentions to meaningful, lasting impact. Instead of setting overwhelming goals that fade by February, Dr. Kat shares practical tools for creating change through small, achievable steps. You’ll learn how to: T...

If your relationship feels tense, disconnected, or stuck in patterns that aren’t working anymore, this episode offers simple, practical ways to create meaningful change — starting right now. In this conversation, Dr. Kat breaks down how small, everyday behaviors shape emotional safety, trust, and connection in relationships. These aren’t abstract concepts or “therapy talk” — they’re realistic tool...

  In this episode of Chat With Dr. Kat , Dr. Kat continues her “In the Wild” series by exploring what it truly means to be considerate in public — and why it matters more than we realize.  Using restaurants as a real-world lens, Dr. Kat breaks down how everyday behaviors in shared spaces reflect deeper communication patterns, emotional awareness, and respect for others. From how we handle mistakes...

Advocating for Your Child at Any Age: Real Strategies for School, Teachers & Tough Situations In this episode of Chat With Dr. Kat , Dr. Kat breaks down exactly how to advocate for your child—whether they’re in kindergarten, middle school, or high school. From communicating effectively with teachers to navigating behavioral concerns, school meetings, false accusations, and classroom dynamics,...

In this episode of Chat with Dr. Kat , Dr. Kat tackles the everyday behaviors we all encounter “out in the wild” — from rude waiters and impatient pharmacists to leg-shakers, flimsy handshakes, and people talking loudly at concerts. Through real-life stories and practical communication strategies, she shows how small changes in behavior and mindset can make a big difference in how we relate to oth...

In this episode of Chat With Dr. Kat , we take a deep and honest look at gaslighting — what it is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most damaging forms of emotional manipulation. Dr. Kat breaks down the real definition of gaslighting, where the term originated, and the many subtle ways it shows up in everyday life.  You’ll learn the difference between: misunderstandings vs. intentional manipu...

In this episode of Chat With Dr. Kat , we explore the little things we all experience “out in the wild”—those everyday etiquette moments that shape how we feel, how we connect, and how we move through the world. From crowded coffee shops, backpacks in tight spaces, and PDA boundaries, to the deeper idea of the emotional backpack we all carry, Dr. Kat dives into how simple awareness can transform n...

Preparing your teen for college can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Chat with Dr. Kat , discover the essential life skills every parent should teach before freshman year. Dr. Kat covers budgeting, financial literacy, time management, laundry, cooking, cleaning, roommate expectations, and emotional resilience—practical strategies that help teens transition smoothly from high school to college...

In this episode, Dr. Kat explores the small, everyday habits that might be undermining your relationships. From how you handle the grocery cart to how you react when someone sets a boundary, these “invisible” behaviors can silently erode trust and connection. If you’ve ever been called inconsiderate, controlling, or self-centered — or if you’ve felt like someone else was acting that way toward you...

Episode 3: This Is Why You Can’t Move On — Trust, Trauma, and the Real Reason You’re Still Angry What breaks trust in a relationship isn’t just what happened—it’s how it was perceived . In this episode, Dr. Kat breaks down the anatomy of trust: how it’s built, how it gets violated, and why so many people stay stuck in patterns of resentment, anxiety, or emotional distance—even long after the damag...

In this powerful episode, Dr. Kat shares her one-of-a-kind Cow Theory —a surprising, heartfelt metaphor born on a dairy farm in Ireland—that sheds light on why so many relationships quietly unravel into resentment and disconnection. 00:00 – Intro: Real Talk That Leads to Real Change Dr. Kat introduces the episode's theme and her no-fluff approach to personal growth and relationship repair. 00...

Why does parenting unlock emotions you didn’t even know you had? In this first episode, Dr. Kat introduces her powerful Floodgate Theory — explaining how becoming a parent opens up a deep well of love, fear, and vulnerability. From newborns to college goodbyes, Dr. Kat explores how our emotional wiring changes — and how to stay grounded through it all. You’ll learn: Why your emotions feel so raw a...