Parent Confidence Lab

Episode Summary: Oral health is about much more than teeth. It plays an important role in overall health and well-being, from childhood development to women's health and healthy aging. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans Kullberg welcomes Dr. Jill Sirko, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of KaiAvora Health , to discuss the connection between oral health and whole-body wellness, why preventive de...

Episode Summary: Supporting children's mental health starts with supporting the people who care for them. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Dr. Gaurav Mishra, MD, MBA, DFAPA , psychiatrist and Founder and CEO of Rementia Health , to discuss how parents and caregivers can help children build emotional resilience, recognize mental health concerns, and feel co...

Episode Summary: Caring for a child with disabilities or complex medical needs can bring challenges that many parents never expected, including isolation, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Jessica Patay, Founder and CEO of We Are Brave Together , and Susanna Peace Lovell, certified professional life coach and advocate...

Episode Summary: Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported, regardless of their background, abilities, or circumstances. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Ashanti Bryant, Senior Program Officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation , to explore how parents and communities can create environments where children feel included, build meaningfu...

Episode Summary: Early childhood is a critical time for building curiosity, confidence, and the skills children need to navigate the world. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Leslie Holt, an early childhood education leader and Preschool Director at Bright Horizons , to discuss how parents and educators can support children's development while creat...

Episode Summary: Women navigating fertility challenges, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and perimenopause often have questions about their hormones but struggle to find clear answers. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Amy Beckley, Ph. D., Founder and CEO of Prove , to discuss how hormone tracking can help women better understand their menstrual cyc...

Episode Summary: Parents of children on the autism spectrum often face questions about evaluations, therapy options, developmental milestones, and how to best support their child's unique needs. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Emaley McCulloch, M.Ed., Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) , to discuss how parents can navigate their child's jour...

Episode Summary: Parents of children with special needs often find themselves navigating complicated school systems, medical providers, evaluations, IEPs, and unfamiliar terminology. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Cambria Russell, Ph. D., Associate Executive Director at the Federation for Children with Special Needs , to talk about how parents c...

Episode Summary: Raising confident kids is about more than helping them succeed in school. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Dr. Michele Cho Dorado , a pediatric gastroenterologist, author, mother, and founder passionate about helping children become confident and money-smart from an early age. Michele shares why she believes financial literacy sho...

Episode Summary: How can parents help children feel more confident, capable, and empowered as they grow? In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Jessica Hardy, a child life specialist with more than 20 years of experience working with children and families in pediatric hospital settings , to explore how parents can support children through medical experiences, ev...

Episode Summary In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Lily Chen, Founder and Executive Director of UCA Waves , to talk about supporting children’s mental health, reducing stigma, and helping parents create safe spaces for meaningful conversations. As a public health nurse, mother of five, and first-generation immigrant from China, Lily shares how her o...

Episode Summary: What happens when we look beyond a child's behavior and ask what might be happening underneath? In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Dr. Chris Magryta , an integrative pediatrician and Managing Partner at Salisbury Pediatric Associates, to explore how nutrition, mental health, prevention, parental support, and whole-child care can shape childr...

Episode Summary: Some of the most important conversations parents have with their children can also be the hardest to start. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Dr . Annette Dunn, known as Nurse Netty , to explore how parents can build open, trusting communication with their children around puberty, sex education, healthy relationships, peer pressure, social...

Episode Summary In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Christina sit down with Dr. Jennifer McVean , a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes since childhood, to discuss what families need to know when a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Dr. McVean shares her personal journey of being diagnosed at age 11 and how being excluded f...

Episode Summary: Building confidence and meaningful relationships with children doesn't require expensive activities or elaborate adventures. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Seth Ehrlich , Chief Executive Officer of SOS Outreach , to explore how shared experiences, mentorship, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of belonging can help children develop c...

Episode Summary: Access to healthcare involves far more than what happens inside a doctor's office. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Michael Lee and Julie McCormack to explore how healthcare, legal advocacy, and community partnerships can help families overcome barriers to care, public benefits, food assistance, housing, and other essential services. Micha...

Episode Summary: Play is more than entertainment. It is one of the most important ways children learn, communicate, manage emotions, and build relationships. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Melinda Macht-Greenberg, PhD , Licensed Psychologist and Tufts University faculty member, to explore how parents can use everyday play to support children's emotional,...

Episode Summary: Helping children navigate big emotions is one of the greatest challenges parents face. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Abby Horton , Certified Child Life Specialist and founder of Little Lighthouses Child Life Services , to explore practical ways parents can teach healthy coping skills, build emotional resilience, and confidently support...

Episode Summary: The weeks after bringing home a new baby can be some of the most joyful, and overwhelming, moments in a parent's life. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina welcome Jennifer C. Williams , Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) professional, Certified Parent Leave Coach, and founder of Pass GO! Therapy and C...

Episode Summary: Supporting children's mental health has never been more important, or more challenging. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina welcome Dr. Leena Khanzode , a board-certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, founder of Silicon Valley Psychiatry , founder and Executive Director of the Taarika Foundation , and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at St...

Episode Summary: Supporting a child through a serious illness is one of the greatest challenges any parent can face. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina welcome Melanie Reynolds, MS, APRN, NPD-BC, CPNP-AC/PC , a pediatric palliative care nurse practitioner, healthcare educator, and advanced practice leader at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, for an inspiring conversation a...

Episode Summary: Making informed healthcare decisions for children has never been more challenging. Between online information, changing medical recommendations, and the growing role of technology, parents often find themselves searching for trusted guidance. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina welcome Dr. Steven Abelowitz , board-certified pediatrician, physician executiv...

Episode Summary: Navigating today's healthcare system can feel overwhelming for parents, especially when they're trying to make the best decisions for their children. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina welcome Dr. Zaid Fadul , a Harvard-trained physician, healthcare innovator, CEO of Bespoke Concierge MD, and proud father of four, to discuss how parents can become stronge...

Episode Summary: Mental health challenges among young people continue to rise, leaving many parents searching for approaches that go beyond traditional treatment. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab , Hans and Cristina sit down with Dr. Nora Dennis , psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician, and founder of Jubilee Healing Farm , to explore a new model of healing rooted in nature, community,...

Episode Summary: Parenting often requires balancing hope, resilience, and perseverance through both everyday challenges and life’s most difficult moments. Elizabeth Wilberg joins Hans and Cristina on the Parent Confidence Lab podcast to share her journey as a mother, nonprofit leader, and advocate for children and families. As Executive Director of Episcopal Community Services in San Diego, Elizab...