Suburban Burnout

What if your kids didn’t just share a last name or household, but a lifelong friendship? In our final episode of Suburban Burnout, Megan breaks down how to raise siblings who root for each other, support each other, and actually like each other. From family team meetings to chore swaps to showing up in each other’s chaos, this is how you build a family unit that lasts. Then she goes off, in the be...

We’re talking heat, literal heat. When former tech exec and mom of three youth athletes Melissa Fortenberry sat sweating in the Texas stands at her son’s football game, she asked a question every sports parent should be asking: “If I’m overheating just sitting here… what’s happening to them?” That moment sparked the creation of HeatSense, a groundbreaking wearable that tracks real-time core body t...

What if your competing thoughts aren’t a problem to fix, but a roadmap to self-awareness, deeper relationships, and emotional clarity? In this powerful conversation, Megan welcomes back therapist, author, and group practice founder Kelsey Blahnik to discuss her newly released book, The And Way: Assertive Peacemaking in a Divided World. Together they unpack the real-life parenting, relational, and...

What happens when life knocks you off your feet and you're still expected to show up, parent, and keep it together? Author, speaker, and former teacher Katie Wood joins Suburban Burnout to share how a life-saving surgery for her daughter led to one of the most powerful tools in her parenting toolbox: gratitude. In this deeply relatable and inspiring episode, Katie walks us through the chaos of par...

In this solo episode of Suburban Burnout, Megan gets real (and a little sarcastic) about modern parenting myths, cosmic energy, generational blame, and why building a fort with your kids might be more therapeutic than your last therapy session. She dives into the generational Olympics of blame: from unsupervised kids on the playground to why Millennials were once labeled “the lazy workforce” but a...

If your child struggles with big emotions, sensory overwhelm, hyperactivity, food aversion or meltdowns, this episode is for you. We’re joined by Dr. Karla Mehlenbacher, a Board-Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and founder of Take Root Brain & Body, to explore what’s really behind so many of the behavioral challenges today’s parents are facing. Spoiler: it’s not always ADHD. Work with Dr. Ka...

What happens when you’re the one making the big career move and it means uprooting your whole family? This week on Suburban Burnout, we’re joined by Hope Corona, a global executive at PepsiCo, mom of two, and bold decision-maker who’s built a powerhouse career without losing her sense of humor (or her sanity). 🎧 In this episode: From U.S. Embassy in Mexico City to executive hiring at PepsiCo Movi...

In this raw and revelatory episode, attorney and founder of Hembree Bell Law, Hannah Hembree Bell, joins Megan to talk about the messy truth of divorce, the emotional unraveling, the legal missteps, and the critical decisions that shape life after the papers are signed. Hannah shares her personal story of going through a high-stakes Texas custody trial while in law school, how that experience shap...

Reposted from Year One: A Must-Hear Episode for Every Family Navigating Dementia In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mary Osborne, occupational therapist and founder of Your Dementia Therapist, to explore the emotional and practical realities of dementia care. From navigating a loved one’s changing abilities to making sense of the caregiver role, Mary shares the strategies, tools, and compa...

Feeling torn between work and home? In this episode, Audrey Pendergrass shares her journey through career pivots, stay-at-home life, and the grief of losing a parent while raising kids. Also how to keep yourself in the game, just in case you want to return. If you're weighing your next move or parenting through something heavy, you'll find clarity, encouragement, and real advice here. Find us on @...

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 pare...

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.suburbanbu...

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...

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-...

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 th...

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-...

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 "ba...

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...

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). www.subu...

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 g...

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 migh...

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,...

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 c...

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...

Quick makeup and skincare tips for a refreshed look—and the bold decision to walk away from a successful life chapter in pursuit of creativity, balance, motherhood, and meaning. Ever feel overwhelmed by the endless beauty trends and skin products promising miracles? This episode will flip the script on everything you thought you knew about skincare, makeup, and aging. Stephanie Garcia-Malcom , a c...