Parenthood Unscripted: Real Conversations with Parents

About Parenthood Unscripted: Real Conversations with Parents

Parenthood Unscripted is a podcast hosted by Samantha Taylor, Speech Language Pathologist, business owner, and mom of two. Each episode features honest, unfiltered conversations with real parents about what raising kids actually looks like beyond the curated posts. From special needs and neurodivergence to marriage, identity, and advocacy, this is a space for real stories, real perspectives, and the parts of parenting no one talks about.

Publisher

Samantha Taylor

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 May 2026

Latest episode

2 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Oct 2026

   From “Why Are They Doing This?” to “What Are They Telling Me?”: Understanding Behavior, Communication & Parenting

   In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I’m joined by Brighid Gavin, a parent coach, board-certified behavior analyst, licensed behavior analyst, and special education professional with more than 20 years of experience working with children and families. Brighid supports children with autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental and behavioral challenges, while also bringing her perspective as a mom of three. Together, we have an honest conversation about behavior, what it may be communicating, and how we can support our children without feeling like we have to “fix” them. We talk about parenting through challenging moments, balancing validation with boundaries, and recognizing that even professionals don’t have all the answers when it comes to their own kids. Brighid shares practical strategies parents can use at home, including offering choices, holding consistent boundaries, using reinforcement, and intentionally noticing the behaviors we want to see more of. We also talk about communication, shame, developmentally appropriate behavior, and knowing when it may be time to seek additional support. Most of all, this episode is a reminder that challenging behavior does not make you a bad parent. Parenting is not linear, and sometimes the best thing we can do is give ourselves, and our kids, a little grace while we figure out what works. In this episode, we discuss: • Understanding behavior and what it may be communicating • Balancing validation, boundaries, and consequences • Why children push boundaries • Helping children understand the “why” behind a boundary • Reducing shame during challenging moments • Communication and its connection to behavior • Developmentally appropriate behavior vs. when to seek support • Supporting children with and without a diagnosis • Practical strategies like choices, visuals, and reinforcement • The difference between reinforcement and bribery • The power of noticing and praising the good • Breaking generational parenting patterns • Giving ourselves grace when things don’t go as planned Connect with Brighid Gavin: 🌐 Website: https://childhoodbehaviorsolutions.com/ 📸 Instagram: @childhoodbehaviorsolutions 📞 Brighid also offers a free 15-minute phone call to see if her services are a good fit. A takeaway I hope you leave this episode with: Your child’s behavior is not a reflection of your parenting, and a hard day does not mean you’re doing it wrong. You don’t have to be a perfect parent or have every strategy figured out. Sometimes, we just need to pause, look at what our child is communicating, hold the boundary we need to hold, and remind them that we’re on the same team. Look for the good. Give yourself grace. And remember: tomorrow is a new day. 🤍 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who might need the reminder that they are not alone in the hard moments.

2. 

   18 Sept 2026

   From “Something Isn’t Right” to “I Trust Myself”: Parenting, Advocacy & Finding Your Voice

   In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I’m joined by Dr. Kimberly Idoko, a board-certified neurologist, children’s rights attorney, entrepreneur, author, and mom. Her work brings together medicine, law, healthcare advocacy, and a deeply personal understanding of what it means to support children and families. After her daughter was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, Kimberly returned to school to study law so she could better navigate the educational and legal systems impacting children with developmental disabilities. Together, we have an honest conversation about trusting your instincts when something about your child doesn’t feel right and why you don’t need a diagnosis, perfect explanation, or medical vocabulary to begin asking questions. We talk about the dangers of “wait and see,” viewing symptoms as information, finding reliable information online, and navigating fragmented healthcare and education systems. Kimberly also shares insight into seeking second opinions, finding supportive professionals, managing shame and judgment, and distinguishing parental intuition from anxiety. Most of all, this episode is a reminder that we don’t need to have every answer. Sometimes, we simply need to focus on the next right thing and remember that we are the right parents for our children. In this episode, we discuss: Kimberly’s journey as a neurologist, attorney, advocate, and mother Her daughter’s Rett syndrome diagnosis Trusting parental intuition and recognizing developmental concerns Why your own language and observations are enough to ask questions The dangers of “wait and see” Finding reliable information without becoming overwhelmed Navigating fragmented healthcare and education systems Finding accountable, supportive professionals When to seek a second opinion or change providers Managing shame and judgment when your child is struggling Distinguishing intuition from anxiety Advocating with clarity while extending grace Parenting through uncertainty and focusing on the “next right thing” Connect with Dr. Kimberly Idoko: 🌐 Website: https://drkimberlyidoko.com/ (https://drkimberlyidoko.com/) 📖 Book: The Miswired Child: How Modern Childhood Harms the Brain 📸 Instagram/TikTok: @drkimberlyidoko A takeaway I hope you leave this episode with: You don’t need to have all the answers to know that something matters. Your questions are valid, your observations matter, and asking for another perspective doesn’t mean you’re difficult. It means you’re participating in your child’s care. Sometimes, the next right thing is a phone call, an evaluation, a question, or a second opinion. Give yourself grace, take it one step at a time, and remember: You are the right parent for your child. Keep going. 🤍 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who might need this reminder.

3. 

   4 Sept 2026

   From “This Isn’t What I Planned” to “I Wouldn’t Change It”: Parenting, Partnership & Life’s Unexpected Turns

   In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I’m doing something a little different. I’m sitting down with my husband, Dillon Taylor, as we celebrate 15 years of marriage and nearly 17 years of figuring out this parenting thing together. Dillon is a civil engineer, mentor, husband, and dad of two. He became a parent at 21 when he stepped into the role of dad to my oldest son, Jacob, when Jacob was just one year old. Today, he’s parenting two boys, including a deaf teenager, and brings a unique perspective to parenting, advocacy, education, and family life. Together, we have an honest conversation about what it looks like to build a family when life doesn't necessarily go according to the plan you imagined. We talk about parenting as a team, the different strengths we each bring to our family, and the invisible work that happens behind the scenes. We also talk about unsolicited advice and judgment, how our own childhood experiences influence the way we parent, breaking generational patterns, and why our kids don't need perfect parents. They need parents who are willing to take accountability and repair when they get it wrong. And because this is Parenthood Unscripted, we talk about marriage, too. We reflect on what happens when parenting starts to consume your relationship, why making intentional time for each other matters, and what we've learned from nearly 17 years together. Most of all, this conversation is about the unexpected paths life can take. Sometimes the life you planned doesn't happen exactly as you imagined but that doesn't mean the life you build can't be meaningful, fulfilling, and even better than you expected. In this episode, we discuss: • Dillon's experience becoming a parent at 21 to Jacob • Parenting a deaf child from a dad's perspective • How we've learned to parent as a team • Recognizing and using each other's strengths • The invisible work behind parenting and advocacy • Navigating unsolicited advice and judgment • How our childhood experiences shape our parenting • Breaking generational patterns • Modeling accountability and repair with our children • The impact parenting can have on a marriage • Why couples need to intentionally make time for each other • What we've learned from 15 years of marriage • Letting go of the life we thought we were supposed to have • Finding unexpected purpose and joy in the life we're actually building A takeaway I hope you leave this episode with: Your life might not look the way you planned. Your parenting journey might not look the way you imagined. And sometimes, that can be really hard. But different doesn't automatically mean worse. You can acknowledge the hard parts while still recognizing the incredible things that can grow from an unexpected path. Sometimes the life we didn't plan becomes the life we wouldn't trade. 🤍 If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to know: Has your parenting journey taken you somewhere you never expected to go? If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who might need this reminder.

4. 

   21 Aug 2026

   From “Doing It For Them” to Doing It With Them: Raising Independent, Confident Kids

   In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I welcome Dr. Anne McIntosh back for our third conversation together! Dr. McIntosh is a communication scientist, professor, author, and founder and CEO of Safe’N’Clear, the company behind the world’s first FDA-approved transparent surgical face mask. Her work brings together communication, accessibility, inclusion, and innovation, with a particular passion for creating greater access for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Together, we have a powerful conversation about how we view disability, recognize our children's strengths, and support them in becoming confident, independent advocates for themselves. Dr. McIntosh shares her perspective on deafness as a “superpower,” why our children don't need to be “fixed,” and how parents can shift from making decisions for their children to making decisions with them. We also talk about giving children a seat at the table, including involving them in their IEP meetings and other decisions that impact their lives. We explore how parents can support independence without unintentionally creating learned helplessness, why appropriate discomfort and failure are important parts of growth, and how giving children opportunities to explore their interests can help build confidence, resilience, and self-advocacy. Whether you're parenting a child with a disability, navigating an IEP, working on building your child's independence, or simply trying to raise a child who trusts their own voice, this episode is filled with encouragement, perspective, and practical takeaways. In this episode, we discuss: • Why Dr. McIntosh views deafness as a “superpower”• Recognizing the strengths and perspectives that come with experiencing the world differently• Why our children are not problems that need to be “fixed”• The difference between removing barriers and trying to change the child• Why our fears as parents aren't always the same as our children's fears• The importance of including children in decisions that affect their lives• Why children deserve a seat at the table during conversations about their education and future• How involving children in IEP meetings can build self-advocacy and ownership• Supporting independence without stepping in to solve every problem• What learned helplessness is and how we can unintentionally contribute to it• Why appropriate discomfort, failure, and problem-solving are important parts of growth• How allowing children to explore their own interests can build confidence and resilience• What true inclusion looks like in schools, healthcare, and everyday life• Why accessibility means more than simply having access—it means being able to participate and have a voice• Practical ways parents can help their children develop independence and self-advocacy Connect with Dr. Anne McIntosh:🌐 Safe'N'Clear: https://www.safenclear.com (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUM4Zm9rVDc5UUZQYVRIMFpEV2ZXNEQ2XzRlcnxBR3JiS2FtaEhnOVZSZUV1RnZqTmdZOFkyZEh0dmU4Z0JscXFvRE1XajZPdG5BNDU1aHFpUkJsSnlLZ2p5VHRQeHBoU24xbmJxVjV6aUhQbHl1bVlBeURDQkNUMUREYjRnNXhm&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.safenclear.com%2F&v=EjsDy0kCQJ4)📧 Email: Anne.McIntosh@SafeNClear.com A takeaway I hope you leave this episode with: As parents, it can be incredibly difficult to step back. We want to protect our children, prevent frustration, and make things easier for them. But sometimes, our job isn't to remove every challenge. Sometimes, it's to make sure our children have the support, access, and tools they need and then give them the opportunity to try. To make decisions.To make mistakes.To problem-solve.To speak up.To discover what they're capable of. What is one thing you might be ready to start doing WITH your child instead of FOR your child? If this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who may need this reminder. Our children don't need us to create a life without challenges. They need us to believe in their ability to navigate them. 🤍

5. 

   7 Aug 2026

   From "Wait and See" to Early Action: Reading Struggles, Dyslexia & Trusting Your Parent Instincts

   In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Melissa, special education teacher, Wilson Reading instructor, and mom of two, for an honest conversation about dyslexia, reading challenges, parent advocacy, and what it means to support children who learn differently. Melissa shares how her experience as both an educator and a parent has shaped the way she works with families. Together, we discuss the early signs of reading difficulties, why some children need more than traditional classroom instruction, and how parents can confidently advocate for the evaluations and supports their child needs. Whether you're wondering if your child is struggling with reading, navigating intervention services, or trying to understand what dyslexia really looks like, this episode is filled with practical guidance, encouragement, and reassurance that you're not alone. In this episode, we discuss: Why early intervention matters when children are struggling with reading and spelling The differences between classroom reading instruction, intervention services, and Wilson Reading What makes structured literacy effective for children with dyslexia and other reading challenges Early signs of dyslexia and reading difficulties parents should watch for How reading, spelling, handwriting, and comprehension are all connected Understanding Response to Intervention (RTI) and knowing when it's time to ask, "What's next?" Why some children compensate for reading challenges—and why those struggles often become more noticeable in later elementary school Melissa's perspective as both a special education teacher and a mom navigating speech delays and medical challenges with her own children Why labels don't define a child. They simply help identify the supports they need Practical steps parents can take if they suspect their child is struggling with reading The importance of trusting your instincts and advocating early for evaluation and intervention Connect with Melissa: 🌐 Website: https://pittsfordreading.com/ (https://pittsburghreading.com/) 📩 Contact Melissa through the contact form on her website. Ready to Walk Into Your Child's Next IEP Meeting with Confidence? One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that parents know their children best. If something doesn't feel quite right, trust your instincts. Asking questions, requesting data, and understanding your child's options are all important parts of advocating for the support they need. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the special education process or unsure how to prepare for your child's next IEP meeting, I'd love to invite you to my FREE live workshop: How to Walk Into Your Child's IEP Meeting Calm, Prepared & Confident 📅 Friday, August 14th 🕑 2:00 pm EST During this free workshop, you'll learn how to: Walk into your child's IEP meeting feeling calm and prepared Know which questions to ask (and when to ask them) Better understand the special education process Advocate confidently while building collaborative relationships with your child's team ✨ Reserve your free spot here (https://forms.gle/LjtNYHnuNWhDMk1u8) I can't wait to see you there! If this episode encouraged you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who may be wondering if their child needs additional reading support. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and every parent deserves the confidence to advocate for the support their child needs. 🤍

6. 

   24 Jul 2026

   From High-Risk Pregnancy to Hope: Motherhood, Mental Health & Creating Community

   In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Morgan Tota, speech-language pathologist, owner of Tota Communication Therapy LLC, mom of four, and founder of The Wait With You Foundation, for an honest conversation about high-risk pregnancy, maternal mental health, asking for help, and finding purpose through adversity. Morgan shares the deeply personal story of her seven-week antepartum hospital stay during a high-risk pregnancy with her youngest son, Danny. She opens up about the emotional toll of living in the hospital, navigating motherhood from a hospital room, and the invisible mental health challenges that so many families experience during complicated pregnancies. Out of that difficult season came The Wait With You Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families facing high-risk pregnancies and extended hospital stays through comfort kits, community resources, and compassionate support. Together, we also discuss the importance of asking for help, the power of community, and why meeting children and parents where they are can make all the difference. Whether you've experienced a high-risk pregnancy, spent time in the NICU, are navigating a medical journey with your family, or simply need the reminder that you don't have to carry everything alone, this episode is filled with hope, honesty, and encouragement. • Morgan's experience with a seven-week antepartum hospital stay during a high-risk pregnancy • The emotional and mental health impact of prolonged hospitalization before birth • The unique challenges families face during high-risk pregnancies and NICU journeys • How The Wait With You Foundation was inspired by Morgan's personal experience • Why asking for specific help allows others to better support you • The importance of community during difficult seasons of parenthood • Navigating guilt, self-blame, and uncertainty as a parent • How healthcare providers can better support families through compassionate communication • Why developmental expectations should be adjusted for premature infants • Turning difficult experiences into meaningful change for other families 💙 Website: https://www.waitwithyoufoundation.org/home 📸 Instagram: thewaitwithyoufoundation 🎁 Support through the Amazon Wishlist (https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/24DZZ9TDDQ9JV) 🤍 Donate (https://www.waitwithyoufoundation.org/ways-to-help) to The Wait With You Foundation If this episode encouraged you, we'd love for you to subscribe to Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who may need the reminder that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. It's often the first step toward healing. And if you know someone navigating a high-risk pregnancy, prolonged hospital stay, or NICU journey, we hope you'll share Morgan's story with them. Sometimes simply knowing you're not alone can make all the difference. 🤍

7. 

   10 Jul 2026

   From Conflict to Collaboration: Advocating with Grace, Communication & Creating Change

   In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I welcome back Dr. Anne McIntosh for another thoughtful conversation about communication, advocacy, accessibility, and what it truly means to create inclusive environments for everyone. Anne shares her personal experiences navigating marriage and parenting in a deaf-hearing household, offering practical wisdom about meeting people where they are, focusing on strengths instead of differences, and building relationships rooted in acceptance rather than expectations. We also dive into one of Anne's greatest passions: improving communication access in healthcare through transparent surgical masks. She explains why communication accommodations benefit far more than just the Deaf and hard of hearing community and how each of us can play a role in advocating for more accessible healthcare. Finally, we explore one of my favorite topics: parent advocacy. Anne shares practical advice for advocating confidently without becoming adversarial, why collaboration almost always creates better outcomes than confrontation, and how parents can prepare for difficult conversations with schools and medical professionals. Whether you're raising a child with disabilities, navigating IEP meetings, supporting someone with communication differences, or simply hoping to become a more effective advocate, this episode is full of practical strategies and perspective shifts that will leave you feeling empowered. In this episode, we discuss: • Navigating marriage and parenting in a deaf-hearing household • Why focusing on strengths creates healthier relationships than focusing on differences • Meeting communication partners where they are instead of expecting one-size-fits-all communication • The importance of transparent surgical masks and communication accessibility in healthcare • Why communication accommodations benefit everyone—not just Deaf and hard of hearing individuals • How to advocate for communication access at medical and dental appointments • The difference between advocating for your own child and advocating for systemic change • Why collaboration is often more effective than confrontation in IEP meetings and school conversations • Practical ways to advocate confidently without being perceived as "difficult" • The importance of practicing difficult conversations and regulating emotions before advocacy meetings • How trusted professionals and advocates can help parents communicate more effectively • Why the ultimate goal isn't winning the argument. It's helping your child succeed Connect with Dr. Anne McIntosh: 🌐 Safe'N'Clear: https://safe-n-clear.com/ (https://safe-n-clear.com/) 📧 Email: anne.mcintosh@safe-n-clear.com (mailto:anne.mcintosh@safe-n-clear.com) One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that effective advocacy isn't about being the loudest voice in the room. It's about being prepared, collaborative, and confident. If you've ever walked into an IEP meeting feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to say, or worried about advocating "the right way," you're not alone. That's exactly why I created the Advocacy Accelerator, my signature 8-week parent advocacy program designed to help you understand the special education process, communicate effectively, advocate strategically, and walk into meetings with confidence. ✨ Enrollment is open now ✨ Learn more: www.empoweredparentnetwork.org/advocacyaccelerator (http://www.empoweredparentnetwork.org/advocacyaccelerator) If this episode encouraged you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent or professional who believes every child deserves to be heard and every family deserves to feel confident advocating for them. 🤍 Ready to Feel More Confident Advocating for Your Child?

8. 

   26 Jun 2026

   From Second-Guessing to Self-Trust: Reclaiming Your Voice and Speaking with Confidence

   In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Kimberly LaForte, voice guide, visibility coach, motivational speaker, and founder of Vocal Honey™, for a powerful conversation about reclaiming your voice, trusting yourself, and showing up fully in your life. Kimberly shares her own journey from struggling with intense fear of public speaking to helping women step into sacred self-expression and unshakable presence. Together, we explore why so many women lose trust in their voice, how nervous system regulation impacts confidence, and practical ways to speak up, even when it feels uncomfortable. Whether you're advocating for your child, navigating difficult conversations, building a business, or simply learning to take up space again, this episode offers encouragement and actionable tools to help you reconnect with yourself and your message. In this episode, we discuss: • Why so many women disconnect from their voice and authentic self-expression• The hidden cost of people-pleasing and constantly adapting to others' expectations• How nervous system regulation impacts confidence and communication• The difference between reacting from fear and speaking from grounded self-trust• Practical strategies for speaking up during difficult conversations• Why we need to stop making our body's reactions "wrong"• Using storytelling as a tool for connection, influence, and confidence• The concept of sacred self-expression and learning to trust your inner voice• Building confidence through small, consistent acts of visibility and self-expression Connect with Kimberly: 🌐 Website: https://kimberlylaforte.com/ (https://kimberlylaforte.com/) 🎤 The Method: https://kimberlylaforte.com/the-method (https://kimberlylaforte.com/the-method) 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekimberlylaforte/ (https://www.instagram.com/thekimberlylaforte/) ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VocalHoneyVoice (https://www.youtube.com/@VocalHoneyVoice) Ready to Feel More Confident Advocating for Your Child? One of the biggest themes of this conversation is learning to trust your voice, even when you feel nervous, uncertain, or intimidated. As parents navigating special education, those feelings often show up during IEP meetings, evaluations, and difficult conversations with schools. If you're ready to feel more prepared, organized, and confident in those moments, enrollment is now open for the Advocacy Accelerator. The Advocacy Accelerator is my signature 8-week parent advocacy program designed to help you understand the special education process, communicate effectively, advocate strategically, and walk into meetings with confidence. ✨ Enrollment is open now ✨ Program begins July 10th 🌐 www.empoweredparentnetwork.org/advocacyaccelerator (http://www.empoweredparentnetwork.org/advocacyaccelerator) If this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with a friend who may need the reminder that her voice matters and deserves to be heard. 🤍

9. 

   12 Jun 2026

   From Overwhelmed to Clear: Breaking the People-Pleasing Cycle in Motherhood

   In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Samantha Hawley, clarity coach, podcast host, and founder of the Leaders Table, for a powerful conversation about motherhood, people-pleasing, overwhelm, and what it really means to create a life that aligns with who you are. Samantha shares her journey through motherhood, divorce, entrepreneurship, and self-discovery, and how strategic journaling became the tool that helped her move from confusion and burnout to clarity and confidence. We talk about the invisible pressures women carry, the beliefs that keep us stuck in unhealthy patterns, and how small moments of courage can create lasting change. In this episode, we discuss: • How motherhood can shine a light on areas of life that no longer align with your values • The difference between knowing what you want and having the clarity to act on it • Using journaling as a tool for self-awareness, emotional processing, and decision-making • The hidden ways people-pleasing shows up in relationships, parenting, and everyday life • Why successful women often struggle with overwhelm despite "having it all together" • The beliefs that keep women trapped in cycles of stress, overachievement, and perfectionism • How micro action steps can help you move forward when big goals feel overwhelming • Learning to trust yourself and stop performing for the expectations of others • Creating space to be authentic instead of constantly feeling "on" Connect with Samantha: 📸 Instagram: @samantha.s.says 🎙️ Beyond Awareness Podcast 🌐 Calm Mind Blueprint (5 Strategic Journaling Prompts): https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind (https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind) 🤍 Leaders Table (Dinner Community for Female Leaders & Established Entrepreneurs): https://www.samathapenkoff.com/leaders-table (https://www.samathapenkoff.com/leaders-table) If this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another mom, entrepreneur, or woman who may need this reminder: Clarity doesn't come from doing more. It comes from understanding yourself more deeply. 🤍

10. 

    29 May 2026

    From Fear to Faith: A Mom’s Journey Through Advocacy, IEPs & Trusting the Process

    In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Ashley Brianna Walker, Rochester educator, devoted mom, and passionate advocate, for a heartfelt conversation about parenting a child with additional needs, navigating the special education system, and learning to trust your voice as a parent. Ashley shares her journey of recognizing her daughter’s speech delay, overcoming fear and uncertainty, and finding strength through faith, family, and advocacy. Together, we talk honestly about the emotional weight many parents carry into CSE meetings, the importance of asking questions, and why no parent should feel ashamed for needing support or accommodations for their child. This conversation is filled with encouragement, honesty, and reassurance for parents who may feel overwhelmed, defeated, or unsure of what comes next. In this episode, we discuss: • Navigating the emotional reality of parenting a child with additional needs • How faith, family, and community can help parents build confidence • The anxiety and overwhelm many parents experience during CSE and IEP meetings • Why labels and special education services are not “death sentences” • Learning how to advocate for your child with confidence and patience • The importance of reading IEPs carefully and asking questions • Balancing honesty about challenges while still celebrating progress and strengths • Letting go of comparisons and trusting your child’s individual timeline • How advocacy transforms not only your child, but you as a parent • Finding hope, resilience, and joy through difficult seasons Connect with Ashley: 📸 Instagram: AshleyBrieXOXO_ 🌐 Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/ashleybri__xoxo (https://www.instagram.com/ashleybri__xoxo) 📘 Facebook: Ashley Brianna Walker 🌐 Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1QTYQexhdf/ (https://www.facebook.com/share/1QTYQexhdf/) Ashley’s warmth, honesty, and perspective will leave so many parents feeling seen and understood. If this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent who may need this reminder: you are not alone, your child is not defined by a label, and your voice matters more than you know. 🤍

11. 

    15 May 2026

    The Weight of Expectations: Motherhood, Burnout & Learning You Don’t Have to Do It All

    In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Jenna D’Annunzio, second-generation entrepreneur, certified holistic leadership and business coach, author, and speaker, for an honest conversation about motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the invisible weight so many women carry. Jenna shares how she’s learned to move from survival mode into a more grounded, aligned, and joy-filled way of living. We talk about balancing family and business, setting healthy boundaries, asking for help, healing from childhood experiences, and giving ourselves permission to be human through every season of parenting. In this episode, we discuss:• The weight of expectations women carry in motherhood, business, and everyday life• Finding harmony instead of chasing perfect balance• How communication and intentional planning can reduce burnout• Recognizing when your “10-pound bag” is carrying 12 pounds• Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness• Parenting through repair, accountability, and authenticity• Healing from childhood experiences while creating a different path for your own children• Embracing the changing seasons of motherhood, marriage, and personal growth Connect with Jenna:🌐 Soul Purpose Institute (https://www.soulpurposeinstitute.com/)📸 Instagram: jenna_dannunzio3 (https://www.instagram.com/jenna_dannunzio3/)💼 LinkedIn: jenna-d-annunzio (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-d-annunzio/)📘 Facebook: JennaDAnnunzioCoach (https://www.facebook.com/JennaDAnnunzioCoach) If this episode resonated with you, please follow Parenthood Unscripted, leave a rating or review, and share it with another parent, entrepreneur, or woman who may need this reminder: you don’t have to do it all to live a rich and meaningful life. 🤍

12. 

    1 May 2026

    What Deafness Teaches Us About Parenting & Resilience

    In this episode of Parenthood Unscripted, I sit down with Dr. Anne McIntosh to talk about growing up deaf, advocacy, and resilience. She shares her experience navigating a hearing world without full access, the power of high expectations, and how problem-solving becomes a lifelong strength. We also dive into communication barriers in healthcare, the inspiration behind Clear Masks, and why trusting your instincts as a parent matters more than anything. In this episode, we cover: Growing up deaf in a mainstream setting The importance of high expectations Advocacy and trusting your gut as a parent Communication barriers and accessibility The power of resilience and problem-solving Links & Resources: 🎙 YouTube: https://youtu.be/4a4tzTqaxpg📸 Instagram: @parenthood.unscripted🌐 Guest: safeandclear.com 🌐 Guest email: Anne.McIntosh@safenclear.com⭐ Advocacy Accelerator: www.empoweredparentnetwork.org🧠 Olive Speech Therapy: www.olivespeechtherapy.org If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share with someone who needs it 🤍

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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