In this episode, Dr. Marissa Caudill interviews Jeff Hittner of the Ambitious Dads Project to discuss the challenges dads face in parenthood, and how we can best support them. Jeff discusses the challenges he faced in having to accept his infertility on the path to becoming a father, and how that challenge gave him the gift of having to embrace imperfection and failure and vulnerability before he even became a dad. We also discuss the difficulty dads face with self-criticism and shame, and how co-parents can best support fathers to step into their vital and important role in their kids' lives.

Sign up for Jeff's Substack at https://ambitiousdads.substack.com/, and listen to his podcast on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/4xCHG30Ms9wcGRJmDqHcW8

and on Apple Podcasts at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambitious-dads/id1815863328

Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, both are FREE!

Interested in working with me directly? Sign up for my monthly Office Hours call⁠⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of The Parent Doctor Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Eric Endlich, a clinical psychologist, former therapist, and founder of Top College Consultants. Dr. Eric is an educational consultant specializing in helping students with learning differences or emotional challenges apply to and successfully transition into college. With his background in psychology and decades of experience, Dr. Eric also brings a broader lens on mental health and neurodiversity.

In our conversation, Dr. Eric shares how the college admissions process has changed dramatically over the years, and why families—especially those raising neurodivergent kids—need to focus less on prestige and more on fit. We talk about the strengths an educational consultant brings to the table, how parents can calm the temperature during this stressful season, and why a student’s mental and physical well-being should always come first.

We also explore the unique challenges that arise when students have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, or OCD, and how parents can navigate accommodations, disability services, and support programs without fear. Dr. Eric explains the difference between what all colleges must provide by law and the specialized programs that go above and beyond, offering practical tips on what questions to ask during campus visits. You’ll also hear his powerful perspective on readiness—when a student might benefit from summer programs, a structured gap year, or additional executive function support before heading to college.

If you’ve ever worried about whether your child will thrive once they leave home—or if you’ve wondered how to balance independence with the safety net of accommodations—this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and concrete tools. Dr. Eric reminds us that there are many paths to success, that the “best” college is the one where your child can flourish, and that parents don’t have to do this alone.

Dr. Eric also co-manages a thriving Facebook community of nearly 27,000 parents:Parents of College Bound Students with Learning Disabilities, ADHD and ASD

If you’d like to reach out to Dr. Eric, you can contact him via email at Eric@TopCollegeConsultants.com, or connect with him on social media: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and his Website

Thanks for tuning in!

Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, both are FREE!

Interested in working with me directly? Sign up for my monthly Office Hours call⁠⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of The Parent Doctor Podcast, I’m joined by Rochel Ferman, a seasoned pediatric sleep coach and founder of Make My Baby Smile. With over 13 years of experience helping families from infancy through adolescence, Rochel brings a deeply compassionate, behaviorally grounded, and practical approach to one of parenting’s biggest challenges: sleep.

Together, we unpack everything from how and when to begin sleep training, to what to do when your toddler refuses bedtime, and why co-sleeping often becomes a point of tension between partners. Rochel explains why sleep is a behavior—not just a biological function—and how parents can support their child in developing lifelong skills for independent sleep. We also discuss the importance of consistency, how illness or travel can derail progress, and why both parents (and all caregivers) need to be on the same page.

Beyond early childhood, we explore how sleep changes throughout development, from nap schedules in preschoolers to the circadian shifts of adolescence. We touch on teen sleep hygiene, screen time, caffeine, clutter, and why the real solution to sleep problems usually isn’t melatonin or Benadryl—but a shift in habits, routines, and mindset.

If you’ve ever struggled with your child’s sleep—or your own—this episode is packed with evidence-based tips and loving reminders that sleep is not selfish, it’s foundational. You’ll leave with clarity, compassion, and real-world strategies to help your whole family rest well.

If you’d like to reach out to Rochel, you can contact her via email, or you can visit her website.

Thanks for tuning in!

Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, both are FREE!

Interested in working with me directly? Sign up for my monthly Office Hours call⁠⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of The Parent Doctor Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Justin H. Dove, a licensed educational psychologist and the school psychologist at my kids’ school here in Los Angeles, The Mirman School. Justin is not only a deeply compassionate clinician and advocate, but also someone whose work is rooted in social justice, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and equitable access to education.

In our conversation, Justin shares insights from his 15 years of experience in public, charter, and independent schools across the country, and breaks down what actually happens when parents raise concerns about their child’s learning, attention, or emotional wellbeing. We demystify what school psychologists do, how IEP (Individualized Education Program) and SST (Student Support Team) processes work, and why it’s so important to assume positive intent when partnering with educators.

We also explore the challenges families face navigating between public and private school systems—especially when kids are twice-exceptional (gifted + neurodivergent). Justin explains how parents can request an evaluation (even if their child is in private school), what accommodations are considered “reasonable,” and how to handle delays or resistance without immediately going into fight mode. You'll also hear his powerful take on the difference between a diagnosis and a label—and how we can talk to our kids about ADHD, autism, or learning differences in affirming, empowering ways.

If you’ve ever felt confused about how to get help for your child at school, or you’re unsure whether speaking up might limit their opportunities, this episode will give you clarity, courage, and tools to advocate without fear. Justin reminds us that special education isn’t a place—it’s a menu of services—and that every child deserves to learn in a way that honors who they are.

You can access Justin’s Special Education Evaluation Request Templates here: a General version for families outside of California and a California-specific version.

If you’d like to reach out to Justin, you can contact him via email at jdove@mirman.org, or connect with him on social media:LinkedIn and his Website.

Thanks for tuning in!

Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, both are FREE!

Interested in working with me directly? Sign up for my monthly Office Hours call⁠⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of The Parent Doctor Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Jesse Roselin, a forward-thinking educator and the founder of Pacific Preparatory, a fully accredited K–12 online school that delivers personalized, one-on-one learning to students across the globe.

Jesse and I have been friends for over a year, and I’ve had the joy of being part of his Reimagined community—where bold ideas about education and parenting thrive. In today’s conversation, Jesse shares how his eclectic educational journey—from Waldorf schools to Oxford University—inspired him to rethink what school could be. We explore the shortcomings of the traditional one-size-fits-all model and why it’s time for a more human-centered approach to learning.

We talk about how Pacific Prep combines high-touch, emotionally attuned mentorship with academic customization to meet students exactly where they are—whether they’re gifted, anxious, recovering from trauma, or simply ready for something different. Jesse also opens up about the emotional side of education: how confidence, identity, and relationships with teachers can be the key drivers of academic success.

You’ll hear practical examples of how interest-based, flexible learning can reignite motivation in struggling kids—and why parents don’t need to panic if their child’s path looks different from the norm. Jesse reminds us that success is rarely linear, and with the right support, kids can move from surviving to thriving.

If you’ve ever questioned whether the traditional school system is really serving your child—or you’re simply curious about the future of education—this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

If you’d like to reach out to Jesse, you can contact her via email at jesse@pacificpreparatory.org, or connect with her on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn and her Website.

Thanks for tuning in!

Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, both are FREE!

Interested in working with me directly? Sign up for my monthly Office Hours call⁠⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of The Parent Doctor Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome my friend Suzanne Read, a grief mentor, widow, and retreat host, to talk about love, loss, and the incredible journey of rebuilding a life after loss.

Suzanne lost her husband of 19 years to leukemia, a heartbreaking experience that forced her to navigate widowhood at a young age. She shares the raw realities of caregiving, the emotional toll of watching a loved one fight for their life, and how she managed to move forward after his passing. We also discuss the surprising ways grief reshapes friendships, identity, and the way we see our future.

Three years after her husband’s passing, Suzanne found love again—with a man who had three children and a grandchild. She opens up about stepping into a motherhood role, despite never having children of her own, and how this unexpected chapter brought new purpose and joy into her life.

Now, she helps others on their grief journey through her organization Beyond the Widow. Suzanne hosts retreats on her breathtaking property in Australia, providing a safe space for healing and self-discovery. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of community, and the beauty of embracing life’s unexpected turns.

If you’ve ever experienced loss, supported someone through grief, or wondered how to find light after darkness, this episode will resonate deeply.

If you’d like to reach out to Dr. Suzanne, you can contact her via email at atsuzannegomes73@hotmail.com, or connect with her on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn and her Website.

Thanks for tuning in!

Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, both are FREE!

Interested in working with me directly? Sign up for my monthly Office Hours call⁠⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Mona Sodhi, an obesity medicine specialist in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Sodhi is at the forefront of obesity medicine, helping patients move beyond outdated diet-and-exercise narratives to embrace a more holistic approach to health.

Together, we explore a topic many parents worry about: how to foster a healthy relationship with food in our kids. Dr. Sodhi explains how childhood experiences, emotions, and even the way we talk about food shape lifelong habits. She highlights the importance of modeling positive self-talk and shifting the focus away from weight and dieting, instead emphasizing strength, energy, and mindful eating.

We also discuss the impact of sleep, stress, and movement—often overlooked but crucial to overall health. Dr. Sodhi shares simple, practical ways parents can support their children in developing lifelong healthy habits.

Of course, we talk about GLP-1 medications—their benefits, potential risks, and how they fit into a well-rounded approach to well-being. While these medications can be helpful, they’re not a quick fix.

If you’ve ever struggled with how to talk to your kids about food in a way that promotes balance and confidence, this episode is a must.

If you’d like to reach out to Dr. Mona, you can contact her via email at drmonasodhi@gmail.com, or connect with her on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn and her Website.

Thanks for tuning in!

Hello, and welcome back to The Parent Doctor Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Marissa Caudill. Please rate and follow this podcast to help spread this resource, and be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theparentdoctor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or join the monthly ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠book club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, both are FREE!

Interested in working with me directly? Sign up for my monthly Office Hours call⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most personal stories of my life—a story about my father, his struggles, and how they’ve shaped the person and parent I am today.

My father’s journey was filled with challenges, from a traumatic childhood and undiagnosed dyslexia to battles with alcoholism that deeply affected our family. For years, our relationship was strained and unresolved. But in December 2023, during a Tony Robbins event, I experienced a profound spiritual awakening through a Ho’oponopono blessing—a practice of forgiveness and love.

What happened next was nothing short of life-changing: the discovery that my father passed away on the same day I sent those words of forgiveness into the universe. In that moment, I felt the interconnectedness of our lives in a way I had never understood before.

This experience strengthened my commitment to helping parents reflect on their own stories and break the cycles of trauma that often ripple through generations. I believe it’s never too late to heal, forgive, and create deeper, more connected relationships with our children.

I hope this story inspires you as much as it has transformed me.

Thanks for tuning in!