Therapist Brain, Mom Heart

Mom Brain: 87 Tabs Open, One Playing Music, a Pop-Up I Can’t Close, and I Don’t Even Know Where the Sound Is Coming From

If you feel like your brain never shuts off, you forget things constantly, and you’re overwhelmed by the mental load of motherhood—this episode will make you feel seen. In this relatable and hilarious episode, psychotherapist Suzanne Orlando breaks down “mom brain”—what it really is, why it happens, and why it’s not forgetfulness… it’s cognitive overload. From mental load and invisible labor to anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and emotional overwhelm, this episode dives into the real psychology behind what moms experience every day. You’ll learn: * Why your brain feels constantly overwhelmed as a mom * The science behind mental load, anxiety, and overstimulation * What intrusive thoughts are and why they are normal * Why you snap over “small things” (and why it’s not a personality flaw) * How to manage cognitive overload in real, practical ways If you’re a mom navigating parenting, stress, anxiety, or burnout—this episode will help you understand your brain, feel less alone, and give you language for what you’ve been experiencing. You’re not forgetting. You’re carrying too much.

Does Anybody Have a Map?

Parenting adolescents can feel like driving without directions. In this episode, inspired by the song Does Anybody Have a Map? from Dear Evan Hansen, I talk honestly about what it’s like navigating the teenage years for the first time. Even after 20 years as a psychotherapist working with adolescents, there are still moments with my own kids where I think, does anybody actually have a map for this stage of parenting? We explore the reality of parenting tweens and teens today—from social media pressure and teen anxiety to the internal battle between therapist brain and mom brain. I also share why our kids don’t need perfect parents with all the answers—they need parents who show up, repair mistakes, and help them navigate the messy road of growing up. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re handling your teenager the “right way,” this episode will remind you that none of us have the full map, but we can still find our way forward. 🎙️

You Don’t Have to Be Everyone’s Friend (And Neither Does Your Kid)

As Gen X parents, we got a break from social drama when the school bell rang on Friday. Our kids don’t. Their social world follows them everywhere, through texts, posts, group chats, and social media, and it changes the way they experience trust, rejection, and connection. In this episode, I talk about how we can teach kids to build trust in friendships using the marble theory, how to recognize who really shows up for them, and why noticing the small moments of connection matters more than grand gestures. But just as important, and something nobody talks about, is how to teach kids how not to be friends with someone respectfully. Kids don’t need to be close with everyone, but they do need to learn how to set boundaries while still being kind and emotionally mature. We’ll talk about: • How kids actually learn to trust their friends • Why social media makes friendships harder than ever • The psychology behind belonging and rejection • How to teach kids to be thoughtful friends • How to step back from a friendship without being cruel • Why middle school doesn’t have to feel like social warfare Because friendship isn’t just about being nice, it’s about learning who deserves a place in your marble jar and how to coexist with the people who don’t. If you’re raising kids in today’s social world, or still healing from your own middle school friendships, this episode is for you.

The Internet Diagnosed You. I’m Your Therapist. We Need to Talk

The internet has entered the chat… and apparently it’s now everyone’s therapist. In this episode, I’m putting therapist brain vs. social media mental health culture head-to-head — and we need to talk about what’s helping, what’s harming, and where things are getting wildly twisted. Not every hard thing is trauma. Not every bad mood is depression. Not every boundary is narcissism. And not every person with a ring light and a Canva quote is qualified to guide you through your mental health. We’re unpacking: why over-identifying with diagnoses can quietly box you in, how TikTok psychology is shaping how our kids see themselves, the difference between support and content, why discomfort is part of growth (ugh, I know) , how we raise resilient kids without dismissing their feelings, and yes… my rant about “coaches” vs licensed therapists (with love, but also… facts) This is not anti-mental health. It’s pro-accurate mental health. Less labels. More skills. More resilience. More truth. If you’ve ever thought, “Wait… is this actually trauma or just life being life?” This episode is your reset button.

The Clique I Didn’t Sign Up For: Motherhood, Belonging, and Walking Away

No one warns you about this part of motherhood. The mom cliques. The unspoken rules. The pressure to belong. The subtle — and not-so-subtle — relational aggression that shows up in carpools, group texts, birthday parties, and school functions. In this episode, I talk honestly about losing myself while trying to fit into a culture that never truly aligned with who I am — the drinking, the parties, the performances, the moments I laughed along while quietly disappearing inside. I share what it felt like to pull away and realize I wasn’t missed. The grief of recognizing relationships weren’t as real as I thought. The awkwardness of running into people afterward. The fake smiles. The social media gut punches. The silence when you finally share something that matters to you. We unpack the psychosocial dynamics of mom cliques, why relational aggression cuts so deeply in adulthood, how these patterns trickle down to our kids, and what it costs children when belonging is modeled as conditional. This isn’t about blame. And it’s not about villainizing other women. It’s about awareness. Boundaries. Authenticity. And choosing alignment over approval — even when it comes with loss. If you’ve ever felt invisible in a room full of parents… If you’ve ever tried to be someone else just to stay included… If you’ve ever realized the table you were sitting at was slowly stripping you of yourself… This episode is for you.