Today’s conversation goes beyond the therapy room and into the decisions shaping mental health at a community level.

I’m joined by Dr. Cheryl Stallings, Wake County Commissioner and licensed psychologist, along with psychologist Emily King, to unpack what is actually happening behind the scenes when it comes to mental health, schools, and family support systems.

We talk about the realities families are facing right now, how local policy decisions impact access to care, what happens when schools and systems are stretched thin, and where families are being asked to carry more than they should.

This is not a fear-based conversation. It is a clear, grounded look at what is real, what is changing, and where families can focus their energy.

If you have ever felt like you are doing everything you can and it still feels like too much, this episode will help you understand why and what actually helps.

Contact Commissioner: Dr. Stallings

Email: Cheryl.Stallings@wake.gov

Contact Emily King, PhD

Instagram: @emilykingphd

Website: learnwithemily.com

Find me, https://substack.com/@drmelaniemccabe

website: DrMelanieMcCabe.com

Website: RDUTherapy.com

Instagram: @drmelaniemccabe

9/30/25

If your child is an athlete, this is information you cannot afford to miss.

Concussion treatment has changed significantly over the last decade, yet many parents, coaches, and even athletes are still following outdated advice that can delay recovery.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Paul Cohen to talk specifically about concussions in youth athletes. From soccer to football to cheer to lacrosse, we break down what actually happens in the brain, why “rest until symptoms are gone” is no longer the gold standard, and how early, guided return to activity is changing outcomes.

We also get into the real-life pressure athletes feel to get back in the game, how to navigate return-to-play decisions, and what parents should be watching for on the sidelines and at home.

In this episode, we cover:
• How concussion treatment for athletes has evolved over the last 10 years
• Why complete rest can backfire and what to do instead
• The updated return-to-play approach for youth sports
• Signs your athlete is not ready to go back yet
• The overlap between concussion symptoms and emotional or behavioral changes
• What to say when your child wants to “push through it”
• When to see a specialist and what modern concussion care looks like

If your child plays sports at any level, this conversation will help you protect their brain, support their recovery, and make confident decisions when it matters most.

Resources & Links:
Learn more about Dr. Paul Cohen: https://orthonc.com/who-we-are/physicians/dr-paul-cohen

Instagram: @theconcussiondoc
More from me:
• https://rdutherapy.com

• https://drmelaniemccabe.com

Instagram: @drmelaniemccabe

@RDUTherapy

9/30/25

What does ADHD actually look like in women and why are so many high functioning, successful women just now getting diagnosed?

In this episode, I sit down with Peyton Gemmell, founder of Lightminded, to talk about ADHD in women, late diagnoses, and what it really takes to thrive as a neurodivergent woman in a neurotypical world.

We break down the subtle ways ADHD shows up differently in women, especially moms and high achieving professionals who have learned to mask, overcompensate, and push through. Peyton shares how chronic overwhelm, burnout, emotional dysregulation, and feeling “behind” are often misunderstood signs of ADHD, not personal failure.

We also talk about:
How ADHD presents differently in women versus men
The link between ADHD, anxiety, and burnout
Why so many women are diagnosed later in life
Practical strategies for emotional regulation and executive functioning
How to move from survival mode to actually thriving
What neurotypical moms and women need to understand about ADHD

Whether you are a woman with ADHD, wondering if you might be, or a parent trying to better understand your child or yourself, this episode will help you feel seen and give you real, usable tools.

Peyton brings a compassionate, real world perspective that helps women stop blaming themselves and start building lives that actually work for their brains.

Connect with Peyton Gemmell:
Lightminded: https://www.lightmindedot.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lightminded.ot

Connect with Dr. Melanie McCabe:
Website: https://www.rdutherapy.com

Website: https://www.drmelaniemccabe.com

Instagram: @drmelaniemccabe

If this episode resonated, share it with a friend, save it for later, and leave a review to help more women understand ADHD and mental health.

9/30/25