Episodes

  • Episode 8 - A Roadmap for Every Child: The Heart of Parenting and Advocacy

    Episode 8 - A Roadmap for Every Child: The Heart of Parenting and Advocacy
    May 18 2026
    In this episode of The Only Adult in the Room, hosts Lindsay and Suzan sit down with Debra and Makayla from The Children’s Movement of Florida to discuss the critical landscape of developmental screenings and early intervention. As they travel across the state, the team shares sobering insights into why "screening is abundant, but diagnosis is not"


    The conversation dives deep into the barriers families face, including long waitlists for Medicaid providers, the stigma surrounding labels, and the daunting complexity of navigating healthcare systems. You’ll hear about the "sobering" reality that 75% of children who enter kindergarten behind their peers may never catch up, highlighting the urgent need for intervention within the first five years.

    From innovative "impact networks" to the role of local municipalities in solving childcare deserts, this episode is a call to action for parents, educators, and policy-makers to prioritize kindergarten readiness for all children.
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    36 mins
  • Episode 7 - Empowering Florida’s Families: Policy, Advocacy, and the First 1000 Days

    Episode 7 - Empowering Florida’s Families: Policy, Advocacy, and the First 1000 Days
    May 4 2026
    In this episode of The Only Adult in the Room, hosts Lindsay and Suzan sit down with Makayla Buchanan (Chief of Staff) and Debra Dhaity (Maternal and Child Health Associate) from The Children’s Movement of Florida. This insightful discussion explores how the organization advocates for policies and investments that help every child in Florida thrive during their first five years.


    The conversation dives into the "three buckets" of the Movement’s work: business engagement, community listening, and legislative advocacy. Makayla and Debra share their expertise on bridging the gap between maternal health and early childhood education, emphasizing that the foundation for success begins long before a child enters a classroom.

    Key topics discussed in this episode include:
    • The Power of Parent Advocacy: How the Parent Leadership Network trains families to find their voice and navigate the legislative process.
    • Florida’s Early Learning Roadmap: A breakdown of the 41 recommendations informed by over 1,000 Floridians to improve the state's early childhood system.
    • The First 1,000 Days: Why the period from prenatal to age three is the most critical window for rapid brain development and future employability skills.
    • Continuity of Care: New initiatives like postpartum support groups hosted directly within early learning centers.
    • Supporting Home-Based Learning: Validating the role of parents as a child's first teacher and the importance of "teachable moments" in everyday life.
    Whether you are a parent, educator, or community leader, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people working to ensure Florida leads the nation in early childhood success
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    41 mins
  • Episode 6 - From VPK to Kindergarten: Navigating Literacy, Emotions, and Parent Guilt

    Episode 6 - From VPK to Kindergarten: Navigating Literacy, Emotions, and Parent Guilt
    Apr 20 2026
    Starting Kindergarten is one of the biggest milestones in a parent's life, but it often comes with a mix of pride, anxiety, and "parent guilt." In this episode, Lindsay and Suzan share their personal stories of dropping off their little ones and offer a deep dive into what Kindergarten Readiness actually looks like in today’s world.

    We break down the academic requirements in Florida—including the FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking)—and why social-emotional skills might be even more important for your child's success than knowing their ABCs.

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
    • The Emotional Side of "Big School": Dealing with the transition and why it’s okay if you’re more of a mess than your kid.
    • Academic Benchmarks: Understanding the Star Early Literacy Assessment and the "707" score goal for Florida students.
    • The Power of Connection: Why face-to-face interaction and "eye contact and touch" are vital for language development following the impacts of Covid.
    • Screen Time vs. Real Life: Why technology can't replace the "human" element of learning.
    • A "Village" of Resources: Exploring local support like the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida, Help Me Grow, and the New Worlds Reading Initiative
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    29 mins
  • Episode 5 - Parenting Through Sick Kids, Mom Life Chaos & Real Talk

    Episode 5 - Parenting Through Sick Kids, Mom Life Chaos & Real Talk
    Apr 6 2026
    In Episode 5 of The Only Adult in the Room Podcast, Lindsay and Suzan dive into the realities of modern parenting with a candid, relatable conversation about raising kids—especially when sickness takes over the house.


    From dealing with constant germs brought home from school to navigating exhaustion, stress, and the unpredictable nature of mom life, this episode is filled with real talk, humor, and honest parenting experiences. Whether you're a new parent or deep in the trenches of motherhood, this episode offers reassurance that you're not alone.


    Topics covered in this episode include parenting struggles, sick kids, mom life balance, family routines, and the everyday chaos that comes with raising children. Lindsay and Suzan keep it real with unfiltered stories, practical insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.


    If you're looking for a parenting podcast that blends humor, honesty, and relatable stories about motherhood, family life, and surviving the chaos—this episode is for you.


    🎧 Subscribe now for conversations on parenting, mom life, relationships, and real-life experiences.
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    30 mins
  • Episode 4 - 5 Essential Parenting Strategies to Raise Independent and Resilient Kids

    Episode 4 - 5 Essential Parenting Strategies to Raise Independent and Resilient Kids
    Mar 16 2026
    In the fourth episode of The Only Adult in the Room, hosts Lindsay and Suzan move beyond theory to share practical parenting strategies for raising confident, capable children. Suzan reveals her "five wishes" for every parent—a blueprint for fostering childhood independence and emotional intelligence in an era of instant gratification.


    The conversation explores how "helicopter parenting" and modern conveniences, like streaming services and AI, might inadvertently rob children of vital growth opportunities. From the lost art of waiting for a movie at Blockbuster to the high-stakes transition of kindergarten readiness, Lindsay and Suzan discuss why the best way to help your child is often to let them struggle just a little bit.


    In this episode, you’ll learn:
    - How to Teach Emotional Regulation: Why letting kids sit with uncomfortable feelings is a crucial growth milestone.
    - The Importance of "Safe Failure": How to distinguish between dangerous risks and the necessary failures that build a child's identity.
    - Modeling Stress Management: The power of narrating your own stressful moments and the importance of "repairing" with your child after you lose your cool.
    - Fostering Autonomy: Practical tips for creating independence, from packing their own lunch to navigating basic self-care before school starts.
    - Healthy Risk-Taking: A look at why modern, ultra-safe playgrounds might be contributing to childhood anxiety and how to encourage safe exploration.
    - Kindergarten Success Factors: Shifting the focus from academic drills to the social-emotional skills like listening and waiting that teachers value most.


    Whether you are a seasoned parent or just preparing for the future, this episode offers a roadmap for the "long game" of parenting, emphasizing connection and wisdom over perfection.
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    37 mins
  • Episode 3 - The Long Game: Parenting Through Connection and Growth

    Episode 3 - The Long Game: Parenting Through Connection and Growth
    Mar 2 2026
    In this episode of the Only Adults in the Room podcast, hosts Lindsay and Suzan are joined by Brooke, a mother of two who reflects on the evolving journey of parenthood. The conversation explores the challenges of raising children in a "judgy" modern landscape where social media influencers often lead parents to feel a sense of failure or constant comparison. Brooke shares her personal story of navigating her son’s path with ADHD and anxiety, offering a candid look at how she reframed these experiences to focus on his unique "superpowers" rather than societal expectations.

    The trio emphasizes the importance of the first five years of life—a period where 90% of brain development occurs—and encourages parents to trust their instincts when they feel something is "off". From utilizing developmental screenings for peace of mind to acknowledging that as parents, "we are growing up with our kids," this episode is a reassuring reminder that connection and curiosity are a parent's most valuable tools
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    31 mins
  • Episode 2 - Solo Parenting in 2026: Navigating Mom Guilt, Emotional Intelligence & Calm in the Chaos

    Episode 2 - Solo Parenting in 2026: Navigating Mom Guilt, Emotional Intelligence & Calm in the Chaos
    Feb 16 2026
    In this heartfelt episode of The Only Adult in the Room, we sit down with Morgan, a full-time single mom, employee, and student who is raising a four-year-old in 2026 while learning to embrace the chaos of modern parenting.


    Morgan shares what solo parenting really looks like behind the scenes, from managing mom guilt as a “one-and-done” parent to building a strong village of support that includes family, friends, and educators. We dive into teaching emotional intelligence to young children, helping kids regulate big emotions, and why gratitude grounding can be a powerful tool for overwhelmed parents.


    This episode explores:
    - The realities of single motherhood in today’s world
    - Raising emotionally intelligent kids
    - How to stay calm when your child isn’t
    - Building a support system as a solo parent
    - Letting go of parenting guilt
    - Finding peace in the middle of chaos


    If you’re a parent navigating big feelings (yours or your child’s), wondering if you’re doing enough, or simply trying to survive and thrive in modern motherhood, this conversation is for you.


    Because sometimes the most powerful thing a parent can hear is: You’re doing a good job.
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    33 mins
  • Episode 1 - Real Talk on Parenting, Technology & Modern Family Life

    Episode 1 - Real Talk on Parenting, Technology & Modern Family Life
    Feb 2 2026
    Welcome to the very first episode of The Only Adult in the Room podcast! Hosts Lindsay and Suzan introduce themselves, share their parenting journeys, and explain why they created a show focused on honest, relatable conversations about raising kids in today’s world.

    From navigating parenting across different generations to tackling modern challenges like technology, social expectations, and evolving family “villages,” Lindsay and Suzan share real experiences—not expert advice—to help parents feel less alone. They discuss the realities of raising children at different life stages, the importance of boundaries, the myths of “perfect parenting,” and why giving yourself grace is one of the most valuable tools a parent can have.

    Whether you’re a new parent, raising teenagers, or reflecting on your parenting journey, this episode sets the tone for open, judgment-free discussions about the wins, struggles, and lessons learned along the way.
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    38 mins