Episode Library

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Adams interviews licensed speech-language pathologist and founder of Prime Speech Solutions, Ebony Turner-Bailey. These two experts cover everything there is to know about children’s speech, language and communication, especially for kids on the autism spectrum. The episode sheds light on something that many families navigate with uncertainty – providing realistic, compassionate suggestions for how families can best advocate for their children’s communication needs. L...

Dr. Sarah, talks with founder of First Gen Living and author of the upcoming book "Always Have Enough: How to Build Wealth When You Don't Come From Money," Maria Melchor, to tackle real listener questions about money across every generation. From a 27 year old in West Virginia wondering whether to pay off debt or start investing, to a 58 year old asking when to take Social Security, Maria breaks down practical, judgment-free strategies for building financial confidence at any income level or lif...

Dr. Sarah Adams welcomes back Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, Head of Pediatric Infectious Disease at Lurie Children's Hospital, for a timely conversation about the viruses making headlines and what families need to know before summer travel. They cover the current state of vaccine recommendations, the measles resurgence, and why diseases that have largely disappeared from public view are still very real threats. Dr. Ravi addresses the hantavirus outbreak that put cruise ships in the news, explains how norovi...

In this episode, Dr. Sarah talks with Dr. Lisa Rappaport, licensed neuropsychologist, clinical professor of pediatrics, and author of Parenting Dyslexia, about one of the most common and most misunderstood neurocognitive conditions affecting children today. Dr. Rappaport brings a uniquely personal perspective, having been diagnosed with dyslexia herself at an early age and having nearly quit high school before going on to earn her PhD. Together, they break down what dyslexia actually is, and tak...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this episode couldn't come at a more meaningful time. In Part Two of this important conversation on suicide prevention, Dr. Sarah is joined by youth mental health experts Sherry Blair, Youth Suicide Prevention Supervisor at Akron Children's Hospital, and Dr. Georgette Constantinou, Pediatric Psychologist, to explore the practical side of keeping kids safe. Together, they walk parents through how to recognize warning signs of depression and emotional dist...

This week on Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, your host Dr. Sarah Adams has a fascinating conversation with fellow pediatrician and podcaster, Dr. Mike Patrick. They cover all of the questions parents find themselves asking, like: “Why is it so hard to know who to trust with our kid’s health these days?” or “How do you know when to call 911, versus calling your pediatrician?” and many, many more. Dr. Mike has been promoting health literacy his entire career in pediatric emergency medicine, hosting the...

In this episode of Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, pediatrician Dr. Sarah Adams chats with her very own son, athletic trainer at Marshall University, Ben Adams. The mother & son duo discuss everything from staying safe when playing high-impact sports and how to best recover after an injury, to avoiding burnout when young athletes are under more pressure than ever before. Dr. Sarah asks when parents should worry about their kids or teens, and when they can take a breather, or a back seat, trusting the...

Rob Scheer grew up in the foster care system and, like so many youth aging out of care, was handed a black trash bag at eighteen to carry everything he owned. That moment became the foundation for a national movement. Rob is the founder of Comfort Cases, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity to children in any phase of foster care. On Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, we often talk about how the environments children grow up in shapes their sense of safety, belonging, and self-worth. Today’s gues...

In this episode of Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, Dr. Sarah Adams sits down with therapist and divorce coach Karen McNenny to talk about something many families experience but rarely discuss openly: how to have a “good divorce.” Together they explore how parents can move through separation with intention, compassion, and a focus on protecting their children from unnecessary conflict. Karen shares practical insights on shifting the language we use around divorce, avoiding the common trap of putting k...

Send comments to growingupwithdr.sarah@gmail.com and we’ll try to address your questions or play your questions on an episode. In this episode Dr. Sarah Adams sits down with life coach Lauren Nanni to unpack why so many women get stuck in “restart culture” and how to finally build habits that last. Together, they explore the trap of all-or-nothing thinking, perfectionism disguised as discipline, and the myth that motivation has to come first. Through honest conversation about motherhood, maratho...

In this episode of Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, pediatrician Dr. Sarah sits down with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, to explore how one small act of service building a bed for a child sleeping on the floor sparked a nationwide movement addressing child bedlessness. Luke shares how something as simple as a bed can transform a child’s sleep, dignity, school performance, and emotional well-being, while Dr. Sarah highlights the science behind why safe, restorative sleep is foundat...

In this episode of Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, we’re joined by Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, a leading pediatric infectious disease specialist, to cut through the confusion surrounding childhood vaccines, especially the hepatitis B vaccine given at birth. Together, they explore why the newborn period is such a critical window for prevention, how hepatitis B can quietly cause lifelong infection when exposure happens early, and why universal newborn vaccination has proven far more effective than risk-based app...

Trigger Warning: This episode includes conversation about vulnerable children, self-harm, and suicide ideation. What do you do as a parent who suspects their child may be thinking about self-harm? In this powerful and practical episode of Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, host Dr. Sarah Adams tackles one of the hardest but most life-saving conversations a family can have. This episode focuses on Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM), a free, evidence-based approach that teaches families and pro...

In this episode of Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, Dr. Sarah Adams welcomes registered dietitian and nutrition affairs manager Anna Busenburg for a practical, science-based conversation on nourishing children through every stage of growth. Anna breaks down how everyday food choices can help support immune health during school years when germs are circulating and kids’ nutritional needs are constantly evolving. We learn that healthy eating isn’t about perfection, but about consistency and offering foo...

In this highlight episode of Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, I revisit one of my most meaningful conversations with fellow pediatrician Dr. Molly O’Shae, where we talk candidly about how childhood and parenting has changed in the digital age. As pediatricians, we’ve both witnessed how technology can be an incredible tool while also creating new layers of stress and uncertainty for families. Dr. O’Shea reflects on decades of clinical experience, naming the quiet shift many parents feel: moving from co...

In this episode of Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, we discuss ADHD, dyslexia and other learning challenges. As report cards and teacher feedback arrive, many parents wonder if short attention spans, reading struggles, or classroom difficulties warrant concern—or a conversation with a mental health professional. Dr. Sarah Adams sits down with Dr. Kelly Christian, clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of the Schaeffer Center, to break down what’s developmentally expected, what might signal ADHD o...

n this episode of Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, Dr. Sarah Adams sits down with Dr. Christopher Bolling, a national leader in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity and a co-author of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ clinical practice guidelines. Together, they unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in pediatrics: childhood obesity. Rather than focusing on numbers or blame, they explore what BMI actually means, why it’s just one vital sign among many, and how to recognize when wei...

In this episode I talk with experienced psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and owner of Woodstream Wellness, Emilie Breeding. Together we go in depth about the mental health of children and teens. Nearly one in five young people in the United States experiences mental, emotional and behavioral conditions like ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD and mood disorders. We explore how to recognize when a child is struggling, the importance of early intervention, ways to break the stigma around m...

Today teens are living through overlapping crisis, from natural disasters and war to violence in the news, rising suicide risk and the pull of digital life. Our guest in this episode, Dr. Hina Talib, is double board certified in pediatrics and adolescent medicine and is a nationally recognized voice on teen health. You may have read her insights in ABC News on why teen girls are in crisis beyond social media, seen her guidance on screen time and digital wellness on Instagram, or her contribution...

So many parents of active kids and teens ask me: How do we fuel our young athletes? Whether your child is doing daily dance classes, long soccer practices or weekend swim meets, what they eat and drink can have a big impact on their performance, their growth and their long-term health.In this episode, Maura Fowler, a registered dietitian and public health expert who specializes in pediatric dance and sports nutrition, explains how to keep your busy, active kid or teen healthy. Highlights: #REDS ...

In this episode we’re talking about puberty, body image and how parents, particularly moms, can play a powerful role in shaping their daughter's confidence and health when their menstruation cycles begin. My expert guest is Dr. Melisa Holmes, a Board Certified OBGYN, pediatrician, author, TEDx, speaker and co-founder of Girlology, an AI powered app that helps provide specialized support centered around puberty, stage by stage. We recognize that puberty is a complicated time for both parents and ...

In this episode we're diving into one of the biggest transitions in family life, preparing for college, if that's where your child is headed. So whether your child is in middle school, just starting to think about their future, or a high school senior in the middle of applications, this process can feel overwhelming for students and parents alike. From choosing courses and extracurricular activities to building a college list, visiting campuses, and of course, managing financial responsibilities...

You've no doubt been hearing the buzz about weight loss medications for kids and teens. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Obesity remains highly prevalent among children in the United States and is associated with an ever-increasing burden of obesity-related diseases.”And effective pediatric obesity prevention and treatment requires both societal interventions and health care system innovation. One recently approved treatment is the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist...

So much goes into making sure your children have a healthy relationship to money and balancing career growth with family responsibilities for parents. In this episode we have professional money manager and financial advisor Abbe Large, the Managing Director at Lenox Advisors. We talk about everything from introducing conversations with children about the value of money and how to achieve generational wealth as a family, to planning the family vacations. #MomTok #ParentTok #ProtectthePaycheck #g...