The Growth Lab Podcast

Luba Patlakh-Kaplun
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

You’ve Googled your kid's development at midnight. You're drowning in appointments, acronyms, and advice that doesn't quite fit. Wherever you are in the process, this is the show for you. Luba Patlakh is a speech-language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, and founder of Kidology, a pediatric practice that has worked with over 150,000 families. She's also a mom of three. She knows what it's like to sit with a question that no one around you seems to have the answer to. Every week, Luba brings on the clinicians, advocates, and specialists who actually work with kids. Real conversations about speech delays, feeding, IEPs, sensory processing, and everything in between. No fluff, no fear. Just the clarity you deserve. Whether you're just starting to notice something or you've been in the thick of it for years, The Growth Lab gives you the information and confidence to show up for your child.

  1. Jul 28

    Trusting Your Gut in a Medical Moment with Dr. Daniel Kogan

    It's 8:30 at night. Your child spikes a fever, or takes a fall off the playground, and suddenly you are weighing urgent care, the ER, the pediatrician, or waiting until morning. Every parent has stood in that exact spot, phone in hand, unsure which door to walk through. In this episode, Luba sits down with Dr. Daniel Kogan, owner and founder of MedX Urgent Care, to unpack what urgent care actually handles for kids, from newborns to young adults. Dr. Kogan shares which fevers in young infants need attention right away, what to watch for after a head injury, why so much chest pain turns out to be non-cardiac, and why no family should ever feel embarrassed for getting something checked out. His message lands for every parent. You know your child better than anyone, and a fair, thorough look is always worth it. Listen in for the clarity to trust your instincts the next time a moment turns scary. Connect with Luba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubapatlakh/ Get a copy of Bobo Wears a Bowtie: bobowearsabowtie.com Luba's website: lubapatlakh.com The Confident IEP Parent ebook: theconfidentiepparent.com Join the Parent Pathway: https://www.skool.com/the-parent-pathway/ 00:00 Welcome to the Growth Lab 01:42 Meet Dr. Daniel Kogan 04:07 What urgent care actually handles for kids 07:57 The most unexpected cases he has seen 08:55 When scary symptoms turn out to be minor 10:58 Fever guidelines for babies 11:21 Warning signs after a head injury1 2:02 Why you should never feel embarrassed to come in 16:42 Why he chose to open an urgent care 21:04 Where to find MedX Urgent Care

  2. Jul 22

    Why Ebony Green Stopped Trying to Do Everything Herself

    You know you were made for more than a packed caseload and an endless to-do list, but figuring out how to actually build the business can feel like guesswork. In this special business edition of The Growth Lab, Luba sits down with Ebony Green, owner and CEO of The Speak Center, creator of the SLP Business Suite, and founder of the Made for More movement, for an honest look at what it really takes to grow a speech practice on purpose. Ebony breaks down her three phases of intentional acceleration, from stabilizing as the operator, to building systems that run without you, to stepping into legacy and longevity as a CEO. She shares the client who almost made her quit, why she finally stopped trying to do everything herself, and the shift from delegating tasks to delegating decisions. If you are an SLP who knows there is more but you are figuring it out in real time, this conversation is your permission slip. Ebony on Instagram: @slpbizqueen (personal), @theslpbusiness_suite (business) Made for More conference: @madeformoreslp Ebony Green on LinkedIn The SLP Business Suite (her online education platform, home of the School Contracting Masterclass): https://theslpbusinesssuite.teachable.com Connect with Luba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubapatlakh/ Get a copy of Bobo Wears a Bowtie: bobowearsabowtie.com Luba's website: lubapatlakh.com The Confident IEP Parent ebook: theconfidentiepparent.com Join the Parent Pathway: https://www.skool.com/the-parent-pathway/ 00:02:52 Meet Ebony Green 00:03:54 From proving herself to leading on purpose 00:10:35 The school job that pushed her to start her practice 00:13:36 The client who almost made her quit 00:18:20 Phase one, stabilizing as the operator 00:21:05 Why school contracts made sense 00:24:38 Did your cash register ring today 00:29:04 Phase two, building the architecture 00:31:52 Delegating decisions, not just tasks 00:46:33 Phase three, leadership, legacy, and longevity

    Why Ebony Green Stopped Trying to Do Everything Herself

  3. Jul 15

    How to Trust Yourself as a Parent

    Somewhere between the parenting books, the expert opinions, the evaluations, and the 2 a.m. Google searches, a lot of parents stop trusting their own instincts. In this solo episode of The Growth Lab, Luba explores how that quiet loss of confidence happens and why a parent's gut feeling deserves more weight than it usually gets. Through the story of a mom who sensed something was off with her son years before anyone listened, Luba shows why intuition matters, how confidence is built through small everyday actions rather than certainty, and what it looks like to reconnect with the most important parenting tool you already have. She also opens the doors to The Parent Pathway, her community where parents find honest conversations, real support, and resources without judgment or shame. Connect with Luba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubapatlakh/ Get a copy of Bobo Wears a Bowtie: bobowearsabowtie.com Luba's website: lubapatlakh.com The Confident IEP Parent ebook: theconfidentiepparent.com Join the Parent Pathway: https://www.skool.com/the-parent-pathway/ 00:56 Welcome to the episode 01:25 Why so many parents lose trust in themselves 03:36 The mom who knew something was off at age two 07:53 Parenting has become impossibly loud 10:32 Why Luba created The Parent Pathway 17:08 Your intuition is not magic, it's data 18:35 How comparison destroys your confidence 21:25 Losing her mom and what children actually remember 24:52 How to start trusting yourself again 27:18 An invitation to join The Parent Pathway

  4. Jul 8

    Why Movement Is Medicine with Alex Lopiccolo

    In this episode of The Growth Lab, Luba Patlakh sits down with Alex Lopiccolo, known as the King of Swings, a certified occupational therapy assistant and sensory integration specialist who has spent the last decade designing sensory gyms and teaching hands on workshops around the world. Alex shares how his own childhood experience with sensory sensitivities shaped his approach to movement based therapy, and the two dig into why regulation has to come before behavior and learning can improve. They talk through practical bedtime strategies, how to balance screen time with movement, and what parents can do at home to help kids get the input their bodies are craving. Alex also opens up about building a mission driven career, avoiding burnout, and what he hopes kids carry with them long after therapy ends. Check out Alex's website: sensorydigest.com Alex's Instagram: instagram.com/sensorydigest Alex's Facebook: facebook.com/SensoryDigest/ Connect with Luba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubapatlakh/ Get a copy of Bobo Wears a Bowtie: bobowearsabowtie.com Luba's website: lubapatlakh.com The Confident IEP Parent ebook: theconfidentiepparent.com Join the Parental Pathway: https://www.skool.com/the-parent-pathway/ 00:00 – Meet Alex Lopiccolo, the King of Swings 04:00 – Growing up with sensory sensitivities and using sports as therapy 05:10 – Finding purpose as an inventor and occupational therapist 09:54 – The role of movement in regulation, learning, and behavior 14:02 – Leading by example as a parent 22:49 – Bedtime routines and calming techniques that actually work 25:12 – Avoiding burnout and building a mission driven career 33:58 – Balancing screen time, video games, and movement 42:15 – Rapid fire questions with Alex 43:30 – Where to find Alex and Sensory Digest

  5. Jun 30

    Katia Conte on Loss, Resilience, and Helping Families Survive Childhood Cancer

    This episode is one of the most personal conversations on the podcast, as host Luba Patlakh opens up about losing her own mom to cancer and how that loss shaped her view of advocacy and leadership. Luba sits down with Katia Conte, founder of the Daniela Conte Foundation, who shares the story of her daughter Daniela's four year battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. Katia walks through the moment everything changed, the years of treatment, relapse, and resilience, and the heartbreaking decision to keep fighting even when answers ran out. The conversation covers what real support looks like for a family in crisis, how the Daniela Conte Foundation helps cover rent, bills, and medical costs for families in active treatment, and how Katia turned unimaginable grief into a mission that has already helped hundreds of families. For anyone who has wondered what genuine support looks like for a family facing a child's serious illness, or who is looking for a way to help, this conversation will stay with them. Learn more about the Daniela Conte Foundation here: https://www.danielacontefoundation.org Connect with Luba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubapatlakh/ Get a copy of Bobo Wears a Bowtie: bobowearsabowtie.com Luba's website: lubapatlakh.com The Confident IEP Parent ebook: theconfidentiepparent.com Join the Parental Pathway: https://www.skool.com/the-parent-pathway/ 00:00 - Introduction to the episode and why this conversation is personal for Luba 01:55 - The day everything changed, pumpkin picking and the first signs something was wrong 04:00 - Rushing to the hospital and the diagnosis no parent is prepared for 07:44 - What it feels like to hear the words "your child has cancer" 10:52 - Starting chemo immediately and the realities of treatment 17:21 - The cancer relapses and the family faces a harder road 20:56 - Daniela's final battle and the days leading up to her passing 22:33 - How grief became the spark for the Daniela Conte Foundation 30:36 - How the foundation supports families financially and emotionally during treatment 44:18 - Advice for anyone who feels called to start something meaningful after loss

  6. Jun 24

    The Truth About Late Talkers and What Every Parent Needs to Know

    Is your child a late talker, and are you wondering whether to wait it out or pay closer attention? In this solo episode, Luba breaks down the real truth about late talkers, the version you won't find on social media. She explains what a late talker actually is, why understanding language is not the same as being able to communicate, and how speech delays ripple out into behavior, confidence, learning, and relationships. You'll hear the surprising connection between language and executive functioning, the red flags worth watching for at 12, 18, 24, and 36 months, and how to tell the difference between a child who needs a small nudge and one who needs real support. Most importantly, Luba reminds you that trusting your instincts is enough. You don't have to earn the right to ask questions about your own child. Connect with Luba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubapatlakh/ Get a copy of Bobo Wears a Bowtie: bobowearsabowtie.com Luba's website: lubapatlakh.com The Confident IEP Parent ebook: theconfidentiepparent.com Join the Parental Pathway: https://www.skool.com/the-parent-pathway/ 00:00 Welcome to The Growth Lab 01:13 The truth about late talkers, the real version 01:50 What a late talker actually is 02:24 The biggest myth, "as long as they understand, they're fine" 03:43 Why speech delays turn into behavior challenges 05:48 The hidden connection to executive functioning 07:41 What gets missed most, your child's confidence 11:13 Red flags to watch at 12, 18, 24, and 36 months 13:06 A true delay versus needing a little nudge 14:13 Why early support prevents problems, it doesn't create them

  7. Jun 16

    How to Raise Kids With a Healthy Relationship to Food With Lea Rifkin

    Most of us were raised on "clean your plate," "that's a bad choice," and "you're so lucky you can eat that." Then we grow up and wonder why food feels so loaded. In this episode I sit down with Lea Rifkin, a non-diet registered dietitian and founder of Kindred Nutrition Co., to talk about how early food messaging shapes our kids, and how we can rewrite that story while we heal our own relationship with food. We get honest about the comments that slip out without us realizing it, why labeling food good or bad tends to backfire, and what it actually looks like to guide your child around food without controlling it. Lea shares the difference between always foods and sometimes foods, why sitting down together matters more than any perfect plate, and the signs that it's time to reach out for support instead of waiting it out. If you have a picky eater, a snack grabber, or a little one already picking up messages about their body, this conversation will help you feel steadier at your own table. Want to work with Lea? Check her out here: https://kindrednutritionco.com Connect with Luba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubapatlakh/ Pre-order Bobo Wears a Bowtie: bobowearsabowtie.com Luba's website: lubapatlakh.com The Confident IEP Parent ebook: theconfidentiepparent.com 00:00 Welcome and meeting Lea Rifkin 02:52 Why our food stories start in childhood 06:09 What non-diet really means 13:09 How the words we use shape the way kids eat 18:14 The phrases parents don't realize are harmful 27:50 Bodies are like trees, and guidance versus control 37:41 Family meals and modeling around the table 42:36 When to seek help and why not to wait

  8. Jun 10

    How Beth Heyer Is Changing the Way Families Find Trusted Childcare

    When childcare falls apart, everything falls apart with it, work, stress, and the whole rhythm of family life. In this episode of The Growth Lab, Luba sits down with Beth Heyer, founder of Babysitting Connection and mentor to women building service-based businesses across the country. Beth shares how a frustrating search for trustworthy sitters turned into a vetted, membership-based network now serving families in five cities, and why she's so passionate about ending the "mommy martyrdom" that tells parents asking for help is a weakness. Together they get into what makes childcare reliable rather than just available, how to protect both the families and the caregivers in any care system, and what families consistently misunderstand about the real value of trusted support. For any parent trying to build something meaningful while raising a family, this conversation reframes childcare as what it really is, the infrastructure that lets everything else hold together. Check out Babysitting Connection: https://babysittingconnection.com Follow Beth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebethheyer/ Connect with Luba on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubapatlakh/ Pre-order Bobo Wears a Bowtie: bobowearsabowtie.com Luba's website: lubapatlakh.com The Confident IEP Parent ebook: theconfidentiepparent.com 00:00 Welcome to The Growth Lab 02:07 How a frustrating sitter search became a business 05:10 Ending the mommy martyrdom, why asking for help isn't weakness 06:02 Turning childcare into a business and pivoting through COVID 08:00 The biggest challenges families face finding reliable care 11:37 What families misunderstand about good childcare 13:07 How Babysitting Connection actually works, membership and vetting 16:15 Protecting both the families and the caregivers 21:23 Starting a service business without shrinking yourself 28:23 Where Beth sees the future of childcare heading

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Trailer

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

You’ve Googled your kid's development at midnight. You're drowning in appointments, acronyms, and advice that doesn't quite fit. Wherever you are in the process, this is the show for you. Luba Patlakh is a speech-language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, and founder of Kidology, a pediatric practice that has worked with over 150,000 families. She's also a mom of three. She knows what it's like to sit with a question that no one around you seems to have the answer to. Every week, Luba brings on the clinicians, advocates, and specialists who actually work with kids. Real conversations about speech delays, feeding, IEPs, sensory processing, and everything in between. No fluff, no fear. Just the clarity you deserve. Whether you're just starting to notice something or you've been in the thick of it for years, The Growth Lab gives you the information and confidence to show up for your child.

Information

  • Creator
    Luba Patlakh-Kaplun
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Luba Patlakh-Kaplun
  • Show Website
    The Growth Lab Podcast