Real Life with RDU Therapy

RDU Therapy
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

Real talk for real life. Parenting, work, relationships, and everything in between — with expert insight and a dose of humor. Real Life with RDU Therapy is where modern parents, professionals, and families come to take a breath, get real, and find practical ways forward. Hosted by Dr. Melanie McCabe, a practicing licensed child and family psychologist, this podcast explores the everyday challenges that high-achieving parents face while raising kids in a world that rarely slows down. From navigating burnout at work, juggling childcare, and managing aging parents—to handling big feelings, family chaos, and the constant pressure to “do it all”—this podcast is here to remind you that you don’t have to figure it out alone. Each episode blends expert insights, real-life stories, and practical information you can use right away. Dr. McCabe also interviews thought leaders, business owners, and specialists across industries, giving listeners access to strategies that go beyond therapy and into whole-life well-being. If you’re striving to raise resilient kids, care for yourself, and build a meaningful life (while still sneaking in a little humor and humanity), you’ll feel right at home here. This podcast is an extension of the work we do at RDU Therapy —helping families break cycles, build healthier patterns, and create more peace at home.  Connect with us on Instagram @rdutherapy or visit rdutherapy.com to learn more. RDU Therapy from Raleigh, North Carolina.

  1. Jul 22

    You Don't Have an Anger Problem. You Have This Problem.

    Why do loving, dedicated parents sometimes end up yelling at the people they love most? In this episode of Real Life with RDU Therapy, therapist Sara Hudson turns the tables and interviews psychologist, speaker, and author Dr. Melanie McCabe. Together, they unpack why so many good parents lose their patience, what is actually happening in those heated moments, and the simple shifts that can help families move from constant conflict to stronger connection. You'll learn: • Why yelling is often a symptom, not the root problem. • What is happening in your brain when emotions take over. • The biggest parenting mistake Dr. Mel wishes families would stop making. • Practical strategies you can start using today to create a calmer home. • Why you're not failing, even if parenting feels incredibly hard right now. Whether you're raising a child with big emotions, navigating daily power struggles, or simply trying to become the parent you want to be, this episode will leave you feeling understood, encouraged, and equipped with practical tools you can actually use. Learn more about RDU Therapy's therapists, parenting resources, and services at RDUTherapy.com. Follow us for more parenting tips: Instagram: @RDUTherapy Instagram: @DrMelanieMcCabe Get a FREE sample chapter of Dr. Melanie McCabe's upcoming book Not Broken here: dr-melanie-mccabe.kit.com/chapter1-2026 If this episode helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent. Your support helps us reach more families and continue bringing practical, evidence based parenting advice to parents everywhere. 9/30/25

  2. Apr 17

    Behind the Decisions: How Local Policy Shapes Your Family’s Mental Health

    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

  3. Apr 17

    Your Athlete’s Concussion Isn’t Treated Like It Was 10 Years Ago

    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

  4. Apr 7

    ADHD in Women: How Neurodivergent Women Can Thrive Not Just Survive with Peyton Gemmell

    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

  5. Mar 30

    Purity Culture, Sex, and Relationships: Healing Together with Jeremiah Gibson and Julia Postema

    What happens when the messages you learned about sex, gender, and relationships long before adulthood still shape the way you connect today? In this episode of Real Life with RDU Therapy, I sit down with Jeremiah Gibson and Julia Postema of Let’s Heal Together to talk about purity culture, high control religious environments, attachment, communication, intimacy, grief, and healing in relationships. Jeremiah and Julia are licensed relationship therapists and certified sex therapists, and they specialize in helping individuals and couples rebuild healthier patterns around connection, sexuality, and emotional safety. Let’s Heal Together offers relationship and sex therapy, including co therapy, and also supports people navigating deconstruction and recovery from purity culture.  We talk about how early messages around gender, sexuality, and “being good” can show up years later in adult partnerships, why couples often get stuck in criticism, repetition, and outdated assumptions, and how healing often happens through kindness, play, pleasure, pacing, and honest communication. Jeremiah and Julia also explain why sex therapy so often involves grief, and how relationships can survive major identity shifts when beliefs, faith, or community ties begin to change.  If you grew up with shame based messages about bodies, intimacy, marriage, or gender roles, or if you are trying to build a healthier relationship after purity culture or a high control religious background, this conversation will leave you feeling less alone and more hopeful. In this episode, we cover: purity culture and abstinence only messaging how childhood and religious messages affect adult relationships attachment, communication, and conflict in couples grief, intimacy, and sexual healing deconstruction, faith shifts, and partnership stress how co therapy can help couples feel supported and understood Connect with Jeremiah Gibson and Julia Postema Let’s Heal Together https://www.letshealtogether.org/ Instagram: @sexvangelicals Podcast: Sexvangelicals Connect with Dr. Melanie McCabe / RDU Therapy https://rdutherapy.com/ https://drmelaniemccabe.com/ Instagram: @dr_melanie_mccabe and @rdu.therapy  9/30/25

  6. Mar 24

    Dr. Matt on Gifted and Neurodivergent Kids: Emotional Intensity, ADHD, and Twice-Exceptional Truths

    What if your “gifted” child is not just advanced, but overwhelmed, misunderstood, or struggling in ways no one is talking about? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Matt Zaretsky, clinical psychologist and expert in gifted and neurodivergent kids, to unpack what giftedness really looks like and why so many of these children are missed, mislabeled, or expected to just “be fine.” We talk about emotional intensity, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and what it actually means to be twice-exceptional (2e). If your child can be incredibly capable in one moment and completely dysregulated the next, this conversation will likely hit home. Dr. Matt explains why giftedness is a form of neurodivergence, how the brain contributes to big feelings and uneven skills, and why traditional school environments often fail these kids. We also get practical about what parents can do when schools minimize concerns, how to pursue testing, and how to create environments where kids can truly thrive, not just cope. If you are raising a child with big emotions, high intensity, or a brain that does not fit the typical mold, this episode will help you understand what is happening and how to support them more effectively. What giftedness actually means beyond being “smart” Why gifted kids often have big emotions and struggle with regulation The overlap between giftedness, ADHD, and autism What “twice-exceptional” (2e) means Why many gifted kids are missed in school systems What to do when your child is labeled as “fine” but you know something is off How to advocate for testing, support, and the right environment Why connection and belonging are critical for neurodivergent kids Learn more about Dr. Matt’s clinical work: https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com Book Dr. Matt for speaking and trainings: https://www.drmattzakreski.com Get the book The Neurodiversity Playbook: https://www.amazon.com Learn more about Dr. Melanie McCabe and RDU Therapy: https://www.rdutherapy.com https://www.drmelaniemccabe.com Follow along on Instagram: @drmelaniemccabe 9/30/25

  7. Mar 24

    SoapBox Edition | WCPSS proposed budget cuts: Dr. Emily King, Dr. Matt Zakreski, and Dr. Melanie McCabe

    We all need to be paying attention to what WCPSS (the largest school district in NC and 15th largest in the US) does in this moment. Today, Dr Emily King talks with myself and Dr. Matt Zakreski, all 3 psychologists who know schools and neurodivergent kids well. The impact of these proposed cuts goes beyond students receiving special education services and their teachers. It's going to affect everyone. 9/30/25

  8. Mar 9

    The Mom Burnout No One Sees | Amber Lynn Richardson | Seasonal Syning

    In this episode of Real Life with RDU, I sit down with Amber Lynn Richardson, author, life coach, and speaker, for a thoughtful conversation about motherhood, burnout, women’s mental health, and what it means to reconnect with yourself when life has pulled you in too many directions. Amber shares the personal story that shaped her work, including motherhood, caregiving, grief, chronic overwhelm, and the moment she realized life could not keep feeling this hard. We talk about the invisible emotional load so many women carry, how burnout can show up in both mind and body, and why so many moms look like they have it all together while quietly feeling exhausted, disconnected, and stuck. We also dive into Amber’s book, Seasonal Syncing, and her framework for understanding different seasons of life. This conversation explores how women can stop forcing themselves to keep producing, start listening to what their body and mind are telling them, and move toward more harmony, healing, and wholeness. In this episode, we cover: motherhood and emotional exhaustion women’s mental health and burnout the pressure moms feel to hold everything together how stress can show up physically in the body the difference between therapy and life coaching intergenerational healing and modeling wellness for our kids why self care is not selfish how women can reconnect with themselves in a practical way If you are a mom, a woman feeling overwhelmed, or someone trying to support the women in your life, this episode will speak to you. Connect with Amber Lynn Richardson: Website: amberlrichardson.com Instagram: @lifewithcoachamber LinkedIn: Amber Lynn Richardson Book: Seasonal Syncing on Amazon Connect with me: drmelaniemccabe.com rdutherapy.com Instagram: @drmelaniemccabe If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend, send it to a mom who needs to hear it, and follow along for more conversations about parenting, mental health, emotional regulation, and real life. 9/30/25

    The Mom Burnout No One Sees | Amber Lynn Richardson | Seasonal Syning
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Real talk for real life. Parenting, work, relationships, and everything in between — with expert insight and a dose of humor. Real Life with RDU Therapy is where modern parents, professionals, and families come to take a breath, get real, and find practical ways forward. Hosted by Dr. Melanie McCabe, a practicing licensed child and family psychologist, this podcast explores the everyday challenges that high-achieving parents face while raising kids in a world that rarely slows down. From navigating burnout at work, juggling childcare, and managing aging parents—to handling big feelings, family chaos, and the constant pressure to “do it all”—this podcast is here to remind you that you don’t have to figure it out alone. Each episode blends expert insights, real-life stories, and practical information you can use right away. Dr. McCabe also interviews thought leaders, business owners, and specialists across industries, giving listeners access to strategies that go beyond therapy and into whole-life well-being. If you’re striving to raise resilient kids, care for yourself, and build a meaningful life (while still sneaking in a little humor and humanity), you’ll feel right at home here. This podcast is an extension of the work we do at RDU Therapy —helping families break cycles, build healthier patterns, and create more peace at home.  Connect with us on Instagram @rdutherapy or visit rdutherapy.com to learn more. RDU Therapy from Raleigh, North Carolina.

Information

  • Creator
    RDU Therapy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Real Life with RDU Therapy
  • Show Website
    Real Life with RDU Therapy