Send us a text

A quiet panic at the hospital exit changed everything. Michelle thought she had done everything right—researched the “best” infant seat, checked every box—and still drove away with a major mistake she didn’t catch until a stranger gently intervened. That moment became the blueprint for Safe in the Seat, a judgment-free space that helps parents turn car-seat anxiety into everyday confidence.

We dig into the numbers and the nuance: why over 70% of inspected seats have serious errors, how the same install can be right in one car and wrong in another, and where to actually find certified child passenger safety technicians near you. Michelle explains the biggest transition most families underestimate—moving from a five-point harness to a booster—and why maturity, not just age, drives that decision. If your kid slumps, wiggles, or can’t manage the buckle, you’re not behind; you’re learning the signs that keep the seat belt where it protects best.

Real life shows up in the school pickup line and on the jet bridge. We share simple ways to practice fast, calm buckling, tools for little hands that struggle with release buttons, and the one choice that saves sanity on hectic days: pull over, reset, then roll. We also talk travel truths: the risks of renting car seats, what to consider before trusting cleaning hacks, and why FAA-recommended car seats on planes matter for turbulence, not doomsday. When kids outgrow restraints on board, learn how to check lap belt fit so they stay secure in the cabin.

Threaded through the safety talk is a story about resilience and redefinition. Michelle built a mission-driven business during a divorce and the pandemic, filming courses in her sister’s living room and meeting parents where they actually are—on their phones, in DMs, and on the way out of the hospital. The tone is clear: no shame, just better choices with better information. If you’ve ever wondered whether your setup is truly safe, or how to know when to switch stages, this conversation will leave you with answers you can use today.

If this helped, follow and share with a parent who needs a confidence boost, subscribe for more practical guidance, and leave a review to tell us your biggest car-seat question—we’ll tackle it next.

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

Send us a text

What happens when a parenting journalist becomes a parent and the plan falls apart mid-pregnancy? Julia Dennison joins us with a story that’s equal parts raw and reassuring: an affair discovered while expecting, a divorce before the first birthday, and a co-parenting journey shaped by clarity instead of control. We dig into what it takes to raise a nine-year-old in a world that still expects moms to be invisible, how to split the mental load without weaponized scorekeeping, and why the best logistics often look like a simple shared calendar and a face-to-face check-in.

Julia opens up about her daughter’s recent ADHD diagnosis and the reality behind the buzzwords: late recognition in girls, after-school meltdowns, masking in class, and the heavy lift required to secure an IEP or meaningful support. We talk costs, waitlists, neuropsych evaluations, and the painful equity gap that leaves too many kids behind. Along the way, she shares how a thoughtful step-parent can become an ally, why power dynamics deserve attention, and how to keep curiosity alive when one partner has “all the research.”

This conversation is a reminder that expertise only goes so far. Parenthood is less about perfect scripts and more about small, honest moves: meowing a kid to bed, eavesdropping on Barbie diplomacy, and choosing connection over control. You’ll hear practical ideas for co-parenting structures, advocacy in schools, and village-building that actually lightens the load. Most of all, you’ll feel a grounded kind of hope: the hard parts shift, the good parts deepen, and joy has a way of sneaking back in when we make room for it.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a quick review to help others find us. Your support helps keep these real conversations going.

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

Send us a text

Forget the viral outfits—this conversation goes inside the daily decisions that shape a family. We welcome Brandon Morgan, a stay-at-home dad in LA, to talk about the real work of leading from the background while his wife practices medicine, and why choosing public school became a valued decision with very real costs, maps, and magnets attached. If you’ve ever juggled morning chaos, worried about a school switch, or sat in the dark while a child falls asleep beside you, you’ll recognize this terrain.

Brandon walks us through the practical math that made staying home the obvious choice—childcare costs, part-time schedules, and the surprising relief of removing daily friction. He doesn’t sugarcoat the labor or the privilege, and he names the double standard that still greets involved dads with applause while overlooking mothers doing the same work. We dig into postpartum realities, the mental load, and the quiet pride that comes from packing lunches, making the pickup, and being the person school calls when a snack goes missing. Along the way, he shares small wins that add up: a morning checklist that actually works, after-school yogurt bowls that stave off meltdowns, and “two dinners” that keep the pantry raids at bay.

We also get candid about money—shared budgets, annual audits, and that complicated feeling when a side gig check shows up even after agreeing that worth isn’t tied to income. And yes, we talk bedtime. Co-sleeping, Calm stories, and why so many millennial parents end up lying beside their kids until they drift off. It’s not failure; it’s a season. Brandon’s advice to new dads is simple and strong: drop the ego, be present, and enjoy your kids. If you’re navigating school transitions, redefining masculinity, or just trying to make mornings smoother, this one will feel like a friend in your ear.

If this resonated, follow and share the show with a parent who could use a little relief. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what tradeoff made your family life work better?

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/