Parent Confidence Lab
Parent Confidence Lab is hosted by Hans Kullberg and Cristina Bernardo of Avocado Health. The podcast features conversations with leaders in healthcare, public health, and advocacy who work to improve outcomes for parents, children, and families. It explores what is working, what is not, and how parents can be better supported at scale. The show focuses on real conversations and practical insights about family well-being.
Episodes
How Parents Can Advocate for Children with Special Needs: Building Better Partnerships with Schools with Cambria Russell
Episode Summary:Parents of children with special needs often find themselves navigating complicated school systems, medical providers, evaluations, IEPs, and unfamiliar terminology. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Cambria Russell, Ph.D., Associate Executive Director at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, to talk about how parents can b
How to Raise Money-Smart Kids: Financial Literacy, Confidence & a Growth Mindset with Dr. Michele Cho Dorado
Episode Summary:Raising confident kids is about more than helping them succeed in school. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Dr. Michele Cho Dorado, a pediatric gastroenterologist, author, mother, and founder passionate about helping children become confident and money-smart from an early age.Michele shares why she believes financial literacy should
How to Help Kids Build Confidence and Independence with Jessica Hardy
Episode Summary:How can parents help children feel more confident, capable, and empowered as they grow? In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Jessica Hardy, a child life specialist with more than 20 years of experience working with children and families in pediatric hospital settings, to explore how parents can support children through medical experiences, every
Breaking the Silence Around Mental Health in AAPI Families with Lily Chen
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina Kullberg sit down with Lily Chen, Founder and Executive Director of UCA Waves, to talk about supporting children’s mental health, reducing stigma, and helping parents create safe spaces for meaningful conversations.As a public health nurse, mother of five, and first-generation immigrant from China, Lily shares how her own e
How to Help Kids Thrive: Nutrition, Mental Health & Whole-Child Care with Dr. Chris Magryta
Episode Summary:What happens when we look beyond a child's behavior and ask what might be happening underneath? In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Dr. Chris Magryta, an integrative pediatrician and Managing Partner at Salisbury Pediatric Associates, to explore how nutrition, mental health, prevention, parental support, and whole-child care can shape children'
"How to have "The Talk" with Your Kids: Sex, Porn & Body Image, and more valuable tips with Nurse Netty"
Episode Summary:Some of the most important conversations parents have with their children can also be the hardest to start. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Dr. Annette Dunn, known as Nurse Netty, to explore how parents can build open, trusting communication with their children around puberty, sex education, healthy relationships, peer pressure, social medi
How to Navigate Type 1 Diabetes with confidence, Advocacy, and Support with Dr. Jennifer McVean
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Dr. Jennifer McVean, a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes since childhood, to discuss what families need to know when a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.Dr. McVean shares her personal journey of being diagnosed at age 11 and how being excluded from a
Building Confidence, Belonging, and Life Skills Through Skiing and Mentorship with Seth Ehrlich
Episode Summary:Building confidence and meaningful relationships with children doesn't require expensive activities or elaborate adventures. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Seth Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer of SOS Outreach, to explore how shared experiences, mentorship, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of belonging can help children develop confi
Your Child's Health Starts Outside the Doctor's Office with Michael Lee and Julie McCormack
Episode Summary:Access to healthcare involves far more than what happens inside a doctor's office. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Michael Lee and Julie McCormack to explore how healthcare, legal advocacy, and community partnerships can help families overcome barriers to care, public benefits, food assistance, housing, and other essential services.Michael
How parents Build Children's Emotional Resilience Through Play with Dr. Melinda Macht-Greenberg
Episode Summary:Play is more than entertainment. It is one of the most important ways children learn, communicate, manage emotions, and build relationships. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Melinda Macht-Greenberg, PhD, Licensed Psychologist and Tufts University faculty member, to explore how parents can use everyday play to support children's emotional, so
How to Teach Kids Coping Skills Before the Meltdown Happens with Abby Horton
Episode Summary:Helping children navigate big emotions is one of the greatest challenges parents face. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Abby Horton, Certified Child Life Specialist and founder of Little Lighthouses Child Life Services, to explore practical ways parents can teach healthy coping skills, build emotional resilience, and confidently support chil
What Nobody Tells You About the Fourth Trimester with Jennifer C. Williams
Episode Summary:The weeks after bringing home a new baby can be some of the most joyful, and overwhelming, moments in a parent's life. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina welcome Jennifer C. Williams, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) professional, Certified Parent Leave Coach, and founder of Pass GO! Therapy and Coac
Helping Parents Recognize Mental Health Early, Break Stigma, and Raise Emotionally Resilient Kids with Dr. Leena Khanzode
Episode Summary:Supporting children's mental health has never been more important, or more challenging. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina welcome Dr. Leena Khanzode, a board-certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, founder of Silicon Valley Psychiatry, founder and Executive Director of the Taarika Foundation, and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanfor
Advancing Pediatric Palliative Care, Supporting Healthcare Providers, and Helping Parents Become Stronger Advocates for Their Children with Dr. Melanie Reynolds
Episode Summary:Supporting a child through a serious illness is one of the greatest challenges any parent can face. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina welcome Melanie Reynolds, MS, APRN, NPD-BC, CPNP-AC/PC, a pediatric palliative care nurse practitioner, healthcare educator, and advanced practice leader at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, for an inspiring conversation abou
Helping Parents Build Trust, Navigate Modern Healthcare, and Raise Healthier Children with Dr. Steven Abelowitz
Episode Summary:Making informed healthcare decisions for children has never been more challenging. Between online information, changing medical recommendations, and the growing role of technology, parents often find themselves searching for trusted guidance. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina welcome Dr. Steven Abelowitz, board-certified pediatrician, physician executive,
Empowering Parents to Advocate for Their Children with Better Healthcare, AI, and Confidence with Dr. Zaid Fadul
Episode Summary:Navigating today's healthcare system can feel overwhelming for parents, especially when they're trying to make the best decisions for their children. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina welcome Dr. Zaid Fadul, a Harvard-trained physician, healthcare innovator, CEO of Bespoke Concierge MD, and proud father of four, to discuss how parents can become stronger a
Supporting Your Teen's Mental Health Through Nature and Community with Dr. Nora Dennis
Episode Summary:Mental health challenges among young people continue to rise, leaving many parents searching for approaches that go beyond traditional treatment. In this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Dr. Nora Dennis, psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician, and founder of Jubilee Healing Farm, to explore a new model of healing rooted in nature, community, and
Building Strong Family Foundations Through Compassion and Community with Elizabeth Wilberg
Episode Summary: Parenting often requires balancing hope, resilience, and perseverance through both everyday challenges and life’s most difficult moments. Elizabeth Wilberg joins Hans and Cristina on the Parent Confidence Lab podcast to share her journey as a mother, nonprofit leader, and advocate for children and families. As Executive Director of Episcopal Community Services in San Diego, Elizab
What Rare Diseases Teach Us About Trusting a Parent's Gut with Dr. Andrea Gropman
Episode Summary Rare diseases often leave families searching for answers in a system that doesn’t always recognize what’s happening. On this episode of Parent Confidence Lab, Hans and Cristina sit down with Dr. Andrea Gropman, pediatric neurologist, researcher, and leader in neurometabolic medicine, to discuss how patient stories, family advocacy, and scientific innovation are changing the future
Using Nature and Connection to Help Your Family Thrive with David Washington
Episode SummaryParenting can be overwhelming, especially when stress, anxiety, grief, and emotional challenges affect the entire family system. David Washington joins Hans and Cristina on the Parent Confidence Lab podcast to discuss how nature, connection, and nervous system regulation can support healthier relationships between parents and children. As a licensed clinical social worker and CEO an
Why Your Energy Matters More Than Your Time as a Working Parent with Sara Sweat
Episode SummaryBalancing work, parenting, and personal well-being can leave many parents feeling exhausted and stretched too thin. Sara Sweat joins Hans and Cristina on the Parent Confidence Lab podcast to discuss why healthy boundaries are essential for working parents and how they can be used to protect time, energy, and family connection. Drawing from her experience as a trauma-informed coach a
How to Stay Calm, Connected, and Confident in Parenting's Toughest Moments with Angie Weber
Episode SummaryParenting can feel overwhelming, especially during stressful mornings, sibling fights, emotional meltdowns, and the constant pressure to “get it right.” Angie Weber joins Hans and Cristina on the Parent Confidence Lab podcast to share her CALM Approach to Parenting, a practical framework designed to help parents regulate emotions, communicate more effectively, and build stronger fam
Why You Know Your Baby Better Than Any Doctor with Dr. Alex Butler
Episode SummaryMost parents leave pediatric appointments with unanswered questions, and most healthcare tech ignores that. Dr. Alex Butler, pediatric hospitalist at Boston Children’s Hospital and founder of Alcott, joins Hans and Cristina to talk about why families are left out of healthcare innovation and what we can do about it. If you’ve ever walked out of a doctor’s visit wishing you’d said mo
Recommended
Effective Weight Loss for Moms | High protein, Strength Training, Lose Weight, Meal Planning, Fat Loss, Healthy Habits
The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original
Infinite Health with Dr. Arasi Maran
The Daily
World News Tonight with David Muir
The Joe Rogan Experience
English Vocabulary Help
TED Talks Daily
Learn English B1 with Daily News | English Listening Practice
Talk About Talk - Executive & Leadership Communication Skills
English with Olivia | Slow Conversations & Vocabulary
Stand In The Circle
