Growing Up with Dr. Sarah

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 life stage. The conversation covers starting small with as little as 1% of your income, navigating unpredictable gig economy earnings, choosing between a 401k and a Roth IRA, and refinancing high interest student loans.The episode also dives into the financial pressures unique to midlife and the so-called sandwich generation, including listeners juggling aging parents, growing families, and their own long-term goals. Maria shares her framework for preparing financially for kids, explains the difference between a financial educator and a financial advisor, and offers reassurance to anyone who feels behind. Throughout, she emphasizes that time, not a high income, is the biggest asset anyone has when it comes to building wealth, and that financial health is just one tool among many for living a fuller life.Episode sponsor: Certified financial & wealth advisorsAdams, Gut & Associates was recognized by Forbes as a 2026 Best-in-State Wealth Management Team, an accolade that highlights advisory teams nationally for their disciplined approach, strong best practices, client retention, industry experience, and ability to navigate increasingly complex wealth-management needs.https://www.adams-gut.com/How to learn more about Maria Melchor, Financial Coach, First Gen Living:https://www.firstgenliving.com/More resources:FirstGenLiving, LLChttps://www.instagram.com/firstgenliving/https://www.tiktok.com/@firstgenlivingHave questions about today’s episode, or anything else related to the health and wellness of your family? Write us an email or upload a voice memo, to growingupwithdr.sarah@gmail.com and we’ll try and address your questions or play your questions on an episode.Leave a voice message: To record and email a voice memo, use your phone's built-in recorder (like Voice Memos on iPhone or a similar app on Android), tap the record button, speak your message (holding the phone like a call), stop recording, then use the share icon to select your email app, fill in details, and send the attached audio file. Alternatively, draft a new email in Gmail/Outlook and use the attachment icon to add the saved audio file directly. Email to: Dr.Sarah@gmail.comABOUT Dr. Sarah: Looking for a place to educate yourself and your family on how to live your best lives? Welcome to Growing Up with Dr. Sarah, where we discuss general health and wellness, parenting, family matters, and real-life challenges that affect every single one of us. As both a pediatrician and a mom, I have unique insight on how to grow healthier, happier, and stronger as individuals, and as families. The success of the family starts from the top, by helping parents and caregivers address tough questions and everyday concerns. So join me and some of my special guests: physicians, nutritionists, fitness experts, community members, coaches, teachers, and more –and let’s grow up together!Check out previous episodes of “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah” at www.growingupwithdrsarah.com =======================================================IG details: @growingupwithdrsarah========================================================TikTok details: @growingupwithdrsarahThis podcast is produced by:GTS Media, LLCAudivita Studios

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 mental health, and why partnership between families, schools, and healthcare providers is crucial. You’ll also hear her firsthand insights about common struggles, emerging trends, and what truly fosters resilience and healing for kids and teens.Stats included in this episode are grounded in recent CDC findings on the prevalence, risk, and protective factors for mental health conditions in children and teens. They aim to provide listeners with both practical advice and deeper insight into the evolving landscape of pediatric mental health care.Episode Highlights: #Teen Resilience #Openended QuestionsPlease SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHARE if this topic interests you!Have an idea for a show, share your thoughts with us:Have questions about today’s episode, or anything else related to the health and wellness of your family? Either write us an email or upload a voice memo, and send to growingupwithdr.sarah@gmail.com and we’ll try and address your questions on an episode.RESOURCES:https://www.charliehealth.com/https://woodstreamwellness.com/ABOUT Dr. Sarah: Looking for a place to educate yourself and your family on how to live your best lives? Welcome to “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah,” where we dive into general health and wellness, parenting , family matters, and real-life challenges that affect every single one of us. Being both a pediatrician and a mother has given me unique insight about how to live healthier, happier, and stronger as individuals, and as families. The success of the family starts from the top, and by helping parents and caregivers address tough questions and everyday concerns. So join me and some of my special guests: physicians, nutritionists, fitness experts, community members, coaches, teachers, even kids, and parents –and let’s grow up together!Check out previous episodes of “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah” at www.growingupwithdrsarah.com IG details: @growingupwithdrsarahTikTok details: @growingupwithdrsarahThis podcast is produced by:GTS Media, LLCAudivita Studios

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#Protein#creatine#healthysnacks#fightAnorexia, #fightbulimia, and #fightorthorexiaPlease SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHARE if this topic interests you!Share your thoughts, questions, show ideas:Have questions about today’s episode, or anything else related to the health and wellness of your family? Either write us an email or upload a voice memo, and send to growingupwithdr.sarah@gmail.com and we’ll try and address your questions on an episode.RESOURCES:Book recommendation: “Pediatric Nutrition” (9th Edition)By American Academy of PediatricsEdited by: Frank R. Greer, MD, FAAP; Steven A. Abrams, MD, FAAPABOUT Dr. Sarah: Looking for a place to educate yourself and your family on how to live your best lives? Welcome to “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah,” where we dive into general health and wellness, parenting , family matters, and real-life challenges that affect every single one of us. Being both a pediatrician and a mother has given me unique insight about how to live healthier, happier, and stronger as individuals, and as families. The success of the family starts from the top, and by helping parents and caregivers address tough questions and everyday concerns. So join me and some of my special guests: physicians, nutritionists, fitness experts, community members, coaches, teachers, even kids, and parents –and let’s grow up together!Check out previous episodes of “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah” at www.growingupwithdrsarah.com IG details: @growingupwithdrsarahTikTok details: @growingupwithdrsarahThis podcast is produced by:GTS Media, LLCAudivita Studios

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. That's why we have Alyson Campbell, from Estrella College Consulting. She brings a wealth of experience as a former college athlete, coach, and now an independent educational consultant.Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHARE if this topic interests you!EPISODE TOPICS:Timeline for College Preparation—what should families be thinking about in 8th and 9th grade when it comes to planning for collegeConnecting with high school counselors and mapping out courseworkSophomore year is a big growth year –building foundations for getting into collegeHow students can get more involved in school academically, in their extracurriculars, and athleticsJunior year, the pivotal year when a student has a sense of the Leadership roles they’re interested in –and when that College List begins to take shapeHow to build a strong, realistic college listHow to approach college visitsSenior year is crunch time. Time for Applications & TransitionsAssessing whether a school is a good financial fit: balancing “dream schools” with affordability and return on investmentWhen is considering a Community College a good idea, and then transferring to a 4-year collegeIdentifying schools that support the unique needs of students that are neurodiverse learners, LGBTQ students, or those seeking honors programsRESOURCES:Jeff Selingo's Buyers and Sellers List (https://jeffselingo.com/which-colleges-are-really-buyers-and-which-are-sellers)Estrela YouTube page -- transition to college webinar, how to find merit scholarships webinar, 8th grade gameplan webinar (https://www.youtube.com/@estrelaconsulting)Mama Bear Legal Forms: (https://www.youtube.com/@estrelaconsulting)Our website: www.estrelaconsulting.com - you can learn about our firm and services, subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter, or schedule a FREE 60-minute consultationThe Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number that colleges use to determine a student's eligibility for federal financial aid check out:https://studentaid.gov/Share your thoughts, questions, show ideas:Have questions about today’s episode, or anything else related to the health and wellness of your family? Either write us an email or upload a voice memo, and send to growingupwithdr.sarah@gmail.com and we’ll try and address your questions on an episode.ABOUT Dr. Sarah: Looking for a place to educate yourself and your family on how to live your best lives? Welcome to “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah,” where we dive into general health and wellness, parenting , family matters, and real-life challenges that affect every single one of us. Being both a pediatrician and a mother has given me unique insight about how to live healthier, happier, and stronger as individuals, and as families. The success of the family starts from the top, and by helping parents and caregivers address tough questions and everyday concerns. So join me and some of my special guests: physicians, nutritionists, fitness experts, community members, coaches, teachers, even kids, and parents –and let’s grow up together!Check out previous episodes of “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah” at www.growingupwithdrsarah.com IG details: @growingupwithdrsarahTikTok details: @growingupwithdrsarah

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 #generationalwealth #longtermcareinsurance #financialadvisor #vacationplanningFind more on Financial Advisor Abbe F. Large here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbeflarge/Website: https://www.lenoxadvisors.com/insights/let-s-talk-money-with-abbe-f-large/Bio: https://www.forbes.com/profile/abbe-f-large/Share your thoughts, questions, show ideas:Have questions about today’s episode, or anything else related to the health and wellness of your family? Either write us an email or upload a voice memo, and send to growingupwithdr.sarah@gmail.com and we’ll try and address your questions on an episode.Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHARE if this topic interests youABOUT Dr. Sarah: Looking for a place to educate yourself and your family on how to live your best lives? Welcome to “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah,” where we dive into general health and wellness, parenting , family matters, and real-life challenges that affect every single one of us. Being both a pediatrician and a mother has given me unique insight about how to live healthier, happier, and stronger as individuals, and as families. The success of the family starts from the top, and by helping parents and caregivers address tough questions and everyday concerns. So join me and some of my special guests: physicians, nutritionists, fitness experts, community members, coaches, teachers, even kids, and parents –and let’s grow up together!Check out previous episodes of “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah” at www.growingupwithdrsarah.com IG details: @growingupwithdrsarahTikTok details: @growingupwithdrsarah

Today we're going to talk about common struggles like burnout, guilt, and the myth of balance –and share practical tips with you that you can start using today. Whether you're in the thick of raising littles or navigating those teen years, this episode is for you. We go deep with life coach and mom, Lauren Nanni, on how to feel “unstuck” in various parts of our lives. We share how to live with more intention as a parent, especially when life feels overwhelming, and talk honestly about the struggle to find balance between parenting and fulfilling our own purpose.For more information on Life Coach, Lauren Nanni:IG: @lonanni LaurenNanni.comReach out to Dr. Sarah:Have questions about today’s episode, or anything else related to the health and wellness of your family? Leave a comment below, write us an email or upload a voice memo, to growingupwithdr.sarah@gmail.com and we’ll try and address your questions or play your questions on an episode.#habitstacking #avoidingguilt #parentalguilt #momcoach #lifecoaching #intentional life #parenthood #fillyourcup #emptybeaker #makingsauce #familymeals #meaningful #mundane #reframe limiting beliefs #managing expectations #ByronKatie #No resistance #fighting reality #avoidfailure #overcommunication #microshifts #macrowins #TonyRobbinsABOUT Dr. Sarah: Looking for a place to educate you and your family to live your best lives? Welcome to “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah,” where we take on and really talk about general health and wellness, parental issues, family matters, and real-life challenges that affect every single one of us. Being a pediatrician, while having a mother's perspective, has given me unique insight and experience on what we all need to do better to live healthier, happier, and stronger as individuals, and as families. The success of the family starts from the top, and by helping parents and caregivers by addressing tough questions and everyday concerns we can all benefit from, including parents, grandparents, kids, or anyone who cares for another. So join me and some of my special guests: physicians, nutritionists, fitness experts, community members, coaches, teachers, even kids, and parents –and let’s all make a commitment to growing up together!Check out previous episodes of “Growing Up with Dr. Sarah” at www.growingupwithdrsarah.com