Soaring Child: Thriving with ADHD

What if sugar isn't just making your child "a little hyper" but actually changing how their brain functions?
In this episode of The Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay sits down with Mike Collins, a leading expert in sugar addiction and recovery, to unpack what sugar is really doing inside your child's brain. With over 40 years of experience and tens of thousands of detoxes behind him, Mike shares why sugar may be far more than a harmless treat and how it can impact focus, mood, impulse control, and behavior in ways most parents have never been told.
You'll hear eye-opening insights on how sugar affects dopamine and the brain's reward system, why cravings can feel impossible to control, and what makes sugar uniquely addictive compared to other substances. Dana also brings this conversation back to real life, helping parents understand how to recognize signs of sugar sensitivity in their child and what to do next.
If you've ever wondered whether sugar could be playing a bigger role in your child's ADHD symptoms, this episode will give you practical next steps.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
https://sugaraddiction.com/
https://sugardetox.com/
https://quitsugarsummit.com/
CONNECT WITH MIKE COLLINS
Website:  https://sugarfreeman.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realsugarfreeman/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSugarFreeMan/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SugarAddiction
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sugaraddictionsupport/ 

KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:01] Sudden behavior changes after sugar exposure
[03:36] Introduction to sugar addiction and Mike Collins' work
[04:30] Is sugar addiction real?
[05:48] Brain function improvements after reducing sugar
[08:11] Rise of metabolic psychiatry
[09:45] Sugar as a neurotoxin
[13:22] How modern fruit differs from historical fruit
[15:05] Signs of sugar sensitivity in children
[17:01] Dopamine-driven behavior explained
[18:34] Why cravings are not about taste
[21:04] Sugar vs other addictions
[24:07] Dopamine and intermittent reward systems 

MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"What if sugar isn't just a treat? What if it's actually driving ADHD symptoms?"
"I believe sugar causes ADHD."
"Their brain came back online."
"Sugar is a neurotoxin."
"That is the worst thing on the planet… craving with no peace."
"They're not looking for a sweet taste. They're looking for dopamine."
"The science has outpaced the public's understanding."
"They're not looking for the behavior… they're looking for the dopamine hit."
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

Picky eating is not something parents simply have to "deal with." There are strategies they can use to help expand the diets of their children.
In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay sits down with ADHD Thrive Institute coach Andrea Daigle to unpack what's really behind picky eating. You'll learn why some kids rely on "safe foods," how texture sensitivity and digestion issues can drive food resistance, and why forcing bites may actually make things worse. You'll also discover that many children with ADHD who struggle at the dinner table are actually responding to deeper biological signals.
Andrea shares simple, practical strategies parents can start using immediately—including the powerful "add, don't subtract" method and the easy-to-implement cheese grater strategy that helps expand your child's diet without triggering overwhelm.
If mealtimes feel like a daily battle, this episode will give you a new perspective and a clear, compassionate path forward.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
Book a ADHD Breakthrough Call: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/meet
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:00] The emotional reality of mealtime struggles
[04:00] Picky eating as a nervous system and gut signal
[05:42] Why pressure and forcing bites backfires
[07:44] "Add, don't subtract" strategy explained
[09:26] Cheese grater strategy for texture sensitivity
[12:00] When picky eating becomes a red flag
[12:47] Gut health and digestion as foundational drivers
[13:57] Sensory issues and nutrient deficiencies
[15:40] One simple action parents can start today
[16:15] Why repetition (15–20 exposures) matters
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"Picky eating is rarely ever just a behavior problem."
"It's their nervous system saying, this just doesn't feel safe right now."
"Even the slightest pressure like just try one bite can trigger a defensive response."
"Instead of taking foods away, let's start upgrading what they're already eating."
"When you barely change that texture, the nervous system does not react."
"We can't change picky eating for a child whose body is uncomfortable."
"Zinc deficiency… changes the way that you taste food."
"We want to look at all the pieces of the puzzle."
"It can take 15 to 20 times for a kid to accept a new flavor."
Schedule a free call with Andrea and the team of ADHD Thrive Institute - https://bit.ly/3X5ZVvT 
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

Most parents walk into IEP or 504 meetings hoping to advocate for their child, but unfortunately, many of them walk out feeling unheard, overwhelmed, and unsure of what just happened.
In this  episode of The Soaring Child podcast, Dana sits down with attorney and licensed clinical mental health clinician Paula Yost to break down exactly why these meetings feel so difficult and what you can do to change that. Paula brings a rare and deeply valuable perspective, combining legal expertise with real-life experience as a mom navigating the system herself. She is the author of Tumbleweeds: How to Be an Advocate for Your Children and Yourself in a Failing System.
You'll learn the critical differences between IEPs and 504 plans (and why many children with ADHD are often placed in the wrong one), how to recognize when your child isn't truly being supported (even if their grades look "fine"), and what to say in the moment when you feel dismissed or unheard.
This conversation is packed with practical strategies, real scripts you can use immediately, and empowering insights to help you walk into your next school meeting with clarity and confidence. Most importantly, it will remind you that you have the right to advocate for your child every step of the way.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
Paula's Website - https://paulayost.com
Paula's book, Tumbleweeds - https://amzn.to/3O2ej9y
CONNECT WITH PAULA YOST
Website: https://paulayost.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulajyostauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulayostauthor 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:01] Why parents often leave school meetings feeling unheard
[04:34] The real reason IEP meetings feel so difficult
[06:08] The mismatch between parent and school goals
[06:47] What FAPE means and why it matters
[07:17] Key difference between IEP and 504
[09:13] Why IEPs matter long-term for your child
[10:20] High IQ masking ADHD struggles
[13:00] Signs your child isn't properly supported
[16:18] Common mistakes parents make in meetings
[19:36] What to say when you're not being heard
[21:11] What to do if your child doesn't qualify
[24:13] Why after-school crashes matter
[26:39] 3 things to prepare before a meeting
[27:47] Emotional reality of advocacy
[29:31] You always have the right to another meeting

MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"It's not a fair fight."
"That IEP is a legal document that follows you all the way through your life."
"The height of the IQ is masking the ADHD."
"I feel like I'm not being heard."
"We have to let them fail until they're nine."
"You are paying for your attorney and their attorney."
"I have never left anything as upset as I was when I have left an IEP meeting."
"Some days are just going to be like that."
"You always have the right to another meeting."
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

What do EMFs and EMRs have to do with ADHD? Find out in this Soaring Child podcast interview.
Dana Kay sits down with Beverly Jensen, Ph.D., to unpack the hidden impact of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from everyday devices like phones, Wi-Fi, tablets, and baby monitors. Beverly shares how this constant, invisible exposure may be affecting children's developing brains, nervous systems, sleep, and behavior, often without parents realizing it.
Together, they explore the science behind EMFs (electromagnetic fields), including emerging research showing potential effects on neurodevelopment, even at levels far below current safety standards. Beverly also explains why children are more vulnerable, how modern homes have become "hotbeds" of exposure, and why this conversation isn't more widely discussed.
Most importantly, this episode gives parents practical, doable steps they can start today. From simple changes like turning off Wi-Fi at night to creating device-free spaces in your home, you'll walk away feeling empowered, not overwhelmed.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
https://www.kidsandemf.com/

https://www.10millionmoms.org

 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:01] Invisible environmental exposures affecting children's brains
[04:43] EMRs defined as invisible pollution
[09:07] Devices emitting radiation and human electrical systems
[11:06] Impact on nervous system, brain, and sleep
[15:58] Yale study on neurodevelopment and EMR exposure
[16:58] Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi radiation comparison
[23:40] Screen use and parenting challenges
[31:02] Router as primary source of exposure
[33:26] Number of EMF-emitting devices in homes
[36:11] Creating a device-free "communication center"
[39:00] Small steps create meaningful long-term change
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"There's something affecting your child's brain that you can't see…"
"It is a pollutant that we can't see…"
 "If a device sends radio signals… it's dangerous."
"We are all electrical beings."
"It affects the nervous system… the brain and the heart."
"It interfered with the neurodevelopment…"
"Bluetooth is seven times the amount of radiation as Wi-Fi."
"The industry calls it the 'shut up toy.'"
"The router is usually the most consistently… emitter."
 "It's going to be up to the moms to change this." 
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/

What if it's not just ADHD getting worse, but the world your child is growing up in?
In this week's episode of The Soaring Child podcast, Dana Kay sits down with licensed therapist Logan McIlwain to unpack what's really happening to kids' brains in today's digital world. From constant notifications to endless scrolling, today's children are growing up in an environment of nonstop stimulation, and for kids with ADHD, that impact can be intense.
You'll hear why screens don't create ADHD but can absolutely amplify symptoms like inattention, emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity. Logan breaks down what's happening in the brain with dopamine, why kids struggle to "just turn it off," and how devices can quietly become a child's primary coping tool.
Together, they also tackle one of the biggest challenges parents face today: setting boundaries without triggering meltdowns. If taking the phone away feels like a full nervous system explosion in your home, this episode will help you understand why and what to do instead.
Most importantly, you'll walk away with practical, realistic strategies you can start using right away. From creating consistent guardrails to helping your child build real-life regulation skills, this conversation is about supporting your child in the digital age.
LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW
https://loganlcsw.com
The Anxious Generation by Dr. Jonathan Haidt: https://amzn.to/41vDzba
The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene: https://amzn.to/4taYzAj
KEY TAKEAWAYS
[00:01] Modern childhood overstimulation explained
[02:10] Screens amplify ADHD symptoms
[06:10] Environment vs diagnosis debate
[09:32] Difference between distraction and ADHD
[13:03] Dopamine and addictive screen loops
[14:48] Loss of boredom tolerance
[17:01] Screens as emotional coping tools
[19:15] Importance of consistent boundaries
[22:10] How to reset screen habits
[25:34] Monitoring apps and content
[29:43] Externalizing executive function
[31:10] Small changes reduce nervous system overload
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
"When did childhood get so loud?"
"There is absolutely no way my brain could have handled this much input."
"Phones don't create true ADHD, but they absolutely create ADHD-like symptoms."
"It's like this slot machine effect."
"Our kids in this generation don't know how to be bored at all."
"These devices have become their emotional regulation tools."
"You can exercise your boundary muscle over and over again."
"Don't ask a struggling brain to do everything internally."
"We handed our children these tiny slot machines."
DANA KAY RESOURCES
🔗 WEBSITES:
https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/
https://dana-kay.com/
👋 SOCIALS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDThriveInstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adhdthriveinstitute/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adhd-thrive-institute/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/adhdthriveinstitute/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_thriveinstitute
📕 INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLING BOOK:
Thriving with ADHD – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/book/
💻 FREE MASTERCLASS:
Free Reduce ADHD Symptoms Naturally Masterclass - https://hubs.la/Q042HrjF0
⭐ COURSES & PROGRAMS:
 ADHD Parenting Course – https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/