The Untypical Parent™ Podcast

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text
In this episode of The Untypical Parent Podcast, I’m joined by Dr Kim Collett for a really honest conversation about the reality of parenting, and why knowing the “right” thing doesn’t mean it’s easy to do it.
Kim has a PhD in inclusive education and lectures on special educational needs and disabilities. She also lives in a neurodivergent household. Together, we explore the gap between theory and real life, and why even professionals with years of knowledge and experience still struggle with the day-to-day reality of parenting.
We talk about school experiences, masking, anxiety, and the pressure to “fit in,” as well as the guilt so many parents carry when they feel like they’re getting it wrong.
This episode is not about fixing everything.
It’s about understanding why it feels so hard, and reminding you that you’re not the only one.
A gentle reminder from this episode
There is no perfect way to parent.
 There is no single strategy that works for every child.
And you are not failing because it feels hard.

I mention Brene Brown and empathy vs sympathy here's the link to watch it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZBTYViDPlQ&list=PLOol2H2m6gNOdrOnWV_lJ3dDslWSqtzqQ&index=1

🔗 Connect with Dr Kim Collett
You can find Kim sharing more about inclusion, neurodivergence and education on:
 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr_kim_collett/
 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kim-collett-fhea-41637537b/

Thank you to this season’s sponsors:
Terri Wyse
👉 https://www.instagram.com/wyseinclusion/
Rachel Helm
👉 https://www.instagram.com/helmeducationconsultancy/
If you’re supporting a child or young person struggling to access school, do reach out to them.

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 To connect with me, you can find all my details on Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/the_untypical_ot

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
[email protected].

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text
Over 170,000 children in England were severely absent from school last year, according to the Department for Education.
Behind that number are families, schools, and children all trying to navigate something incredibly complex.
In this episode, I’m joined by Terri Wyse (Wise Inclusion) and Rachel Helm (Helm Education Consultancy), who are supporting the podcast this season, to talk about emotionally based school anxiety (EBSA).
Here's the important part:
Parents and schools are often on the same side
But the system can push them apart
We talk about:
 What EBSA really is (and why language matters) 
 Why “just make them go to school” isn’t the answer 
 The reality for families trying to keep their children safe 
 The pressures schools are under behind the scenes 
 How relationships can break down, and how to rebuild them 
This isn’t about blame.
It’s about understanding, collaboration, and finding a way forward — together.
Together, they are offering webinars and workshops focused on EBSA for both parents and professionals.
Upcoming Sessions:
 📅 8th July – Webinar for School Leaders 
 📅 2nd September – Webinar for Parents & Families 
 📅 16th September – Joint Workshop (Parents + Schools) 
Podcast listeners receive £5 off using this code UNTYPICALPARENT5.
School webinar
Parent/carer webinar
Workshop
This episode is supported by:
Terri Wyse – Wise Inclusion Terri Wyse
https://www.instagram.com/wyseinclusion/
Rachel Helm – Helm Education Consultancy
https://www.instagram.com/helmeducationconsultancy/

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 To connect with me, you can find all my details on Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/the_untypical_ot

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
[email protected].

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text
Parents are often so busy meeting everyone else’s needs that they stop noticing their own.
And when that happens, burnout and overwhelm can build long before we even realise what’s going on.
In this episode, I'm joined by occupational therapist and interoception expert Kelly Mahler for a conversation about why parents need to understand their own interoception, not just their child’s.
Interoception is our ability to notice and make sense of the signals coming from inside the body. It helps us recognise things like hunger, tension, exhaustion, overwhelm, anxiety and discomfort, the early signs that something isn’t right.
But many parents are so used to pushing through, holding everything together and ignoring what their body is saying that they lose touch with those signals altogether.
This episode isn’t about quick fixes or a step-by-step solution to burnout.
It’s about something deeper, understanding what might be missing.
Because if we don’t notice what our body is telling us, we can’t respond to it. And that’s often where burnout begins.
We explore how interoception can act as a kind of internal compass helping us recognise when something feels off, when we need support, or when we are heading towards overwhelm.
We also talk about how this doesn’t just apply to children. Every parent has their own sensory profile, their own internal signals, and their own limits, and learning to notice these can be a powerful first step in protecting energy and supporting wellbeing.
This episode is a valuable listen for parents, carers, OTs, teachers and anyone supporting neurodivergent children or living in the reality of family life where the demands rarely stop.
If you are exhausted, overwhelmed, or feel like you’re constantly coping but not really checking in with yourself, this conversation will help you understand why — and where to start.

You can find Kelly here:
https://www.kelly-mahler.com/ 
On Facebook and Instagram

Thank you to this season’s sponsors:
Terri Wyse
👉 https://www.instagram.com/wyseinclusion/
Rachel Helm
👉 https://www.instagram.com/helmeducationconsultancy/
If you’re supporting a child or young person struggling to access school, do reach out to them.

Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 To connect with me, you can find all my details on Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/the_untypical_ot

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
[email protected].

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text
I recorded this one in my car, on my phone, because the irony finally caught up with me: I cannot keep talking about untypical parenting and ditching perfection while I’m secretly trying to manufacture a “perfect” milestone episode. So I just got on with it and recorded it, in my car. 
Episode 50, I can't quite believe it. This episode is an honest reflection on what I’ve learned from fifty conversations with parents and guests across neurodivergent, additional needs, and SEND family life, as well as through my own experiences as a parent. 

We get into the lessons that have actually changed how I parent day to day. 
I also share the things I still don’t know and maybe never will: what the future holds, whether a choice is the “right” decision, and when it’s the right time to jump. 

I finish with the things that help keep me going. And a big massive thank you to all the guests that have joined me on the podcast and all the listeners that tune in and choose to spend their time with me. 
Looking forwards to spending the next 50 episodes with you.
Take care you lovely lot
Here’s the link for the post with guests talking about what it was like to be on the podcast 🤩
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVq_mTXjY9v/?igsh=MWd5NmpqaWI3c2gxYg==
Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 To connect with me, you can find all my details on Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/the_untypical_ot

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
[email protected].

Enjoyed the episode, got a suggestion or a question send me a text
Content note: This episode contains conversation about suicide. Please look after yourself when listening. 

This episode is a special one.
It’s part of Podcasthon 2026, where podcasters come together to raise awareness for charities that matter. For me, this one is personal.
In this conversation, I’m joined by Ged Flynn CEO from Papyrus, a UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide in young people.

We talk openly about suicide. Gently. Honestly. Without drama. Without sensationalising it. But without avoiding it either.
If you are a parent who has ever heard your child say the words that is every parents worst nightmare, “I don’t want to be here anymore,” this episode is for you.
We talk about:
The myths that stop us talking about suicide
Why talking about it does not “put the idea in someone’s head”
The impact on parents and family members
The difference between mental illness and suicidal thoughts
Why neurodivergent young people can be at higher risk
What actually happens when you call Hopeline247
And something we don’t say enough to parents during these times… 

I also share a little of my own family’s experience, and why Papyrus became a lifeline for us when we needed them.

If you take one thing from this episode, please, please let it be this:
You do not have to do this alone. Reach out.
We never know what could be going on for families behind closed doors. By sharing this episode wherever you can, you might just help someone who needs to see it today. 

If you need support
Papyrus runs Hopeline247, a confidential support service for young people under 35 who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, and for parents or carers who are worried about a young person.
📞 Call: 0800 068 4141
📱 Text: 88247
🌐 www.papyrus-uk.org
(Available 24/7)
If you’re outside the UK, please look for a local suicide prevention helpline in your country.
Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn
You can also find Ged on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ged-flynn-394273b/

If you would like to donate to Papyrus so they can continue to be the lifeline that families need you do so here
Support the show

I'm Liz, The Untypical OT. I specialise in burnout protection, event accessibility and inclusion, and supervision, with a love of podcasting.
🔗 To connect with me, you can find all my details on Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/the_untypical_ot

And if you'd like to contact me about the podcast please use the text link at the top or you can email at:
[email protected].