This is a very special and heartfelt episode focused on depression, hope, recovery, and healing.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Lisa Zielbauer, PharmD, also known as Dr. Z, owner of Root Cause Rx and the voice behind Instagram accounts @RootCauseRx and @theMINDfulFARMacist. A Doctor of Pharmacy and Functional Medicine Consultant, Dr. Z courageously shares her personal journey with depression and anxiety, which began in high school and eventually led to a severe depressive episode requiring hospitalization shortly after pharmacy school.

In this deeply honest discussion, Lisa opens up about the challenges she faced, the turning points that helped her find hope, and how connecting with others through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) became a powerful part of her recovery. She shares the lessons she learned along the way and how those experiences inspired her to help others uncover the root causes of mental health struggles through a holistic and functional medicine approach.

Listeners will walk away with practical tools and strategies for navigating difficult moments of depression, building resilience, and finding support during life's darkest seasons. Lisa also offers valuable guidance for friends and family members who want to better understand depression and learn meaningful ways to support a loved one who may be struggling.

Whether you have personally experienced depression, are supporting someone who has, or simply want to gain a deeper understanding of mental health, this episode is filled with compassion, wisdom, and actionable takeaways that can make a real difference.

Tune in for an empowering conversation about recovery, reducing mental health stigma, and discovering that healing—and hope—are possible. ❤️

Dara’s perspective on sensitivity as physiology rather than personality offers a powerful and refreshing conversation that so many women need to hear. In this deeply informative and supportive episode of The Dr. Sylvia K Show, I sit down with Dara Steinberg to explore what it truly means to be a highly sensitive woman and how understanding your nervous system can become the foundation for healing, self-trust, and deeper connection.

We dive into what the nervous system actually is, how it influences our daily experiences, and why so many highly sensitive women may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, disconnected, or misunderstood. Dara also shares her transformative Slow Down to Become™ Method, which beautifully blends occupational therapy, pelvic health, nervous system regulation, and energetic awareness to support women in feeling safe, supported, and at home in their bodies again.

This conversation is packed with practical wisdom, compassionate insight, and tools you can begin using right away. My hope is that after listening, you feel less alone, especially if you identify as a highly sensitive woman, and that you walk away feeling more supported and more connected to your own body.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What it means to be a highly sensitive woman
• What the nervous system is and how it affects us
• Practical tools to help regulate your own nervous system
• Why sensitivity is more than a personality trait
• How slowing down can become a pathway to healing and self-trust

Connect with Dara:

Instagram: @slowdowntobecome
Facebook: Slow Down to Become
Website: slowedowntobecome.com

Enjoy this powerful conversation and remember: your sensitivity is not something to change or fix — it may be something to understand, honor, and support.

In this episode, we dive into the powerful insights of Dr. Kim, also known as “The Parentologist,” and her transformative approach to raising emotionally connected, confident children. Drawing from her clinical work and her new book Parenting Through Play, we explore how play is truly the language of childhood—and how, as adults, we often forget its importance.

Dr. Kim reminds us that while parents tend to rely on words, children communicate through play. When we meet them in that space, we unlock deeper trust, understanding, and connection. This episode highlights how play isn’t just fun—it’s a foundational tool for building self-confidence, emotional security, and strong parent-child relationships.

We also discuss the importance of validation: seeing our children, hearing them, and responding in ways that foster trust and reciprocity. Dr. Kim offers practical, relatable strategies that feel accessible and real—no overwhelming jargon, just guidance that meets you where you are as a parent.

In addition, we touch on a topic that’s often overlooked: the parent’s own emotional regulation. From navigating the transition between work and home life to managing stress in everyday parenting moments, Dr. Kim provides tools to help you stay grounded so you can show up fully for your children.

Whether you’re parenting a baby, toddler, or child up to age 12, this episode is packed with meaningful takeaways. If your goal is to build trust, deepen connection, and nurture confidence in your child, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

About Dr. Kim:
Dr. Kim is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Play Therapist, author of Parenting Through Play: Creative Strategies for Building Better Behavior, Deeper Connection, and Positive Communication, and host of The Parentologist Podcast. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCLA, a Master’s in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University, and both a Master’s and Doctorate in Psychology with a focus on Marital and Family Therapy.

With over 20 years of experience as a public speaker, Dr. Kim has worked extensively in television and radio. Prior to earning her doctorate, she spent five years in Los Angeles as a National Account Manager for Clear Channel Communications, specializing in sales, marketing, and advertising. Following her doctoral work, she served for five years as a Program Manager at a nonprofit agency, where she implemented a positive behavior support program across more than 20 elementary schools. She has also worked as a Behavior Consultant and Supervisor, supporting families with children on the autism spectrum.

Follow her on Instagram : @theparentologist