Welcome to “Accidental Experts,” the podcast that empathizes with the chaos of everyday parenting and life. If you find yourself overwhelmed by car pools, friendship challenges, homework, childhood anxiety, neurodiversity, teen drivers and behavior challenges, you’re not alone. I’m your host, Bryce Hamilton, a seasoned licensed clinical social worker who has navigated the intricate challenges of family life firsthand. In each episode, we delve into the complexities of parenting alongside insightful guests, offering practical solutions and fresh perspectives on the daily struggles parents encounter. From the seemingly mundane to the intricately complex, “Accidental Experts” breaks down the challenges of parenting, equipping you with valuable tips and strategies to navigate the labyrinth of family dynamics. Join me as we take a moment to breathe and share stories, expertise, and humor, reassuring you that, indeed, it’s all going to work out. Parenting is an adventure, and “Accidental E
Calming Teenage Anxiety with Sophia Galano LCSW
Feb 10, 2026
Show notes
Author of “Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent’s Guide To Helping Your Teenager Cope With Worry”, Sophia Galano, LCSW, joins Bryce Hamilton LSCSW, in this episode to discuss teen anxiety. Sophia shares tips and advice for parents, including word by word phrases and suggested questions to say to your child to help open up dialogue, foster trust, and give support for teenagers struggling with anxiety.
Together they talk about things to be aware of as parents, how to gauge the level of anxiety for your child, how some parents unintentionally make their child’s anxiety worse, and how to help your child cope and improve their anxiety. An episode full of wisdom and encouragement, great for any parent wanting to help support their teen through both everyday struggles of life and also help get more severe anxiety under control.
Sophia was born in Los Angeles, raised in London, and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University. Sophia earned her LCSW in 2018 and has a private therapy practice, catering to adults and teenagers throughout California. Additionally, Sophia has extensive experience working as a therapist in residential, inpatient, outpatient, medical, and educational settings, for both adolescents and adults. In conjunction with running a private practice, Sophia supervises associate therapists. In addition to her work as a therapist, Sophia is a certified yoga instructor, Master Reiki Practitioner, and volunteers for several nonprofit organizations. After achieving her LCSW, Sophia completed a Sex Therapy certification from California Institute of Integral Studies, an Animal Assisted Therapy certification from The Animal Behavior Institute, and a Forensic Social Work Certification from The National Organization of Forensic Social Work.
Dangers of Social Media, Helping Youth Navigate A Digital Age with Dr. Anna Gjika
Feb 03, 2026
Show notes
Sociologist Dr. Anna Gjika, meets with Bryce Hamilton LSCSW in this informative episode to talk about digital violence, risks, and how to realistically talk to and support your child through social media. Dr. Gjika discusses the real hazards and experiences of digital exploitation, online grooming and the after effects. Together they talk about how to help support children who may be victims of said exploitation, as well as prepare and support children before these violations occur.
They talk about the importance of setting boundaries around screen time, what is actually realistic, internet “stalking” and privacy and how to teach youth skills to prepare themselves for navigating the internet.
Dr. Anna Gjika is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Her research focuses on gender, violence, youth, and technology, particularly as they pertain to sexual harm and sociolegal responses to gender-based violence. She is the author of the award-winning book, When Rape Goes Viral (2024) with the University of California Press.
Alcoholism and Recovery.com with Tom Farley
Jan 27, 2026
Show notes
Community Outreach Director of Recovery.com, Tom Farley, meets with Bryce Hamilton LSCSW, in this episode to discuss addiction, recovery, sobriety, and his personal journey and experience. Tom shares what he learned witnessing addiction in his brother, Chris Farley, and then going through the process of recognizing addiction within himself and going through the recovery process.
Together, Bryce and Tom share experience and perspectives as well as giving insightful advice and thought provoking commentary about reframing the way we view alcohol consumption for teens and adults. They define binge drinking, highlight signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse, discuss past regrets, and give advice for helping those in the recovery process, AA meetings, and the importance of mental health and empathy.
Tom Farley grew up in Madison, WI, and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Marketing. He began his career in banking and finance before running The Chris Farley Foundation (1999–2012), a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on substance abuse prevention. Through humor-based programs, he helped young people build communication skills and create supportive environments.
In 2008, Tom co-authored The Chris Farley Show, a New York Times bestseller about his late brother, comedian Chris Farley. He has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live to discuss addiction and recovery.
Now in recovery himself, Tom is a passionate advocate for mental health and addiction treatment. He works at Recovery.com, connecting people with the resources they need to heal. As a speaker, he shares his journey to break stigma, inspire hope, and foster connection. Tom lives in Madison, WI.
How to Talk to Your Daughter About Puberty (Without Shame or Fear) with Annie Wolf
Jan 27, 2026
Show notes
Annie Wolf, empowerment puberty educator, joins Bryce Hamilton LSCSW to discuss puberty in girls. They talk about common questions girls especially have about puberty, how to have conversations with your child, what age to start and how to help teach them about the new changes in their body.
They discuss how to teach menstruating youth to use tampons, how to talk about consent, good touches/bad touches, hygiene, and how to destigmatize and reduce shame or embarrassment around these topics.
Annie Wolf is an Empowerment Puberty Educator and Founder of Girls Club, a program designed to teach girls about their bodies in a way that celebrates and empowers them. As a former elementary school teacher, she left the classroom to help educate girls on the anatomy AND magic of their changing bodies. She hosts classes out of her home for small groupsto provide education and understanding to young women. The space she has created is safe for girls to get curious, ask questions, and have fun! She is bringing positivity to these topics and helping normalize discussion at an early age.
Puberty in Boys with Pediatrician Dr. Ryan Steele MD FAAP
Jan 20, 2026
Show notes
Pediatric physician Dr. Ryan Steele, MD FAAP, joins Bryce Hamilton LSCSW, in this episode to answer questions about puberty, especially in young boys. They define puberty, outline what age range it usually occurs, talk about what kind of conversations parents should be having with their children around puberty and when, and what aspects of puberty will vary from boys to girls.
They answer questions about how to tell if things are developing at the appropriate rate, hygiene, acne, nutrition, creatine, sleep habits, sex, hormones, how to teach consent and healthy relationships as young adults begin to get more curious about relationships, and encouraging best practices for establishing new routines for cleanliness and comfort.
This episode is truly a toolkit for any parent of a young boy going through puberty/soon to be teen, full of information that will carry over throughout the child’s teen years.
Dr. Ryan Steele works in Leawood, Kansas. He is passionate about high quality and comprehensive care for children of all ages. He prioritizes family and patient-centered decision making, ensuring that every child’s unique needs are met with compassion and expertise. After graduating with honors from the University of Kansas with a degree in Human Biology Dr. Steele pursued his medical education at the University of Arkansas, earning his MD and a Master of Public Health. He completed residency at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and stayed on an additional year as Chief Resident.
Dr. Steele is married and welcomed a son in late 2023. Experiencing the same milestones as a parent that so many of my patients go through has been incredibly enriching. In their free time, they love going to the lake, taking ski trips, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Dr. Steele breaks down common concerns and questions from parents on his instagram and can be found at: @dr.ryansteele https://www.leawoodpediatrics.com
Book Recommendations: It’s perfectly Normal by Robie Harris Guy Stuff the Body Book for Boys by Cara Natterson The only Guys Book to Puberty You’ll Ever Need by Adelina Fong American Medical Association: Boys Guide to Becoming a Teen by Kate Gruenwald Pfeifer A Kids Book About Consent by Karli Johnson, Rick Delucco, Emma Wolf
ADHD in Girls with Cynthia Hammer MSW
Jan 13, 2026
Show notes
Award-winning author and founder of Find the ADHD in Girls website, Cynthia Hammer MSW, joins Bryce Hamilton LSCSW to discuss everything she has learned since her ADHD diagnosis in 1992. Together they discuss how ADHD presents in young women as opposed to boys, and signs that are often missed by parents and teachers.
They talk about screening tools, resources for parents, and share compassionate support and advice for parents and children who are facing a potential ADHD diagnosis.
This episode and the resources linked are a great resource for any parent or child looking to learn more about ADHD and what it means for their future.
Cynthia Hammer was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD at 49 years old. She thought she was the only adult in the United States who had this disorder, but quickly learned she was not alone. Still, there were many doctors who didn’t know that ADHD outlasted childhood. She founded and ran for 15 years ADD Resources, a non-profit organization that focused on helping adults recognize their ADHD and learn how to improve their lives.
Cynthia started the Inattentive ADHD Coalition after she learned that 30% of those with ADHD have the Inattentive type and they are significantly less frequently diagnosed and treated. Cynthia became committed to changing this dynamic so that children with Inattentive ADHD are diagnosed during childhood and adults, questioning if they have Inattentive ADHD, are correctly diagnosed. Cynthia has since also founded FINDtheADHDgirls.org. Offering free ADHD screening tools for teachers or parents of young girls. It includes signs common to 7 year old girls with ADHD that can be overlooked or attributed to something else. Subtle signs like anxiety, daydreaming, or being overly chatty. Additional resources include providers, handouts, and videos.
Life After Death with Annah Elizabeth
Jan 06, 2026
Show notes
Did we live before? Will we live after? Tedx keynote and community speaker, author, and life and spiritual coach, Annah Elizabeth, returns to the Accidental Experts podcast with Bryce Hamilton, LSCSW to talk about something a little different than usual in this episode. Annah discusses her experience working as an international evidentiary based medium and shares her thoughts and beliefs on the after life, staying in touch with loved ones after they’ve passed on, as well as sharing other experiences she’s heard about and observed over the course of her work.
Together Annah and Bryce discuss how one might go about trying to communicate with someone who has passed, what “answers” might feel or sound like, and what scientific evidence, if any, may support the theory of an afterlife. A fascinating topic for anyone exploring their thoughts on “the other side”, looking for closure after the loss of a loved one, or searching for potential answers to the unknown.
Annah is The Five Facets® of Healing founder and creator of The Five Facets Philosophy on Healing, a revolutionary and groundbreaking guide that helps you live your best personal, professional, and philanthropic life, even in the face of adversity.
Annah is a transformational Life and Spiritual coach, an international medium and an energy medicine practitioner and teacher. She is a published author; a TEDx, keynote and community speaker; a workshop facilitator; a continuing education trainer and a guest lecturer. Annah’s coaching, services, and training programs include academic and alternative modalities, all designed to meet your unique and preferred needs. Her writings and work have been featured in numerous online magazines, radio and TV programs, and national live events such as NC-NASW, Open to Hope, The Compassionate Friends conferences, and more.
Annah loves connecting with kindred spirits who are curious about life, love, healing, and what lies beyond. Join her neighborhood by following along on any of her socials.
Navigating IEPs and 504s with Dr. Kathryn Otto
Dec 30, 2025
Show notes
Education advocate Dr. Kathryn Otto meets with Bryce Hamilton LSCSW to discuss all things related to IEPs and 504s. These are specialized educational and/or behavior plans to help children adjust to a public school setting while meeting individualized needs of the student. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the making of these plans and each student has legal rights protected by their state. Dr. Otto helps explain what parents can do to advocate for their children, understand some of these rights, and how to work with the school system to help make sure the child’s needs are being met.
They discuss specific examples of instances where an IEP or 504 would benefit, why it is beneficial, concerns a parent may have over implementing the plans and suggestions of what to include in the plans.
Dr. Kathryn/Kathy Otto has a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis on Special Education. She began her career teaching special education students in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. She also worked in Blue Valley School District and taught students who required behavior management and academic supports. After working as an Inclusion Specialist and supporting teachers who provided educational support in special education classrooms as well as general education classrooms she worked as a Special Education Coordinator working with staff members in all areas of special services.
After leaving her career in the public school systems, Dr. Otto began her work as an Educational Advocate to help parents navigate the process of IEPs and other special education plans. Kathy collaborates with parents whose children have or are in the process of being identified for an Individual Education Program(IEP). During the IEP process Kathy provides parents with guidance and information (legal and practical) about the process of an evaluation, development of the IEP, the completion of the final paperwork and initiation of services for the completed IEP. Her goal is to ensure that parents feel that they are not alone in an IEP meeting and that they can focus on their child and not the IEP process itself.
To learn more about Dr. Otto or contact her for her services, visit her website: Advocacy in Motion advocacyinmotion.org
Connection and Healing Using Music with Sadie Higgins
Dec 23, 2025
Show notes
Author, TEDx speaker, and music and wellness guide, Sadie Higgins, joins Bryce Hamilton LSCSW, in this episode to discuss the power of music for connection and emotional regulation. She discusses the science behind the impact music has on our emotional states, how to use music to connect and bond with your children.
They go into what type of music helps with different goals such as managing stress, anxiety, productivity, sleep, etc, With a handy beats per minute reference Sadie outlines what to look for depending on the desired outcome.
Together Bryce and Sadie also discuss how to encourage children learn musical instruments, when to invest when a child expresses interest in learning a musical instrument, and when to be flexible with changing interests.
Sadie’s work is especially powerful for women, parents, and caregivers who are ready to reconnect with themselves and their families.
Sadie Higgins is a TEDx speaker, transformational author, music and wellness guide, and mother of three. Her upcoming memoir, Newly Released, chronicles how music helped her navigate identity, motherhood, and her husband’s brain cancer diagnosis. She helps others use sound and story to move through emotion and reclaim joy—even in the midst of chaos.
Co-Parenting after Domestic Violence with Kathy “Justice” Jones
Dec 16, 2025
Show notes
In this episode, justice advocate, and domestic violence expert Kathy “Justice” Jones, joins Bryce Hamilton, LSCSW to discuss how to co-parent with a partner who has a history of domestic violence and/or abuse of power and control over the children or co-parent.
They discuss helpful tips to work with children when they return home from the other parent’s home, how to address child’s concerns, help them feel safe, and tips for taking on the legal system when necessary.
An important episode for anyone struggling with co-parenting especially after a high conflict or abusive relationship.
As a Survivor/Justice Advocate, Kathy has dedicated more than 25 years to promoting the safety and well-being of women and children targeted by domestic abusers. She founded Mother Justice Network to equip the community for effective response to families impacted by family violence predators, but was quickly confronted by the overwhelming need for Protective Mothers seeking support, and shifted gears to provide them with consultation and legal advocacy.
She is best known for her Maze of Coercive Control, a training tool that demonstrates the complexity of living domestic violence, and for facilitating her “Finding Your Best Self” retreats for women who are seeking to rebuild their purpose after breaking free of their abuser. When not on the front lines pursuing justice for women and children, she is wife, mother, daughter and caregiver, as well as a passionate National Parks explorer and roadtripper, family history researcher, crafter, and worship team musician. Her unrealized dream is to play Maria in The Sound of Music.
Connect with Kathy and find more information on her website:
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