Looking for natural ways to help your child with ADHD? The Soaring Child Podcast helps parents understand what may be contributing to their child's ADHD symptoms and what they can do to support focus, emotional regulation, behavior, sleep, and overall health naturally.
Hosted by Dana Kay, Board-Certified Health and Nutrition Practitioner, bestselling author of Thriving with ADHD, and mom of a child with ADHD, the podcast explores practical, science-informed approaches to supporting children with ADHD.
Each week, Dana and her expert guests explore topics including ADHD nutrition, diet and food sensitivities, gut health and the gut-brain connection, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, detoxification, ADHD supplements, sleep, screen time, emotional regulation, behavior, focus, and parenting children with ADHD.
You'll learn how food, nutrition, gut health, lifestyle, and other biological factors may influence ADHD symptoms, along with practical strategies you can use at home.
Dana knows firsthand how hard it can be when your child is struggling with meltdowns, impulsivity, hyperactivity, lack of focus, emotional dysregulation, or challenges at school. Her goal is to give parents another way of looking at ADHD and practical steps that can support their child.
Dana has helped more than 1,600 families and has been featured in Forbes, Fox, CBS, parenting summits, podcasts, and other media.
If you're searching for natural ADHD support, ADHD diet and nutrition strategies, supplements for kids with ADHD, gut health support, or ways to help your child with ADHD without relying solely on medication, you're in the right place.
Because children with ADHD deserve the chance to soar.
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184: Cain Runyan's Story: A 10-Year-Old's ADHD Transformation
Episode 184
Thursday, November 13, 2025 • Duration 21:23
What if your child could tell you, in their own words, what it feels like to thrive with ADHD?
In this inspiring episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with 10-year-old Cain Runyan, a graduate of the ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids, to hear his firsthand story of transformation — from daily meltdowns and dysregulation to calm, confidence, and joy.
Cain shares what it was like before the program, at the age of 6, how changing his diet and learning about his body helped him feel more in control, and how he navigates social moments when others eat foods he can't. His honesty and wisdom are beyond his years, offering parents an inside look at what it's like for a child to not just follow a plan , but truly own their progress.
Whether you're feeling uncertain about natural approaches for your child or just need hope from another child who's lived it, this episode will show you what's possible when kids are empowered to thrive.
183: The Toxic Truth About ADHD: How Hidden Heavy Metals Impact Kids with Dr. Wendy Myers
Thursday, November 6, 2025 • Duration 37:05
You can have the perfect ADHD diet, remove every allergen, and stack the best supplements… yet your child may still struggle if heavy metals are silently clogging their system.
In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay, ADHD health practitioner and founder of the ADHD Thrive Method for Kids, welcomes Dr. Wendy Myers, naturopathic doctor, #1 bestselling author, and founder of MyersDetox.com. Known worldwide as the "detox expert," Dr. Wendy has helped thousands of families understand the hidden dangers of heavy metals and toxins.
Together, Dana and Dr. Wendy reveal how toxins affect brain function, mood, and ADHD symptoms, and they unpack the everyday ways kids are exposed to lead, aluminum, and other metals. More importantly, they share safe, practical strategies to begin reducing toxic load — from simple dietary tweaks to powerful detox supports. Parents will walk away with hope, knowledge, and steps they can take immediately to support their child's health.
[01:00] Why diet and supplements alone may not be enough if toxins are present [01:27] Dana's story of a child with sky-high lead and aluminum levels [02:07] Dr. Wendy Myers' personal health crisis and how it led her to detox work [05:17] Why heavy metals are everywhere , air, food, water, even shower steam [09:12] Lead's link to ADHD, learning delays, and behavior challenges [12:48] Aluminum exposures parents may overlook in food, cookware, and personal care Signs your child might be struggling with heavy metal overload Testing options: hair mineral analysis, scans, and what they reveal The top detox foods every family can use right now Minerals as the foundation for safe detox and healthy brain function Binders, spirulina, chlorella, and other supportive supplements Safe detox methods for kids: ionic foot baths and infrared saunas Why detox doesn't need to be extreme or scary Hope and encouragement for parents who feel overwhelmed
174: ADHD, Homework, and Executive Function with Ann Dolin
Episode 174
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 • Duration 26:52
In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay sits down with Ann Dolin, an award-winning educator, author, and expert in ADHD, executive function, and academic coaching. Together, they unpack one of the most common and stressful challenges for families raising kids with ADHD—homework. With over three decades of experience helping children who think and learn differently, Ann shares practical, tested strategies to reduce homework battles, build executive function skills, and bring more calm to busy evenings.
Dana Kay, a Board-Certified Health and Nutrition Practitioner and founder of the ADHD Thrive Institute, approaches this topic as both a professional and a parent who's been in the trenches. Whether your child procrastinates, feels overwhelmed by multi-step directions, or struggles to get started, you'll walk away with actionable advice you can use tonight to make homework time more peaceful and productive.
Key Takeaways: [07:54] Practical tip: Break big assignments into smaller chunks and involve kids in deciding the order to build independence. [09:56] What executive function skills are and how weaknesses in these areas impact homework, focus, and emotions. [14:10] How to work collaboratively with teachers to modify homework and avoid nightly power struggles. Why setting a homework start time is more effective than focusing only on the end time. Using timers and the Pomodoro method to help kids with ADHD get started and stay on task. Building confidence with specific positive feedback to shift mindset and motivation. Stepping back and asking guiding questions instead of micromanaging homework.
83: Functional Lab Tests for ADHD with Dana Kay
Episode 83
Thursday, November 16, 2023 • Duration 27:36
If you have ever wondered about functional lab testing for ADHD, then this episode is for you. Dana Kay dives deep into her favorite functional lab tests. Tune in to discover:
✔️ Which lab tests Dana Kay recommends
✔️ Why she recommends these particular tests
✔️ What these tests can show us about your child and what's going on inside their body
Dana Kay, the host of the Soaring Child podcast, is passionate about helping families reduce their kids' ADHD symptoms using natural strategies. Medication is not the only way to help these children. She's also a board certified holistic health and nutrition practitioner, but most importantly, she's a mom of a 13 year old boy with ADHD who is thriving without medication, and she has years of experience helping other families do exactly the same.
[5:47] 4 Functional Lab Tests for Children with ADHD
[6:19] Test 1 - Stool Test & The Gut-Brain Connection
[9:03] Test 2 - Food Sensitivity Test & Leaky Gut
82: Navigating the Holidays While Gluten & Dairy Free with Laura Falzon
Episode 82
Thursday, November 9, 2023 • Duration 22:02
It can be difficult to navigate the holiday season while adhering to a gluten and dairy-free diet. In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, guest Laura Falzon shares tips and tricks to overcome this challenge.
Laura is the creator of the popular YouTube channel Five Hungry Travelers. She's an expert at making dietary restrictions work while on the go, and she is here to share her insights and tips on how to make the holiday season enjoyable, nourishing, and stress-free for everyone.
Laura worked for years in the travel industry before starting her own business as a birth doula. When Laura's oldest child needed to adapt his diet to manage his ADHD symptoms, their whole family learned to trust their bodies and heal themselves through a gluten-free and dairy-free diet, but the love of travel didn't stop, so they developed an approach to take their diet on the road and continue their family adventures around the world.
Now she shares her expertise on her YouTube channel, Five Hungry Travelers, to help families confidently travel with kids with dietary restrictions.
This episode is packed with actionable advice that will empower you to turn these holiday challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.
Key Takeaways:
[3:19] Laura's personal story going gluten and dairy free
[7:25] How to talk with family members who don't understand dietary restrictions
[10:04] How to make holidays fun without the "normal" treats
[14:25] Tips for parents who are navigating dietary restrictions for the first time while traveling for the holidays
[16:58] Laura's top tip for traveling with dietary restrictions
[19:01] Encouragement for families feeling overwhelmed
81: Parenting ADHD Kids Using the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model with Kim Hopkins-Betts
Episode 81
Thursday, November 2, 2023 • Duration 28:49
Traditional parenting methods don't often work for children with ADHD. Have you ever asked either of these questions:
Why don't consequences work with some children?
What can parents do instead of these traditional methods that don't work?
Kim Hopkins is an independently licensed clinical social worker who has specialized in working with behavioral challenged kids for more than 25 years. She has managed the clinical departments of two organizations serving youth and families in residential facilities, foster homes, therapeutic day schools, and homeless shelters.
She has been a Collaborative and Proactive Solutions, which is CPS for short, trainer since 2007, helping schools, residentials, hospitals, and parents to successfully implement the CPS model from Dr. Ross Greene. Kim is also the director of outreach and communication for Dr. Ross Greene's nonprofit, Lives in the Balance.
In this episode, Kim shares tips about how to parent children with ADHD using the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model developed by Dr. Ross Greene.
Key Takeaways:
[4:09] Why do some kids struggle more than others?
[6:10] Why do consequences often NOT work, and what can parents use instead?
[9:24] The first step in teaching kids lacking skills
[12:55] What parents can do in the heat of the moment (An Explanation of Plan A, B, & C of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model)
[16:43] Summary of Plans A, B, & C
[17:48] The 3 steps in Plan B
[19:13] How long this system takes for families to incorporate
80: Leaky Gut with Dana Kay
Episode 80
Thursday, October 26, 2023 • Duration 30:22
In this episode, Dana Kay discusses one of the most common underlying stressors she sees in the lab work of children with ADHD and something that parents often ask about: leaky gut.
Dana Kay is a board certified holistic health and nutrition practitioner, working with families all across the USA, helping them to naturally reduce those challenging ADHD symptoms.
Learn about leaky gut, a common underlying stressor of children with ADHD that can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, by tuning in to this episode.
79: Making a Gluten-Free Lifestyle Work for You with Debby Monaghan
Episode 79
Thursday, October 19, 2023 • Duration 31:18
Debby Monaghan loves cooking, especially gluten-free cooking. She has a professional background in exercise science and holistic health and has always had a passion for helping others improve their wellness naturally.
When her daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease, the journey with this autoimmune condition led her to recognize the importance of finding the underlying stressor of symptoms and the need for support along the way, as well as a gift for recipe creation and inspiring people through social media.
Debby is now part of our team at ADHD Thrive Institute, working with our social media department and is the brains and the beauty behind a lot of our recipe reels and videos on our social media platforms.
In this episode, Debby shares tips and tricks to make the gluten-free lifestyle work for you.
[7:30] The First Steps Debbie Took When Going Gluten-Free
[10:11] The Biggest Hurdle Debbie Faced when Going Gluten-Free
[14:33] Symptoms of Celiac
[20:03] How Debbie Got Her Family On Board with the Change to Gluten-Free
[24:00] Is Gluten-Free More Expensive?
[27:35] Top Lesson Debbie Has Learned about Being Gluten-Free
78: Healthy Candy Options for Halloween with Dana Kay
Episode 78
Thursday, October 12, 2023 • Duration 24:52
Halloween is right around the corner, and this holiday is often laden with foods that are chock full of gluten, dairy, soy, artificial flavors, colors, and an excessive amount of sugar - ingredients that can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
This episode will help you reclaim the magic of Halloween while staying true to your commitment to healthier living. You don't have to sacrifice fun for well-being. Indeed, the two can co-exist.
[10:11] How much sugar is okay for kids with ADHD?
How artificial flavors and colors affect children with ADHD
77: The Modern Health Epidemic in Children with Beth Lambert
Episode 77
Thursday, October 5, 2023 • Duration 38:19
Our current environment and lifestyle choices are influencing the health of our children. In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, we are joined by guest Beth Lambert, the founder and executive director of Epidemic Answers, which is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to reestablishing vibrant health in our children and is at the forefront of understanding and tackling the modern health crisis affecting our children.
Beth is an author, mom, educator, and former healthcare consultant, and she has monitored and documented the escalating rates of children's chronic conditions for over a decade. She is also the creator and executive producer of the Documenting Hope project, which is a multi-year perspective research study and media project that examines the cumulative impact of environmental stressors on health and their mitigation through personalized and system based treatment approaches.
In this episode, learn more about the modern health epidemic that is affecting our children and discover what you can do to combat it today.
Key Takeaways:
[4:34] Overview of the modern health crisis in children [7:02] Answering the question - "Is it that we are better at diagnosing today, or are there actually more cases?" [8:43] What is total load, and why is it so important? [12:09] The latest research about total load [16:20] What led Beth to this field of work and study [19:21] The most important thing a parent needs to be successful on the healing journey [22:14] How parents can be more proactive [26:10] The Documenting Hope Adventures In Healing Conference [35:00] Final thoughts from Beth
Memorable Moments:
"All of our kids with very few exceptions - it's the vast majority of kids living in the modern industrial world - are exhibiting symptoms that didn't used to be there."
[14:14]
[17:18]
[19:44]
[22:54]
[23:45]
[24:03]
[25:09]
[28:59]
Memorable Moments:
"You can have the perfect ADHD diet, but if heavy metals are clogging the system, your child will still struggle."
"This child was carrying a toxic burden that was literally short-circuiting his brain and body."
"Lead is the number one heavy metal linked to ADHD, and it's still all around us."
"Aluminum causes brain swelling and behavioral issues — and it's shockingly common."
"Binders soak up toxins like a sponge. They're like little catchers' mitts for heavy metals."
"Children's bodies are resilient. Once you support the basics, they often detox naturally."
"Don't ever feel hopeless. Your options for supporting your child are limitless."
Memorable Moments: "It's not always about motivation. Sometimes it's about executive function." "Most kids don't want to do poorly. They just don't know how to start." "The number one thing that helps is structure and consistency." "Procrastination isn't laziness — it's often overwhelm." "Sometimes the best thing we can do is step back, not step in." "A checklist is like a GPS for the brain." "Kids with ADHD often need external reminders to manage time and tasks." "When parents micromanage, it can actually backfire." "Homework should never be a battle zone." "Parents are doing the best they can with the tools they have."
"Your child's body will continue to act a certain way regardless of how many medicines or supplements you use if you don't have a solid foundation of nutrition first."
"Just as there are causes of the symptoms of a cough…like the flu or bronchitis or tuberculosis, there are causes of chronic disorders and illnesses….Symptoms are a warning sign from the body that something else is wrong, and the only way to address it is to get the body examined further, specifically with functional lab testing."
"There is a very close connection between the gut and the brain, and one of the first signs of a disconnect in the brain is a gut that is not functioning well."
"Food sensitivities are the direct result of something else that's going on in the gut. Something is CAUSING the food sensitivities."
"Food sensitivities are not true allergies but they do cause inflammation in the body and so you can actually heal from sensitivities."
"Getting people better is better than prescribing a pill."
"You owe nobody anything. If you don't want to explain it, you don't have to. I recommend taking it in small chunks in ways that feel safe to you with people who feel safe to you."
"I don't need to give the full run down to the full extended family. I highly recommend picking out your one or two point people who can help you out and start there."
"I specialize in helping people travel with kids with dietary restrictions, but I don't think you should do that until you've got that base layer laid."
"Try to shift your mentality to one that is not making food an event and go back to finding activities that are the event."
"Everywhere we go, food is held up as an activity, and it shouldn't be. Go have fun and move your bodies, and then go eat something."
"We don't need to knock ourselves out with every last thing being food-centric."
"Try to stick with things you already know in the new place…Do a little research on the new place."
"Make sure you show up not starving."
"Our pressure on ourselves during the holidays to make it perfect and to make it perfect for our kids is so much, so as a parent, I encourage you to…remember that it's also about the memories you're making with your child, and know that…everyone's going to make good memories because of the choices you've made."
[22:56] Resources to help families begin using the CPS Model
[24:46] How Kim got started using the CPS Model
[26:39] Kim's top tip for parents
Memorable Moments:
"Kids who exhibit behavior in the face of problems and frustrations do so because they lack the skills not to. This is a skills deficit situation. A lot of traditional parenting techniques talk about it as being a motivation deficit situation. We don't believe that at all."
"They [consequences] don't get the job done because they're not doing anything to address skills."
"You can observe their feelings. You can observe their behavior. But it's their thought process that if you had a little glance into would really position you to better help them."
"Pouring on empathy…can really help bring a kid back to baseline."
"The durable, problem-solving, skills-teaching piece happens only proactively."
"Nothing good happens in the heat of the moment. So…let's avoid you even getting there."
"Step 1 is where you have the empathy step…Step 2 is the define the adult concern step…Step 3 is the invitation step where we're going to invite the kid to consider possible solutions with us that address what they told us in the first step and what we said in the second step."
"A good solution meets two criteria: it's got to be realistic…and it's got to be mutually satisfactory."
"Tune out the noise of all the pressure that people are putting on you….You know your child."
"All of our children's health is quite literally connected to everything that occurs in the gut."
"80% of the entire body's immune system is located within the gut, so gut health is super critical."
"What the gut-brain connection means is that, in essence, our brains are deeply connected to our guts. If our guts aren't functioning well, our brains won't be able to function well either."
"95% of the body's serotonin and 50% of the body's dopamine is produced in the gut."
"The gut and brain are constantly sending messages back and forth."
"Let's stop shooting water at smoke and start getting to the underlying issues!"
"Compromised gut = compromised brain."
"When leaky gut is present when we eat food (even the healthiest food), before the gut has had a chance to break it down, it can go through the holes in the gut in that leaky gut into our bloodstream."
"Something started the leaky gut, then the leaky gut causes food intolerances and the food intolerances continue to cause leaky gut. So in order to heal the gut, you must remove these foods or they will continue to break down the lining of the gut and you won't be successful."
"If you ever do a food intolerance test, you need to make sure that you test the gut as well. You want to see if there's leaky gut."
"One of the main reasons I recommend everyone stop consuming gluten is because it triggers increased intestinal permeability in EVERYONE, even those who don't show an allergic response to it. And when a person has increased intestinal permeability, that can lead to leaky gut."
"Leaky gut shows its ugly head in about 80-90% of the tests that I run on children with ADHD."
"Leaky gut affects the whole body."
"The gut is connected to everything."
"Leaky gut isn't a death sentence. It's not permanent. It can be corrected, and it can be done without medication, through dietary and lifestyle modifications and supplementation."
"That's the first thing you have to learn…what gluten is."
"My biggest tip would be not to overthink it…There are so many naturally gluten-free foods."
"There are so many replacements these days."
"As a mom, you don't want your child to feel left out."
"You find tips and tricks. It becomes more familiar."
"The more familiar you get with reading labels and the food brands that are safe, the sooner it will become second nature."
"Gluten was damaging her intestines where she couldn't absorb nutrients enough to grow."
"You just have to do what's best for your family and your kids, and hopefully you have support along the way."
"There are great ways to save on gluten-free foods."
"Your mindset is everything with the change."
"With anything, it can get hard and it can be challenging, but…I'm doing this for my son or daughter's health - our family's health - and really keeping that perspective, it really makes such a difference."
[19:03] 5 strategies to make Halloween healthier and allergen-free
Memorable Moments:
"Blood sugar management is important for all of us, whether we have diabetes or not….Unstable blood sugar contributes to a whole host of problems."
"Food, especially candy, should not be the go-to reward for students."
"The ADHD symptoms many children battle can be tied directly to fluctuating blood sugar."
"Children with ADHD do NOT need another thing to make them more impulsive, hyperactive, or restless; they battle it enough as it is without sugar heaping on additional challenges."
"The less you and your family eat sugar, the healthier you will be."
"The United States allows certain chemicals into the food supply that other countries ban, restrict, or require a warning label with."
"Consumers in America should be offered the same ingredients as those outside of the USA, rather than their chemical counterparts."
"Companies might not listen to our voices, but they will listen to our money."
"One of the most important things parents can do - regardless of which plan they choose to follow - is to communicate the plan BEFOREHAND and explain why it's so important."
"Safe candies are those that avoid some of the worst ingredients out there...ingredients like artificial colors (like red 40 and blue 1), artificial flavors, and of course, like I always say, those top inflammatory foods (gluten, dairy, and soy)."
"We are looking at the sickest generation of children on record."
"Once you understand why, you can unwind it."
"We are really seeing this unprecedented change in children's health because of the way we're living."
"There's plenty of epidemiological data and research done to show that it's not JUST about better diagnosing."
"There's all these different suspected villains as to who's responsible for this epidemic of chronic illness, but the reality is, it's never one thing. The total load concept is about the cumulative and synergetic effect of all of these stressors on our kids' lives."
"The more stressors the child has, the worse the health outcomes."
"We can't let this be our children's future. Our children are not here to be sick and on medications their whole lives."
"It's all about the parent's mindset. If the parent feels defeated…you will not see any progress."
"The reason our kids are sick is because our culture is making them sick, so for you to thrive in today's world, you actually have to do things that are the opposite of what everyone else is doing."
How to Connect with Beth Lambert:
Documenting Hope Adventures In Healing Conference - https://conference.documentinghope.com/
ADHD Thrive Method 4 Kids Program – https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/packages/
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