The Prep Table with Bowdre Fortson Clayton
The Prep Table with Bowdre Fortson Clayton
Podcast Description
You want the best for your child—but let’s be honest, parenting doesn’t come with a playbook. From school decisions and social dynamics to emotional resilience and daily routines, raising a child in today’s world can feel overwhelming.
That’s why The Prep Table Podcast exists. I’m your host, Bowdre Fortson Clayton—educational consultant, founder of Bowdre Consulting, and your go-to guide for both the big questions and the everyday moments of parenting.
At The Prep Table, we gather for heart-centered, practical conversations that support you in raising confident, connected, and thriving kids. While school placement and academic fit are my expertise, we’re pulling back the lens to focus on the whole child—and the whole parent.
From expert interviews to honest solo chats, we’ll explore topics like:
- Creating a sense of belonging for your child at home and in school
- Building emotional resilience (for them and for you)
- What really matters in education today
- Parenting with intention in a noisy world
- Simple mindset shifts and tools to support your family’s rhythm
Whether you're navigating elementary school years, teenage transitions, or the everyday rollercoaster of motherhood, this podcast is your landing pad for encouragement, insight, and practical tools.
Because at The Prep Table, we believe parenting is less about perfection—and more about showing up with purpose.
I’m Bowdre, and I’m so glad you’re here.
https://bowdreconsulting.com/
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on parenting strategies, emotional resilience, and community building with specific episodes dedicated to topics like creating a sense of belonging in schools, practical methods for nurturing emotional well-being, intentional parenting amidst distractions, and transitioning through different education stages.
You want the best for your child—but let’s be honest, parenting doesn’t come with a playbook. From school decisions and social dynamics to emotional resilience and daily routines, raising a child in today’s world can feel overwhelming.
That’s why The Prep Table Podcast exists. I’m your host, Bowdre Fortson Clayton—educational consultant, founder of Bowdre Consulting, and your go-to guide for both the big questions and the everyday moments of parenting.
At The Prep Table, we gather for heart-centered, practical conversations that support you in raising confident, connected, and thriving kids. While school placement and academic fit are my expertise, we’re pulling back the lens to focus on the whole child—and the whole parent.
From expert interviews to honest solo chats, we’ll explore topics like:
– Creating a sense of belonging for your child at home and in school
– Building emotional resilience (for them and for you)
– What really matters in education today
– Parenting with intention in a noisy world
– Simple mindset shifts and tools to support your family’s rhythm
Whether you’re navigating elementary school years, teenage transitions, or the everyday rollercoaster of motherhood, this podcast is your landing pad for encouragement, insight, and practical tools.
Because at The Prep Table, we believe parenting is less about perfection—and more about showing up with purpose.
I’m Bowdre, and I’m so glad you’re here.
https://bowdreconsulting.com/
When your child says “I don’t feel like I belong,” your heart breaks a little. You want to fix it instantly, wrap them in love, and make everything better. But what if the answer isn’t in fixing—it’s in understanding that belonging takes time, intention, and sometimes uncomfortable growth?
In this deeply moving conversation with hope dealer Natasha Kollaros, MSW and Life Coach, we explore the real meaning of belonging and how to raise confident, resilient young people who can navigate the messy, beautiful journey of adolescence. Natasha brings years of experience working with students in both school settings and private practice, offering wisdom that feels like sitting with your most trusted friend.
The Heart of Belonging
Belonging isn’t just getting invited to the party—it’s being asked to dance. It’s that moment when someone sees you, really sees you, and pulls you into their circle. But here’s what we often forget: belonging doesn’t happen overnight, and it requires us to show up authentically, even when it feels scary.
Natasha shares practical guidance for parents navigating everything from middle school friendship drama to high school transitions, reminding us that sometimes our children need permission to feel uncomfortable while they find their people.
Building Real Confidence
There’s no magic pill for confidence—it’s built through action, practice, and yes, even failure. We explore how confidence, competence, and connection work together like a wheel, each strengthening the other as our children try new things, practice skills, and build relationships.
From the soccer field to the classroom, confidence grows when we set goals, break them into manageable pieces, and celebrate the small wins that lead to bigger achievements.
Here’s what you can expect to gain from this conversation:
- Understand the true meaning of belonging and how to help your child find their authentic community
- Learn practical strategies for building confidence through action and meaningful goal-setting
- Navigate social media challenges with wisdom about comparison and authentic self-presentation
- Support your child through transitions while maintaining emotional safety and connection
- Discover daily practices like word-of-the-week mantras and grounding rituals that build resilience
The Foundation That Matters Most
Perhaps most importantly, Natasha reminds us that social-emotional wellbeing is 1A, and academics is 1B. When our children feel emotionally safe and deeply rooted in who they are and whose they are, they can weather any storm and thrive in whatever environment they find themselves in.
This conversation will leave you feeling more equipped to support your child’s journey while giving yourself grace in the beautiful, messy work of parenting.
You can follow Natasha here: https://www.instagram.com/nvkollaros/
Disclaimer
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