Real Life with RDU Therapy
Real talk for real life. Parenting, work, relationships, and everything in between — with expert insight and a dose of humor.
Real Life with RDU Therapy is where modern parents, professionals, and families come to take a breath, get real, and find practical ways forward. Hosted by Dr. Melanie McCabe, a practicing licensed child and family psychologist, this podcast explores the everyday challenges that high-achieving parents face while raising kids in a world that rarely slows down.
From navigating burnout at work, juggling childcare, and managing aging parents—to handling big feelings, family chaos, and the constant pressure to “do it all”—this podcast is here to remind you that you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Each episode blends expert insights, real-life stories, and practical information you can use right away. Dr. McCabe also interviews thought leaders, business owners, and specialists across industries, giving listeners access to strategies that go beyond therapy and into whole-life well-being.
If you’re striving to raise resilient kids, care for yourself, and build a meaningful life (while still sneaking in a little humor and humanity), you’ll feel right at home here.
This podcast is an extension of the work we do at RDU Therapy
—helping families break cycles, build healthier patterns, and create more peace at home.
Connect with us on Instagram @rdutherapy or visit rdutherapy.com to learn more.
RDU Therapy from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Real Life with RDU Therapy
Camp Counselor to Therapist with Kelly Sanderford
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How lessons from summer camp shape emotional growth, belonging, and resilience — in therapy and in life.
In this episode, Dr. Melanie McCabe sits down with Kelly Rusher Sanderford, licensed mental health counselor, mom, and former camp counselor, to explore how lessons from the cabin translate into lifelong emotional skills.
From helping homesick teens find their footing to guiding young adults through anxiety and transition, Kelly shares how play, belonging, and structure form the foundation for emotional regulation — both at camp and in therapy.
Together, they discuss the importance of community-based prevention, how adults can use “camp-style” connection to reach teens, and what it really means to build resilience outside the therapy room.
Key Takeaways:
- How play, belonging, and structure create safe spaces for growth.
- Why community is essential to emotional regulation and resilience.
- How parents, educators, and therapists can bring “camp magic” into daily life.
Learn more at RDUTherapy.com or on Instagram @RDUTherapy
9/30/25