Ep 6 | The Myth of Doing it All: Understanding the Mental Load of Parental Burnout

Parenting has never been easy, but today’s parents are carrying more than ever before—and the weight is palpable. In this episode of You Only Know What You Know, hosts Beth Hope, LCSW, and Britt Teasdale sit down with Principal Family Therapist Heather Katz, LCSW, to discuss the difference between feeling overwhelmed and experiencing true parental burnout. From the invisible mental load of managing a household to the pressure of work, finances, and social expectations, they unpack why so many parents are running on empty—and why it’s not a personal failure. Beth, Britt, and Heather break down how parental burnout differs from anxiety or depression, including the early emotional, physical, and relational signs to watch for. They also tackle unequal household responsibilities, boundary-setting in a culture that demands more from parents than ever, and how patterns like accommodation can keep family stress cycles going—along with practical strategies to help parents protect their energy and make changes that actually stick. Meet the Guest: Heather Katz, LCSW Heather is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over twenty years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, teens, and adults. She supports individuals and families facing a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Heather has developed deep expertise in trauma, PTSD, and relationship-based harm — including teen dating violence and intimate partner abuse. Her work has also included facilitating support groups for both survivors and perpetrators of abuse, working with military service members and their families, and leading trainings on domestic violence and family maltreatment.