The Parentologist Podcast

This week Dr. Kim is chatting with Dr. Cara Natterson. Dr. Cara Natterson is a leading voice in puberty and adolescent health. A pediatrician, speaker, and the co-host of the This Is So Awkward podcast, she is the author of ten books including the bestselling This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained and the New York Times bestselling The Care and Keeping of You series.  When her own kids started puberty, Cara founded Less Awkward, the first company aimed at making puberty less cringey and more comfortable with both product and content. These days, puberty starts between 8-10 for most kids and it lasts a decade. The kids going through it and the adults helping them all deserve less cringe and more joy, which is why everything Cara does delivers crucial information in a relatable, reliable way.  Cara graduated from Harvard college and Johns Hopkins Medical School, trained at UCSF. She has two college aged kids and lives in Los Angeles. Learn more at: https://lessawkward.com

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Dr. Natasha Burgert. Dr. Natasha Burgert is a board-certified pediatrician with nearly 20 years of clinical experience, currently practicing full-time in the Kansas City area.  Known nationally at KC Kids Doc, Dr. Burgert is a national spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, a passionate vaccine advocate, and the author of a newly-released guide for parents called Managing Childhood Anxiety (For Dummies). Throughout all her work, she brings a real-world lens to pediatric care—blending evidence-based guidance with the relatable experience of being a mom of two. Connect with her at kckidsdoc.com.

This week Dr. Kim is back and talking with Julie Cole. Julie Cole is a recovered lawyer, mom of six and Co-founder of Mabel’s Labels Inc. She is an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and sought after speaker and emcee. Julie is no stranger to the media, having appeared on NBC’s The Today Show, HLN’s Raising America, Breakfast Television, The Marilyn Denis Show, CP24, among many others. Her articles have appeared in The Huffington Post, Today’s Parent, The Globe and Mail, Profit Magazine, Working Mother Magazine, and numerous websites. When she’s not juggling her busy family and professional life, Julie is an engaged community member serving on boards and volunteering. She is passionate about women’s issues, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and social justice. Find out more about Julie at https://mabelslabels.com/juliecole

This week Dr. Kim is sitting down with Dr. Jenny Woo. Dr. Jenny Woo is a mom of 3 (a singleton and twins), Harvard-trained educator, Emotional Intelligence researcher, and founder/CEO of Mind Brain Emotion. Dr. Woo is the creator of award-winning card games and mental health tools to help children and adults build emotional intelligence, social skills, and communication skills. Her bestselling card games, 52 Essential Conversations and 52 Essential Coping Skills, are used in homes, schools, and workplaces in 50+ countries. Dr. Woo has been featured in Parents, CNBC, Forbes, PopSugar, and Verywell Mind. Dr. Woo has worked as a Montessori school director, management consultant, talent recruiter and executive coach, and cognitive science researcher. She teaches Emotional Intelligence at UC Irvine. Find out more at: https://mindbrainemotion.com

This week, Dr. Kim is talking with Dr. Jessi Gold, MD. MS, a Psychiatrist that just released her first book “How Do You Feel: One Doctor’s Search for Humanity in Medicine.”  Dr. Jessi Gold, MD, MS, is the first Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee System, a role encompassing 5 campuses across the state of Tennessee and over 62,000 students. She also serves as an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center She is a nationally recognized expert on healthcare worker mental health and burnout (particularly during the pandemic), college mental health, using social media and media for mental health advocacy, and the overlap between pop culture and mental health, including celebrity self-disclosure.  Dr. Gold is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. and M.S in Anthropology, the Yale School of Medicine, and completed her residency training in Adult Psychiatry at Stanford University where she served as chief resident. Dr. Gold also writes for the popular press and has been featured in, among others, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, TIME, Forbes, In Style, and Self. Dr. Gold is new nationally bestselling book about healthcare worker mental health and burnout during the pandemic is out now!!  Find out more at: https://drjessigold.com

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Dr. Nicole Pensak. Dr. Nicole Pensak is a Harvard and Yale-trained Clinical Psychologist certified in Postpartum Mental Health and the Author of RATTLED, How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain. RATTLED was awarded Best Book for Parents by Zibby Owens, featured on Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine and The Bright Side Podcast, and named by Audible as Most Anticipated Reads 2025 in Well-Being. Dr. Pensak also serves on the Expert Review Board of Parents Magazine and owns her Private Practice in NJ, NY, and 40+ states nationwide. 

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Sheryl Ziegler. Sheryl Ziegler, Psy.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Play Therapist in private practice. She is the author of Mommy Burnout: how to reclaim your life and raise healthier children in the process and the forthcoming book, The Crucial Years: the essential guide to mental health and modern puberty in middle childhood. She is a regular national and local news contributor on topics related to parenting and mental health and did a Tedx talk on "Why Moms are Miserable" which is all about the power of connection. She is the host of Dr. Sheryl's PodCouch and the founder of the parent-child puberty course, Start with the Talk. She is a frequent speaker on chronic stress, parenting and burnout both in the workplace and at home. Dr. Ziegler is Colorado’s NBC affiliate (9News) Parenting Expert for the franchise series Mental Health & Me.

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Dr. Elana Roumell all about holistic health. Dr. Elana Roumell is a pediatric naturopathic doctor, soon-to-be mom of four, and creator of Med School for Moms. Known as "Doctor Mom" in her community, Dr. Elana has dedicated her career to helping over 5,000 moms step into the same role—teaching them how to feel calm, competent, and confident when caring for their children’s health. Her Doctor Mom Membership, with over 2,000 members, offers tools and support to help parents make empowered healthcare decisions. As co-host of the “Doctor Mom” Podcast, approaching two million downloads, Dr. Elana shares expert advice and practical tips. Learn more at  www.medschoolformoms.com and follow her on Instagram @DrElanaRoumell.

This week we hear from Dr.Kim and Dr. Jessica Rabon. Dr. Jessica Rabon is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric psychology. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, chronic medical illnesses, LGBTQ+ health, and eating disorders. She has published a number of peer-reviewed research papers and a book on topics such as suicide, depression, anxiety, self-compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness. Additionally, Jess creates mental health content on TikTok and Instagram and hosts two podcasts, Psych Talk and Welcome to Group Therapy, with the goal of making mental health more accessible and relatable, and destigmatizing mental health. 

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Michelle Patidar of Revival Health & Wellness. Cancer survivor, mother, and lifelong learner Michelle Patidar gives cancer survivors the tools they need to heal themselves from the inside out. In 2016, at the age of 32, Michelle was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and after six rounds of inpatient chemotherapy she was on a mission to heal the wounds of treatment. In response to the absence of programs that were available to help her detox and rebuild her health and immunity, she founded Revival Health & Wellness. As a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Michelle specializes in working with cancer survivors to detox and restore their bodies, as well as with those who have a genetic link or pre-exposure to cancer and want to live a healthy, preventive lifestyle. She serves as a wellness influence and supportive mentor who motivates individuals to cultivate positive food, environmental, and relationship choices to achieve whole-person health.

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Bryana Kappadakunnel, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the voice behind Conscious Mommy. Bryana is the author of Parent Yourself First: Raise Confident, Compassionate Kids By Becoming the Parent You Wish You'd Had. She serves new moms and families with young children who are in need of compassion, comfort, and support during life's inevitable changes and transitions. She runs the Conscious Mommy Community, an online membership platform for parents who wish to heal their inner child wounds and parent from a place of intention and confidence. She lives in Southern California with her spouse and 2 kiddos. Learn more at https://www.consciousmommy.com

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Amy Suzanne Upchurch, the Founder and CEO of Pink Stork, a wellness brand committed to empowering women through science-backed products and a supportive community. Amy's entrepreneurial journey was deeply shaped by her own health struggles during pregnancy. Diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum—a severe and debilitating form of nausea and vomiting—during her first three pregnancies, Amy endured immense physical and emotional challenges. At one point, she was given just 24 hours to live after contracting a life-threatening blood infection during her first pregnancy. Determined to take a holistic approach to her health, Amy teamed up with healthcare professionals—including her mother, a registered nurse—to create a regimen of natural products. This proactive strategy led to a healthy and enjoyable fourth pregnancy, a striking contrast to the challenges she had faced before. Inspired by her own transformation, Amy founded Pink Stork in 2015 with the mission of offering women natural and effective wellness solutions to support their unique journeys. Amy's story is a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the transformative power of natural wellness solutions. Through her unwavering determination and leadership at Pink Stork, she continues to inspire and empower women around the world, offering them not only products but also a sense of community and support on their own wellness journeys.

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, Ph.D. Dr. Robyn Koslowitz is a clinical child and family psychologist, and author of Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle, Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be (Broadleaf, 2025). She has worked with prominent scholars, including Dr. Carol Gilligan, Dr. Ester Buchholz, and Dr. Sandee McClowry, contributing to cutting-edge research on parenting, post-traumatic growth, and psychology. A sought-after speaker, consultant, and media contributor, Dr. Koslowitz has appeared on Fox, CNN, NPR, and more. Her Post-Traumatic Parenting podcast and Targeted Parenting blog on Psychology Today have reached wide audiences, with nearly 1 million reads. She is also a psychology and post-traumatic growth social media influencer with over 55,000 followers across Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Find out more at https://www.drrobynkoslowitz.com  

This week, Dr. Kim is talking with chartered clinical psychologist Dr Caroline Boyd about understanding and managing maternal rage. Dr. Caroline Boyd has over 10 years experience working in the NHS and mental health settings, and she supports parents from pregnancy to childbirth and beyond. Caroline runs anger courses for mothers and her published research explores mothers & experiences of intrusive thoughts about their babies. Caroline is the author of Mindful New Mum and her work has been featured in You magazine, Grazia, the Daily Telegraph, and Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4. Caroline is a proud Ambassador for UK perinatal mental health charity, PANDAS. Caroline specialises in supporting parents around anger and anxiety in her independent psychology practice, Parent Therapy Hub. She shares psychology ideas on Instagram and in the media to help parents feel more connected - to themselves and their children - and less alone.   Caroline offers a self-paced anger course for mothers (USE THE CODE “USPODCAST” TO CLAIM YOUR $125 DISCOUNT): https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/maternal-rage-sign-up-1

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Elizabeth Earnshaw about how to stress proof your relationship. Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT, CGT, is a licensed family and marriage therapist, Certified Gottman Therapist, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and founder of A Better Life Therapy. She’s known for her popular Instagram account @lizlistens, is the author of I Want This to Work and ‘Til Stress Do Us Part: How to Heal The Number #1 Issue in Our Relationships’ (Released September 10, 2024) and has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, and more. She lives between Philadelphia and New Orleans with her husband and children. For more, visit elizabethearnshaw.com.

This week, Dr. Kim is talking with Dr. Elisa Song. Dr. Elisa Song, MD is a Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained integrative pediatrician, pediatric functional medicine expert, and mom to 2 thriving children - and she is on a mission to revolutionize the future of children’s health. Dr. Song is the author of the national bestseller Healthy Kids, Happy Kids: An Integrative Pediatrician’s Guide to Whole Child Resilience. Dr. Song created Healthy Kids Happy Kids (www.healthykidshappykids.com) as an online holistic pediatric resource to help practitioners and parents bridge the gap between conventional and integrative pediatrics with an evidence-based, pediatrician-backed, mom-approved approach. In her integrative pediatric practice, she’s helped 1000s of kids get to the root causes of their health concerns and empowered parents to help their children thrive by integrating conventional pediatrics with functional medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and essential oils. Dr. Song is chair of A4M’s pediatric education and has lectured around the world at leading integrative and functional medicine conferences and premier parenting events. She has also been featured in hundreds of top podcasts, print and online media outlets. BOOK: https://www.healthykidshappykids.com/book/ Website: https://healthykidshappykids.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/healthykids_happykids/   (@healthykids_happykids) FB: https://www.facebook.com/DrElisaSongMD/

This week, Dr. Kim is talking with Erica Djossa. Erica Djossa is the CEO and founder of Momwell, and a registered psychotherapist specializing in maternal mental health with over a decade of experience. As a mother of three rambunctious young boys, Erica understands first-hand the challenges of motherhood. Perfectionism, pressure, and loss of identity fueled her battle with postpartum depression, and she realized how difficult it is to seek care. She founded Momwell to set a standard of care for providers and ensure mom-centred specialized mental health support at any stage of motherhood. Erica has been featured in media publications including Time Magazine, USA Today, The Toronto Star, Breakfast Television, and Scary Mommy. For more, visit momwell.com

This week, Dr. Kim is talking with Dr. Jenn Hardy. Jenn Hardy is a psychologist with a private practice in Maryville, TN. She is also an Instagram influencer (@drjennhardy) known for her handwritten sticky notes encouraging people to step away from hustle culture and perfectionism, toward a more balanced, sustainable, and self-compassionate life. She graduated with a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Penn State University where she received advanced training in psychodynamic and feminist therapy, career counseling, and attachment theory. In her clinical practice, she specializes in issues of older adulthood, career-related concerns, and relationship problems. She has been featured in numerous media outlets including Teen Vogue, The New York Times Magazine, Forbes Health, and Huffington Post as well as podcasts discussing topics like her “affordable self-care” series, abandoning perfectionism, and identifying unhealthy relationship dynamics. You can learn more about her and find links to media interviews at: www.drjennhardy.com

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Joel Warsh aka @DrJoelGator of the popular parenting Instagram account all about food. Joel Warsh is a Board-Certified Pediatrician in Los Angeles, California who specializes in Parenting, Wellness and Integrative Medicine.  He is the author of Parenting at Your Child’s Pace: The Integrative Pediatrician’s Guide to the First Three Years.

This week Dr. Kim is talking with Dr. Sue Varma. Dr. Sue Varma, MD, PC, DFAPA, is a distinguished psychiatrist and cognitive behavioral therapist based in New York City. With over two decades of private practice experience, Dr. Varma has made significant contributions to the field of mental health. Notably, she served as the pioneering medical director and psychiatrist for the esteemed 9/11 mental health program at NYU. Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Varma holds the position of Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University (NYU) Langone Health. Her accomplishments have been recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), where she was honored as a Distinguished Fellow, the highest honor bestowed upon its members. Connect with Dr. Varma on social media @doctorsuevarma IG/Twitter/LinkedIn/FB and explore her selected media interviews at doctorsuevarma.com. Order her transformative book, doctorsuevarma.com/book.