Learning To Mom ® Motherhood Podcast for First Time Moms, New Moms and Expecting Mothers

135 Episodes

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Why Modern Parenting Is Stripping Our Kids of Independence with Lenore Skenazy | Ep. 132

2026-03-0947:12

Lenore Skenazy, author of Free-Range Kids, has been sounding the alarm for years: in our effort to protect our children, we may actually be holding them back. In this conversation, we dive into what’s happened to childhood over the past few decades, why independence is declining, why parents feel more pressure than ever to supervise and structure everything, and what it’s costing our kids. From helicopter parenting and “bulldozer” parenting to overscheduled calendars and screen heavy childhoo...

A New Chapter: What This Season Looks Like for Our Family (and the Podcast) | Ep. 131

2026-03-0248:53

Today’s episode is a little more personal 👀👀 We’re entering a brand new season as a family, and I wanted to bring you into it! (It's long overdue to be honest) If you’ve been walking through motherhood alongside me, this one feels extra special to share. I’m also talking about something I haven’t shared much about before, what I personally focused on while trying to conceive. Not from a “how to guarantee pregnancy” perspective, but from the mindset of: If I do get pregnant, how do I wan...

Are You Burning Out? What Burnout on Moms Really Looks Like with Sasha Shillcutt | Ep. 130

2026-02-2333:09

Afraid you may be on your way to burnout? Or maybe you're already there? Curious to know the signs, and know how to get out of it? You're in the right place! Dr. Sasha Shillcutt breaks down how burnout develops, why modern moms are especially vulnerable, and how to recognize the early warning signs before you hit a breaking point. This conversation is practical, validating, and deeply freeing for moms who feel like they’re failing when really… they’re overloaded. If you’ve ever thought, “Why ...

Why Some Educated Women Are Choosing Big Families (and What It Says About Motherhood Today) with Catherine Pakaluk, author of Hannah's Children | Ep. 129

2026-02-1642:56

College educated women with five or more children are NOT the cultural norm, so why are some choosing this path anyway? In this fascinating conversation, economist and author Dr. Catherine Pakaluk discusses the birth dearth, shares what she discovered after interviewing educated American women who chose large families in an era defined by career ambition. We talk about the “birth dearth,” modern motherhood, identity, purpose, and the deeper motivations behind family size We talk a...

How to Declutter Your Home & Create Simple Systems That Actually Stick (for Busy Moms of Littles) with The Habits & Home Show | Ep. 128

2026-02-0938:02

If you're feeling overstimulated by all the STUFF in your home, then this episode is for you! In this conversation, we’re breaking down how to declutter well and how to create simple, realistic home systems that can completely change the way your home functions (especially with babies and toddlers). This episode is practical and encouraging! In this episode, we cover: Why decluttering comes before creating home systemsSimple, realistic ways to declutter your home as a mom of littlesWhy minima...

"They’ll Grow Out of It” Is a LIE: Ear Infections, Pacifiers, Mouth Breathing, Thumb Sucking & More with Dr. Ben Miraglia from Toothpillow | Ep. 127

2026-02-0234:31

DIVING DEEP into the things parents are constantly told “not to worry about”, like pacifiers, thumb sucking, mouth breathing, snoring, and chronic ear infections AND MORE. In this eye opening conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Ben Miraglia to unpack how jaw development, airway health, breathing, and sleep are all deeply connected in babies and toddlers. We talk about the early signs parents often miss, the well-meaning advice that can delay real support, and what moms can do now if somethi...

Are Your Hormones Out of Balance? Simple Steps for Moms with The Women’s Health RN | Ep. 126

2026-01-2635:09

How to balance your hormones naturally with The Women’s Health RN! Moms are told that our rage, exhaustion, anxiety, painful periods, adult acne, or fertility struggles are just "part of our hormones". We need better answers! In this conversation with The Women’s Health RN, we talk honestly about hormone balance, why so many women feel off in today’s world, and what small, realistic steps can actually make a difference. This episode is especially for the mom who’s been dismissed, brushed off...

Is Mom Brain Real? The Science Behind Brain Fog in Motherhood with Hannah Keeley from the Mom Brain Makeover | Ep. 125

2026-01-1933:21

Ever feel like your brain doesn’t work the way it USED TO since becoming a mom? Forgetting things, struggling to focus, or being mentally foggy all day?? In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Keeley from the Mom Brain Makeover to break down what “mom brain” actually is, what’s happening inside the brain during motherhood, and why these changes are not a flaw, but helps keep our babies alive!! Here’s what we're covering this week: What “mom brain” really is and what’s happening in the materna...

How to Help Your Toddler Sleep in Their Own Bed Without Bedtime Battles with Attachment Based Sleep Coach Heather Boyd | Ep. 124

2026-01-1236:08

You're not alone if your toddler is clinging to you at bedtime or sneaking into your bed at night, but that doesn't mean it has to STAY that way! In this episode, attachment based sleep coach Heather Boyd helps your toddler sleep in their own bed without the battles, while staying responsive and loving. Whether your toddler is starting to resist bedtime or your whole family is exhausted from night wake-ups, this episode gives you practical, realistic, and gentle strategies for reclaimin...

Parenting Styles Explained: What Actually Matters (and What Doesn’t) with Elaine from Impact Parents | Ep. 123

2026-01-0539:52

Ever find yourself wondering if your parenting style is “right”? Or stressing that one wrong approach now is going to mess up your toddler later? With so much parenting advice online, it’s easy to feel like you need to label yourself, pick a style, and stick to it perfectly, ESPECIALLY in the toddler years. In this episode, we’re breaking down parenting styles in a grounded, realistic way. Here's what we are diving into: What parenting styles are and why they matter in toddlerhoodThe main p...

11 Things I Do to Actually Enjoy Being a Stay At Home Mom | Ep. 122

2025-12-2939:53

If you’re a stay at home mom who loves your kids but still feels overwhelmed, touched out, or secretly counting down to bedtime most days this episode is for YOU!! Here's what we cover: - Why overcommitting leads to burnout for stay-at-home moms and how saying no creates more joy - How simplifying daily routines makes motherhood feel lighter and more sustainable - What shared parenting actually looks like when your spouse gets home from work - Why having an identity outside of motherhoo...

How Mommy Wine Culture Hurts Moms (Even If You Think It Doesn’t) with Set Free Sisterhood | Ep. 121

2025-12-2233:23

If you’ve ever joked about “surviving motherhood" with wine or alcohol or if you feel like that evening glass is the only thing getting you through motherhood, this episode is one you’ll want in your ears... Today, we’re breaking down mommy wine culture with Set Free Sisterhood and talking about why it’s become so normalized… and why it’s quietly hurting so many moms (even the ones who insist they “don’t have a problem”). We talk about the subtle early signs that alcohol is becoming a coping ...

How to Fix Your Circadian Rhythm for Better Sleep and More Energy with Flo, the Catholic Nutritionist | Ep. 120

2025-12-1541:44

Struggling with low energy, needing to survive off coffee, and seems like you never got enough sleep, even after a full night's sleep? In this episode, I’m joined by Flo, the Catholic Nutritionist, to break down circadian rhythm health in a way that’s actually doable for real moms, especially those navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and the early years of motherhood. We cover: - What circadian rhythm is and why it matters for moms - What the circadian rhythm regulates beyond sleep - How to get...

How to Teach Your Child Independent Play (Without Feeling Guilty) with JillybeansNYC | Ep. 119

2025-12-0845:41

Struggling to get your toddler to play independently? JillybeansNYC shares practical tips to encourage independent play, support toddler development, and give you a little sanity (and free time!) We dive into how to encourage independent play without stress or guilt, and I share realistic strategies for creating an environment where your toddler can play safely and meaningfully. We cover topics like: How to balance letting toddlers be toddlers while maintaining a functional, happy homeAge-app...

How to Create a Home You Love Even with Toddler & Baby Toys Everywhere with Caroline Klein Designs | Ep. 118

2025-12-0135:12

Wanting to create a home you love, but drowning in baby and toddler toys? This episode is for you! Home Designer Caroline Klein shares simple, realistic ways to create a beautiful, functional home you actually love, even in the little years! We dive into: - Design tips for moms - How to create a beautiful home with baby and toddler toys – How to make smart home decor purchases (and how to make smart home design purchases) - How to design a space - Beginner friendly design rules&...

The 1 Parenting Hill I’d Die On | Ep. 117

2025-11-2430:56

This one’s been sitting heavy on my heart for a while. It just KEPT coming up and I finally realized, I can’t stay quiet anymore!! That’s where I’m at today. This episode isn’t a light one, but it’s one I felt called to record. I’m opening up about the one parenting hill I’d die on, and why it’s changed the way I see motherhood, social media, and the way we protect our kids online! I share a very personal story about how my perspective completely shifted, what I learned the hard way abo...

Vaccines & Kids: How to Make Informed Decisions Without the Fear with Dr. Joel Warsh | Ep. 116

2025-11-1740:33

What if there was a way to make INFORMED, CONFIDENT decisions without fear or judgment? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh, a board certified integrative pediatrician, to talk about vaccines, open communication with your doctor, and how to approach these conversations from a place of curiosity rather than fear. We talk through what it really means to practice integrative medicine, how to assess risk vs. benefit, and what parents can do to feel empowered when making ...

Screen Time for Kids: How Much Is Too Much (and What to Do Instead) with The Screen Time Consultant | Ep. 115

2025-11-1001:04:53

If you’ve ever wondered how much screen time is too much, or felt mom guilt about letting your toddler watch TV so you could get a moment of peace, this episode is for you!! In this episode, I chat with Emily Cherkin, The Screen Time Consultant, about how much screen time is too much, what it does to your child’s brain, and how to create healthy tech habits without shame or overwhelm. I’m joined byThe Screen Time Consultant, to talk all things screen time for toddlers. We dig into what’s actu...

Toddler Constipation: How to Prevent It, What’s Normal & When to See a Doctor with Dr. Caitlin O'Connor | Ep. 114

2025-11-0345:26

Is your toddler struggling with constipation, withholding poop, or afraid to go? You’re not alone!! and it’s so common in the toddler years, so let's figure out WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT! In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Caitlin O’Connor (a holistic family doctor and mom) to unpack what’s really going on with your child’s digestion and how to naturally help things… move again. We cover what normal toddler poop should look like, how to prevent constipation through diet and routine, what to do if...

8 Things I Do to Enjoy Motherhood More and Feel Less Overwhelmed | Ep. 113

2025-10-2743:51

If you’ve been craving a reminder that motherhood doesn’t have to feel so heavy, this one’s for you! Feeling overwhelmed in motherhood? Like you’re doing everything but still not actually enjoying it? In this solo episode, I’m sharing something really close to my heart, my honest journey into motherhood (yes, it started with an unexpected surprise pregnancy!) and how it’s transformed me in all the best ways. I’m walking you through the 8 simple things I do to enjoy motherhood more, from ...

Comments (2)

Megan Folkens

Huge chunks of this episode are missing. Can we get a re-upload?

Sep 12th

Rachel Lacrampe

I do not recommend this particular episode. I found that this guest speaker, Taylor, was so negative. Instead of giving good practical tips, she spends her time bashing the system, which is not helpful for a first time mom who might already be feeling anxious about giving birth for the first time. Do yourself a favor and skip this episode, which will just put you down.

Jul 12th

#box-pro-ellipsis-17734469099507{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}Learning To Mom ® Motherhood Podcast for First Time Moms, New Moms and Expecting Mothers

Megan Folkens

Rachel Lacrampe

Learning To Mom ® Motherhood Podcast for First Time Moms, New Moms and Expecting Mothers