No One Told Us

What if more women actually knew what to expect from perimenopause before they were in the middle of it? In this episode, Rachael sits down with Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch to talk about perimenopause, PMDD, menopause, and the hormonal changes that can impact both physical and mental health during this stage of life. Together, they break down what’s actually happening to our hormones and brain chemistry, why symptoms can look so different from person to person, and what treatment options are available. They also discuss birth control, SSRIs, hormone therapy, supplements, mental health risks, and why understanding your medical history and tracking your symptoms can make such a difference in getting the right care. Inside this episode: When perimenopause can begin and how long it can last The signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause Understanding PMDD and how it differs from typical PMS How hormonal fluctuations can affect mood, anxiety, and brain chemistry Why mental health symptoms can become more intense during perimenopause Treatment options including birth control, SSRIs, and hormone therapy Common misconceptions about birth control and hormone therapy Supplements, unregulated products, and what women should know before taking them Why tracking symptoms can help you advocate for better care How your medical and reproductive history can impact future health risks The importance of taking anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts seriously during this stage of life Why personalized care matters when navigating hormonal changes And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Estrogen, Interrupted: A Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Perimenopause: order here  Listen to the OvaryActive Podcast here Follow on Instagram here If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨ For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram | Tiktok | Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if we stopped waiting to be asked and started teaching our kids to notice what needs to be done? In this episode, Rachael sits down with therapist-turned-feminist coach Sam Kelly to talk about the mental load, gender norms, family dynamics, and her “notice and do” philosophy for creating more equitable homes. Together, they unpack why the mental load is a whole-family issue and how parents can teach children to recognize needs and take action without constantly being reminded. Sam also shares practical strategies for building independence through routines, visual cues, and scripts, including ways to adapt these ideas for neurodivergent children and adults. Inside this episode: What “notice and do” means and where the idea came from Why the mental load is a whole-family issue How gender norms and cultural conditioning shape household responsibilities Teaching kids to notice what needs to be done without being asked Practical strategies for building independence through routines, visual cues, and scripts Creating a more equitable division of household responsibilities Adapting “notice and do” for neurodivergent children and adults Helping kids navigate multi-step tasks and attention challenges How sharing the mental load can reduce burnout Why teaching kids to contribute is about more than chores How “notice and do” can build confidence and independence And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Preorder: Sam Kelly’s “Notice and Do”  Follow Sam on instagram: @samkelly_world  If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram | Tiktok |  Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it actually mean to be a “picky eater,” and how can we help our kids develop a healthy relationship with food without pressure, shame, or anxiety? In this episode, Rachael sits down with registered dietitian and author Jennifer Anderson to talk about picky eating, childhood nutrition, feeding routines, food boundaries, and the many ways our parenting practices can shape our children’s relationship with food. Together, they unpack what picky eating really means, how to create structure and boundaries around food while still honoring a child’s autonomy, and how diet culture and social media can influence the way we approach feeding our kids. Jennifer also shares practical strategies for navigating snacks, Halloween candy, food labels, and helping children develop embodied independence and trust in their own bodies. Inside this episode: What picky eating really means and why it’s so common How parenting practices can influence children’s relationships with food How to create structure and boundaries around meals without shame or pressure The role of snacks and routines in children’s eating habits How diet culture and social media can impact the way we feed our kids Strategies for navigating Halloween candy and other treats Why black-and-white thinking about food can be harmful How to model healthy behaviors without creating shame around food Understanding sensory and developmental factors that can contribute to picky eating The importance of embodied independence and helping kids trust their bodies How parental language can influence body image and food relationships How to talk to kids about food choices without labeling foods as “good” or “bad” Resources and support for families dealing with extreme picky eating How to foster healthy independence around food as kids grow And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Jennifer’s book, Feed Them Well:  Pre-order here Pediatric Screener for ARFID and Extreme Picky Eating (PSA-Eat): Take the screener BetterBites: Learn more If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram | Tiktok |  Website  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when the thoughts that scare you most become the thoughts you can’t stop thinking about? In this episode, Rachael sits down with licensed professional counselor Jenna Overbaugh to talk about postpartum OCD, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and the ways sleep deprivation, perfectionism, and the need for control can fuel OCD symptoms. Together, they unpack what separates common intrusive thoughts from OCD, why OCD often latches onto the things we care about most, and how parents can begin breaking the cycle of reassurance seeking, avoidance, and compulsions. Jenna also explains how exposure and response prevention (ERP) can help parents build confidence and learn to trust themselves again. Inside this episode: What postpartum OCD really looks like The difference between intrusive thoughts and OCD How sleep deprivation and anxiety can feed each other Why OCD often latches onto what we care about most How perfectionism and the need for control can fuel OCD The role of reassurance seeking and why it can reinforce OCD How social media can contribute to anxiety and compulsive behaviors What exposure and response prevention (ERP) is and how it works How compulsions and safety behaviors keep the OCD cycle going Understanding ego-dystonic thoughts and fears of harming your baby What research tells us about the risk of harm in parents with OCD When postpartum OCD requires specialized or intensive treatment How parents can reduce avoidance and step outside their comfort zones Why learning to tolerate uncertainty is such an important part of recovery How to find specialized support for postpartum OCD And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Jenna Overbaugh’s resources: https://www.jennaoverbaughlpc.com/resources Jenna’s book, Making Peace with a Noisy Mind, coming February 2027 Jenna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna.overbaugh Jenna’s Substack: https://www.thenoisymind.substack.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram | Tiktok |  Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it really mean to be “too sensitive”? In this episode, Rachael sits down with psychiatrist, author, and ADHD expert Dr. Sasha Hamdani to unpack emotional sensitivity, ADHD, rejection sensitive dysphoria, and the ways our understanding of ourselves can shape how we parent.Inside this episode: What emotional sensitivity really means and how it exists on a spectrum Why labels can become part of our internal narrative Understanding rejection sensitive dysphoria and intense emotional responses How ADHD can impact emotional regulation…not just attention Why ADHD is often diagnosed later in women, especially after becoming parents How ADHD and emotional sensitivity can show up differently in girls and women The role social media plays in ADHD awareness, education, and misinformation How parenthood can reveal previously unrecognized neurodivergent traits Practical tools for managing big emotional responses and building regulation skills How we can help emotionally sensitive children develop resilience Why emotional regulation should be taught early….and even in schools And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Too Sensitive by Dr. Sasha Hamdani Dr. Sasha Hamdani on Instagram Dr. Sasha Hamdani on TikTok If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️ ✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨ Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Instagram | Tiktok |  Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices