BDA Baby (Before, During and After Baby)

Jenny Best is a mom of three and founder of Solid Starts. In this episode, she joined us to walk through all the complexities of feeding babies and toddlers. We talk through common concerns when starting solids, the idea of baby-led weaning, and how to address picky eating. Jenny emphasizes the importance of trusting your own parental intuition and remembering that you are the one that knows your child best. She also gives us some great advice for managing good refusal and fostering health family mealtimes.  Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

When I heard about coregulation from Marc Brackett years ago, it changed the way that I parent. It actually changed how I behave in most of my relationships and has given me a whole new awareness of what goes on when our kids have big feelings. I learned all of this from Marc Brackett and I’m so excited to spread the knowledge with all of you.  Marc is professor at Yale and founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Coregulation is really the key to life. Marc explains how you can't help your child co-regulate if you can't self-regulate yourself, why there's no such thing as a bad emotion, and the critical difference between anxiety, stress, and overwhelm.  Marc introduces the concept of creating an Emotional Intelligence Charter with your family during calm moments, rather than waiting for meltdowns to happen. From handling bedtime battles to managing your own triggers, Marc offers practical tools like asking yourself "Will this matter in a week?" and reminds us to be curious explorers rather than a critical judges of emotions. Whether you're a parent or simply want to improve your own emotional well-being, Marc reminds us it's never too late to build these skills.  Order his book "Dealing With Feeling" here https://go.shopmy.us/p-42655649 Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

Beverley Mitchell joined us to share her insights on motherhood, personal growth, and the challenges that come with balancing family personal goals. Beverley emphasizes the importance of building a supportive sisterhood among mothers where we all feel safe to ask for help. Embracing vulnerability and overcoming the fear of judgment where so important in Beverley’s journey, and she encourages others to learn how to let go of their own fears of being judged. We also touch on her time on Special Forces, and her experience as a working mom. Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

Hayley Arceneaux, our first BDA Baby guest who's been to space talks about her journey beating childhood cancer to becoming an astronaut, to turning her journeys into heart-warming children's books. She talks about how to be brave in the face of scary situations, the healing power of returning to St. Jude’s to give back and so much more.If you're looking for an inspiring story of resilience, dreaming big and growing up, this one's for you! Order her book here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-41611075 Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

We sat down with Michelle Pratt of Safe in the Seat to talk through all the complexities of car seat safety from proper installation to when to size up your seat. Michelle explains the different types of car seats, and when your child should be moving up to the next style of seat. Car seat safety is critical, and Michelle has great tips on how to make sure you’re installing and using your car seat correctly. Michelle hopes that safe in the seat can help parents feel less overwhelmed by all of the car seat information that is out there. Understanding the basics can go a long way to help make sure your child is as safe as possible in your car. Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

I sit down with Jocelyn and Aaron Freeman of Meet the Freemans for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build and sustain a strong marriage through every season of life, especially parenthood. We talk about how their relationship wasn’t an overnight success, but the result of intentionally learning communication tools early on, navigating conflict as a team, and committing to growth long before kids entered the picture. They share how their very different upbringings shaped the way they handle conflict, why adaptability is one of the most important predictors of long-term relationship success, and why seeking support before things fall apart can make all the difference.We also dive into what happens to marriages after kids — from co-regulating with our children but forgetting to co-regulate with our partners, to the “roommate phase” so many couples experience. Jocelyn and Erin break down how small, everyday micro-moments of connection can help reignite intimacy, even in the busiest seasons of parenting.We also talk about modeling healthy relationships for our kids, staying emotionally connected beyond logistics, and why treating your marriage as a lifestyle, not a crisis response,  matters more than we realize.This conversation is full of practical takeaways for couples who want to feel more connected, communicate better, and stay on the same team through parenting and beyond.Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

In this heartfelt conversation, Katrina Scott shares her journey through secondary infertility, pregnancy loss, and the emotional challenges that accompany these experiences. Katrina hopes that by sharing her story she can help others feel less alone in their own journeys with pregnancy loss and the anxiety that follows in future pregnancies. She discusses the importance of hope and support from partners during pregnancy loss and fertility struggles and encourages women to appreciate their body and understand that every woman's journey is unique. The conversation provides valuable insights for those navigating similar paths, highlighting the significance of mental health and self-care throughout the process. join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

The Speech Sisters, Bridget Hilsberg and Brooke Dwyer, joined us in this episode to delve into the critical topic of speech and language development in children. We go over the various milestones in speech, and when to actually be worried if your child seems to miss a milestone. Bridget and Brook also share great, practical strategies for parents looking to incorporate language building into their routine. Bridget and Brooke also remind us that every child is unique and that understanding communication milestones and what they mean can help us feel a little less anxious.  Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

For too many women, being told their thyroid labs are “normal” is the end of the conversation — even when their bodies are saying otherwise. Today, we’re diving deep into thyroid health with McCall McPherson, founder of Modern Thyroid Clinic, to unpack why so many women feel exhausted, foggy, or stuck with weight changes despite being told everything looks fine.McCall shares her own turning point after spending 16 hours a day in bed, being dismissed by doctors, and ultimately discovering that standard thyroid testing was missing the full picture. We break down why thyroid issues are so often overlooked in women, the symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored, and how thyroid dysfunction impacts everything from metabolism and mood to fertility, cholesterol, and long-term disease risk.We also cover:Why TSH alone isn’t enough and which labs actually matterThe early signs of thyroid dysfunction most people dismissHashimoto’s, autoimmunity, and why inflammation plays a major roleLifestyle, supplements, and preventative strategies for thyroid healthThe surprising connection between GLP-1 medications, weight loss, and autoimmune thyroid diseaseIf you’ve ever been told to “eat less, exercise more,” felt dismissed by a doctor, or wondered why you don’t feel like yourself anymore, this conversation will help you understand what questions to ask, what tests to request, and how to advocate for your health.Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

In this episode, Courtney Patterson joined us to share how she went about introducing her babies to her don, Tuna. You might know Tuna from his Instagram; Tuna Melts My Heart. Courtney shares her personal experience with introducing her baby to Tuna starting from before her baby was born to when they brought her home. Courtney has practical tips and insights for other new parents who are starting to plan how to introduce their baby to their dog. She emphasizes patience and creating a calm environment for everyone involved.  Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Neuropsychologist and author Dr. Zelana Montminy joins me to talk about attention, burnout, and staying present in a world built to distract us — especially as parents.We unpack why successful multitasking between technology and real life is a myth, how constant task-switching dysregulates our nervous systems, and why so many parents feel chronically exhausted. Drawing from her book Finding Focus: Own Your Attention in an Age of Distraction, Dr. Zelana shares practical ways to create healthier boundaries with technology, model focus for our kids, and reframe screen limits as protection — not punishment.A grounded, practical conversation for anyone trying to balance modern life, work, and parenting without losing themselves to the scroll. Read her book Finding Focus here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-37821815Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

Alongside the release of her book Carry Strong, Stephanie Kramer joined us for a discussion all about the complexities of navigating pregnancy in the workplace. Carry Strong offers guidance for working professionals during pregnancy and aims to shift the narrative from “powering through” pregnancy at work to being powerful and pregnant in the workplace. We explore the importance of work-life balance in pregnancy and motherhood, and how workplaces can better support pregnant employees. Whether you’re pregnant at work or about to go back to work as a mom, Stephanie emphasizes the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and remembers the unique joys of motherhood.  Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Screen time and technology addiction is such a hot topic right now, especially when it comes to children. Today, Catherine Price joins us to talk all about the challenges of managing screen time in kids as well as her new book The Amazing Generation. The Amazing Generation is a book aimed at kids and preteens that hopes to empower them to make conscious choices about their technology use. While we chat about Catherine’s new book, we explore the power of making real friendships and how to encourage more off-line behavior in our kids. If we can come together as parents, we can help create a future for our kids without screen addiction. Pre-order her book here: https://amzn.to/44CKOAe Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Dr. LA Thoma Gustin joined us to tell her story in dealing with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. LA got pregnant after a struggle with fertility, and she tells us the story of her fertility journey to eventually becoming pregnant with her daughter. LA struggled with Hyperemesis in early pregnancy which can have a profound mental and physical toll on an expecting mother. She highlights the importance of having a support system and healthy coping mechanisms to make it through when pregnancy doesn’t go how we envisioned it might.   Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

In this powerful conversation, I sat down with Mary Farrelly, a NICU nurse and NICU doula behind the Instagram community "The NICU Translator." With over 13 years of experience caring for the tiniest patients and their families, Mary shares the realities of NICU life that most people never see as well as the critical gaps in care that exist when families finally go home. We explore the unexpected journey that leads families into the NICU, the overwhelming medical jargon that becomes their new language, and the tight-knit community that forms in those hospital rooms. Mary opens up about the staggering statistics: up to 70% of NICU families experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and 40% show clinical PTSD symptoms. These numbers far higher than the general postpartum population. But this isn't just about the challenges. Mary discusses the incredible work being done to bridge the gaps in NICU care, from her role as a NICU doula supporting families through discharge and beyond, to the community she's built online where parents find translation, understanding, and solidarity. We talk about why partners and siblings are also deeply affected, how trauma shows up months or even years later, and why specialized mental health support is essential for healing. Whether you've experienced the NICU yourself, supported someone through it, or simply want to understand this hidden world of healthcare, this episode offers an eye-opening look at the resilience of NICU families and the angels who walk alongside them. Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

Kelly Stumpe, aka the Car Mom, joined us for a conversation all about choosing the right vehicle and car seats for your family. She emphasizes the importance of safety, practicality, and long-term planning. We get into what the different safety ratings mean and how to decide what are the right priorities for your specific family. We also touch on car seat safety and the best practices for keeping kids safe while we travel!  Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

We sat down with Justine Marjan to talk all about her experience giving birth. At the time, we were in the height of the COVID pandemic, and many were having to shift their expectations for what birth would be for them. Justine shared her own experience, explaining how she prepared for childbirth and adapted to COVID precautions for her birth team. Justine also shares how she relied on her midwife and doula and their role in her birth. No two births are the same, and Justine encourages all moms to lean into the experience and trust their instincts.   Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

In this episode, Mike Rosenthal joined us to discuss his and his wife’s journey to parenthood through surrogacy. Mike shares the decision-making process behind choosing surrogacy, and all the highs and lows along the way to welcoming their new baby. Mike gets to share the dad’s perspective of becoming a parent, and how he has felt stepping into fatherhood. Each path to parenthood in unique, and Mike shares his story to show other parents that they are not alone in their unique journey.   Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Fertility isn’t one-size-fits-all—and in this episode, we’re diving into the real conversations many women are having when it comes to planning for a family. Whether you’re considering freezing your eggs or embryos, navigating a PCOS or endometriosis diagnosis, or facing sperm-related challenges with a partner or donor, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and science-backed insight.  Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a leading fertility specialist and reproductive endocrinologist, joins us to break down the latest research and help debunk the myths running rampant online. We also explore how hormone imbalances, insulin resistance, and even new medications like GLP-1s (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.) can play a surprising role in reproductive health.    It’s the kind of candid, informative chat we all wish we had before hitting “follow” on another fertility myth. If you’re thinking about your reproductive future or just want to better understand your body, take a listen!  Buy The Lucky Egg here: https://amzn.to/3JZ9pbg Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

Jessica Murnane joined us alongside the release of her book Know Your Endo to talk all things endometriosis. Jessica shared her own experience with endometriosis and her journey to diagnosis. Endometriosis is often misdiagnosed but is so important to recognize and address. We covered everything including key symptoms, how to get diagnosed, and finding the right doctor. Make sure to check out Know Your Endo to learn more!  Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!