Are you ready to feel inspired?!? Episode 135 of Ask Dr Jessica with founder of Mother's to Mother's Dr Mitch Besser.  Dr. Mitch Besser discusses his journey from being an OBGYN in the United States to creating the Mothers to Mothers (m2m) program in South Africa, which aims to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV .  In this episode Dr Besser explains how m2m persevered despite funding and cultural challenges.    Since beginning in 2001, m2m  has achieved remarkable success in reducing...

Part 2 of Ask Dr Jessica with Mike Rucker--the conversation continues about incorporating fun into parenting.  Many of us parents are often so busy making a living, that it can feel we are not spending enough quality time with our children.  Dr Mike Rucker explains the importance of valuing time over money --and the benefits of focusing on quality experiences rather than material possessions. In addition to being the author of "The Fun Habit",  Dr Rucker is  an organizational psychologist,...

Episode 133 of Ask Dr Jessica with Mike Rucker, PhD, author of "The Fun Habit" .  The conversation explores the concept of finding joy and pleasure in everyday life,  rather than solely pursuing happiness as an end goal.  He explains why we need to prioritize scheduling time for fun activities and creating core memories.   Takeaways Finding joy and pleasure in everyday life is more sustainable and fulfilling than solely pursuing happiness as an end goal.Being present and mindful in the moment...

In this episode, Dr. Elisa Song discusses integrative medicine and its role in treating allergies.  Dr. Song emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of allergies and using a combination of conventional medicine with alternative approaches to achieve optimal results. She also provides practical tips for managing allergy symptoms, such as using nasal saline sprays and HEPA filters. Additionally, Dr. Song shares insights on mold exposure and the potential health effects of mold....

Episode 131 of Ask Dr Jessica with Dr. Jill Campbell, a licensed clinical psychologist, shares her passion for teaching mindfulness to parents. Mindful parenting involves being present, non-judgmental, and empathic in the service of self-understanding and wisdom. By practicing mindfulness, parents can regulate their emotions and respond to their children in a more conscious and compassionate way. Dr. Campbell provides practical tips for applying mindfulness in challenging parenting...

Dr. Peter Gray, a neuroscientist and psychologist, discusses the importance of independence, freedom, and play in children's development. He challenges the cultural delusion of overprotection and highlights the low risks children face in the world today. Dr. Gray emphasizes the benefits of challenging and risky activities for children's growth and resilience. He argues that children are naturally curious and self-directed learners, and that parents should focus on fostering their independence...

Ask Dr Jessica episode 128 with Kelsey Mora, a dual certified child life specialist and therapist, discusses her work in supporting children and families facing illness and grief. She shares insights on how to talk to children about cancer diagnoses, emphasizing the importance of using clear and honest language. Kelsey also introduces her book, 'The Dot Method,' which provides a comprehensive guide for children and families navigating cancer. Kelsey's work with the Pickles Group, a nonprofit...

Do you struggle with sleep and your kids? Do you feel like you and your children would benefit from more rest? Katie Pitts, founder of Sleepwise Consulting, shares her journey into sleep consulting and her philosophy on sleep training.  Katie reviews common issues that arise with children's sleep, and she  provides valuable insights and tips. She also dispels common misconceptions about sleep training and highlights the significance of sleep for overall health.  Katie L Pitts, MS, MA, CSSC...

Jennifer Tabbush shares her insights and advice on the college application process to help guide students find the best "fit" for their educational needs.  Jennifer founded Headed For College to help families in need of expert educational consulting, college and graduate school counseling, and academic planning.  In this podcast episode, Jennifer discusses many of the questions parents think about as their kids prepare for college. How does a child find the right fit for them? How can...

Drs. Lonnie and Paul Zeltzer are are pioneers in the field of pediatric pain treatment.  We discuss many different ways to treat pain--including alternative, non-pharmacological approaches to pain management, including sleep hygiene, breathing techniques, hypnotherapy, placebo and mindfulness. They also  explain when medications such as opioids may help helpful.  Additionally the role for herbs, topical anesthetics  and more!  Dr Lonnie Zeltzer and Dr Paul Zeltzer are pioneers in the field of...

Ask Dr Jessica is joined by Dr. Steve Hodges, a pediatric urologist, discusses the connection between constipation and urinary issues in children. He explains that constipation is often the root cause of bladder and bowel problems, including urinary tract infections and bedwetting.   This conversation explores the topic of constipation in children and its relationship to accidents, particularly bedwetting.  Dr Hodges also provides  information on where to find more resources and treatment...

Ask Dr Jessica episode 124 with Christina McGhee, an expert in divorce and co-parenting. We discuss various aspects of divorce and its impact on children, as well as strategies for effective co-parenting.  Christina also provides advice on avoiding common mistakes, seeking support, and keeping children out of the middle of conflicts. She offers resources and guidance for parents going through divorce. Takeaways Plan and prepare before talking to children about divorce, considering the timing,...

In this conversation, Jessica interviews Diane Boden, host of the Minimalist Mom podcast.   Diane talks about the challenges of living with less in a world focused on consumerism and the importance of being intentional with possessions. Diane provides practical tips for decluttering books and toys, and overall the conversation highlights the benefits of minimalism and Diane Boden discusses strategies for decluttering and organizing kids' toys and sentimental items. She emphasizes the...

Dr. Dolly Klock, a family medicine physician and founder of Adolessons, discusses the importance of open conversations about sex and puberty with children and adolescents. Dr. Klock provides guidance on starting conversations at different ages and addresses the challenges of talking to shy or reluctant children. She also highlights the prevalence of pornography exposure among children and the importance of discussing it with them. Dr. Klock offers various services, including parent coaching,...

Episode 121 of Ask Dr Jessica with Jodi Pawluski, a neuroscientist and psychologist, discusses how we can support mothers throughout pregnancy and in the postpartum period.  She explains the concept of the 'mommy brain', and how the brain adapts to the demands of motherhood. Jodi emphasizes the importance of understanding the normal range of emotions during pregnancy and postpartum. She also discusses the importance of sleep and self-care, nutrition, movement and exercise, social interaction...

Dr. Sheila Carroll, a board-certified pediatrician and certified life coach, discusses her transition from clinical medicine to helping parents and families navigate childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. She emphasizes the importance of understanding emotional eating and finding natural pleasures as alternatives to unhealthy food choices. Dr. Carroll also provides practical advice on creating healthy shopping lists, reading food labels, and avoiding added sugars. She encourages...

Ask Dr Jessica epiosde 119. In this conversation, Disney animator, motivational speaker and "Life of Awesome" podcast host, Saul Blinkoff shares his insights on raising children and helping them pursue their dreams. He emphasizes the importance of discovering one's unique purpose and stepping out of the comfort zone to achieve personal growth. Saul also highlights the significance of supporting children's dreams and providing them with the belief and encouragement they need. He discusses the...

Happy New Year! To bring in the new year, this weeks Ask Dr Jessica talks to Dr. Charlene Lichtash, a board-certified internal medicine resident who specializes in obesity medicine and metabolic health, discusses strategies for raising children with a healthy relationship with food.  Dr. Lichtash advises parents to teach their children to differentiate between whole and processed foods and to focus on replacing rather than restricting foods.  She emphasizes the importance of understanding the...

Jody Thomas, a clinical health psychologist and CEO of the Meg Foundation for pain, discusses strategies  to reduce fear and anxiety around needles in children.  Many children are affected by anxiety around vaccinations, and the Meg Foundation offers support to families to help.  She provides practical advice for parents to prepare their children for vaccinations, including creating a plan, using positive language, and considering other techniques such as utilizing numbing cream and...

On this episode of Ask Dr Jessica, Deborah MacNamara discusses her new book 'Nourished' Connection Food and Caring for our Kids.  She explores the challenges of picky eating and the evolutionary perspective on food preferences. She provides practical tips for parents of picky eaters and highlights the significance of creating a positive mealtime environment. MacNamara also addresses nutritional concerns and the importance of trusting the process. She discusses the connection between food and...

Episode 115 of Ask Dr Jessica, Dr Andrew Cohen, a board certified plastic surgeon practicing in the valley of Southern California discusses the overlap between pediatrics and plastic surgery. He explains what a plastic surgeon is and the history of plastic surgery. Dr. Cohen also shares the procedures he performs, including breast reductions for teenagers and gynecomastia surgery for boys. He provides advice on when to refer patients to a plastic surgeon for lacerations and the timing of...

Katy Bowman is a biomechanist, best selling author of 10 books, a movement educator, and you may have heard of her amazing podcast—  Move your DNA—which talks about how we can all add more movement to our lives.  Today we are going to talk about her latest book —Grow Wild, which is an inspirational guide to getting kids to move more outside.   Get matched with a therapist by using Better Help! Give it a try---invest in your mental health: https://betterhelp.com/askdrjessica for 10% off your...

Episode 113 of Ask Dr Jessica is part 2 with Dr Siggie--and on this episode we talk about unwanted behaviors--like anger, lying and use of swear words--and how parents should approach children with these behaviors.  Dr Siggie is a mom of three and child developmental specialist with over 35 years experience.  She has also become an instagram sensation (with over 1 million followers) because of her calm, purposeful and helpful parenting advice. She gives parents direct instruction and advice...

On this weeks episode of Ask Dr Jessica, we are excited to welcome back Dr Siggie Cohen! We discuss sibling rivalry and how parents should approach sibling conflict.  Dr Siggie is a mom of three and child developmental specialist with over 35 years experience.  She has also become an instagram sensation (with over 1 million followers) because of her calm, purposeful and helpful parenting advice. She gives parents direct instruction and advice to help increase connection between parents and...