Birth trauma is something we may not even realize we experience in the moments during and after birth, and can really cause lasting effects on both the birthing person and their partner. That's why this week, Rachael has a great discussion with Rachel Somerstein, author and associate professor, all about cesarean sections, birth trauma, finding the right care during birth, and postpartum support.  Inside this episode: Rachel shares her personal experience of having an unplanned C-section...

Episode 65: Inclusive Ways to Feed and Parent Your Baby with Victoria Facelli @victoria.facelli.ibclc This week Rachael speaks with Victoria Facelli, an IBCLC and author of the book 'Feed the Baby', to discuss the inclusive approach to feeding and parenting. She emphasizes the need to change our mindset and be open to different feeding methods, rather than getting caught up in the breast milk vs. formula debate.  Inside this episode: How to use a risk-benefit analysis for each parenting...

Welcome back to the pod for this very special bonus episode- Caitlin Wilder of @wilderbeginnings and the On We Go Podcast! For Part 1 of our conversation all about friendships, head over here! In this Part of our live chat we take listener questions including: how to handle if a friend has different political views than you how husband/ partner friendships differ what to do if a friend disciplines your child maintaining friendships with people who are parenting differently the importance...

Episode 64: How to Self Regulate as a Parent with Dr. Amber Thornton @dramberthornton Ever totally lose your cool on your kids and feel SO guilty afterwards? You’re NOT alone! That’s why this week, Rachael speaks with Dr. Amber Thornton, a licensed clinical psychologist and strong advocate for parental mental health, all about self-regulation, overwhelm, and reparenting! Inside this episode: Find out a practical framework for breaking the cycle of dysregulation. Learn how you can practice...

Episode 63: Creating Safe Spaces for Trans Kids with Ben Greene @psuedo.bro Ben Green, a transgender advocate and author, joins the podcast this week to discuss the important topic of transgender inclusion and support for trans kids! Ben encourages a joy-centered approach to supporting trans kids in your own life and the broader community, and celebrates the resilience and strength of the trans community. Inside this episode: Hear Ben’s personal experience of coming out at a young age and...

Episode 62: Advocacy after Loss with Ashley Spivey @ashleyspivey Join Rachael this week as she chats with Ashley Spivey, a former contestant on The Bachelor, turned advocate and online content creator! Ashley has used her platform to advocate for various causes, including stillbirth prevention and paid family leave for stillbirth families. Since October is Infant Loss and Awareness month, Ashley shares her own personal journey of infertility and loss openly on social media and talks about...

Episode 61: In-Laws and Tricky Relationship Changes After Baby with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish @drtracyd Have you ever found yourself navigating a tricky situation with your in-laws? In this conversation, Rachael interviews Dr. Tracy, a psychologist and couples therapist, all about the topic of in-laws and how they can affect relationships with significant others. Dr. Tracy provides lots of tips for communication and speaking up in uncomfortable situations and how to handle challenging family...

Episode 60: Work-Family Balance: What Can We Learn from Policies Around the World? with Caitlyn Collins  In this conversation, Rachael interviews Caitlyn Collins, an associate professor of sociology and author, about work-family life and how policies affect families in different countries. They discuss the differences between the United States, Sweden, Germany, Italy, and other countries in terms of parental leave, childcare, and work-life balance. Inside this episode: The importance of...

Episode 59: Surviving Postpartum Psychosis with Ayana Lage @ayanagabriellelage  In this episode, Rachael has a candid chat with Ayana Lage, writer, influencer and mental health advocate, who shares her experience with postpartum psychosis. Ayana details the devastating toll postpartum psychosis took on her and her family, as well as how it impacted future family planning. She discusses the symptoms she experienced, the hospitalization process, and the support she received in the aftermath....

Episode 58: Gentle Parenting like a Teacher with Arielle Fodor aka @mrs.frazzled In this episode, Rachael Shepard-Ohta interviews Ariel Fodor, also known as Mrs. Frazzled, about her experience as a teacher and a parent. They discuss why many teachers are leaving the profession, the misconceptions about gentle parenting, and the importance of representation and social justice issues. Ariel also shares her journey with mental health challenges and how she navigates them as a mom. The...

Episode 57: Mental Health in the Journey to Motherhood with Dr. Sarah Oreck @sarahoreckmd In this episode, Rachael has a great discussion with Dr. Sarah Oreck, a reproductive psychiatrist and founder of Mavita Health. They talk about the importance of mental health care support during the sometimes long, difficult journey to parenthood. Dr. Sarah highlights the different experiences and challenges that individuals face during pregnancy and postpartum, including pregnancy loss and...

Episode 56: Unwinding, Easing Anxiety and Falling Asleep using Mindfulness Stories with Goldminds founder, Cynthia Arscott In this episode, Rachael interviews Cynthia Arscott, a certified meditation teacher and the creator of the new GoldMinds app! Rachael and Cynthia talk all about childhood anxiety around sleep, using mindfulness, and how they used both of their knowledge on the topics to inspire this amazing app. Inside this episode: Cynthia shares her personal journey with anxiety in...

Episode 55: The Emotional Journey of Childhood Cancer with Danielle & Portia September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. This week, Rachael speaks with two mothers who have faced the unimaginable. In this emotional episode, Rachael interviews Portia, mom of Leo, who was diagnosed with Cancer as a young child. Portia discusses the initial diagnosis (and the importance of listening to your “mom gut!”), the emotional journey through treatments, and the challenges faced by both Leo and...

Episode 54: Challenging Our Individualistic Culture with Erin Spahr @feminist.mom.therapist In this episode, Rachael interviews Erin Spahr, a licensed therapist, mother, and maternal mental health advocate. They discuss the intersection of feminism and motherhood, the lack of support and systemic oppression faced by women and parents, and the harmful effects of comparison and external validation on social media. Here’s what they discuss in this episode: The importance of self-compassion...

Episode 53: Simplifying Your Routine & Managing the Chaos of Back-to-School with Beth Rosenbleeth @dayswithgrey It’s back-to-school for many of our children and that can come with a lot of big feelings, routine changes, and chaos! In this episode, Rachael chats with Beth, educator and creator of Days with Grey, all about simplifying routines, promoting play-based learning for young children, and how to cope with the change that is “back-to-school” (or just starting school!).  Here’s...

Episode 52: Burn Out, the Invisible Load and Maternal Mental Health with Erica Djossa @momwell This week Rachael speaks with Erica Djossa- a registered psychotherapist, founder of Momwell and author of new book Releasing the Motherload- all about the challenges of postpartum and beyond, including burn out and the “invisible load” of motherhood. Here’s what they discuss inside this episode: Erica shares her personal journey with postpartum depression How Erica’s postpartum journey led her...

Episode 51: Men’s Health: Male Fertility, Vasectomies and Family Planning with Dr. Justin Dubin & Dr. Kevin Chu @themanuppodcast We often speak so much about women and fertility but it is important that we also begin destigmatizing conversations around men's health! Rachael kicks off this episode with a conversation with her husband Marley about his decision to get a vasectomy several months ago and what that process was like. Next, Rachael has on doctors Justin Dubin and Kevin Chu to...

Episode 50: Feeding Toddlers: Finding Joy in Family Meals with Nita and Jessica of @happyhealthyeaters Have you ever struggled with picky eating or stressful mealtimes? This is so common- feeding toddlers can be very challenging! In this episode, Rachael speaks with Jessica and Nita, co-founders of Happy Healthy Eaters, ALL about feeding toddlers to make mealtimes more enjoyable! Here’s what they discuss inside this episode: The different challenges of feeding toddlers including “picky”...

Episode 49: Creating a Business and a Brand from Home with Tori Sprankel Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a mom who works outside the home, all moms are working hard! This week Rachael and friend Tori Sprankel, a brand expert and business owner, chat all about building a business while taking care of young children at home. They discuss the challenges and gray areas of being a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, and how the lines are blurred for so many of us in a post-pandemic...

Episode 48: Sleep Training: What we Know (and what we DON’T KNOW) from the Research with Mandy Ruggeri This week Rachael and Mandy Ruggeri, a journalist specializing in psychology, parenting, and child development, discuss the ever controversial topic: sleep training. Mandy speaks about her articles on baby sleep and sleep training and the research behind them. Here’s what they discuss inside this episode: Understanding biologically normal, healthy baby sleep The problematic messaging...

Episode 47: Parenting Children with Disabilities with Kelley Coleman @hellokelleycoleman This week Rachael and Kelley Coleman, author and mother, discuss parenting children with disabilities.  Here’s what they discuss inside this powerful episode: Hear Kelley’s personal journey with parenting two kids: one with multiple disabilities and one with typical development Kelley shares her story about her son’s diagnosis and how it changed her as a parent Suggestions for parents who just received...

Episode 46: “I Feel Like My Life has Changed and Yours Hasn’t” with Erin & Stephen Mitchell @couples.counseling.for.parents Having kids changes your relationship. If you have ever felt misunderstood, disconnected, exhausted, and resentful towards your partner- you’re not alone- and this episode is for you! Join Rachael and Erin & Stephen Mitchell, husband and wife duo & authors of the new book Too Tired to Fight, as they talk all about relationships, specifically relationships...

Episode 45: Bridging Separation at Bedtime with Dr. Gordon Neufeld @neufeldinstitute This week Rachael has a very special guest, Dr. Gordon Neufeld, to discuss the importance of attachment and the challenges parents face when it comes to bedtime and sleep. Dr. Neufeld is a renowned authority on child development and you will learn so much in this powerful episode! Here’s what they discuss inside this important episode: How attachment is a fundamental aspect of child development Learn all...

Episode 44: Q&A with Rachael and her husband, Marley Join Rachael and her husband Marley as they answer some of YOUR most asked questions this week, share a glimpse into their life at home, and more!  Here is what they discuss In this fun episode: Marley gives an update on his recent stay-at-home dad life transition Rachael and Marley share how they decided to have a third baby How Marley handles Rachael’s trips away when he is solo with kids overnight How to gain confidence taking...