Join Dr. Amber Thornton and her guests for Root & Grow Chats, all about personal development, growth and truly enhancing wellness. To book your free 15 minute consultation or to learn more about Dr. Amber Thornton Consulting services, head to www.dramberthornton.com. Send inquiries and questions to: hello@dramberthornton.com
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We often enter motherhood envisioning joy, nurturing, peace, and love. But the reality can blindside us. Nobody tells us about Mom Rage, overstimulation, intrusive thoughts, or other mental health struggles. Unfortunately, when we seek help, we might face a lack of support, a system that doesn’t put moms first, and a world that turns a blind eye to the challenges of motherhood. We’re here to change that. We believe that moms deserve access to community, support, and mental health literacy. I ...
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Developing our own emotional regulation skills isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes a lot of work, learning, and unlearning. The more awareness we can build about what triggers our dysregulation and how it shows up for us, the better we can become at responding and regulating our emotions. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by…
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236: Approaching Infant Feeding with Flexibility with Sarah O'Leary, CEO of Willow and Andrea Ippolito, CEO & Founder of SimpliFed
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The pressures around breastfeeding are strong, but systemic support doesn’t always allow moms to feed the way they want to. That’s why I was so excited to hear about The State of Feeding, a research-driven report designed to shed light on the real feeding experiences moms are going through. Created as a partnership between Bobbie, Willow, SimpliFed…
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234: Overcoming Anxiety About Introducing Solids to Baby with Jenny Best, Founder & CEO of Solid Starts
56:12
Introducing solids to our babies can feel scary, but it doesn’t have to follow one strict guide. We can overcome anxiety and create an environment around food that establishes healthy long-term eating habits. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by Jenny Best, founder of Solid Starts, to discuss how we can rethink our approach to feeding an…
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233: How Intensive Mothering Creates Overwhelmed Moms with Jess Grose, Opinion Writer for The New York Times
58:23
Intensive mothering, unrealistic pressures, and gender norms have created an unattainable ideal of motherhood—one that is taking a toll on modern moms. If we want to break out of this mom overwhelm, we need to recognize those expectations and determine what works for us. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by Jess Grose, author and opinion…
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232: Fostering Emotional Development in Our Children with Alyssa Campbell, CEO of Seed and Sew
54:39
Fostering emotional development goes beyond validating feelings or sticking to a set script—it takes inner work, nervous system regulation, and plenty of self-awareness and self-compassion. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by Alyssa Campbell, CEO of Seed and Sew and co-author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions. We discuss the importance of em…
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231: A Deeper Look Into Mommy Wine Culture with Amanda White, Author and Founder of Therapy for Women Center
53:05
Mommy wine culture is often viewed as a lighthearted joke—with moms turning to wine or a mimosa to cope with stressful parenting moments. And plenty of moms can enjoy an alcoholic beverage without falling into unhealthy patterns. But alcohol use isn’t always lighthearted—for some moms, there are mental health concerns that are being overlooked and …
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230: Navigating Culture and Mental Health in Motherhood with Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Founder of Brown Girl Therapy
55:07
Our individual upbringing and the culture we were raised in impact the way we show up as parents and the way we approach our own mental health. It’s important to listen to voices in this area who understand firsthand the nuances of culture and mental health, breaking cycles, and carving out individual paths as moms. One of those voices is Sahaj Kau…
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Meltdowns, defiance, and other behaviors are signals of needs—and if we can meet those needs proactively instead of punitively, we can support our children while still teaching and guiding them. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by psychologist Tammy Schamuhn, co-founder of the Institute of Child Psychology to discuss how to approach our…
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Concerns like PMDD, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), endometriosis, or even universal experiences like menopause are still underresearched and underdiagnosed. The more we can understand these concerns—and advocate for doctors to take them seriously—the more we can help support women and moms everywhere. Today, I’m joined by gynecologist and repr…
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227: From the Vault: Encouraging Independent Play with Susie Allison, Founder of Busy Toddler
45:29
Today, we’re reaching back into the vault to revisit one of our most popular episodes! What if I told you that you didn’t have to play with your child all day? Moms put a lot of pressure on themselves to entertain their kids. They believe that “good moms” play with their kids as much as possible. But when we learn how to encourage independent play,…
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It isn’t easy to feel confident in a world full of mom shaming. When moms are already feeling lonely and unsupported, disconnected from their friends, and unsure about their abilities, this pressure and criticism can take a real toll on their self-esteem and their mental health. Today, I’m joined by Renee Reina, Ph.D, host of The Mom Room Podcast, …
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It can be hard to establish healthy screen time habits for our children. But with the right framework in place, we can let go of guilt and fear and foster a positive relationship with technology within a healthy balance. Today, I’m joined by pediatrician and author Dr. Michael Rich, known as “the Mediatrician,” to discuss how we can set kids up for…
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Mom guilt is often fueled by intensive mothering ideology—the belief that moms should sacrifice every bit of their time, energy, and resources to their children (and find fulfillment only in motherhood), along with gender norms and social expectations. We can learn to manage mom guilt through awareness, anchoring ourselves in our values, and valida…
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Gender norms, social expectations, and motherhood all become wrapped up in our identities, often leaving us questioning our career paths. But perhaps the answer starts with breaking away from the idea of a “dream job” and focusing instead on empowering ourselves to make active decisions driven by our internal values. Today, I’m joined by Lauren McG…
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222: Understanding and Implementing Responsive Parenting with Dr. Cindy Hovington, founder of Curious Neuron
58:55
As moms, we feel immense pressure to stay calm and peaceful even in the toughest, most triggering moments. And when we fall short, we often beat ourselves up and feel ashamed. But if we want to break this cycle, we need to move away from shame and find a way to offer ourselves the same compassion and understanding that we have for our children. Tod…
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221: How to Maintain Friendships (and Make Friends) as a Mom with Danielle Bayard Jackson, Author
59:09
Maintaining friendships or making new friends as a mom, takes skills, intention, and deliberation. The adjustment to motherhood changes us—and it makes sense that our friendships, along with our values, priorities, and other relationships, might change too. That doesn’t mean we have to leave our old friendships behind, and it doesn’t mean we can’t …
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We don’t have to accept stress as our default state of being. When we can learn how stress shows up in our bodies, what our triggers are, and how to break away from the stress cycle we are trapped in, we can improve our well-being and show up the way we want for our children and for ourselves. Today, I’m joined by Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burno…
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219: From the Vault: Why Does a Messy House Give Me Anxiety? with KC Davis, Licensed Professional Therapist and Author
56:53
Why does a messy house give me anxiety? Why can’t I motivate myself to clean since I had kids? Am I just a lazy mom? Moms often worry about these things, feeling immense pressure to keep a clean house and experiencing shame when they fall short of those expectations. As moms, we can’t always buy ourselves more time to clean. But we can approach the…
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The invisible load of motherhood isn’t easy to see, define, or explain. We feel the weight of it, but we often assume that we are just failing or that our partner is the problem. But when we learn to let go of the beliefs that create this “Mother Load,” we can take the steps to release and redistribute the mental and emotional labor in our homes. T…
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217: How Partners Can Share in the Invisible Load with Zach Watson, Content Creator and Invisible Labor Educator for Men
54:31
When partners take an active role in the invisible load, everyone benefits. It reduces pressure and overwhelm on moms, and it empowers partners to make decisions and parent with confidence. Today, I’m joined by Zach Watson, creator of Real Zach Think Share and invisible labor educator for men, to unpack why partners need to help carry the invisible…
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216: Understanding Menopause and Mental Health with Dr. Heather Hirsch, Founder of the Menopause & Midlife Clinic
56:57
Discussing the relationship between menopause and mental health is important. It gives us awareness of what we’re experiencing or what we might experience in the future—and it helps break the stigma, both around mental health and women’s health. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Heather Hirsch, founder of the Menopause & Midlife Clinic and author of Unlock …
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215: Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts About Baby with Dr. Caroline Boyd, Clinical Psychologist
57:27
Intrusive thoughts in motherhood can be scary. But they are not premonitions or signs of deep, hidden desires. They are just thoughts—and the more we try to bury them without understanding what they are, the more they tend to stick around. With awareness and the right plan of action, we can learn to move past these disturbing thoughts more easily. …
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214: How to Embrace Career Change as a Mom with Jess Galica, Career and Leadership Coach, Best-Selling Author
51:37
Our careers can look different once we become moms—and that doesn’t need to be a bad thing. Many moms are embracing flexibility, considering career changes, and reevaluating what they want from their personal and professional lives. Today, I’m joined by career and leadership coach Jess Galica, best-selling author of Leap: Why It's Time to Let Go to…
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213: Understanding Postpartum Depression in Dads and Non-Birthing Partners with Mark Williams, International Advocate for Perinatal Mental Health and Author
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The postpartum period is a vulnerable time for our mental health—and not just for the person who gives birth. Fathers or non-birthing partners and adoptive parents are all also at risk. And yet, postpartum depression in dads and partners is often overlooked and undersupported—even more so than for birthing moms. Today, I’m joined by perinatal menta…
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212: Rekindling Your Sex Life After Baby with Vanessa & Xander Marin, bestselling authors & hosts of the podcast Pillow Talks
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There are so many factors at play in our sex life after baby, from resentment and conflict to the invisible load to a lack of time for emotional intimacy. But when we learn how to talk openly about sex we can overcome those factors and rekindle the spark in a way that feels good for both partners. This week on The Momwell Podcast, I’m joined by Van…
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211: The Importance of Pelvic Floor Health with Carine Carmy, Co-Founder & CEO of The Origin Way
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Research suggests that at least 32% of women struggle with pelvic floor health. But between stigma, a complex healthcare system, and a persistent myth that pelvic floor concerns are “just a part of life” after having a baby, many moms don’t seek the care they need. Today, I’m joined by Carine Carmy, Co-Founder & CEO of Origin—a pelvic floor therapy…
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210: Postpartum Rage vs. Parental Anger with Dr. Ashurina Ream, founder and CEO of Psyched Mommy, licensed clinical psychologist
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Overwhelmed moms often find themselves experiencing anger and irritability. But is this a sign of a mental health concern or a justifiable response to unreasonable social expectations? Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Ashurina Ream, founder of Psyched Mommy, to unpack the differences between postpartum rage and parental anger due to s…
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209: You’re Not an Angry Mom with Minna Dubin, author of Mom Rage: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood
56:05
None of us set out to become angry moms. We likely envisioned responding with warmth, patience, nurturing, and understanding. So when we experience mom rage, we wonder if something is wrong with us. But maybe we’re not the problem. Maybe the problem is the unrealistic pressure, expectations, and overwhelm modern moms carry. Today, I’m joined by Min…
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208: What Causes Mommy Brain? with Dr. Jodi Pawluski, neuroscientist, psychotherapist and author
49:03
The stereotype of mushy “mommy brain” is a reality for many of us, full of brain fog and forgetfulness. But is it really a fair assessment, or one steeped in gender norms? What if mommy brain doesn’t mean we’re less sharp—what if it’s our body telling us we’re at capacity? Today, I’m joined by neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski, author of Mommy Brain…
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207: Hormone Health and Wellness for Moms with Dr. Jen Gunter, bestselling author, obstetrician, and gynecologist
56:42
When we enter motherhood, hormonal shifts can take a toll. We often find ourselves struggling with fatigue, mood swings, and irritability and wonder about our hormone health and wellness. But how do we separate out hormonal causes, mental health concerns, and sheer mom overwhelm? How do we know what’s fact and what’s online misinformation? Today, I…
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206: How Parents Can Avoid Information Overload with Cara Goodwin, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
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Parenting with a world of information at your fingertips isn’t always easy. Conflicting information, inflammatory headlines, and a sea of articles can lead to information overload and leave us feeling less confident as parents. Today, I’m joined by psychologist Dr. Cara Goodwin, founder of Parenting Translator. Learn how to cut through the online n…
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205: From the Vault: Should I Have Another Baby? with Kate McReynolds, Mental Health Counselor
54:42
Should I have another baby? Is my family complete? How will I know I’m done? For many of us, these questions begin soon after a baby is born. It can be hard to know if you want to add another baby to your family. While the decision is unique to every person and every family, there are some ways to make the decision easier. Today, I’m joined by ment…
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204: From the Vault: What Millennial Moms Need with Jill Koziol, Co-founder and CEO of Motherly
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Today we’re reaching back into our vault to revisit one of our most popular episodes! When it comes to maternal mental health, moms are struggling. But the more we become aware of that, the more we can collectively offer better support for moms. Today, I’m joined by Jill Koziol, co-founder and CEO of Motherly, to unpack the company’s annual State o…
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203: From the Vault: Carrying the Mental Load with Eve Rodsky, New York Times Bestselling Author
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Today we’re reaching back into our vault to revisit one of our most popular episodes! The mental load of motherhood is a common vicious cycle for families. One parent (often the mom) becomes the default parent. That default parent takes on a disproportionate amount of labor in the home. They find themselves drowning in unpaid and unappreciated labo…
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202: Navigating Different Sex Drives in Parenthood with Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy & Dr. Jennifer Vencill, Licensed Psychologists and Authors
56:22
Many new parents struggle with different sex drives after having a baby. Sleep deprivation, body changes, and a lack of time to prioritize our relationships all have an impact on our libido. But when we understand the factors affecting sex drive, we can navigate those differences and stay connected. Today, I’m joined by psychologists and authors Dr…
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201: Prioritizing the Invisible Load of Motherhood with Whitney Casares, Founder and CEO of Modern Mommy Doc
56:53
Prioritizing the invisible load of motherhood is hard. How can we handle all the labor when it feels like we have to do it all? When we can learn how to see our own worth, value our time, set boundaries, and determine what matters most, we can start to let go of some of the mental labor. Today, I’m joined by pediatrician Dr. Whitney Casares, founde…
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200: Erica’s Husband Reflects on Sharing the Invisible Load with Frenel Djossa, Erica’s Husband & Co-Founder of Momwell
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The Momwell Podcast is celebrating 200 episodes! And today, we have a very special guest joining us—my husband, Frenel, co-founder of Momwell. Along my journey of postpartum depression, understanding the invisible load, and being diagnosed with ADHD, Frenel has been with me every step of the way. We’ve challenged gender norms, unpacked the invisibl…
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199: Breaking Generational Trauma Cycles with Dr. Mariel Buqué, Psychologist and the author of the book Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma
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When we become moms, we often find ourselves struggling with our past. Wounds and childhood trauma may begin to resurface, shaping the way we parent. Breaking generational cycles of trauma isn’t easy—but we can be the ones to create change. Today, I’m joined by psychologist and author Dr. Mariel Buqué to discuss how moms can break generational cycl…
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198: Is There Such a Thing as Healthy Perfectionism? with Katherine Morgan Schafler, psychotherapist and author
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Perfectionism in motherhood can be harmful, keeping moms held to unrealistic standards. But is there such a thing as healthy perfectionism? Today, I’m joined by psychotherapist Katherine Shafler to discuss how to reframe our thinking on perfectionism and harness the tendency without the negative side. Show Notes: https://bit.ly/40v0iD4 Book a Free …
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197: Breaking Out of the Default Parent Role with Erin & Stephen Mitchell, Founders of Couples Counseling for Parents
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Do you ever feel like you’re the default parent for everything in your home? You’re not alone. Many moms find themselves being the go-to for physical, mental, and emotional needs of their child. This can leave them feeling alone, frustrated, unseen, and resentful. Today, I’m joined by Erin and Stephen Mitchell, founders of Couples Counseling for Pa…
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196: Redefining Postpartum Fitness with Amy Kiefer & Krystle Howald, co-founders of Expecting and Empowered
51:41
Our postpartum physical health often goes hand-in-hand with our mental health. But in many ways, it feels taboo to talk about the physical changes we experience after having a baby. And finding answers about postpartum fitness isn’t always easy. What’s safe? What’s effective? And how do we keep a healthy mindset? Today, I’m joined by Amy Kiefer & K…
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195: Rebuilding Connection and Intimacy After Baby with Aaron Steinberg, Co-Founder of Babyproofing Your Relationship
55:52
It’s common for relationships to struggle after having a baby. Between a lack of time and the invisible load, we might find ourselves feeling resentful and disconnected. But if we can become intentional and curious, we can rebuild connection and emotional intimacy after baby. Today, I’m joined by Aaron Steinberg, MA, co-founder of Babyproofing Your…
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194: Embracing the 7 Types of Rest with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, Board-Certified internal medicine physician and award-winning author
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Mom life is often synonymous with exhaustion. It starts with sleep deprivation and continues for years into the future. It feels like we always have more to do, and never enough time to do it. And even when we do carve out time for ourselves, we often end up feeling just as exhausted as before. But what if it’s not about the amount of time we spend…
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193: Interpreting Newborn Hunger Cues and Sleepy Signs with Sharon Mazel, author of Bite-Sized Parenting: Your Baby’s First Year
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Understanding our baby’s needs can be confusing. Are they tired? Hungry? Do they just need a cuddle? Babies don’t come with an instruction manual. But when you understand newborn hunger cues and sleepy signs, it becomes much easier to learn from and communicate with your baby. Today, I’m joined by Sharon Mazel, author of Bite-Sized Parenting: Your …
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192: Understanding Overfunctioning in Relationships with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert
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If you’re experiencing more conflict in your relationship after having a baby, you aren’t alone—67% of couples report a decline in satisfaction in the first three years of a baby’s life. There are many reasons why this happens—including an underfunctioning and overfunctioning relationship dynamic. Today, I’m joined by clinical psychologist and coup…
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“Mom anxiety” often extends far beyond the postpartum period. It feels like we’re living in a scary world. We often respond by overparenting or withdrawing from experiences. But that might not be the best approach to help us learn to live with our fears and manage our anxious thoughts. Today, I’m joined by psychologist Dr. Lauren Cook, author of Ge…
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Motherhood can come with a lot of changes—identity loss, the invisible load, career impact, and relationship struggles. Moms often find themselves feeling powerless, in their lives, in their careers, and in their homes. But if we can change the dynamics in and out of the home, we can embrace power as moms and make real shifts on an individual and s…
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189: How to Raise Confident Kids with Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, Founder of The North Star Developmental Clinic
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Many moms struggle with body image and a lack of self-esteem—and we don’t want to pass those things on to our children. But understanding how to raise confident kids isn’t easy. How do we break patterns fueled by diet culture, people-pleasing, and generational cycles? Today, I’m joined by parenting educator and author Dr. Vanessa Lapointe to discus…
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Preparing your body for pregnancy can be confusing. There’s a lot of misinformation online about supplements and fertility, along with well-meaning but misguided advice from friends and family. Today, I’m joined by Leslie Schrock, author of Bumpin’ and Fertility Rules, to discuss infertility, preparing your body for pregnancy, and navigating anxiet…
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Life with littles is full of sensory inputs—noise, chaos, touch, and mess. Many moms find themselves feeling overstimulated, leading to stress and overwhelm. We often talk about self-care in terms of bubble baths and massages—but what about sensory self-care? Today I’m joined by pediatric occupational therapist Holly Peretz to discuss how overstimu…
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