BDA Baby (Before, During and After Baby)

Dr. Shannon Clark (Babies After 35) joins us today to discuss her journey through infertility and the impact of her social media account in educating others about reproductive health. Dr. Clark underwent IVF treatment and discusses the challenges she faced. She talks to us about her multiple failed embryo transfers and her complicated twin pregnancy. We discuss the importance of addressing medical misinformation, particularly on social media. Dr. Clark urges listeners to seek medical advice early in their family planning journeys and urges listeners to have proactive conversations with doctors. We discuss both the emotional and financial toll of infertility, as well as tips for managing anxiety during pregnancy. Our conversation is filled with tons of insights on all things fertility! Be sure to listen in as Dr. Clark shares invaluable advice on this important topic. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

In this episode, Dr. Aviva Romm joins us to discuss hormone health and the lifestyle and environmental factors impacting young girls and women today. With girls entering puberty at younger ages, Dr. Romm sheds light on the role of environmental factors, including endocrine disruptors that are present in everyday items. She shares practical tips for reducing exposure—covering everything from food choices to household products—while emphasizing that as parents, we are just doing our best with the information we have. Dr. Romm encourages us to make small, manageable changes and to keep conversations about puberty and health open with our kids. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Ashley Spivey joins us today to talk about infertility and pregnancy loss. She shares her journey navigating unexplained infertility. Ashley shares how she experienced multiple pregnancies and losses and the emotional toll it took on her. Throughout our conversation, Ashley highlights the importance of women trusting their instincts and the importance of asking questions during medical appointments. Ashley also speaks to us about the importance of political activism in raising awareness about stillbirth prevention, the need for better resources for families that experience pregnancy loss, and the importance of paid time off after pregnancy loss. Our conversation is emotional as Ashley shares her journey in the hopes it empowers others facing similar challenges to find the support they need and deserve. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This week, we’re joined by Jessi Malay as she shares her journey into motherhood, raising three daughters, and how she and her husband prioritize communication and boundaries to stay connected . We talk about all 3 of Jessi’s pregnancies and births, all very different experiences. Jessi opens up about the joy of watching her 3 girls grow into their unique selves while balancing the ups and downs of raising siblings. She also talks about how each of her pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum experiences were completely different, and how advocating for herself became a key lesson through it all. We dive into the importance of setting boundaries, and how she and her husband work together to balance parenting, career, and home life with healthy communication. Jessi’s story is filled with lessons on strength, partnership, and embracing every moment of motherhood. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Ashley Lemieux joins us today to talk about her journey to motherhood. In our open and honest conversation, Ashley shares the details of her pregnancy loss with us, recounting her struggles with grief after losing two children and the healing process that followed. She emphasizes the importance of community support during pregnancy and the importance of honest conversations. We reflect on the pressures of motherhood, the need for compassion both for ourselves and others, and the importance of sharing our experiences to support one another in our parenting journeys. We discuss breastfeeding, introducing solids, pregnancy loss, grief, support, societal pressures, and so much more!   

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This week, we talk with Julie Scelfo mother, journalist and, founder of MAMA (Mothers Against Media Addiction), to discuss her mission to combat media addiction in kids. Julie explains how the rising mental health crisis among youth is deeply tied to media overuse. She shares practical tips for parents on managing their kids' screen time, advocating for less tech in schools, and the importance of being aware of all types of media’s impact. We also dive into the latest legislative efforts aimed at limiting the addictive algorithms used on platforms frequented by children. 
To learn more, check out MAMA’s website at the link below! 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

My dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger, joins us today to talk about all things fatherhood! We discuss my dad’s parenting style, and he shares anecdotes from my childhood. My dad shares how his strict household rules, such as chores and curfews, ultimately shaped my siblings and I into the people we are today. He candidly shares his favorite parts of fatherhood with me, too! We discuss the joys of being a grandfather, and my dad shares how fun it is to enjoy time with his grandkids. Our conversation showcases the joys of fatherhood, and the lessons learned along the way. Be sure to tune in to this heartfelt and hilarious conversation! 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

It’s election season and a lot of us are wondering how to navigate this topic with our kids. This week on #BDABaby, we’re diving into a conversation with Lindsey Cormack, author of new book “how to raise a citizen”, all about raising kids who are thoughtful, mindful and are inspired to make positive change in their communities and the world. ! In today’s polarized world, the subject of politics and the election climate is pretty much unavoidable. Which is why it’s more important than ever to teach our children how to navigate complex topics and stay engaged in their communities. Lindsey shares her expert tips on how to talk about politics with your kids depending on their age group and how to help them understand their power to create change. No surprise here but it all starts with us as people and parents being watched by little ones, so start by leading by example.  

Check out Lindsey’s new book How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up To You To Do It) at the link below! 
https://amzn.to/3ZZA90Y

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Ariane Goldman, founder of HATCH, joins us today to talk about her company, HATCH. Ariane shares her journey and inspiration to start HATCH and how it quickly grew into an online platform that fostered a supportive community that addresses the needs of women during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. In our conversation, Ariane emphasizes the need for open and honest communication surrounding women’s health and topics such as maternity leave and postpartum. We discuss how it is important for women to have options and support during their motherhood journeys. Ariane shares her perspective on being a working mom and how she balances it all. Our conversation highlights the importance of community as well as HATCH’s evolution to serve the needs of mothers. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, this week’s episode of #BDABaby, we are joined by Ali Heitz, who opens up about her breast cancer diagnosis at just 30 years old. She shares her journey to getting diagnosed and what it felt like to be processing her diagnosis alongside making the decision to preserve her fertility. Today, Ali is cancer-free and, along with her mom, is on a mission to raise awareness about early detection. She encourages every woman to stay in tune with their body and advocate for themselves—because early detection truly makes all the difference! Ali and her mom, Kerri Rosenthal, are also teaming up with Bloomingdale’s to create a special AQUA collection for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check it out at the link below! 

https://go.shopmy.us/p-8299410 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

Aliza Sokolow joins us today to talk about all things mindful eating. We discuss the importance of introducing foods to children and how to teach children healthy eating habits. Aliza shares her journey to mindful eating with us, sharing that she had to work through her own struggles with unhealthy snacking. She shares the importance of parents modeling healthy eating to their children and how important it is that children eat a variety of different foods. Aliza shares the importance of educating parents and children on healthy eating habits and shares how impactful her work in schools has been. We discuss creative ways to engage children with food, such as visiting farmers’ markers and growing your own fruits and vegetables. Aliza shares all about her new book, This is What I Eat, with us. We speak about the importance of fostering a positive relationship with food from a young age. Our conversation covers all things eating, be sure to listen for insightful tips from Aliza! 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This week, we sit down with Catherine Reitman to explore her journey as a working mom raising a child with a rare diagnosis. Catherine opens up about her struggles with postpartum depression and the loss of identity many new moms face. She shares how these challenges inspired her to create the hit show Workin’ Moms and sheds light on the parts of motherhood that often go unspoken. We also discuss her advocacy for PANDAS, a rare autoimmune condition her son Liam was diagnosed with, and how raising awareness can help other families navigate similar experiences.

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Al Roker joins us today to talk about all things fatherhood! Al shares insights into both the challenges and joys of parenthood. Al talks about raising his special needs son, Nick, and what joy that has brought him. Al talks about the emotional milestones parents go through as their children get older, such as starting school, going off to college, and getting married. Our conversation highlights the importance of partner support and how parenting styles evolve as your children get older. Al stresses the need for open communication with your children, especially those with special needs. Our conversation covers everything from parenthood, parenting styles, parenting a special needs child, and so much more! 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This week, we're diving into the culinary world with Monique Volz, the creative force behind "The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook." Monique shares the secrets to creating easy, nutritious, and family-friendly recipes for every meal, all while juggling life as a mom to three young boys. Tune in as she dishes out expert advice on eating for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum health, and shares her passion for making nutrition accessible and delicious. Don't miss this inspiring conversation, and grab your copy of her cookbook at the link below! 

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/cookbook/ 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Dr. Jessica Zucker, psychologist and author of I Had a Miscarriage, joins us today to talk about all things pregnancy loss. Dr. Zucker shares her personal experience with miscarriage both as an individual and with her partner. She shares resources those who experienced pregnancy loss can seek out for support. Dr. Zucker shares how instrumental supportive communities are when someone is grieving pregnancy loss. Our conversation highlights the importance of open dialogue about miscarriage and pregnancy loss and addresses the need for better communication between individuals and healthcare professionals. Dr. Zucker urges listeners to open up about their experiences with pregnancy loss to end the stigma surrounding loss.

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Join us this week as Dr. Marcy Crouch, also known as The Down There Doc, dives deep into the essential topic of pelvic floor health. As a leading pelvic floor physical therapist, Dr. Crouch shares why pelvic floor therapy isn’t just for pre or postpartum patients—it’s for everyone at all phases of life! Learn how pelvic floor therapy can help alleviate symptoms, prepare for birth and postpartum, and improve overall health, whether you're a young runner, a new mom, or gave birth years ago. Discover why it's never too early or too late to prioritize your pelvic floor health. Don’t miss Dr. Crouch’s expert advice, and be sure to follow her on Instagram @thedowntheredoc for more insights

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

Dr. Sandra Lee, better known as Dr. Pimple Popper, joins us today to talk about all things skincare! Dr. Lee answers questions from viewers about skin and skincare during pregnancy and postpartum. Pregnancy limits the skincare products we can use, but Dr. Lee shares some tips and tricks she has learned as a dermatologist. We discuss preventative measures you can take during pregnancy and postpartum to prevent certain skin concerns from arising. We discuss skin changes during pregnancy and how our hormones play a role in our skin health. I share my journey with melasma and prevention steps I take to help my skin. Dr. Lee provides us with excellent knowledge regarding the complexities of skincare during both pregnancy and postpartum.

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This week, pediatrician Dr. Wendy Hunter, host of “The Pediatrician Next Door” podcast, shares must-know tips to keep your kids healthy as the new school year begins. Discover how to prevent and shorten illnesses, protect newborns, and confidently set boundaries with family to safeguard your baby’s health. Plus, get Dr. Hunter’s surprising product recommendations to stock your medicine cabinet for cold and flu season. Don’t miss these game-changing insights! Links to all recommended products are below.

Xlear Xylitol nasal Spray
https://amzn.to/3X0XuMB

Vitamin D. (Always look for "third party tested" products)
https://amzn.to/3yYmDiU

Little Noses or similar baby nasal saline spray
https://amzn.to/3yO5b0C

Nose Frida 
https://amzn.to/3yKUFqY

Active Skin repair First Aid spray (hypochlorous acid)
https://amzn.to/3Z2VWnF

Echinoforce Junior Tablets
https://amzn.to/3AKjDaw

EarPain MD
https://amzn.to/474W205

Be sure to check out Dr. Hunter's Podcast "The Pediatrician Next Door"!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pediatrician-next-door/id1665746448

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Cleo Wade, mother, author, and poet, joins us today to discuss her book “What the Road Said”. We discuss Cleo’s inspiration for her book, as well as the message Cleo wanted to bring to readers. We go down memory lane together as Cleo speaks about what inspired her to write her book. We discuss the importance of fostering a sense of curiosity with our children and why an open dialogue between parents and children is so important. Cleo talks about the potential for “What the Road Said” to spark deep conversations about personal growth and resilience between parents and children. Cleo offers invaluable advice on how to guide children through tough times and how to have open conversations with children.

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Megan McNamee of the hugely popular account, Feeding Littles, joins us this week to talk about food, kids and her new book, Feeding Littles Lunches. As a mom myself, this book is filled with so many inspirational images and ideas to get back to packing lunches and snacks fun for the whole family! The pictures and info included in the pages take the stress out of back to school lunches and provide our little ones with great nutrition while also being practical with what you’re offering your kids. I have definitely been one of those people that have watched the bento box crazes online and marveled at how fancy and creative some get but Megan reminds us that the pressure of doing that daily isn’t realistic and just getting some foods in the bento box is an accomplishment in itself!  
  
We also dive into the inspiration behind her Feeding Littles account, its huge success  and what Megan and her business partner Judy hope to teach parents through their work. at the end of the day, the most important thing is everyone being fed, whatever that looks like for you and your family. 

After that, parents can tackle things like picky eating, which turns out is partially genetics!  Megan offers great tips on how to address picky eating while understanding that learning about healthy eating is an ongoing process.  
  
Make sure to check out Marcy and Judy’s book at the link below!  
https://amzn.to/47cWU2T 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

Dr. Heather Irobunda joins us today to talk about the alarming Black maternal health crisis in the United States. Black mothers are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white mothers. Dr. Irobunda talks to us about the systemic issues Black mothers face, such as lack of access to quality healthcare and structural racism in medicine. She highlights the “health deserts” many women across the country live in and how that impacts maternal mortality rates. Dr Irobunda talks to us about the importance of creating a culturally competent healthcare system. We talk about the importance of educating yourself on social issues and advocating for change. Dr. Irobunda shares current legislation that aims to support mothers across the country. Join us to learn more about Black maternal mortality and what we can do to ensure that every mother is set up for success. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

If you follow John Kanell of Preppy Kitchen on Instagram, you know how beautiful and delicious he makes everything look, so today we jump into how he makes it all work as a dad to two, plus his new cookbook! John shared different tips and tricks he has learned about parenthood that he can apply in the kitchen, one of them that I loved, using cooking or baking together to weave in some life lessons and positive affirmations. One of my favorite parts about John and what he put out into the world is his positivity. We talk about how he maintains this level of optimism and how he tries to have it rub off on his friends and family. From math teacher to online chef/dad extraordinaire, John shares all his experiences and gets us excited for his new cookbook out now!  Preppy Kitchen Super Easy.   
  
Make sure to click the link below to buy a copy for yourself!  
https://preppykitchen.com/my-new-cookbook/ 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Dr. Sara Reardon, better known as The Vagina Whisperer, joins us today to talk about all things pelvic floor health! She explains what the pelvic floor actually is and why it is such an important and vital part of our bodies. We discuss all things pelvic floor therapy and why she personally recommends that all women should have at least one therapy visit postpartum. The Vagina Whisperer talks to us about common pelvic floor issues, and she offers insight into how to relax the pelvic floor to attempt to mitigate issues. We discuss how daily movement is important to only to our pelvic floor but to our overall health as well. The Vagina Whisperer talks to us about the need for better communication with healthcare providers, especially during postpartum recovery. She answers questions submitted by listeners, and she highlights the often-overlooked challenges women face regarding pelvic floor issues. Join us for this informative and insightful conversation! 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Truth- Ever since becoming a mom, pediatrician chats are some of my favorite ones. So for this weeks super interesting convo, Dr. Joel Walsh AKA DR. Gator joins us to talk about all things parenting and childhood. Dr. Gator is a board certified pediatrician and the author of his newly launched book, Parenting at Your Child’s Pace: The Integrative Pediatrician’s Guide to the First Three Years. Dr. Gator‘s approach to parenting and pediatrics are similar, trust your gut and go back to the basics. He stresses the importance of being a parent that cares for your own mental health and well being and the benefits that has on your kids in return. In a world where information. Overload is at and all time high , i asked Dr gator what he says to parents, like myself, who might feel overwhelmed by all that is being thrown at us daily on social media and in the world. Dr gator reminds us that doing what’s best for our families and our kids is the greatest way to we can raise our kids and giving ourselves grace as we learn is super important as well. One of the big issues he touches on in his book is the spike in chronic health issues in kids. He refers to them as the S.E.E.D.S of wellbeing: Stress, Environment, Exercise, Diet, and Sleep. Dr. Gator expands on these in today’s episode and encourages parents to prioritize these S.E.E.D.S in their lives and their children’s lives. To learn more, make sure to check out Dr. Gator’s book at the link below. 

https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Your-Childs-Pace-Pediatricians/dp/1454952490 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Dr. Cassidy Freitas, “Dr. Cassidy”, joins us today to talk all things sex and partner relationships! Dr. Cassidy shares why it is important to discuss roles, expectations, support systems, and partner love languages prior to baby’s arrival in order to mitigate partner conflict. Dr. Cassidy stresses to listeners the importance of being proactive with your partner to help the dynamic after baby. She talks to us about the science behind partner dynamics changing post babies and how to best handle partner neglect post-baby. Dr. Cassidy talks to us about sex before, during, and after baby. Dr. Cassidy shares her scale system with us, which helps facilitate communication around sex. She stresses the importance of communication in general and especially after all the changes a baby brings.  

Our conversation covers everything from partner relationships and dynamics, sex, boundaries, recovery after baby, postpartum depression, how to be a proactive partner, and so much more! Join us as Dr. Cassidy provides invaluable advice and resources for the postpartum period.

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Peloton instructor and author, Emma Lovewell, joins us this week to share her journey to well known fitness guru and fill us in on her pregnancy so far. We dive into how she tapped into her “masculine energy” that landed her a leading role at Peloton and what she’s learned from stepping outside her comfort zone to land in the amazing career she’s in today. Not only is Emma thriving in the fitness world, but she also dug deep and put out an inspirational and motivational book: Live, Learn Love Well: Lessons from a life of progress not perfection, available now.  
When it comes to her pregnancy we touched on the importance of movement to keep your mind and body in a good place during your pregnancy and also how it can set you up for success postpartum. Just recently Emma has launched a special class called “Cradle Your Core” designed to help prepare your core and pelvic floor for childbirth as well as to help heal during the postpartum period. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Sarah Wright Olsen joins us today to talk about the best ways to introduce new siblings! She discusses how to introduce siblings to a new baby and talks about the importance of using specific language during the introduction. Sarah talks to us about how to navigate sibling jealousy and provides us with some tips to help mitigate jealousy. She talks to us about the importance of all your children knowing you are on the same team. Sarah also talks to us about postpartum and the importance of taking care of yourself after you have a baby. She shares her three tried and true pieces of postpartum recovery: nourishing your body, caring for your baby, and nourishing your mind. We talk about the wild postpartum hormone changes and how to battle mom guilt. Join us for as we cover everything from announcing pregnancy to new siblings to postpartum recovery! 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This week, we’re joined by wellness expert, board certified pediatrician and best selling author, Dr. Taz Bhatia. We do a deep dive into all things hormones for all phases of life. Whether its hormones in adolescence, pregnancy/postpartum or menopause, your hormones have a huge impact in your overall health and wellness. She emphasizes the importance of getting tested to know what our baseline or “normal” hormone levels are so that when issues arise as we get older, we can know where to look and what to supplement. Dr. Taz stresses that hormone health starts with gut health, and that we should focus on a healthy gut as early as are able. We also take a look at pregnancy and postpartum, and how our hormones fluctuate in those phases of growing a baby, birthing and healing. To learn even more, make sure to check out Dr. Taz’s book The Hormone Shift which goes into even greater detail on each of the different hormone phases of life.

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Dr. Shefali joins us today to talk about how to be a conscious parent and how to nurture a strong bond between siblings. Dr. Shefali discusses her latest book, The Parenting Map, and how important it is for parents to be self-aware. She talks to us about the importance of avoiding comparisons between siblings and how important it is to focus on who kids are, not what they do. Dr. Shefali discusses the importance of celebrating each child and their own unique interests. We speak about inclusion and ways to foster inclusion in sibling relationships.  

Our conversation covers everything from parenting tips and tricks, sibling rivalry, sharing toys, and how to teach children to be resilient. Dr. Shefali offers invaluable parenting insights and shares ways parents can help children be great siblings. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This week, Lea Michele joins us to share updates as she prepares to welcome her second baby. We discuss how this pregnancy differs from her first and explore the many life changes she's experienced since our last conversation. Lea talks about the challenges of returning to full-time work as a mama, moving back to New York City, and raising a toddler all at once. She also opens up about her journey to conception with her second baby (a little girl!), along with her diagnoses of PCOS and endometriosis. Join us as we delve into the realities of being a working mom while preparing for baby number two. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Lauryn Bosstick, wife, mom, and creator of The Skinny Confidential, joins us today to talk about all things postpartum! Lauryn talks to us about her experience with a hormone doctor and how essential it was for her to get her health in check after giving birth to her firstborn. Lauryn suffered from postpartum anxiety and intrusive thoughts and shares her experience treating both after baby. Lauryn opens up about her struggle with her body image postpartum and how she learned to be patient with herself in this new period. She shares how she found the beauty in simple routines and how habit stacking became her new norm as she fell into the rhythm of motherhood.  

Our conversation covers everything from body changes post-baby, hormone imbalances, self-care rituals, and the importance of partner support. Lauryn offers invaluable insight into taking care of yourself postpartum and the importance of a good support system.

This week, Keltie Knight joins us to discuss her health journey over the past ten years, which led to her having a hysterectomy. Like many women, Keltie struggled for years with painful periods and was often dismissed by doctors who attributed her pain to womanhood. She was advised to have a better work-life balance and to de-stress. Years later, Keltie learned she was dealing with a rare form of anemia and After a long journey with multiple doctors and failed treatments, Keltie and her doctor decided that a hysterectomy was the solution. Now, in the early stages of recovery, Keltie is open about her choice to remove her uterus to prioritize her health and well-being. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Jason and Lauren Kennedy join us today to talk about their journey to parenthood. They speak to us about what led them to pursue fertility testing and how important it was that they have faith and trust in God’s timing. As an IVF baby herself, Lauren found out that in order to become pregnant, she would need to undergo IVF herself. Lauren shares her experience changing fertility doctors and deep diving into the root causes of her infertility. Jason and Lauren share how they discovered the importance of being patient while struggling with infertility. They share how they both strive to keep a peaceful and stress-free home, even when undergoing IVF. Jason and Lauren share how they became closer as a couple during their IVF journey and the importance of verbalizing your needs to your partner.  

Our conversation covers everything from infertility, faith, communication, IVF, and so much more! Jason and Lauren both offer invaluable insights on different ways one can support someone through infertility and IVF.

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

This week, toddler experts Kristin and Deena of Big Little Feelings (@biglittlefeelings) and sensory play genius Myriam of MotherCould (@mothercould) join us to talk about the hidden hazards of batteries in the home and the small changes you can make to help keep your kids safe. This conversation is in partnership with Energizer and their world’s first 3-in-1 Child Shield™.

To learn more click here: https://bit.ly/3zCepNl [bit.ly]

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Join us today as we rerelease the first ever episode of BDA Baby! Erica Chidi, author, health educator, and co-founder of LOOM joins us today to discuss all things menstrual cycles and fertility. She speaks to us about the importance of knowing your own body and why tracking your menstrual cycle is so important. Erica educates us on the best time to start a prenatal vitamin and the difference between a multivitamin and a prenatal vitamin. She shares how stress, lifestyle, and one’s environment impacts fertility and what one can do to prepare to conceive. Erica covers each menstrual cycle in depth and discusses pros and cons of different birth control methods.  
  
Our conversation covers everything from how to prepare to conceive, infertility, menstrual cycles, and the different ways in which one can support the fertility process. Erica provides tips on how to open a conversation with doctors about menstrual cycles and infertility. Erica offers invaluable insights, advice, and so much more in this episode! 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Mother, Olympian, and New York Times Best Selling author, Shawn Johnson East joins us today to discuss intergenerational parenting. When Shawn was pregnant with her first baby, her parents moved across the country in order to support her as she entered motherhood. Shawn’s parents are super hands on in raising their grandchildren and come over to her home every day. For this to work, Shawn talks about the importance of strong communication with your partner and the importance of finding common ground with your partner when it comes to parenting. She speaks to us about raising active children and how to foster a wild and crazy energy in children. We did this interview when Shawn was pregnant with her third baby so I asked her what it was like to share the exciting news with her two older children. Through her motherhood journey, just a few years in, Shawn talked about how she shifted into a confident parent and how she has created a tight, trusted circle she can lean on when she needs parenting advice. 

Our conversation covers everything from the craziness of having toddlers while pregnant, communication, the difference between only children and multiple children, the importance of involved grandparents, and so much more! 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This week, creator of the SNOO and baby sleep guru, Dr. Harvey Karp, along with his daughter Lexi Montée Busch, join us to talk about—yep, you guessed it—SLEEP! Anyone who’s had a newborn in their home knows that this is a major and often joked-about subject when bringing a new baby into the world, and Dr. Karp is here to help. 

Dr. Karp offers advice on how to prep before the baby arrives, and we dive into multigenerational parenting when it comes to the subject of sleep. Dr. Karp is also known for his 5 S’s: swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking; and how to use them to calm your baby and get them ready to fall asleep and stay asleep for a nice stretch at night, giving parents the rest they need to stay healthy and well. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Toddler experts Kristin and Deena of Big Little Feelings (@biglittlefeelings) join us today to talk all things toddlers! Kristin and Deena have been best friends since they were 14 years old and began their Instagram account by showing up in a real, raw, and authentic way. We talk about how different parenting today is than how it was when we were raised. Kristin and Deena talk about the misconceptions of “gentle parenting” and how we can raise strong children. They share tips to help parents provide their children with tools in order to cope with their feelings. We talk about the best time during tantrums to talk to our children. 

Our conversation covers everything from screen time, travel with children, tantrums, gentle parenting, boundaries, and setting reasonable expectations. These ladies offer valuable insight into the toddler years and how crucial setting reasonable expectations is. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

This week, Tara Lipinski joins us to discuss her fertility journey, filled with ups and downs, and the beautiful moment she became a mother. After a five-year struggle with miscarriages, procedures, and an emotional rollercoaster, Tara and her husband Todd decided to pursue surrogacy to fulfill their dreams of becoming parents.

Now very open about her fertility struggles, Tara walks us through the time she endured so much pain behind closed doors and her decision to publicly share her journey to motherhood. She hopes to connect with others who might find themselves in a similar situation. Tara discusses her experiences with IVF and her efforts to find an explanation for her unexplained infertility before settling on surrogacy.

This journey is no walk in the park for couples, and Tara shares how she and Todd kept their relationship healthy during the process of starting their family. We also talk about her relationship with their surrogate and how they supported each other before and after their daughter’s birth. Georgie is eight months old now, and though motherhood isn’t always easy, Tara shares how she tries to soak in every moment now that her baby girl is finally here.

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Fertility doctor Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh (Dr. Aimee) joins us today to speak about all things fertility! Dr. Aimee speaks with us about her innovative approach to fertility care that begins with diagnostic testing before treatment. She shares her two methods to fertility testing, the Tushy Method and the Balls Method. She speaks to us about the importance of paying attention to your menstrual cycle, as well as the importance of having a quality healthcare team. We cover all things ovulation and Dr. Aimee fills us in on what having “good eggs” really means. Dr. Aimee shares her positive approach to fertility with us and speaks about the importance of making sure that the journey to having a baby is joyful. 
  
We cover everything from fertility testing, menstrual cycles, ovulation, birth control, PCOS, stress, and so much more! Dr. Aimee offers valuable insights into the importance of understanding your fertility and the importance of planning for your future. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Author, social physiologist, and parenting partner, Jonathan Haidt joins us this week to discuss his book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. In this interview, we explore the impact of screen time and social media on younger generations and the importance of returning to a play-based childhood through clear boundaries with technology. 

Jonathan offers straightforward advice for parents on how to implement effective boundaries to delay and monitor screen time. He emphasizes the need for parents to come together to create an environment that allows children to experience a childhood centered around play, friendship, and outdoor activities. He argues that our fears about the dangers of the outdoors should be redirected towards the overuse of screens, enabling our kids to grow up in a healthier way. 

We delve into the four norms he proposes to achieve these changes and stress the crucial need for all parents to unite in making these changes possible in our children’s lives and schools. I encourage everyone to listen to this interview and consider the compelling facts Jonathan presents, so we can raise a healthy generation of kids. 

Be sure to visit https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/ for more information and resources. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Nikki and Brie Garcia, sisters, mothers, and reality TV stars, join us today to discuss an extremely important topic, postpartum depression (PPD). Nikki opens up about her struggle with postpartum depression and shares the eye-opening reality she experienced when she became a mom herself. She shares her experience with the stigma of postpartum depression and how she went about making her support system (her partner, her friends, and other moms) aware of her diagnosis. Nikki shares with us how she learned about the importance of strong communication and prayer and meditation to get through tough times. We talk about how doctors are seeing the highest rates of postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety ever due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and we discuss becoming new mothers in the height of the pandemic. Nikki shares with us the best ways one can be supportive to new mothers and to mothers battling postpartum depression.  

Our conversation covers everything from breastfeeding, new motherhood, feeling lonely, postpartum depression, and so much more! Nikki offers insights into how to best support new mothers in their new season of life. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Today we’re chatting with mama, model, businesswoman and influencer, Iskra Lawrence to talk all things pregnancy, home births and her fertility journey. Iskra has been and open book about her longer than anticipated journey to get pregnant with her second baby and why she’s such a believer in gods timing. While the journey came with heartache, she learned that patience and listening to her body has brought her second pregnancy at the perfect time. Of course we talked about her first home birth and whether she’s doing that again, plus all the things she learned from her first pregnancy and delivery journey that allows her to feel super prepared this time around. We also talked about body image which Iskra has been open about way before becoming a mama, and how she feels about her body as she grows her baby. Hint- positive affirmations and reminding yourself your body is growing a little human 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Iskra Lawrence, mother, model, entrepreneur, and positive body image advocate joins us today to speak about all things new motherhood. Iskra had a home birth a little over a year ago and speaks to us about her labor experience. She talks about the pressure placed on women to bounce back and how to handle a new body after giving birth. She talks about accepting and loving all the “newness” that comes with motherhood. Iskra speaks about giving yourself grace and forgiving yourself when things get hard during pregnancy, postpartum, and new motherhood. Katherine and Iskra speak about the unique challenges the Covid-19 pandemic presented while pregnant and after becoming a mother.  

Our conversation covers everything from pregnancy, exercising during pregnancy, hormones, the wild ride that can be postpartum, becoming a new person with motherhood, and so much more! Iskra offers listeners insights about supporting both the new and seasons mothers in your life. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Whitney Port joins us this week to update us on her fertility journey as she continues to try for baby number two. We talk about how she has navigated infertility, her experience with egg freezing and her thoughts surrounding surrogacy. Whitney has been open about her experience and the ups and downs that come with infertility, plus her choice to be vulnerable about such a personal subject. She also provides advice for those experiencing similar fertility struggles and what she wishes she had known before entering into the world of treatment. She encourages others in similar circumstances to advocate for themselves and to remember that they are not alone. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Jacey Duprie, mother, entrepreneur, and best-selling author joins us today to speak about her challenging pregnancy and postpartum with her first born, as well as her struggle with secondary infertility and adenomyosis. Jacey talks about trusting your gut when it comes to your health and about grieving and accepting the fact that she will not be able to be pregnant again. She reflects on how meditation, therapy, and practicing gratitude have been beneficial in accepting her diagnosis. Jacey gives listeners advice on what to say (and what not to say) when someone shares their struggles with infertility. Jacey reflects on how important it is to remain kind to yourself and others, especially when dealing with life’s challenges.  

Our conversation covers everything from infertility, PCOS, adenomyosis, meditation, the importance of therapy and communicating with your partner, tips on what to say (and what not to say) when someone shares their infertility diagnosis, the importance of validating your feelings, and so much more! Jacey offers insights about supporting others and the importance of trusting your gut.

Olivia Culpo joins us today to discuss her endometriosis diagnosis and how through her advocacy work, she hopes she can shine a much needed light on this subject impacting so many women. Over the past few years, Olivia has decided to be open on social media about her experience with endometriosis. She’s documented the pain, the journey to get a diagnosis and the procedures she’s undergone to get to the place she’s in today. Gaining confidence and being educated around the subject, allows Olivia to be open about the subject and be a prominent voice in the advocacy work around those living with endometriosis.  Olivia tells us that being able to share her experience has not only been therapeutic for her but she does it with the goal of allowing others to see themselves in her story and hopefully feel better educated than she was so they aren’t waiting 10 years like Olivia did to get some answers on what was causing her so much pain. 

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Dylan Dreyer joins us today to discuss different aspects of her motherhood journey. Dylan is an author, meteorologist, and mother of two who experienced a miscarriage and secondary infertility during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She shares about the guilt she felt while experiencing secondary infertility, as well as the loneliness that often comes with infertility and miscarriage. Dylan provides listeners with tips on how to support someone who has experienced a miscarriage. She speaks to us about her different breastfeeding journeys with her two sons and how she developed D-MER with her second son. Dylan offers listeners advice about staying optimistic despite struggling with a miscarriage and infertility.Our conversation covers everything from infertility, second infertility guilt, fertility testing, miscarriage, C-sections, breastfeeding, and more! Dylan offers insights about supporting other women battling infertility and how we can support each other as moms.

Emily Oster joins us again today in our first episode of our new format to discuss her new book “The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications” co-authored by Nathan Fox. Emily’s data driven approach brings comfort to parents everywhere and this book is no different. After years of receiving questions from readers about approaching a second pregnancy when the first one didn’t go as planned, Emily decided to create this book to help inform and educate parents about the reality that about 50% of pregnancies include complications. Whether its miscarriage, hyperemesis gravid arum. preterm birth or postpartum education, Emily provides us all with the necessary information to make next pregnancies as smooth as possible.  

Our conversation goes deep into questions provided by all of you! Emily offers insights about epidurals, home births, miscarriage, hyperemesis gravidarum, postpartum depression, VBAC's, induction and how to not let panic headlines cause a panic. Join us as we examine the topics of empowerment and advocating for yourself in doctors appointments and providing you with all the data you need to make informed decisions. 
  
Be sure to pick up a copy of the must have “The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications” and continue with Emily on her podcast ParentData! 


Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video! 

Katharine has been incredibly open about her history with disordered eating, and during her pregnancy was worried that she was slipping back into old patterns. I can’t tell you how many people have written in and asked for us to cover the subject of self love while you are growing a baby, especially those who have recovered from disordered eating. There is anxiety and stress around our bodies growing and getting bigger as we create a home for a baby, and I loved that Katharine shared her feelings that she had toward this and what helped her in her journey.  
 
For many of us who are pregnant or have been pregnant, the fourth trimester or life postpartum can feel daunting, but Katharine shared to her surprise, that her postpartum journey was filled with so much gratitude, not only for what her body was able to do, but for how she looked. A huge and monumental step and transition for Katharine. I hope this conversation can help allow us to shift the way we think, recognize that we don’t know what everyone is going through, and even if you disagree with someone, maybe there isn’t a need to say anything at all. Mothers are miraculous and amazing creatures, and they all deserve a little grace. Thank you Katharine for joining me!

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt and her mom, Maria Shriver, are celebrating Mother’s Day this year with The Grandmother Project, a heartwarming interview series about grandmothers, mothers and the many aspects of multi-generational parenting. For the fourth and final episode, Maria and Katherine interview Camila Alves McConaughey and her mother-in-law, Kay McConaughey,  to talk about their journey to a beautiful relationship, ma Mac’s presence in their families life and respecting different parenting styles. In honor of these multi-generational relationships, Katherine and Maria partnered with Babylist and Nuna to highlight real and heartwarming stories along with the many ups and downs of navigating new roles as grandmother and mother.

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt and her mom, Maria Shriver, are celebrating Mother’s Day this year with The Grandmother Project, a heartwarming interview series about grandmothers, mothers and the many aspects of multi-generational parenting. For the third episode, Maria and Katherine interview Pia Baroncini and her mother, Margit Arrobio, to talk about  living together, being on the same page about parenting and Pia’s pregnancy journey. In honor of these multi-generational relationships, Katherine and Maria partnered with Babylist and Nuna to highlight real and heartwarming stories along with the many ups and downs of navigating new roles as grandmother and mother.

I am so thrilled to welcome @nabela back to BDA today! We last spoke when she was pregnant with her daughter, and now she is pregnant with her second daughter! Nabela has been so open and honest about the experience of being a mom, sharing both the good and the bad. Nabela spoke about how she posts her “Pockets of Peace” which are moments of the day that she is grateful for. She embraces choosing joy and happiness, but not toxic positivity, which is why we also addressed the very real issue of mom shaming. Nabela has been very open about unsolicited comments and advice that comes with sharing her life, and the very real impact that can have on her mental wellbeing. But, she also shared that only you can determine the power that someone else’s words have! 
 
We also chatted about life with 2 daughters close in age, as my girls are 19 months apart, and Nabela’s will be a little closer. I’m so excited for her and her family to have the joy of a new baby, more love, and we all should celebrate along with them. Thank you as always, Nabela, for sharing your time and your positivity with me! Sign up for today’s newsletter for more insight and some of my favorite things!

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt and her mom, Maria Shriver, are celebrating Mother’s Day this year with The Grandmother Project, a heartwarming interview series about grandmothers, mothers and the many aspects of multi-generational parenting. For the second episode, Maria and Katherine interview Team2Moms’, Ebony and Denise, and their mothers, Sharon and Zoraida, to talk about their love of grandmotherhood, communicating when disagreements come up, going off schedule and the way they hope their grandchildren will remember them. In honor of these multi-generational relationships, Katherine and Maria partnered with Babylist and Nuna to highlight real and heartwarming stories along with the many ups and downs of navigating new roles as grandmother and mother.

So thrilled to have Dr. Becky Kennedy back on BDA, in honor of her brand new, amazing book, “Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be.” We covered so many topics in today’s chat, including why Dr. Becky starts with “Good Inside,” tips on being an effective parent rather than a soft or too harsh parent, and how we can think of parenting more of setting our kids up for life, not just the moment. I can’t recommend listening to this conversation enough, buying her book, following her, and taking her courses. The insight she provides is not just helpful as a parent, but as a human. Thank you for taking the time with us! For even more, make sure to sign up for the BDA Baby Newsletter in my link in bio. See you next week! 🍼#BDABaby 

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt and her mom, Maria Shriver, are celebrating Mother’s Day this year with The Grandmother Project, a heartwarming interview series about grandmothers, mothers and the many aspects of multi-generational parenting. For the first episode, Maria and Katherine interview Gayle King and her daughter, Kirby Bumpus, to talk about Gayle’s entrance into grandmotherhood, parenting styles, and exactly how they landed on the perfect — and non-traditional — grandma nickname for Gayle.  
  
In honor of these multi-generational relationships, Katherine and Maria partnered with Babylist and Nuna to highlight real and  
heartwarming stories along with the many ups and downs of navigating new roles as grandmother and mother.

You will not want to miss today’s jam packed episode with Emily Oster! I received so many questions on the topics of sleeping, feeding (breast, formula, weaning, toddler, allergies), and sex… and we might have gotten through about half? Emily is so wonderfully matter of fact in the way she answers, which is honestly so refreshing. She makes it so easy at times to cut through the noise, to figure out what you should be doing, and is truly a wealth of information. I hope you listen to this conversation, get so many answers about all of the above, and follow Emily for more! You can also subscribe to my newsletter in my link in bio for my insight and information! See you next week.

Lea Michele joins us to talk about motherhood, her fertility journey and her nerve-wracking pregnancy (in the pandemic). Lea, like many, went off birth control with the intention of getting pregnant and then found out she had PCOS (polycyclic ovarian syndrome). She talks about the several procedures and treatment she underwent to try and get pregnant and the decision to take her focus off her dream pregnancy to get some relief. It was then that Lea and her husband, Zandy, found out they were pregnant. Lea’s pregnancy was filled with ups and downs; bleeding in her first trimester, bed rest and mediation to help maintain her pregnancy; all of which she did privately, behind closed doors. Finally, the birth of her healthy baby boy, Ever, brought her joy and relief, allowing her to live the dream she had always wanted; to be a mother. Lea also talks about leaning on her mother for childcare and support, especially on this day, to make this interview possible. :)

Dr. Cassidy Freitas, Ph.D., and maternal mental health specialist, talked about one of our most popular subjects to date: sex after baby. This is a subject that no one really prepares anyone for, and it is one that can cause a huge shift in your relationship after welcoming a baby into the world. This is a subject that Dr. Cassidy tackles in a very approachable and informative way, providing us with ways to bring up the subject with our partners in advance, keeping an open line of communication between partners, and also being open about the changes that will come physically, mentally, and emotionally as you enter parenthood. I think anyone who watches this episode will leave feeling calmer and more confident about sex after baby and knowing you have Dr. Cassidy's expert words of wisdom to guide you as things pop up because parenthood is a long and beautiful journey.

Jessica Alba chats about being a mother of three kids, balancing parenting with work (founder of Honest Company), and her journey of self-discovery and self-reflection since entering motherhood. If you’re a mama or makeup lover, I'm sure you’ve heard of Jessica’s other baby, The Honest Company, which she began her journey with while pregnant with her first child. We talked about her unique relationships with each of her kids, the decision to start therapy with them, and navigating a new way of parenting that allows her to constantly learn and evolve as a mother to her kids.

Dr. Sara Rierdon also known on social media as The Vagina Whisperer, dives deep into all things pelvic floor health. If you’re like me and didn’t hear about pelvic floor health until pregnancy, Sara explains why we have gone from never discussing our pelvic floor and vaginal health, to discussing it opening as women today. She talks about her work as a pelvic floor physical therapist and why this is a subject and space that impacts women at all phases of life. She also talks about why being aware of your strengths and weaknesses of your pelvic floor helps as you age and go through life events like pregnancy, childbirth (both vaginal and c sections), postpartum wellness and changes the vagina goes through as we age. Issues like painful sex, urinary incontinence, pelvic floor discomfort and so much more are touched on in this episode. give it a listen to hear your questions answered and Dr. Sara bring out her vagina model to make sure all is explained to the best ability.

BDA Baby™ (Before, During & After Baby) is an interview-based series hosted by New York Times bestselling author, mother, wife and advocate, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt. Each week, Katherine has meaningful conversations with experts, notable specialists, and friends, covering topics that resonate with the BDA Baby community surrounding pregnancy, sex, partner relationships, birth experiences, fertility challenges, health and wellness, and so much more.