More than Milestones
Hosted by pediatric physical therapist Dr. KC Rickerd, More Than Milestones is a podcast that goes beyond baby checklists to explore real motherhood, child development, relationships, and everything in between. Each week, KC brings conversations with trusted professionals and relatable stories from fellow moms, offering expert-backed education and honest, unfiltered support. The show blends practical advice on motor development, big kid emotions, and parenting stages with humor and community, reminding listeners that it's always more than milestones.
Episodes
47. Movement After Miscarriage, Mom Guilt, and Keeping Something for Yourself with Amy Haas
Why do so many moms feel guilty the second they do something just for themselves?I sat down with Amy Haas, a running and strength coach, the creator behind Race Across the States, and a brand new mom to a baby girl. Amy has run a half marathon in all 50 states, which took her about 10 years. Running carried her through some really hard seasons, including a miscarriage before her daughter was born.
46. What Counts as a Word? Toddler Speech Milestones, Late Talkers, and When Not to Wait with Pediatric SLP Caley Nunnally
Does "bah" count as a word? What about the sign for more? And if you're told to wait and see, but something in your gut is telling you not to...then what?My son has been in speech therapy since he was about 17 months old, so this one is personal. As a physical therapist, motor milestones have always felt pretty concrete to me. If a baby isn't rolling, we see it. Speech never fe
45. Are Babies Actually Different Now, or Is Everything Around Them? What's Really Behind the Shift in Baby Development (Part 2 with Carly Clearwater)
Six weeks. Eight weeks. That's when so many of us are back at work, pumping in a bathroom or a shuttle bus or wherever we can grab a few minutes. Nobody tells you that stretch, the schedule, the container time, how much of a village you actually have, is quietly shaping how your baby moves and grows too.This is part two of the conversation I started with my mom about how infant milestones hav
44. Baby Milestones Then vs. Now: What’s Changed & Why - Perspectives from a Pediatric PT of 40+ Years
Bonus Episode: My Mom, the OG Pediatric PT, on What Tummy Time Really Looked LikeSurprise! This one's a bonus episode, and it's personal. 🤍 I sat down with the OG pediatric PT herself, my mom, Susan Swiat, who spent 40 years in early intervention, to talk about what parenting actually looked like before the Back to Sleep campaign changed everything and before the baby container industry
43. What 8.5 Years of Not Sleep Training Taught Me About Trusting My Gut (Season 1 Finale)
After eight and a half years of helping my three kids fall asleep every single night, no sleep training, no cry it out, this past weekend they told me they were ready to try it on their own. This is the story of that night, what I didn't expect to feel, and the honest update on what's happened since 💛I'm getting real about what it took to trust my gut through years of doubt, comment
42. Beyond Stretching and Exercises: How the Nervous System Impacts Pain, Movement & Your Child's Development with Taylor Kruse
I am so excited to share this conversation with you 🎙️I sat down with Taylor Kruse, co-founder of Kruse Elite and a strength and mobility coach specializing in applied neurology, and honestly, this episode opened my eyes in ways I wasn't expecting, even as a physical therapist myself.We break down why so many pain and movement issues actually start in the nervous system, not the muscle or joi
41. Raising a Highly Sensitive Child: The Neuroscience of Big Feelings with Dr. Aoife Durcan
Raising highly sensitive children: the neuroscience of big feelings, co-regulation, and supporting sensitive kids.In this episode of More Than Milestones, I am joined by Dr. Aoife Durcan, chartered counseling psychologist, author of Your Highly Sensitive Child, and founder of Highly Sensitive Psychologist, to explore what it really means to raise a highly sensitive child.Roughly 30% of children ar
40. The Power of Play: How Inclusive Spaces Shape Childhood and Belonging with G Cody QJ Goldberg
Inclusive playgrounds, accessibility, and why play matters for everyone.In this episode of More Than Milestones, I am joined by Cody Goldberg, co-founder and Chief Play Officer of Harper's Playground, to explore the power of inclusive playgrounds and why accessible play spaces are about so much more than play.Inspired by his daughter Harper's experience navigating the world with a rare g
39. The Hormone Revolution: What Women Were Never Taught About Their Bodies with Mariah Berendt
PMS, painful periods, and how to support your body through nutritionIn this episode of More Than Milestones, I am joined by Mariah Berendt, a holistic nutritionist and menstrual cycle educator, to unpack the truth about hormone health, PMS, and why so many women feel “off” for years without real answers.We talk about how common symptoms like painful periods, mood swings, fatigue, and cravings are
38. Financial Literacy for Parents: Budgeting, Investing, and Raising Money-Smart Kids with Hannah Rein
In this episode of More Than Milestones, I’m sitting down with Hannah Rein, CPA, mom of three, and co-founder of Financially Engaged, to talk about financial literacy in a way that actually feels doable for real life. Because the truth is, most of us were never taught this.We break down the foundational pieces of personal finance, including budgeting, investing, debt payoff, and long-term financia
37. Low-Tox Living Without the Overwhelm: Simple Swaps, Safer Cleaning and Real-Life Wellness Habits
Non-toxic living is everywhere right now, but for most moms it does not feel empowering. It feels overwhelming.In this episode of More Than Milestones, I am joined by wellness educator Samantha Gutierrez to break down what low-tox living actually looks like in real life and how to approach it without fear, perfection, or falling into endless research rabbit holes.We talk about how to make simple,
36. Breaking Parenting Cycles: Emotional Regulation for Parents and Kids with Jon Fogel
How do you handle tantrums, big emotions, and discipline without yelling or punishment?In this episode of More Than Milestones, I sit down with parenting researcher & author Jon Fogel to break down what is actually happening in your child’s brain during meltdowns and why so many of us feel triggered in those moments. We talk about the difference between punishment and consequences, why traditi
35. Dyslexia in Children: Early Signs, ADHD Overlap & How to Support Neurodivergent Kids
What are the early signs of dyslexia in children and how can parents support neurodivergent kids?In this episode of More Than Milestones, I sit down with Dr. Jacob Santhouse, a counselor specializing in dyslexia and ADHD, to break down what dyslexia actually is and why it is often misunderstood. We talk about how dyslexia impacts language processing, working memory, and reading development, and wh
34. Tongue Tie Truths: Evidence, Risks, and Informed Decisions
Feeling unsure about tongue ties or overwhelmed by conflicting advice? This episode breaks down what actually matters so you can make confident decisions for your child without fear or pressure.In this roundtable conversation, I’m joined by Dr Yvonne LeFort NABBLM-C, Kara Larson CCC-SLP, and Brianna Mulik CCC-SLP—three experts in pediatric feeding, swallowing, and breastfeeding medicine to unpack
33. Traditional Chinese Medicine for Modern Motherhood: Supporting Women’s Health, Energy Balance & Family Wellness with Dr. Felice Chan
Ancient wisdom has a lot to offer modern motherhood, especially when it comes to supporting our bodies, emotions, and families in a more holistic way. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Felice Chan, a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine and the founder of Felice Acupuncture and Moonbow. We talk about how using practices from traditional Chinese medicine, like acupuncture, herbal medi
32. Preparing for Labor & Delivery: What to Expect, Birth Options & Making Informed Decisions with Lo Mansfield
Preparing for pregnancy, labor, and delivery can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make informed decisions about testing, birth plans, and the support team around you. In this episode, I’m joined by Lo Mansfield, RN, certified lactation consultant, mom of four, and the voice behind The Labor Mama. With years of experience in labor and postpartum nursing, Lo walks us through an ho
31. Brain-Based Treatment 101: How Applied Functional Neurology Supports Kids’ Development and Adult Recovery
Feeling stuck when it comes to your child’s development or your own body can be incredibly frustrating, and sometimes the missing piece isn’t where you think it is. In this episode, I’m joined by neuro educator Missy Bunch, who shares how her own career-ending knee injury as a professional dancer led her to discover the powerful connection between the brain, nervous system, and body. Through her w
30. Creating a Peaceful Home: Intentional Parenting, Supporting Sibling Dynamics & Supporting Our Children in Navigating Friendships with Dr. Hanaa Ghannoum
Creating a peaceful home doesn’t come from perfect parenting; it comes from practicing presence, compassion, and intention. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Hanaa Ghannoum, parenting coach, mom of three, and founder of Peace Within Home. With a PhD in early childhood and curriculum studies, Dr. Hanaa helps parents raise their children with calm, confidence, and connection while also doing the in
29. Your Menstrual Cycle Explained: Hormones, Reproductive Health & Advocating for Yourself with Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins
Hormones influence far more than just our menstrual cycle, yet many women reach adulthood realizing how little they were ever taught about their own bodies. Today I’m joined by Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins, a board-certified OB/GYN and passionate advocate for women’s health education. Together, we unpack why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies, why female health has historically been overl
28. Perimenopause As a Reset, Not a Breakdown: Hormones, Nutrition, and Strength for Moms with Dr. Amy Shah
Perimenopause isn’t a sudden switch, it’s a gradual shift that can begin years before most women realize what’s happening. I sit down with Dr. Amy Shah, double board certified MD and nutrition expert, to unpack what perimenopause actually is, why women’s symptoms have historically been misunderstood in medicine, and how to feel empowered instead of blindsided during this transition. Together, we r
27. Rewrite Your Parenting Story With Therapist Eli Harwood: Attachment Styles Explained and What You Actually Need to Know to Raise Secure, Connected Kids
Attachment isn’t just a parenting buzzword. It’s the invisible thread that shapes how we connect, love, and feel safe for the rest of our lives. In this powerful conversation, therapist, author, and the face behind @attachmentnerd, Eli Harwood brings nearly two decades of clinical experience to unpack what attachment really means, why secure relationships matter far beyond childhood, and how paren
26. My Hot Takes on Weddings, Wine Culture, Wearing Jorts + More!
This episode is a fun, rapid fire hot takes roundup straight from my Instagram community, where nothing was off limits and everything from jorts to uninviting kids from weddings made the list. Pineapple on pizza? Pickle potato chips? Taking three kids anywhere in public? We’re covering it all.I share how my perspective has shifted from first time mom to third time mom and how experience has soften
25. Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Alyssa Campbell on Supporting Emotional Development in Ages 5 to 12
Alyssa Campbell joins More than Milestones to dive into one of the most overlooked yet critical stages of child development: ages 5 to 12. With a master’s degree in early childhood education, research experience in emotional development, and as the founder of Seed and Sew and a two-time bestselling author, Alyssa helps parents understand why big emotions in big kids are not something to fix, but i
24. Sex After Kids: How to Reconnect as Partners, Reignite Intimacy & End the Roommate Phase With Vanessa & Xander Marin
If you’ve ever felt like your partner turned into a roommate after kids, this conversation is for you. I'm joined by the one and only Vanessa and Xander Marin. Vanessa is a licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in sex therapy, and Xander left his career at Google to focus on helping couples talk openly about sex. In this episode, we dive into the “roommate phase,” the bris
23. Raising Boys In Today’s World: Reimagining Boyhood, Masculinity & Raising Emotionally Strong & Connected Boys
Ruth Whippman, author and journalist, joins us today to unpack America’s obsession with happiness, the loneliness baked into modern motherhood, and what it looks like to raise boys in today’s complicated cultural landscape. Drawing from her books BOY MOM and America the Anxious, Ruth shares why the way we pursue happiness often backfires, how isolation impacts parents, and the contradictory messa
22. Motherhood Overwhelm Solutions: Tiny Habits + Automation That Actually Make Mom Life Easier
Motherhood doesn’t usually need another to-do list, it needs support that actually shows up in real life. Today I’m joined by Sharon Pope, founder of Shelpful, an AI-powered task manager created to help moms reduce mental load and make everyday life feel more manageable.Sharon, a mom of two, built Shelpful out of her own experience returning to work after maternity leave and realizing she was exce
21. Sick Season Survival: Pediatrician Dr. Anjuli Gans’s Guide to Winter Illnesses
Winter sniffles don’t have to send you spiraling especially when you know what’s normal, what’s not, and when to call for help. In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend Dr. Anjuli Gans, board-certified pediatrician at CHOP and the voice behind @resilientrascals, to walk us through navigating winter illnesses with newborns and young kids with more confidence and less fear.We cover how to prepa
20. Becoming: Not Achieving: Rethinking Resolutions, Vision Boards & Intentions
This episode is a little different. After sharing my 2025 reflections on Substack and intentionally celebrating the small wins I usually overlook, I felt a shift in how I wanted to approach the year ahead. That reflection led me to move away from a traditional vision board and toward something that feels more grounded and sustainable: a becoming board. In this episode, I walk you through how I set
19. From Restraint Collapse to Co-Regulation: A School Social Worker’s Guide to Big Kid Emotions
Brittany Brady is a school social worker with over a decade of experience and the founder of Bright Starts Co. Through her work in schools, Brittany noticed that many children were entering classrooms academically ready, but struggling emotionally, socially, and behaviorally. That insight led her to focus on what truly supports school readiness: strong routines, emotional regulation, independence,
18. Is a Helmet Really Necessary? A Pediatric PT and Orthotist Break Down Flat Spots, Torticollis & Treatment Options
In this episode of More than Milestones, I sit down with Becki Westover, a certified orthotist with Bloom Kids who has over 20 years of experience working with infants and families. Becki explains what a certified orthotist does and why helmet therapy can feel confusing or controversial for parents.We talk through common concerns about infant helmets, including weight, size, comfort, and whether h
17. Baby Sleep Without the Pressure: A Conversation with Rachael Shepard-Ohta from Hey Sleepy Baby
Today I’m joined by Rachael Shepard-Ohta, founder of Hey Sleepy Baby, for an honest look at what’s normal when it comes to baby sleep. Rachael started Hey Sleepy Baby in 2020 when she was newly postpartum with her second baby, and now as a mom of three, she has become a trusted voice for parents who want an alternative to sleep training.We talk about why sleep training doesn’t need to be an all-or
16. My Birth Stories: Trauma, Healing, and the Truth I’ve Never Shared
Trigger warning: I share traumatic details of my birth story. If you’re heading into your own birth, you may want to skip parts of this episode.I’ve been nervous to record this because these stories still feel so close. After my conversation with Illiyin Morrison in Episode 15, I finally felt permission to stop minimizing what I went through and to share the births that shaped me and my postpartum
15. Processing Your Birth Story with Perinatal Expert Illiyin Morrison: Birth Trauma, Postpartum Mental Health, Informed Consent, and Finding Your Voice Amidst It All
Perinatal trauma expert and midwife Illiyin Morrison joins me to talk about what birth trauma really is and how we can begin to make sense of our own stories. After her own difficult birth, Illiyin created a framework that helps mothers understand what happened during their birth experience, why they responded the way they did, and how to move forward with clarity and compassion. Her work now incl
14. Why Do We Hammer with a Hammer, Rake with a Rake, but Sweep with a Broom: Misheard Mondays & The Chaos of English Decoded with Miss Beth from Big City Readers
Why do we hammer with a hammer, rake with a rake, but sweep with a broom? This viral TikTok question sparked today’s conversation—a replay of my interview on Miss Beth’s podcast, The Play on Words Podcast. If you’ve ever wondered why English feels impossible to decode, this episode will give you clarity you can use with your child right away. Miss Beth breaks down why English spelling is so incons
13. Are We Teaching Reading Wrong? A Candid Talk on Phonics, Sight Words & the Science of Reading with Big City Readers’ Beth Gaskill
If the thought of “kindergarten readiness” has you spiraling, this episode is going to be a breath of fresh air. Today I’m joined by Beth Gaskill, better known as Miss Beth of @bigcityreaders, a former teacher turned literacy specialist who’s changing the way parents think about reading.Beth breaks down why we’re putting way too much pressure on ourselves when it comes to kids starting school—and
12. Motherhood, Friendships & Social Media: Real Talk with Amy Kiefer
Today, I’m joined by my closest social media friend, Amy Kiefer. Amy is the co-founder of Expecting and Empowered, a pregnancy and postpartum workout app she runs with her sister, Krystle. She also co-hosts the HERself Podcast, and her online journey began through @ameskiefer, where our friendship started. She’s now sharing her dream home journey at @athomewithameskiefer, and we dive into all the
11. Motherhood, Marriage, and the Invisible Load: Dr. Morgan Cutlip on Sharing the Weight
Today we’re joined by Dr. Morgan Cutlip — relationship expert, psychologist, and author of How to Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself and A Better Share. We’re talking about the invisible weight of motherhood: the mental load.Dr. Morgan breaks down what the mental load really means and why one of the hardest parts is explaining it. She shares how to get on the same page with your partner withou
10. Overwhelmed, Emotional, and Human: The Real Side of Motherhood & Restraint Collapse No One Talks About
This episode is a raw one for me. It came out of the blue, right in the middle of an overwhelming season. There’s been a lot happening personally and medically within my family, and when that happens, I tend to put my head down and just get through it without really processing what’s going on.After a long, exhausting day, I was putting the kids to bed and completely lost it. I yelled, felt terribl
9. Dark Marketing in Motherhood: Emotionally Manipulative Hooks, Expert “Word Salad,” and Simple Steps to Spot Pseudoscience
Welcome back to part two of our conversation with speech-language pathologist and pediatric feeding expert Bri Miluk (@pediatricfeedingslp), we’re diving into one of the most important topics for parents today—misinformation and pseudoscience on social media. If you haven’t listened to part one yet, be sure to go back to hear our discussion on primitive reflexes and why they matter.In this episode
8. Are Primitive Reflexes Really to Blame? Busting Baby Development Myths with SLP & Feeding Expert, Bri Miluk
Today we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood & controversial topics circulating on social media right now — primitive reflexes. I’m joined by Bri Miluk, a speech-language pathologist who specializes in infant and medically complex feeding and is the face behind @pediatricfeedingslp.In this first episode of our two-part conversation, Bri and I unpack what primitive reflexes actually ar
7. Motherhood Burnout & Raising Resilient Kids: The Science of Stress with Researcher Nina Nesdoly
Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s a complex mix of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness that so many parents and professionals silently struggle with. In this episode of More than Milestones, KC Rickerd sits down with Nina Nesdoly, a stress management speaker, researcher, and PhD candidate studying stress at work, to unpack what burnout really means and how we can build resili
6. Touched Out, Burnt Out, and Overwhelmed: My Motherhood Burnout Experience
Burnout has been a part of my motherhood journey in ways I never expected. For most of my life, I had systems and methods that helped me succeed — whether it was in school, work, or personal goals. But once I started adding more and more to my plate — a job, a house, a partner, kids — those methods stopped working the way they used to. Suddenly, what had always kept me afloat wasn’t enough anymore
5. Postpartum Recovery Made Real: Incontinence, Hemorrhoids & What’s Not Normal with Expecting & Empowered
Too often, women walk into pregnancy and postpartum without the tools and education they deserve. In this episode, KC is joined by Krystle Howald and Amy Kiefer, founders of Expecting and Empowered, to share how they’re changing the conversation around women’s health.Together, they dive into the importance of pelvic floor therapy, the differences between C-section and vaginal delivery recovery, an
4. From Postpartum to Empowerment: Redefining Fitness as a Mom
In this episode of More than Milestones, host KC Rickerd opens up about her personal journey of regaining fitness and prioritizing well-being after becoming a mom. She shares the real challenges of balancing exercise with the demands of parenting and why mental health plays such a vital role in the process. KC reflects on how her perspective on fitness has shifted from focusing on aesthetics to em
3. From Anxiety to Identity Loss: Honest Conversations on Postpartum Mental Health with Kate Borsato
In this episode of More than Milestones, host KC Rickerd is joined by Kate Borsato, a mental health therapist specializing in motherhood and perinatal care. Together, they dive deep into the realities of postpartum mental health, shedding light on experiences that often go unspoken—postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and even postpartum rage.Kate shares her expertise on how to distinguish betw
2. From Postpartum Anxiety to ADHD Diagnosis: What I Learned About Mental Health in Motherhood
In this episode of More than Milestones, host KC Rickerd opens up about her deeply personal journey through postpartum anxiety and the realities of maternal mental health. From the moment of childbirth to finally seeking help, KC shares the raw and honest truth about what it’s like to navigate intrusive thoughts, overwhelming emotions, and the unexpected challenges of early motherhood.She reflects
1. The Heart Behind More Than Milestones: My Journey as a Mom, A Pediatric PT, & A Woman Finding My Voice Again
Welcome to the very first episode of More than Milestones! In this debut conversation, host KC Rickerd introduces herself, sharing her story as a pediatric physical therapist, mom of three, and advocate for caregivers navigating child development.KC opens up about how her journey was shaped by her own mother’s career, her transition from a physical therapist assistant to a Doctor of physical thera
Welcome to More than Milestones with KC Rickerd
Hosted by pediatric physical therapist, wife and mom of three, Dr. KC Rickerd, More Than Milestones is the podcast that goes beyond baby checklists and dives deep into real motherhood, real development, real relationships, and everything in between.Whether you’re supporting your baby’s motor development, navigating big kid emotions, or navigating a new stage of life & parenting, this show blen
