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The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
The PedsDocTalk Podcast is hosted by Dr. Mona Amin, a pediatrician and mom of two, offering expert-backed guidance on child health, development, and parenting. Episodes cover topics like potty training, sleep training, tantrums, picky eating, screen time, and developmental milestones. The show features conversations with specialists in pediatrics, child psychology, nutrition, and parental well-being. New episodes release on Mondays and Wednesdays, providing practical, science-based advice for parents.
Episodes
Unplugged: Why Phone-Free Policies Help Kids Thrive at School
In this eye-opening and deeply needed episode, I sat down with Clayton Cranford—a 20-year law enforcement veteran, former school resource officer, crisis negotiator, national award winner, and founder of Cyber Safety Cop. Drawing from decades of experience at the intersection of youth culture, law enforcement, and online safety, Clay offers a clear-eyed look at the real-world impact smartphones an
The Follow-Up: How to Wean
Dr. Mona sits down with IBCLC Melissa Mancini (known as @more_then_milk on Instagram) to explore the physical and emotional aspects of weaning, emphasizing that weaning is a deeply personal choice rather than a strict timeline or milestone.
Key Takeaways
A Personal Decision: Weaning is based on when you and your child are ready—not on societal pressure or arbitrary age milestones.
Gr
Why Feeding Kids Feels Harder Than Ever — And 5 Simple Shifts That Actually Work
In this insightful and encouraging episode, I had the honor of sitting down with board-certified pediatrician, mom of three, and founder of Ahimsa, Dr. Manasa Mantravadi. Trained in pediatric endocrinology, Dr. Manasa saw firsthand the dramatic rise of chronic childhood conditions like type 2 diabetes and set out to address the root causes of child health through preventive, culinary medicine.
We
The Follow-Up: Essential Oils Risks
Dr. Mona sits down with cosmetic chemist and science communicator Jen Novakovic, founder of The Eco Well, to debunk common myths surrounding essential oils and explore their true limitations in family care. They dissect the "natural is automatically safer" narrative, address fear-based marketing, and clarify how to approach these products responsibly.
Key Takeaways
The "Natural" Myth: Natur
From the Exam Room to Social Media: OB-GYN, Pediatrics, and Advocacy
I’m joined by board-certified OB-GYN and mom of three, Dr. Franziska Haydanek. We chat about balancing clinical practice with social media, fighting online medical misinformation, and navigating the unique pressures on physician creators.
We also dive deep into the gaps of U.S. pregnancy and postpartum care. Dr. Fran shares essential advice on self-advocacy in the hospital, the warning signs ever
The Follow-Up: Parenting Triggers
Dr. Mona revisits a conversation with licensed clinical social worker and childhood trauma educator Patrick Teahan. Together, they unpack how parenthood acts as a mirror, exposing hidden triggers and unhealed wounds from our own upbringing.
Key Takeaways
The Inner Child in Parenting: Unresolved feelings from your family of origin often resurface during everyday interactions with your childr
A Mother’s Loss: A Mission to Protect Children from Preventable Illness With Serese Marotta Deputy CEO of Vaccinate Your Family
In this deeply moving episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Serese Marotta, Deputy CEO of Vaccinate Your Family, to discuss the critical importance of protecting our children as we head into respiratory illness seasons. Serese bravely opened up about her own personal tragedy, losing her healthy, five-year-old son, Joseph to H1N1 influence.
Hearing Serese’s story is a powerful remind
The Follow-Up: Reset Your Day
In this Follow-Up episode, Dr. Mona draws on her own past experiences with burnout and mental health struggles to offer practical tools for turning around overwhelming, negative days. Acknowledging that bad days are bound to happen, she shares how to break out of a negative spiral, regulate your nervous system, and reset your mindset before a tough day ends—or grant yourself permission to call it
Food, Policy and What Families Deserve: A Conversation with Dr. Rich Besser, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Have you ever stood in the fresh produce aisle, looking at the price tags, and felt a wave of frustration because eating "real food" feels like a financial punishment? Families are being bombarded with constant advice to eat better and healthier, but how are they supposed to keep up when national nutrition programs and rising grocery costs are moving in completely opposite directions?
In this epi
The Follow-Up: Self Care for Moms
Today I'm revisiting a favorite conversation with board-certified psychiatrist and bestselling author Dr. Pooja Lakshmin. We look at the difference between "faux self-care" and "real-self care" and how boundaries and self compassion are part of the internal process.
If you feel like you're drowning under the mental load of parenting this episode offers a dose of clarity and empowerment. It's an
Melatonin, Magnesium & Sleep Supplements for Kids: What Parents Need to Know
Have you ever found yourself staring at a brightly colored gummy bottle in the pharmacy aisle, hoping a quick supplement fix will finally give you a full night of uninterrupted sleep? The promise of an easy solution is incredibly tempting, but what if these trendy sleep hacks are actually masking deeper behavioral shifts your child really needs?
In this episode, I connect with pediatrician and sl
The Follow-Up: Feeding Our Kids
In this episode of the PedsDocTalk podcast follow-up, Dr. Mona sits down with Amy Palanjian, founder of Yummy Toddler Food. Together, they break down how to take the stress, guilt, and mental load out of feeding your kids.
If dinner prep feels overwhelming or your toddler suddenly stopped eating their favorite foods, this quick dose of real, relatable parenting advice is for you!
Letting
What Every Mom Should Know About Labor and Postpartum Recovery with OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Lincoln
Have you ever entered a medical environment feeling like your voice was completely secondary to the fast-moving machines and rigid hospital policies around you? It is a vulnerable position that leaves far too many birthing parents carrying psychological scars, but what if knowing the right language ahead of time is the ultimate shield against a traumatic birth?
In this episode, I sit down with bo
The Follow-Up: Routines for Kids
In this "Follow-Up" episode of the PedsDocTalk Podcast, Dr. Mona catches up with pediatric occupational therapist Jessica Irwin (Rooted in Routine) to discuss how simple daily rhythms create predictability, lower stress, and reduce decision fatigue for both parents and kids. They break down why routines focus on the order of steps rather than rigid clock-watching, how to build healthy habits early
Childcare Costs More Than Mortgage or Rent. This Is the Crisis.
Have you ever felt the crushing weight of looking at your monthly bank statement and realizing your childcare bill costs more than your housing? It is a staggering reality facing modern families, but why is a system so crucial to our society treated like a personal luxury instead of essential infrastructure?
In this episode, I sit down with working mom and leading childcare advocate Paige Connell
The Follow-Up: Baby Led Weaning
In this "Follow-Up" mini-episode, Dr. Mona revisits the topic of starting solids and baby-led weaning with guest Jenna Helwig—Food Director at Real Simple magazine and author of Baby-Led Feeding (paid link). Together, they bust common feeding myths, share simple meal prep hacks, and discuss how to take the guilt and pressure out of feeding your baby.
Whether you're team puree, team baby-led weani
Punishment-Free Parenting and Teaching Kids to Handle Big Feelings
Have you ever felt the urge to yell or hand out a punishment during a chaotic grocery store meltdown? It is a moment meant to stop the behavior fast, but what if it is actually turning off the exact part of your child’s brain that learns lessons?
In this episode, I sit down with parenting author Jon Fogel to dismantle the massive misconceptions around discipline and childhood tantrums. Jon shares
The Follow-Up: Understanding Early Intervention
In this episode, Dr. Mona and special education lawyer Amanda Selogie dive into the critical role of early intervention in childhood development. They break down the realities families face today, including navigating insurance, dealing with staff shortages, and facing lengthy evaluation waitlists. They emphasize how accessing developmental support early lays the foundation for inclusive education
Beyond “Kids Are Resilient”, What Kids Actually Need to Cope
Have you ever uttered the phrase, "Don't worry, kids are resilient"? It’s a line meant to comfort us as adults, but what if it’s actually giving us permission to skip over our kids' real struggles?
In this episode, I sit down with children's therapist and author Stacy Schaffer to dismantle the massive misconceptions around childhood coping and resilience. Stacy shares her own powerful story of na
The Follow-Up: Perinatal Rage
So many moms feel they must always be gentle, patient, and nurturing. When intense irritability, sudden anger, or rage bubbles up during pregnancy or the postpartum period, it’s easy to suffer in silence out of fear of judgment. Dr. Mona and Dr. Ashurina pull back the curtain on why parental rage happens, how to recognize the clinical signs of a flooded nervous system, and why getting help early—b
Mom Needs a Moment: Why You Still Yell Even When You Know Better (And How to Stop) with Dr. Cassidy Freitas
Have you read all the parenting books, followed the expert social media accounts, and known exactly what you want to say to your child—only to find yourself frustrated and yelling in the heat of the moment? You are not alone.
In this episode, I welcome back licensed therapist, author, and crowd-favorite social media follower, Dr. Cassidy Freitas. Together, we take the shame out of "mom rage" and
The Follow-Up: Raising Multilingual Kids
I'll be honest with you - this episode hit differently for me as a mom. My son is six and learning Spanish in school, and my parents speak our native language with him, but listening back to this conversation with Alicia made me wish we had been more intentional from the start. No guilt though... just real talk about what the research actually says.
Alicia Gandhi is a bilingual speech language pa
Bed-Sharing and Safe Sleep Guidelines: Pediatricians Gets Real About Risk & Shame with Dr. Michael Milobsky
BED SHARING DISCUSSIONS SHOULD BE CLEARED WITH YOUR CHILD’S CLINICIAN. This episode is not personal advice.
If there is one topic that makes parents go quiet in my exam room, it is this one. Where is your baby actually sleeping? Not where you planned for them to sleep. Not what you told your mother-in-law. Where are they really sleeping at 2am when you are exhausted and just need everyone to re
The Follow-Up: Anxious Parents, Anxious Kids
Both my husband and I have anxiety. So yeah, we are two anxious people raising kids and watching closely for signs of anxiety in them. The irony is very real. But it also means I am deeply invested in understanding where childhood anxiety comes from, and how much of it we as parents are actually influencing.
In this Follow Up episode, I brought back child psychiatrist Dr. Helen Egger to break dow
Your Daughter’s Period Is a Vital Sign, And Why We Shouldn’t Ignore It with Fertility Specialist and Author Dr. Natalie Crawford
As a pediatrician, I was not asking enough questions about my patients' periods. We ask when the last one was. We rarely go deeper than that. And after this conversation, I will never approach it the same way again.
I sat down with my friend and colleague Dr. Natalie Crawford, reproductive endocrinologist, fertility specialist, and author of The Fertility Formula. Here is what I want every parent
The Follow-Up: Raising a Flexible Eater
If your toddler begged for mac and cheese, took one bite, and declared it disgusting, this episode is for you. Picky eating is one of the most common and most stressful phases of childhood, but the good news is there are real, practical things you can do before it starts and when you are already deep in it.
Dr. Mona sits down with Jennifer Friedman, registered pediatric dietitian, picky eating ex
How Fathers Can Raise Confident Kids (Even If No One Showed You How) with former Navy Seal Sniper Instructor Brandon Webb
As a pediatrician and mom, I know firsthand how easy it is to get overwhelmed by standard parenting tips and the pressure to have a perfect family life. In a culture obsessed with quick fixes and curated social media fairy tales, so many couples feel like they are constantly falling short. On this channel, my goal is to share the beautiful, unglamorous reality of making relationships work. We cann
The Follow-Up: Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
In this episode, Dr. Mona is joined by Chelsea and Caitlin, the founders of Mama Psychologists, to unpack a crucial topic that many new mothers face: the difference between the "baby blues" and more serious perinatal mood disorders.
Together, they challenge the misconception that postpartum anxiety and depression always look like crying on the floor. Instead, they discuss the subtle, real-world s
The Courage to Commit, Why Choosing Less Can Give Us More in Life and in Parenting with Andrew East and Shawn Johnson East
As a pediatrician and mom, I know firsthand how easy it is to get overwhelmed by standard parenting tips and the pressure to have a perfect family life . In a culture obsessed with quick fixes and curated social media fairy tales, so many couples feel like they are constantly falling short . On this channel, my goal is to share the beautiful, unglamorous reality of making relationships work . We c
The Follow-Up: Identifying and Treating Eczema
Eczema is common, frustrating, and often misunderstood.
In this episode, we break down what eczema actually looks like at different ages, how specialists determine severity, and why treatment should always start with strengthening the skin barrier.
We discuss:
• How to recognize eczema, including how it differs in infants vs older children • How doctors determine mild, moderate, and severe ecze
Raising Kids in a Country with Gun Violence: What Actually Helps with Moms Demand Action
As a pediatrician, I spent years looking at firearm safety through a clinical lens—as a major public health crisis and a tragic statistic. But after practicing in South Florida during the Parkland shooting and becoming a mother myself, the stakes became deeply personal. My husband is an ER doctor who sees the devastating aftermath of gun violence firsthand, and as a parent, I refuse to accept that
The Follow-Up: Strength Training While Pregnant
Strength training in pregnancy can feel confusing with so much mixed advice online. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Amy Kiefer and Krystle Holland of Expecting and Empowered to talk about how movement can support your body during pregnancy, prepare you for postpartum recovery, and help with the real physical demands of motherhood.
We also cover warning signs to watch for
Fear Sells—But the Facts Matter: Making Science Go Viral
In this episode, I sit down with a scientist and science communicator who has spent the last five years in the middle of online health conversations, especially during and after the pandemic. We talk honestly about why accurate information often feels boring on social media, while fear based content spreads fast. This is not a conversation about blaming parents or shaming curiosity. It is about un
The Follow-Up: Early Days of Breastfeeding
The early days of breastfeeding can feel overwhelming when you are recovering, tired, and trying to sort out what is normal. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Melissa Mancini, RN, IBCLC, to talk through what helps in those first days and weeks, from prenatal prep to milk production, skin to skin, feeding cues, and cluster feeding.
In this episode, we cover:
How to p
When Politics, Values, and Parenting Collide with Sharon McMahon “America’s Government Teacher”
In this powerful and honest conversation, I sat down with Sharon McMahon to talk about something so many parents are quietly carrying right now - political exhaustion, moral tension, and the question of how to raise good humans in divided times.
We unpack the difference between disagreement and dehumanization, politics and morality, optimism and hope. Sharon shares why feeling defeated is not a p
The Follow-Up: How to Achieve Practical Optimism
Practical optimism is not about pretending everything is fine or forcing happy thoughts when life feels hard. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Dr. Sue Varma, psychiatrist, cognitive behavioral therapist, and author of Practical Optimism, to break down what it really means to build a hopeful mindset that is grounded in action, not denial. We talk about how optimism differs
The Parenting Revolution Around Puberty: How to Talk to Your Kids About Puberty Without Shame
Parents often want to talk to their kids about puberty and periods, but many don’t know where to start. In this episode, I’m joined by pediatric and adolescent gynecologist Dr. Charis Chambers to talk about how we can change the way families approach these conversations. From stigma and misinformation to the fear of saying the wrong thing, we break down why avoiding these discussions can leave kid
The Follow-Up: Anxiety or Are They Just Shy?
Many parents worry when their child seems shy. But is it actually shyness, or something more?
In this episode, we unpack the difference between a “slow to warm” temperament and an anxiety disorder. We talk about why labeling kids as shy can unintentionally limit them, how social expectations play a role, and what supportive parenting really looks like in those hesitant moments.
We discuss:
• Wh
The Myth of the "Perfect" Mom: Embracing Ambivalence in Motherhood
Motherhood is often painted as pure joy, endless patience, and unconditional love.
But what about the moments of frustration? The resentment? The overwhelm? The quiet thought of, “I love my child… but this is really hard.”
In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist Dr. Margo Lowy to talk about maternal ambivalence – the completely normal experience of holding love and difficult emotions at
The Follow-Up: Is EMDR for Me?
A question I get often is: “How do I know if EMDR might be right for me?”
In this episode, we break down what EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) actually is, who it can help, and what a session really looks like.
Originally developed to treat PTSD, EMDR is now used to support people struggling with birth trauma, childhood experiences, anxiety, panic, phobias, depression, parent
Why Self-Love Starts in Childhood (And How Caregivers Shape It)
In this solo episode, I reflect on a question that stopped me in my tracks: Why am I not worthy of my own love? Inspired by the passing of James Van Der Beek and a clip that deeply moved me, this conversation opens up a bigger discussion about self-love, self-worth, and how both begin taking shape in childhood.
As a pediatrician and mom, I share why helping our children build a strong sense of wo
The Follow-Up: Dads and Postpartum
We talk a lot about maternal mental health postpartum. But we do not talk enough about dads.
In this episode, my husband joins me for an honest conversation about paternal mental health, birth trauma, pressure, and what it felt like to become a father while navigating medical complications and the early days of the pandemic.
We discuss the silent expectations placed on fathers to be “the strong
IVF, Ovulation, and Fertility Facts and Myths Everyone Should Know with Dr. Lucky Sekhon
This week on The PedsDocTalk Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Lucky Sekhon, board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist, OB-GYN, and author of The Lucky Egg, for a conversation about the fertility basics so many adults were never actually taught. We talk about the fertility knowledge gap, what ovulation really means, how to time intercourse more effectively, and when it may be t
The Follow-Up: I Just Had a Baby, Now What?
Bringing home a new baby can feel equal parts joyful and overwhelming. In this Follow Up episode, I revisit a favorite past conversation, I Just Had a Baby, Now What?, and share practical newborn guidance through the lens of both a pediatrician and a mom.
We talk about what newborns really need in the early weeks, how to recognize common cues for hunger, sleep, and interaction, and why simple rou
How to Stop Passing Your Emotional Baggage to Your Kids
Parents carry their past into their parenting, often without realizing it. In this episode, I sit down with relationship therapist and author Eli Harwood to talk about how emotional baggage forms, how it quietly shows up in the way we respond to our kids, and what it actually looks like to break those patterns in real time. We get honest about triggers, shame, defensiveness, and the parts of ourse
The Follow-Up: Extinction Sleep Training
Sleep training can feel like a lightning rod topic, especially when it comes to the cry it out method.
In this episode, I talk with a mom who used extinction sleep training with both of her sons at different ages. She shares what it actually looked like night by night, why other methods did not work for her family, and how sleep training ultimately changed their home for the better.
In this conv
When Friendship Hurts: How to Talk to Kids About Bullying, Boundaries, and Self-Worth
Friendship heartbreak hits differently when it’s your child. In this episode, I sit down with child development specialist Dr. Robyn Silverman to talk about bullying, boundaries, rejection, and what to say when your child feels left out. We dive into the moments that trigger us as parents, especially when their pain mirrors our own childhood wounds, and how to respond with steadiness instead of pa
The Follow-Up: Why Independent Play Matters
If you’ve ever felt guilty for not entertaining your child 24/7, this conversation is going to feel like a deep exhale.
In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest modern parenting misconceptions: that good parents are constant playmates. Somewhere along the way, many of us absorbed the idea that we need to be fully engaged, fully available, and fully entertaining at all times. But that shift h
Co-Sleeping, Sleep Training, and the Conversation We Need to Have About Infant Sleep
Infant sleep has become one of the most polarizing topics in modern parenting. In this thoughtful and nuanced conversation, I sit down with sleep consultant and family therapist Chrissy Lawler to unpack co-sleeping, sleep training, safety data, and the emotional charge surrounding these decisions. As a pediatrician, I was trained to follow AAP safe sleep guidelines, but real-world parenting, cultu
The Follow-Up: Biting, Hitting, Throwing Explained
Few things trigger parents faster than physical behavior. It can feel embarrassing, frustrating, and sometimes even personal. But what if these behaviors are less about “bad behavior” and more about a brain that simply isn’t ready yet?
In this episode, we break down why toddlers lean into physical, reactive behaviors when big feelings take over. Their emotional capacity is growing quickly, but th
Surrogacy Explained, Facts, Feelings, and Family Building
Surrogacy is often talked about in headlines or celebrity news, but rarely explained in a way that helps people truly understand the experience behind it. In this episode, I’m joined by surrogacy consultant Jessie Jaskulsky, founder of Surrogacy Simplified, to talk openly about what the surrogacy process actually looks like, the misconceptions that surround it, and the emotional reality many famil
The Follow-Up: Dr. Mona on Charting Pediatrics Podcast
In this special follow-up episode, Dr. Mona shares the full live conversation recorded at Children’s Hospital Colorado in front of more than 100 clinicians. The discussion centers on a reality many pediatricians and parents are facing every day: families are no longer walking into the exam room with just their child, they are also bringing TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, viral clips, and online commen
Olympic Champion Elana Meyers Taylor on Winning a Gold Medal, Motherhood and the Power of a Village
What does it look like to balance Olympic competition, motherhood, and the unexpected realities of parenting? In this episode, I sit down with Olympic gold medalist Elana Meyers Taylor to talk about raising two children with disabilities, leaning on support, and how motherhood changed the way she thinks about success, identity, and resilience.
We also talk about representation in sport, using ASL
The Follow-Up: When Kids Won’t Sleep Alone
We’re talking about independent sleep for older babies and kids, why it often gets harder with age, and how to approach it in a way that supports both your child and your family. This is not about shutting the door and ignoring your child. It’s about teaching a skill gradually, consistently, and in a way that fits your child’s temperament.
We discuss why earlier can be easier when it comes to rem
From I Do to We Do: Marriage, Communication, and Parenting After Kids
Parenting changes everything, including your relationship. In this episode, I sit down with therapist and author Eli Weinstein to talk honestly about why couples feel so disconnected after kids, what actually fuels resentment, and the small shifts that bring you back to each other. We cover expectations, invisible labor, communication traps, and why the first year with a new baby can shake even th
The Follow-Up: Skills Kids Learn From Traveling
Travel is often framed as a luxury or a break from real life, but in this conversation we explore how it can be a powerful developmental tool for kids. Beyond sightseeing, travel becomes a classroom for empathy, adaptability, and connection. We talk about how exposure to new cultures, languages, and environments helps children grow socially and emotionally, even when trips don’t go as planned. The
All About Allergies, Myths, and Online Education as a Doctor with Dr. Zachary Rubin @Rubin_Allergy
What happens when an allergist steps into the online world and starts breaking down headlines in real time?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Zachary Rubin, board certified allergist and immunologist, content creator, and now author of All About Allergies. We talk about why allergy misinformation spreads so easily, why “allergy” is not a catch all term, and how social media has unexpectedly ma
The Follow-Up: Are Time Outs Bad?
Timeouts have become one of the most misunderstood discipline tools in modern parenting conversations. In this episode, we unpack why timeouts are being labeled as harmful online and how that claim does not match decades of research. The real issue is not that timeouts damage attachment, but that many parents were never taught how to use them correctly. When done properly, a timeout is not punishm
Talking to Kids About Race and Bias, Why Everyday Moments Matter
As parents, many of us want to raise kind, empathetic kids, but we don’t always feel equipped to talk about race, bias, and identity in everyday life. In honor of Black History Month, this conversation feels especially important. I sit down with culturally responsive therapist Anjali Ferguson to unpack how early children begin noticing differences and how small, ordinary moments shape their unders
The Follow-Up: Formula Shaming
Feeding choices carry an enormous emotional weight for new parents, often shaped more by online narratives and cultural pressure than by balanced evidence. In this conversation, we unpack formula guilt, breastfeeding myths, and how distorted risk messaging fuels shame. We talk about how understanding research in context can help parents move away from fear-based thinking and toward informed, value
Food Positivity, Picky Eating, and Raising Kids Who Trust Food
If mealtimes feel heavier than they should, this episode is going to make a lot click. I sit down with dietitians Diana and Dani to unpack how diet culture quietly slips into everyday parenting and shapes how kids see food, their bodies, and themselves. Their new book offers a roadmap for raising kids who trust their bodies and feel safe at the table, and our conversation goes far beyond picky eat
The Follow-Up: Sleep Training Evidence
Sleep training is one of the most emotionally charged parenting topics online, and this conversation pulls it back to what actually matters, evidence. We talk about how social media amplifies fear and confusion, why parents are told to “trust” personalities instead of data, and how looking directly at research helps cut through the noise. While opinions are loud, the body of evidence around behavi
Dr. Paul Offit on the State of Vaccines in America and What Parents Need to Understand Now
This episode is one of the most important conversations I’ve had about vaccines. I sit down with a leading vaccine expert to slow down the noise and talk honestly about where we are right now in America. We discuss how vaccines went from one of the greatest public health successes in history to something many families feel unsure about, and what that shift means for children. This is not about pol
The Follow-Up: Partner Resentment
Motherhood can quietly shift the emotional balance in a partnership. In this conversation, we explore why resentment toward a partner is so common after having a baby and why it is not a personal failure, but a researched, predictable relationship stress point. The transition to parenthood often exposes invisible labor, unequal expectations, and emotional strain that many couples were never taught
Parenting Like It’s 1996 in a 2026 World
In this solo episode, I reflect on how parenting has changed since the 90s, and not always for the better. This episode is not about going backward or rejecting progress. It is about blending what we know now about emotions and development with what used to work well, giving kids space, time, and trust to grow.
I explore how constant comparison, nonstop information, overscheduling, and screens ha
The Follow-Up: Baby Won't Stop Crying
In this Follow-Up episode, Dr. Mona revisits one of the most stressful early parenting experiences, an inconsolable newborn. She breaks down what colic actually means, why the label is often misunderstood, and how to tell the difference between normal newborn fussiness and signs that need medical attention. The goal is not to dismiss crying, but to give parents a framework so they feel informed in
Raising Kids Beyond Grades: How Achievement Culture Is Harming Our Children
What happens when achievement stops motivating and starts measuring worth?
In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Wallace to talk about how achievement culture quietly shapes our kids and us based on her New York Times Best Selling Book Never Enough:When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It. We unpack why so many high-performing kids struggle with anxiety, burnout, and
The Follow-Up: Potty Training
Potty training can feel smooth one day and completely off track the next. In this Follow Up episode of the PedsDocTalk podcast, Dr. Mona revisits a favorite potty training conversation while actively potty training her own youngest child and dealing with very real regressions.
Dr. Mona is joined by Allison Jandu, founder of The Potty Training Consultant, to break down readiness, timing, and how t
Staying Fired Up in Parenthood, Work, and Life with Shannon Watts
In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Watts to talk about something so many parents and caregivers quietly wrestle with, how to stay fired up in the middle of responsibility, burnout, and the weight of shoulds.
Shannon is the founder of Moms Demand Action and the author of Fired Up, and our conversation goes far beyond advocacy. We talk about identity, purpose, and what happens when women are
The Follow-Up: Parenting Without Perfection
Parenting already asks a lot of us. So why does it feel like our generation is carrying so much more pressure, doubt, and noise?
In this Follow-Up episode, I’m revisiting one of our most listened-to conversations, a real, late-night talk with my husband Gaurav that hit a nerve for so many parents. We talk honestly about how comparison culture, constant advice, and fear of getting it wrong have ma
Finding Joy: Resigning From My Clinical Job and What’s Next for Me
In this solo episode, I am opening up about a big life change. I recently resigned from my clinical job. On paper it may sound simple, but the story under it holds a lot of layers, emotion, and growth.
I talk about what led to my decision, what it brought up from my childhood, and how this shift is changing the way I raise my kids. If you grew up chasing safety, grades, or approval, parts of this
The Follow-Up: What Reinforces Behavior
In this Follow-Up episode, Dr. Mona revisits one of the most downloaded PedsDocTalk conversations, her discussion with Dr. Loretta Breuning on how rewards and threats shape a child’s brain.
They break down why yelling, pleading, and bribing often backfire, and how attention itself can accidentally reinforce behaviors parents want to stop. You will hear why giving in after resistance makes behavio
What ER Doctors Wish Parents Knew, Advocating for your health (and Why We Love The Pitt) with Dr. Beachgem
You are never wrong for being worried about your child. You are allowed to ask questions, ask for help, and ask for another set of eyes. Advocacy is not confrontation, it is care. And the doctors caring for your family are human too, carrying both expertise and emotion into every room they enter.
In this episode, I sit down with pediatric ER physician and creator Dr. Beachgem for a wide-ranging,
The Follow-Up: Three Things Every Child Needs
In this episode, I break down the three core needs every child has to feel secure, confident, and connected with their parents: safety, respect, and connection.
These are not soft ideas or permissive parenting. They are the foundation of authoritative parenting and the reason kids are more likely to listen, trust, and stay connected to us as they grow.
In this episode, I discuss:
Why safe
Dr. Mona on the Elevated Thoughts Podcast: On Vaccine Safety and Politicization of Public Health
As the year wraps up, I’ve been looking back at some of my favorite chats from the shows I visited this season. New episodes return January 7.
On this episode of the Elevated Thoughts podcast, I sat down with two thoughtful first-time dads to talk about the topics parents are wrestling with right now. We got into the messy middle of vaccine hesitancy, why so many families feel caught between lo
The Follow-Up: Do I Need to Sleep Train?
In this episode, we talk about one of the most loaded parenting topics out there, baby sleep.
Do babies need to be taught to sleep, or is sleep something you should just let happen? And if a family wants support, when does it actually make sense to work on sleep skills?
I sit down with a pediatric sleep expert to unpack what sleep teaching really means, why there is no single right approach, and
Dr. Mona on The Dude Therapist Podcast: The Pediatrician’s Guide to Parenting
As we close out 2025 and step into a fresh year, I’ve been thinking back on some of the conversations I loved most from guest spots on other shows. New episodes pick back up on January 7.
On this episode of The Dude Therapist, I joined Eli Weinstein for a conversation that moved through so many parts of real-life parenting — the worries, the humor, the triggers, and the growth that comes with r
The Follow-Up: Teaching Kids Responsibility
Ever clean up the toys, turn around, and somehow the mess is worse? Or feel like you are the only one picking things up?
In this Follow Up episode, Dr. Mona is joined by Tyler Moore, also known as Tidy Dad, to talk about how to involve kids in household routines in ways that actually work for real life. Not rewards. Not sticker charts. Just teamwork.
They break down how chores build belonging, h
Finding Joy: Breaking the Cycle of Anger in Parenting
In this final episode of 2025, I’m sharing something deeply personal - my relationship with anger, where it came from, and how I’ve worked to change it. This is one of the most vulnerable solo episodes I’ve ever recorded, because anger is a feeling so many of us carry quietly, especially in parenthood.
This episode is for the parent who feels ashamed after snapping. For the one who feels tense
The Follow-Up: Motherhood Insomnia
If you’ve ever spent the whole day dreaming about going to bed, only to climb under the covers and lie wide awake, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. I’m joined by sleep psychologist Dr. Shelby Harris to talk about the tired-but-wired cycle so many mothers fall into and why it’s more common than you think.
We unpack the real reasons your brain won’t shut off at night, from revenge bedtime
