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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
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
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
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
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
Modern Parenting: What We’re Getting Right & What We Might Be Overthinking
In this episode, I sit down with retired pediatrician and grandmother Dr. Bubbie, whose 40 years in pediatrics give her a rare, steady perspective on the highs and lows of raising kids today. We talk about what modern parents are doing well, why so many of us feel anxious even when we’re doing a good job, and how social media has quietly changed the way we parent.
Dr. Bubbie shares what she has l
The Follow-Up: Strong-Willed Toddler Strategies
Power struggles feel like part of the toddler job description, but they don’t have to run the whole house. In this episode, I break down what’s really happening in those intense moments and how small shifts in tone, control, and connection can turn things around. This isn’t about “winning” a battle. It’s about helping your child feel capable while keeping your own sanity intact.
We talk through t
STEM, Speaking Up, and Redefining Motherhood: Emily Calandrelli (The Space Gal) on Breaking Barriers and Raising Science-Loving Kids
What does it look like to raise kids who believe they belong in science, who feel confident speaking up, and who see women as leaders in fields that have long pushed them out?
I first came across Emily Calandrelli’s work years ago on social media, and her mix of joy, honesty, and curiosity pulled me in immediately. Her voice reminded me that advocacy doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful and th
The Follow-Up: Foster Autonomy and Build Confidence
In this follow up episode, we revisit one of the most loved ideas on the show, because parents tell me again and again that it changed the way they show up for their kids. We’re talking about the Independence Before Intervention principle, a simple shift that helps kids build confidence, resilience, and trust in themselves while still knowing we’re right there when they need us.
Inspired by wat
Glucola (Glucose test) & Safe Foods in Pregnancy: Busting Myths and Easing Fears
Pregnancy comes with a lot of rules, warnings, and fear based posts online. But how much of that advice is actually rooted in science, and how much is leftover noise that keeps parents stressed for no reason?
In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Jessica Knurick, a nutrition researcher and registered dietitian who has spent years breaking down food myths in the pregnancy and postpartum space. T
The Follow-Up: Overcoming Percentile Anxiety
In this Follow Up episode, I’m opening up about something I’ve counseled countless parents through yet still had to face myself: the emotional weight of percentiles. After my daughter Vera was born, a mix of postpartum complications, exclusive pumping, and constant worry about her petite size pulled me into a spiral I didn’t see coming.
This episode walks through that experience with honesty and
The Truth About Raising Securely Attached Kids: What Most Parents Get Wrong
What does it really mean to raise securely attached kids? I first came across Eli Harwood’s book Raising Securely Attached Kids on a solo trip, and it completely re-energized how I think about connection and parenting. Her words reminded me that so much of raising emotionally healthy kids starts with how we show up, not how perfect we are. It is now one of my most favorite parenting books out ther
The Follow-Up: Helping Kids Feel Proud
Raising kids who feel proud of who they are, not just what they do, is one of the biggest gifts we can give them. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Dr. Becky Kennedy, recorded back when I was a new mom trying to understand how to raise a confident child. Now, with Ryaan heading into six, these lessons hit even deeper.
We talk about what real confidence looks like for kids,
When Motherhood Unmasks Neurodiversity (ADHD and Autism)
More and more women are getting diagnosed with ADHD later in life, often after becoming parents, and it’s not because ADHD is “trending.” It’s because we’ve missed it for decades.
In this conversation, I talk with psychiatrist and author Dr. Sasha Hamdani about why ADHD in girls and women often goes unnoticed, how hormones and motherhood reveal hidden symptoms, and why self-understanding can be s
The Follow-Up: How to Sleep Train
Sleep training might be one of the most debated topics in parenting but it doesn’t have to be so polarizing. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my most downloaded episode, “We’re Losing Sleep Over Our Kids’ Sleep,” to talk honestly about what sleep training really means, the methods that exist, and how to decide what’s right for your family.
You’ll learn:
✔️ What “sleep training” actually means
Raising Body-Positive Girls in a Filtered World
We’re raising girls in a world where filters are the norm, “what I eat in a day” videos flood their feeds, and puberty hits earlier than ever. It’s no wonder body image struggles start young.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Melisa Holmes to talk about how parents can help their daughters build confidence in their changing bodies without shame, fear, or comparison. We’ll cover how to talk about
The Follow-Up: Intimacy After Baby
No one prepares you for how much your relationship changes after having a baby. The exhaustion, hormones, mental load, and body changes all take a toll on desire and closeness, and it’s rarely talked about honestly.
In this Follow Up episode, Dr. Mona talks with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish about what really happens to intimacy after baby. They unpack why desire often dips postpartum, how to reconnect emo
Benefits and risks of Chiropractic care in pediatrics: Does your kid need to see a chiropractor?
What happens when a chiropractor decides to go to medical school? In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Richard Schoonmaker, a former chiropractor turned osteopathic medical student, to talk about why he made the switch, what he learned about evidence-based care, and how chiropractic and medicine can actually work together when done responsibly.
What We Discuss:
Why Dr. Schoonmaker left
The Follow-Up: Is Breast Best?
We’ve all heard the phrase breast is best. But is it really that simple? In this episode, I sit down with an expert to talk honestly about what the research actually says about breastfeeding and where the science gets murky.
We break down what’s fact, what’s myth, and why so much of the “breast is best” messaging comes from data that’s more correlation than causation. From IQ to obesity to immune
The Discipline Reframe Every Parent Needs: Teach Don’t Punish
If you’ve ever wondered why traditional discipline like timeouts, threats, punishments feel off or doesn’t actually work, this episode will change the way you see toddler behavior.
I’m joined by Devon Kuntzman, toddler expert and founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, to talk about how we can move from managing our kids’ behavior to teaching through it. We unpack why toddlers act out, how to handle
The Follow-Up: Understanding Autism Characteristics
As a pediatrician, I know how stressful it can feel when you’re filling out those developmental questionnaires at your child’s checkup. You check a few “no” boxes, and suddenly you’re spiraling! What does this mean? Should I be worried?
In this episode, I sit down with an autism specialist to talk through what some of those screening questions actually mean and how they’re meant to be interpreted
Autism: Is Tylenol to Blame? Is Leucovorin the Answer? A conversation with a fellow pediatrician and developmental behavioral pediatrician
This week, I sit down with two incredible guests to unpack one of the most talked-about (and misunderstood) press conferences in recent months. I’m joined by Dr. Tanya Altmann, pediatrician and founder of Calabasas Pediatrics Wellness Center, and Dr. Anshu Batra, developmental-behavioral pediatrician and autism specialist, to separate fact from fear when it comes to Tylenol, leucovorin, and autism
The Follow-Up: Why the School System is Broken
The American school system was built to measure performance but at what cost? In this Follow Up episode, Dr. Mona sits down with Lauren Smith, a former educator and nationally certified school psychologist, to unpack how our current approach to education fuels anxiety, burnout, and perfectionism in kids.
They dive into the ripple effects of over-testing, constant competition, and the push to perf
How Sensory Processing Shapes Kids’ Behavior
Sensory processing isn’t always easy to spot, but it affects how kids experience the world in a big way. From clothing struggles to party meltdowns, what looks like “behavior” can often be a child’s nervous system asking for help. That’s why I sat down with occupational therapist Laura Petix, who specializes in sensory processing and works with families online to support kids with unique sensory n
The Follow-Up: Managing Health Anxiety
When my son had a stroke and seizures as a newborn, every moment felt uncertain. Once things stabilized, that deep anxiety finally eased until the first time he got sick again. I remember walking into his room and feeling that old fear rush back.
If you’ve ever felt your heart race when your child spikes a fever or starts coughing, you’re not alone. Even if your child’s never been seriously ill,
Public Health, Politics, and Gen Z Leadership with the Youngest Congressman Maxwell Frost
Politics and public health haven’t always been so divided, but in today’s world, even science and vaccines have become political battlegrounds. That’s why I sat down with Congressman Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress and a voice for Gen Z leadership, to talk about where we go from here.
We dig into what it means to lead in such a polarized time, the dangers of politicizing health, an
The Follow-Up: Making Mom Friends is Hard
Friendships after motherhood can feel complicated. Before kids, hanging out with friends might have been as easy as grabbing brunch or planning a last-minute outing. But now? Time, energy, and support look very different.
In this Follow Up episode, Dr. Mona revisits her conversation with relational health educator Danielle Bayard Jackson, author of Fighting for Our Friendships: The Science and Ar
Car Seat Mistakes Most Parents Make (And How to Fix Them)
Car seat safety is one of those topics that feels overwhelming…so many straps, rules, and confusing instructions and yet it’s one of the most important things we do as parents.
In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and child passenger safety technician, Michelle Pratt from Safe in the Seat, to talk about the most common car seat mistakes parents make and how to fix them. We both sha
The Follow-Up: Popular Parenting Styles
Parenting styles are everywhere on social media—gentle, attachment, positive, even FAFO (that’s “f around and find out”) parenting. But what does the research actually say about these labels? And is there really one “right” way to raise kids?
In this follow-up episode, Dr. Mona revisits her conversation with clinical psychologist and Parenting Translator, Dr. Cara Goodwin. Together, they unpack w
Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Navigating Defiance, Meltdowns, and Anxiety to Raise Confident, Connected Kids
Big kids mean big feelings and sometimes that shows up as defiance, meltdowns, or even anxiety. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really going on beneath the surface and why it’s not just “bad behavior.” We often think school-aged is cruising with emotions but big feelings are common.
I’m joined by returning guest Alyssa Campbell, a child development expert, to provide the right tools for
The Follow-Up: Your Baby in the NICU
Having a baby in the NICU is something no parent plans for. Whether your child is born premature, needs extra support after delivery, or faces unexpected medical challenges, the NICU experience can feel overwhelming and full of unknowns.
Listen to the full episode.
You’ll learn:
Why babies are admitted to the NICU (and what that first moment feels like for parents)
What doctors, n
Childhood Anxiety: From Symptoms to Support in a Time of Rising Rates
Anxiety in kids doesn’t always look like worry. Sometimes it shows up as stomachaches, sleep struggles, irritability, or even constant visits to the school nurse. As pediatricians, we know this is one of the most common challenges families face today and parents are often left wondering: Is this normal? Do I need to be worried? What do I do next?
In this episode, I’m joined by pediatrician and au
The Follow-Up: 5 Things to Stop Doing as Parents
In this week’s Follow Up, Dr. Mona revisits one of her earliest and most popular episodes: 15 Things We Need to Stop Doing as Parents. This quick-hit version pulls out 5 powerful reminders that every parent needs to hear.
From the viral Instagram post that sparked thousands of saves and shares, Dr. Mona brings back the tough love truths that free parents from comparison, guilt, and perfection obs
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