Laura Birek, Shanna Micko

Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Kids EN ↓ 463 episodes

Getting a big fat positive pregnancy test (your BFP!) is just the beginning of a wild, emotional and often funny ride into parenthood, and "Big Fat Positive" is here for you through it all. On this weekly podcast, hosts Shanna and Laura share their pregnancies and parenthood in real time, starting at just eight weeks pregnant. They tell hilarious true stories, tackle tough parenting topics, share favorite tips and products, explore the wild and wacky corners of parenthood, and bring in expert guests for trustworthy insight on pregnancy, babies, mental health and more. Whether you’re newly preg...

Author

Laura Birek, Shanna Micko

Category

Kids

Podcast website

art19.com

Latest episode

Jul 6, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

Ep. 273 - Mom Hacks for Pumping, Shopping, Bathing and More! 25.09.2023

In the special segment "What the Hack!?" Laura and Shanna share some of their favorite parenting tips, including a trick for how to pump on the go and an idea for engaging kids in the sandbox. Also, Laura reports on her family getting taken down one-by-one by a virus, and Shanna discusses the revelation she had while playing pretend with her four-year-old. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs f...

Ep. 272 - How Pregnancy and Birth Affect Your Pelvic Floor 18.09.2023

Laura and Shanna welcome guest Dr. Linda Sayyad, aka "The Vagina Doctor," a pelvic floor physical therapist and the owner and director of Feminocentric Physical Therapy and Wellness in Pasadena, CA. During their conversation, Dr. Sayyad teaches Shanna and Laura what exactly the pelvic floor is, how pregnancy and birth affect the pelvic floor, how to get help for pelvic floor issues such as postpar...

Ep. 271 - Vacationing with Young Kids 11.09.2023

In the special segment "OMG I'm Freaking Out!," Shanna's kids get her all in a tizzy at Target, and Laura's family is feeling the financial strain of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. Also, Laura reports on her two-year-old's first day at his new preschool, and Shanna relays the highs and lows of her family's vacation to Hawaii. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna...

Ep. 270 - Texts From a Four-Year-Old 04.09.2023

In the special segment "Internet Insanity," Shanna and Laura share the wild and wacky parenting-related content they've found online recently, including a humorous research study involving Legos, videos of people experiencing simulated period pain and more! Also, Shanna talks about the questionable ways her four-year-old spent her time during the day while Shanna worked, and Laura reports on her f...

Ep. 269 - Daddy Camp 28.08.2023

Laura reports on how her husband has offered to take the lead on filling their four-year-old's summer break with exciting activities, and Shanna discusses an important lesson her family learned about the value of sticking with commitments. Also, in the special segment "Never Have I Ever: Parenting Edition," Shanna and Laura reveal funny and unexpected situations they’ve never been in before having...

Ep. 268 - Period Products and Playgrounds of the Past 21.08.2023

In the special segment "Today I Learned," Laura and Shanna dive into the fascinating topics of period-product research, playgrounds of the past and more! Also, Shanna reports on her efforts to reclaim some parts of herself that have been absent lately, and Laura talks about her four-year-old's last week at preschool. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 4.5 and 7...

Ep. 267 - Advocating for Your Child Even When It's Hard 14.08.2023

Shanna talks about advocating for her daughter even though it wasn't the most comfortable thing for her to do, and Laura reports on her son's post-ear-tube surgery progress, including how it has been affecting his sleep at night. Also, in the special segment "They Said What?!" they discuss the funny, outrageous or offensive things people have said to them recently about parenting, including the to...

Ep. 266 - Toddler Ear Tube Surgery 07.08.2023

Laura reports on her 2-year-old's ear tube surgery, and Shanna talks about having to push through her discomfort to advocate for her daughter. Also, in the special segment "Loose Ends," Shanna and Laura provide updates on topics that were left hanging in previous episodes, including picky eating, parenting techniques, big feelings, weaning, triggers and more. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFN...

Ep. 265 - Bizarre Mom Crushes 31.07.2023

Laura and Shanna divulge their most outrageous and embarrassing parenting moves in the special segment "Mom Confessions," diving into the topics of bizarre mom crushes, odd fashion choices and more! Also, Laura has an exciting update on her four-year-old's ongoing TK conundrum, and Shanna spontaneously tries a new bedtime routine with her daughters. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the...

Ep. 264 - Pulling Out Thorns and Ripping Off Band-Aids 24.07.2023

In the special segment "Why Is My Kid Crying?" Shanna and Laura share the things that have caused their little ones to melt down recently, including a sidewalk sob-fest that many adults can probably relate to, a thorny situation in the backyard and more! Also, Shanna discusses the relief of summer camp starting for her four-year-old, and Laura reports on her two-year-old's recent trip to the ENT t...

Ep. 263 - Reducing Nighttime Wakings 17.07.2023

In the special segment "Throwback," Shanna tells a story from her college days when she was a boy-obsessed co-ed and things go awry after she's asked on her first college date. Also, Laura reports on her efforts to take control of her two-year-old's nighttime wakings, and Shanna talks about her daughters' new sleep schedule that has her feeling snoozy. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for t...

Ep. 262 - Dorm Mom 10.07.2023

In the special segment "Throwback," Laura tells a story from her college years about an experience that surprisingly taught her lessons about motherhood. Also, Shanna reports on her four-year-old's IEP assessment with an occupational therapist, speech therapist and school psychologist, and Laura talks about the bedtime shenanigans that happened during her family's trip to Portland. Finally, they s...

Ep. 261 - Finding Your Village as a Mom 03.07.2023

Shanna and Laura answer more listener questions in the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox," covering the topics of social media, parenting experts, finding your village as a mom and more. Also, Laura reports on the newest developments in her two-year-old's sleep struggles, and Shanna talks about the surprising reaction she had to being away from her kids. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs f...

Ep. 260 - Facing Harsh Realities While Raising Kids 26.06.2023

Laura and Shanna answer listener questions in the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox," covering the topics of gun violence, kids' hair care, geriatric motherhood and more. Also, Shanna reports on the first step of her four-year-old's IEP assessment, and Laura talks about how attending a friend's murder trial has affected her parenting life. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Sh...

Ep. 259 - School Dilemmas 19.06.2023

Shanna and Laura air their petty parenting grievances in the special segment "Gripe Water." They sound off about potty breaks, early school dismissals, the shortcomings of parenting advice and more! Also, Laura has a big update about her ongoing conundrum about where to send her four-year-old to transitional kindergarten in the fall, and Shanna talks about getting wrapped up in the whirlwind of ki...

Ep. 258 - Weathering a Parenting Storm 12.06.2023

Laura and Shanna reveal the funny and unusual things they've asked the internet about parenting recently in the special segment "What I Googled This Week," including questions about bugs, kids' drawings and more! Also, Shanna reports on one of her hardest days ever of parenting, and Laura discusses taking a road trip with her two- and four-year-old. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the...

Ep. 257 - Signs of Potty Readiness 05.06.2023

Laura talks about how her two-year-old is showing signs of being ready for potty training, and Shanna reports on her four-year-old's refusal to take medicine. Also, in the special segment "Mom Wins," Laura and Shanna celebrate their recent parenting achievements, including heroic saves at the arcade and the beach. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 4 and 7 year...

Ep. 256 - When Parenting and Work Collide 29.05.2023

In the special segment “Stump the Moms,” Shanna and Laura grill each other with amusing and educational trivia questions about advanced maternal age, a wacky world record and more! Also, Shanna reports on juggling work and parenting when her two worlds collide, and Laura talks about the results of her four-year-old's medicine reward chart. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shan...

Ep. 255 - Laura's Life-Changing Mom Hack 22.05.2023

In the special segment "What the Hack!?" Laura and Shanna share some of their favorite parenting tips, including a clutter-free idea for displaying kids' art, a super quick way to cook pasta, a clever way to teach kids your phone number and a parenting trick that Laura swears has changed her life. Also, Laura talks about dealing with her two-year-old's huge outbursts of emotion, and Shanna discuss...

Ep. 254 - How Not to Hire a Nanny 15.05.2023

In the special segment "Internet Insanity," Shanna and Laura share the wackiest parenting-related things they've come across online recently, including photos of babies in danger and an absurd nanny job description! Also, Shanna reports on a cringe-worthy trip to a rescue farm with her kids, and Laura talks about how the brakes were unexpectedly slammed on her parenting duties this week. Finally,...

Ep. 253 - Super Moms! Mother's Day Edition 08.05.2023

In the special segment "Super Moms!," Laura and Shanna share listener stories about some incredible moms, including a heartwarming story of mom instincts kicking in just in time, an inspiring tale of accomplishment during the newborn phase and more! Also, Laura reports on one of the best family vacations she's ever had with her kids, and Shanna talks about how a rough week for her family turned ar...

Ep. 252 - Parenting Triggers 01.05.2023

In the special segment "Big Topic," Shanna and Laura dive into the subject of parenting triggers. They talk about the situations and behaviors that automatically fire up strong feelings, explore how their triggers are related to their own childhoods and discuss ways of handling these reactions in the present. Also, Shanna talks about getting her four-year-old a developmental screening, and Laura d...

Ep. 251 - Dining Out with Young Kids 24.04.2023

Laura reports on a surprising trip to a restaurant with her two- and four-year old sons, and Shanna talks about going on a one-on-one date with her four-year-old daughter. Also, in the special segment "OMG I'm Freaking Out!," Shanna shares a hilarious story of near-loss at a shopping center water fountain, and Laura worries that her out-of-this-world ambitions have gone too far. Finally, they shar...

Ep. 250 - Skating Sagas 17.04.2023

Shanna reports on a hilariously dramatic trip to the roller skating rink with her two kids, and Laura tells a mini-throwback about a childhood ice skating trip that ended in disaster. Also, in the special segment "Never Have I Ever: Parenting Edition," Laura and Shanna reveal funny and unexpected situations they’ve never been in before having kids, including pretend play gone wrong, sneaky skincar...

Ep. 249 - Sugar Phobia, Fatphobia and Feeding Kids: An Interview with Virginia Sole-Smith - Part 2 10.04.2023

Shanna and Laura continue the conversation with special guest Virginia Sole-Smith about how to approach feeding our children in a way that promotes confidence and body autonomy rather than deprivation, fatphobia, sugar phobia and diet culture. Virginia is the author of the upcoming book " Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture " and the host of the " Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith " po...

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