Katie's Crib

Tia Mowry-Hardrict (Sister, Sister; The Game) joins the crib to discuss “The Quick Fix Kitchen,” her new cookbook of yummy kid-friendly recipes!   Tia shares how motherhood has changed her, which recipes her family can’t get enough of, and ways to sneak extra nutrients into a classic dish. Later, Katie rolls up her sleeves and out a tortilla to create Tia’s go-to snack for her kids. And this one i...

Kim Van Der Beek, wife of “Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van Der Beek, shares with Katie her personal experience of birthing and raising five children. The former business consultant goes into detail about her five labors, and how she and her family healed from sudden pregnancy losses. Kim also explains why we should help children discover who they are instead of molding them into what we want them...

Katie speaks with Lizzie Assa (founder, the Workspace for Children) about teaching kids how to play independently. The parenting strategist outlines the value and importance of independent play, how to end parental burnout, and the difference between close-ended toys and open-ended toys. Plus, have you ever had your child come up to you and tell you “I’m bored?” Tune in to learn how to respond! Le...

Theresa Caputo (Long Island Medium) stops by Katie’s Crib to offer insight into how to talk to children about grief, healing, and spiritual guidance. The famous psychic medium discusses the importance of listening to your instincts, why we should not fear death, and how spirituality may come into play when it comes to children and souls. Plus, what is a “rainbow baby”? Tune in to be informed and e...

Katie invites Mary O’Malley (Pilates teacher, therapist of body and mind) and season 2 guest Talia Moore (founder of Tummy Thyme) to chat about their personal struggles of postpartum depression.  The moms each outline how postpartum depression felt, and how their friends and family reacted and offered support. The three also provide quick tips for mothers who may be going through the same experien...

Katie invites two friends and fellow actresses, Stefanie Black and Lindsey Kraft, to chat all about egg freezing. Is it all what it’s cracked up to be?  The “Scandal” and “Grace and Frankie” stars respectively look back on their personal experiences with the procedure, from the financial costs to recovering afterward. The two also note the amount of medication that may be needed, and the importanc...

Emily Oster, author of The New York Times bestseller “Family Firm,” talks with Katie about family decision-making and data-driven information. Emily teaches us her strategy of how a household can make important choices (the “Four F’s”). The Brown University professor also describes what she has learned through pandemic parenting, and how important it is to follow through with family choices. Plus,...

Newborn Care Specialist Alexandra Latten Argosino shares with Katie's audience tips about taking care of a newborn baby and finding the right nanny to assist.  The two discuss what Alexandra’s experience was like taking care of Katie’s daughter Vera, and what a typical night looks like for a specialist helping with newborns.  The retired nurse also gets into the importance of having at least one p...

Katie talks to Pamela Paul, editor of The New York Times Book Review and author of “How to Raise a Reader.” Katie and Pamela discuss how to nurture your child’s interest in reading and cultivate a lifelong love of books. They also get into the benefits of boredom and why it’s okay to not maximize every moment of kids’ lives. Crib Notes: How to Raise a Reader - By Pamela Paul and Maria Russo   My L...

August 25 is the National Park Service's 105th birthday! We’re honoring the day through chatting with Joovy founder Rob Gardner and his wife Sarah about family trips and the great outdoors. The two tell Katie about their experiences growing up with the outdoors. They also share tips on using the bathroom in the woods, how to deal with car sickness, and what to bring on your next nature trip with y...

Vote Mama founder and former congressional candidate, Liuba Gretchen Shirley, talks to Katie about the importance of supporting moms running for office. Liuba tells the story of how Vote Mama, a PAC that supports Democratic moms with young children running for office, came to fruition. She also discusses her opinion of why people are against paid maternity leave and childcare, and why we should en...

Katie chats with registered nurse and Milky Mama founder Krystal Duhaney to talk about breastfeeding, and how her tasty treats help with milk supply.  Krystal outlines the line of desserts and treats Milky Mama provides, as well as the free education and consultations the company offers. The entrepreneur also dives into how she manages between mom guilt and work-life balance. Plus, did you know th...

Katie sits down with actress and author, Gabrielle Union. Gabrielle opens up about being diagnosed with Adenomyosis late in life, her struggles to conceive, and her family’s beautiful and inspiring surrogacy journey.  The moms also talk about imposter syndrome, raising Kaavia James aka ‘shady baby,’ and the unpleasant side effects of IVF. Crib Notes: Adenomyosis - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseas...

In April 2016, stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt lost his first wife, true crime author Michelle McNamara, after being married for over a decade. Their daughter Alice was only six years old at the time.    In today’s Katie’s Crib conversation, we hear how Patton found love and joy again with actress Meredith Salenger, the beautiful way they integrated their lives, and how they’ve supported Alice thr...

Katie Lowes is joined by Dr. Dan Siegel, recognized neuropsychiatrist and author of some of Katie’s favorite parenting books, including  No-Drama Discipline  and  The Whole-Brain Child . Dr. Siegel goes in depth about how parents can help their children develop emotional and social intelligence. The Mindsight Institute co-founder explains what his term “mindsight” means, and why it matters. He als...

Ashlee Margolis is a working mama trying to look out for Mother Earth AND have more sit-down family meals. The founder of the brand building agency, The A List, shares her path to running a more eco-friendly business and household. From what you put on your body to what you put in it, Ashlee offers actionable ways parents can practice greener living as conscious consumers. The mom of three also ge...

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Caterina Scorsone joins Katie to discuss her experience raising three children during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also explains what life is like on the set of Shondaland being a mother.  Caterina shares her experience of parenting a daughter with Down Syndrome, the lessons she’s learning along the way, and why it’s essential that society understands the difference between equ...

In honor of Pride Month, Katie is joined by author of “The Other Mothers,” Jennifer Berney. Jenn addresses the patriarchal ideals that are getting in the way of society accepting LGBTQ+ family-making. She also tells of the struggles she and her partner went through while creating their own family, and the importance of letting children know early on about their donors. Also, did you know that we d...

Father’s Day is around the corner! To celebrate, Katie is joined by her TV husband in the upcoming CBS sitcom  Smallwood,  comedian Pete Holmes and his wife IRL Val Holmes. Pete and Val recall how a bad mushroom trip triggered Val’s trauma-healing journey before their daughter arrived. The two also discuss why they decided on “Lila Jane” for their daughter’s name, and how they would handle her cha...

Pretty Little Liars ’ Troian Bellisario and  Suits ’ Patrick J. Adams share the wild and unexpected way they welcomed their second baby into the world! Troian and Patrick may not have had a firm birth plan, but delivering in a car was NOT exactly what they had in mind. Tune in as the two detail everything about Troian’s pregnancy and a labor experience that they (and one security guard) will never...

Katie Lowes talks with Dr. Michaeleen Doucleff about her journey to writing New York Times bestseller “Hunt, Gather Parent” and what she discovered Western parents have been missing out on along the way.  Admittedly feeling ill-equipped to handle her three-year-old daughter, Michaeleen travelled the world to observe and implement parenting practices from different cultures. Struck by the results i...

Katie Lowes opens up about her own experience with postpartum depression and invites to the show a key person who helped her through, psychiatrist Dr. Kira Stein.  Through Katie’s survivor story, Dr. Stein addresses some of the most common stigmas associated with this treatable disorder. Katie and Dr. Stein talk through the signs and symptoms of PPD and how it differs from baby blues and postpartu...

Comedian, actress and “The Circle” host Michelle Buteau gets real about what led her to surrogacy and how she and her husband are navigating their different parenting styles as they raise their twin toddlers. Michelle also shares with Katie her thoughts on work-life “balance” as a parent, future school plans for her children, and diaper duty. Plus, are you a mom who is struggling to conceive and n...

Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro welcomed their daughter Vera Fay to the world on November 22, 2020. In this episode, Katie invites her husband Adam and her doula Rebecca Benenati back to Katie’s Crib for a healing discussion about her delivery and the 9 months leading up to it. Through laughter and a few tears, the three recount the many obstacles brought on by COVID-19 and Katie learns all that was...

In the season four opener, Katie Lowes catches up with actress, singer, and brand new mama Kat McPhee Foster to hear all about her journey to parenthood with her husband David Foster.  Kat reveals all that went down (and came up) in her delivery room, how her son’s name was chosen, and how her pregnancy impacted her relationship with her body.  Plus, Kat offers perhaps the most practical advice in...