Learning To Mom ® Motherhood Podcast for First Time Moms, New Moms and Expecting Mothers

Behavioral geneticist Dr. Danielle Dick (author of The Child Code) breaks down your child's temperament and how to actually parent the kid you've got. In this episode, we get into: Why your child's behavior is NOT a reflection of your parenting The roughly 50/50 split between genes and environment, and what it means for you The "three E's" of temperament: extroversion...

Don't roll your eyes because this is NOT the kind of episode where you're gonna be guilt tripped.  This week it's just me telling you the WHOLE story of how I actually got into non-toxic living , plus my favorite swaps we use in our home. AND the things we do that cost ZERO money.  In this episode, I'm getting into: Where my passion for clean living ACTUALLY started How years o...

If you've ever sat at a well check, brought up a concern about your toddler, and been told to just "wait and see"... this episode is for YOU. Allison is a pediatric physical therapist (and a mom of four who had four kids in five and a half years, so she GETS it), and she is breaking down exactly what your 12 to 24 month old should be doing, when, and how to tell the difference betwe...

Whether you've whispered "what is wrong with me" after snapping over a spilled sippy cup, or you've been told it's "just hormones" one too many times, this episode is going to make you feel SO seen. Stacia Scott, nurse practitioner and founder of Postpartum Care USA, is back for round two, and she's bringing data from more postpartum moms than any clinic in...

What happens when your toddler climbs out of the crib or when you're ready to move them into a "big kid bed"?  In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Burke, founder of Awesome Little Sleepers and creator of the REST Method, to talk about the transition no one prepares you for: moving your child from the crib to a big kid bed. If you've got a toddler who's started leaving...

Whether you're a first time mom feeling overwhelmed or a seasoned mom gearing up for another round, this episode is a peek into exactly how I'm preparing for my second natural birth with baby #3.  From physical to mental, spiritual to postpartum prep, I'm walking you through everything I'm doing this time around!! A heads up before you press play: this is not a checklist. You d...

This episode is going to give you so much more clarity, compassion, and confidence. In this episode, we’re talking about what’s really going on beneath toddler behavior, and how we can BEST respond. In this episode, we cover:  A breakdown of the Transforming Toddlerhood's parenting approach   The biggest misconceptions parents have about toddlers   What’s actually happening in a toddler’s bra...

How we talk about food, model it and the environment we create around it all impacts our children's relationship with food! In this episode, I’m joined by Kids Eat In Color to break down what a healthy relationship with food actually looks like and how to approach meals and snacks without pressure, bribing, or power struggles. In this episode, we cover: What a healthy relationship with food r...

If you’ve ever questioned whether your child is getting enough play, the right kind of play, or if you should be doing more, this episode is going to take a huge weight off your shoulders. In this episode, we break down what actually matters when it comes to play in the toddler years, so you can stop overthinking it and start feeling confident in what you’re already doing! In this episode, we cove...

DIVING DEEP into something most parents never think twice about… but definitely should: The shoes you put on your kid's feet are affecting their brain development, posture, and even how they move for the rest of their life. 👀 In this episode, I’m joined by Andy Bryant to break down why being barefoot matters, what’s actually happening in your child’s feet when they walk, and how the wrong sh...

If you're interested in "early potty training" this is the episode you want to listen to! In this episode, we cover: What elimination communication (EC) actually is The benefits of starting potty learning earlier The difference between full-time vs. part-time Elimination Communication How to start elimination communication with a toddler (12–24 months) What the “wrap up” phase looks...

If you’ve ever felt like the noise, the mess, the constant needs of motherhood, are  too much... listen in, this episode is for you! We’re talking all about mom overstimulation with Alexis Adams, founder of Confidently Therapy.  Feeling overstimulated is something that we all experience and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad mom it means you’re a mom! In this episode we cover: What’s physically happenin...

This episode breaks down how the early years SHAPE the brain without the fear based parenting messaging. We talk about how a child's brain is built through relationships, play, and emotional experiences, and why your presence matters more than perfection. From handling big toddler emotions, to supporting kids who aren’t talking yet, to understanding how your own stress impacts your child’s ne...

if you have a child aged 0 months to 12 years old, this episode is for you! Between different types of seats, confusing guidelines, and your parents or in-laws constantly asking you, "when can they be forward facing?" it's a lot. In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Pratt from Safe in the Seat to break down car seat safety in a way that actually makes sense. We’re covering exactl...

Every single parent needs to listen to this episode!!! CLICK PLAY and listen all the way through. My word, jaw dropping stuff!!! We talk about the gut microbiome, common disruptions like antibiotics and parasites, and simple ways to help kids thrive from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice about toddler nutrition or gut health, this episode is for you. You’ll walk...

In this solo episode, I’m sharing a more personal side of my story and talking about something I don’t discuss often on the podcast: my faith. If you’ve been listening for a while, you know I’m a devout Catholic and my relationship with the Lord has deeply shaped how I experience motherhood. Especially in the moments that feel messy, exhausting, or overwhelming. Today we’re talking about why moder...

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the real numbers, real strategies, and real mindset shifts that make one-income living doable, even in today’s economy! I’m joined by Mammas On A Budget to talk through what their family budget actually looks like on one income, how to reduce financial stress without feeling restricted, and practical ways moms can bring in extra money without taking on a ful...

Lenore Skenazy, author of Free-Range Kids , has been sounding the alarm for years: in our effort to protect our children, we may actually be holding them back. In this conversation, we dive into what’s happened to childhood over the past few decades, why independence is declining, why parents feel more pressure than ever to supervise and structure everything, and what it’s costing our kids. From h...

Today’s episode is a little more personal 👀👀 We’re entering a brand new season as a family,  and I wanted to bring you into it! (It's long overdue to be honest) If you’ve been walking through motherhood alongside me, this one feels extra special to share. I’m also talking about something I haven’t shared much about before, what I personally focused on while trying to conceive. Not from a “h...

Afraid you may be on your way to burnout? Or maybe you're already there? Curious to know the signs, and know how to get out of it? You're in the right place! Dr. Sasha Shillcutt breaks down how burnout develops, why modern moms are especially vulnerable, and how to recognize the early warning signs before you hit a breaking point. This conversation is practical, validating, and deeply fr...

College educated women with five or more children are NOT the cultural norm, so why are some choosing this path anyway? In this fascinating conversation, economist and author Dr. Catherine Pakaluk discusses the birth dearth, shares what she discovered after interviewing  educated American women who chose large families in an era defined by career ambition. We talk about the “birth dearth,” modern...

If you're feeling overstimulated by all the STUFF in your home, then this episode is for you! In this conversation, we’re breaking down how to declutter well and how to create simple, realistic home systems that can completely change the way your home functions (especially with babies and toddlers). This episode is practical and encouraging! In this episode, we cover: Why decluttering comes b...

DIVING DEEP into the things parents are constantly told “not to worry about”, like pacifiers, thumb sucking, mouth breathing, snoring, and chronic ear infections AND MORE.  In this eye opening conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Ben Miraglia to unpack how jaw development, airway health, breathing, and sleep are all deeply connected in babies and toddlers. We talk about the early signs parents often mi...

How to balance your hormones naturally with The Women’s Health RN! Moms are told that our rage, exhaustion, anxiety, painful periods, adult acne, or fertility struggles are just "part of our hormones". We need better answers! In this conversation with The Women’s Health RN, we talk honestly about hormone balance, why so many women feel off in today’s world, and what small, realistic step...

Ever feel like your brain doesn’t work the way it USED TO since becoming a mom? Forgetting things, struggling to focus, or being mentally foggy all day?? In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Keeley from the Mom Brain Makeover to break down what “mom brain” actually is, what’s happening inside the brain during motherhood, and why these changes are not a flaw, but helps keep our babies alive!! Here...