The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

Vacation sounds dreamy...until you're the parent of a neurodivergent child navigating airports, new hotels, unfamiliar foods, and a completely blown-up routine. I see this in my practice all the time, and I've lived it myself. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to make family travel not just survivable, but genuinely good for your child and for you. I'm walking you through seven practi...

I have a confession. My 12-year-old's face broke out and I panicked. Not in a calm, clinical, pediatrician way. In a this-is-somehow-about-me way. And I had to stop and ask myself: what is actually happening right now? In this episode, I'm getting honest about one of the most under-addressed parts of raising kids through puberty: what happens inside us when our kids' bodies start changing in ways...

I was at the grocery store with my nine-year-old. She'd had a hard day (the class bully had gone after her) and she wanted everything. Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Brioche with Nutella. Red velvet cupcakes. Whipped cream straight from the aerosol can. And I said no to most of it. In today's episode, I'm talking about why. I'm also talking about why I think the "let kids eat whatever they want, whenever...

When we become doctors, lawyers, or teachers, there are exams, certifications, and years of preparation. But when we become parents, we’re handed a newborn and sent home. Dr. Debbie Raphael—a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist—became a mother at the same time she began her child psychiatry fellowship. That unusual overlap gave her a rare opportunity: she was learning the science of child de...

Potty training can feel like one of the most stressful milestones in early parenting. There’s pressure from preschool deadlines, advice from every corner of the internet, and the nagging feeling that your child is the only one who hasn’t figured it out yet. But what if potty training struggles aren’t really about behavior at all? In this episode, Dr. Whitney talks with Dr. Quiara Smith , a pediatr...

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast , Dr. Whitney sits down with obesity medicine specialist Dr. Matthea Rentea to unpack the complicated, often controversial topic of weight, metabolism, and health. They discuss why muscle and sleep play critical roles in metabolic health, and why many people struggle with food “noise.” They also talk openly about GLP-1 medications, diet culture, and...

Parenting can bring enormous joy but it can also put significant strain on relationships. In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with registered clinical counselor Martina Nova , author of Same Page Parenting , to talk about one of the most common challenges couples face after having children: getting on the same page. They discuss the invisible mental load that many parents (especially mothers!)...

In this episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with professional organizer MaryJo Monroe, founder of ReSPACEd , to talk about realistic home organization strategies that actually work for busy families, especially those navigating ADHD, autism, and neurodiversity. Together, they explore how organization can reduce overwhelm, save time, and support emotional regulati...

What happens when a child grows up feeling “different” without the language to understand why? In this episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with author Nancy Lasater to discuss her novel Farmer’s Son , a powerful story exploring dyslexia, identity, family dynamics, and the lifelong impact of being misunderstood as a child. Together, they explore how learning diffe...

What does it really mean to be a good daughter... and why does it feel so exhausting for so many women? In this episode, Dr. Whitney Casares is joined by Dr. Allison Alford , communication scholar and author of Good Daughtering , to explore the invisible emotional labor daughters carry across generations. They unpack how caregiving, obligation, gender expectations, and the “sandwich generation” co...

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast , Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Alyssa Campbell, parenting educator, school consultant, and bestselling author of Big Kids, Bigger Feelings , to talk about why the elementary and middle school years can feel surprisingly hard for kids and parents. They unpack what’s really going on beneath meltdowns, shutdowns, and “they’re old enough to know be...

In this episode, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for children and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research s...

What if the stories we struggle to share are the very ones that could help someone else feel less alone? In this deeply moving episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast , Dr. Whitney sits down with physician and author Dr. Rebecca Thompson to talk about her powerful collaborative memoir, Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love . The book weaves together the real-li...

In this episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast , Dr. Whitney sits down with Kishshana Palmer, speaker, coach, and author of Busy Is a Four-Letter Word: A Guide to Achieving More by Doing Less . Together, they dive into what happens when moms finally decide to step off the hamster wheel of over-functioning and start living with more intention, joy, and rest. You’ll hear: 💡 Why busyness has become...

In this episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast , Dr. Whitney sits down with Jordyn Kovaleski Gorman, a licensed pediatric feeding specialist, speech-language pathologist, and founder of Eat Play Say , a global parenting resource reaching families in over 100 countries. Together, they unpack one of the most stressful parts of early parenthood: feeding babies and toddlers — and how to do it with le...

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast , Dr. Whitney is joined by Kahlila Robinson and Sarah Gertzenzang , co-authors of The Self-Regulation Workbook for Children Ages 5–8 . Together, they dive into the critical role self-regulation plays in kids’ emotional well-being—and how parents can support it at home. Dr. Robinson and Sarah share why they created a resource that’s accessible, practi...

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with pediatric psychologist, author, and parent coach Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart to talk about how to actually love the teen you have , not the one you imagined, hoped for, or thought you’d get. Together, they unpack how to stay connected to your teen through the chaos, what to do when your kid calls you “bruh,” and how to...

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast , Dr. Whitney reconnects with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Ann-Ming Yeh —Stanford-trained pediatric gastroenterologist, integrative medicine specialist, and author of Constipation Conquered: A Holistic Guide to Your Child’s Constipation . Together, they tackle a surprisingly common (and often frustrating) parenting challenge: constipation in kid...

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast , Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Liat Ron , filmmaker and producer of the new documentary Fear and Now . The film shines a light on how fear and trauma often shape the birthing experience—and how tools like hypnobirthing can transform it into something calmer, safer, and even enjoyable. Liat shares her own journey of discovery as she dove into th...

In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast , Dr. Whitney sits down with Miyaeva Renae —full-time creator, business owner, and intentional mom—to talk about the real side of new motherhood. Miyaeva opens up about the anxiety and overwhelm she faced after having her son, Stetson, and the rituals that helped her navigate postpartum life with more calm and self-compassion. From calling on her mom...

GLP-1 medications are everywhere—ads, social feeds, fridge drawers—and our kids notice. In this solo episode, Dr. Whitney lays out when to bring GLP-1s up (rarely), when to respond (when your child asks), and exactly how to keep the conversation grounded in health, not aesthetics. She covers common myths teens absorb online, what’s appropriate for kids (and what’s not), real risks and benefits, an...

Parenting regret is one of the last taboos in modern family life—yet hundreds of thousands of parents admit to feeling it. In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with MedCircle host Kyle Kittleson to unpack this hidden reality. Together, they dive into: The rise of online communities like Reddit where “regretful parents” find solidarity Why parents can deeply love their children and still wish for...

Many of us grew up learning that exercise was about punishment or performance: “No pain, no gain.” “Burn off that cookie.” But what happens when we want something better for our kids? In this episode, Dr. Whitney unpacks her own complicated relationship with movement, how diet culture sneaks into exercise, and practical ways parents can help kids see movement as care, joy, and connection. Whether...

In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Kaelynn Partlow —autism advocate, therapist, speaker, and star of Love on the Spectrum —to talk about what parents, educators, and professionals often miss when it comes to understanding and supporting autistic kids. Kaelynn’s videos have provided powerful insights into how autistic children think, feel, and communicate. Together, she and Dr. Whitney unp...

In this special solo episode, Dr. Whitney gives a heartfelt preview of her upcoming children’s book, My One-of-a-Kind Body: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Me (out October 20). Designed for kids ages 7–12, the book helps children build body confidence, body literacy, and lifelong wellness habits—without shame. But this episode isn’t just for kids. Whitney reads the powerful letter to parents from...