Family isn’t one-size-fits-all. And neither is the journey to building one. In today’s episode of Chick Chat, we’re diving into a conversation that challenges traditional ideas of family and motherhood. Whether you’re a new parent, dreaming of parenthood, or simply curious about your own path, this episode will inspire you to embrace possibility and self-discovery. So many of us grow up with certain expectations about what “family” should look like. But what if you could design a family that tru...
Aug 05, 2025•55 min•Ep. 183
Movement is one of the most powerful ways babies learn about their bodies, their environment, and even their emotions. But in today’s world of baby gear, screen time, and jam-packed schedules, purposeful movement often takes a backseat. That’s why today’s episode is all about why movement matters and how to support your baby’s physical development with simple, intentional activities and play. To help us explore this topic, I’m joined by Dr. Allison Mell , pediatric physical therapist, founder of...
Jul 22, 2025•52 min•Ep. 185
The first days, weeks, and months after a baby is born are filled with so many emotions—joy, exhaustion, love, and sometimes, even uncertainty. I've been right there, too, and felt all of them. But in those early moments, something incredibly powerful is happening beneath the surface: your baby is learning how to trust the world through you . It's pretty incredible when you think about it. So we had to learn more about this and the significance of developing a strong bond with our babies. In thi...
Jul 08, 2025•52 min•Ep. 181
Sleep is essential for us all and a cornerstone of childhood development. But what happens when your child isn’t sleeping as soundly as they should? And I'm not talking about nightmares or wetting the bed . I'm talking about snoring, mouth breathing, or restless nights. You might just think these are just quirks of growing up, but they could actually be signs of a bigger issue: sleep-disordered breathing. And it's something way more common than you would think. Today on Chick Chat , I’m joined b...
Jun 24, 2025•49 min•Ep. 180
Navigating maternity leave can be super confusing, and it often leaves expecting mothers feeling overwhelmed. You’re already juggling the demands of pregnancy, work, and planning for your baby. Now you have to plan for postpartum, too, and what life will really be like once your little one is here? You sure do! The problem is that many women assume their employer will guide the way. The truth? Maternity leave planning really falls on the expecting parents' shoulders. That’s why today’s episode i...
Jun 10, 2025•52 min•Ep. 179
If you've recently had a baby (or even if it’s been a while), chances are you’ve heard some version of the phrase “bounce back.” Maybe you’ve seen it on social media. Maybe it came from a well-meaning friend, family member, or even your own inner voice. And maybe, like so many moms, that phrase made you pause and wonder: What exactly am I bouncing back to? In this episode of Chick Chat , I’m joined by Haley Wienke, a prenatal and postpartum fitness and nutrition coach, to unpack the real meaning...
May 27, 2025•57 min•Ep. 178
In today’s fast-paced, overstimulated world, kids are absorbing so much. They are seeing us overpack our schedules, rushing from one thing to the next, and are constantly "on." Many of us parents are wondering: how do we help our kids regulate their emotions, connect with their bodies, and stay grounded? I know that I certainly am. That’s why I’m so excited to share this conversation with Lauren Chaitoff, founder and chief visionary of Yogi Beans. In this episode of Chick Chat , Lauren and I div...
May 13, 2025•46 min•Ep. 178
We are back with Dr. Jen Wagner and RN Bethany Scott continuing our conversation about C-sections! In Part 1 of our conversation , we talked all about what to expect before, during, and immediately after a C-section. But as we all know, the birth is just the beginning. In this episode of Chick Chat , Dr. Jen and RN Bethany from The C-Section Experience Podcast talk about what comes next: the healing, the emotions, and the realities of postpartum recovery after a cesarean birth. We dive into the ...
May 06, 2025•56 min•Ep. 176
Whether it’s scheduled or unexpected, I firmly believe that a cesarean birth is still a birth, and every mom deserves to feel informed, supported, and empowered through it. But the truth is, many women go into their C-sections feeling unprepared and unsure of what to expect during a C-section. That’s why I knew we needed to record this episode, and I found the perfect guests to help us do just that: Dr. Jen Wagner, a board-certified obstetric anesthesiologist, and Bethany Scott, a registered nur...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 176
Toddlerhood is often described as a rollercoaster, which, as a mother to two myself, I can see why. Riding those emotional highs and lows can be a lot, but luckily, if you're also riding the waves, you’re not alone. From epic meltdowns over the “wrong” snack to power struggles over everything from bedtime to toothbrushing, it’s a season filled with big feelings (from both the kids and the parents!). That's why we're excited about this episode of Chick Chat. I’m chatting with Laura Amies, also kn...
Apr 22, 2025•50 min•Ep. 174
As a doula and advocate for mothers, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is that every woman feels safe, seen, and supported throughout her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. But the reality is, not all women are receiving the care they deserve — especially Black mothers. In fact, Black women in the United States are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women — a heartbreaking and unacceptable reality that demands action, awareness, and systemic...
Apr 15, 2025•53 min•Ep. 173
The term “mommy makeover” has gained popularity over the past decade or so, but what does it actually involve? And who is it the right choice for? In this episode of Chick Chat , I’m joined by renowned board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Francel to pull back the curtain on mommy makeovers and help us really understand what women need to consider. With over 30 years of surgical expertise and a passion for educating and empowering women, Dr. Francel shares what these procedures include, how...
Apr 08, 2025•59 min•Ep. 172
Empathy is one of the most powerful skills we can teach our children — but it can feel like such a big, important topic. You might wonder, "Where do we start?" In today’s fast-paced, often self-focused world, raising empathetic kids takes intention, awareness, and ongoing conversation. It's something that I find incredibly important, so that's why in this episode of Chick Chat , I sit down with Monica Berg to explore how parents can begin introducing and nurturing empathy in their children from ...
Apr 01, 2025•37 min•Ep. 171
If mealtimes feel like a battle in your home, you’re not alone. Many parents struggle with picky eating, and I’ve experienced it firsthand with my daughter — who, like many kids, has earned the label of a " picky eater " in our family. But how do you know when picky eating is more than just a phase? I recently heard about Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFDs) and was shocked, confused, and intrigued by the topic. When I learned how PFDs affect millions of children, yet they often go undiagnosed or ...
Mar 18, 2025•45 min
If you have a child who seems to fight sleep with every ounce of their being . . . you’re not alone. While some kids easily drift off, others — especially those who are highly sensitive, alert, and intense — struggle with winding down, leaving parents exhausted and desperate for solutions. In this episode of Chick Chat , I sit down with sleep expert Macall Gordon to discuss why traditional sleep advice often fails these “livewire” children and what parents can do instead. With years of research ...
Mar 04, 2025•48 min•Ep. 169
Staying active during pregnancy isn’t just about fitness. It's so much more than that. It’s about feeling strong, prepared, and connected to your changing body. But with so much conflicting advice on what’s safe and effective, many expecting moms aren’t sure where to start. That's why in this episode of Chick Chat , we sit down with Gina Conley, the founder of MamasteFit.com , to break down the powerful benefits of prenatal fitness. From boosting overall health and reducing pregnancy discomforts...
Feb 18, 2025•50 min•Ep. 168
If you have a picky eater at home, you’re not alone! I'm right in the trenches with you. I've noticed that many parents find mealtime to be one of the most frustrating parts of the day, wondering how to get their child to try new foods without a battle. That's why I had to chat with Amanda Blechman, a registered dietitian, recipe developer, and mom of two, to help us parents navigate the tricky world of picky eating. I loved this episode with Amanda — she shared expert insights on what parents m...
Feb 04, 2025•50 min•Ep. 167
Pregnancy is a time of profound transformation — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As your body grows and adapts to nurture new life, finding ways to connect with yourself and your baby can be a grounding and empowering experience. Prenatal yoga has been a popular form of exercise and movement during pregnancy because it offers a unique opportunity to do just that, blending movement, breathwork, and mindfulness to ease discomforts, calm the mind, and prepare the body for labor and birth....
Jan 21, 2025•41 min•Ep. 166
Welcoming a baby into the world is a beautiful experience, but the postpartum journey often comes with its own set of challenges. Between sleepless nights, recovering from birth, and adjusting to your new role as a mom, it’s easy for self-care — especially fitness and wellness — to take a back seat. However, prioritizing your physical and mental health is not only important for you but also for your family. In this episode, we’re diving into postpartum fitness and wellness. We’re exploring pract...
Jan 07, 2025•44 min
I believe that most parents have heard about how synthetic dyes are “bad” for us and should probably be avoided. However, I don't think we really understand the reasons why and the science behind it. It's just not talked about enough, unfortunately. But, after talking to today's guests and learning more about the truth of synthetic dyes and the science about how they affect us, especially our kids, is seriously disturbing and downright maddening! Thankfully, our guests set out to discover and sh...
Dec 31, 2024•57 min•Ep. 164
It's no secret that more and more couples are facing fertility challenges today. Fertility treatments are on the rise, and people are looking for alternatives and more natural solutions to help them during their fertility journeys. When looking back at generations before us, they didn't experience as many fertility issues as our generation. This got me thinking about why this might be the case and what we can do about it. I wanted to learn more and got to talk to today's guest, pre-pregnancy exp...
Dec 10, 2024•50 min•Ep. 163
When preparing for labor, most people are fixated on getting through the first stage and handling the contractions . And I get it. It's the longest stage of labor, and it can determine how you will birth your baby. But one area that I think does not get enough time and attention that really should when talking about labor and birth is pushing . You might think that there’s not much when it comes to pushing. "You just push the baby out, right?" But you couldn’t be more wrong. If only it were that...
Nov 26, 2024•57 min•Ep. 162
Thanksgiving is around the corner! This is the time when we're solidifying our menu, confirming guests, and thinking about all of the ways we can keep our little ones happy and involved during the event. The holidays can bring up a lot of emotions. As moms, we feel the pressure to create the magic around the holidays and have things perfect for our guests and kids. And when you're the one hosting Thanksgiving, it can feel like extra pressure on your shoulders, especially if kids are attending. W...
Nov 19, 2024•33 min•Ep. 161
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. To get involved and help spread awareness, we wanted to learn more about Type 1 diabetes, its signs and symptoms, how common it is, and what we can do to help. I learned a lot during this episode, and one thing that stood out to me was that Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, but it can develop at any age. I had no idea! Anastasia really broke everything down for us, including what parents really need to know about T...
Nov 12, 2024•34 min•Ep. 160
Nowadays, it's common for most women to be in the workforce before they embark on motherhood. Once they have decided to expand their families, maternity leave is something that enters their minds. How much time will she have off? How much will be paid or unpaid? What should she prepare for to have a smooth maternity leave? There are a lot of questions, so we had to "chick chat" with Dr. Jessica Madden, a mom of four, a board-certified pediatrician and neonatologist, and an International Board-Ce...
Nov 05, 2024•53 min•Ep. 159
Thinking about birth when you are currently pregnant can bring up a lot of emotions. The main ones are excitement and impatience to meet your new baby, as well as anxiety and fear about the unknown of childbirth. With more people (in the United States) choosing to give birth in a hospital, families wonder what they can do to have a great hospital birth. There are a lot of things you can do during pregnancy to prepare for a positive experience, and we are chatting all about it with our guest Adri...
Oct 29, 2024•56 min•Ep. 158
When we're pregnant, I feel like we hear so much information about what we should and shouldn't eat. We need more folate, more choline, more iron, etc. All of this is important for us to know so that we can be proactive and have a healthy pregnancy and grow a healthy baby. But have you heard much about your nutritional needs when you are postpartum? I haven't. And this is one of the times in life when you need even more vitamins and nutrients for your body to aid in your recovery and nourish you...
Oct 15, 2024•44 min•Ep. 157
As parents, we want to set our children up for success in every area of life, and one crucial skill that often gets overlooked is financial literacy. In a world where financial decisions play such a big and vital role in our lives, teaching kids how to be smart with money is one of the most valuable gifts we can give them. Our guest today, money mindfulness expert David Delisle, agrees and is on a mission to change how we teach our kids about money. He says, "As a society, we need to eliminate a...
Oct 01, 2024•54 min•Ep. 156
I grew up in the late 80s and 90s. Back then, things were a lot simpler. There weren't any smartphones, and the internet was nonexistent. It didn't feel as fast-paced and loud as it is today. Thinking back to childhood, I remember playing outside a lot and having sleepovers at my girlfriends' houses on the weekends after we picked out a movie at the local Blockbuster store. Life was pretty sweet. I hope that's how everyone feels about their childhood. But maybe I was young, naive, and oblivious ...
Sep 24, 2024•53 min•Ep. 155
One topic that I don't think is talked about enough with expecting and new mothers (or people in general) is pelvic floor health. In my opinion, pelvic floor health should be considered as a form of self-care and a part of us taking care of our overall health. I can't even tell you the number of people I have met who weren't totally sure what their pelvic floor is, what it does, how it affects them, and that everyone has one. And when a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to her baby, these a...
Sep 17, 2024•49 min•Ep. 154
