Katie's Crib

With this episode being the end of Season 6, we also present this as the final episode of “Katie’s Crib.” As this chapter draws to a close, Katie and her husband Adam Shapiro share the lessons they have learned from Katie’s journey as the show's host. The two first discuss how Katie hosting the podcast impacted their journeys as parents. They also discuss their personal growth, and how they navigated through the ups and downs of parenting in general. Finally, Katie and Adam provide last insights and gratitude toward listeners who have been with them through this entire ride. Plus, don't miss two special guest speakers: Katie and Adam’s children, Albee and Vera! Their remarks sum up their growth so far with the show. Tune in for the wrap up of this special series, dedicated to all things parenthood. Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins Producer & Editor: Casby Bias Associate Producer: Akiya McKnightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s Katie’s Crib episode is dedicated to topics surrounding early childhood development - featuring child development specialist, Carol Provost! Join us as we dig into Carol's 40+ years of knowledge as a parent support expert. We first explore how Carol found her passion for helping children learn and grow over the years. She then sheds light on understanding such things as handling tantrums and time outs appropriately. Carol also stresses how we can take a non-judgmental approach and help kids embrace their unique qualities (e.g., being shy, spirited, high sensory). Plus, why should we be careful when it comes to making narrative for our kids? Carol explains all: tune in for the answer! Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins Producer & Editor: Casby Bias Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight NOTE: This episode was recorded on May 26, 2023.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode of Katie’s Crib, we are joined by Sara Olsher, the founder of Mighty + Bright. The mother and cancer survivor shares her joinery of developing a company that helps families through hard things like divorce, cancer, and other major changes (using calendars, daily charts and books). Sara first explains that led her to start her company, opening up about her personal experiences with divorce and cancer. She then goes into the creation of her coparenting calendars, and how it helped her daughter understand family adjustments after divorce. The illustrator even elaborates how she first tried to explain her cancer diagnosis to her daughter, and how her mission to find an appropriate book to help with the conversation influenced her to develop additional content on general difficult conversations. Plus, are you a parent who is nervous about discussing divorce or a parent's illness with your children? Sara givers her insight on why it is important to disclose such info to your children in this special episode. Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins Producer & Editor: Casby Bias Associate Producer: Akiya McKnightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie chats with former Fox musical comedy-drama series “Glee” actress and singer, Jenna Ushkowitz. The two sound off about Jenna’s journey into motherhood. Jenna discusses how members of her “Glee” cas family met her daughter, and how crazy it is that everyone is now all having children now. She also goes into how she has been working out on her very own trampoline during and after pregnancy. Finally, the Grammy Award-nominated artiste explains how wild and life changing motherhood has been for her family, her dog, and herself. Plus, did you know that Emma was not a palindrome? Tune in for THAT funny moment Katie and Jenna share, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Katie’s Crib, Katie talks to Meg LeFauve, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter for the Pixar film Inside Out. Meg explains the process that came along with writing the film, and what she hopes the movie (and its successor) would teach about expressing emotions. Meg digs into how she first got involved in the IO project, and how the character Sadness became the essential emotion of focus in the movie. The “The Screenwriting Life” podcast host also reflects on how she witnessed children and adult audience members react to the flick. Finally, Meg recalls how the movie influenced her own parenting styles. Also, how did Meg’s own children respond to Inside Out, knowing that their mom wrote the movie? Push play for the answer! Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins Producer & Editor: Casby Bias Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Father's Day is just around the corner! To celebrate, comedians and podcasters Kevin and Evan (aka the Dumb Dads) drop by Katie’s Crib this week. The two fathers dish on their experiences of being stay-at-home dads. The Dumb Dads first discuss their origin story of their podcast, and how it came to be. They also explain the highs, lows, and personal stories of their unconventional journeys of raising their children together. Finally, the two tackle the topic of agreeing vs. disagreeing in parenting approaches. Have there been instances where they both found themselves not on the same page when it came to parenting each other's kids? Katie’s husband Adam Shapiro even pays a quick visit during the interview! Join us in this episode as we explore the relatable experiences of fatherhood. Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins Producer & Editor: Casby Bias Associate Producer: Akiya McKnightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting quality sleep as a parent may be one of the tougher parts of being, well a parent. Join hosts Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro as they learn about achieving good, quality sleep for both children and parents. Dr. Jade Wu, a behavioral sleep medicine specialist at Duke University, shares tips on how parents can make sure they get good sleep themselves despite changing sleep patterns as children age. Pediatric sleep consultant Meg from Infinite Connection explains how babies and toddlers sleep better when feeling safe alone in their own beds. “Chasing Sleep” is a production of Ruby Studios from iHeartMedia in partnership with Mattress Firm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie interviews Dr. Jody Thomas, the founder of the Meg Foundation. The two discuss how the nonprofit empowers families with pain management strategies to prevent and reduce pain in children. Jody first explains how the Meg Foundation was created. She then elaborates on the three types of pain that children experience, and how parents can best support children in what specific type of pain they may be going through. Finally, what information should parents arm themselves with the next time their child needs to go to the doctor? Tune in for answers! Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle CollinsProducer & Editor: Casby BiasAssociate Producer: Akiya McKnightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie sits down with actress, writer, and stand-up comedian Natasha Leggero as she opens up about her first (and last lol) book, The World Deserves My Children. Natasha discusses how stress and anxiety has impacted her throughout her journey of motherhood. She also envisions what she sees in her child’s future as she grows up. The comedian even goes into how she escaped the common mommy-rut of feeling like you are living the same “beige” mother life. Plus, why is hiring a bad nanny a bad idea? And wait, Katie used to be hired as a nanny… does that mean she was an ugly one? Tune in for all the details and laughs! Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle CollinsProducer & Editor: Casby BiasAssociate Producer: Akiya McKnight See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the season 5 finale of Katie's Crib! To wrap up the season, Katie brings in “Crazy Ex Girlfriend” co-creator and star Rachel Bloom to share what it was like stepping into motherhood for the first time during a pandemic. The comedian reflects on the paradoxical experience of welcoming her daughter into the world around the same time as losing her close friend due to COVID-19. Rachel and Katie also talk couples therapy, intrusive thoughts, and why they're both team epidural. Plus, Rachel has strong feelings around breastfeeding in public. Tune in for her pointed (and hilarious) message! Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins Producer & Editor: Casby Bias Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melanie Lynskey is fed up with the patriarchy and its impact on Hollywood and Mommyhood. The Emmy-nominated star talks candidly about her experience working on Yellowjackets after losing a pregnancy and three unsuccessful rounds of IVF. On the heels of accepting her first Critics Choice Awards, Melanie reacts to the attention garnered after she thanked one of the most important people in her orbit – her nanny, Sally. She and Katie swap stories about their own battles with body shaming in the industry, and how they’re actively protecting their daughters from internalizing the same toxic messaging.Melanie also opens up about her miscarriage, the emotional and physical toll it had on her, and why she felt it was important to speak up. Plus, what was the thing that convinced Melanie that Jason Ritter was real dad material? Hit that play button! Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins Producer & Editor: Casby Bias Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie sits down with actress and comedian Jenny Slate as she opens up about how her artistic life has shifted since having her daughter, Ida Lupine. Jenny also talks about the struggle of having work-life balance while going through extreme exhaustion from motherhood, and coming to terms with her postpartum identity shift. Plus, did you know that Jenny and her husband used a Tinder-type baby-naming app to name their child? Tune in for the full story! Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins Producer & Editor: Casby Bias Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy National Breastfeeding Month! To celebrate, Katie invites Alison Eakle (Shondaland’s Chief Content Officer of TV and Film) and Emily Rodgers (former corporate attorney turned stay-at-home mom) to chat about their experiences of surviving post-weaning depression. The mothers discuss when they noticed that they weren't feeling like their usual selves, and some ways they tried to minimize depression around weaning. They also provide advice to fellow moms who may be suspecting they are also going through similar circumstances. Plus, what are some additional things that this week’s awesome ladies have learned through post-weaning depression that no one told them about? Tune in for details! Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins Producer & Editor: Casby Bias Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.