StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast

Today’s Guests: Dr. Zachary Rubin & Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Shane McAnally. Some of the most meaningful parenting moments happen during mealtime - from those quiet early feedings of formula or breastmilk to the hilarious (and often messy) introduction of solid foods. But alongside those memories comes a steady stream of questions: What should my baby be eating? When is the right time to introduce new foods? How do I handle allergies? In the final episode of our three-part feeding series, StrollerCoaster zooms out to explore the full journey of nutrition across your baby’s first 1,000 days - a critical window that plays a powerful role in growth and development. Host Lynn Smith is joined by Dr. Zachary Rubin, a double board-certified pediatrician, who walks us through each stage of feeding. From breastmilk and formula to introducing allergens and transitioning to solids, he offers clear, practical guidance to help parents navigate every milestone with confidence. Then, in our Parenting Story of the Day, four-time Grammy Award winner Shane McAnally shares what it’s really like raising three kids while balancing life in the music industry. His stories about feeding on the road and bonding with his babies bring humor, honesty, and a fresh perspective on modern parenting. Special thanks to Target for sponsoring this episode. Dr. Zachary Rubin TikTok / IG / FB / Threads / YouTube / Bluesky Dr. Zachary Rubin is a double board-certified pediatrician specializing in allergy and immunology, with a focus on pediatric food allergies. A nationally recognized medical educator and public health advocate, he shares evidence-based, accessible information on allergies, asthma, and public health with over four million followers under the handle @rubin_allergy. He recently authored the best-selling book All About Allergies, offering a clear, compassionate guide to managing allergic diseases. Shane McAnally IG / FB / TikTok Shane McAnally is a four-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer with more than 50 No. 1 hits across country and pop music. He has been nominated for more CMA Awards than any other songwriter in history and has worked with renowned artists including Kacey Musgraves, Sam Hunt, Kenny Chesney, and Blake Shelton. Shane is the founder of SMACKSongs, a leading music publishing and artist development company that manages singer/songwriter Walker Hayes, who shot to superstardom with his smash hit “Fancy Like,” produced by McAnally. Shane is the founder of SMACKSongs, a leading music publishing and artist development company that manages singer/songwriter Walker Hayes, who shot to superstardom with his smash hit “Fancy Like,” produced by McAnally. On screen, he starred in NBC’s Songland, and on stage, he co-wrote the music and lyrics of the Tony-award winning Broadway musical Shucked. Across every project, McAnally continues to champion storytelling, country music, and underrepresented voices in the industry. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products, including our new infant formula Nurture 10 Blend at https://www.munchkin.com Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / TikTok Trees for the Future - www.trees.org All information presented on this program is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; nor should it replace the medical judgment of a licensed healthcare provider. It is the responsibility of a guardian to seek appropriate medical attention when they are concerned about their child. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Munchkin Inc., Munchkin Inc. affiliates or the production company.

You just had a baby. You’ve got a million things running through your mind. But there’s one thing you have to do right away: feed your baby. No matter how much you planned, it can feel stressful and overwhelming. That’s where StrollerCoaster comes in, with a special three-part series devoted to feeding. In our first episode we start at the very beginning: Formula? Breastmilk? Both? While breastmilk is often recognized as the gold standard, we know every family’s journey is different - and we’re here to explore and support all feeding choices. We’re joined by Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi, an emergency physician, infant feeding expert, and co-founder of the “Fed Is Best” Foundation who shares evidence-based insights on newborn nutrition, the risks of insufficient feeding, and why flexibility and informed choice are critical for families. Then, in our Parenting Story of the Day, Nona Willis Aronowitz, author of a New York Times opinion piece titled “The Secret to Marriage Equality is Formula,” explains how feeding choices can impact not just your baby, but your relationship with your partner as well. Special thanks to Target for sponsoring this episode. Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi / FB / IG / YT / In Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi is a board-certified emergency physician, infant feeding researcher, and Co-Founder of The Fed is Best Foundation which advocates for safe, informed newborn nutrition. After her own child experienced complications from insufficient breastfeeding, she dedicated her work to studying feeding-related risks such as jaundice, dehydration, and hypoglycemia. She is a member of the Global Development Disability Research Collaborators and co-author of Fed Is Best: The Unintended Harms of the "Breast Is Best" Message and How to Find the Right Approach for You and Your Baby, which promotes a balanced, judgment-free, and evidence-based approach to feeding. Nona Willis Aronowitz IG / X Nona Willis Aronowitz is an author, editor, and speaker whose work explores gender, culture, and modern relationships. Her widely discussed New York Times opinion piece, “The Secret to Marriage Equality is Formula,” offers a fresh and personal perspective on how infant feeding choices can influence partnership dynamics and shared parenting responsibilities. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products, including our new infant formula Nurture 10 Blend at https://www.munchkin.com Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / TikTok Trees for the Future - www.trees.org All information presented on this program is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; nor should it replace the medical judgment of a licensed healthcare provider. It is the responsibility of a guardian to seek appropriate medical attention when they are concerned about their child. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Munchkin Inc., Munchkin Inc. affiliates or the production company.

Samantha is having a great time at the beach building sandcastles with the shovels and seashells other kids have shared with her. But when they ask to borrow her shiny new red bucket, sharing doesn’t seem so fun. With the help of her mom, Samantha turns it around and discovers how a small act of kindness can have big rewards. StoryTime is a refreshingly fun take on everyday moments from the lives of kids (and parents) told with humor and heart. Written in consultation with a leading childhood development expert, each story illustrates healthy ways to handle tricky situations. Watch the animated version of this and other Season 4 episodes on the @Munchkin YouTube Channel / StoryTime Podcast StrollerCoaster StoryTime is created by Munchkin Inc, the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. Subscribe now and never miss an episode! You can find all your favorite Munchkin products at Munchkin.com. Follow Munchkin / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / TikTok

SPECIAL GUEST! Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale professor and host of The Happiness Lab, gives us her sought-after advice for finding more joy in our lives. Parents will love her fresh take and practical insights for “finding the good” even in the most challenging parenting moments. Then in our Parenting Story of the Day, you will hear from a mom of two who was searching for happiness – until she realized it was right in front of her. Special thanks to Walmart for sponsoring this episode! www.walmart.com Dr. Laurie Santos / FB / IG / X / YT Dr. Santos is the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Her course, Psychology and the Good Life, became Yale’s most popular course in its over 300 year history, and the online version – The Science of Well-Being on Coursera.org – has attracted more than 4 million learners. A winner of numerous awards both for her science and teaching, Dr. Santos was recently voted as one of Popular Science Magazine’s “Brilliant 10” young minds and Time Magazine named her a “Leading Campus Celebrity.” Her podcast, The Happiness Lab, is a top-3 Apple podcast with over 100 million downloads since its launch. Heather Osterman-Davis / FB / IG / X / LI A mother of two and writer, Heather’s work has appeared in various publications including, The New York Times, Washington Post, Time Magazine, Slate, Parents, Literary Mama, Brain Child, Filter Free Parents, and more. She is the author of an award winning short film titled Tell-By Date and winner of Austin Film Festival’s Best Comedy TV Pilot for 2024. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products at https://www.munchkin.com. Use the code STROLLERCOASTER15 for 15% off regular-price items! (expires 4/13/25) Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / TikTok Trees for the Future https://trees.org/

Ever wonder what a professional chef gives his kids for snacks? Chef Duff, the Ace of Cakes himself, is spilling the beans. From chicken nuggets to strawberries, he talks about the foods his 3-year-old loves, and tricks to get her to try something new. Plus, Jennifer Anderson, dietician and founder of Kids Eat In Color, gives us tips for helping our kids eat better and making snack time less stressful! Special thanks to Walmart for sponsoring this episode! https://www.walmart.com/ You can also watch this podcast on YouTube and reach us at podcast@munchkin.com. Duff Goldman / No Kid Hungry / FB / IG / YouTube Duff Goldman is a chef and artist known for his dazzling, creative approach to food and his awesome stories describing the simple science of baking. On the hit Food Network show Ace of Cakes, Duff welcomed viewers into his innovative cake shop, Charm City Cakes, where his team of pastry chefs and artists create spectacular custom cakes. You can watch Duff mentor the next generation of bakers on Food Network's Kids Baking Championship. On his new cooking show, Ace of Taste, Duff shows off his culinary skills as a classically trained chef with new twists on recipes for the whole family. Jennifer Anderson / IG / FB / TikTok Jennifer Anderson is a registered dietitian who has a masters of science in public health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In 2019, she founded Kids Eat in Color, an authoritative resource that helps families feed their children from their first bite of solid food through picky eating and elementary-aged nutrition needs. Prior to starting Kids Eat in Color, she coordinated youth nutrition programs at a food bank, performed research in inner-city food deserts, and consulted for the USDA national office SNAP-Ed program. Her academic background is in public health nutrition, cultural anthropology, and economics. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products, including WildLove products, at https://www.munchkin.com. Use the code STROLLERCOASTER15 for 15% off regular-price items! (expires 4/13/25) Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / TikTok International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)

Every night at bath time Jackson didn’t want to get in the tub. Sometimes he was busy playing. Sometimes it was because the water was too… uh, wet. One night his mom tried something new – and it worked! But now, how would she get him out of the tub?! This original StoryTime is a refreshingly fun take on everyday moments from the lives of kids (and parents) told with humor and heart. Written in consultation with a leading childhood development expert, our story illustrates healthy ways to handle tricky situations. Watch the animated version of this and other Season 4 episodes on YouTube at Munchkin / StoryTime Podcast / https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaelLV1d0H9cvT9MY7ZAfGaLEiVUPny_5 StrollerCoaster StoryTime is created by Munchkin Inc, the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. Subscribe now and never miss an episode! You can find all your favorite Munchkin products at Munchkin.com. Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest

Structured activities. Monitored playdates. Helicopter parenting. Have we lost the ability to let our kids discover the world on their own? Many believe that free play is a great solution for both child and parent, but what exactly does healthy free play look like for toddlers and young children? Lenore Skenazy, author and co-founder of Let Grow, explains how allowing children to be more independent will give them skills and confidence that will last a lifetime. Then, in our Parenting Story of the Day, Allison Schwalm talks about how daughter struggled with separation anxiety until she found a unique playgroup. The first day she dropped her daughter off, something magical happened. You can also watch this podcast on YouTube and reach us at podcast@munchkin.com. Lenore Skenazy / Free Range Kids / IG / FB / X / YT / LinkedIn Lenore is an American speaker, syndicated columnist, reality show host and author who co-founded Let Grow, an organization advocating for free-range parenting, with Professor Jonathan Haidt, Daniel Shuchman, Dr. Peter Gray. She assisted Haidt with two chapters on his instant #1 New York Times bestseller “The Anxious Generation” and is the author of “Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts With Worry.” She was featured in the award-winning documentary film “Chasing Childhood” which features psychologists, activists, and leaders of the free play movement who fight to bring back the untold benefits of a less curated childhood. "Chasing Childhood" Documentary To learn more about the film, where to stream it, and how to host a screening in your community, please visit: https://chasingchildhooddoc.com/ StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products – including the Night Owl Stroller featured in this episode – at Munchkin.com. Use the code STROLLERCOASTER15 for 15% off regular-price items! (expires 4/13/25) Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest Trees for the Future

Little Naya's favorite thing in the whole world is Fresh Raspberry Dazzleberry Ice Cream! One day at the park the unthinkable happens - after just one lick of her precious cone, the ice cream falls to the ground with a splat! Oh no! Will Naya’s day be ruined? Will she get another cone? How will Naya and her Mom handle this big, melty disappointment? Parents and kids will love this story based on an all-too real parenting moment that’s filled with twists and turns, wonderful characters, and fun music. Written in consultation with a leading childhood development expert, our story illustrates healthy ways for parents (and kids) to handle tricky situations. Watch the animated video of this and other Season 4 episodes on YouTube at Munchkin / StoryTime Podcast / https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaelLV1d0H9cvT9MY7ZAfGaLEiVUPny_5 StrollerCoaster StoryTime is created by Munchkin Inc, the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. Subscribe now and never miss an episode! You can find all your favorite Munchkin products at Munchkin.com. Follow Munchkin / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest

“NO! I don’t want to!” Opposition from our kids, we experience it all the time. It makes sense they don’t want to do everything we want them to. However, when they refuse, it often creates a power struggle which we see as a reflection of bad parenting. Lynn and Justin are no strangers to this struggle. In today’s episode, Claire Lerner, a social psychotherapist, author and child development specialist, shares tips to handle those stressful moments of opposition from our children. In our Parenting Story of the Day, Ginny Luther was at her wits-end with her defiant son but was able to turn things around in a surprising way. You can also watch this podcast on YouTube. Claire Lerner / IG / FB / LinkedIn Claire is a child development specialist with over 35 years of experience working with children and families. Trained as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist, she began her career as a child and family therapist and was asked to lead the parenting education work at Zero to Three. For over 20 years, Claire led the organization’s effort to translate the science of early childhood for parents and professionals—to empower them to nurture children’s development through resources and training on a wide range of topics including: early brain development, positive parenting, and understanding and coping with challenging behaviors. Ginny Luther Ginny is the author of “Blue Star Grit: A Mother’s Journey of Triumph and Tragedy Raising a Defiant Child into an Exceptional Leader.” Since 1994, she has been the proud owner and operator of Peaceful Parenting LLC, a successful business whose mission is to help create peace within families and classrooms. Ginny is also certified by the International Network for Children and Families to provide communication courses, seminars and workshops that promote cooperative, healthy relationships between adults and children. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products – including the Float High Chair featured in this episode – at https://www.munchkin.com Use the CURRENT CODE STROLLERCOASTER15 for 15% off regular-price items! (expires 4/13/25) Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest Trees For the Future

Petunia loves dinosaurs, ladybugs and her dad’s cooking! There is one thing Petunia does not like: when the food touches on her plate. Then one day it happened! Her delicious peas rolled right into her tasty chicken nuggets! That’s right - THE PEAS TOUCHED THE NUGGETS! Petunia was not happy. Dad was in shock. The peas were confused. Would dinner time be ruined? Parents and kids will love this story based on a real parenting moment that’s filled with great characters, music and surprises. Written in consultation with a leading childhood development expert, our story illustrates healthy ways for parents (and kids) to handle tricky situations. Watch the animated video of this and other Season 4 episodes on YouTube at Munchkin / StoryTime Podcast / https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaelLV1d0H9cvT9MY7ZAfGaLEiVUPny_5 Subscribe now and never miss an episode! You can find all your favorite Munchkin products at Munchkin.com. Follow Munchkin / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest

When you’re a parent, anytime your child makes a close friend, you do too! Whether it’s connecting with other caregivers at daycare or throwing a joint birthday party with people you barely know, it can be tricky – and rewarding – to navigate adult friendships when the only thing you have in common is that your kids are friends. Social relationships expert, author and TEDx speaker Shasta Nelson guides Lynn & Justin on how to traverse the awkward terrain of making and growing friendships with other parents. In our Parenting Story of the Day, writer/humorist Jessica Delfino tells us how she forged unlikely bonds and rewarding friendships on the playground, which she calls “a dating app” for finding parent friends. Shasta Nelson / Podcast / Book / IG / FB / YouTube / X / LinkedIn For over 15 years, Shasta Nelson has been translating the science of human connection into actionable practices that leads to greater belonging in our communities and work culture. Her expertise has activated organizations such as Google and LinkedIn to intentionally create and accelerate high-trust and resilient relationships. Shasta is the author of three books about how to build healthy relationships including “Frientimacy: How To Deepen Friendships For Lifelong Health and Happiness.” She is also a two-time TEDx speaker, contributor to the Harvard Business Review and has been featured in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, TIME magazine and on the Today Show. Jessica Delfino / Blog / YouTube / IG / FB / X / LinkedIn / TikTok Jessica Delfino is an award winning comedian, writer, musician and mom who tries to balance her time between “momming” and performing. Her book “Dumb Jokes For Smart Folks” was a #1 Amazon bestseller. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products – including the Spring 2-in-1 Bouncer featured in this episode – at Munchkin.com. Use the CURRENT CODE STROLLERCOASTER15 for 15% off regular-price items! (expires 4/13/25) Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest Trees for the Future

Children cry, it's a fact. We hate to hear our kids cry but saying “stop crying” isn’t going to help. In fact, it can be harmful. Rachel Tuchman, a Mental Health Counselor with a speciality in early childhood development, explains to Lynn and Justin that demanding children “stop crying” can squash their emotions and lead to big issues later in life. Rachel provides concrete, actionable advice on what to say instead and how to react when kids cry in public. In our Parenting Story of the Day, Irina Gonzalez explains how she responded when a family member told her - 3 month old baby - that men don’t cry. Rachel Tuchman / Blog / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube Rachel Tuchman is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 15 years of experience specializing in childhood development. She has worked with many diverse populations including kids and adults with developmental delays, child behavior issues, overwhelmed parents looking for skills and support and teens struggling with the pressures of adolescence and life. Rachel is a HAES (Health At Every Size) aligned clinician and dedicates a lot of her time out of office to educating parents and kids on the importance of body respect and the behaviors that truly honor our health. Currently, she offers services in her Cedarhurst, NY and does speaking engagements for schools, synagogues, and various community organizations. Irina Gonzalez is a journalist, editor, and author of the Parenting in Hard Mode newsletter and an upcoming book on impactful Latinx Americans. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin, the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. Don't forget about StrollerCoaster StoryTime our podcast for kids! You can find all your favorite Munchkin products – including the Step Diaper Pale – at Munchkin.com. Use the CURRENT CODE STROLLERCOASTER15 for 15% off regular-price items! (expires 4/13/25) Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest

How do we get our child from the playground to the car or from dinner to bed without a tantrum? For kids, going from one thing to the other is tough. They get upset and we get upset. But once we recognize that these are daily transitions and they happen throughout our lives, we can work with our children (and on ourselves) to lessen the difficulty and set them up with great life-skills. Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg, Clinical Psychologist and author of the “Tantrum Survival Guide,” joins Lynn and Justin for an insightful conversation about easy and actionable ways to transition children from one activity to another. And in our Parenting Story of the Day, Marie Holmes shares the touching story of how she and her son got through the really big transition of changing schools. Dr. Rebecca Schrag Hershberg A mother of two, Dr. Shrag Herschberg is a leading clinical psychologist, parent coach and author of the “Tantrum Survival Guide: Tune In To Your Toddler's Mind (and Your Own) to Calm the Craziness and Make Family Fun Again.” She is the former Director of Training and Quality for Healthy Steps at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, an infant and toddler preventive mental health program that gained national and international attention for its integration of early childhood professionals within primary care pediatrics. She also held an assistant professorship in the Department of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Instagram @rebeccahershbergphd Marie Holmes is a parenting reporter with Huffpost and can be found on X @holmes_marie. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products – including the Night Owl Stroller featured in this episode – at Munchkin.com. Use the CURRENT CODE STROLLERCOASTER15 for 15% off regular-price items! (expires 4/13/25) Follow Munchkin on Instagram Facebook Pinterest