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 practical, real-world strategies for vacationing with neurodivergent kids, whether your child has ADHD, autism, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, or any combination of the above. From building visual itineraries to packing a sensory toolkit to giving yourself permission to ditch the perfect-trip fantasy. This is the travel prep conversation I wish someone had given me sooner.Here's my reminder to you before we dive in: messy doesn't equal failure. And your family absolutely deserves to make memories.In This Episode, I Cover:Why neurodivergent kids struggle with travel, plus what's really happening in their brains when routines break downHow I recommend building a visual itinerary that actually reduces your child's anxiety before the trip even startsWhat I always put in a sensory toolkit (and why it's non-negotiable carry-on luggage)How to choose accommodations that set your whole family up for successThe honest conversation I think every parent needs to have with their child before you leave and why overpromising a perfect trip backfiresHow to recognize early dysregulation and use exit strategies without guiltWhy self-care isn't selfish on a family vacation and how I actually make it happenMentioned in this episode:Find Out More About NeuroQure NeuroQure's ASD Insight™ test is the first of its kind. It detects autism risk not through behavioral observation, but through a simple, non-invasive skin sample. And it can be done as early as two days after birth. Built on eight years of rigorous academic research, ASD Insight™ gives you and your doctor actionable answers fast. Ask your pediatrician about the ASD Insight™ test, or go directly to neuroqure.com/order to take the first step. Learn More About NovaFerrumNovaFerrum is a clinically proven line of iron supplements specifically designed to solve the compliance problem — meaning, getting kids to actually take it. They offer great-tasting liquid and chewable options, no metallic taste, no artificial dyes, no added sugar, and they're gentle on little stomachs too. They even have formulas made specifically for preemies, infants, children, teens, and adults. So whatever stage you're in, they've got you covered. Because when a supplement actually tastes good? You spend less time negotiating at the kitchen counter and more time feeling confident that your child is getting what they need. Learn more at NovaFerrum.comNew Book! Raising Body-Confident KidsYou want your kids to love their bodies. You're still trying to do both. My new book, Raising Body-Confident Kids, helps you do both. Releases Sept 1, 2026. Pre-order your copy here: https://www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books

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 less anxiety and more confidence.You’ll hear:🍎 Why starting solids feels so overwhelming (and how social media makes it harder)🥕 The truth about iron, variety, and “healthy fast foods” that actually work🧠 What parents should really know about probiotics and gut health😬 How to tell the difference between gagging and choking — and how to stay calm when your baby gags🥣 The real deal on baby-led weaning vs. purees (and why you don’t have to pick a side)💛 Simple ways to help your child develop a healthy relationship with food from day one — without diet culture sneaking inDr. Whitney and Jordyn also share personal stories, expert insight, and practical tools to help parents replace pressure with presence at mealtimes — and raise confident, curious eaters for life.-----Our kids are growing up surrounded by misinformation about health, beauty, and worth. My new book, My One-of-a-Kind Body, helps kids ages 7–12 understand how their bodies work, what real health means, and how to build body confidence grounded in science — not social media. It features kids of all races, sizes, abilities, and family backgrounds, so every child feels seen and respected.GRAB YOUR COPY

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 manage your own emotions when your child’s behavior pushes every button you have.Dr. Lockhart shares stories from her own life, including her rocky teen years and her now-healed relationship with her mom, to remind parents that rebellion often hides pain—and that curiosity, compassion, and boundaries can coexist. She and Dr. Whitney also explore what individuation really means (and why it’s actually a good thing), how to support neurodivergent teens, and how parents can care for themselves so they can show up grounded, not reactive.Read more. ______Our kids are growing up surrounded by misinformation about health, beauty, and worth. My new book, My One-of-a-Kind Body, helps kids ages 7–12 understand how their bodies work, what real health means, and how to build body confidence grounded in science — not social media. It features kids of all races, sizes, abilities, and family backgrounds, so every child feels seen and respected.GRAB YOUR COPY

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 the world of birth work, learning that women don’t have to choose between medicine and empowerment. Instead, it’s about reframing birth as an experience where parents can feel informed, supported, and free from unnecessary fear.You’ll learn:Why fear and trauma are so common in modern birth stories—and how they can be addressed.What hypnobirthing actually is (and what it isn’t).How parents can prepare for a more calm, confident, and fear-free birth.Why this movement isn’t “anti-medicine”—but rather about combining safety with empowerment.Liat’s behind-the-scenes experience making Fear and Now and what she hopes parents, providers, and birth workers take away from it.This conversation is an invitation to imagine birth differently: with less fear, more connection, and the possibility of joy in one of life’s most powerful transitions.Find out more here. ______This episode is brought to you by Suvie: If dinnertime is your daily chaos hour, I’ve got something game-changing.It’s called Suvie. It’s a smart countertop appliance and meal delivery service that makes effortless home-cooked meals. And here’s the coolest part - The Suvie Kitchen Robot that refrigerates your food all day, then cooks it automatically—roasting, slow cooking, even air frying—so dinner’s ready exactly when you need it.I use it because I don’t have time to meal prep every Sunday. I need something that works with my actual schedule. Suvie does.You can load it in the morning, set it, and forget it. No stress. No last-minute drive-thru.Suvie makes dinner one less thing to worry about.Check it out at suvie.com/modernmommy and get 16 free meals with this link.

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, and simple scripts you can use to push back on diet-culture messaging—without shaming bodies of any size.----This episode is brought to you by Suvie: If dinnertime is your daily chaos hour, I’ve got something game-changing.It’s called Suvie. It’s a smart countertop appliance and meal delivery service that makes effortless home-cooked meals. And here’s the coolest part - The Suvie Kitchen Robot that refrigerates your food all day, then cooks it automatically—roasting, slow cooking, even air frying—so dinner’s ready exactly when you need it.I use it because I don’t have time to meal prep every Sunday. I need something that works with my actual schedule. Suvie does.You can load it in the morning, set it, and forget it. No stress. No last-minute drive-thru.Suvie makes dinner one less thing to worry about.Check it out at suvie.com/modernmommy and get 16 free meals with this link.

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 your child is a budding athlete, a reluctant mover, or somewhere in between, you’ll learn how to shift the conversation away from shame and toward lifelong well-being.----This episode is brought to you by Suvie: If dinnertime is your daily chaos hour, I’ve got something game-changing.It’s called Suvie. It’s a smart countertop appliance and meal delivery service that makes effortless home-cooked meals. And here’s the coolest part - The Suvie Kitchen Robot that refrigerates your food all day, then cooks it automatically—roasting, slow cooking, even air frying—so dinner’s ready exactly when you need it.I use it because I don’t have time to meal prep every Sunday. I need something that works with my actual schedule. Suvie does.You can load it in the morning, set it, and forget it. No stress. No last-minute drive-thru.Suvie makes dinner one less thing to worry about.Check it out at suvie.com/modernmommy and get 16 free meals with this link.

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 the beginning of the book, offering an honest reflection on what it really takes to raise body-confident kids in today’s image-obsessed world. She breaks down:Why so many parents (even pediatricians!) struggle with their own body imageHow diet culture shows up in parenting—often without us realizing itThe toxic beauty ideals our kids face on social media and beyondWhat kids really need to hear about health, weight, and self-worthHow we can model body confidence—while unlearning harmful messaging ourselvesPlus: Dr. Whitney shares how to grab a FREE bonus mini-course when you pre-order the book.👉 Pre-order now + get your freebie at www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/booksThis episode is brought to you by Suvie: If dinnertime is your daily chaos hour, I’ve got something game-changing.It’s called Suvie. It’s a smart countertop appliance and meal delivery service that makes effortless home-cooked meals. And here’s the coolest part - The Suvie Kitchen Robot that refrigerates your food all day, then cooks it automatically—roasting, slow cooking, even air frying—so dinner’s ready exactly when you need it.I use it because I don’t have time to meal prep every Sunday. I need something that works with my actual schedule. Suvie does.You can load it in the morning, set it, and forget it. No stress. No last-minute drive-thru.Suvie makes dinner one less thing to worry about.Check it out at suvie.com/modernmommy and get 16 free meals with this link.