The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom

As a pediatrician and mom, I know firsthand how easy it is to get overwhelmed by standard parenting tips and the pressure to have a perfect family life . In a culture obsessed with quick fixes and curated social media fairy tales, so many couples feel like they are constantly falling short . On this channel, my goal is to share the beautiful, unglamorous reality of making relationships work . We cannot just hope for a happy marriage and connection to happen by chance…we have to be intentional about creating it. That is why I love bringing authentic guests onto the podcast to share real, unfiltered relationship advice. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson East and former NFL player Andrew East to talk about their brand new book, The Courage to Commit. Shawn and Andrew remind us that we don’t have to succumb to public judgment or relationship anxiety . Real growth happens in our everyday routines, like setting core family values, prioritizing weekly date nights, and learning how to celebrate failure . By breaking down the illusion of perfection and working through messy parenting moments, we can move past the comparison trap and build a resilient, peaceful home. Why treating commitment as an intentional choice is the key to lasting peace in marriage. How choosing fewer things and narrowing your focus can completely eliminate FOMO and relationship anxiety . Easy, practical ways to establish family values and protect intentional habits like weekly date nights . Why elite athletes, pediatricians, and parents must embrace failure as a necessary stepping stone to success. Breaking down the distinct voices in their new book, The Courage to Commit, and the inclusion of data-driven research. How a legendary gymnastics coach used reverse psychology to teach self-reflection and grit. How to find joy in the mundane, unglamorous preparation phases of parenting and family life. To connect with Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East follow them on Instagram @shawnjohnson and @andrewdeast and buy their new book, “The Courage to Committ”: https://thecouragetocommit.com/#pre-order 00:00:00 – Commitment vs. The Highlight-Reel Culture 00:01:22 – Introducing Shawn Johnson East & Andrew East 00:03:49 – Behind the Scenes of a Three-Year Book Journey 00:05:49 – Balancing Two Different Voices in Marriage & Writing 00:07:14 – Overcoming the Flaws of Modern Swipe Culture 00:11:11 – Why Society Hacks Relationships but Grinds in Sports 00:15:51 – The Ulysses Analogy: Drowning Out Distractions 00:18:42 – Defining Core Family Values & Setting Boundaries 00:23:07 – Choosing Depth Over Endless Variety 00:30:52 – Why the Cost of Maintenance is Cheaper Than Starting Over 00:37:11 – Knowing When to Persevere vs. When to Quit 00:50:11 – Finding Beauty in the Mundane, Unglamorous Moments 00:54:16 – Where to Buy The Courage to Commit & Final Review Call Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠ ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a pediatrician, I spent years looking at firearm safety through a clinical lens—as a major public health crisis and a tragic statistic. But after practicing in South Florida during the Parkland shooting and becoming a mother myself, the stakes became deeply personal. My husband is an ER doctor who sees the devastating aftermath of gun violence firsthand, and as a parent, I refuse to accept that this is now the leading cause of death for American children. We cannot just treat the symptoms of this crisis in our clinics; we have to get out ahead of it, which is why I expanded my platform to advocate for change outside the exam room. Connecting with grassroots leaders like Angela Ferrell-Zabala reminds us that we don’t have to succumb to helplessness or political polarization. Real change happens in our everyday lives—like normalizing a simple question about secure firearm storage before a playdate, or supporting local legislation in our own backyards. Advocacy is a massive ecosystem, and as parents and healthcare providers, our voices carry immense weight. By breaking down political divides and working together, we can move past the noise and build a world where our children are safe to just be kids. What we discuss: Why treating gun violence as a public health issue is the key to real safety reform. The truth behind the leading cause of death for children in America and how to change it. How Moms Demand Action became a leading volunteer movement against gun violence. Easy, non-confrontational ways to ask other parents about safe firearm storage before playdates. Why ER doctors, pediatricians, and parents must work together to prevent gun injuries. Breaking down the impact of America’s historic federal gun safety legislation. How grassroots advocates are successfully outlawing 3D-printed firearms and machine gun conversion kits. How to find common ground and have constructive conversations with responsible gun owners. To connect with Angela Ferrell-Zabala follow her on Instagram @momsdemandaction and @FerrellZabala, check out all her resources at https://momsdemandaction.org/ and text “READY” to 64433. 00:00 – Introduction 02:18 – Meet Angela Ferrell-Zabala 04:19 – Shifting from Helplessness to Action 08:35 – The Diverse Impact of Gun Violence 13:58 – Finding Common Ground Across Political Lines 19:07 – Pressing Legislative Priorities & Recent Wins 24:39 – Simple Ways for Parents to Advocate 28:44 – Finding Joy and Closing Thoughts Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Infant sleep has become one of the most polarizing topics in modern parenting. In this thoughtful and nuanced conversation, I sit down with sleep consultant and family therapist Chrissy Lawler to unpack co-sleeping, sleep training, safety data, and the emotional charge surrounding these decisions. As a pediatrician, I was trained to follow AAP safe sleep guidelines, but real-world parenting, cultural practices, and honest conversations with families have pushed me to approach this topic with more openness and clarity. We discuss what the data actually shows, where the gaps exist, and why shame and fear-based messaging don’t help families make safer decisions. Whether you co-sleep, sleep train, or are still figuring it out, this episode focuses on evidence, harm reduction, attachment, parental well-being, and finding what works for your unique family system. In this episode, we discuss: Why co-sleeping is so controversial, especially coming from a pediatrician AAP guidelines vs cultural sleep practices around the world The dangers of polarized, shame-based sleep messaging Harm reduction principles for families who choose to co-sleep Risk factors that increase sleep-related infant deaths What the data does and does not tell us about co-sleeping safety The “Safe Sleep Seven” and its limitations Sleep training myths, cortisol concerns, and attachment Why parental sleep and mental health matter just as much as baby sleep The impact of sleep deprivation on relationships and long-term family dynamics How to filter social media noise and make evidence-based decisions Foundational newborn sleep strategies to reduce desperation and unsafe practices The role of resilience, stress tolerance, and “good enough” parenting To connect with Chrissy Lawler follow her on Instagram @the.peaceful.sleeper, check out all her resources at https://www.thepeacefulsleeper.com/ and buy her book “The Peaceful Sleeper: An Intuitive Approach to Baby Sleep”: https://www.thepeacefulsleeper.com/book 00:00 – Intro 01:15 – A Pediatrician’s Experience With Unsafe Sleep 02:07 – Why Parents Secretly Bedshare 02:54 – Introducing Chrissy Lawler and Her Work 05:04 – Why Safe Sleep Messaging Often Misses Real Life 07:03 – The Cultural Differences Around Infant Sleep 11:03 – Why Parents Feel Pressure Around Sleep Training 16:04 – What Actually Makes Co-Sleeping Dangerous 20:01 – Harm Reduction: If Families Choose to Bedshare 28:00 – Sleep Training Myths and Misunderstandings 38:00 – The Emotional Side of Infant Sleep Decisions 39:01 – How Shame Impacts Honest Conversations With Pediatricians 45:01 – Practical Ways to Make Infant Sleep Safer 48:02 – The Bigger Takeaway: Safety, Support, and Informed Choices Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Surrogacy is often talked about in headlines or celebrity news, but rarely explained in a way that helps people truly understand the experience behind it. In this episode, I’m joined by surrogacy consultant Jessie Jaskulsky, founder of Surrogacy Simplified, to talk openly about what the surrogacy process actually looks like, the misconceptions that surround it, and the emotional reality many families face while trying to grow their family. Jessie shares her personal path through pregnancy loss, infertility, and ultimately two surrogacy journeys that helped her welcome her daughters. From navigating the logistics and cost to managing grief, uncertainty, and public judgment, this conversation brings compassion and clarity to a topic that is often misunderstood. In this episode, we discuss: What surrogacy actually means and the difference between gestational and traditional surrogacy Common misconceptions about why families pursue surrogacy Why public conversations about surrogacy can be filled with judgment and misinformation The emotional toll of infertility, pregnancy loss, and long fertility journeys How intended parents cope with uncertainty and lack of control during a surrogacy pregnancy What the financial reality of surrogacy can look like and ways families plan for it How to begin exploring surrogacy if it’s something you’re considering The bond between parents and babies born through surrogacy How friends and family can better support someone going through this process To connect with Jessie Jaskulksy follow her on Instagram @surrogacysimplified, check out all her resources at linktr.ee/surrogacysimplified You can also join her free Intended Parent Community: https://tally.so/r/mORv9A 00:00 Surrogacy, Stigma, and the Comments Families Shouldn’t Face 02:00 What Most People Get Wrong About Surrogacy 05:49 Gestational Carrier vs Surrogate Explained Simply 08:07 The Real Reasons Families Turn to Surrogacy 10:16 Why Celebrity Surrogacy Stories Spark So Much Judgment 13:07 Infertility, Anxiety, and the Emotional Side of This Process 15:34 What Surrogacy Really Costs, and Why 22:11 The First Steps for Families Considering Surrogacy 25:22 The Hardest Part, Letting Go of Control 30:06 Bonding, Love, and the Truth About Surrogacy Babies Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it look like to balance Olympic competition, motherhood, and the unexpected realities of parenting? In this episode, I sit down with Olympic gold medalist Elana Meyers Taylor to talk about raising two children with disabilities, leaning on support, and how motherhood changed the way she thinks about success, identity, and resilience. We also talk about representation in sport, using ASL as a family, and the mental health side of chasing big goals. It is an honest conversation about what it takes to keep showing up as both an elite athlete and a mom. In this episode, we cover: What it felt like to finally win Olympic gold after years of coming close Why the right village matters in motherhood and elite sport Parenting two children with disabilities and using ASL as a family How representation can help other families feel less alone What sport taught her about parenting through uncertainty How motherhood changed her identity, perspective, and relationship to winning The realities of being a Black athlete in winter sports Why access and inclusion in sports still matter What she hopes her children take away from watching her story How she prepares for the post-Olympics emotional crash and protects her mental health To connect with Elana Meyers Taylor follow her on Instagram @elanameyerstaylor, check out all her resources at https://www.elanameyersusa.com. Purchase the shirt Dr. Mona is wearing here. 00:00 Intro: Elana Meyers Taylor on Gold, Motherhood, and Perspective 02:58 The Gold Medal Moment After a Fifth Olympics 07:50 Why Success in Motherhood Takes a Village 10:43 Building the Right Support System as a Mom and Athlete 14:13 Raising Deaf Children, Disability Advocacy, and Representation 18:09 How Sports Prepared Her for Medical Parenting 20:49 How Motherhood Changed Her Identity as an Athlete 24:38 Breaking Barriers in Winter Sports as a Black Olympian 29:17 What She Hopes Her Children Learn from Her Story 31:02 Finding Joy in Ordinary Mom Life After Olympic Gold Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices