BDA Baby (Before, During and After Baby)

Latest Episodes:

Unlocking Language with the Speech Sisters Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

The Speech Sisters, Bridget Hilsberg and Brooke Dwyer, joined us in this episode to delve into the critical topic of speech and language development in children. We go over the various milestones in speech, and when to actually be worried if your child seems to miss a milestone. Bridget and Brook also share great, practical strategies for parents looking to incorporate language building into their routine. Bridget and Brooke also remind us that every child is unique and that understanding communication milestones and what they mean can help us feel a little less anxious.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

“Your Labs Are Fine”: The Thyroid Wake-Up Call Every Woman Needs With McCall McPherson Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

For too many women, being told their thyroid labs are “normal” is the end of the conversation — even when their bodies are saying otherwise. Today, we’re diving deep into thyroid health with McCall McPherson, founder of Modern Thyroid Clinic, to unpack why so many women feel exhausted, foggy, or stuck with weight changes despite being told everything looks fine.

McCall shares her own turning point after spending 16 hours a day in bed, being dismissed by doctors, and ultimately discovering that standard thyroid testing was missing the full picture. We break down why thyroid issues are so often overlooked in women, the symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored, and how thyroid dysfunction impacts everything from metabolism and mood to fertility, cholesterol, and long-term disease risk.

We also cover:

Why TSH alone isn’t enough and which labs actually matter

The early signs of thyroid dysfunction most people dismiss

Hashimoto’s, autoimmunity, and why inflammation plays a major role

Lifestyle, supplements, and preventative strategies for thyroid health

The surprising connection between GLP-1 medications, weight loss, and autoimmune thyroid disease

If you’ve ever been told to “eat less, exercise more,” felt dismissed by a doctor, or wondered why you don’t feel like yourself anymore, this conversation will help you understand what questions to ask, what tests to request, and how to advocate for your health.

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Introducing Your New Baby to a Dog with Courtney Patterson of Tuna Melts My Heart Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Courtney Patterson joined us to share how she went about introducing her babies to her don, Tuna. You might know Tuna from his Instagram; Tuna Melts My Heart. Courtney shares her personal experience with introducing her baby to Tuna starting from before her baby was born to when they brought her home. Courtney has practical tips and insights for other new parents who are starting to plan how to introduce their baby to their dog. She emphasizes patience and creating a calm environment for everyone involved.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Finding Focus in a Distracted World — Parenting, Presence & Screens with Dr. Zelana Montminy Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Neuropsychologist and author Dr. Zelana Montminy joins me to talk about attention, burnout, and staying present in a world built to distract us — especially as parents.

We unpack why successful multitasking between technology and real life is a myth, how constant task-switching dysregulates our nervous systems, and why so many parents feel chronically exhausted. Drawing from her book Finding Focus: Own Your Attention in an Age of Distraction, Dr. Zelana shares practical ways to create healthier boundaries with technology, model focus for our kids, and reframe screen limits as protection — not punishment.
A grounded, practical conversation for anyone trying to balance modern life, work, and parenting without losing themselves to the scroll. Read her book Finding Focus here: https://go.shopmy.us/p-37821815

Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Carrying Strong: Navigating Pregnancy and Work Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Alongside the release of her book Carry Strong, Stephanie Kramer joined us for a discussion all about the complexities of navigating pregnancy in the workplace. Carry Strong offers guidance for working professionals during pregnancy and aims to shift the narrative from “powering through” pregnancy at work to being powerful and pregnant in the workplace. We explore the importance of work-life balance in pregnancy and motherhood, and how workplaces can better support pregnant employees. Whether you’re pregnant at work or about to go back to work as a mom, Stephanie emphasizes the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and remembers the unique joys of motherhood.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Catherine Price’s The Amazing Generation Empowers Kids to Take Control of Their Screen Time Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Screen time and technology addiction is such a hot topic right now, especially when it comes to children. Today, Catherine Price joins us to talk all about the challenges of managing screen time in kids as well as her new book The Amazing Generation. The Amazing Generation is a book aimed at kids and preteens that hopes to empower them to make conscious choices about their technology use. While we chat about Catherine’s new book, we explore the power of making real friendships and how to encourage more off-line behavior in our kids. If we can come together as parents, we can help create a future for our kids without screen addiction.
Pre-order her book here: https://amzn.to/44CKOAe
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Dr. LA Thoma Gustin’s Experience with Hyperemesis and Fertility Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

Dr. LA Thoma Gustin joined us to tell her story in dealing with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. LA got pregnant after a struggle with fertility, and she tells us the story of her fertility journey to eventually becoming pregnant with her daughter. LA struggled with Hyperemesis in early pregnancy which can have a profound mental and physical toll on an expecting mother. She highlights the importance of having a support system and healthy coping mechanisms to make it through when pregnancy doesn’t go how we envisioned it might.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Trauma, Understanding and Keeping your Cool with Mary Farrelly, the NICU Translator Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful conversation, I sat down with Mary Farrelly, a NICU nurse and NICU doula behind the Instagram community "The NICU Translator." With over 13 years of experience caring for the tiniest patients and their families, Mary shares the realities of NICU life that most people never see as well as the critical gaps in care that exist when families finally go home.
We explore the unexpected journey that leads families into the NICU, the overwhelming medical jargon that becomes their new language, and the tight-knit community that forms in those hospital rooms. Mary opens up about the staggering statistics: up to 70% of NICU families experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and 40% show clinical PTSD symptoms. These numbers far higher than the general postpartum population.
But this isn't just about the challenges. Mary discusses the incredible work being done to bridge the gaps in NICU care, from her role as a NICU doula supporting families through discharge and beyond, to the community she's built online where parents find translation, understanding, and solidarity. We talk about why partners and siblings are also deeply affected, how trauma shows up months or even years later, and why specialized mental health support is essential for healing.
Whether you've experienced the NICU yourself, supported someone through it, or simply want to understand this hidden world of healthcare, this episode offers an eye-opening look at the resilience of NICU families and the angels who walk alongside them.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Keeping Our Kids Safe on the Road with The Car Mom Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Kelly Stumpe, aka the Car Mom, joined us for a conversation all about choosing the right vehicle and car seats for your family. She emphasizes the importance of safety, practicality, and long-term planning. We get into what the different safety ratings mean and how to decide what are the right priorities for your specific family. We also touch on car seat safety and the best practices for keeping kids safe while we travel!
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

Justine Marjan’s Birth Experience Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

We sat down with Justine Marjan to talk all about her experience giving birth. At the time, we were in the height of the COVID pandemic, and many were having to shift their expectations for what birth would be for them. Justine shared her own experience, explaining how she prepared for childbirth and adapted to COVID precautions for her birth team. Justine also shares how she relied on her midwife and doula and their role in her birth. No two births are the same, and Justine encourages all moms to lean into the experience and trust their instincts.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!

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