Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Latest Episodes:

When Is Your Child Officially Potty Trained? - Ep. 372 Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox," Laura and Shanna answer listener questions about knowing when your toddler is officially potty trained, handling your kids' socially unacceptable habits, our worst bosses ever and more! Also, Shanna reports on the unexpected ending to a breakfast date with her 6-year-old, and Laura discusses the range of emotions involved in her 4-year-old's last week at preschool. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Spending one-on-one time with your children

-Kids' feelings vs. Mom's feelings about the last week of preschool

-How do you know when your toddler is officially potty trained?

-How do you handle your young kids' "annoying" habits?

-What are BFRBs?

-If we (and our kids) were vegetables, what would we be and why?

-What does a podcast producer do?

-The worst bosses that Laura and Shanna have had

-The unexpected activity that had Shanna and Elle laughing hysterically

-Mom's night out!

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-"Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent" by Gia Gambaro Blount and Laura Birek

-Laura and Gia's book on NetGalley - Get an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

-Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB)

-What does an artichoke flower look like?

-Potatoes - by Farideh

-"Dork Diaries 12: Tales from a Not-So-Secret Crush Catastrophe" by Rachel Renée Russell

-Kristen Schaal Is a Horse

-RadioLab episode "Loops"

-Jo Piazza

-Under the Influence Podcast

-"Everyone Is Lying to You" by Jo Piazza

-Father's Office

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 358 (For Laura's story about her ex-boyfriend)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Physical (and Emotional) Pain of Parenthood - Ep. 371 Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Never Have I Ever: Parenting Edition," Shanna and Laura reveal funny and unexpected things they've never done before having kids, including incidents that hurt their bodies as well as their egos. Also, Laura goes on an adventure with her mom friends that feels all wrong without her kids there, and Shanna eavesdrops on a conversation that ignites her competitive spirit. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Taking a tour of the WB lot in Los Angeles

-Feeling bad when you do fun things without your kids

-When you realize other parents are taking children's activities very seriously

-Doing scavenger hunts... in public... alone

-Accidentally hurting yourself when you're a mom

-How to wash LEGO

-Seeing food delivery robots in your neighborhood

-Wondering when your kid will be able to swim independently

Products, links, and resources mentioned in this episode:

-Warner Bros. Studio Tour

-Superman movie

-Disney's Descendants

-World Market

-World Market scavenger hunt TikTok video

-Nuna Rava car seat

-Duet Cats: Cute Cat Game

-Jingle Cats: Meowy Christmas

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 358 (For Shanna's hack about washing small toys in the bathtub)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Taking Kids to a Wedding: What Could Go Wrong? - Ep. 370 Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Throwback," Laura recounts the time that her mom saw through the facade of Laura's toxic ex-boyfriend and planted a seed of doubt about their relationship. Also, Shanna talks about how going to a wedding with her kids involved flip-flops, blue lips, late-night cake and more, and Laura reports on a day-long excursion with her family to a quaint village on Catalina Island. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Celebrating 4th of July with young kids

-Taking a day trip with kids to Catalina Island

-Going to a wedding with your kids

-Laura's throwback story about a past relationship

-Going on a shopping spree with your kids

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Catalina Island

-Two Harbors village on Catalina Island

-Narcissistic Personality Disorder

-Verbal abuse in relationships

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 369 (For Shanna's story about her mom giving Shanna her pants)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's the Tooth Fairy's Going Rate These Days? - Ep. 369 Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Throwback," Shanna turns back time to tell the story of the time she made a mortifying mistake at her college job and turned to her mom for help. Also, Laura talks about the surprising incident that knocked out her 6-year-old's first tooth, and Shanna discusses how her daughters were seemingly typecast in their musical theater production. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-When your kid doesn't get a good role in their play

-How much money does the Tooth Fairy give for a lost tooth?

-Shanna's story about humiliating herself at her college office job

-Parenting your kids when they make mistakes and learn lessons the hard way

-Going to a sing-along movie screening with preschoolers

-Having an unexpected celebrity sighting in Los Angeles

-The best way to get gum out of your kid's hair

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Disney's "Descendants"

-Core Power chocolate protein shakes that Auggie loves

-Vidiots Non-Profit Video Store

-"Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl" on Disney+

-Stephanie Beatriz

-TikTok from @mabrowsandhair about the BEST way to get gum out of hair

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 170 (For Shanna's story about removing permanent marker from her daughter's face)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cosmic Baby Training and Fetal DNA Facts - Ep. 368 Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Today I Learned," Laura and Shanna discuss the intriguing things they have learned recently related to the world of parenting, including a mind-blowing fact about fetal DNA and the "otherworldly" origins of a popular personality assessment. Also, Shanna talks about her quest to celebrate her birthday while managing a migraine, and Laura reports on juggling work deadlines and child care during her 6-year-old's summer break. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-How to treat yourself on your birthday when you are a mom and have a migraine

-Balancing work deadlines and parenting when you don't have child care

-Does fetal DNA remain in a birth mom's bloodstream?

-How do fetal stem cells in a birth mom's bloodstream benefit the mother?

-What is the Cosmic Laboratory of Baby Training?

-One of Shanna's new favorite picture books for kids

-A thought-provoking idea that Laura came across in a fellow mom's Substack

Products, links, and resources mentioned in this episode:

-Burke Williams Day Spa

-Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT)

-The Cosmic Laboratory for Baby Training

-Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

-"The Personality Brokers: The Strange History of Myers-Briggs and the Birth of Personality Testing" by Merve Emre

-Maintenance Phase podcast's episode on the Myers-Briggs Personality Test

-"Buffalo Fluffalo" by Bess Kalb and Erin Kraan

-Bess Kalb's Substack - "The Grudge Report"

-Kira Cook's Substack - "The Way We Weren't"

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 367 (For Shanna's mammogram/breast biopsy check-in)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Awkward Playground Encounters: Would You Rather - Ep. 367 Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Would You Rather: Parenting Edition," Shanna and Laura present hypothetical parenting situations then discuss which choices they would rather make, diving into the topics of clothing conundrums and park predicaments. Also, Shanna talks about her experience getting additional testing after her recent mammogram came back inconclusive, and Laura discusses her 6-year-old's last day of kindergarten. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Saying goodbye to kindergarten

-What happens when you get an inconclusive mammogram

-Difficulty keeping clothes clean

-Being confronted by strangers at the playground

-When your kid has "shark teeth"

-Summer camp

Products, links, and resources mentioned in this episode:

-Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) Classification Categories

-What is a fibroadenoma?

-Kids' "Shark Teeth"

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 340 (For Laura's mammogram check-in)

-Ep. 361 (For Laura's breast ultrasound check-in)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BFP Roundup, Part 2: Our Best Stories, Tips and Outtakes - Ep. 366 Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

In part two of their 365th episode celebration, Laura and Shanna share more best-of moments from the Big Fat Positive podcast through the years, including their favorite deep cuts from the show, more listener-favorite stories, Laura's most popular (and tear-inducing) check in, one of the best parenting tips Shanna has ever shared, and more! Also, Shanna reports on taking a family trip to San Francisco, and Laura talks about doing a sleep study to check for sleep apnea. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Taking a family vacation to Northern California

-Things to do in San Francisco with kids

-Doing a sleep study to check for sleep apnea

-The best stories from the Big Fat Positive podcast, according to listeners

-Useful tips and tricks that have been shared on the BFP podcast, according to listeners

-Bloopers and outtakes from previous episodes

-Using a home-exchange community to travel on a budget

-Chaperoning a kindergarten field trip to the Science Center

Products, links, and resources mentioned in this episode:

-My Breast Friend nursing pillow

-The Happy Song by Imogen Heap

-Kindred Home Exchange (using Shanna and Steve's referral code STE.YAG)

-California Science Center

-The Last Bookstore

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 362 (For Shanna's soccer-ball-to-the-face story)

-Ep. 44 (For Laura's tooth-hunt lunch story )

-Ep. 135 (For Shanna's free sandbox story)

-Ep. 220 (For the story of Shanna's daughter secretly placing an order through Alexa)

-Ep. 139 (For Laura's story of Sebastian's birth)

-Ep. 29 (For Shanna's first episode after Cece's birth)

-Ep. 92 (For Shanna's tip about playing "The Happy Song" for your baby)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BFP Roundup: Listener Favorite Stories, Hacks and Bloopers - Ep. 365 Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Shanna and Laura celebrate their 365th episode of the BFP Podcast by sharing listeners' favorite, funniest and most helpful moments throughout the years. Laughs, memories and gratitude abound as the moms reflect on two of the most hilarious stories ever shared on the show, share the most-used mom hacks that they have learned from each other and reveal some never-heard-before bloopers and outtakes from their recording sessions. Also, Laura has mixed feelings during her 4-year-old's class field trip, and Shanna gets sentimental about a milestone in her 6-year-old's life. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Preschool field trips

-Underwood Family Farms

-Graduating from kindergarten

-Last day of school

-The best stories from the Big Fat Positive podcast, according to listeners

-Most useful mom hacks shared on the BFP podcast

-Getting a free piano

-Kids' choir performance

Episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 281 (For Laura's bird story)

-Ep. 303 (For Shanna's bird story)

-Ep. 255 (For Laura's pretend-play hack)

-Ep. 163 (For Shanna's beach-sand hack)

-Ep. 28 (For Shanna's hospital-bag packing list)

-Ep. 146 (For Shanna's tooth-brushing hack)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI Baby Slop: The Internet's Weirdest Baby Videos - Ep. 364 Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Internet Insanity," Laura and Shanna share the wild and wacky content they've found online recently, including the hilariously horrible AI-generated videos that Laura can't look away from and an athletic event featuring microscopic competitors. Also, Shanna talks about teaching her 6-year-old how to swallow pills, and Laura reports on spending her birthday out and about. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Is my child's fever from a virus or bacterial infection?

-What to do when your child refuses to take medicine

-Teaching your child how to swallow pills

-Laura's birthday

-What is AI slop and how does it relate to babies?

-Fake videos of kids and babies in danger

-Sperm racing

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Gloup

-Medcoat

-How to Take a Pill: Teaching Kids How to Take Medication" video from Michigan Medicine

-Vibration plates

-"Hard Fork" podcast episode talking about AI slop

-AI Shrimp Jesus

-AI Dog Saves Baby in Pool video

-Paul & Friends

-Sperm Racing Event

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 257 (For Shanna's story about Cece's refusal to take medicine despite 106 fevers)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mom Comparison: Measuring Yourself Against Other Parents - Ep. 363 Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Big Topic," Shanna and Laura dive into the subject of parental comparison. They open up about the situations that fuel comparison between themselves and other parents in their own lives as well as ideas for how to manage the feelings. Also, Laura reports on a visit from extended family members, and Shanna talks about dealing with several unexpected occurrences at a kids' birthday party. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Juggling parenting with family visiting from out of town

-Managing anxiety while at a kids' pool party

-Ways that parents compare each other to other parents

-Ways that parents compare each other's kids to other kids

-Ideas for dealing with feelings of comparison and jealousy as a parent

-An awesome, funny kids show that we love

-Challenges of homeownership as a parent

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!