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No One Told Us — Kids & Family
No One Told Us

No One Told Us the truth about parenthood. WHY?!
Welcome to No One Told Us, the podcast where we uncover the raw, unfiltered truths about parenthood. I’m your host, Rachael Shepard-Ohta, mom of three and founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby. Each week, join me as we dive deep into the joys, challenges, and surprises of raising children with a mix of expert insights, personal anecdotes, and candid conversations.
From navigating postpartum anxiety to mastering the art of making mom friends, and from introducing solids to tackling tantrums, we cover it all. Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your go-to resource for honest advice, relatable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Join me as I sit down with experts in their fields, as well as friends, family, celebrities, and influencers, to share their experiences and wisdom on everything from sleepless nights to rocky relationships. No topic is off-limits, and no story goes untold on No One Told Us.
So grab a cup of coffee, pop in your headphones and join the conversation. This is the podcast everyone needed before they had kids- because now that those little ones are here, there’s a lot to unpack. So let’s pull back the curtain on becoming a first-time mom (or dad!) to share the good, the bad and the ugly. A little education, a little fun, and a whole lot of heart goes into each and every episode of No One Told Us to have you feeling less alone and way more empowered.

Copyright: © 2023

Latest Episodes:

Episode 115: Perimenopause, PMDD & What Women Need to Know with Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

What if more women actually knew what to expect from perimenopause before they were in the middle of it? In this episode, Rachael sits down with Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su and Dr. Amy Voedisch to talk about perimenopause, PMDD, menopause, and the hormonal changes that can impact both physical and mental health during this stage of life.

Together, they break down what’s actually happening to our hormones and brain chemistry, why symptoms can look so different from person to person, and what treatment options are available. They also discuss birth control, SSRIs, hormone therapy, supplements, mental health risks, and why understanding your medical history and tracking your symptoms can make such a difference in getting the right care.

Inside this episode:

When perimenopause can begin and how long it can last
The signs and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause
Understanding PMDD and how it differs from typical PMS
How hormonal fluctuations can affect mood, anxiety, and brain chemistry
Why mental health symptoms can become more intense during perimenopause
Treatment options including birth control, SSRIs, and hormone therapy
Common misconceptions about birth control and hormone therapy
Supplements, unregulated products, and what women should know before taking them
Why tracking symptoms can help you advocate for better care
How your medical and reproductive history can impact future health risks
The importance of taking anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts seriously during this stage of life
Why personalized care matters when navigating hormonal changes
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

Estrogen, Interrupted: A Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Perimenopause: order here
Listen to the OvaryActive Podcast here
Follow on Instagram here

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️✨

For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

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Episode 114: Rethinking the Mental Load & Teaching Kids to “Notice and Do” with Sam Kelly Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

What if we stopped waiting to be asked and started teaching our kids to notice what needs to be done? In this episode, Rachael sits down with therapist-turned-feminist coach Sam Kelly to talk about the mental load, gender norms, family dynamics, and her “notice and do” philosophy for creating more equitable homes.

Together, they unpack why the mental load is a whole-family issue and how parents can teach children to recognize needs and take action without constantly being reminded. Sam also shares practical strategies for building independence through routines, visual cues, and scripts, including ways to adapt these ideas for neurodivergent children and adults.

Inside this episode:

What “notice and do” means and where the idea came from
Why the mental load is a whole-family issue
How gender norms and cultural conditioning shape household responsibilities
Teaching kids to notice what needs to be done without being asked
Practical strategies for building independence through routines, visual cues, and scripts
Creating a more equitable division of household responsibilities
Adapting “notice and do” for neurodivergent children and adults
Helping kids navigate multi-step tasks and attention challenges
How sharing the mental load can reduce burnout
Why teaching kids to contribute is about more than chores
How “notice and do” can build confidence and independence
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

Preorder: Sam Kelly’s “Notice and Do”
Follow Sam on instagram: @samkelly_world

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

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Episode 113: Rethinking Picky Eating & Building a Healthy Relationship with Food with Jennifer Anderson Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

What does it actually mean to be a “picky eater,” and how can we help our kids develop a healthy relationship with food without pressure, shame, or anxiety? In this episode, Rachael sits down with registered dietitian and author Jennifer Anderson to talk about picky eating, childhood nutrition, feeding routines, food boundaries, and the many ways our parenting practices can shape our children’s relationship with food.

Together, they unpack what picky eating really means, how to create structure and boundaries around food while still honoring a child’s autonomy, and how diet culture and social media can influence the way we approach feeding our kids. Jennifer also shares practical strategies for navigating snacks, Halloween candy, food labels, and helping children develop embodied independence and trust in their own bodies.

Inside this episode:

What picky eating really means and why it’s so common
How parenting practices can influence children’s relationships with food
How to create structure and boundaries around meals without shame or pressure
The role of snacks and routines in children’s eating habits
How diet culture and social media can impact the way we feed our kids
Strategies for navigating Halloween candy and other treats
Why black-and-white thinking about food can be harmful
How to model healthy behaviors without creating shame around food
Understanding sensory and developmental factors that can contribute to picky eating
The importance of embodied independence and helping kids trust their bodies
How parental language can influence body image and food relationships
How to talk to kids about food choices without labeling foods as “good” or “bad”
Resources and support for families dealing with extreme picky eating
How to foster healthy independence around food as kids grow
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

Jennifer’s book, Feed Them Well: Pre-order here
Pediatric Screener for ARFID and Extreme Picky Eating (PSA-Eat): Take the screener
BetterBites: Learn more

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 112: Postpartum OCD, Intrusive Thoughts & Learning to Trust Yourself with Jenna Overbaugh Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

What happens when the thoughts that scare you most become the thoughts you can’t stop thinking about? In this episode, Rachael sits down with licensed professional counselor Jenna Overbaugh to talk about postpartum OCD, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and the ways sleep deprivation, perfectionism, and the need for control can fuel OCD symptoms.

Together, they unpack what separates common intrusive thoughts from OCD, why OCD often latches onto the things we care about most, and how parents can begin breaking the cycle of reassurance seeking, avoidance, and compulsions. Jenna also explains how exposure and response prevention (ERP) can help parents build confidence and learn to trust themselves again.

Inside this episode:

What postpartum OCD really looks like
The difference between intrusive thoughts and OCD
How sleep deprivation and anxiety can feed each other
Why OCD often latches onto what we care about most
How perfectionism and the need for control can fuel OCD
The role of reassurance seeking and why it can reinforce OCD
How social media can contribute to anxiety and compulsive behaviors
What exposure and response prevention (ERP) is and how it works
How compulsions and safety behaviors keep the OCD cycle going
Understanding ego-dystonic thoughts and fears of harming your baby
What research tells us about the risk of harm in parents with OCD
When postpartum OCD requires specialized or intensive treatment
How parents can reduce avoidance and step outside their comfort zones
Why learning to tolerate uncertainty is such an important part of recovery
How to find specialized support for postpartum OCD
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

Jenna Overbaugh’s resources: https://www.jennaoverbaughlpc.com/resources
Jenna’s book, Making Peace with a Noisy Mind, coming February 2027
Jenna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna.overbaugh
Jenna’s Substack: https://www.thenoisymind.substack.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 111: Too Sensitive? Understanding Emotional Sensitivity, ADHD & Regulation with Dr. Sasha Hamdani Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

What does it really mean to be “too sensitive”? In this episode, Rachael sits down with psychiatrist, author, and ADHD expert Dr. Sasha Hamdani to unpack emotional sensitivity, ADHD, rejection sensitive dysphoria, and the ways our understanding of ourselves can shape how we parent.Inside this episode:

What emotional sensitivity really means and how it exists on a spectrum
Why labels can become part of our internal narrative
Understanding rejection sensitive dysphoria and intense emotional responses
How ADHD can impact emotional regulation…not just attention
Why ADHD is often diagnosed later in women, especially after becoming parents
How ADHD and emotional sensitivity can show up differently in girls and women
The role social media plays in ADHD awareness, education, and misinformation
How parenthood can reveal previously unrecognized neurodivergent traits
Practical tools for managing big emotional responses and building regulation skills
How we can help emotionally sensitive children develop resilience
Why emotional regulation should be taught early….and even in schools
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 110: Parenting the Spicy Kid with Mary Van Geffen Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

What does it really mean to parent a “spicy” kid? In this episode, Rachael sits down with parenting expert and author Mary Van Geffen to talk about strong-willed, sensitive, and neurodivergent children and what parents can do when everyday parenting feels especially challenging.

Together, they discuss emotional regulation, parenting shame, boundaries, meltdowns, bedtime struggles, and the importance of doing our own inner work. Mary shares practical tools and compassionate strategies for staying connected to your child while also learning how to regulate yourself, repair after hard moments, and parent with more confidence.

Inside this episode:

What makes a child “spicy” and how to understand their unique temperament
Why parental self-regulation is one of the most important parenting tools
How childhood experiences can shape the way we parent
Navigating neurodivergence, diagnosis, and finding the right support
Practical strategies for managing meltdowns, tantrums, and big emotions
How routine, predictability, and connection can help sensitive kids thrive
Setting firm boundaries while staying kind and connect
The role of self-compassion, repair, and doing your own inner work
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

Parenting a Spicy One by Mary Van Geffen
Mary Van Geffen on Instagram
Mary Van Geffen on TikTok

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

Instagram | Tiktok | Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 109: Parenting Wisdom from Around the World with Michaeleen Doucleff Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

What if many of the things we believe about parenting aren't actually universal? In this episode, Rachael sits down with journalist and author Dr. Michaeleen Doucleff to explore what different cultures around the world can teach us about raising children, building strong family relationships, and rethinking some of our most deeply held parenting beliefs.

Together, they discuss parenting myths, child development, autonomy, screen time, dopamine, sleep, and what it can look like to approach family life with more respect, connection, and trust.

Inside this episode:

Why so many common parenting practices aren't universal
What different cultures can teach us about raising children
The importance of respect, autonomy, and contribution in child development
How dopamine actually affects motivation and screen time
Rethinking the way we approach sleep and separation
How to build stronger, more connected parent-child relationships
Practical ways to encourage independence and healthy motivation
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

Instagram | Tiktok | Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 108: The Power of Hobbying for Parents and Adults with Marina Cooley Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

What if making time for a hobby wasn't selfish but one of the best things you could do for yourself and your family? In this episode, Rachael sits down with writer and researcher Marina Cooley to explore why hobbies matter, how Danish culture approaches work-life balance, and what we can learn about slowing down, finding joy, and supporting our mental health.

Together, they discuss how hobbies can reduce screen time, ease mom guilt, strengthen community, and help parents reconnect with themselves, even in the busiest seasons of life.

Inside this episode:

Why hobbies are essential for parents' well-being
How Danish culture approaches happiness and balance
Reducing screen time through meaningful hobbies
Reframing productivity, self-care, and mom guilt
The role of community in happier family life
Practical ways to make hobbies fit into a busy schedule
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

The Geography of Bliss

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 107: The Parenting Advice We Need to Unlearn with Fiona Weaver Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

What if the hardest part of parenting isn't your child's sleep, but the pressure to do everything "right"? In this episode, Rachael sits down with parenting educator and maternal mental health advocate Fiona Weaver for an honest conversation about the parenting advice we may need to unlearn.

Together, they discuss the myths surrounding sleep training and independence, why "good enough" parenting is actually the goal, and how societal expectations can fuel mom guilt and self-doubt. Fiona also shares her experience parenting three children, navigating toddler sleep challenges, and embracing a more flexible, compassionate approach that supports both children and their parents.

Whether you're questioning the parenting advice you've been given or simply looking for reassurance that you're doing enough, this episode offers practical wisdom, encouragement, and a refreshing perspective on modern motherhood.

Inside this episode:

Why "good enough" parenting is the gold standard
Common myths about sleep training and infant independence
The emotional and developmental needs of children
How societal expectations contribute to mom guilt and shame
Why you can't hang your mood on your baby's sleep
The connection between infant sleep and maternal mental health
Letting go of rigid sleep tracking and unrealistic expectations
Building stronger family relationships through flexibility and connection
How community and support can transform the parenting experience
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

Instagram | Tiktok | Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 106: Rethinking Baby Sleep: A Holistic Approach with Dr. Pamela Douglas Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

What if your baby's sleep challenges weren't something to fix but a clue to better understanding their unique needs? In this episode, Rachael sits down with physician, researcher, and founder of the Possums Program, Dr. Pamela Douglas, to explore a holistic, evidence-based approach to infant sleep, feeding, and development.

Together, they discuss why sleep, feeding, sensory development, and emotional well-being are deeply connected, how societal pressures can increase stress for parents, and why responsive, flexible caregiving often leads to better outcomes for the whole family. Whether you're navigating an unsettled baby or simply looking for a gentler approach to infant sleep, this episode offers practical, reassuring guidance.

Inside this episode:

Why sleep, feeding, and sensory development are all connected
The philosophy behind the Possums approach to infant care
The five domains that can contribute to an unsettled baby
Common myths about overstimulation and baby sleep
Why outdoor play and sensory experiences support healthy development
How parental stress can impact the parenting experience
Practical ways to respond to your baby's unique cues
Why flexibility…not rigid routines…helps families thrive
And so much more!

Mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️

✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨

Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.

Instagram | Tiktok | Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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