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Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

By: Laura Birek Shanna Micko
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What if you and your best friend were pregnant at the same time? That's what happened to us!

Big Fat Positive is a smart and funny podcast about two best friends who found out they were pregnant at the same time. The show follows the moms-to-be on their journey through pregnancy and into new motherhood, week by week. With weekly check-ins, special guests and segments such as "OMG I’m Freaking Out," hosts Shanna Micko & Laura Birek recount the often hilarious and always honest highs and lows of being a pregnant woman and new mom.

Episodes 1 to 32 deal with pregnancy. Episode 33 and on deal with new parenthood. Tune in wherever you are on your journey!

New episodes are released every Monday.

© © Laura Birek, Shanna Micko
Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Ep. 379: Today's Meltdown Is Brought to You by...
    Oct 6 2025

    In the special segment "Why Is My Kid Crying?," Shanna and Laura explore the situations that have brought out the waterworks in their little ones recently, including unexpected morning meltdowns, big feelings about inanimate objects and more! Also in this episode, Laura discusses the trials and tribulations of naming a family pet, and Shanna reports on a weekend road trip with her kids to see a unique sporting event. Finally, Shanna and Laura share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.


    Topics discussed in this episode:

    -Laura and family decide on a name for their new kitten

    -Shanna and family take a road trip to San Diego

    -The unpredictability of kids' emotions

    -How to handle major meltdowns right before school starts

    -Reviews for Laura's book "Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent"

    -A fun museum to go to with kids in San Diego


    Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

    -Savannah Bananas

    -Maragritaville Hotel San Diego

    -NetGalley

    -"Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent" on NetGalley

    -Museum of Illusions


    Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

    -Ep. 378 - (For the episode where Laura adopts a new kitten)


    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.

    https://bit.ly/bfp-inito

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

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • Ep. 378: Your Potty-Training Questions Answered!
    Sep 29 2025

    To celebrate the release of Laura's new book "Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent," she and her co-author, Gia Gambaro Blount, answer listener questions all about potty training! They dive into the topics of when to know if your child is ready to start training, how to handle long car rides during the process, how to handle your child's reluctance to poop in the potty and more. Also in this episode, Laura reports on adding a new (and very cute) member to her family, and Shanna discusses getting down and dirty to improve her family's front yard. Finally, Shanna and Laura share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.


    Topics discussed in this episode:

    -Shanna's unexpected way of working out stress, feelings and grief after a loss

    -The newest member of Laura's family

    -Advice for when your child is having trouble pooping in the potty

    -What age to start potty training your child

    -Tips for long car rides when you are potty training your child

    -Shanna's surprising playdate

    -Laura's school project


    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

    -Good to Go Parenting Website


    Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

    -Ep. 339 (For the 2024 Year in Review episode, where Shanna hopes to hire a gardener)


    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!

    https://bit.ly/bfp-inito

    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.

    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • Ep. 377: Hiring a Babysitter
    Sep 22 2025

    In the special segment "Mom Wins!," Laura and Shanna celebrate their recent parenting achievements, including surprising successes inside a hotel lobby, at a big-kid's birthday party, in the presence of a claw machine and more! Also, Laura dives into a late-night crafting project that blows the minds of many children (and adults), and Shanna hires a non-family babysitter for the very first time. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.


    Topics discussed in this episode:

    -KPop Demon Hunters

    -Making crafts on the Cricut

    -Hiring babysitters

    -Allowing self-expression in your children

    -Managing your kids' meltdowns

    -Hiring food-delivery robots

    -Finding time and space for hobbies when you're a mom


    Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

    -KPop Demon Hunters Movie on Netflix

    -"The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case" by Chuck Hogan


    Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

    -Ep. 350 (For the episode where Shanna talks about her family's trip to Lake Arrowhead)

    -Ep. 347 (For the episode where Shanna talks about taking Cece to an ice-skating party)

    -Ep. 371 (For the episode where Laura talks about discovering food-delivery robots in her neighborhood)

    -Ep. 19 (For the episode where Laura talks about spinning wool - before it made her nauseous)


    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.


    https://bit.ly/bfp-inito

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

    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
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