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A positive pregnancy test felt like the start of a familiar story—until Alison Beder Soloway couldn’t breathe at 32 weeks and doctors discovered heart failure linked to HHT. That moment rewrote everything. She was told carrying again would be too dangerous, and the road to the family she imagined would have to bend. What followed was a years-long relay of nine IVF attempts, cross‑border laws, agency vetting, and the kind of paperwork that decides names on birth certificates. Along the way, Alison discovered that a marathon mindset—steady effort, smart pacing, and a refusal to quit—could carry her through fertility’s longest miles.

We dive into the real costs and hidden tolls of IVF, the physical pain of retrievals, and the emotional whiplash of waiting for calls that change your life. Alison explains how clinics differ more than their marketing, why switching doctors can be an act of courage, and how to spot red flags when choosing a gestational carrier. She shares the moment bonding overruled doubt as she watched her son take his first breaths, then traces the beautiful complexity of welcoming twins from the same embryo cohort—“triplets,” born a year and a half apart. Together we unpack stigma around surrogacy, the myths about fraternal twins, and the fierce autonomy families deserve when deciding how to bring children into the world.

As a fitness professional serving women 40+, Alison also breaks down why strength training is essential for bone health, metabolism, and aging well—especially for anyone using weight-loss medications that can accelerate muscle loss. Her take is practical and compassionate: advocate for yourself, ask better questions, partner with your care team, and choose hope on purpose. If your body says no, your resolve—and your plan—can still say go.

If this conversation moved you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs the reminder to keep going, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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Ever watched a baby rock on all fours and wondered whether to cheer or worry? We sit down with pediatric physical therapist Dr. Allison Mell—founder of Tots on Target and mom of four, including twins—to unpack the first 18 months with rare clarity. Allison explains what those “windows” for rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking really tell us, how to use corrected age for preemies, and where “wait and see” becomes a roadblock. She shares a practical test most parents can spot at home: steady progress and quality of movement. If your baby is trending forward with planks, rocking, and symmetrical effort, patience is a plan. If they’re stuck, favoring one side, or plateaued for weeks, a few targeted exercises can change everything.

Crawling takes center stage—but not as a box to check. Allison reveals why it’s the last big dose of upper-body weight-bearing before school, how it feeds shoulder and core strength for writing and self-dressing, and why it supercharges sensory systems (proprioception and vestibular), bilateral coordination, and crossing midline. Those invisible wins show up later in reading fluency, sports, biking, and monkey bars. We also get real about twins and comparisons, intrauterine tightness, reflux and oral ties, and the small stretches and routines that can turn a “content sitter” into an eager explorer. For older kids who skipped crawling, she offers playful strength builders to boost endurance without shame.

Beyond milestones, Allison opens up about survival with newborn twins, the decision to hire night help, and the honest work of protecting a marriage when everyone is exhausted. We dive into risky play within boundaries, coaching language that builds problem-solving (“Sometimes it helps if…”), and why giving kids space to try is a shortcut to self-trust. The theme that runs through it all: you know your child best. If a dismissive “it’s normal” doesn’t sit right, keep asking. You’re not chasing perfection—you’re laying a foundation for a body and brain that feel at home in motion.

If this conversation gave you clarity or courage, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s in the milestone maze, and leave a quick review—what’s one tip you’re trying this week?

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This episode starts with a simple truth few people say out loud: sometimes the first chapter of parenthood is grief. Lia Higgins joins us to unpack an early miscarriage at 28, the shock of a postpartum hemorrhage, and the quiet ways trauma can delay bonding without diminishing love. From there, we zoom out: what happens when a high-achieving identity built in Big Law collides with a life you actually want to live? Lia talks candidly about trading titles for alignment, why a “soft landing” back from leave turned into a firestorm, and how prestige can masquerade as purpose until you call its bluff.

We also get practical about the myth of “having it all.” Corporate policies help, but not nearly enough when the village has vanished, childcare is fragile, and mental load still defaults to moms. Lia breaks down the limits of outsourcing, the emotional labor no app can automate, and the social cost of saying “I need help.” She chooses transparency over performance: yes, she has a full-time nanny she loves; no, she’s not doing it all alone; and yes, childcare should be a baseline, not a brag. That honesty dissolves comparison and reframes the real question: what support would let more families breathe?

Along the way, we talk community, isolation in self-employment, and the strange mix of freedom and loneliness that comes with flexible work. We close with two anchors: advice for a newly pregnant friend—you don’t have to enjoy every second to be a good mother—and the unexpected joy of watching a partner become a parent. It’s a conversation about loss and agency, ambition and care, and the messy, ordinary beauty of building a life that actually fits.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs some honesty, and leave a quick review—your words help more parents find their people.

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Want to know why motherhood in America feels like a solo sport—and how we turn it into a supported team game? We sit with Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, to unpack the design flaws baked into school calendars, workplace norms, and city life that make caregiving harder than it has to be. From random half-days and late starts to inboxes that only email mom, we trace how policy and culture quietly draft women as default parents while calling it “choice.”

Reshma takes us upstream, connecting patriarchy’s origin story to modern expectations, and then downstream to practical fixes: splitting domains at home instead of vague “help,” inviting community back into weeknights, and letting kids witness real conflict and repair so they build resilience. We explore the pandemic’s role as a wake-up call—revealing that burnout wasn’t personal failure but structural neglect—and how that clarity launched Moms First, elevated childcare as a core affordability issue, and brought fathers into the coalition through new alliances.

We also talk about pace and health. Perimenopause, anxiety, and sleep shifts force a rethink of the grind; boundaries aren’t indulgence, they’re infrastructure for long-term impact. Along the way, we challenge the false choice between trad-wife fantasies and girlboss hustle. The third path centers policy, community, and workplaces that measure outcomes, not hours—places where caregivers can do pickup and still do big work. And yes, there’s joy: the shock of a child seeing a giraffe, the permission to feel and grieve in front of our kids, the ordinary awe that reminds us what we’re fighting for.

If you care about childcare, paid leave, sick time, equitable partnerships, and building cities that welcome families, this conversation is your blueprint. Listen, share with a parent or policymaker, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

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Psychology professor Tovah Klein takes us beyond social media soundbites to reveal what truly helps children develop resilience. Drawing from her 30 years directing the Barnard Center for Toddler Development, Klein offers a refreshingly balanced perspective on the trending "FAFO" (F Around and Find Out) parenting approach and why extremes rarely work when raising children.

Klein's wisdom cuts through the noise of modern parenting discourse, explaining why children need both loving support and appropriate boundaries. "Being a parent is not a soundbite," she reminds us, highlighting how unique each parent-child relationship truly is. Rather than focusing on perfect parenting methods, Klein encourages parents to embrace the inherent ups and downs while fostering children's emotional regulation skills and independence.

The conversation explores how community support for families has diminished in our individualized society, leaving many parents feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Klein shares practical insights on rebuilding supportive networks, allowing children to experience appropriate risks, and resolving conflicts independently – all crucial elements for developing genuine resilience. She distinguishes between harmful teasing and healthy humor, offering examples of how laughter can transform difficult parenting moments into opportunities for connection.

Throughout our discussion, Klein's compassionate approach acknowledges parenting challenges while providing reassurance: "It's going to be hard, and you're going to be okay." Her stories about shared joy with her own children remind us to treasure the meaningful moments amid the chaos. Whether you're struggling with a toddler's tantrums or a teenager's independence, Klein's nuanced perspective will help you parent with greater confidence and connection.

Listen now to discover how finding the middle ground between parenting extremes creates truly resilient children who can navigate life's challenges with both emotional awareness and inner strength.

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Have you ever wondered what it's actually like to take GLP-1 medications beyond the celebrity headlines? In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the reality of semaglutide medications like Ozempic, exploring their profound effects on both physical and mental health.

The conversation begins with Sam's candid personal account of using these medications for approximately a year. While the initial motivation was addressing stubborn postpartum weight gain, the most surprising benefits emerged in unexpected areas - particularly mental health. For the first time since becoming a parent, the medication quieted the constant "noise" of anxiety, OCD, and rumination that had become overwhelming. This silencing effect extended beyond food-related thoughts to shopping impulses and general mental clarity - benefits rarely discussed in mainstream coverage.

We explore the physical health transformation as well, sharing how lab results showed dramatic improvements in cholesterol, A1C levels, and other key markers. The episode doesn't shy away from discussing potential side effects either - from GI issues to the importance of protein supplementation to prevent hair loss. Listeners will gain valuable insights into proper dosing, hydration requirements, and how to work with healthcare providers when considering these medications.

The discussion challenges the stigma and criticism directed at celebrities using GLP-1s (Chrissy Teigan, Serena Williams, and more) highlighting how these medications are providing genuine health benefits that extend far beyond weight loss. Major companies are now covering these medications for employees because they recognize their positive impact on long-term health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Whether you're curious about these medications for yourself or simply want to understand the phenomenon better, this episode provides an honest, nuanced perspective that goes beyond the headlines.

Mindful Wellness Pharmacy mentioned in the pod (Sam, Zara nor the pod are sponsored by this clinic. The clinic didn't even know we spoke about them until after the episode was recorded). Mention the pod or Sam for 10% off your order.

* The content of this podcast, including any discussions of GLP-1 medications, is provided for entertainment purposes only and reflects the personal experiences of the speaker(s). It is not intended as, and should not be relied upon for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition, medication, or treatment plan. Neither the hosts, guests, nor producers of this podcast assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.

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What happens when red carpet journalists trade celebrity interviews for motherhood? Katie Krause and Hallie Stevens, Emmy-winning Entertainment Tonight alums, pull back the curtain on their dramatic life pivot in this raw, revealing conversation.

Katie and Hallie spent years building impressive careers interviewing Hollywood's biggest stars. They were living the dream - until becoming mothers completely transformed their priorities. Now hosting their podcast "Between Us Moms," they're bringing the same journalistic instincts to conversations about motherhood that mainstream media often glosses over.

The conversation dives deep into their C-section recoveries, the challenges of back-to-back pregnancies, IVF journeys, and pregnancy losses. Both women share how they navigated these physical and emotional challenges while working in an industry that demands constant presence and perfection. Katie's candid admission that she'd rather put her kids to bed than interview almost any celebrity (except maybe Taylor Swift) captures the profound identity shift many career-driven women experience.

Perhaps most valuable is their refreshing honesty about work-life balance. "You can have it all, but not all at the same time," Hallie notes, challenging the pressure women face to excel simultaneously in every role. They explore the financial dynamics of stepping back from full-time work, the importance of choosing the right partner, and finding fulfillment in unexpected places.

Whether you're contemplating motherhood, balancing career ambitions with family life, or simply curious about the human stories behind the entertainment journalists who interview your favorite celebrities, this conversation offers wisdom, humor, and solidarity for the journey.

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Economist Emily Oster transformed parenting literature by applying data analysis to decisions most books treated as black-and-white rules. After becoming pregnant in 2010, she found herself frustrated with pregnancy recommendations that came without explanations—why no sushi? Why limit coffee? As someone trained to evaluate research, she began investigating the evidence behind these directives, eventually writing "Expecting Better" and subsequent bestsellers that have sold over a million copies. She now runs the wildly popular newsletter and website parentdata (they even have a bot that can help you with those late night parenting AI searches).

What makes Oster's approach revolutionary isn't just her ability to interpret research, but her fundamental belief that data should inform rather than dictate parenting choices. "I think my view about data always is that it is not bossy," she explains. Her work restores agency to parents who want to make thoughtful decisions based on both evidence and their personal circumstances, preferences, and knowledge of their specific children.

During our conversation, Oster tackles controversial topics with nuance—revealing that the best studies show minimal differences between children in high-quality daycare versus at-home care, with these small differences fading by elementary school. She debunks extreme claims about attachment theory and breastfeeding, areas where she believes parents face unnecessary pressure beyond what research actually supports. Most reassuringly, she emphasizes that "a huge share of choices are fine" and that what truly matters in early childhood is much simpler than many parents realize: stability, love, and basic needs being met.

Oster is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet and The Family Firm. She holds a PhD in Economics from Harvard. Prior to being at Brown she was on the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Oster’s books analyze the data behind choices in pregnancy and parenting. Expecting Better analyzes the data behind many common pregnancy rules, and aims to improve decision-making for pregnant women. Cribsheet does the same for early childhood — what does the evidence really say on breastfeeding, co-sleeping or potty training. Finally, The Family Firm takes this approach to parenting in the early school years, looking at data on school, extracurriculars, sleep and also providing a framework to make unexpected decisions and address the logistical challenges of this period of parenting.

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