Episode 64: How to Self Regulate as a Parent with Dr. Amber Thornton @dramberthorntonEver totally lose your cool on your kids and feel SO guilty afterwards? You’re NOT alone! That’s why this week, Rachael speaks with Dr. Amber Thornton, a licensed clinical psychologist and strong advocate for parental mental health, all about self-regulation, overwhelm, and reparenting!Inside this episode: Find out a practical framework for breaking the cycle of dysregulation. Learn how you can practice emotional regulation during the postpartum period- so hard! Why mental health struggles can make regulation especially difficult.  Tools for managing overwhelm after working full time or being home with your kids full time. How do you actually begin the process of “reparenting” yourself? Ways to deal with mistakes and handle them as a parent especially after totally losing your cool.  All the positive effects reparenting has on our children. All about her new book, A Parent's Guide to Self-Regulation. And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Amber Thornton’s website: dramberthornton.com Dr. Amber Thornton’s instagram: @dramberthornton A Parent's Guide to Self-Regulation: A Practical Framework for Breaking the Cycle of Dysregulation and Mastering Emotions for Parents and Children 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 63: Creating Safe Spaces for Trans Kids with Ben Greene @psuedo.broBen Green, a transgender advocate and author, joins the podcast this week to discuss the important topic of transgender inclusion and support for trans kids! Ben encourages a joy-centered approach to supporting trans kids in your own life and the broader community, and celebrates the resilience and strength of the trans community.Inside this episode: Hear Ben’s personal experience of coming out at a young age and the challenges he faced. The importance of creating safe spaces for trans kids to come out and be themselves. How politics can impact the trans community and the need for understanding support, and protective legislation Why representation and normalizing LGBTQ+ identities in media and literature is so valuable. Ben provides tips for parents on how to talk to their kids about gender identity and how to advocate for their trans children in schools.  And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Ben’s Book: My Child is Trans- Now What? A Joy Centered Approach to Support  Ben’s website: https://www.bgtranstalks.com/  Ben’s instagram: @psuedo.bro 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 62: Advocacy after Loss with Ashley Spivey @ashleyspiveyJoin Rachael this week as she chats with Ashley Spivey, a former contestant on The Bachelor, turned advocate and online content creator! Ashley has used her platform to advocate for various causes, including stillbirth prevention and paid family leave for stillbirth families. Since October is Infant Loss and Awareness month, Ashley shares her own personal journey of infertility and loss openly on social media and talks about how she aims to raise awareness and promote empathy. Inside this episode: Ashley discusses her transition from reality TV (The Bachelor!!!) to social media. How Ashley uses her platform to talk about fun and serious: politics, books, recipes, parenting, loss, and so much more! The importance of transparency and trust in content and the misconceptions about influencers and their work. How she manages sharing her daughter’s life on social media: the challenges, hate, comments, need for boundaries, and respect from followers. Ashley’s experience with infertility and loss, stillbirth, and anxiety during pregnancy, and how she’s keeping her son CJ’s memory alive How to support someone who has experienced loss.  Learn about the advocacy work being done for stillbirth prevention. And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Ashley’s Instagram: @ashleyspivey Information on The Shine for Autumn Act: https://www.shineforautumnact.org/  The Rainbow Clinic in NYC and LA: https://www.pushpregnancy.org/rainbow-clinic App- Count the Kicks Ashley’s Book Rec: Mayluna: A Novel  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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 61: In-Laws and Tricky Relationship Changes After Baby with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish @drtracydHave you ever found yourself navigating a tricky situation with your in-laws? In this conversation, Rachael interviews Dr. Tracy, a psychologist and couples therapist, all about the topic of in-laws and how they can affect relationships with significant others. Dr. Tracy provides lots of tips for communication and speaking up in uncomfortable situations and how to handle challenging family dynamics with respect. Inside this episode: How in-law and family dynamics impact relationships How to set and enforce healthy boundaries with in-laws and parents The difference between requests vs. boundaries Navigating relationship challenges as new parents How to handle relationships with toxic family members and the option of going no contact Help finding ways to nurture the connection with your partner The power in trusting yourself and tuning out outside advice And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Tracy’s website: https://www.drtracyd.com/  Dr. Tracy’s podcast: I’m Not Your Shrink Dr. Tracy’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtracyd/?hl=en  Dr. Tracy’s Book: I Didn’t Sign Up for This  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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 60: Work-Family Balance: What Can We Learn from Policies Around the World? with Caitlyn Collins In this conversation, Rachael interviews Caitlyn Collins, an associate professor of sociology and author, about work-family life and how policies affect families in different countries. They discuss the differences between the United States, Sweden, Germany, Italy, and other countries in terms of parental leave, childcare, and work-life balance.Inside this episode: The importance of collective responsibility and cultural attitudes towards caregiving. How better policies can not only benefit families but also have economic and social benefits for society as a whole.  The importance of Caitlyn’s book, Making Motherhood Work, which talks all about different countries and their different work-family policies and the work-family conflict that mothers (and fathers!) experience.  Why is Sweden often held up as a paragon of work-family policy? How division of labor and gender inequality in households differs in other countries. Changing the language around paid leave from “luck” to “rights” and why this can be a powerful shift Flexible work options for moms The potential for policy changes at the federal level in the United States. And so much more! Mentioned in this episode:Caitlyn’s Book: Making Motherhood Work 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 59: Surviving Postpartum Psychosis with Ayana Lage @ayanagabriellelage In this episode, Rachael has a candid chat with Ayana Lage, writer, influencer and mental health advocate, who shares her experience with postpartum psychosis. Ayana details the devastating toll postpartum psychosis took on her and her family, as well as how it impacted future family planning. She discusses the symptoms she experienced, the hospitalization process, and the support she received in the aftermath. Ayana also talks about the decision process to have another child, and how she and her husband are preparing for postpartum this time around.Inside this episode: All about the serious and under-discussed condition: postpartum psychosis. Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis The impact that support from friends and family, including checking in and providing practical help, can provide during the postpartum period and beyond How to set boundaries and prioritize self-care during pregnancy and postpartum The value in sharing experiences and raising awareness about postpartum mental health Why we need to dismantle the stigma attached to this condition and to medication and treatment for postpartum mothers How to prepare for postpartum with a history of perinatal mood disorders And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Ayana’s website: https://ayanalage.com/  Ayana’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayanagabriellelage  Ayana’s postpartum psychosis article: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/a43340622/postpartum-psychosis-personal-essay/  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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 58: Gentle Parenting like a Teacher with Arielle Fodor aka @mrs.frazzledIn this episode, Rachael Shepard-Ohta interviews Ariel Fodor, also known as Mrs. Frazzled, about her experience as a teacher and a parent. They discuss why many teachers are leaving the profession, the misconceptions about gentle parenting, and the importance of representation and social justice issues. Ariel also shares her journey with mental health challenges and how she navigates them as a mom. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of parents and the need for support and understanding.Inside this episode: Why so many teachers are leaving the profession How teaching creates burnout and feelings of unfulfillment  What does “gentle parenting” mean, anyway? How to set boundaries with children while maintaining open communication and using natural consequences The importance of Representation and exposure to diverse experiences for children How to raise socially conscious children. The importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking support when needed as a parent How to find supportive parenting communities And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Arielle’s Instagram: @mrs.frazzled Arielle’s Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrs.frazzled?lang=en  Teacher Quit Talk Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teacher-quit-talk/id1644396447  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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 57: Mental Health in the Journey to Motherhood with Dr. Sarah Oreck @sarahoreckmdIn this episode, Rachael has a great discussion with Dr. Sarah Oreck, a reproductive psychiatrist and founder of Mavita Health. They talk about the importance of mental health care support during the sometimes long, difficult journey to parenthood. Dr. Sarah highlights the different experiences and challenges that individuals face during pregnancy and postpartum, including pregnancy loss and infertility.Inside this episode: The stigma surrounding mental health in the perinatal period, including for those going through fertility treatments, going through secondary infertility and more How each pregnancy and postpartum can pose different challenges How lifestyle factors, such as movement, mindfulness, and nutrition, support mental health The importance of destigmatizing medication use during pregnancy and postpartum when needed How sleep deprivation affects mental health and how you can protect maternal sleep Balancing the needs of your baby and yourself How to tailor your social media feed to promote positive mental health. Some of the best ways to support new parents in their postpartum period The need for accessible and comprehensive care that includes therapy, medication management, & whole-body support. And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Sarah Oreck’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahoreckmd  Mavida Health website: https://www.mavidahealth.com/  Mavida Health Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mavidahealth/  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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 56: Unwinding, Easing Anxiety and Falling Asleep using Mindfulness Stories with Goldminds founder, Cynthia Arscott In this episode, Rachael interviews Cynthia Arscott, a certified meditation teacher and the creator of the new GoldMinds app! Rachael and Cynthia talk all about childhood anxiety around sleep, using mindfulness, and how they used both of their knowledge on the topics to inspire this amazing app.Inside this episode: Cynthia shares her personal journey with anxiety in childhood and how mindfulness and meditation helped her find relief. The importance of bedtime routines and the benefits of using mindfulness stories to help children unwind and fall asleep. How mindfulness & meditation can be effective tools for managing anxiety & improving mental health overall. The benefits of teaching mindfulness to children at a young age. All about their new app- GoldMinds!! And so much more! Mentioned in this episode: Download the Goldminds App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goldminds-sleep-mindfulness/id6478971217 Cynthia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthiaarscott/?hl=en  Goldminds website: https://www.goldmindsapp.com/  Goldminds Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/goldmindsapp/?hl=en  Mindfulness Study Mentioned in Episode: https://news.mit.edu/2023/practicing-mindfulness-may-improve-childrens-mental-health-1011  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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 55: The Emotional Journey of Childhood Cancer with Danielle & Portia September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. This week, Rachael speaks with two mothers who have faced the unimaginable.In this emotional episode, Rachael interviews Portia, mom of Leo, who was diagnosed with Cancer as a young child. Portia discusses the initial diagnosis (and the importance of listening to your “mom gut!”), the emotional journey through treatments, and the challenges faced by both Leo and his sister. Rachael also interviews Danielle, another incredible mother who shares her experience with her daughter Angelina's battle with cancer. Daniells shares some incredible stories about making the most of Angelina’s life, and a special surprise that came after her death. Please hear their stories, learn about their experiences, and find out what you can do to help children and families affected by childhood cancer.Inside this episode: The Childhood Cancer Society (CCS) dedication to empowering families who have been affected by pediatric cancer with both emotional and financial support. The impact that organizations like CCS have on providing memorable experiences for families and kids going through pediatric cancer Trusting your gut as a parent  Siblings of children with cancer may also need support and attention to cope with the challenges The Wish Grant program offered by the Childhood Cancer Society allows children with cancer to fulfill their dreams and create lasting memories. What Portia and Danielle want other moms to know Mentioned in this episode: Childhood Cancer Society website: https://www.childhoodcancersociety.org/  Link to donate https://givebutter.com/DD9cyK/rachaelshepardohta  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 megaphone.fm/adchoices