The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom

In this episode, Dr. Mona is joined by Chelsea and Kaitlin, the founders of Mama Psychologists, to unpack a crucial topic that many new mothers face: the difference between the "baby blues" and more serious perinatal mood disorders.

Together, they challenge the misconception that postpartum anxiety and depression always look like crying on the floor. Instead, they discuss the subtle, real-world signs—like the inability to hand your baby to a loved one without a racing heart or a mental to-do list that won't shut off at 3:00 AM.


The "Baby Blues" vs. Postpartum Disorders: While the baby blues are an incredibly common reaction to the massive hormonal shifts right after birth, symptoms that persist, worsen, or significantly disrupt daily functioning may signal postpartum anxiety or depression.


Signs of Postpartum Depression: Key red flags include a persistent low mood, an inability to enjoy things you used to love, and struggling to meet basic needs like eating, drinking, or showering.


Signs of Postpartum Anxiety: This often manifests as racing thoughts, an intrusive "worst-case scenario" mindset, physical agitation (like a racing heart or tension), and difficulty turning off your mind to rest, even when the baby is sleeping.


The Timeline Myth: Postpartum mood disorders don't always appear in the early weeks; they can frequently emerge four months postpartum or even later. Seeking support is vital, no matter how much time has passed since giving birth.


Breaking the Silence: Many moms suffer in silence due to guilt, shame, or fear of judgment. Finding a safe person to talk to is the first step toward healing because suffering quietly is not a badge of honor.

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠.

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a pediatrician and mom, I know firsthand how easy it is to get overwhelmed by standard parenting tips and the pressure to have a perfect family life . In a culture obsessed with quick fixes and curated social media fairy tales, so many couples feel like they are constantly falling short . On this channel, my goal is to share the beautiful, unglamorous reality of making relationships work . We cannot just hope for a happy marriage and connection to happen by chance…we have to be intentional about creating it. That is why I love bringing authentic guests onto the podcast to share real, unfiltered relationship advice.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson East and former NFL player Andrew East to talk about their brand new book, The Courage to Commit. Shawn and Andrew remind us that we don’t have to succumb to public judgment or relationship anxiety . Real growth happens in our everyday routines, like setting core family values, prioritizing weekly date nights, and learning how to celebrate failure . By breaking down the illusion of perfection and working through messy parenting moments, we can move past the comparison trap and build a resilient, peaceful home.


Why treating commitment as an intentional choice is the key to lasting peace in marriage.


How choosing fewer things and narrowing your focus can completely eliminate FOMO and relationship anxiety .


Easy, practical ways to establish family values and protect intentional habits like weekly date nights .


Why elite athletes, pediatricians, and parents must embrace failure as a necessary stepping stone to success.


Breaking down the distinct voices in their new book, The Courage to Commit, and the inclusion of data-driven research.


How a legendary gymnastics coach used reverse psychology to teach self-reflection and grit.


How to find joy in the mundane, unglamorous preparation phases of parenting and family life.

To connect with Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East follow them on Instagram @shawnjohnson and @andrewdeast and buy their new book, “The Courage to Committ”: https://thecouragetocommit.com/#pre-order 

00:00:00 – Commitment vs. The Highlight-Reel Culture

00:01:22 – Introducing Shawn Johnson East & Andrew East

00:03:49 – Behind the Scenes of a Three-Year Book Journey

00:05:49 – Balancing Two Different Voices in Marriage & Writing

00:07:14 – Overcoming the Flaws of Modern Swipe Culture

00:11:11 – Why Society Hacks Relationships but Grinds in Sports

00:15:51 – The Ulysses Analogy: Drowning Out Distractions

00:18:42 – Defining Core Family Values & Setting Boundaries

00:23:07 – Choosing Depth Over Endless Variety

00:30:52 – Why the Cost of Maintenance is Cheaper Than Starting Over

00:37:11 – Knowing When to Persevere vs. When to Quit

00:50:11 – Finding Beauty in the Mundane, Unglamorous Moments

00:54:16 – Where to Buy The Courage to Commit & Final Review Call

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠ ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠⁠.

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

And don’t forget to follow⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eczema is common, frustrating, and often misunderstood.

In this episode, we break down what eczema actually looks like at different ages, how specialists determine severity, and why treatment should always start with strengthening the skin barrier.

We discuss:

• How to recognize eczema, including how it differs in infants vs older children • How doctors determine mild, moderate, and severe eczema • When allergy testing is appropriate — and when it is not • Why blanket food panels can cause more harm than good • The risk of false positives and unnecessary elimination diets • How to build an eczema action plan • First-line skincare strategies that actually work • The role of moisturizers, emollients, and when prescription treatments are needed

Want more? Listen to the full, ⁠original episode⁠.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠ ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠⁠.

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

And don’t forget to follow⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the⁠ ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠ page of the website. 

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

As a pediatrician, I spent years looking at firearm safety through a clinical lens—as a major public health crisis and a tragic statistic. But after practicing in South Florida during the Parkland shooting and becoming a mother myself, the stakes became deeply personal. My husband is an ER doctor who sees the devastating aftermath of gun violence firsthand, and as a parent, I refuse to accept that this is now the leading cause of death for American children. We cannot just treat the symptoms of this crisis in our clinics; we have to get out ahead of it, which is why I expanded my platform to advocate for change outside the exam room.

Connecting with grassroots leaders like Angela Ferrell-Zabala reminds us that we don’t have to succumb to helplessness or political polarization. Real change happens in our everyday lives—like normalizing a simple question about secure firearm storage before a playdate, or supporting local legislation in our own backyards. Advocacy is a massive ecosystem, and as parents and healthcare providers, our voices carry immense weight. By breaking down political divides and working together, we can move past the noise and build a world where our children are safe to just be kids.

What we discuss:


Why treating gun violence as a public health issue is the key to real safety reform.


The truth behind the leading cause of death for children in America and how to change it.


How Moms Demand Action became a leading volunteer movement against gun violence.


Easy, non-confrontational ways to ask other parents about safe firearm storage before playdates.


Why ER doctors, pediatricians, and parents must work together to prevent gun injuries.


Breaking down the impact of America’s historic federal gun safety legislation.


How grassroots advocates are successfully outlawing 3D-printed firearms and machine gun conversion kits.


How to find common ground and have constructive conversations with responsible gun owners.

To connect with Angela Ferrell-Zabala follow her on Instagram @momsdemandaction and @FerrellZabala, check out all her resources at https://momsdemandaction.org/ and text “READY” to  64433.

00:00 – Introduction

02:18 – Meet Angela Ferrell-Zabala

04:19 – Shifting from Helplessness to Action

08:35 – The Diverse Impact of Gun Violence

13:58 – Finding Common Ground Across Political Lines

19:07 – Pressing Legislative Priorities & Recent Wins

24:39 – Simple Ways for Parents to Advocate

28:44 – Finding Joy and Closing Thoughts

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠.

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. 

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

Strength training in pregnancy can feel confusing with so much mixed advice online. In this Follow-Up episode, I revisit my conversation with Amy Kiefer and Krystle Holland of Expecting and Empowered to talk about how movement can support your body during pregnancy, prepare you for postpartum recovery, and help with the real physical demands of motherhood.

We also cover warning signs to watch for after birth, why returning to exercise too quickly can backfire, and how to think about strength in a way that supports healing, not pressure. This episode is a helpful listen for anyone who wants a more practical, realistic approach to movement during and after pregnancy.

In this episode, we cover:


Why strength training can support the body during pregnancy


How movement may help reduce common pregnancy aches and pains


The connection between prenatal fitness and postpartum recovery


Why mobility and pelvic floor function both matter before labor


What to know about exercise clearance during pregnancy and postpartum


Warning signs like leaking, pelvic pressure, or increased bleeding


Why a slow return to activity matters after birth


How pelvic floor therapy can support recovery


The physical demands of motherhood and functional strength


Letting go of bounce-back pressure and focusing on long-term health

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠.

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices