Raising Healthy Families with Moms Meet and KIWI

We know that the climate crisis can cause intense anxiety for parents as we imagine what the future will be like for our kids. Despite the less than positive news surrounding climate change, there's lots of progress being made and many reasons to remain a climate optimist. We're talking with Marcy Franck, senior communications strategist and creator of The Climate Optimist newsletter at The Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to highlight some climate wins this Earth Month.Sign up for The Climate Optimist Newsletter to get your monthly dose of good news about climate action.Learn more about climate activism below:climatecreatorstowatch.comrewiringamerica.org Two word tunesTwo Word Tunes! the children's podcast where I your host mr marshall will...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

As parents, you might be dreading the infamous “birds and bees” conversation. This week, we are helping listeners to feel confident and comfortable with discussing sex in their household, through our informative talk with Amy Lang. Amy has been a sexual health educator for over 25 years and provides simple resources to parents via her online solution center, Birds and Bees and Kids and her podcast Just Say This! In this episode, we'll talk to Amy about how to start the conversation and protect our kids, and get answers on all the tricky questions we'll face along the way.Shop InstacartSave on each order with Instacart+. Get free delivery when you spend $35+, 5% credit back on pickup, & more. Credit back excludes alcohol. Terms apply.This is an Instacart affiliate link and we may earn money from qualifying purchases.Shop now with this link.Two word tunesTwo Word Tunes! the children's podcast where I your host mr marshall will...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

It's no secret that movement is a priority for a developing baby—but how about developmental or purposeful movement? These types of play can do wonders for keeping your baby on track with rolling, crawling, and walking. In this week's episode, we're chatting with Dr. Kailee Noland, pediatric physical therapist and mama of two (and counting). Her content creation as The Movement Mama is helping parents to explore purposeful play for their little ones. Listen to this episode to learn more about meeting movement milestones and crucial motor skill practice.Shop InstacartSave on each order with Instacart+. Get free delivery when you spend $35+, 5% credit back on pickup, & more. Credit back excludes alcohol. Terms apply.This is an Instacart affiliate link and we may earn money from qualifying purchases.Shop now with this link.You can find The Movement Mama on Instagram and Facebook.Read the article mentioned in today's episode called  “7 Things to Look For in a Toddler Shoe” here.Two word tunesTwo Word Tunes! the children's podcast where I your host mr marshall will...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Trying to come up with nutritious and approachable meal options for your family can be quite the feat for any mom, especially when toddlers are in the mix. This week, we chatted with Amy Palanjian of Yummy Toddler Food, to learn more about the nutrient-rich, toddler-friendly recipes that she's crafted for her audience on Instagram and in her upcoming cookbook Dinnertime SOS, available this August. We also dive into meal planning on a budget while appeasing young eaters! Shop InstacartSave on each order with Instacart+. Get free delivery when you spend $35+, 5% credit back on pickup, & more. Credit back excludes alcohol. Terms apply.This is an Instacart affiliate link and we may earn money from qualifying purchases.Shop now with this link.Two word tunesTwo Word Tunes! the children's podcast where I your host mr marshall will...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Meltdowns, temper tantrums, outbursts—these rapid changes in behavior are common for children of all ages, but can be difficult to diffuse as a parent. This week, we're sitting down with Vanessa Kahlon, child development expert and author of How to Do Parenting with Confidence', to discuss teaching your children self-regulation, introducing discipline into your household, and how a strong relationship with your child can help curb unwanted behaviors. Shop InstacartSave on each order with Instacart+. Get free delivery when you spend $35+, 5% credit back on pickup, & more. Credit back excludes alcohol. Terms apply.This is an Instacart affiliate link and we may earn money from qualifying purchases.Shop now with this link.

Birthday parties are the perfect occasion to celebrate your child and usher in a new, exciting milestone. But it's easy to get carried away planning these joyous occasions, potentially taking a major toll on your wallet and energy. Which begs the question, when did birthday parties get so extra? In this episode, we dive into our birthday party personality types and share ways to make a birthday party simple yet special. We talk about party favors, guest etiquette, and the pressure social media adds to the equation.Shop InstacartSave on each order with Instacart+. Get free delivery when you spend $35+, 5% credit back on pickup, & more. Credit back excludes alcohol. Terms apply.This is an Instacart affiliate link and we may earn money from qualifying purchases.Shop now with this link.

With the new year just days away, so many of us are setting big goals for our health, family, finances, and beyond. But how do we actually keep these goals alive past the first few weeks? We tapped New York Times bestselling author BJ Fogg, PhD and Behavior Design Expert Stephanie Weldy to teach us how tiny habits can lead to big and lasting changes. 

As parents, we always want to set our kids up for success but sometimes there are challenges along the way when it comes to learning, behavior, social-emotional functioning, and beyond. In this episode, we're talking to licensed psychologist Dr. Andrew Kahn about learning and thinking differences and how to give your kids the best support system so they can thrive.

Screens are a part of everyday life for many families. No matter how much or how little you let your kids interact with them, it's important that they learn how to stay safe online, on devices, and while playing video games. To help us navigate this conversation on the digital world, we've tapped screen safety expert and psychologist Dr. Tracy Bennett. Listen in to our latest episode to hear her important insight and advice on how to keep your kids safe.

The winter holiday season can be joyous, especially seeing it through the eyes of your kids. Yet it's also easy to get swept up in the madness and overschedule and overbuy your way through December. In this episode, we talk to Nancy Colier, psychotherapist, author, and interfaith minister, to help us shift our mindset away from holiday consumerism and focus on what really matters. 

As parents, we have such a massive influence over how our kids eat, how they feel about their bodies, and so much more. How do we instill in them a healthy relationship with food and their bodies from a young age? To answer this question, we went to one of the originators of intuitive eating, nutrition therapist Elyse Resch. She is nationally known for her work in helping patients break free from diet culture through the Intuitive Eating process and has written many books on the subject. In this transformative episode, Elyse explains the principles of intuitive eating and shares important lessons for parents everywhere. 

Our kids crave our undivided attention. But we know, as parents with busy lives and never-ending to-do lists, it can be hard to actually be present with these little people we love so much. With seven kids between us, ranging from the baby stage to fourth grade, we're chatting all about how to actually carve out intentional time with our kids. Listen along as we grade ourselves on our ability to be present, share our struggles, and also learn from each other on what works for each family.

Every parent dreads hearing that their child is being bullied, or that their child is a bully. Navigating these scenarios is tricky and oftentimes requires parents to take a step back and breath before reacting to do what's best for their child. In this episode, hear from Danielle Matthew, a licensed marriage and family therapist, about how to prevent kids from becoming bullies and what to do if kids are being bullied. She shares valuable tips on how to talk to your children about bullying, what to do when others are being bullied, and so much more. 

A food allergy diagnosis can sometimes leave a parent grasping for answers. But recent research has shown that the gut microbiome may just be the key to understanding why a person develops an allergic disease. It can also clue us in to how to lower our child's risk of developing a food allergy as well. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Elisa Song, an integrative pediatrician and functional medicine expert, about the fascinating connection between the gut microbiome and food allergies as well as overall health. We also take a deeper look into the developing research focused on potential therapies utilizing the gut microbiota.

Have you ever wondered where your water comes from or if it's safe to drink? Clean drinking water is one of those things that many who have it may take for granted, but there's so much more to it than just turning on the tap. In this episode, hear from Morgan Close, the Vice President of Projects and Programs at Project WET, about the importance of clean drinking water and how we can protect and conserve it.The current global water crises taking place in Mississippi in the United States, and across Pakistan highlight the importance and power of water. After massive flooding caused by storms, both places are experiencing displaced residents who only have access to unsafe drinking water. Many experts believe climate change is to blame for the storms while lack of infrastructure and planning exacerbates the impacts. 

We've collectively been through a lot as a society over the last few years, and finding joy in the everyday can be a challenge, especially for parents. In this episode, we're joined by Robin Shear, a joy coach, speaker, and founder of Joy To The World Coaching. We dig into how we as moms can actively choose joy for our families and ourselves, what we can do to ensure our “joy buckets” spill over, and more. 

As women and moms, we know it's important to take care of our bodies through exercise and nutrition. But getting prepared, finding time, making a plan, and actually doing the work can be challenging. In this episode, hear tips from De Bolton, a mom of three and NASM certified personal trainer, on how busy parents can still keep up with their health and fitness goals. She's sharing her advice for a realistic and balanced approach to wellness and so much more. 

It's officially that time of year: back-to-school season! Between shopping for clothes and supplies, navigating new schedules, and meal prepping lunches, there's a lot to keep track of.  We're kicking off our first episode of season five by digging into all things back-to-school and sharing some of our knowledge about making this transition easier.

Your kids are screaming, the TV is on, someone is jumping on the couch, the doorbell just rang, you're starting to question your ability to function, and it's only 10 a.m. on a Tuesday. If that sounds familiar, you might be struggling with overstimulation and sensory overload. In this episode, hear from Holly Peretz, mom and pediatric occupational therapist, to discuss how sensory overload impacts us and learn ways we can cope with it as moms.

It's no secret that having a healthy gut is important, but there's so much more to it than that! Discover how nourishing your gut microbiome can improve your hormone balance, support your mental health, help your overall wellness, and more from integrative gastroenterologist Dr. Vanessa Mendez. In this episode, she shares more about what the gut microbiome is, why it's so crucial, and her tips for keeping it happy and healthy.

From pregnancy to birth, to raising a child, we all need a lot of love and support as moms. During this episode, journey into the world of wellness surrounding women's health before, during, and after pregnancy with Mama Glow founder, Latham Thomas. She shares more on how we as moms can feel empowered and strong during these often challenging times and tips on how we can advocate for ourselves.

Did you know that as consumers, food waste is one of our biggest impacts on the climate crisis? Discover how you can cut back on food waste and make more eco-friendly food choices from internationally recognized author and food waste warrior, Sophie Egan. In this episode, she covers the impact food waste has on our planet, shares her tips for reducing it in our everyday lives, and so much more.

You might not realize how many chemicals you and your kids are exposed to in a lifetime. Yet it's important to understand where these exposures happen, how they impact your health, and how to best avoid them. In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Trasande, an internationally-renowned leader in environmental health, as we dig deeper into hormone-disrupting chemical exposure and what we can do to safeguard our families.

Summertime and the living is not always as easy as you think! Between managing the kids being home, vacation planning, and so much more, there's a lot going on this time of year. We're kicking off our first episode of season four with our tips and stories about budgeting for trips, summer safety, summer activities, and everything in between. 

The mental health toll the pandemic has taken on our children is not something to take lightly. It's important for parents to know the signs and signals kids give when they are struggling, and support them through the ups and downs. Hear from Dr. Joanne Frederick, a licensed professional mental health counselor, about how parents can listen and understand their children through the mental and emotional challenges they may face. 

Race, gender, and consent are important to discuss with our kids but they can be hard conversations to navigate as parents. We're joined by Dr. Melissa Robinson-Brown, a licensed clinical psychologist, to talk about the importance of teaching our kids these topics. We dig deeper into intersectionality, how we as parents can address tough topics with our kids, parenting from a place of curiosity, and so much more. 

For women, and moms especially, understanding what the pelvic floor is and how to take care of it is incredibly important for our long term health and wellbeing. But what is the pelvic floor and why has it become such a hot topic? We're joined by Dr. Gina Cunningham, a pelvic floor physical therapist, to learn more about what our pelvic floor is, why it's so important, and what we can do to support it.

It's easy to feel powerless in the face of climate change. With the constant bombardment of information it can be hard to know what the right actions are to take. In this episode, hear from the executive director of Project Drawdown, Dr. Jonathan Foley, about the many ways carbon drawdown is being used to fight the climate crisis. We're digging into what that means, ways we as parents can help, everyday scientific solutions, and more.

As parents, our children tend to be a focal point of our lives, and when we have spouses and partners sometimes those relationships get neglected. Hear from Jonathan Douglass, a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in marriage and relationships, about the importance of intentional connection with your partner. Plus, stick around till the end as we invite his wife, and our Chief Mom Ambassador, Annie Douglass on to hear how they make their marriage thrive with three kids and two busy careers.

Each journey to motherhood is unique. Join us as we share our stories and talk about the many ups and downs and considerations that go into creating a family. We hope through sharing we can all feel a little more connected in our community, especially when the bumps in the road can feel so isolating.* Trigger Warning * In this session, we talk about adoption, fertility treatments, IVF, miscarriage, and pregnancy. We know these are very personal and sensitive conversations that can be hard for some to listen to.

Keeping kids active and engaged can be a challenge, especially during the winter months in the snowier, colder parts of the world. Making sure your kids get the daily exercise they need is crucial to support their health and development. Hear from board-certified pediatrician Dr. Cherie Chu about her recommendations on this and more. She shares how to keep kids active year-round, the importance of exercise at every age, and how to instill lifelong healthy habits to help kids grow and thrive.

It's in our waterways, food, and even our bodies. Now more than ever, we need to take steps to solve the environmental crisis that is plastic. In this episode, hear from Plastic Oceans CEO, Julie Andersen, about the dramatic impact of plastic pollution and what you can do to help. Fighting against plastic pollution is crucial for the wellbeing of our planet and directly affects all of our health.

The holidays can be overwhelming for moms, and trying to manage all of the expectations can be tricky, even for the most experienced of parents. Learn how you can navigate this time of year with less stress from Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco. She shares her tips on how moms can alleviate some of this pressure and have a healthier and more magical holiday season.

Here come the holidays, and with them, plenty of sugary treats. Involving your kids in these sweet traditions is one of the best parts of the season, but sometimes the amount of sugar we eat can get out of control. Hear from registered dietitian Carolyn Williams about how to create healthier holiday meals, keep tabs on your kids' sugar intake, and more during this magical and delicious time of year.

Setting your kids up for financial success means more than just creating a college savings account. Knowing how to navigate conversations around money with your kids can provide them with financial savvy and teach them financial literacy. Hear from financial expert, Jen Hemphill, about how to talk to your kids about money, why it's so important, and how you can raise your kids to become fiscally responsible. 

As moms, our whole world tends to revolve around our children. But who are we outside of motherhood? And what is that elusive thing people call free time? Join the Moms Meet team for a candid conversation about what it means to be a mom, how being a parent has shaped our lives, and how we navigate our roles as mothers.

The dry fall and winter air can do a number on our skin. Between cracked skin, rashes and eczema flare-ups, knowing the best ways to alleviate skin problems can offer your family some much needed relief. Discover the best ways to support your skin from licensed esthetician Brittany Johnson at Gladskin. She shares more about how to handle eczema flare-ups, ways to prevent dry fall skin, and the best way to care for your kid's skin at any age.

Keeping our kids healthy is a top priority as parents, but during the back-to-school season it can feel like an uphill battle. Hear from Dr. Joel "Gator" Warsh, board-certified holistic pediatrician and host of the Raising Amazing podcast, about the best ways to support your little one's immune system. His integrative approach offers natural preventative measures to safeguard your kids this fall and teaches more about what factors could be causing your kids to get sick. 

No veggies for me mom! If that sounds familiar, don't miss our conversation with board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Yami. She shares her approach to intuitive eating for kids and gives you the tools to help your family establish healthy eating habits. Plus, learn how to encourage body positivity and why incorporating plant-based eating at an early age is important. 

The climate crisis is top of mind for many as wildfires, floods, droughts, and insane weather threaten the globe. But it's not all doom and gloom! Hear from Dr. Joellen Russell of Science Moms, a highly-accredited climate scientist and mom, about why moms are so important in this battle and how we can fight climate change. We are not powerless in the face of this global crisis and have the time and ability to stop the worst from happening.

The first few months after bringing your bundle of joy into the world can come with a slew of challenges, including a new routine and a whole lot less sleep. In this episode, Carolynne Harvey, baby sleep expert, author, and founder of Dream Baby Sleep, dishes on newborn sleep for expecting and new moms. Using her sleep tips and methodologies, you too can find a healthy balance for you and your little ones.

If you've ever struggled to keep your cool with your kids, this one's for you. In this episode, peaceful parenting expert Dr. Laura Markham teaches us how to regulate our difficult emotions, stay calm when the kids act out, and create positive connections with our little ones. From toddler tantrums to moody teens, she shares the best methods to help families stay calm and collected through any emotional rollercoaster. 

Does the mere mention of the phrase “screen time” elicit pangs of guilt or a little anxiety? You're not alone! The world of screens and social media can get very hairy especially for parents trying to figure out the best parameters for their family. Hear our honest takes on the subject and what we do with our kids as we look at screen time for every stage from babies to teens.