Rewind: Bridging Separation at Bedtime with Dr. Gordon Neufeld
Bridging Separation at Bedtime with Dr. Gordon Neufeld @neufeldinstitute
This week Rachael has a very special guest, Dr. Gordon Neufeld, to discuss the importance of attachment and the challenges parents face when it comes to bedtime and sleep. Dr. Neufeld is a renowned authority on child development and you will learn so much in this powerful episode!
Here’s what they discuss inside this important episode:
How attachment is a fundamental aspect of child development
Learn all about Dr. Neufeld's Model of the Six Stages of Attachment
The crucial role parents play in providing the necessary conditions for children to grow up and develop their capacity to hold on when apart
Why is society so focused on independence?!
How quick-fix strategies often overlook the importance of preserving the connection between parents and children
Bedtime challenges and separation struggles
How parents can support their children by bridging the separation at bedtime
And so much more!
Dr. Neufeld has accumulated more than 40 years of experience as a clinical psychologist with children and youth and those responsible for them. A foremost authority on child development, Dr. Neufeld continues to be an international speaker, a best-selling author and a leading interpreter of the developmental paradigm. Dr. Neufeld has a widespread reputation for making sense of complex problems and for opening doors for change. While formerly involved in university teaching and private practice, he has devoted the best part of the last two decades to creating courses for parents, teachers and helping professionals. These courses are offered primarily through the Neufeld Institute – an online educational institute and world-wide charitable organization devoted to applying developmental science to the task of raising children. Dr. Neufeld’s life's work has been to help adults provide the conditions for children to flourish. He is a father of five and a grandfather to seven.
Mentioned in this episode:
Free resources from Dr. Gordon Neufeld:
https://neufeldinstitute.org/resources/free/
Online conference with Dr. Neufeld:
The Current Crisis of Well-Being: What's Happening to Our Kids? https://neufeldinstitute.org/conference-2024/
See presentations and talks from Gordon Neufeld:
https://www.youtube.com/@neufeldmedia
Follow Dr. Gordon Neufeld's work on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeufeldInstitute
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neufeldinstitute/
Dr. Neufeld’s Book: Hold Onto Your Kids
https://neufeldinstitute.org/resources/hold-on-to-your-kids-book/
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.
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Rewind: Challenging Our Individualistic Culture with Erin Spahr
Challenging Our Individualistic Culture with Erin Spahr @feminist.mom.therapist
In this episode, Rachael interviews Erin Spahr, a licensed therapist, mother, and maternal mental health advocate. They discuss the intersection of feminism and motherhood, the lack of support and systemic oppression faced by women and parents, and the harmful effects of comparison and external validation on social media.
Here’s what they discuss in this episode:
The importance of self-compassion and self-trust in navigating motherhood
The need for inclusive and identity-affirming care for perinatal individuals
Lack of federal paid parental leave in the US and how it is a MAJOR issue for mothers
How harmful the societal ideology of individualism and the expectation that mothers should do it all without support is
All about the tradwife movement and how it glamorizes an unrealistic and oppressive view of motherhood.
Why does feminism have a negative connotation?
And so much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Erin’s instagram: @feminist.mom.therapist
Listen to The Feminist Mom Podcast here
Inclusive Provider Directory website: https://www.inclusiveproviders.com/
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
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Rewind: Feeding Toddlers: Finding Joy in Family Meals with Nita and Jessica of
Feeding Toddlers: Finding Joy in Family Meals with Nita and Jessica of @happyhealthyeaters
Have you ever struggled with picky eating or stressful mealtimes? This is so common- feeding toddlers can be very challenging! In this episode, Rachael speaks with Jessica and Nita, co-founders of Happy Healthy Eaters, ALL about feeding toddlers to make mealtimes more enjoyable!
Here’s what they discuss inside this episode:
The different challenges of feeding toddlers including “picky” eating or selective eating
How and why it is important to trust your child’s eating preferences
How much food should your toddler actually eat?
Tips for keeping your child engaged and interested in mealtime
Guiding parents on allowing kids to eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full
How valuable family meals can be for modeling eating behaviors and passing on cultural traditions
Ways to adapt meals to fit each family's schedule and preferences
Tips for adapting culturally appropriate meals for babies
Facts about the food supply in North America and it’s safety
When to seek support from professionals if a child's eating habits are severely challenging or interfering with their growth and development
Jessica and Nita are co-founders of Happy Healthy Eaters - a community dedicated to supporting parents in feeling relaxed and confident about feeding their child. They are both Registered Dietitians with a combined 25+ years of education and work. They started Happy Healthy Eaters in 2020 after Nita had her second baby with the hopes of supporting parents through these exciting milestones, minus ALL the misinformation. Their online course - Starting Solids Confidently- launched first and is widely popular and now they have a second course: Feeding Toddlers Confidently- which debuted after more than two years in the making!
Mentioned in this episode:
Happy Healthy Eaters Website: https://happyhealthyeaters.com/
Happy Healthy Eaters instagram: @happyhealthyeaters
Feeding Toddlers Confidently Course here Code for No One Told Us Listeners: HHE15
How to Keep Your Toddler at the Table
Blog Post: How to Adapt Recipes to be BLW Friendly
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
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Rewind: Managing Sensory Overwhelm in Parenthood with Larissa Geleris
Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please seek immediate care from your physician if you have any concerns about your health.
This week, Rachael sits down with occupational therapist Larissa Geleris of @steadyparents to explore a topic that hits home for so many parents: sensory overwhelm.
Picture this: you're cooking dinner, the oven fan is on, your baby is crying, your toddler is banging a toy, and your partner is asking you a question. You’re overstimulated, overwhelmed, maybe even raging. Sound familiar? You’re not alone—and this episode is for you.
Larissa breaks down what sensory overload really is, how common it is in parenthood, and why it's a completely normal response to an overstimulating environment. She shares her personal story as a pediatric OT who experienced sensory dysfunction after a concussion—and how that shifted her focus to supporting overwhelmed parents just like you.
Here’s what they discuss inside this episode:
What sensory overwhelm is (and why it’s common in parenting)
The “touched out” feeling—why it happens and what to do
Quick, practical sensory strategies to use in the moment
How to reduce the chances of overwhelm ahead of time
Why self-compassion is key to self-regulation
How to co-regulate with your child even when you’re dysregulated
Tools to help you feel more confident and steady in your day-to-day parenting
And so much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Larissa’s Instagram: @steadyparents
Larissa’s program: Sensing Your Needs in Parenthood
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Rewind: Helping Kids Learn to Read (And Love It) with Miss Beth from Big City Readers
In this episode, Rachael sits down with literacy expert and beloved educator Beth Gaskill, known by her community as Miss Beth, to talk all about how children learn to read. From the science of reading (yep, it’s a science!) to why fun is essential in the process, this episode is packed with practical strategies for parents who want to support their kids' literacy journeys.
They also chat about what it means to "redshirt" kindergarten, how to foster early literacy skills at home, and how to talk to your kids after school in a way that builds connection (not frustration). Plus, Rachael shares her own perspective as a former public school teacher and current parent navigating her child’s first year in the school system.
Inside this episode:
What the science of reading actually means
The Orton-Gillingham approach and multisensory literacy
Why reading should be fun (and how to make it that way)
How to support your child's learning style
Understanding Kindergarten "redshirting"
What to say when your child won’t tell you about their day
Rachael’s reflections from 10+ years teaching reading
Why advocacy matters and how to be your child’s best advocate
And so much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Big City Readers On-Demand Courses for babies, toddlers, and kids
Beth’s podcast: Play on Words
Podcast: Sold a Story
Follow Miss Beth: @bigcityreaders
✨ 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
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No One Told Us the truth about parenthood. WHY?!
Welcome to No One Told Us, the podcast where we uncover the raw, unfiltered truths about parenthood. I'm your host, Rachael Shepard-Ohta, mom of three and founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby. Each week, join me as we dive deep into the joys, challenges, and surprises of raising children with a mix of expert insights, personal anecdotes, and candid conversations.
From navigating postpartum anxiety to mastering the art of making mom friends, and from introducing solids to tackling tantrums, we cover it all. Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your go-to resource for honest advice, relatable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Join me as I sit down with experts in their fields, as well as friends, family, celebrities, and influencers, to share their experiences and wisdom on everything from sleepless nights to rocky relationships. No topic is off-limits, and no story goes untold on No One Told Us.
So grab a cup of coffee, pop in your headphones and join the conversation. This is the podcast everyone needed before they had kids- because now that those little ones are here, there's a lot to unpack. So let's pull back the curtain on becoming a first-time mom (or dad!) to share the good, the bad and the ugly. A little education, a little fun, and a whole lot of heart goes into each and every episode of No One Told Us to have you feeling less alone and way more empowered.