Episode 86: Reimagining Boyhood with Ruth Whippman
Episode 86: Reimagining Boyhood with Ruth Whippman
What does it mean to raise boys in a world where masculinity feels impossible to get right? This week on No One Told Us, Rachael is joined by author and cultural critic Ruth Whippman to talk about her powerful new book, BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity.
We’re digging deep into the unspoken challenges of parenting boys today—gendered expectations that begin before birth, the emotional isolation of boys in our culture, and the ways that patriarchy harms everyone, not just women. Ruth brings a compassionate, sharp, and often funny lens to topics like toxic masculinity, feminism, screen time, school struggles, and why our young boys are struggling so much right now.
Inside this episode…..
Ruth’s own experience raising 3 boys as a feminist
Unhelpful stereotypes like “boys will be boys” and how they harm our children
Ruth’s opinion on Netflix’s show "Adolescence" and its portrayal of modern boyhood
Why today’s world is a “perfect storm” for young boys and men to be radicalized
How do we hold young men accountable without sending them into shame and shutdown?
How patriarchy harms both men and women, and Ruth’s recommendations for both #boymoms and #boydads
And what can we do—today—as parents, to change the story for our little boys?
Plus so much more!
This episode is for anyone raising boys, loving boys, or trying to understand them in a culture that so often gets masculinity wrong. 💙
Mentioned in this episode:
Ruth’s Book: BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity
Ruth’s Substack: I Blame Society
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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49:29
Episode 85: Navigating Grief: Support After Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Loss with Jessica Zucker
Episode 85: Navigating Grief: Support After Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Loss with Jessica Zucker
This week Rachael speaks with psychologist Jessica Zucker about her experiences with miscarriage and her efforts to normalize conversations around women's reproductive health. Jessica shares insights from her books, including 'I Had a Miscarriage' and 'Normalize It', emphasizing the need to break the stigma surrounding these topics.
Inside this episode:
The ongoing emotional impact of miscarriage and loss
How to support friends dealing with loss
The often overlooked topic of termination for medical reasons
Body image issues post-loss and the pressures women face regarding their bodies
And so much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Jessica’s website: https://www.drjessicazucker.com/normalize-it
Normalize It: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683738144
I Had A Miscarriage: https://www.drjessicazucker.com/i-had-a-miscarriage
Jessica’s Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage
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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45:52
Episode 84: Emotionally Preparing for the Fourth Trimester with Lauren Hays & Megan Dalton
Episode 84: Emotionally Preparing for the Fourth Trimester with Lauren Hays & Megan Dalton
This week Rachael and guests Lauren Hays & Megan Dalton, founders of The Matrescence, talk all about the concept of “Matrescence” and why new mothers need better support. They highlight how the lack of understanding for the monumental transformation of becoming a mother is harmful and contributes to the maternal mental health crisis in this country.
Inside this episode:
What is Matrescence?
The importance of NOT waiting to prioritize your own well-being as a mom
Practical self-care strategies for postpartum
How Dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER) affects breastfeeding
Sleep, or lack thereof, and the toll it takes on new parents
And so much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Megan & Lauren on Instagram: @thematrescence
Fourth Trimester Course: https://www.thematrescence.com/product-postpartum-class/
Matrescence App Membership: https://www.thematrescence.com/motherhood-community/
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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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44:17
Episode 83: What does research say about sleep training? Bed Sharing? Debunking the Myths with Tracy Cassels
Episode 83: What does research say about sleep training? Bed Sharing? Debunking the Myths with Tracy Cassels @tracycasselsphd
This week Rachael and guest Tracy Cassels PhD, Director of Evolutionary Parenting, discuss all the hot sleep topics- sleep training, bedsharing, and more, and specifically dive into what research shows (as well as what’s lacking).
Inside this episode:
Challenging the notion that sleep training improves infant sleep
Why responsive caregiving is crucial for a child's well-being and mental health
The reasons why highly sensitive children may not respond well to sleep training
Ways bed sharing can be a safe and beneficial practice
The cultural stigma around bed sharing
How pressure to conform to certain parenting practices can be detrimental to families
And so much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Sleep modules offered through Breastfeeding Conferences here:
Science and Sleep Training Course: The Hidden Truth
Science and Sleep Training Course: Sleep Training and the Stress Response
Tracy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracycasselsphd/?hl=en
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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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53:59
Episode 82: Weaning Methods, Challenges and Tips with Candace St. John
Have you been thinking about weaning your baby or toddler and you have NO clue how to start? Daytime or nighttime first? What if they cry for it? How long will it take?
All of these questions and MORE answered in today's episode with Rachael and "Weaning Pal" Candace St. John, MPH, CLC. This week, Rachael and Candace emphasize the need to normalize extended breastfeeding and dive into the emotional aspects of the weaning process (both for parent and baby!), as well as discuss the complexities of weaning from breastfeeding- addressing common concerns such as guilt, attachment, sleep associations, and the right age to wean. Here's what you'll hear inside this informative episode:
Candace's Journey into Weaning Expertise
Rach and Candace's Personal Weaning Experiences and Strategies
Navigating Boundaries or "Loving Limits" While Weaning
Understanding Nursing Aversions and Their Impact
Navigating Weaning Guilt
Is there a "Right" Age for Weaning?
Managing Weaning-Related Depression
Addressing Picky Eating During Weaning
Alternatives to Cow's Milk
Distinguishing Between Comfort and Hunger Needs
+ so much more!
About Candace: I’m a public health professional (MPH), pediatric sleep specialist, & Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC, #34044) — but most importantly, I am a mom of one weanling! I hold a Master of Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health & worked as an Epidemiologist for 5.5 years in a rural hospital setting. After becoming a mom (& having the most tumultuous start to breastfeeding my baby), I realized that there are many gaps in parenting education & practice. Now, I provide evidence-informed guidance & support to parents in order to feel confident at the end of their breastfeeding journey!
You can connect with Candace and get support on your journey on Instagram @yourweaningpal
Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.
Instagram | Tiktok | Website
✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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.
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