Remember a time before cell phones -- as in when they were only used to make emergency calls? Now these devices hold the key to our entire lives! Not only are they a main form of communication, but they're our main source for information (from your bank account to your news) and even entertainment. You name it, our phone can do it. But convenience can come at a cost... A 2023 survey by reviews.org found that more than half of Americans say they're ADDICTED to their phones! 

As our lives continue to transition to phone apps, it's easy to form an unhealthy relationship with these devices; we're talking relationship issues with friends, family -- even our children -- and focus and memory problems. Nicole delves into this topic with CNET's Consumer Tech and Mobile Reporter, Abrar Al-Heeti who offers a sneak peek into the research behidn our phone addiction and the ways we can fix it!

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SHOW NOTES:


Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Abrar Al-Heeti 

Instagram: @abraralheeti

Website: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/glued-to-your-phone-heres-why-and-how-to-fix-it/

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

In this episode, Nicole is exploring  the importance of mindfulness for kids. It’s such a great skill for kids to learn – especially if they’re feeling anxious, sad, angry… It can also help our kids face daily challenges. Just that extra minute to re-center ourselves can help them observe their thoughts and feelings rather than reacting immediately. Also, it teaches our children how to stay present in a society where we are constantly fretting over the future and perseverating over the past. 

Nicole sits down with Rachel Kaczynski -- a mom, a writer, a certified health coach, and the founder of “Healthy Chicks”. Her mission is all about spreading wellness and mindfulness to women, mamas and their littles. She’s also the creator of the "Mindful & Magical Me" Kids Inspiration deck and "Spark Your Bliss" affirmation card deck -- which has been featured in Health magazine. Rachel offers up some simple, kid-friendly exercises and mindful activities you can bring into your own home. 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Rachel Kaczynski

https://healthy-chicks.com/
Instagram: @healthychicks

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

Instead of a breaking news flash, we're bringing you all the details on the formidable 'hot flash'! Have you ever wondered why so many women are surprised by perimenopause and menopause? It's because most don't even know what it entails, and how it can affect our bodies; so they're left to just suffer whatever comes their way. But it doesn't have to be that way! Nicole sits down with women's health expert, Kristen Reed. She is a board-certified registered nurse and health and wellness coach, and the Founder and CEO of "Nursing Your Way to Wellness". Kristen reveals some game-changing nutrition tips and must-have foods that will help you balance those hormones during perimenopause and menopause. This is a conversation EVERY WOMAN should be privy to! 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Kristen Reed, RN, BSN, BA, HN-BC

https://www.nursingyourwaytowellness.com/
Instagram: @nursingyourwaytowellness

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

Do you struggle with exercise, or finding the time to get your body moving? The lack of motivation we hold after having kids tends to take over and things we may have once done for ourselves in the form of self-care are put on the backburner. But there is a way back to prioritizing guilt-free well-being and feeling great in your body through a special mind and body connection. Nicole sat down with fitness pioneer, Dana Brown to learn more about this and the steps you can take to feel stronger both physically and mentally. Dana gained her expertise on this topic through 3 decades as a full-time fitness  and Pilates instructor helping clients ranging from every day moms to A-list celebrities and professional athletes. Her combined with a personal journey with chronic burnout. She has made it her mission to help women achieve their fitness goals by eliminating energy blockages and live in harmony

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Dana Brown

https://bemindbodyfitness.com/
Instagram: @bemindbodyfitness 

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

Autism can be reliably diagnosed by a specialist by age 2, but the average age of an autism diagnosis in the U.S. is 5 years-old. Regardless of how old your child is when diagnosed, the time following that diagnosis can be extremely overwhelming and parents have a lot of questions and concerns.  What happens next? What can you expect? What questions should you be asking your providers and the schools? What kinds of therapy or services are out there for your children? What kind of support is out there for you? 

These are all questions Nicole is getting answered for you. She spoke to Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh -- one of the leading pioneers in the world of autism diagnosis and treatment. For over 40 years, Dr. Granpeesheh has been helping individuals with autism lead health, productive lives. She even furthered her dedication by founding "The Center for Autism and Related Disorders" -- which has over 100 locations around the U.S. 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh

https://www.doreengranpeesheh.com/
Instagram: @askdrdoreen

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

Have you ever seen a tick on your child or fur baby and proceeded to freak out? Did you question whether you effectively removed the tick properly? Do you even know the most effective way to check your child for ticks, or the high-risk zones in your backyard? The answers may surprise you! 

Tick expert and fellow mom, Dr. Megan Linske is helping all of us parents learn how we can safely live with ticks -- because unfortunately, they aren't going away. She's a scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and specializes in monitoring tick abundances, tick testing for human pathogens, climate impacts on established and emerging tick populations, developing control strategies for ticks and tick-borne diseases and figuring out how we're going to handle these bloodsucking parasites now and going forward. 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Dr. Megan Linske

Websites: 
https://portal.ct.gov/caes/about-caes/staff-biographies/megan-a-linske
https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/ticks/index.html

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

Parents and kids have always had issues with sleep, and for years, plenty of caregivers have been leaning on melatonin as a way to help kids get their rest. But is it safe? We all know melatonin is natural -- after all, our body produces it! But are there any risks in giving it to our children? World-renowned pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp returns to 'Mommyhood Unscripted' to offer up his expert advice with Nicole on this hotbed topic. 
 
Dr. Karp has been dedicated to promoting healthy sleeping habits for all -- including infants, toddlers, and big kids alike. He is a best-selling author of the books: "The Happiest Baby on the Block" and "The Happiest Toddler on
the Block". He's also the creator of the SNOO Smart Sleeper -- the only
FDA authorized infant sleep system. After you hear this conversation, we
guarantee you'll feel more informed and even more secure on whatever you decide to do. 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Dr. Harvey Karp

https://www.happiestbaby.com
Instagram: @happiest_baby

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

Have you started saving for your child's college education yet -- or are you overwhelmed with where and how to start? Well, you are NOT alone. You may have heard about '529 plans'... Is it the right path to take? Are there some things you can do to maximize savings for your child? Do taxes come into play? Nicole gets all the information and answers you need on this topic with Mark Kantrowitz. He's one of the national experts on college savings, education tax benefits, student financial aid, scholarships, and student loans. (Mark has even testified before Congress and federal/state agencies about student aid on several occasions too!) So, whether your child was just born or has a year left of high school, or if you're a grandparent who wants to help contribute to your grandchildren's future -- don't let this informative conversation pass you by! 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Mark Kantrowitz

http://www.kantrowitz.com/kantrowitz/mark.html

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

Have you heard? The SATs have gone digital! This is BIG news -- especially considering how the SAT plays such an instrumental role when it comes to the college admissions process. So, what do you and your kids need to know about this change? What can your student expect? How do they prepare? And why is it important to take the SATs? Nicole helps you answer all those questions with Priscilla Rodriguez, the Senior Vice President of College Readiness Assessments at The College Board. 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Priscilla Rodriguez

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat 

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV

In this month's 'Mommy Profile', Nicole chats with children's book author and illustrator, Stefania Munzi. This Connecticut artist is a mom of two boys--one of whom is special needs. Stefania takes us through her journey of what it's like to receive an unexpected diagnosis about your child, how she was able to utilize her talents to raise awareness about her son's rare condition, and what it's like navigating life as a single parent to her two boys. 

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SHOW NOTES:

Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV

Guest: Stefania Munzi

https://www.stefaniamunzi-logus.com/

**If there's a specific topic you'd like to hear about, or you'd like to be featured on "Mommyhood Unscripted ", contact Nicole Nalepa at: [email protected] or on social media: @NicoleNalepaTV