Did you feel totally unprepared for just how angry you might feel after becoming a mom? You’re not alone. In this episode, Rachael sits down with psychologist Yara Heary to unpack why anger shows up so often in early motherhood and why it’s not something to feel ashamed of.

Together, they explore the identity shifts that happen postpartum, the strain on relationships, and the nervous system challenges that can leave us feeling triggered. Yara offers compassionate, practical tools to understand your anger, support yourself before it boils over, and move through motherhood with more ease and self-compassion.

Inside this episode:

Mentioned in this episode:

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✨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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In this episode, Rachael sits down with attorney and women’s rights advocate Daphne Delvaux to uncover what every working parent needs to know about their rights in the workplace. Known as The Mamattorney, Daphne has built her career fighting for fair treatment, equal pay, and family-friendly policies and she’s here to share the essential tools you need to advocate for yourself at work.

Together, they dive into pregnancy and postpartum protections, how to navigate discrimination, and why knowing your rights is one of the most empowering things you can do as a parent.

Inside this episode:

Mentioned in this episode:

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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Rachael chats with birth-to-five mental health specialist Michelle Charriere about what it really takes to build (and repair) a secure attachment with your child. They cover the four attachment styles, why repair matters more than perfection, and how to choose childcare that supports connection...plus real talk on daycare and sleep training without the internet drama.

And because they couldn’t resist, they end with a little Bravo TV fun, including Michelle’s pick for the best Housewives franchise to start with and a round of “F**k, Marry, Kill” (Bravo edition).

Inside this episode:

Mentioned in this episode:

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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Maintaining Intimacy After Kids with Vanessa & Xander Marin

Parenthood changes a lot, including your relationship. In this episode, Rachael sits down with New York Times bestselling authors (and real-life couple) Vanessa and Xander Marin to talk about keeping intimacy alive after kids, the infamous “roommate phase,” and why honest conversations about sex matter more than you think.

Vanessa, a sex therapist with 20 years of experience, and Xander, her “regular dude” husband, share how they’ve navigated their own ups and downs while helping millions of couples do the same. They dive into the five conversations from their book Sex Talks, why emotional connection is the real foreplay, and what to do when one partner isn’t feeling ready for intimacy. Plus, they share how couples therapy, online courses, and even their own podcast have helped them, and can help you, build a more connected, playful, and passionate relationship.

Inside this episode:

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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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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:

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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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:

Mentioned in this episode:

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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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:

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:

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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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.

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:

Mentioned in this episode:

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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:

Mentioned in this episode:

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.

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Should parents play with their children? Or should children only play independently? Independent Play is such a polarizing topic! That’s why this week, Rachael and Lizzie Assa, founder of the Workspace for Children, talk all about the importance of play for children and how parents can foster the desire for a healthy balance between playing with children and encouraging independent play.

Here’s what they discuss inside this helpful episode:

Lizzie is the founder of The Workspace for Children, and has become a go-to strategist for parents seeking guidance in fostering independent play for their children. With a Master’s in early childhood education and a passion for simplicity and consistency in play, she offers practical solutions to avoid burnout and promote healthy development. Lizzie's insights have been featured on The Good Inside Podcast, Parent's Magazine, NY Times Parenting, Time, and The Wall Street Journal. She is set to release her forthcoming book, "But I'm Bored!": The Complete Guide to Independent Play for Kids Ages 1-8, which promises to revolutionize the way parents approach their children's playtime.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lizzie’s Audio Course and Companion Workbook: ⁠https://twfc.kartra.com/page/sales⁠

Lizzie’s Instagram: ⁠@theworkspaceforchildren⁠

Lizzie’s website: ⁠https://www.workspaceforchildren.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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