We’re back with Episode 2 with a long-overdue life update. Alyssa shares what she’s been building with her new Home Operating System Playbook, and Chauntae shares the emotional story of the last few months—from Elijah’s hydrops diagnosis and fetal procedure to unexpectedly going into labor at 32 weeks and navigating life in the NICU.

We talk about his recent health challenges, the emotional roller coaster of watching your baby fight to get stronger, and the encouraging progress he’s making now. Thank you for every prayer, message, and word of support as we continue our mission to bring Elijah home. 💙

Follow us on Instagram:

@chauntae_gold

@alyssavargas.fit

We’re back for Season 3 and we’re finally continuing our conversation with Dalia!

In Part 1, Dalia shared her experience as an autism mom and the non-traditional approaches her family explored while trying to understand and support her son, Cairo.

In Part 2, we continue that conversation with one of the more controversial pieces of her story: vaccines.

Dalia shares her personal experience following the recommended childhood vaccine schedule, the changes she observed in her son, and why those experiences ultimately led her to begin questioning the one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare.

We talk about parental intuition, individualized healthcare, and the difficult position parents can find themselves in when their lived experience doesn't seem to fit neatly within the conventional medical narrative. Then we shift into another huge part of Dalia’s life: Wild Butterfly Nature School.

Dalia shares how Cairo’s own experience in nature school inspired her and her husband to create a program in the Temecula/Murrieta area and why she believes childhood needs more nature, movement, freedom, connection, and PLAY.

We dive into the philosophy behind nature school and discuss why children need opportunities for unstructured and undirected play, how constantly correcting and directing kids can interrupt opportunities to problem-solve, and why social-emotional development matters just as much as academics.

We also talk about risky play - allowing children to climb, run, explore, fall, get dirty, experience discomfort, assess risk, and discover what their bodies are capable of within a safe environment. Dalia explains why these experiences are such an important part of building confidence, resilience, emotional regulation, and independence.

Receiving an autism diagnosis can leave parents feeling overwhelmed, scared, and desperate for answers.

In Part 1 of this conversation, we sit down with Dalia Cline Arellano—a holistic health practitioner, nature school founder, and mother of two—to hear the story behind her son's autism diagnosis and the path that completely changed the direction of her family's life.

After being told her son would likely never speak, would need lifelong care, and should eventually live in an institution, Dalia refused to accept that managing symptoms was the only option. What followed was years of relentless research, difficult decisions, and a complete transformation of her family's lifestyle.

This conversation isn't about "curing" autism. It's about exploring the underlying factors that may contribute to life-limiting symptoms and discussing why Dalia believes supporting the body first created opportunities for her son to thrive.

In this episode we discuss:

• Dalia's emotional journey after receiving her son's autism diagnosis
• The early developmental signs that something wasn't right
• Why traditional therapy alone didn't feel like enough
• The moment she began questioning conventional approaches
• The role nutrition, environment, and lifestyle played in her search for answers
• Why she believes many behaviors are symptoms of a body under stress
• The emotional toll of parenting a child with significant developmental challenges

Contact Dalia

Instagram: @wildbutterfly.natureschool

Dr. Vicky: Homeopath Practitioner

Instagram @thehappyhealthyunicorn

Website

https://www.thehappyhealthyunicorn.com/

Staci Smith: Homeopathy Book

Staci Smith [email protected]

Healing Complex Children

Angelica Lemke

The Hive - group of Homeopaths helping complex children and families

https://www.homeopathyhive.com/

Motherhood has a way of teaching you lessons that no book, podcast, or parenting expert ever could.

In this episode, we're sharing six of the biggest parenting lessons we've learned during these early years of raising little ones. We're not claiming to have parenting all figured out—we're simply sharing what's worked in our own homes and the mindset shifts that have made motherhood more enjoyable, intentional, and less overwhelming.

From encouraging independence and limiting screen time to creating healthy family rhythms and raising resilient kids, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can begin implementing today.

• Why boredom is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child
• The importance of limiting screen time and encouraging imaginative play
• Why toddlers are far more capable than we often give them credit for
• A simple three-step framework for teaching new skills
• Practical ways to involve toddlers in everyday life, including grocery shopping, cooking, and household responsibilities
• Why predictable family routines reduce stress, tantrums, and decision fatigue
• How sleep, movement, sunlight, nutrition, and outdoor play influence behavior
• Creating an environment that naturally supports emotional regulation and learning
• Why parenting often means tolerating your child's discomfort instead of rescuing them from it
• Raising children who can tolerate frustration, hunger, and delayed gratification
• The powerful reminder that children learn more from what we model than from what we say

What parenting lesson has surprised you the most?

Come share your biggest takeaway with us on Instagram- we'd love to continue the conversation!

Chauntae and Alyssa discuss the viral story of a YouTube couple who chose to terminate their pregnancy after receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis. As mothers, health professionals, and women who once identified as pro-choice, they share how their perspectives on abortion have evolved over time especially after Chauntae's own recent experience receiving a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis for her son.

Together, they explore the emotional reality of receiving unexpected news during pregnancy, the role of fathers during moments of crisis, the influence of culture on motherhood and family, and the difficult ethical questions surrounding abortion, disability, and personal responsibility.

This episode is not about shame—it's about asking hard questions, seeking understanding, and having honest conversations about life, parenthood, and what it means to choose courage when life doesn't go according to plan.

Pro-choice vs. Pro Life debate: Lila Rose and Kyla Turner

WATCH HERE

Lila Rose

@lilaroseofficial

Pro-life Doctor

@prolifedoc_

Erica Komisar LCSW. Psychoanalyst, Parent Coach

@erikakomisar

In this episode, Alyssa dives into one of the most influential parenting books she's ever read: Hunt, Gather, Parent. Inspired by traditional cultures around the world, the book challenges many of the assumptions modern parents have about raising children and offers a refreshing alternative that can make family life calmer, more cooperative, and less exhausting.

From getting kids involved in household responsibilities to reducing the pressure to constantly entertain them, this conversation explores how small shifts in parenting can build confidence, independence, and stronger family relationships.

• Why children are naturally wired to contribute to the family
• How modern parenting often discourages helpful behavior without us realizing it
• The difference between raising children to be entertained versus raising them to participate
• Why chores shouldn't require rewards, sticker charts, or payment
• The concept of "see and do" responsibility—teaching children to notice what needs to be done and helping without being asked
• How involving children in everyday household tasks builds confidence and competence
• Why family life works better when children are folded into adult life instead of becoming the center of it
• The surprising parenting lessons learned from Mayan, Inuit, and Tanzanian communities
• How reducing overpraise can encourage intrinsic motivation
• The role of autonomy, responsibility, and contribution in developing capable children
• Why creating a strong family culture can reduce stress for moms and improve cooperation throughout the home
• Practical examples of how Alyssa and Chauntae are applying these principles with their own children
• The importance of building community and embracing the reality that parenting was never meant to be a one-person job

In this episode of the REBUILD Podcast, hosts Chauntae and Alyssa open up about the emotional response to last week’s Down syndrome diagnosis episode, the overwhelming support from listeners, and how they’re navigating this season of life.

The second half of the episode dives deep into Alyssa’s recent 16-week fat loss phase where she lost 15 pounds postpartum while maintaining muscle and strength. Together, they break down what realistic fat loss actually looks like for busy moms from calorie tracking and meal repetition to training consistency, sleep, hunger management, and why environment matters more than willpower.

This episode is a refreshing reminder that sustainable transformation is built through systems, patience, and consistency- not perfection.

In this deeply personal episode of the ReBuild Podcast, Chauntae opens up about one of the hardest seasons of her life after receiving the news that her unborn baby has Down syndrome. Alongside co-host Alyssa Vargas, the conversation explores grief, fear, motherhood, faith, marriage, and the powerful role of family support during life’s most vulnerable moments.

Chauntae shares the emotional journey from receiving her NIPT results to undergoing CVS diagnostic testing, navigating difficult conversations with doctors, and processing what this diagnosis means for her family’s future. She also discusses how her background in behavior science, nutrition, and fitness is shaping her perspective on raising a child with Down syndrome through movement, structure, nutrition, and high expectations.

In this episode, Chauntae and Alyssa dive into the real-life challenges of motherhood, from surviving the first trimester with a toddler to navigating sleep regressions and shifting family routines. They unpack a powerful conversation around boundaries, family values, and modern parenting pressures especially when it comes to kids’ activities, social life, and screen time.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to “do it all,” this episode will help you step back, get clear on what truly matters, and build a life that aligns with your values—not everyone else’s expectations.

In this episode, Chauntae and Alyssa pivot from a powerful conversation on motherhood and cultural narratives into a candid, informative discussion on pregnancy specifically the first trimester.

From real-life experiences with fatigue, food aversions, and training struggles to evidence-based guidance on nutrition and exercise, this episode breaks down what women actually need to know.

Whether you're currently pregnant, planning to be, or coaching clients through it—this is your no-BS guide to navigating the first trimester with confidence.

Want Alyssa’s Pregnancy Guide PDF?
👉 DM @alyssa_c_vargas on Instagram to get it!