When I was pregnant with my first child, I read Expecting Better by Emily Oster and it completely changed the way I approached pregnancy. It eased my anxiety and gave me permission to trust myself and question the blanket rules I was hearing from strangers and the Internet. So, you can imagine how thrilled I was to bring Emily onto The Real Stuff for a deep, data-driven conversation about all the hot button parenting topics we’re told not to talk about.

In this episode, we cover everything from drinking alcohol during pregnancy to sleep training, breastfeeding vs. formula, going back to work vs. staying home, vaccines and autism, and so much more. Emily brings the facts (and I mean real, peer-reviewed, large-sample-size data-driven facts) to some of the most polarizing conversations in parenthood without judgment or shame.

We also talk about her own experiences as a mom, the pressure to do everything “right,” and the value of doing what works for your family.

Whether you’re pregnant, parenting, or just curious about what the actual research says about these loaded topics, I hope this conversation brings you the same calm and clarity that Emily’s work gave me.

Watch this episode in video form on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjmevEcbh5h5FEX0pazPEtN86t7eb2OgX 

To apply to be a guest on the show, visit luciefink.com/apply and send us your story. 

I also want to extend a special thank you to East Love for the show's theme song, Rolling Stone. 

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealstuffpod 

Find Lucie here: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciebfink/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luciebfink 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/luciebfink

Website: https://luciefink.com/ 

Executive Producer: Cloud10

Produced by Dear Media.

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