Welcome to Robot Unicorn! In this trailer, you'll meet my incredible co-host. We will explain the meaning behind the name and share what you can expect from this show.

Robot Unicorn will officially premiere on April 22, 2024, at 5:00 am EST! We can't wait for you to see all the magic we have in store for you!

Welcome to Robot Unicorn!

Join me, Jess VanderWier, a registered psychotherapist, mom of three, and founder of Nurtured First, along with my husband Scott, as we dive deep into the stories of our friends, favourite celebrities, and influential figures. In each episode, we skip the small talk and dive into vulnerable and honest conversations about topics like cycle breaking, trauma, race, mental health, parenting, sex, religion, postpartum, healing, and loss. We are glad you are here. PS: The name Robot Unicorn comes from our daughter. When we asked her what we should name the podcast, she confidently came up with this name because she loves robots, and she loves unicorns, so why not? There was something about the playfulness of the name, the confidence in her voice, and the fact that it represents that you can love two things at once that just felt right.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Kids & Family

Relationships

Parenting

Jess shares her personal journey, starting with being a high school student with a passion for helping people, her education in child development, and how she eventually became an online parenting educator.

After being on social media for over six years, Jess has noticed some troubling themes in the online parent education space. Jess and Scott discuss the pervasiveness of misinformation and fear-mongering in online parenting advice and share tips for identifying credible, trustworthy guidance.

Jess and Scott emphasize the importance of building a strong attachment with your child through simple, everyday acts of love and attunement and reassure listeners that parenting isn't as complicated as it seems to be online.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin [https://thepodcabin.com/]

Artwork by Wallflower Studio [https://www.wallflowerstudio.co/]

Production by Nurtured First [https://nurturedfirst.com/]

Do We Overcomplicate Parenting? The Problem with #ParentingExperts

Who else loves the Twilight movies? Jess and Scott watched the movies together when they were dating, and today, they talk with one of their favourite actresses from this series, Ashley Greene! In this raw and revealing episode, Ashley opens up about her journey to motherhood and the importance of reparenting yourself first.

She openly talks about the challenges of postpartum, like the pressure to get your baby to sleep through the night. Jess and Ashley dive deep into the internal work she did to regulate her emotions and break negative cycles before having her daughter. Ashley also gets candid about the challenges of balancing a thriving career with being a present mother and learning to let go of perfectionism.

Ashley and Jess also talk about women's health, periods, and how to raise daughters to feel no shame about their bodies. At the end of the episode, Scott and Jess talk about raising their daughters and how Scott can talk to their girls about periods!

Hear more from Ashley Greene on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ashleygreene/], and check out Hummingway [https://www.instagram.com/ourhummingway/], her company focused on education about reproductive and hormonal health.

Send us an email at podcast@robotunicorn.net to share how you've started teaching your kids about periods!

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN. [https://nurturedfirst.com/courses/]

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin [https://thepodcabin.com/]

Artwork by Wallflower Studio [https://www.wallflowerstudio.co/]

Production by Nurtured First [https://nurturedfirst.com/]

What No One Talks About: Baby Sleep, Self-Worth, And Periods With Ashley Greene

In this raw, unfiltered episode, Jess and Scott dive into the complex topic of pushing kids to do hard things. They explore the fine line between encouraging children to reach their potential vs. pushing them past their limits. Jess vulnerably shares how her own painful childhood experiences make it challenging for her to watch her daughter being pushed.

Together, they unpack the key ingredients kids need to build true resilience. This honest, nuanced conversation will make you reflect deeply on how your own past shapes your parenting and what really matters when helping kids tolerate frustration. If you've ever struggled to find the right balance with your child, this episode is for you.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN. [https://nurturedfirst.com/courses/]

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin [https://thepodcabin.com/]

Artwork by Wallflower Studio [https://www.wallflowerstudio.co/]

Production by Nurtured First [https://nurturedfirst.com/]

Forcing Kids To Do Hard Things: Raising Resilient Kids Who Can Tolerate Frustration

CW: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, Stillbirth, Alcoholism

In this heartfelt episode, you'll hear singer-songwriter Christina Perri open up in a profound way. Christina talks to us about her journey from being a sensitive, deeply feeling child to an unexpected superstar. She shares how her deep emotions and sensory processing difficulties made her feel misunderstood and how she found solace in songwriting from a young age.

Christina takes us behind the scenes of her sudden rise to fame with the hit song "Jar of Hearts" and how she navigated the challenges that came with fame at an early age. She also discusses the incredible impact of her song "A Thousand Years," and Jess shares a surprising story about this song with Christina.

In this vulnerable and honest conversation, Christina shares her experience with pregnancy loss, including the stillbirth of her daughter Rosie. She discusses her advocacy work to expand prenatal testing to prevent pregnancy loss and the importance of talking openly about grief and keeping Rosie's memory alive.

Christina also shares how motherhood has shaped her current focus on healing, authenticity, and vulnerability in her music and public persona. She emphasizes the power of connection and shared experiences, especially among mothers, in overcoming difficult times.

Throughout the episode, we explore themes of sensitivity, creativity, grief, advocacy, and the importance of being vulnerable and true to yourself. This moving conversation offers a rare glimpse into the heart and mind of a talented artist and the experiences that have shaped her life and music.

Hear more from Christina Perri on Instagram!  [https://www.instagram.com/christinaperri/]

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First [https://nurturedfirst.com/courses/] using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin [https://thepodcabin.com/]

Artwork by Wallflower Studio [https://www.wallflowerstudio.co/]

Production by Nurtured First [https://nurturedfirst.com/]

Feeling Misunderstood as a Sensitive Child: How Christina Perri Found Her Voice

In this episode, we dive deep into our personal histories with food, body image, and the societal pressures that have shaped our relationships with eating. Scott shares his surprising journey to a healthy, intuitive approach to food despite growing up without positive role models, while Jess opens up about her struggles with diet culture, food rules, and the pressure to "bounce back" after having three children.

Through our candid conversation, we explore the impact of childhood trauma on Scott's relationship with food and how cooking became a source of escape, control, and comfort for him from a young age. We discuss the role of hypervigilance in Scott's eating habits and how his ability to listen to his body's hunger and fullness cues has contributed to his healthy attitude towards food.

Jess, on the other hand, shares her experiences with restrictive eating, body image issues, and the societal expectations placed on women's bodies, especially after pregnancy. We examine the gender differences in body standards and the unfair scrutiny women face compared to the acceptance of the "dad bod."

As parents to three young daughters, we also discuss how to create a positive body image in children. We share our approach to exposing our children to diverse cuisines, the importance of family meals, and our goal of raising intuitive eaters who trust their bodies and enjoy food without guilt.

Throughout the episode, we offer insights and strategies for overcoming food rules, finding balance through moderation, and learning to trust one's body. We also highlight the power of food to connect us to each other and to different cultures, sharing our own experiences of exploring the world through meals.

This thought-provoking and relatable episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever struggled with their relationship with food or body image and for parents looking to raise children with healthy, intuitive eating habits.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First [https://nurturedfirst.com/courses/] using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin [https://thepodcabin.com/]

Artwork by Wallflower Studio [https://www.wallflowerstudio.co/]

Production by Nurtured First [https://nurturedfirst.com/]

Welcome to Robot Unicorn!

Download our free app to listen on your phone