Advertise on podcast: What I Wish I Knew : A Podcast About Pregnancy, Parenting, and Women's Health

This episode is dedicated to all those who are (or will be!) raising girls. With all the pressure and societal expectations placed on our collective shoulders about what a girl "should" be and how a girl "should" behave, how do we move forward confidently in the direction we know to be right? How do we model self-confidence, self-love, independence, strength, and respect? We spoke with Dr. Cara Reeves, a clinical psychologist and executive member of Girlology - a fact-based, physician-designed health education resource for girls and their parents - about these questions and more. Follow Girlology on Instagram: @girlology Visit their website: girlology.com Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

Staying connected to your partner after having kids can be a real challenge. Between busy schedules, erratic sleep patterns, and the added financial & logistical pressure that comes with children....it's no wonder that many couples fall into a cycle of just making it through the day rather than focusing on their relationship. We spoke with Jocelyn & Aaron Freeman, acclaimed marriage coaches and authors, about realistic ways to re-connect with your partner. From leading with curiosity to understanding how your upbringing affects your behavior, we dig deep into connection after kids. Follow the Freemans on Instagram: @meet_thefreemans Visit their website: meetthefreemans.com Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

TW: Breast cancer We're kicking off 2026 by talking about BOOBS! We chatted with Dr. Dana Bonaminio, a world-class radiologist, mom of 2, and breast cancer survivor, about all things breast-related. We cover basic breast health must-knows, what mammograms do & why they're so important, and factors that increase your risk of breast cancer. Plus, we may have coined the term "jiggle-ometer"... Follow Dr. Bonaminio on Instagram: @danabonaminio Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

Starting solids can feel overwhelming. From fear around choking to pressure about doing baby-led weaning “the right way,” many parents are left confused, anxious, and unsure where to begin. In this episode of What I Wish I Knew, we sit down with Jenny Best, founder and CEO of Solid Starts, to break down the science and reality of feeding babies real food. Jenny shares evidence-based guidance on baby-led weaning, gagging versus choking, oral development, and how babies actually learn to eat. We talk about why gagging is a normal and important part of development, why babies don’t need teeth to eat real food, and how letting babies self-feed can reduce choking risk. Jenny also explains how pressure at the table can backfire, contributing to picky eating and negative food relationships later on. This conversation covers: The difference between gagging and chokingWhy gagging is developmentally normalHow babies learn to map their mouths and chew safelyCommon myths about starting solids and baby foodWhy self-feeding supports long-term feeding skillsHow to approach holiday meals and family food pressureTools and resources that actually help parents feel confidentWhether you’re preparing to introduce solids, already in the thick of feeding a baby, or supporting a new parent, this episode offers practical, reassuring, and science-backed advice to help you feel more confident at the table. If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?” — this episode is for you.

TW: Pregnancy loss & infertility We sat down with Dr. Jessica Zucker—psychologist, author, and creator of the #IHadaMiscarriage movement—for a conversation about the silence surrounding pregnancy loss, infertility, and grief, among many other experiences that women share. We learned about how deeply conditioned that silence is, and the true cost of carrying these feelings alone. Jessica shares why speaking your truth matters, how story-sharing can be healing (without necessarily being performative), and what it can look like to finally break the silence. This episode gets a little heavy at times, and it's deeply human. Follow Dr. Zucker on Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

We sat down with Dr. Allison Mell - pediatric physical therapist, founder of Tots on Target, and the internet’s favorite “don’t panic, your kid is fine” voice - to talk about baby milestones in a way that was truly no-stressie. Allison has a gift for helping parents understand what actually matters when your baby rolls, crawls, stands, or… refuses to do any of the above on the timeline you have in your head. We dig into why independent floor time is a superpower, the stages of learning to walk, whether shoes are a go or no-go, and much more. Most importantly, we talk about why watching your kid rather than obsessing over a milestone is the way to go. Follow Dr. Mell on Instagram: @totsontarget Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

We chat with the co-hosts of The C-Section Experience podcast, Dr. Jen Wagner and Bethany Scott, and dig into what c-sections are really like, why they don't have to be as traumatic as people think, and how to mentally prepare for the experience. Follow The C-Section Experience on Instagram: @thecsectionexperience Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

We sat down with Devon Kuntzman, founder of Transforming Toddlerhood and author of the upcoming book by the same name, to talk about one of the most misunderstood stages of parenting—the toddler years. Devon makes a convincing case that this stage isn’t just about surviving, but about understanding the brain growth, emotional regulation, and learning how to be a tiny human with biiiiiiig feelings. We dig into the construction zone that is the toddler brain, and how punishment actually works against their development. Finally, we discuss what it means to parent as a confident leader (think: not a pushover, not a drill sergeant.) Are you living with a small, wildly chaotic roommate who calls you Mommy? If so, this episode might tickle your fancy. Follow Devon on Instagram: @transformingtoddlerhood Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

We sat down for our second session with Dr. Sarah Oreck - reproductive psychiatrist, medical advisor for Natural Cycles fertility tracking app, and mom of three. We tackled the mystical "6-week check-up" for postpartum moms and why it can feel overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time. We discussed how to handle conversations about intimacy during the fourth trimester, and what Dr. Oreck would change about how our country supports moms. We get a little salty, we get a little riled up, and we lay out the facts. This conversation is equal parts validation (once again - no, you're not crazy) and action plan for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re carrying it all. Follow Dr. Sarah Oreck on Instagram: @sarahoreckmd Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

We sat down with Dr. Corinne Low, economist and author of the new book "Having It All", to unpack what “having it all” actually means for women today and why the BS version society sells us is impossible (and exhausting). Corinne blends data, research, and her own lived experience to show how much of women’s time is squeezed by invisible labor, why men and women aren’t playing by the same rules at work OR at home, and how redefining success can be both liberating and life-changing. We cover everything from why mowing the lawn is not the same as caring for a child, to the economics of “secondary childcare” (yep, doing two jobs at once - sadly, something women are all too familiar with), to how to figure out what you actually value instead of living by someone else’s script. She gives us permission to find our OWN version of joy and helps us figure out how to experience it way more often. Pre-order Corinne's new book on her website: https://www.corinnelow.com/book Follow Corinne on Instagram: @corinnelow.phd Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

We sat down with Jessica Rolph, co-founder and CEO of Lovevery, to talk about one of her favorite topics: play. Jessica has spent years digging into the science of early learning, and we yapped about how the simplest moments—turning on lights, banging pots, dropping a ball down a tube—are actually building your child’s brain in big ways. She’s a passionate advocate for making play accessible, meaningful, and less overwhelming for parents (because who needs MORE on their plate?). We walk through all the different stages of development and how they translate to spending quality time with your kids that actually fosters connection and growth. Visit www.lovevery.com to learn more. Follow Lovevery on Instagram: @lovevery Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

Christina & Amy do a solo episode to discuss why they started What I Wish I Knew, their favorite moments from the season, and what to expect in season 2. Visit whatiwishiknew.life to learn more. Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott

We sat down with parenting expert Dr. Siggie Cohen to talk about what actually helps when your kid is melting down, how to remain calm in the face of chaos, and why kids lash out in the first place. Her approach is calm, thoughtful, and full of real-life strategies that you can use right away. We covered tantrums, boundaries, emotional regulation...plus why it’s not your job to fix every feeling. Cheers to raising emotionally resilient kids! Visit drsiggie.com to learn more. Follow Dr. Siggie on Instagram: @dr.siggie Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

Egg freezing is no longer a whispered secret or a last-ditch backup plan—and Lauren Makler, co-founder and CEO of Cofertility, is leading the charge in changing that narrative. In this episode, Lauren shares her personal fertility journey, how her sister’s egg donation inspired Cofertility’s unique Split and Keep programs, and what every woman should know about their options. We talk about accessibility, ethics in egg donation, secondary infertility, and why planning your family isn’t just about getting pregnant. Visit cofertility.com to learn more. Follow Lauren & Cofertility on Instagram: @laurenmakler and @cofertility Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co

We spoke with Dr. Mona Orady—gynecologic surgeon, women’s health advocate, and total powerhouse—to talk about why so many women are being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and underserved when it comes to their reproductive health. From fibroids and endo to infertility and unnecessary hysterectomies, Dr. Orady breaks down what’s really going on—and how to fight for the care you deserve. Follow Dr. Orady on Instagram: @drmonaorady.care Follow WIWIK on Instagram: @whatiwishiknew_ Music by Ben Scott Motion Design by Banona.co