Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Ep. 418: Impulse Control

Mon, 06 Jul 2026

In the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox," Laura and Shanna answer listener questions about staving off sickness when you're a parent, managing your child's impulsive behaviors, knowing when your child needs speech therapy, and more! Also, Shanna reports on an action-packed getaway to Ojai and Santa Barbara with her mom and girls, and Laura shares two updates about her 5-year-old, including a drawing milestone and a dollar-store hack that's been a hit. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 7 and 10 years old, and Laura's kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Should I give my child a structured or unstructured summer break?

• A SoCal weekend getaway that is close to Los Angeles and FUN!

• Family-friendly activities in Ojai and Santa Barbara

• The benefits of taking your kids on adventures in nature

• Getting your child an eye exam

• When your child suddenly has a leap in drawing skills

• Ideas for how to stay healthy and avoid sickness when you are a parent

• Situations that make you feel uncool as a mom

• How do you know if your child needs speech therapy?

• How does impulsive behavior manifest in children with ADHD?

• Tips for handling impulsive behavior

• Audiobooks and podcasts we currently love

• A fun, local, family activity - mini golf

• The best affordable sunscreen that your kids will actually like

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Lake Casitas kayak rentals

• Santa Barbara Zoo

• Land Shark Tours Santa Barbara

• BFP Episode 75 - where Shanna first talks about being intimidated by teenagers

• The ADHD Parenting Podcast

• Mike McLeod: Executive Function-ADHD Specialist

• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

• Famesick: A Memoir by Lena Dunham

• Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

• Love Trapped podcast

• Search Engine podcast episode - "Why doesn't anybody come to my parties?"

• The Interview podcast episode - "Robby Hoffman Will Always Feel Poor, No Matter How Rich She Gets"

• If Books Could Kill podcast

• Since You Asked podcast

• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

• Sherman Oaks Castle Park Mini Golf

• Trader Joe's Invisible Gel Body Sunscreen

• Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen

Connect with Us:

• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast

• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast

• Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 417: Just Say No!

Mon, 29 Jun 2026

In the special segment "Dear Past Me," Shanna and Laura turn back time to give their former selves parenting advice based on what they know now, including wisdom about kids' haircuts and handmade crafts. Also, Laura checks in about the surprising reason her child woke her up in the middle of the night, and Shanna gives updates about her daughter's student council run and talent-show debut. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 7 and 10 years old, and Laura's kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Weird reasons you get woken up in the middle of the night when you're a parent

• Processing emotions about your child's last year of preschool

• When your child runs for student council

• Preparing your child for a talent show

• Whether to give your child bangs

• Handling your child's deep emotional attachment to an object

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Underwood Family Farms

• Vertigo by Beach Bunny

Connect with Us:

• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast

• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast

• Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager. a

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 416: Bringing Home the Class Pets

Mon, 22 Jun 2026

In the special segment “What I Googled This Week,” Laura and Shanna reveal the funny and embarrassing things they've asked the internet recently, including questions about an unusual DIY craft project and an unexpected singing technique. Also, Shanna reports on the drama surrounding her family's turn at chick-sitting the class pets, and Laura talks about her 5-year-old's ear tube and adenoid surgery. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 7 and 10 years old, and Laura's kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Taking home your child's classroom pets for the night

• Ear tube and adenoid surgery

• The unexpected how-to videos we Googled this week

• When your child picks up a new hobby

• Two fun films that our kids love watching

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie

• Children's Hospital Los Angeles

• Wicked Aviary Plague Doctor DIY Tutorial

• Vertigo by Beach Bunny

• Matilda (1996)

• Matilda the Musical (2022)

• Matilda by Roald Dahl

• Yodel Beat from Trolls World Tour

Connect with Us:

• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast

• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast

• Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 415: Better Late Than Never!

Mon, 15 Jun 2026

In the special segment "Gripe Water," Shanna and Laura share the hilariously petty parenting problems that have been bothering them lately, diving into the topics of student-council campaigns and shopping for kids' clothes. Also, Laura reports on accidentally reaching a parenting milestone, and Shanna recaps her last-minute scramble to help her 7-year-old complete a school project. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 7 and 10 years old, and Laura's kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• When is a good time to get rid of your baby monitor?

• Managing deadlines for your kids' school projects

• Helping your kid run for student council

• Where to find plain, unbranded clothes for your kids

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent by Laura Birek and Gia Gamabaro Blunt

• Great Big Family Play Day at the Autry Museum

• PCIT - Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Connect with Us:

• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast

• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast

• Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 414: Sad Doll Disease

Mon, 08 Jun 2026

In the special segment "Today I Learned," Laura and Shanna discuss the fascinating or unusual things they have learned about recently, including the story of how a mom on maternity leave saved a major motion picture and a disturbing phenomenon involving a beloved children's toy. Also, Shanna navigates her daughter's last-minute wardrobe crisis, and Laura spends Mother's Day doing exactly what she wanted. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including events that provided some big laughs. Shanna's kids are 7 and 10 years old, and Laura's kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Planning a Mother's Day outing with your kids

• Validating your child's feelings vs. gaslighting them into positivity

• Reclaiming hobbies after having kids

• How a mom saved Toy Story 2

• Why your Owala (and other plastic items) may be melting

• Surprising your partner: tips for keeping a secret in the age of smartphones

• The Netflix Is a Joke Festival: a good excuse to see live comedy in LA

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Next Web article: "How Pixar’s Toy Story 2 was deleted twice, once by technology and again for its own good"

• Reddit post about melting plastic Owala water bottle

• Sad Doll Disease - article in New Scientist