Brainy Moms
Dr. Amy Moore
Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast with smart ideas to help moms and kids thrive! Hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore along with rotating co-hosts Sandy Zamalis, Teri Miller, and Dr. Jody Jedlicka, this weekly show features conversations and guest experts in parenting, psychology, child development, education, and medicine with practical tips to help moms navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. We're smart moms helping make moms smarter...one episode at a time!
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Top 10 Brainy Moms Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Brainy Moms episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Brainy Moms for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Brainy Moms episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Maternal Mental Health: Sharing the Load and Loving Motherhood More with guest Erica Djossa
Brainy Moms
08/26/24 • 46 min
On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy are joined by Erica Djossa, a psychotherapist and the CEO and founder of MomWell to discuss the “mother load”—the mental load of care, responsibility, planning, organizing, managing, scheduling, and more that women carry at any given time. Whether you’re a new mom dealing with postpartum depression and anxiety or a working mom with school-aged teens who is struggling to fight overwhelm, frustration, resentment, and anger about all you need to bear, don’t miss this compassionate and empowering episode discussing the unfair and unjust roles that have been put on many of us. It’s an episode about not only getting support, but also feeling camaraderie with other women who are experiencing similar feelings.
ABOUT ERICA DJOSSA:
Erica Djossa is the CEO and founder of Momwell, and a registered psychotherapist specializing in maternal mental health with over a decade of experience. As a mother of three rambunctious young boys, Erica understands first-hand the challenges of motherhood. Perfectionism, pressure, and loss of identity fueled her battle with postpartum depression, and she realized how difficult it is to seek care. She founded Momwell to set a standard of care for providers and ensure mom-centered specialized mental health support at any stage of motherhood. Erica has been featured in media publications including Time Magazine, Washington Post, USA Today, The Toronto Star, Breakfast Television, and Scary Mommy. She’s the author of the book, “Releasing the Mother Load: How to Carry Less and Enjoy Motherhood More”.
ABOUT US:
Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore. Dr. Amy and her rotating co-hosts bring listeners conversations with experts on topics in parenting, child development, education, psychology, mental health, and neuroscience. Listeners leave with tips and helpful advice for helping moms and kids thrive in life, learning, and relationships. This episode is co-hosted by Sandy Zamalis.
Find us at www.TheBrainyMoms.com and on social media @TheBrainyMoms
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
11/18/24 • 49 min
What if you could navigate holiday stress with a little more ease? This episode of the Brainy Moms podcast promises to equip you with insightful strategies for beating those seasonal pressures.
Holiday family dynamics can be a minefield, but Dr. Amy and Sandy have got you covered with thoughtful approaches to a little more harmony. As families expand and evolve, coordinating plans can become more challenging, especially when loved ones are absent. We talk about fostering meaningful connections, managing grief, and ensuring everyone feels included. Plus, we tackle the topic of holiday indulgences, offering tips for moderation and meeting dietary needs to keep celebrations joyful and stress-free.
We share our personal experiences and solutions, from the practical benefits of a Christmas share account to the art of mindful budgeting, ensuring you minimize the dreaded post-holiday debt. Discover cost-saving ideas such as gift exchanges and the three-gift rule, and learn how to strategically use Black Friday and Cyber Monday to your advantage without losing sight of what truly matters.
Embracing intentional holiday planning can transform how you experience this festive season. We explore how balancing activities and downtime can enrich children's school vacations. Redefining traditions to reflect personal desires allows for a more authentic celebration filled with gratitude and kindness. By prioritizing what truly brings joy, you can shape a holiday season that strengthens relationships even amidst inevitable challenges. Join us!
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
06/24/24 • 57 min
On this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. DR. AMY is joined by Sandy and Teri—who have both been homeschool moms—to talk with Christy Faith about homeschooling. Christy shares topics from her new book, “Homeschool Rising: Shattering Myths, Finding Courage, and Opting Out of the School System,” and her flourishing online community of homeschooling families. You’ll hear how homeschooling has changed significantly over the years to evolve into a truly diverse and sustainable undertaking for all types of students, regardless of income, religion, setting, and individual needs. Learn how and why the American school system was launched and why so many families are now turning to this growing movement to educate their kids. Christy shares statistics from her research to dispel the myths many of us have heard about homeschooling, from socialization and sports to getting into college and going to prom. If you’ve ever considered homeschooling but thought it would be too hard or that your student would miss out on too much of the traditional schooling experience, tune in for this truly eye-opening conversation from someone on the front lines.
ABOUT US: Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore. Dr. Amy and her rotating co-hosts bring listeners conversations with experts on topics in parenting, child development, education, psychology, mental health, and neuroscience. Listeners leave with tips and helpful advice for helping moms and kids thrive in life, learning, and relationships. This episode is co-hosted by Teri Miller and Sandy Zamalis.
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
09/23/24 • 50 min
Do you struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling rested? If so, then you won’t want to miss this information-packed episode of the Brainy Moms podcast with health psychologist Dr. Daniella Marchetti who specializes in behavioral sleep medicine. In this conversation with Dr. Amy and Sandy, Dr. Marchetti shares the truth about melatonin, nightmares, room temperature, white noise machines, sleep trackers, and even mattresses! Learn how to improve your sleep without getting a sleep study. If you think you know all there is to know about sleep, tune in for this interview with a sleep medicine expert who is “in the know” about how to wake up feeling rested.
ABOUT DR. DANIELLA MARCHETTI:
Dr. Daniella obtained two master’s and PhD from the University of Miami in Clinical Psychology. As a trained Health Psychologist, her specialty is in behavioral sleep medicine, which she uses to help treat insomnia, nightmares, hypersomnolence, and sleep apnea across the lifespan. She currently works in a hospital setting as well as her private practice devoted to the treatment of sleep disorders.
ABOUT US:
Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore. Dr. Amy and her rotating co-hosts bring listeners conversations with experts on topics in parenting, child development, education, psychology, mental health, and neuroscience. Listeners leave with tips and helpful advice for helping moms and kids thrive in life, learning, and relationships. This episode is co-hosted by Sandy Zamalis.
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
05/28/24 • 51 min
On this fascinating episode with Dr. Amy and Sandy, psychotherapist and certified brain professional Mindy Haukedahl shares details from her successes using neurofeedback to improve brain functionality in kids, teens, and adults. From depression, anxiety, and ADHD to creativity, sleep, and misophonia, her work with non-invasive in-person and remote neurotherapy has significantly improved her clients’ lives by using real-time brainwave activity to help diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. Mindy’s use of brain mapping, grounding and meditative techniques, and psychological interviews have helped her patients understand and regulate their emotions, sleep, and cognition to improve their overall well-being and performance. Whether you’re looking for a new science-backed intervention to help yourself or someone you love regain control of your life or you’re just curious about the many applications of neurofeedback, you won’t want to miss this episode.
ABOUT MINDY HAUKEDAHL:
Mindy is a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed school counselor, licensed school principal. She is certified in neurofeedback through BCIA and a certified brain professional through Amen clinics. She has worked in the field of mental health for 18 years and is a full-time Director of Counseling at a private K-12 school and owner/psychotherapist/neurotherapist at Afton Therapy. Her areas of specialty are working with teens and adults who experience unwanted symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep disturbances and relational issues. She’s a leading specialist in the diagnostic assessment and treatment of ADHD, as well as in paving the way in overcoming troublesome symptoms by improving brain functionality through neurofeedback.
ABOUT US:
Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore. Dr. Amy and her rotating co-hosts bring listeners conversations with experts on topics in parenting, child development, education, psychology, mental health, and neuroscience. Listeners leave with tips and helpful advice for helping moms and kids thrive in life, learning, and relationships.
CONNECT WITH US
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
Sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
12/16/24 • 82 min
On this mash-up from our Brainy Moms podcast special series on cognitive skills, we share all the highlights on what they are, why we need them, and how to strengthen them. Listen to clips from Sandy's interviews with our experts Dr. Amy and Dr. Jody as well as a guest appearance from Kim Hanson. In this engaging episode, Sandy tackles a mental task that illustrates the interplay of memory, attention, reasoning, auditory and visual processing, and processing speed skills at work. Our lively discussions cover how each skill contributes to problem-solving and why strengthening them is crucial for both children and adults. Discover insights that will help you identify red flags as well as how to nurture these skills for academic and life success. This episode is packed with practical insights for parents eager to support their children's cognitive development and understand the impact of these skills on learning.
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
We learned so much about potty training from Mary Vaughn that we’ve asked her back for “Part 2: Number 2.” That’s right, on this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast, Dr. Amy and Teri talk with Mary about potty training for bowel movements. If you’re struggling to find answers about sensory issues, constipation, wiping, or simply why some kids don’t want to poop in the potty, check out this episode. It’s a mix of light-hearted joking, funny stories from our own potty-training vaults, and plenty of useful tips and take-aways to get your little one ready to make the transition from diapers or pull-ups.
About Mary Vaughn: Mary is a certified PCI Parent Coach©, sleep consultant, and potty training coach. She helps moms escape survival mode induced by lack of sleep, desperate need for more time in the day, and the chaos of having young kids at home. Her mom-to-mom life coaching (pregnancy through early elementary school) was designed to help women find more joy, hope, and fulfillment in motherhood. On her website, MotherTogether.com, you can book a free 20-minute call with Mary, read her blogs, get a free potty-training assessment, or download her workbook, “Managing the Mental Load.”
Connect with Mary Vaughn:
Website: www.mothertogether.com
Instagram: @letsmothertogether
Facebook: @letsmothertogether
LinkedIn: @letsmothertogether
“Managing the Mental Load” workbook: www.mothertogether.com/blog/mental-load
“My Child Won’t Poop” (a 2-part blog):https://www.mothertogether.com/blog/my-child-wont-poop-explanations
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
Have you ever tried a diet and lost weight, only to put the weight back on a few months or a year later? Research shows that as many as 80% of overweight people who manage to slim down noticeably after a diet gain some or all of the weight back within one year. That staggering figure can be overwhelming and discouraging when we’re trying to lose weight.
Dr. Amy sat down with Matty Lansdown, founder of the Healthy Mums Collective, to discuss why so many diets leave us feeling frustrated and why the weight often comes back on, even with careful changes and restrictions. It was a fascinating conversation about our relationship with food and our inner child-inner parent relationship!
If you are looking for a gentle approach to healthy living—regardless of your current size—Matty takes an innovative approach to food, nutrition, and lifestyle that might get you started on a journey to self-love and caring for your body. These are tough topics, especially if you struggle with an eating disorder or body issues. But this is a no-shame conversation. Matty is an encourager and educates us on some different ways to think about and understand our ongoing relationship with food. As a yo-yo dieter, Dr. Amy appreciated Matty’s tip to just make “one tweak a week” to our eating habits. That seemed manageable to her. Our hope is that you’ll hear a tip that resonates with you as well. It’s a food-for-thought episode without judgement for anyone who wants to dig in a little to the topic of eating for better health.
A quick note: Here at the Brainy Moms, we are covering many of the hardest and most important topics related to motherhood, mental health, and the human experience, and today’s episode may be a complicated one for some of our listeners. We know that this topic can be difficult, but we urge our listeners to press in with openness whenever possible. Because that’s how we grow—it’s why we created this podcast in the first place! However, if you find that any of our episodes are more than you are comfortable with, we understand. You need to take care of your heart, mind, and body in the best way you can—and we are supporting you from afar.
About Matty
Matty Lansdown is a scientist, nutritionist and health coach that specializes in weight loss and self-confidence for women and busy mothers. Starting out in the field of nutritional epigenetics and spending several years working in hospitals as part of a disease research team, Matty believes that most disease and illness is not due to bad luck but as a result of poor nutrition and lifestyle choices. Matty’s extensive experience allowed him to uncover the deeper challenge people have with health which isn’t about calories or kale, but in fact mindset and behavior change. Having been on his own personal development journey, Matty is now super-passionate about showing people how to level up their health so that healthy habits and the best food choices are easy and natural. Likewise, Matty’s weekly podcast How to NOT Get Sick and Die provides his followers and clients with a deep dive into nutrition and how to develop healthy habits that last.
CONNECT WTH MATTY
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattylansdown
Website: https://mattylansdown.com/
CONNECT WITH US
Website: www.BrainyMoms.co
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
Community college? Gap year? Four-year private university? Today’s teens are facing overwhelming pressure to follow a traditional path from high school to college, often with little regard for their readiness, motivation, or interest. Cindy Muchnik, co-author of “The Parent Compass: Navigating Your Teen’s Wellness & Academic Journey in Today’s Competitive World” joined the Brainy Moms podcast to share some advice on how to preserve your relationship with your teen while navigating a competitive academic environment. If you’re looking for insights on how to foster grit, resilience, and independence in your teen while also learning to listen to their feelings and fears, this episode will hit the spot! Combining her years of experience as a college admissions expert, high school teacher, and mother of four, Cindy offered some concrete strategies to help you navigate these crucial years and help guide your teen to THEIR preferred experience after high school.
About Cindy Muchnik
Cindy Muchnick, MA, is a graduate of Stanford University and has been working in education for more than 25 years as a former Assistant Director of College Admission, high school teacher, educational consultant, and author. She is also an experienced and always-learning mother of three sons and a daughter, ranging in age from 16-24. Cindy speaks to parents, students, teachers, and business groups on topics such as study skills, the adolescent journey, college admission, and now the parent compass movement. She’s the co-author of the book, “The Parent Compass; Navigating Your Teen’s Wellness & Academic Journey in Today’s Competitive World.”
Connect with Cindy Muchnick
Twitter: @ParentCompass1
Instagram: @ParentCompass
Facebook: @TheParentCompass
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindymuchnick/
Website: www.cynthiamuchnick.com
Book: “The Parent Compass; Navigating Your Teen’s Wellness and Academic Journey in Today’s Competitive World” at www.parentcompassbook.com
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
04/21/25 • 54 min
Wondering how to best parent your competitive athlete or dancer? Dr. Chelsea Pierotti joins Dr. Amy and Sandy on this episode of the Brainy Moms podcast to reveal the psychology behind peak performance and what parents can do to help—and sometimes, what they should stop doing.
Drawing from her background as both a sports psychologist and professional ballet dancer, Dr. Chelsea shares why dancers face unique mental challenges as "artistic athletes." Unlike team sports with constant reactions, dancers follow choreographed routines that leave dangerous space for overthinking. She explains why even elite performers need strategies to stay present while letting physical skills flow automatically.
The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Dr. Chelsea unpacks why training for unexpected difficulties builds genuine confidence. Just as Olympic champion Michael Phelps practiced with broken goggles, dancers need to experience music cuts or costume malfunctions in practice to develop true resilience. This "training for the rare" teaches athletes they can handle anything—a skill that transfers far beyond performance.
Parents will particularly appreciate Dr. Chelsea's clear guidance on their proper role in youth sports. She advises parents to be supportive managers handling logistics, while gradually teaching children to communicate directly with coaches. Her mantra "control the controllables" helps athletes focus exclusively on their attention, actions, and effort—letting go of judges, referees, and other external factors they cannot change.
Perhaps most valuable is our discussion of redefining success beyond winning. By focusing on the "gain" (progress made) rather than the "gap" (distance from perfection), athletes develop healthier mindsets and lasting motivation. The 1% rule she shares demonstrates how small daily improvements compound into remarkable growth.
Ready to help your young performer develop mental toughness that serves them in competition and beyond? Listen now and discover how to support the journey of your athlete or dancer without stepping into the coach's lane.
Highlights from this episode:
- Dancers face unique challenges as "artistic athletes" with subjective judging similar to gymnastics and figure skating
- Performance psychology helps athletes manage overthinking during routines when automaticity takes over
- Elite athletes train for unexpected situations to build true confidence that can handle adversity
- Parents should be supportive managers rather than trying to fix technical issues
- By middle school, athletes should be communicating directly with coaches
- "Control the controllables" – focus on attention, actions, and effort, not external factors
- Define success based on progress and improvement rather than just winning
- Mental skills developed in sports translate to all areas of life
- The 1% rule promotes small daily improvements that compound over time
- Allowing children to experience negative emotions helps them develop resilience
CONNECT WITH US:
Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com
Email: [email protected]
Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms
Our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com
Sandy's TikTok: @TheBrainTrainerLady
Dr. Amy's brand new IG: @DrAmySaysGrace
Dr. Amy's website: www.AmyMoorePhD.com
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FAQ
How many episodes does Brainy Moms have?
Brainy Moms currently has 169 episodes available.
What topics does Brainy Moms cover?
The podcast is about Education For Kids, Learning, Parenting, Kids & Family, Psychology, Child Development, Mental Health, Podcasts, Education and Kids.
What is the most popular episode on Brainy Moms?
The episode title 'Tired of Yo-yo dieting? Losing weight isn’t just about what you eat (or when you eat it) with guest Matty Lansdown' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Brainy Moms?
The average episode length on Brainy Moms is 50 minutes.
How often are episodes of Brainy Moms released?
Episodes of Brainy Moms are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Brainy Moms?
The first episode of Brainy Moms was released on Mar 4, 2021.
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