The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom

Buzzwords like “non-GMO” and “all natural” can make a product appear like a good choice but with confusing marketing how do we curb the overwhelm and make good food decisions for our kids? Whether you're navigating snack aisles or Instagram reels, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants real, evidence-based guidance on feeding their family well.

I’m joined by Dr. Adrian Chavez, who has a Ph.D. in Nutrition and Health Promotion, to discuss:

• How fear-based marketing and social media myths mislead parents.
• How to decode buzzwords like "organic" and "non-GMO" and make informed choices without the guilt.
• Practical, judgment-free tips to build healthy habits for your family—without the overwhelm.

To connect with Dr. Adrian Chavez follow him on Instagram @dr.adrian.chavez and check out all his resources at https://dradrianchavez.com/

We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠!

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

00:00 – Meet Dr. Adrian Chavez

02:29 – How Adrian Got Into Nutrition (And Unlearning Misinformation)

05:14 – What Sparked His Social Media Mission

07:49 – Education vs. Debunking Online

10:00 – Social Media Fear Tactics and Food Shaming

13:12 – Is the “Healthier” Option Worth It?

16:15 – How to Spot Buzzwords and Misleading Labels

20:41 – The Reality of Organic Food Labels

21:00 – Marketing Tricks That Make Junk Food Look Healthy

24:05 – Why Education Beats Regulation

27:03 – Movement vs. Nutrition in Kids’ Health

29:07 – How Packaging & Characters Influence Kids’ Food Choices

31:56 – What Real Nutrition Education Should Feel Like

34:22 – Are There Hidden Additives in Kids’ Foods?

38:23 – Final Message: Start Small & Stay Consistent

43:05 – Where to Find Dr. Adrian Chavez

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this The Follow-Up episode with the incredible team behind @biglittlefeelings, we're diving deeper into the everyday power struggles parents face — food throwing, hitting, biting, meltdowns, and more. I'm joined by Kristin and Deena to break down practical, compassionate scripts for managing these challenging behaviors without yelling, shaming, or losing your cool.

You’ll learn:

• What to actually say when your toddler throws food
• How to respond calmly and effectively to hitting and biting
• Why trying to teach in the middle of a meltdown doesn’t work
• The difference between setting a boundary and escalating a situation
• How validating emotions can prevent anxiety and support long-term emotional health

Whether you're parenting a 1-year-old or a 5-year-old, these tools are grounded in developmental psychology, trauma-informed care, and real-world parenting experience. If you’ve ever wondered why your child isn’t “listening” or felt stuck in a cycle of frustration, this episode is for you.

Want more? Enjoy the full episode at PedsDocTalk.com

Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠!

And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does improv comedy, soccer referees, and CEOs have to do with communication and parenting? I welcome Ben Swett who is the executive director of Early Engagement to talk about some tips to communicating with your child.

We discuss:

• Why nonverbal communication matters
• Why expectations and boundaries for children are important
• How to keep communication lines open

To find out more, visit: earlyengagement.org

Thanks to our sponsor: Brainiac Foods. To check out Brainiac Food’s line of products and receive 20% off your order, visit the following link to save 20% off your order:

• brainiacfoods.com/discount/20PEDSDOC

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dreaded 4 month sleep regression! Your baby is sleeping longer stretches and now they’re awake. In this episode, I speak with Cait about her now 5-month old regarding this sleep regression.

We discuss:

• Why “sleep regressions” happen
• What to do during a sleep regression
• What not to do during a sleep regression

Check out all the PedsDocTalk Courses for more guidance, tips, and support during your parenting journey. The New Mom's Survival Guide will help you navigate your first year of parenthood.

Thanks to our sponsor: Brainiac Foods. To check out Brainiac Food’s line of products and receive 20% off your order, visit the following link to save 20% off your order:

• https://brainiacfoods.com/discount/20PEDSDOC

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have a strong-willed child? How do you know you have one? Are you approaching their behavior in a positive way? I have recorded a solo episode about strong-willed children and power struggles and I always enjoy it when I can chat with fellow parenting coaches about it.

I welcome back Zack Kasabo who is a certified school counselor and parent coach. He was on the show before talking about how to encourage positive behaviors in kids without enabling them.

We discuss:

• Misconceptions about strong-willed children and parenting strong-willed children
• The power of “mutual submission"
• The number one rule when addressing strong-willed children

To connect with Zack Kasabo follow him on Instagram @coachkasabo, check out all his resources at https://coachkasabo.info/

We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!

00:00 – Modeling Cooperation
00:22 – Intro: Parenting Strong-Willed Kids
00:50 – Meet Zack Kasabo
02:28 – What Makes a Child Strong-Willed?
05:00 – Reframing Strong-Willed as a Strength
06:45 – The Problem with Labels
08:18 – Parenting Starts with You
09:44 – Breaking Generational Patterns
12:11 – Power Struggle Example: Clean Your Room
14:10 – Why Lectures Don’t Work
17:27 – Teaching Through Experience
20:21 – Start Before Grade School
22:02 – Don’t Ignore “Normal” Behavior
23:05 – Final Tips & Where to Find Zac
24:11 – Encouragement for Parents

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices