The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP
  • 5.0 (76)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Monthly

Wouldn't it be great to find a podcast for the Modern Working Mom that addresses life as a mom, life as a working mom with an ambitious career and life as a mom who wants to also have time for her own life? That is what the Modern Mommy Doc podcast is all about. We live in a world where we are supposed to raise kids as if we don't work and work as if we don't have kids (and don't even mention that we may also want to fit in some time for ourselves to read a book or take a SoulCycle class.) Everyone has an opinion on what it takes to be the perfect Working Mom in today's society. Most of the advice is unattainable, anxiety-provoking and certainly doesn't address how the modern working mom is supposed to make time for her own life. The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast helps working moms say "no" to unrealistic expectations for a perfectly-balanced life and say "yes" to what really matters. You'll hear inspiring interviews with experts in each of the core areas modern working moms who parent with intention know are critical for success –dreaming big, spending time on things that matter, making space for themselves, investing in their mental and physical health, parenting in partnership, and being intentional about the way they parent their kids. Your host is Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P. She's a Stanford-trained, board-certified pediatrician, author, speaker, blogger @modernmommydoc, mom of two and avid Peloton-er. Drawing on her own experience as a working mom in the modern world, she's curated a group of expert guests to help you find the credible advice you're looking for when it comes to taking care of your child, your career and yourself. We live in an era filled with so many questions around Working Mom Life and finding balance. On the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, you'll find the focused answers you've been looking for to truly have it all.

  1. 5d ago

    Your Neurodivergent Kid Deserves a Vacation (And So Do You): 7 Tips That Actually Work

    Vacation sounds dreamy...until you're the parent of a neurodivergent child navigating airports, new hotels, unfamiliar foods, and a completely blown-up routine. I see this in my practice all the time, and I've lived it myself. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to make family travel not just survivable, but genuinely good for your child and for you. I'm walking you through seven practical, real-world strategies for vacationing with neurodivergent kids, whether your child has ADHD, autism, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, or any combination of the above. From building visual itineraries to packing a sensory toolkit to giving yourself permission to ditch the perfect-trip fantasy. This is the travel prep conversation I wish someone had given me sooner. Here's my reminder to you before we dive in: messy doesn't equal failure. And your family absolutely deserves to make memories. In This Episode, I Cover: Why neurodivergent kids struggle with travel, plus what's really happening in their brains when routines break down How I recommend building a visual itinerary that actually reduces your child's anxiety before the trip even starts What I always put in a sensory toolkit (and why it's non-negotiable carry-on luggage) How to choose accommodations that set your whole family up for success The honest conversation I think every parent needs to have with their child before you leave and why overpromising a perfect trip backfires How to recognize early dysregulation and use exit strategies without guilt Why self-care isn't selfish on a family vacation and how I actually make it happen Mentioned in this episode: Find Out More About NeuroQure NeuroQure's ASD Insight™ test is the first of its kind. It detects autism risk not through behavioral observation, but through a simple, non-invasive skin sample. And it can be done as early as two days after birth. Built on eight years of rigorous academic research, ASD Insight™ gives you and your doctor actionable answers fast. Ask your pediatrician about the ASD Insight™ test, or go directly to neuroqure.com/order to take the first step. Learn More About NovaFerrum NovaFerrum is a clinically proven line of iron supplements specifically designed to solve the compliance problem — meaning, getting kids to actually take it. They offer great-tasting liquid and chewable options, no metallic taste, no artificial dyes, no added sugar, and they're gentle on little stomachs too. They even have formulas made specifically for preemies, infants, children, teens, and adults. So whatever stage you're in, they've got you covered. Because when a supplement actually tastes good? You spend less time negotiating at the kitchen counter and more time feeling confident that your child is getting what they need. Learn more at NovaFerrum.com New Book! Raising Body-Confident Kids You want your kids to love their bodies. You're still trying to do both. My new book, Raising Body-Confident Kids, helps you do both. Releases Sept 1, 2026. Pre-order your copy here: https://www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books

    22 min

  2. Jun 4

    Your Kid's Body is Not Your Report Card (But it Sure Feels That Way)

    I have a confession. My 12-year-old's face broke out and I panicked. Not in a calm, clinical, pediatrician way. In a this-is-somehow-about-me way. And I had to stop and ask myself: what is actually happening right now? In this episode, I'm getting honest about one of the most under-addressed parts of raising kids through puberty: what happens inside us when our kids' bodies start changing in ways that trigger our own stuff. The acne. The stretch marks. The weight shifts. The curves we weren't expecting. In this episode: Why seeing your kid's body change can instantly activate your own oldest wounds — and why that doesn't make you a bad parentThe part nobody talks about: how our kids' appearance has been tied to our worth as mothers, and why that distortion makes it impossible to show up clearly for themThree things you can do right now when you feel that panic risingWhy you don't have to be fully healed to get this right — you just have to be willing to look at what's yours This one is personal. I wrote an entire book on body image and I still felt it. If you've ever caught yourself having a reaction to your child's body that surprised you, this episode is for you. Read more. 📖 Mentioned in this episode: Raising Body-Confident Kids (available September 2026) Mentioned in this episode: New Book! Raising Body-Confident Kids You want your kids to love their bodies. You're still trying to do both. My new book, Raising Body-Confident Kids, helps you do both. Releases Sept 1, 2026. Pre-order your copy here: https://www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books Find Out More About NeuroQure NeuroQure's ASD Insight™ test is the first of its kind. It detects autism risk not through behavioral observation, but through a simple, non-invasive skin sample. And it can be done as early as two days after birth. Built on eight years of rigorous academic research, ASD Insight™ gives you and your doctor actionable answers fast. Ask your pediatrician about the ASD Insight™ test, or go directly to neuroqure.com/order to take the first step. Learn More About NovaFerrum NovaFerrum is a clinically proven line of iron supplements specifically designed to solve the compliance problem — meaning, getting kids to actually take it. They offer great-tasting liquid and chewable options, no metallic taste, no artificial dyes, no added sugar, and they're gentle on little stomachs too. They even have formulas made specifically for preemies, infants, children, teens, and adults. So whatever stage you're in, they've got you covered. Because when a supplement actually tastes good? You spend less time negotiating at the kitchen counter and more time feeling confident that your child is getting what they need. Learn more at NovaFerrum.com

    21 min

  3. May 21

    Your Kid Really Shouldn't Have All the Cookies (And No, That's Not Diet Culture)

    I was at the grocery store with my nine-year-old. She'd had a hard day (the class bully had gone after her) and she wanted everything. Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Brioche with Nutella. Red velvet cupcakes. Whipped cream straight from the aerosol can. And I said no to most of it. In today's episode, I'm talking about why. I'm also talking about why I think the "let kids eat whatever they want, whenever they want" message that's everywhere in the body-positive parenting space is missing something really important. Read more. Mentioned in this episode: New Book! Raising Body-Confident Kids You want your kids to love their bodies. You're still trying to do both. My new book, Raising Body-Confident Kids, helps you do both. Releases Sept 1, 2026. Pre-order your copy here: https://www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books

    24 min

  4. May 7

    Matrescence, Stress, and the Truth About Early Parenthood with Dr. Debbie Raphael

    When we become doctors, lawyers, or teachers, there are exams, certifications, and years of preparation. But when we become parents, we’re handed a newborn and sent home. Dr. Debbie Raphael—a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist—became a mother at the same time she began her child psychiatry fellowship. That unusual overlap gave her a rare opportunity: she was learning the science of child development at the exact moment she was living it. Over time, she began journaling about that experience, eventually turning those reflections into her forthcoming book, Carry My Strength, which explores the emotional and psychological layers of parenting. In this episode, Dr. Whitney and Dr. Raphael talk about the emotional realities of parenting—from the identity shifts that happen when we become parents to the ways our own childhood experiences shape how we raise our kids. Read more.

    50 min

  5. Apr 23

    Potty Training Isn’t Just Behavioral: The Hidden Science of Kids’ Pelvic Health with Quiara Smith

    Potty training can feel like one of the most stressful milestones in early parenting. There’s pressure from preschool deadlines, advice from every corner of the internet, and the nagging feeling that your child is the only one who hasn’t figured it out yet. But what if potty training struggles aren’t really about behavior at all? In this episode, Dr. Whitney talks with Dr. Quiara Smith, a pediatric pelvic health occupational therapist and founder of Aloha Integrative Therapy, about the many biological, sensory, and developmental factors that influence toileting. They discuss why constipation, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and muscle coordination all play a role in toileting success (and why the “three-day potty training method” often misses the bigger picture). If potty training has been a source of stress in your family, this episode offers a compassionate, evidence-based perspective on what might actually be going on inside your child’s body. Read more.

    35 min

  6. Apr 9

    Weight, Muscle, Metabolism, and Moms: What We’re Getting Wrong About Health with Matthea Rentea

    In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney sits down with obesity medicine specialist Dr. Matthea Rentea to unpack the complicated, often controversial topic of weight, metabolism, and health. They discuss why muscle and sleep play critical roles in metabolic health, and why many people struggle with food “noise.” They also talk openly about GLP-1 medications, diet culture, and how parents can model healthier relationships with food and bodies for their kids. This honest conversation explores the science, psychology, and lived experience behind weight and health without shame or oversimplification. Read more.

    47 min

  7. Mar 26

    Same Page Parenting: Communicating, Repairing, and Raising Kids Together with Martina Nova

    Parenting can bring enormous joy but it can also put significant strain on relationships. In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with registered clinical counselor Martina Nova, author of Same Page Parenting, to talk about one of the most common challenges couples face after having children: getting on the same page. They discuss the invisible mental load that many parents (especially mothers!) carry, why conversations about parenting and division of labor often go sideways, and how couples can communicate more effectively when emotions run high. The conversation also explores how family-of-origin experiences shape parenting decisions, how to repair conflict in front of kids in healthy ways, and why raising neurodivergent children can add additional layers of stress and complexity to relationships. This episode offers practical tools and thoughtful insights for couples who want to parent as a team even when things feel messy. Read more.

    48 min

  8. Mar 12

    Organizing for Real Life: Home Systems That Actually Work with MaryJo Monroe

    In this episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with professional organizer MaryJo Monroe, founder of ReSPACEd, to talk about realistic home organization strategies that actually work for busy families, especially those navigating ADHD, autism, and neurodiversity. Together, they explore how organization can reduce overwhelm, save time, and support emotional regulation without creating more stress. From decluttering kids’ spaces to creating ADHD-friendly routines and realistic systems families can maintain, this episode offers practical tools for building homes that support real life — not perfection. Learn more here.

    42 min
See All (219)

5
out of 5
76 Ratings

About

Wouldn't it be great to find a podcast for the Modern Working Mom that addresses life as a mom, life as a working mom with an ambitious career and life as a mom who wants to also have time for her own life? That is what the Modern Mommy Doc podcast is all about. We live in a world where we are supposed to raise kids as if we don't work and work as if we don't have kids (and don't even mention that we may also want to fit in some time for ourselves to read a book or take a SoulCycle class.) Everyone has an opinion on what it takes to be the perfect Working Mom in today's society. Most of the advice is unattainable, anxiety-provoking and certainly doesn't address how the modern working mom is supposed to make time for her own life. The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast helps working moms say "no" to unrealistic expectations for a perfectly-balanced life and say "yes" to what really matters. You'll hear inspiring interviews with experts in each of the core areas modern working moms who parent with intention know are critical for success –dreaming big, spending time on things that matter, making space for themselves, investing in their mental and physical health, parenting in partnership, and being intentional about the way they parent their kids. Your host is Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P. She's a Stanford-trained, board-certified pediatrician, author, speaker, blogger @modernmommydoc, mom of two and avid Peloton-er. Drawing on her own experience as a working mom in the modern world, she's curated a group of expert guests to help you find the credible advice you're looking for when it comes to taking care of your child, your career and yourself. We live in an era filled with so many questions around Working Mom Life and finding balance. On the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, you'll find the focused answers you've been looking for to truly have it all.

Information

  • Creator
    Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    219
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP
  • Show Website
    The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

You Might Also Like