Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman

Jessica Hochman, MD, Board Certified Pediatrician
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Welcome to Your Child Is Normal, the podcast that educates and reassures parents about childhood behaviors, health concerns, and development.  Hosted by Dr Jessica Hochman, a pediatrician and mom of three, this podcast covers a wide range of topics--from medical issues to emotional and social challenges--helping parents feel informed and confident.  By providing expert insights and practical advice, Your Child Is Normal empowers parents to spend less time worrying and more time connecting with their children. 

  1. 55M AGO

    Ep 218: Family Meals Made Easy, Tips from Aliza Sokolow, author of Children's Book: This is What I Eat

    Send us a text This week on Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with chef and food educator Aliza Sokolow, author of the children’s book This Is What I Eat, to make healthy eating feel simpler, more joyful, and actually realistic for busy families. Aliza shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she went from architecture to food media, to working with Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution in schools — where she saw how powerful basic food education can be.  Aliza talks about why how you present food matters, how to build routines without turning dinner into a battle, and easy ways to get kids involved (from grocery store scavenger hunts to soup, pesto, and banana bread). Plus: smart shortcuts to make cooking for your family easier.  Follow Aliza: Instagram: @alizajsokolowSubstack: This Is What I EatWebsite/prints: sokolowphoto.comYour Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form. -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 -To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

    37 min

  2. JAN 12

    Ep 217: Reducing Screens & Ending Homework Battles: The Parenting Playbook (Part 2) — with Mike McLeod

    Send us a text This is Part 2 of Dr. Jessica Hochman’s conversation with Mike McLeod, founder of Grow Now ADHD — and it’s packed with practical strategies. We talk about why internet-connected screens can be especially dysregulating for kids with ADHD, how to recognize when screen use is crossing into addiction, and what “authoritative parenting” looks like when you’re setting limits that kids will absolutely push back on. In this episode, part 2, we cover: Which types of screen time are most harmful (and why TV is different)The biggest myths parents tell themselves about gaming and social connectionHow to set boundaries without negotiating constantlyGetting kids out of the house and back into real-world experiencesChores and non-preferred tasks: why verbal prompting backfiresSchool accommodations that help — vs “accommodations” that set kids up to struggle laterWhat the “ideal school” could look like (and why many kids would love it)About Mike McLeod:  Mike McLeod is the founder of Grow Now ADHD. He has ADHD himself and began his career as a speech and language pathologist. He developed the Grow Now Internal Skills Model and provides executive functioning coaching and fully personalized parent training for families. Grow Now has expanded to multiple U.S. locations and serves families virtually worldwide. Mike also provides professional development training for educators and shares that his Executive Functioning Playbook books are scheduled for release in January (available for order now!). Website: grownowadhd.com Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form. -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 -To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

    28 min

  3. JAN 5

    Ep 216: ADHD & Executive Function: What Matters More Than Grades (Part 1) — with Mike McLeod

    Send us a text In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with Mike McLeod about ADHD, executive function, and why grades are not the best predictor of long-term success. Mike explains why ADHD is less about “attention” and more about missing internal skills — including self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, and self-evaluation — and how those skills show up at home through homework battles, emotional conflict, and daily routines. In Part 1, we cover: Why executive function predicts real-life success more than gradesThe “internal skills” behind ADHD behaviorsWhy home is often harder than school for kids with ADHDHow homework can toxify the parent-child relationship — and what to do insteadWhy real-life experiences matter more than lectures and worksheetsAbout Mike McLeod: Mike McLeod is the founder of Grow Now ADHD. He has ADHD himself and began his career as a speech and language pathologist, focused on improving children’s quality of life. He developed the Grow Now Internal Skills Model and provides executive functioning coaching and fully personalized parent training. Grow Now has expanded to multiple locations across the U.S. and also works with families virtually around the world. Mike also provides professional development training to schools and school districts, and he shares that his Executive Functioning Playbook books are scheduled for release in January (this month!). Please refer to the GrowNow ADHD website for more information!  grownowadhd.com Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form. -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 -To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

    30 min

  4. 12/15/2025

    Ep 215: When Period Pain Isn’t Normal: Endometriosis in Teens with Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch

    Send us a text In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with endometriosis specialist Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch, author of Beating Endo: How to Reclaim Your Life from Endometriosis and a key medical voice in the films Endo What? and Below the Belt. Dr. Orbuch explains what endometriosis is, why it’s so common yet underdiagnosed, and how it often first shows up in teens—not only as painful periods, but often as chronic gut issues, fatigue, and “IBS” that never fully resolves. She shares how she evaluates patients, why excision surgery is considered the gold standard, and how she combines surgery with pelvic floor physical therapy, gut work, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care to help patients truly heal. Also discussed: The red flags that period pain that starts interfering with school, sports, and social life is not normal.How endometriosis can show up years before a teen ever gets her first period.Why birth control can help symptoms but acts as a Band-Aid, not a cure, and doesn’t stop disease progression.How endometriosis is linked to infertility, and why diagnosing and treating it early matters.Practical next steps for parents: when to suspect endo, how to talk to your pediatrician or OB-GYN, and what kind of specialist to look for.This episode is meant to give parents a clearer sense of when to worry, when to push for more answers, and how to support teens who might be living with endometriosis. Connect with Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch Website: https://www.lagyndr.comIris Wings – Sanctuary for Endometriosis Surgery & Wellness 9001 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 207 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Phone: (310) 651-7333 Follow her on Instagram:@dririskerinorbuch@iriswings Buy her Book: Beating Endo: How to Reclaim Your Life from Endometriosis Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form. -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 -To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

    39 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    Ep 214: Raising Intuitive Eaters, with Kim Shapira, Dietician and Author

    Send us a text In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with dietitian and author Kim Shapira whose book This Is What You’re Really Hungry For helps people rebuild a peaceful relationship with food. Kim shares how her own childhood health struggles and experiences with patients led her away from traditional dieting and toward an approach centered on trust, body awareness, and emotional honesty around eating. Why using dessert or “treats” as rewards (for shots, potty training, etc.) can wire kids to use food for comfort.How to talk to kids about hunger and fullness without shaming them or making them feel watched.A different way to think about “picky eating” that avoids labels and keeps the door open for kids to change and explore.Practical ideas for structuring meals at home—like always offering fruits and vegetables, involving kids in cooking, and de-dramatizing snacks and sweets.Why obsessing over ingredients like seed oils may matter less than the bigger picture of connection, variety, and listening to your body.Instagram / X / general: @kimshapiramethod  Website:  Kim Shapira Method Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form. -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 -To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

    47 min

  6. 12/01/2025

    Ep 213: Screen addiction: how can we prevent this with our children? With Dr Nicholas Kardaras

    Send us a text In this flashback episode, we are revisiting my interview with Dr Nicholas Kardaras (episode 100) to discuss screen addiction and children.  Dr. Nicholas Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, an internationally renowned speaker, and one of the country’s foremost addiction experts.  He is the CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Maui Recovery in Hawaii and Omega Recovery in Austin, Texas. A former Clinical Professor at Stony Brook Medicine in NY where he specialized in teaching the neurophysiology and treatment of addiction. Dr. Kardaras is the author of the best-selling "Glow Kids" (St. Martin's Press, 2016), the seminal book on the clinical, neurological and sociological aspects of Technology Addiction (Smart Phones, Video Games, Social Media, etc.).  Dr. Kardaras is also the author most recently  of "”Digital Madness” where he further discuss the tech addicted world we live in and the harm it poses to our youth.  He has written for TIME Magazine, Scientific American, Psychology Today, Salon, The NY Daily News, and FOX News, and has appeared on ABC's 20/20, Good Morning America, the CBS Evening News, FOX & Friends, NPR, Good Day New York and in Esquire, New York Magazine and Vanity Fair. He was also featured on the 2019 A&E TV series “Digital Addiction” and his 2016 NY Post Op Ed “Digital Heroin” went viral with over 6 million views and shares. Considered a leading expert on young people and digital addiction, he's clinically worked with over 2,000 teens and young adults and has been active in advocating that screen addiction be recognized as a clinical disorder akin to substance addiction. As a result of his clinical training and expertise working with tech addiction, Dr. Kardaras has developed the most comprehensive treatment protocols to treat this emerging global problem.  Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form. -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 -To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

    54 min

  7. 11/24/2025

    Ep 212: Your Teen is Normal! A conversation with actual kids-- The hosts of the Holistic Kids Show

    Send us a text In episode 211 of Your Child is Normal, Abdullah, Emaad, Zain, and Qasim Ansari (Brothers spaning the ages of 10 to 17) hosts of the Holistic Kids Show podcast, share their journey of creating a podcast focused on health and wellness for teens. They discuss the importance of hydration, the impact of technology and social media, and effective parenting strategies. The conversation emphasizes the need for independence in children while maintaining a balance with guidance. The Ansari brothers also highlight the significance of healthy eating habits and spending time in nature. Their insights are backed by their experiences and the knowledge gained from interviewing experts in the field. They conclude by promoting their upcoming book, which aims to educate teens and parents alike on health and wellness. Follow: The Holistic Kids Show to listen to "kids empowering kids". Book The Teen Health Revolution, coming out Dec 11th! https://theteenhealthrevolution.com/ Your Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form. -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 -To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

    34 min

  8. 11/17/2025

    Ep 211: Is My Child’s Speech Normal? Speech Milestones & When to Worry (and When Not To) with SLP Melissa Minney, Raising Little Talkers

    Send us a text In today’s episode, I’m joined by speech-language pathologist and mom of three Melissa Minney, founder of Raising Little Talkers® and the Little Talkers® course for parents of babies and toddlers. Melissa has helped tens of thousands of families feel more confident supporting their child’s speech and language at home.  In this episode, we talk about: The most common speech concerns parents haveHow common late talking actually is – and how many kids catch up on their ownWhat typical speech and language milestones look like (with realistic ranges, not scary rigid cutoffs)What really counts as a “word” (animal sounds, “uh-oh,” “wawa” for water, etc.)Simple ways to encourage language at home: narrating, following your child’s lead, using sign, music, and booksWhy screens displace real-life interaction Myth-busting:“Boys just talk later.”“Two languages will confuse my child.”“The older sibling talks for them, that’s why they’re delayed.”“They’re just being stubborn and refusing to use their words.”If you’re worried about your child’s speech, or just want to be proactive, this episode is meant to reassure you, give you concrete benchmarks, and remind you that needing support doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with your child. Your child is normal – and there is so much you can do at home to help them communicate and feel understood. Connect with Melissa / Raising Little Talkers®: Website & blog: raisinglittletalkers.com raisinglittletalkers.comFree class: “Help your toddler say more words” – learn the 5-step Little Talkers® method 👉 learn.raisinglittletalkers.com/workshop learn.raisinglittletalkers.comLittle Talkers® self-paced online course for parents of babies and toddlers (about 2 hours, broken into short, practical videos) raisinglittletalkers.com+1Instagram: @raisinglittletalkersYour Child is Normal is the trusted podcast for parents, pediatricians, and child health experts who want smart, nuanced conversations about raising healthy, resilient kids. Hosted by Dr. Jessica Hochman — a board-certified practicing pediatrician — the show combines evidence-based medicine, expert interviews, and real-world parenting advice to help listeners navigate everything from sleep struggles to mental health, nutrition, screen time, and more. Follow Dr Jessica Hochman: Instagram: @AskDrJessica and Tiktok @askdrjessica YouTube channel: Ask Dr Jessica If you are interested in placing an ad on Your Child Is Normal click here or fill out our interest form. -For a plant-based, USDA Organic certified vitamin supplement, check out : Llama Naturals Vitamin and use discount code: DRJESSICA20 -To test your child's microbiome and get recommendations, check out: Tiny Health using code: DRJESSICA The information presented in Ask Dr Jessica is for general educational purposes only. She does not diagnose medical conditi...

    44 min
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About

Welcome to Your Child Is Normal, the podcast that educates and reassures parents about childhood behaviors, health concerns, and development.  Hosted by Dr Jessica Hochman, a pediatrician and mom of three, this podcast covers a wide range of topics--from medical issues to emotional and social challenges--helping parents feel informed and confident.  By providing expert insights and practical advice, Your Child Is Normal empowers parents to spend less time worrying and more time connecting with their children. 

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