More than Milestones

Kaitlin Rickerd
  • 5.0 (48)
  • PARENTING

Hosted by pediatric physical therapist, wife and mom of three, Dr. KC Rickerd, More Than Milestones is the podcast that goes beyond baby checklists and dives deep into real motherhood, real development, real relationships, and everything in between. Whether you’re supporting your baby’s motor development, navigating big kid emotions, or navigating a new stage of life & parenting, this show blends expert-backed education with the honest, unfiltered reality of motherhood. Each week, KC brings you conversations with trusted professionals—pediatricians, therapists, sleep and feeding experts, mental health pros, and more—plus raw, relatable stories from fellow moms and caregivers. No pressure to be perfect. Just honest conversations, support, humor, and community for the journey you’re on. If you're looking for clarity, connection, and a reminder that while supporting our children’s development is important, so is supporting ourselves - you’re in the right place, because it’s always more than milestones.

  1. 1D AGO

    24. Sex After Kids: How to Reconnect as Partners, Reignite Intimacy & End the Roommate Phase With Vanessa & Xander Marin

    If you’ve ever felt like your partner turned into a roommate after kids, this conversation is for you. I'm joined by the one and only Vanessa and Xander Marin. Vanessa is a licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in sex therapy, and Xander left his career at Google to focus on helping couples talk openly about sex. In this episode, we dive into the “roommate phase,” the bristle reaction, and what it really looks like to reconnect sexually after kids. Vanessa and Xander normalize the fact that every couple struggles with intimacy, from mismatched sex drives to communication breakdowns and share practical, realistic tools to help partners feel less alone and more connected.  Key Topics Covered Why intimacy shifts for every couple The “roommate phase” and how couples drift Preparing for how parenthood impacts your sex life Mom mode → me mode → we mode, and why transition time matters after birth Mental desire vs. physical arousal, including responsive desire How to communicate needs and invite reconnection without rejection Why sex shouldn’t feel like a chore—and how to rebuild real connection Follow Vanessa + Xander on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessaandxander/ Visit Vanessa + Xander’s Website: vmtherapy.com Their Book; Sex Talks: https://sextalksbook.com/ Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milesto nes.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

    52 min

  2. JAN 27

    23. Raising Boys In Today’s World: Reimagining Boyhood, Masculinity & Raising Emotionally Strong & Connected Boys

    Ruth Whippman, author and journalist,  joins us today to unpack America’s obsession with happiness, the loneliness baked into modern motherhood, and what it looks like to raise boys in today’s complicated cultural landscape. Drawing from her books BOY MOM and America the Anxious, Ruth shares why the way we pursue happiness often backfires, how isolation impacts parents, and the contradictory messages boys receive about masculinity, emotion, and identity. This conversation is honest, nuanced, and deeply relevant for anyone raising sons or simply trying to parent with more clarity and compassion. Topics we cover: America’s happiness obsession and why it often leads to more anxiety.Loneliness in motherhood and why we were never meant to parent alone.Contemporary boyhood and the conflicting messages boys receive about masculinity.Anxiety, gender roles, and the psychological impact of labeling boys as “toxic”.How early messaging shapes boys’ emotional development.Roughhousing, nurturing, and the unique role of fathers.Nature vs. nurture when raising emotionally intelligent boys.Screen time, sports overload, and the importance of unstructured play. Follow Ruth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthwhippman/ Subscribe to Ruth’s Substack: https://substack.com/@ruthwhippman Visit Ruth’s Website: https://www.ruthwhippman.com/ Get Your Copy of BOY MOM: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/boy-mom-reimagining-boyhood Get Your Copy of America the Anxious - Why Our Search for Happiness Is Driving Us Crazy and How to Find It for Real: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/america-the-anxious-book Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com

    47 min

  3. JAN 20

    22. Motherhood Overwhelm Solutions: Tiny Habits + Automation That Actually Make Mom Life Easier

    Motherhood doesn’t usually need another to-do list, it needs support that actually shows up in real life. Today I’m joined by Sharon Pope, founder of Shelpful, an AI-powered task manager created to help moms reduce mental load and make everyday life feel more manageable. Sharon, a mom of two, built Shelpful out of her own experience returning to work after maternity leave and realizing she was excelling everywhere except in caring for herself. What she wanted was simple reminders for the small things like drinking water or taking a pause so she created the tool she wished she’d had. We talk about why overwhelm is so common in motherhood and how tiny habits can create momentum, reduce decision fatigue, and make follow-through feel easier. Sharon also shares why celebrating small wins matters and how involving your kids in your routines can help model healthy habits while making them part of the process. You’ll hear real-life examples of how automation has simplified Sharon’s life, from never missing important emails to remembering preschool sign-ins. She also shares an underutilized app that’s already on your phone and surprisingly powerful, even if you don’t consider yourself tech-savvy. Plus, hear her hot take on “eat the frog” and the habit approach her ADHD brain actually prefers. Sharon’s Workshop: https://stan.store/shelpful/p/replay-automate-your-life Follow Shelpful on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelpful/ Find Shelpful in the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shelpful-ai-for-adhd-tasks/id6741499362 Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

    45 min

  4. JAN 13

    21. Sick Season Survival: Pediatrician Dr. Anjuli Gans’s Guide to Winter Illnesses

    Winter sniffles don’t have to send you spiraling especially when you know what’s normal, what’s not, and when to call for help. In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend Dr. Anjuli Gans, board-certified pediatrician at CHOP and the voice behind @resilientrascals, to walk us through navigating winter illnesses with newborns and young kids with more confidence and less fear. We cover how to prepare if you’re expecting a winter baby, RSV protection, the best way to take your child’s temperature, and clear signs it’s time to loop in your pediatrician. Dr. Anjuli breaks down common illnesses like stomach bugs, RSV, and croup, including what to have on hand at home, how and when to rehydrate, and which symptoms actually matter most. She also debunks common croup myths and explains the difference between typical, recurrent, and atypical croup. This conversation is packed with practical reassurance you’ll want to bookmark for sick season. Follow Dr. Anjuli on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resilientrascals/ Visit Dr. Anjuli’s Website: https://www.resilientrascals.com/ Dr. Anjuli’s Guides: https://www.resilientrascals.com/guides Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍 This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

    28 min

  5. JAN 6

    20. Becoming: Not Achieving: Rethinking Resolutions, Vision Boards & Intentions

    This episode is a little different. After sharing my 2025 reflections on Substack and intentionally celebrating the small wins I usually overlook, I felt a shift in how I wanted to approach the year ahead. That reflection led me to move away from a traditional vision board and toward something that feels more grounded and sustainable: a becoming board. In this episode, I walk you through how I set my intentions for 2026 and why focusing on who I’m becoming feels more aligned than focusing on what I want to achieve. We explore the idea of honoring natural seasons instead of forcing progress on an arbitrary calendar. I even share a surprising historical lesson about when the new year used to begin and why January 1st became the default. That discovery led me to rethink how I want to use the first few months of the year, which is why I’m focusing on what I’m calling “ministones” from January through March as a way to prepare for the bigger milestones I want to reach later in 2026. In this episode, I guide you through the exact exercise I used so you can try it for yourself. I reflect on 2025, explain why I’m treating 2026 as a season rather than a checklist, and share the core intentions I’m carrying with me into this year. I also talk about the power of visual reminders, a quote that created a major mindset shift for me, and an evidence-based reel from a behavior change expert that helped everything click. I’ve never felt this energized stepping into a new year, and my hope is that this episode helps you find a more intentional way forward too. Follow Karin on Instagram: @karinnordinphd: https://www.instagram.com/karinnordinphd/ Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍

    22 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    19. From Restraint Collapse to Co-Regulation: A School Social Worker’s Guide to Big Kid Emotions

    Brittany Brady is a school social worker with over a decade of experience and the founder of Bright Starts Co. Through her work in schools, Brittany noticed that many children were entering classrooms academically ready, but struggling emotionally, socially, and behaviorally. That insight led her to focus on what truly supports school readiness: strong routines, emotional regulation, independence, and confidence built at home. In this episode, Brittany helps us understand why kids experience frequent meltdowns and what’s really happening beneath the surface. She explains the power of pausing as a parent instead of reacting, how parenting scripts can support regulation, and what restraint collapse is, including what it looks like after a long school day. Brittany also shares simple, low-effort strategies families can use to minimize restraint collapse and help children feel safer and more secure through consistent routines. We wrap up the conversation by exploring how to help children feel seen and heard, along with practical questions parents can ask after school that go beyond the usual one-word responses. This episode is full of realistic, high-impact ideas you can implement without adding more to your already full plate. Follow Brittany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightstartsco?igsh=eDF0dWR3ZnFzaHd1 Visit Brittany’s Website: https://www.brightstartsco.com/store Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍 This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

    34 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    18. Is a Helmet Really Necessary? A Pediatric PT and Orthotist Break Down Flat Spots, Torticollis & Treatment Options

    In this episode of More than Milestones, I sit down with Becki Westover, a certified orthotist with Bloom Kids who has over 20 years of experience working with infants and families. Becki explains what a certified orthotist does and why helmet therapy can feel confusing or controversial for parents. We talk through common concerns about infant helmets, including weight, size, comfort, and whether helmets interfere with development. Becki clears up misconceptions by explaining how helmets are designed, what they’re made of, and how they support natural head growth rather than forcing change. The conversation also covers the most common types of head flattening, why cases seem to be on the rise, the impact of the Back to Sleep campaign on tummy time, and the connection between torticollis, IVF pregnancies, and head shape differences. Becki shares when helmet therapy is most effective, why some families are referred to neurosurgery first, and how parents can approach these referrals with more confidence and less fear. Follow Becki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckiatbloom/ Visit Becki’s Website: www.bloomkidsorthotics.com Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else. https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍 This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

    1h 1m

  8. 12/16/2025

    17. Baby Sleep Without the Pressure: A Conversation with Rachael Shepard-Ohta from Hey Sleepy Baby

    Today I’m joined by Rachael Shepard-Ohta, founder of Hey Sleepy Baby, for an honest look at what’s normal when it comes to baby sleep. Rachael started Hey Sleepy Baby in 2020 when she was newly postpartum with her second baby, and now as a mom of three, she has become a trusted voice for parents who want an alternative to sleep training. We talk about why sleep training doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing decision. After several personal failed sleep training attempts at four months old with her own child, she  accepted that she’d just respond to him when he needed her. A few months later, he slept through the night on his own. No program, no pressure—just development and biology doing what they’re supposed to do. Rachael explains why babies are meant to wake throughout the night and how none of us truly sleep in uninterrupted stretches. She also shares how the lack of maternity leave in the U.S. pushes so many parents toward sleep training sooner than they might naturally choose.  We dig into the myth of self-soothing and how temperament plays a  role in whether a baby can fall back asleep independently. We also get into the fears around attachment and why the more important question is how different approaches impact a child’s stress response rather than whether sleep training is inherently right or wrong. Rachael’s Podcast Episode with Tracy Cassels on Sleep Training: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-83-what-does-research-say-about-sleep-training/id1704569686?i=1000702040625 Rachael’s Free Guide on Better Sleep without Sleep Training: https://heysleepybaby.com/freebie-no-sleep-training Follow Rachael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heysleepybaby/ Rachael’s Website: https://heysleepybaby.com/ Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:  https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097 🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:  https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm 🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries? Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com  Go deeper with KC on Substack More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

    45 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

Hosted by pediatric physical therapist, wife and mom of three, Dr. KC Rickerd, More Than Milestones is the podcast that goes beyond baby checklists and dives deep into real motherhood, real development, real relationships, and everything in between. Whether you’re supporting your baby’s motor development, navigating big kid emotions, or navigating a new stage of life & parenting, this show blends expert-backed education with the honest, unfiltered reality of motherhood. Each week, KC brings you conversations with trusted professionals—pediatricians, therapists, sleep and feeding experts, mental health pros, and more—plus raw, relatable stories from fellow moms and caregivers. No pressure to be perfect. Just honest conversations, support, humor, and community for the journey you’re on. If you're looking for clarity, connection, and a reminder that while supporting our children’s development is important, so is supporting ourselves - you’re in the right place, because it’s always more than milestones.

Information

  • Creator
    Kaitlin Rickerd
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 More than Milestones
  • Show Website
    More than Milestones

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