The Driving Development Podcast

Dr. Jena Schultz, PT, DPT, PCS
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Parenting
  • Weekly

Driving Development is a parenting and child development podcast hosted by pediatric physical therapist and educator Jena Schultz. Each week, Jena breaks down the overwhelming world of parenting advice, developmental milestones, therapy, and child health through an evidence-based, practical, and refreshingly honest lens. Whether you're a parent, therapist, educator, or caregiver, you'll find thoughtful conversations about what the research actually says, what experts wish families knew, and how to make confident decisions for your unique child and family. From developmental concerns and parenting trends to controversial topics and everyday challenges, Jena brings nuance, critical thinking, and a healthy dose of humor to the conversation. Expect expert guests, real-life parenting stories, occasional rants, unqualified opinions, and a reminder that there is rarely one "right" answer—just the right answer for your family.

Episodes

  1. Oct 26

    Two PTs, Zero Hills Worth Dying On | With Meg Powers

    Two Pediatric PTs, Zero Hills Worth Dying On **Featuring Meg Powers, PT, DPT, IBCLC** Two pediatric physical therapists. Plenty of opinions. Absolutely zero hills worth dying on. Meg Powers is back on Driving Development, and we're tackling everything from fear-mongering in pediatric healthcare to developmental milestones, infant reflux, food allergies, and the importance of being willing to change your mind. We discuss why not everything needs to be labeled a red flag, what happens when healthcare professionals prioritize engagement over nuance, and why good clinical practice requires curiosity rather than unwavering certainty. Along the way, we get distracted by questionable analogies, shrimp pouches, professional gossip (the collaborative kind), and whether we'll ever manage to stay on topic. It's evidence-informed pediatric conversation with a healthy dose of skepticism, humor, and absolutely no hills we're willing to die on. In This Episode - Fearmongering and misinformation in pediatric healthcare - Developmental milestones, rolling, and the problem with labeling everything a red flag - Why changing your mind is a strength, not a weakness - Collaboration and communication between healthcare providers - Breathing, balance, and scoliosis research - Food allergies, anaphylaxis personal experience, and gastrointestinal symptoms in infants - Colic, reflux, and the importance of tummy time About Our Guest Meg Powers, PT, DPT, IBCLC, is a physical therapist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who brings clinical expertise, humor, and a refreshingly nuanced perspective to pediatric development and family-centered care. *A special shoutout to Meg and Provenance Wellness PT & Wellness!* Be sure to check out Provenance Wellness PT & Wellness to learn more about Meg's work and her approach to supporting individuals and families through physical therapy and wellness services. Stay Connected Enjoying Driving Development? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a parent, therapist, or caregiver who appreciates evidence-informed conversations without the unnecessary panic. Because raising and caring for children is complicated enough. We don't need to make everything a red flag.

    Two PTs, Zero Hills Worth Dying On | With Meg Powers

  2. Oct 1

    When Baby Tech Helps—and When It Adds Pressure | With Meg Powers

    Dr. Jena sits down with Philadelphia-area physical therapist and lactation consultant Meg Powers for a nuanced conversation about baby monitors, feeding trackers, milestone apps, and the growing pressure to optimize every stage of parenting. They explore when data can be genuinely reassuring, when it can fuel anxiety, and why trusted professional support and parental intuition still matter. In this episode: Difference between medically necessary monitoring & everyday tracking Why sleep data can be helpful—but shouldn’t override feeding needs When feeding logs reveal useful patterns and when it’s time to step back Why milestone apps can create unnecessary anxiety The case for simple, human support—like messaging a trusted provider Quick-fire answers to common developmental questions Guest: Meg Powers is a physical therapist and lactation consultant who runs a mobile private practice supporting infants, children, adolescents, and adults. @provenancewellnesspt Key takeaway: Technology works best as a supportive tool—not a substitute for individualized care, connection, and common sense. Keywords parenting, child development, technology, lactation, physical therapy, monitoring devices, sleep optimization, milestones, anxiety, baby tech baby products, parenting safety, technology in parenting, texting support, developmental milestones, parenting myths

    When Baby Tech Helps—and When It Adds Pressure | With Meg Powers

  3. Sep 25

    The Flat Head Debate: Why Doctors Keep Recommending Different Treatments

    Understanding Plagiocephaly, Physical Therapy, Helmets, and Conflicting Recommendations Content type Interview Primary goal Educational Summary Jena Schultz shares her personal experience with her child's head injury and explores the complexities of diagnosing and treating flat head conditions like plagiocephaly. This episode emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making and understanding the research behind treatment options. Keywords flat head, plagiocephaly, craniosynostosis, helmet therapy, physical therapy, infant head shape, parent guidance, pediatric care, research-based treatment, child development Key topics Differences in diagnosis and treatment recommendations for flat head Understanding skull development and head shape variations in infants Research findings on helmet therapy versus natural progression Importance of clinical assessment and individualized treatment Questions to ask your healthcare provider about flat head treatment Sound bites "Same baby, same head, different conversations" "Normal variation in infant head shape is quite broad" "Ask why and ask for the reasoning behind the recommendation" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and personal update from Jena Schultz 01:16 Jena's child's head injury and recovery process 02:38 Parenting stress and obsession with head shape 03:51 Understanding flat head and head shape variations 05:13 Types of head shapes: plagiocephaly and brachycephaly 07:28 When to consult a pediatrician or specialist 09:17 Normal variation in infant head shape and measurement standards 10:46 Research on severity levels and treatment thresholds 16:46 Treatment options: repositioning, physical therapy, and helmets 20:22 Research findings on helmet therapy effectiveness 23:24 Why recommendations differ and how to ask your provider 27:43 Key takeaways for parents about flat head management 28:23 Final advice: ask questions and make informed decisions 29:37 Jena's call for community involvement and volunteering

    The Flat Head Debate: Why Doctors Keep Recommending Different Treatments

  4. Jun 26

    5 Kids' Products I Wish Didn't Exist

    Do babies really need all the products marketed to parents? In this episode of Driving Development, pediatric physical therapist Dr. Jena Schultz reviews five popular children's products she wishes didn't exist—not because they're trendy, but because the evidence raises questions about their safety, effectiveness, or developmental benefits. From baby walkers and doorway jumpers to head-shaping pillows, baby seats, and electric scooters, you'll learn what these products are designed to do, what the research actually says, and what alternatives may better support your child's development. This episode is all about helping you make informed decisions—not perfect ones. Questions answered in this episode: Are baby walkers bad for development? Are doorway jumpers safe for babies? Do head-shaping pillows work for flat head syndrome? Are baby seats that prop babies into sitting harmful? Are electric scooters and hoverboards safe for young children? What baby products do pediatric physical therapists recommend avoiding? How can I support my baby's development without expensive gear? Plus, don't miss this week's Unqualified Opinion on why birthday party goodie bags might be the parenting tradition we should leave behind. Keywords: baby walkers, doorway jumpers, head shaping pillows, flat head syndrome, baby development, pediatric physical therapy, baby products, infant safety, child development, parenting podcast, developmental milestones, baby gear, evidence-based parenting.

    5 Kids' Products I Wish Didn't Exist

  5. Jun 19

    Is Tummy Time...Overrated?!

    Is Tummy Time Overrated? Tummy time has become one of the biggest buzzwords in baby development—but has the hype gone too far? In this episode of Driving Development, pediatric physical therapist and mom of two Dr. Jena Schultz explores where tummy time recommendations came from, what the research actually says, and why many parents feel like they're failing if their baby hates it. Spoiler: tummy time matters. But it's not magic, it's not the only way babies develop, and it's definitely not worth sacrificing your sanity over. If you've ever stressed about hitting the "right" number of minutes or wondered whether your baby's tears mean you're doing something wrong, this episode is for you. Driving Development Daily – daily developmental activities for your baby's first year 🎉 Use code PODCAST for 10% off the full program. Connect with Dr. Jena If this episode was helpful, share it with a parent, therapist, teacher, or caregiver who might need to hear it. Because child development isn't about finding the perfect answer. It's about finding the right answer for your family.

    Is Tummy Time...Overrated?!

  6. Jun 10

    Welcome To The Driving Development Podcast

    In the debut episode of the Driving Development Podcast, Jena introduces herself, shares a memorable parenting mishap involving a pool, stitches, and some questionable navigation skills, and explains why she created the podcast. She dives into the challenges modern parents face in an era of endless information, social media advice, and overwhelming expectations. Jena discusses the importance of evidence-based information, critical thinking, and finding solutions that work for your unique family rather than chasing one-size-fits-all parenting advice.

    Welcome To The Driving Development Podcast
  • 1 Trailer
    5 Episodes

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Driving Development is a parenting and child development podcast hosted by pediatric physical therapist and educator Jena Schultz. Each week, Jena breaks down the overwhelming world of parenting advice, developmental milestones, therapy, and child health through an evidence-based, practical, and refreshingly honest lens. Whether you're a parent, therapist, educator, or caregiver, you'll find thoughtful conversations about what the research actually says, what experts wish families knew, and how to make confident decisions for your unique child and family. From developmental concerns and parenting trends to controversial topics and everyday challenges, Jena brings nuance, critical thinking, and a healthy dose of humor to the conversation. Expect expert guests, real-life parenting stories, occasional rants, unqualified opinions, and a reminder that there is rarely one "right" answer—just the right answer for your family.

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