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. 3D AGO

    29. Your Menstrual Cycle Explained: Hormones, Reproductive Health & Advocating for Yourself with Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins

    Hormones influence far more than just our menstrual cycle, yet many women reach adulthood realizing how little they were ever taught about their own bodies. Today I’m joined by Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins, a board-certified OB/GYN and passionate advocate for women’s health education. Together, we unpack why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies, why female health has historically been overlooked in medical research, and how everyday factors like stress, nutrition, and environmental exposures can influence our reproductive health. Dr. Perkins also walks us through the phases of the menstrual cycle in a clear, practical way, explains why tracking your cycle matters, and shares how parents can help normalize conversations about periods and body literacy for the next generation of girls. Key Topics Covered: Why women have historically been underrepresented in medical research and how that impacts care today.The cultural and lifestyle differences that shape our health and hormones.Rising reproductive health challenges, including infertility and hormonal imbalances.How nutrition, sugar intake, and ultra-processed foods affect hormone balance and overall health.Environmental factors that influence reproductive health, including stress and endocrine disruptors.Understanding the phases of the menstrual cycle and what’s happening hormonally throughout the month.Why different phases of your cycle can affect energy, strength, mood, and focus.The importance of teaching girls what’s normal when it comes to periods, pain, and cycle changes.Why hormonal birth control is often used as a quick solution and what conversations may be missing.Practical ways women can advocate for themselves and find providers who truly listen. Links: Follow Dr. Perkins: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callmedoctor.p On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Callmedoctor.p On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@callmedoctor.p On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@callmedoctor.p  Dr. Perkins’ website: https://callmedoctorp.com/  💻 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/ 🤝 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

    57 min

  2. MAR 3

    28. Perimenopause As a Reset, Not a Breakdown: Hormones, Nutrition, and Strength for Moms with Dr. Amy Shah

    Perimenopause isn’t a sudden switch, it’s a gradual shift that can begin years before most women realize what’s happening. I sit down with Dr. Amy Shah, double board certified MD and nutrition expert, to unpack what perimenopause actually is, why women’s symptoms have historically been misunderstood in medicine, and how to feel empowered instead of blindsided during this transition. Together, we reframe this season of life as an opportunity to build strength, resilience, and long term health from the inside out. Key Topics Covered: The 7 to 10 year hormonal transition and how it unfolds over time.Why women have been underrepresented in medical research.Cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone explained in simple terms.Early signs that signal shifting hormones.The gut hormone brain connection and why the gut acts as a control center.How nutritional needs evolve in your late 30s and 40s.Intermittent fasting for women and what to consider.Why prioritizing protein, fiber, and probiotics matters.Using food to build strength rather than shrink your body.Questions to ask when searching for a supportive healthcare provider. Dr. Amy Shah’s Book, Hormone Havoc: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/hormone-havoc-amy-shah-md?variant=43869469081634  Follow Dr. Amy Shah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramyshah/ Dr. Amy’s Website: https://amymdwellness.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 litt

    44 min

  3. FEB 24

    27. Rewrite Your Parenting Story With Therapist Eli Harwood: Attachment Styles Explained and What You Actually Need to Know to Raise Secure, Connected Kids

    Attachment isn’t just a parenting buzzword. It’s the invisible thread that shapes how we connect, love, and feel safe for the rest of our lives. In this powerful conversation, therapist, author, and the face behind @attachmentnerd, Eli Harwood brings nearly two decades of clinical experience to unpack what attachment really means, why secure relationships matter far beyond childhood, and how parents can intentionally build safety and trust with their children. From understanding the different attachment styles to exploring whether healing your own wounds can truly impact your parenting, this episode offers clarity, hope, and practical tools. Eli also shares four realistic ways to foster secure relationships at home and a simple but transformative activity that helps children feel safe bringing any topic to their parents. Key Topics Covered: What attachment is and why humans are wired for connection.The different attachment categories and how caregiver reliability shapes them.Why attachment styles are flexible and can evolve over time.How to identify your own attachment style and recognize patterns in your child.The pressure to “break cycles” and how that mindset impacts today’s parents.Whether healing your past can influence your child’s sense of security.What reflective function is and why it matters.A nuanced conversation around sleep training and attachment.Four attainable strategies to strengthen connection at home.A practical communication exercise to help kids feel safe opening up. Follow Eli on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attachmentnerd/ Follow Eli on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/attachmentnerd Visit Eli’s Website: https://www.attachmentnerd.com/ Eli’s Adult Journal: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/securely-attached-workbook Raising Securely Attached Kids: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/raising-securely-attached-kids The Mother/Daughter Journal - Uniquely Us: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/uniquely-us-mother-daughter-journal How to Deal with Your BEEP! So Your Kids Don’t Have To: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/how-to-deal 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

    56 min

  4. FEB 17

    26. My Hot Takes on Weddings, Wine Culture, Wearing Jorts + More!

    This episode is a fun, rapid fire hot takes roundup straight from my Instagram community, where nothing was off limits and everything from jorts to uninviting kids from weddings made the list. Pineapple on pizza? Pickle potato chips? Taking three kids anywhere in public? We’re covering it all. I share how my perspective has shifted from first time mom to third time mom and how experience has softened some of my rigid thinking. We talk shared bank accounts, who gets up in the middle of the night, in law dynamics, co-sleeping, mommy wine culture, intimacy after kids, and whether no gift birthday parties are actually a gift to parents. I also weigh in on helmets and torticollis, and one of those is absolutely not something to ignore. This conversation is lighthearted and honest, but also a reminder that most things in motherhood are nuanced and confidence often comes with time, growth, and doing what truly works for your family. 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. 🤍 This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

    40 min

  5. FEB 10

    25. Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Alyssa Campbell on Supporting Emotional Development in Ages 5 to 12

    Alyssa Campbell joins More than Milestones to dive into one of the most overlooked yet critical stages of child development: ages 5 to 12. With a master’s degree in early childhood education, research experience in emotional development, and as the founder of Seed and Sew and a two-time bestselling author, Alyssa helps parents understand why big emotions in big kids are not something to fix, but information to listen to. We explore how emotional and social development shows up differently in school-aged kids compared to toddlers, why connection is the foundation for everything, and how parents can stay close even as peer influence grows. This conversation offers practical insight for navigating big feelings, conflict, honesty, and tough topics with confidence and compassion. Key Topics Covered Why ages 5 to 12 are a critical and often overlooked stage of emotional developmentHow big emotions show up differently in school-aged kids versus toddlersWhy big emotions are not a phase, but important informationThe nine senses and how they influence emotional regulation in kidsHow to identify what triggers your individual child and what they truly needStaying connected as kids start prioritizing peer relationshipsHow to repair after missteps in connection with your childTalking to kids about puberty, sex, drugs, and peer pressure earlier than expectedWhy lying can be developmentally appropriate at this age and how to respondNavigating conflict between kids and knowing when to step in versus step back Follow Alyssa on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/seed.and.sew/ Alyssa’s Website: https://www.seedandsew.org/about Free Questionnaire: https://regulationroadmap.softr.app/ Get Your Copy of Alyssa’s Book Tiny Humans, Big Emotions: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/Tiny-Humans-Big-Emotions-book Get Your Copy of Alyssa’s Book Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amzn/big-kids-bigger-feelings-book Links & Resources 💻 Website & Blog:  https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/ 🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:  https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/ 📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097  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

    1h 7m

  6. FEB 3

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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
See All (30)

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
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 More than Milestones
  • Show Website
    More than Milestones

You Might Also Like