Whatcha Expecting?

Claire Tadokoro and Kate Herzlin
  • 5.0 (8)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

When a notoriously unprepared new mom and her chronically overprepared pregnant friend love each other very much, they make a podcast! Each Thursday, longtime friends Kate Herzlin and Claire Tadokoro discuss various aspects of pregnancy and new parenthood. They’ll chat about cravings and aversions, they’ll grapple with their identities, and they’ll tell a joke or two to offset the terror of their existential fears! With a big sister/little sister dynamic, their philosophies (or lack thereof) may differ when it comes to this huge life chapter, but they’re in it to judge each other – they mean, in it together! Kate’s Instagram: @KateHerzlin Claire’s Instagram: @ClaireTadokoro

  1. 4D AGO

    It’s a Christmas and/or Hanukkah Miracle!

    Happy holidays! This week, Kate and Claire discuss their plans for the winter holidays with their families as new moms, and consider the role religion will play in their sons’ lives. Has Rodney been baptized? What kind of synagogue might Anthony be raised in? How do you negotiate the role of religion for your kids when two partners have different relationships to religion? You know, just some light, fun, simple topics! Come for the holiday cheer, stay for Claire’s Catholic school anecdotes.  Weekly Plugs: Our Lady of the Presentation  Dreidel  Planned Parenthood Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.  Music by Christopher Morucci.

    33 min

  2. DEC 18

    The Doctor’s Visit, with guest, Dr. Rachel Tatz

    The doctor is in! This week, Kate and Claire chat with family medicine doctor, Dr. Rachel Tatz. They learn more about how to make the most of your doctor’s visit, and bring her their list of burning questions. What’s a medically riskier time, pregnancy or postpartum? What should new parents be more (or less) anxious about? What even IS family medicine? We’ll discuss these topics and more, including a few listener questions! Please note: Dr. Rachel’s commentary on this episode is not medical advice. For medical advice, please speak to your healthcare provider.  Weekly Plugs: Getting your car seat inspected Hannukah A nice pair of shoes    Aunt Lynn! Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.  Music by Christopher Morucci.

    43 min

  3. DEC 11

    Boo Boos

    Ouch! This week, Claire and Kate discuss the ever important topic of boo boos. From head bonks to little finger cuts, they talk about the minor everyday injuries their sons are facing as they grow. They reflect on how physical danger was treated in their own childhoods, and how fragile they did or didn’t feel as a result. They consider what it’ll be like to have their kids out in the world as they get older, and how to manage risk without instilling too much of your own fear in your kids. Plus, tune in for Claire’s hot takes on gentle parenting (not so gentle)! Weekly Plugs: Lexapro Ergo Baby Embrace Carrier The Breather Harmonicas Follow @whatchaexpecting. Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.  Music by Christopher Morucci.

    35 min

  4. DEC 4

    Babies' Day Out

    It’s a pizza party! This week, Kate and Claire recount recent adventures taking their babies out dining with them on (separate) outings for pizza. They chat about what makes a restaurant “baby-friendly”. When deciding whether to bring a baby with you out to dine, what do you owe to the other diners, to the staff, to your baby and to yourself? How do you divvy up the childcare duties when dining out with your partner? Hear all this and more — ahem — food for thought. Get it? We know you do, you brilliant listeners! Weekly Plugs: Solid Starts Blooming Hill Farm Sandra Boynton American Revolution  Follow @whatchaexpecting. Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.  Music by Christopher Morucci.

    34 min

  5. NOV 27

    The Thanksgiving Episode

    Season Two Episode Seven: The Thanksgiving Episode Happy Thanksgiving! This week, Claire, Kate and Joe share heartwarming, mundane and/or capitalist anecdotes from Thanksgivings past. They reflect on the things they’re grateful for this year, and the ways in which gratitude seeps into life in a new way. They discuss strategies for attempting to be more mindful of the things they’re thankful for on a daily basis, and close out with a special list of gratitude plugs. Did Joe do his plugs wrong, or is he maybe the only one who did them right? You be the judge! Gratitude Plugs: Leaning on family Cleverly deployed screen time  Having moments for yourself  Supportive partner  Mom friends  Pediatricians (Honorable Mention) Protein bars  Getting to re-live and shape childhood  Loving unconditionally  Laughing at farting  Follow @whatchaexpecting. Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.  Music by Christopher Morucci.

    39 min

  6. NOV 19

    Contact Naps

    This week, Claire and Kate are talking about everyone’s favorite time – naptime! They reflect on the unique challenges of putting a baby down to sleep for a nap vs. letting them fall asleep on you for a contact nap. “Should” you cherish all the contact naps you can, or “should” you make sure you put your baby down so they don’t come to rely on you to fall asleep? Joe shares his trick to help stay in the present for these fleeting moments, and no one’s surprised that it may or may not make everyone cry.  Weekly Plugs: Butterfly kisses (the song and the act) Central Park in fall Harlem Meer Richard Kind Contact naps Follow @whatchaexpecting. Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.  Music by Christopher Morucci.

    39 min

  7. NOV 13

    Developmental Milestones

    This week, Kate and Claire reflect on the developmental milestones their babies are expected to have reached by their respective ages. Fresh off a doctor’s appointment with a questionnaire that felt like a pop quiz, Claire wonders what it says about her as a mom that she didn’t know the answer to every question. They talk through the pros and cons of various apps and books that walk you through the different developmental stages, and how easy it is to obsess over one milestone or another (spoiler alert: it’s very easy).  Weekly Plugs: Verdello Baby Sparks Your Baby’s First Year Reese’s Pumpkins  Burt’s Bees Burp Cloths  Contact Naps  Cold Mist Humidifier Follow @whatchaexpecting. Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.  Music by Christopher Morucci.

    35 min

  8. NOV 5

    Social Smiles

    Season Two Episode Four: Social Smiles This week, Kate and Claire are seeing their sons’ personalities emerge. What makes them smile? How early on did they smile? What parts of Kate and Claire (for better or for worse) are they seeing in their sons? And how much of all this are they actually just projecting while their babies are just…being babies? With kids aged nine months old and two months old, Kate and Claire are both taking joy in the details of who their sons are in this moment. Joe reflects on his kids’ personalities and shares which elements existed from the early days. Listen to the end for some unexpected (mis)information about Vaseline! Saline Drops Vaseline Aquaphor Metal baby keys Follow @whatchaexpecting. Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.  Music by Christopher Morucci.

    34 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

When a notoriously unprepared new mom and her chronically overprepared pregnant friend love each other very much, they make a podcast! Each Thursday, longtime friends Kate Herzlin and Claire Tadokoro discuss various aspects of pregnancy and new parenthood. They’ll chat about cravings and aversions, they’ll grapple with their identities, and they’ll tell a joke or two to offset the terror of their existential fears! With a big sister/little sister dynamic, their philosophies (or lack thereof) may differ when it comes to this huge life chapter, but they’re in it to judge each other – they mean, in it together! Kate’s Instagram: @KateHerzlin Claire’s Instagram: @ClaireTadokoro

Information

  • Creator
    Claire Tadokoro and Kate Herzlin
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Claire Tadokoro and Kate Herzlin
  • Show Website
    Whatcha Expecting?

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