Evolutionary Parenting Podcast

This is a special episode of the podcast because it's focused on something highly relevant to us today. At this moment, we're faced with a global pandemic that we are trying to overcome. Over the past few months, vaccinations have become a crucial step in this process, but there are still questions and concerns that people have, especially around those who are breastfeeding or chestfeeding. I had the chance to talk with Dr. Rebecca Powell, an immunologist who has been at the forefront of the research trying to understand the impact of covid infection and vaccination on breastmilk and in turn, the impact for babies. Join me for this special episode that will hopefully alleviate any worries people have and help inform on this unique issue. Dr. Powell's Lab: https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/rebecca-powell-lab/ Articles of Interest: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004220309329 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.16.21253731v1 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.22.

A common view today is that when we are born, we are somehow born on even footing when it comes to the effects of how we are raised and what this means for us developmentally. We believe this despite the emergence of epigenetic theories that tell us otherwise, but the problem becomes how to actually study this given the myriad variables that are at play. This week I had the pleasure of talking to a leader in this field - Dr. Amanda Dettmer - and her work studying rhesus macaques to explore this very issue of not only intergenerational effects, but how our early life experiences impact so many facets of our lives. We also got talking about anti-animal research perspectives if that's something you're interested in. I hope you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it. Dr. Dettmer: https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/amanda_dettmer/ Dr. Dettmer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amanda_dettmer Relevant Articles: https://www.nber.org/papers/w27737 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002

We're all told that we need to be good parents, but what does this mean? Is it universal for all people of all walks of life? In this episode, I talk with my ongoing guest Dr. Levita D'Souza about a paper that piqued our interest looking at the relationship of parenting styles with emotion regulation in a predominantly lower-SES and African American sample. Through understanding the effects of parenting on emotion regulation, we can better understand the implications for child development in these marginalized communities. And yes, we need to consider the intersection of parenting and race and economics because these have profound impacts for what we might consider "a good parent". So let us take a look at this important work and what we can glean from it. The Paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/dev.21965 Dr. Joanna Wu: https://healthandhumansciences.fsu.edu/human-development-family-science/faculty-staff/wu/ Dr. Levita D'Souza: https://www.centreforperinatalpsychology.com.au/psycholog

When we explore our human evolutionary histories as they've been told so far, the central theme is often on the male experience. The hunter. The conqueror. How did male fertility traits impact relationships? And yet, what is most central to human survival? Procreation and raising the next generation which inherently should involve mothers and children. It is under this lens that Drs. Lesley Newson and Peter Richerson approach a new way of thinking about our collective evolution in their new book A Story of Us: A New Look At Human Evolution. I had the chance to have a wonderful conversation with them about this new story, what it involves, and what it means for us all moving forward. If nothing else, it should get you thinking. Dr. Peter Richerson: http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/richerson/richerson.htm Dr. Lesley Newson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lesleynewson?lang=en 'A Story of Us': https://amzn.to/3ehKYmE To learn more about the Evolutionary Parenting Podcast visit https://evolutionarypa

Despite a lot of talk about breastfeeding in our culture, very little discussion happens about the various ways that lactation and provision of breast milk is shared amongst nursing parents. We often think about lactation between one mother and one child and yet that is not how it presents for all families or for all children. From allomaternal nursing to breast milk banks, the world of cooperative lactation is diverse and reflects the needs of various communities and families, but many barriers remain. This week I had the utmost joy in talking about this with Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist, someone who I have admired for ages. I was so thrilled to be able to talk to her. I don't doubt you'll join me in that assessment of her work and her by the end of this interview. So without further ado... let's talk cooperative lactation! Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist's Faculty Page: https://sph.unc.edu/adv_profile/aunchalee-palmquist-phd-ibclc/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AunPalmquist Anthrolactology Podcast: https://ant

This week we delve into the world of breastfeeding advocacy with none other than the Badass Breastfeeder herself, Abby Theuring. It feels like no matter where you turn today, breastfeeding has become politicized beyond belief, and the voice of those whom breastfeeding directly impacts is left out. Whether it's women sharing stories of feeling shamed or bullied into breastfeeding or the polar opposite of the fed is best movement that moves us away from the support that individuals need to reach their breastfeeding goals, advocacy today is a landmine. Luckily it's one Abby is willing to enter and one that we explore in this hour. Join me as we get talking about breastfeeding advocacy. The Badass Breastfeeder: https://www.thebadassbreastfeeder.com/ The Badass Breastfeeding Podcast: https://www.thebadassbreastfeeder.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBadassBreastfeeder/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebadassbreastfeeder/ To learn more about the Evolutionary Parenting Podcast visit ht

Most people conceptualize dyslexia as an intellectual disorder, but that simply isn't the case. Although dyslexia is a struggle with reading, reading isn't all there is to our intelligence, just one component of our neurological profile. And as with most things in the brain, if one area is less reactive, chances are other areas are even more reactive. This week, we explore research into the emotional world of children with dyslexia with Drs. Virginia Sturm and Christa Watson, co-authors of a new paper examining how children with dyslexia process emotional stimuli and what this might mean socially for them. The findings might just surprise you. The Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010945220304081 Dr. Virginia Sturm's Page: https://profiles.ucsf.edu/virginia.sturm UCSF Clinical Affective Neuroscience Lab: https://canlab.ucsf.edu/ Dr. Christa Watson's Page: https://profiles.ucsf.edu/christa.watson The UCSF Dyslexia Center: https://dyslexia.ucsf.edu/ To learn more about the Evol

For years we have assumed that babies were incapable of complex empathy. We thought they could react to others' distress through emotion contagion but that was it. It turns out, we were wrong. This week we explore the empathic life of infants through the amazing work of Dr. Maayan Davidov who has been showing the world exactly how capable of empathy infants are. Join us as we talk about these discoveries and what it means for us parents. Papers Discussed: https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjop.12402 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/desc.13016 Dr. Maayan Davidov's Lab: https://www.davidovlab.com/ Dr. Davidov's University Page: https://en.sw.huji.ac.il/people/maayan-davidov To learn more about the Evolutionary Parenting Podcast visit https://evolutionaryparenting.com/evolutionary-parenting-podcast-2/

Most parents are led to believe that something is wrong with their babies (or toddlers) because they are waking at night, requiring assistance from parents to settle, or taking a while to fall asleep at night. The common solution is to "sleep train" to "fix" these problems. But what if these aren't actually problems? In this episode, Dr. Levita D'Souza and I discuss the reality of infant sleep and why parents need not be worried about many of these common infant behaviours. Knowing what is a sleep problem and what isn't - and why sleep training still isn't the answer to real problems - can help families make the right choices for everyone involved. To learn more about the Evolutionary Parenting Podcast visit https://evolutionaryparenting.com/evolutionary-parenting-podcast-2/

Did you know that half of all babies born today will develop allergies? Up to a third will become asthmatic or suffer from eczema? Chronic disease is something most families are facing with their children and it shouldn't be this way. Join me as I talk to Michelle Henning co-author of Growing Healthy Babies - an evidence based guide to helping reduce our children's risk for chronic disease - about what is going on and what parents can do to lower the odds. Growing Healthy Babies Website: https://www.growhealthybabies.com Michelle Henning's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growhealthybabies/ To learn more about the Evolutionary Parenting Podcast visit https://evolutionaryparenting.com/evolutionary-parenting-podcast-2/

Does your child snore? Breathe through their mouth? Seem to stop breathing for parts of the night? These are all examples of sleep-disordered breathing, something that can have a large impact on our children's quality of life but is often misunderstood or ignored by parents and medical professionals alike. In this episode, I speak with Dr. David McIntosh, a pediatric ENT who specializes in sleep-disordered breathing. He goes over why we need to care about these issues and what can be done to help families who are struggling. Dr. McIntosh's clinic: http://entspecialists.com.au/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/drdavidmcintosh Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/dr_david_mcintosh_ent/ Snored to Death*: https://amzn.to/38Q3hMA Don't Ignore the Snore*: https://amzn.to/3eS0jLm (*Amazon Affiliate Link) To learn more about the Evolutionary Parenting Podcast visit https://evolutionaryparenting.com/evolutionary-parenting-podcast-2/

Approximately 1 in 3 pregnancies will end in pregnancy loss and the risks are higher for women of colour. This is devastating for those who experience it and yet our culture and many of the people tasked with caring for us during pregnancy are not equipped to help families through these times. This episode I talk with Amy Wright Glenn, the founder of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death and the creator of Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss, a course designed for professionals to help them learn to care for those struggling with this loss. Not only do we touch on pregnancy loss, but our cultural struggles to cope with grief and death more generally. The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death: https://birthbreathanddeath.com/ The Institute on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birthbreathanddeath The Course: https://birthbreathanddeath.com/holding-space-for-pregnancy-loss/ Birth Breath and Death*: https://amzn.to/3lvByWN Holding Space: On Loving, Dying, and Letting Go*: https:/

It seems like you can't talk to anyone about your baby and their sleep without being told that you have to cry it out or use a modified version, like controlled crying. In our culture, it's the go-to for all sleep problems or even pre-emptive sleep problems. How did we get here? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jennie Rosier, a professor at James Madison University and my co-author on a paper in the Journal of Family Issues on the same topic. How we got here is an interesting story, albeit one that has nothing to do with science. Dr. Jennie Rosier: https://www.jmu.edu/news/media/faculty-experts/experts/rosier-jennie/ The Relationship, Love, Happiness Project: http://www.relationshipslovehappiness.com/ Love Matters Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NrlJggsXrfVNgp5Ycu1JY Jennie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relationshipslovehappiness Jennie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RelationshipsLoveHappiness Our Academic Paper: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0192513X20949891

We can only understand our present when we understand our past, right? But how can we do that when the evidence of that past is gone? When the stories aren't passed down or recorded? This week we explore this question with bioarchaeologist Dr. Sian Halcrow of the University of Otago who does just this. She studies the bones of dead babies to help us better understand the practices and environments in pre-history eras. From weaning behaviours to the effects of fertility to how inequality played into parenting, we cover what is known - and what isn't - from these early times. For more on Dr. Halcrow's work: https://childhoodbioarchaeology.org/about/ Some of Dr. Halcrow's work we discussed: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajpa.24033 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/evolutionary-human-sciences/article/care-of-infants-in-the-past-bridging-evolutionary-anthropological-and-bioarchaeological-approaches/C4BA1819159896C951B207DF630D0CE2 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-0

How does child anxiety affect sleep training? It's a question I've thought a lot about and always been frustrated that no one has ever thought to consider these children. This week I got to talk to Dr. Michal Kahn, the first researcher I know to consider the experience of anxiety - in this case separation anxiety - in the effectiveness of different sleep training methods. And while we don't agree on sleep training more generally, the concern for this subgroup was a shared point of interest. You can see the paper here (and email Dr. Kahn for a copy): https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article-abstract/43/4/zsz268/5611128 Here is her clinic's Facebook page if you want to find out more or seek any services: https://www.facebook.com/cascsleep/

Do you use artificial sweeteners? Did you use them while you were pregnant? In our quest to curb sugar, we've moved towards a high use of these sweeteners without necessarily thinking about the effects. This week I had the chance to chat with Dr. Meghan Azad, a lead researcher in the field of understanding the effects of artificial sweeteners (or non-nutritive sweeteners as I learned they should be called) to talk about the effects of their use in pregnancy on our babies - yes, our babies! Our discussion was based on a series of papers she's published which you can check out below. For more information on Dr. Azad's work and lab (and I hope to get her on again to talk about her breastfeeding work!), please check out her site here: https://www.azadlab.ca/ Relevant articles: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19490976.2020.1857513 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41366-020-0575-x https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/2/194 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2521471

Why does research not find a relationship between sleep training and attachment? Isn't the idea that we need to be responsive regularly to foster secure attachment? And isn't sleep training the opposite of that? This week, Dr. Levita D'Souza, a counselling psychologist and attachment researcher, joins me to discuss the many reasons why we may not find a relationship in the research. Or at least not as it's been studied. To learn more about the Evolutionary Parenting Podcast visit https://evolutionaryparenting.com/evolutionary-parenting-podcast-2/

What happens to the brain during pregnancy and beyond? How does our parenting impact our children's neurological development for life? This week, I speak to Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum, the world's first neuroscientist-doula, about the research on how pregnancy affects our brains and how it primes us to parent in particular ways. Not only that, but how this neurological priming impacts our babies' development and what kinds of parenting our babies are looking for. A must-listen for anyone interested in pregnancy, parenting, and the brain.

In this episode, Tracy Gillett (of Raised Good) and I discuss the issue of alternative schooling. Specifically, what does education look like when you aren't using modern schools? What kinds of struggles can you face and what are the benefits to things like forest schooling, homeschooling, unschooling, and more? Drawing on our own experiences and a discussion of the research on education, I hope this conversation will help families who are looking for alternatives gain a better understanding of the options out there.

In this episode, I had the chance to chat with Dr. Gerald Giesbrecht of the University of Calgary about a recent study looking at the factors associated with and outcomes of delaying our responsiveness to our babies cries. Is this something that is beneficial? What are the nuances in the research that often don't get the space in mainstream science reporting? We go into all of this here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.