Katie's Crib

Melanie Lynskey is fed up with the patriarchy and its impact on Hollywood and Mommyhood. The Emmy-nominated star talks candidly about her experience working on Yellowjackets after losing a pregnancy and three unsuccessful rounds of IVF. On the heels of accepting her first Critics Choice Awards, Melanie reacts to the attention garnered after she thanked one of the most important people in her orbit – her nanny, Sally. She and Katie swap stories about their own battles with body shaming in the industry, and how they’re actively protecting their daughters from internalizing the same toxic messaging.Melanie also opens up about her miscarriage, the emotional and physical toll it had on her, and why she felt it was important to speak up. Plus, what was the thing that convinced Melanie that Jason Ritter was real dad material? Hit that play button!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actress, comedian, activist, and all-around multi-hyphenate talent Milana Vayntrub joins Katie Lowes for an electric and honest conversation on the birth of her son, the struggles of juggling parenthood with online harassment, and her abortion story.   The "Werewolves Within" star relives her home birth-turned-hospital labor, and reflects on how she's working on prioritizing herself and her marriage since stepping into motherhood.  Milana also shares how she came to the decision to have an abortion in a prior pregnancy.   Plus, what is a sitz bath, and how can it help your vagina? Milana breaks it down for you: tune in and try it out yourself!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie sits down with actress and comedian Jenny Slate as she opens up about how her artistic life has shifted since having her daughter, Ida Lupine.    Jenny also talks about the struggle of having work-life balance while going through extreme exhaustion from motherhood, and coming to terms with her postpartum identity shift.   Plus, did you know that Jenny and her husband used a Tinder-type baby-naming app to name their child? Tune in for the full story! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The Handmaid's Tale” star Yvonne Strahovski joins Katie Lowes to chat about the pregnancies and labors of her two boys, work-life balance, and her thoughts on Roe v. Wade.    Yvonne describes the moments when she found out she was pregnant, and how her first labor was different from her first. She also went into detail about how the transition was for her to go from having one child to two, and how she was able to juggle responsibilities while filming on set.   Plus, speaking of “The Handmaid's Tale,” what was Yvonne’s reaction when she heard about Roe v. Wade? Listen in for the answer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy National Breastfeeding Month! To celebrate, Katie invites Alison Eakle (Shondaland’s Chief Content Officer of TV and Film) and Emily Rodgers (former corporate attorney turned stay-at-home mom) to chat about their experiences of surviving post-weaning depression.   The mothers discuss when they noticed that they weren't feeling like their usual selves, and some ways they tried to minimize depression around weaning. They also provide advice to fellow moms who may be suspecting they are also going through similar circumstances.    Plus, what are some additional things that this week’s awesome ladies have learned through post-weaning depression that no one told them about? Tune in for details!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Katie's Crib is back - with another two-part episode! Tune in as we talk about nannies for older children: infants, toddlers, and up.   In the first half of the episode, Katie talks with a nanny agency expert. Ryan Jordan is the founder and CEO of Educated Nannies. Educated Nannies is an agency that uses a personalized process to place elite nannies in homes within the Los Angeles area. Ryan discusses how to find and hire the right nanny for your older child.   After Ryan, Katie switches things up by bringing on a current nanny in the business. Nanny Connie is a childcare professional, and Hollywood’s “go-to” nanny. She has 30+ years of experience, and has helped celebrity parents like Jessica Biel and John Krasinski. She outlines how parents and nannies can work together in raising older children, and even provides some quick parenting tips along the way.    Plus, how can you make the most of your nanny’s services when he or she comes over to take care of your child? Listen for the answer!See omny

“How to Get Away with Murder” actress Aja Naomi King shares what it was like to experience a full-term pregnancy after two miscarriages, and how the journey of raising her son has been so far. The L'Oreal Paris spokesperson speaks about two miscarriages of her own before welcoming her first child. She also described in detail her home-turned-hospital birth, and how she and her husband today are raising their biracial child. Plus, want to know the full story behind how Aja posted her post-childbirth body on Instagram, for the world to see? Tune in for the answer! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Licensed psychologist Dr. Zack Blumkin provides Katie an in-depth walk through of validation for children, and how we can teach kids to acknowledge their self-worth. The Clinical Director addresses how to express validation, both verbally and through body language. He also outlines when it is a good time to validate children versus be stern, and when it is time for a child to be in therapy to further help develop such validation. Plus,what activities can your child engage in to further develop internal validation? Tune in for details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money money money, monnnnn-aye! This week, Katie's Crib is devoting an episode to helping parents teach children all about financial literacy.  In the first half of the episode, Katie talks to Ron Leiber, New York Times’ "Your Money" columnist. The two go into detail about how not to raise a spoiled child, what kids should get an allowance for, and how parents can have realistic conversations with children about the kind of schooling they can afford. Then, Katie speaks with the Fiscal Firecrackers podcast co-hosts, actress Susan Yeagley, and personal financial expert Galia Gishon. Galia and Susan share the best ways to set a child up from birth with a savings account. They also go into why parents don’t talk to kids about money, and how to break that cycle.  Plus, what is a “529 plan,” and how can it help your kids with college? Tune in for the answer! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sleep expert Dr. Shelby Harris shares with Katie what momsomnia is, and advice on how to get a better night’s sleep. The licensed clinical psychologist and mother outlines tips for couples who have to get up at different times of the day (and who share the same bed). She also outlines specific activities individuals can engage in before bed to get more sleep, and how parents can work together to prepare their own sleep plans before the baby arrives. Plus, did you know that parents sleeping in separate rooms doesn’t necessarily mean there is “trouble in paradise”? Tune in for the reason why this stigma was made to be broken. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NeighborSchools is a Boston-based tech startup that helps professional child care workers start in-home daycare centers. Tune in as NeighborSchools’ co-founder Bridget Garsh talks with Katie about how her organization is helping rebrand child care for children, parents and providers. The COO shares her personal experience of first trying to find childcare for her own two children, and why she started NeighborSchools. She also outlines the differences between NeighborSchools and a regular daycare, and the successes of the org since its founding in 2018.  Plus, are you a parent who is interested in opening a home-based care center yourself?  Listen in for tips on how to get started! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy early Father’s Day, and Pride Month! To celebrate, we’re re-releasing one of Katie’s early interviews back from 2018. Katie talks to Dan Bucatinsky, her Scandal co-star, author of the book, "Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight?" and father of two adopted children. Then, Katie speaks with adoption attorney, David Baum, about the legal process and what those considering adoption need to know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie welcomes Susie Menkes, PhD, a certified infant and toddler sleep training consultant (Founder, Healthy Little Sleepers) to talk about the ins and outs of sleep training. Then Abigail Morgan, MTOM, L.Ac., FABORM, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist (Clinic Director & Owner, FLOAT: Chinese Medical Arts​​) shares her experiences with co-sleeping and attachment parenting with her two kids. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation’s Founder Scarlett Lewis remembers her son’s memory, and takes us through the day she lost him to the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.   The mother and advocate describes the last time that she saw her son before he headed off to school, the tragic experience that happened soon after, and how she survived through the loss and stayed strong for both herself and her older son JT.   Plus, are you a parent who has gone through the loss of a child? Are you looking for advice on how to pull through? Tune in for Scarlett’s thoughts.   Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation: https://chooselovemovement.org Newton Choose Rwanda: https://www.newtownhelpsrwanda.org  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Kelly McCreary takes Katie Lowes and listeners inside her pregnancy, labor, and recovery experience after welcoming daughter Indigo Wren weeks early. From suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum to her bag of waters breaking at 23 ½ weeks to Indi’s extended stay in the NICU – almost nothing went according to Kelly’s birth plan. The first-time mama stresses the importance of normalizing and lifting the shame and guilt that can come with these frightening experiences. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Drew joins Katie to reflect on the pregnancies of her two children, and both the sorrow and joy experienced during some of life’s greatest moments.    The “Grey’s Anatomy” alum opens up about what it was really like being back on set just two weeks after giving birth, and the Dr. April Kepner storyline that triggered her own severe mom guilt.    Sarah also shares how her 10-year-old and 7-year-old have wrestled with God and purpose, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak, and the open talks she and her husband Peter have with them to help them navigate.   Plus, are you looking for some tips on how to help your children to get along? Sarah has a couple of pointers for you: listen for details! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

40-year old virgin and childbirth educator Lynette Weaver shares with Katie her experience of having an embryo adoption.    The former birth doula outlines the step-by-step process of the implantation. She also discusses why she chose this route instead of IVF, the pregnancy and postpartum struggles along the way, and how she is explaining to her son how he was born.   Plus, how is the labor experience for a virgin different from the experience of a sexually-active woman? Tune in to find out! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erica Chidi, Co-founder and CEO of LOOM, shares how she is using her digital platform to help people get out of the glib and into the details of women’s sexual and reproductive health.   In a patriarchal society steeped in shadow language around women’s bodies and experiences, Erica understands that words and specificity matters. In this episode, the author and former doula discusses everything from postpartum versus postpartum mood disorder to the need for biological empathy. Erica also digs into the type of curriculum LOOM offers to educate people on what to really expect before moving into the birthing experience and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peaceful parenting expert and TikTok influencer Destini Ann talks with Katie about raising children with strategic, calm and positive techniques.   Destini outlines what peaceful and intentional parenting is, and how therapy and self help guided her toward using the kind but firm approach. She also outlines tips and personal examples of how families can communicate with their own children when it comes to enforcing boundaries, power struggles, and getting kids to cooperate.   Plus, did you know that even as a peaceful parent, there are also areas where Destini is still developing in raising her two kiddos? Tune in to hear hilarious and relatable examples, and how Destini continues to push forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie chats with “This Is Us” actress Caitlin Thompson to hear about her pandemic pregnancy.   Caitlin describes how her pregnancy during the early days of the pandemic helped the development of her character on the popular NBC show. She also outlined how motherhood shifted her thoughts on her own self-identity. The two finally discussed postpartum, and how it’s looked at differently in different parts of the world compared to the United States.    Plus, did you know that Katie appears on “This Is Us”? Tune in to find out when her episodes air! The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.