Rewind: Choosing the Right Daycare and Tips for Transitioning with Elise Disher
This week we're speaking with with Elise Disher, M. Ed all about choosing the right daycare and how to transition your child in as seamlessly as possible. Childcare is such an important topic for parents and we know it can be fraught with worry! Here's what Rachael and Elise discuss inside the episode:
Why building relationships and attachment with staff is crucial during the transition into daycare or preschool
The benefits of a tailored and gradual approach to separation vs. "drop and go"
How parents can advocate for more involvement in the early learning environment and create familiarity for their child
Do children actually need daycare or preschool for socialization or social skills development in the first three years?
Quality early learning environments- what should they be prioritizing and what should parents look for and ask about when touring?
What parents should be focusing on during challenging behaviors
and much more!
Elise's work is all about promoting relationship-focused, attachment-based practices in early childhood settings. She consults with educators to help them implement these approaches and facilitate the Circle of Security program for both educators and families. She also supports families through key transitions into early childhood settings and provides guidance on navigating behavioral challenges. She is a mom to two little ones, aged 5 and 1, and brings over 18 years of experience working in the early childhood profession as an educator, teacher, director, and consultant. She holds a Master of Education and is a certified Circle of Security facilitator as well as a holistic sleep and wellbeing coach.
Her goal is to help build strong, secure connections between children and the adults in their lives, offering the support needed to thrive through the many stages of early childhood.
Mentioned in this episode:
Elise's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisedisher.ed/?hl=en
Elise’s Courses:
Supporting and advocating for a quality orientation support package
Masterclass - The brain behind behaviour- Understanding and responding to emotions and behaviours effectively
Circle of Security Parent Interest Form
Website umeplay.com.au
Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.
✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️
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Episode 100: Behind the Mic (and the Madness): A Candid Q&A with Rachael & Marley
Episode 100: Behind the Mic (and the Madness): A Candid Q&A with Rachael & Marley
In this very special 100th episode of No One Told Us, Rachael is joined by her most frequent (and most requested) guest, her husband, Marley —for an unfiltered, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation about parenting, partnership, and what it really looks like behind the scenes. They answer listener-submitted questions about co-sleeping, division of labor, marital rough patches, and their decision to have a third child…all while laughing at their own mess and sharing what’s worked (and what definitely hasn’t).
Together, they reflect on two years of podcasting, three kids, and how they’ve kept their connection strong (mostly) through the chaos. From the car clutter to the minivan love, and from toddler sleep to dad burnout, nothing is off-limits in this honest, relatable milestone episode.
Inside this episode:
Why they stopped at three kids and how they knew their family was complete
How co-sleeping (with boundaries) worked for them
The impact of COVID and postpartum depression on their marriage after baby #2
Why they don’t miss the newborn stage (and also kind of do!)
Their very different views on asking for help and involving family
Navigating burnout as a stay-at-home parent
Pet peeves (yes, they go there)
How they handle conflict, chores, and discipline as a team
Their take on gentle parenting and when it gets hard
Thoughts on intimacy, evenings alone, and rediscovering connection
Tips for prepping kids for babysitters, weddings, and overnights away
Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 86: Reimagining Boyhood with Ruth Whippman
Episode 5: How Your Relationship Changes After a Baby with Rachael & Marley
Episode 44: Q&A with Rachael and her husband, Marley
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️
✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨
Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast. Marley is a LCMSW and current Stay at Home Dad (not a HSB employee!)
Instagram | Tiktok | Website
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Episode 99: Inside the Mother Brain: How Parenthood Rewires Us with Chelsea Conaboy
Episode 99: Inside the Mother Brain: How Parenthood Rewires Us with Chelsea Conaboy
In this episode, Rachael sits down with journalist and author Chelsea Conaboy to explore what really happens to the brain during pregnancy and postpartum. Drawing from her groundbreaking book Mother Brain, Chelsea unpacks the myth of maternal instinct and shares what neuroscience is revealing about the profound brain changes that take place when we become parents.
Together, they dive into the emotional and psychological realities of new parenthood, the shifting identity of caregiving, and why understanding the science of the parental brain is a powerful step toward building more compassionate cultural narratives and systems that support families.
Inside this episode:
The major neurological shifts that occur in pregnancy and postpartum
Why “maternal instinct” is more myth than science
How caregiving changes all parents’ brains, not just mothers
The impact of identity shifts and anxiety in early parenthood
How brain science supports better parental leave policies
The role of sleep, stress, and societal pressure on new parents
Why the transition to parenthood is a developmental stage
Why understanding your brain helps you give yourself grace
And so much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Mother Brain by Chelsea Conaboy
Follow Chelsea on Instagram: @chelseaconaboy
Between Us Substack
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️
✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨
Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.
Instagram | Tiktok | Website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Episode 98: Nutrition, Misinformation & Modern Motherhood with Dr. Jessica Nurick
Episode 98: Nutrition, Misinformation & Modern Motherhood with Dr. Jessica Nurick
In this episode, Rachael sits down with nutrition scientist and registered dietitian Dr. Jessica Nurick to unpack the confusing world of nutrition, wellness, and parenting. From pregnancy food rules to the fear-based messaging around seed oils and formula, Dr. Nurick brings clarity and calm to a space often dominated by conflicting advice.
Together, they explore how wellness culture can create unrealistic expectations for new parents, why fiber is your gut’s best friend, and how to build nutrient-dense meals without overthinking it. With humor, empathy, and a strong public health lens, Dr. Nurick reminds us that evidence-based information, not internet trends, is what supports real families.
Inside this episode:
The influence of Dr. Nurick’s personal story on her career in nutrition
The harm of misinformation during pregnancy and postpartum
The truth about seed oils and why they’re not the enemy
Practical, realistic tips for feeding families
The microbiome’s love language: fiber
How wellness culture often fails (and pressures) new moms
The rise of crunchy mom narratives and how to separate fact from fear
How to identify credible nutrition sources
The bigger picture: public health, food access, and social support
And so much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Follow Dr. Jessica Nurick on Instagram: @drjessicard
Dr. Jess on substack: here
Dr. Jess on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjessicaknurick?lang=en
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate 5⭐️ and write us a review! ⬇️
✨For sleep support and resources, visit heysleepybaby.com and follow @heysleepybaby on Instagram! 😴☁️🤎✨
Rachael is a mom of 3, founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby, and the host of this podcast.
Instagram | Tiktok | Website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Episode 97: Parenting Hacks, Playful Discipline & Toddler Tantrums with Chelsea Anderson
Episode 97: Parenting Hacks, Playful Discipline & Toddler Tantrums with Chelsea Anderson
In this episode, Rachael sits down with parenting content creator and former babysitter Chelsea Anderson to talk all things tantrums, transitions, and the power of play. Chelsea shares her journey from marketing and babysitting to becoming a go-to voice for practical, creative parenting solutions on social media.
Together, they explore how playful parenting can shift a home’s energy, why transitions are “energy expensive,” and how simple hacks can ease even the toughest moments with toddlers. Chelsea brings humor, warmth, and a deep understanding of child behavior and reminds us that even boundaries can be playful.
Inside this episode:
Chelsea’s background in marketing and babysitting
Why kids test boundaries (and how to respond)
The power of playful parenting to prevent power struggles
Handling transitions with humor and creativity
Sibling aggression and managing big emotions
Nighttime routines and car seat battles
Why it’s okay to “bribe” sometimes
Helping toddlers feel in control without giving in
Chelsea’s upcoming book on babysitting hacks
And so much more!
Mentioned in this episode:
Chelsea on instagram: @chelsea_explains
Chelsea on tiktok: @chelseaexplainsitall
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
No One Told Us the truth about parenthood. WHY?!
Welcome to No One Told Us, the podcast where we uncover the raw, unfiltered truths about parenthood. I'm your host, Rachael Shepard-Ohta, mom of three and founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby. Each week, join me as we dive deep into the joys, challenges, and surprises of raising children with a mix of expert insights, personal anecdotes, and candid conversations.
From navigating postpartum anxiety to mastering the art of making mom friends, and from introducing solids to tackling tantrums, we cover it all. Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your go-to resource for honest advice, relatable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Join me as I sit down with experts in their fields, as well as friends, family, celebrities, and influencers, to share their experiences and wisdom on everything from sleepless nights to rocky relationships. No topic is off-limits, and no story goes untold on No One Told Us.
So grab a cup of coffee, pop in your headphones and join the conversation. This is the podcast everyone needed before they had kids- because now that those little ones are here, there's a lot to unpack. So let's pull back the curtain on becoming a first-time mom (or dad!) to share the good, the bad and the ugly. A little education, a little fun, and a whole lot of heart goes into each and every episode of No One Told Us to have you feeling less alone and way more empowered.
Canada - english