Join me, Jess VanderWier, a registered psychotherapist, mom of three, and founder of Nurtured First, along with my husband Scott, as we dive deep into the stori...
Beyond Food: A New Way To Look At Picky Eating And Mealtimes with Dr. Deborah MacNamara
Friends, you don’t want to miss this episode. The one and only Dr. MacNamara joins Jess and Scott to dive deep into the topic of food.Discover why nourishment is far more than just calories—it’s about love, care, and the rituals that bring families together. Dr. MacNamara shares compelling research and personal stories that reveal how non-coercive, provider-led approaches can turn picky eating into a journey of growth and connection. Hear more from Dr. MacNamara in her books: Nourished: Connection, Food, and Caring for Our Kids (And Everyone Else We Love)Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (Or Anyone Who Acts Like One)Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected]. Credits:Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First
Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.
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School Refusal, Anxiety, And Separation Struggles
Scott and Jess dive into the pressing issue of school refusal—a challenge affecting children of all ages. They explore the roots of this behaviour, from the natural separation anxiety seen in toddlers to the compounded social, academic, and emotional pressures faced by older children. They also discuss how parental anxiety can inadvertently reinforce a child’s reluctance to attend school. You’ll get tools to understand, support, and nurture your child through these challenging times. If you are looking for more resources to support your child through school refusal, anxiety and separation struggles, we can help: Separations & Goodbyes Course – If your child struggles with separation anxiety—whether at school drop-off, with a babysitter, or at bedtime—this course provides the tools and support to make goodbyes easier.The School Toolkit – Whether your child is starting a new school, facing challenges at school, or you simply want to help them feel more confident, this toolkit is designed to support them every step of the way.The Friendship Toolkit – From making new friends to handling friendship ups and downs, this toolkit helps kids navigate social challenges with confidence.The Worry Toolkit – If your child has big worries—about school or anything else—this toolkit offers practical strategies to help them manage anxiety and feel more at ease. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected]. Credits:Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First
Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.
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How To Help Your Angry Child
Scott and Jess explore anger in children (and adults), breaking down why children get angry, how anger is often masked by other emotions, and the role of genetics and environment in shaping behaviour. The episode provides hope for parents struggling with intergenerational anger and practical tools for helping kids learn to cope with overwhelming emotions. If you want to help your child learn tools to cope with their anger, check out The Anger Toolkit here. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected]. Credits:Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First
Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.
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5 Love Languages: Are They Helpful Or Harmful?
Scott and Jess take a deep dive into the popular "Five Love Languages" concept and reveal why this relationship framework might be too simplistic for real-life emotional connection. Jess and Scott cover topics like: codependency, attachment styles, and building trust in relationships. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected]. Credits:Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First
Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.
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55:48
Why Children Lie: And What To Do About It
In this episode, Jess and Scott explore the reasons why children lie and how to help them stop lying. Drawing on personal anecdotes and developmental insights, they explain how different forms of lying emerge as natural parts of childhood while also sharing practical strategies to build a trusting, curiosity-driven relationship with your child. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: [email protected]. Credits:Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First
Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.
Join me, Jess VanderWier, a registered psychotherapist, mom of three, and founder of Nurtured First, along with my husband Scott, as we dive deep into the stories of our friends, favourite celebrities, and influential figures.
In each episode, we skip the small talk and dive into vulnerable and honest conversations about topics like cycle breaking, trauma, race, mental health, parenting, sex, religion, postpartum, healing, and loss.
We are glad you are here.
PS: The name Robot Unicorn comes from our daughter. When we asked her what we should name the podcast, she confidently came up with this name because she loves robots, and she loves unicorns, so why not? There was something about the playfulness of the name, the confidence in her voice, and the fact that it represents that you can love two things at once that just felt right.
Canada - english