In this insightful episode of Robot Unicorn, Jess sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman, author of 'When Life Happens.' They explore the empowering concept of body neutrality and discuss why the cultural pressure of toxic body positivity might actually be holding us back. Dr. Rachel unpacks the complexities surrounding GLP-1 medications, the rising impact of social media on orthorexia, and practical CBT tools for reframing our most anxious thoughts. Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies for embracing their bodies' functions, challenging negative self-talk, and modelling a healthy body image for their children. Tune in to discover why it is perfectly okay not to love your body every single day!

Want to hear more from Dr. Rachel?

Connect on Instagram

https://www.drrachelnyc.com/

Order her new book: When Life Happens

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: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

This week, Jess and Scott talk about how to reduce power struggles and brain stuckness. You'll gain crucial insights into why toddlers can't self-regulate, how 'radical honesty' diffuses tension, and why over-explaining rules can actually invite more defiance. Tune in to learn how to speak your child's language through play and become a more confident, trusted leader in your home.

Check out these Robot Unicorn episodes for more on the impact of screens, social media and gaming on our kids:

• How To Create Healthy Screentime Habits with Dr. Michael Robb (12/15/2025)
• The Impact Of Social Media, Gaming And Smartphones On Kids (6/9/2025)

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: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

In this episode of Robot Unicorn, Jess and Scott are joined by a very special guest—their 5-year-old daughter—who shares a story about her brain getting stuck on making a paper kite. The hosts dive into the fascinating concept of "brain stuckness," explaining why young children often fixate on a single idea and struggle with flexible thinking. Listeners will gain crucial insights into the "five-to-seven shift" in brain development, helping parents distinguish between intentional defiance and simple neurological stuckness. Discover why traditional logic often fails with kids and how understanding impulse control can help you parent with more empathy and grace. Tune in to transform your approach to toddler meltdowns and stubborn behaviour!

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: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

In Part 2 of our deep dive into allowances, Jess and Scott move from theory to practice, debating whether kids should receive an allowance at all. They explore the 'Spend, Save, Give' jar system and share personal strategies for teaching delayed gratification, including the controversial '24-hour rule' for impulse buys. They also discuss the importance of letting children make low-stakes financial mistakes now so they don't make big ones later. Finally, they address the privilege inherent in allowance and how to build financial literacy even if your budget is tight. Tune in to find out why Scott changed his mind and how to handle the 'I want it now' meltdowns at the store.

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: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

Is giving your kids an allowance a 'ridiculous idea' or a powerful teaching tool? In this episode, Jess and Scott dive into the heated debate on allowances. Scott reveals a major 180-degree shift in his thinking, moving from a firm 'no' to seeing allowance as a crucial way to teach financial literacy. They discuss how to give kids money without raising them to be entitled, the complicated link between allowances and chores, and how their own upbringings have shaped their views. Tune in for Part 1 of a conversation that could change how your family talks about money.

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: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

This week, we are revisiting a previously aired episode.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most vital, yet often overlooked, aspects of development and well-being: creativity. We explore the 'Creativity Crisis'—a documented decline in creative thinking since the 1990s—and discuss how parents can protect their children's innate imagination. We unpack the profound importance of unstructured play, not just for kids to process their world, but for adults to combat burnout. Listen for actionable strategies to foster creativity at home and find ways to rediscover your own sense of play.

This episode was originally released on 12/02/2024.

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: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

This week, we are revisiting a previously aired episode.

Is sending your child to daycare wrong? Will it ruin your attachment? In this episode, Jess and Scott tackle the highly controversial 'Daycare Wars,' sharing a personal story of being shamed for their choices. They dive into the intense guilt and judgment surrounding the stay-at-home versus working parent debate. Listen for a nuanced conversation that moves beyond black-and-white thinking to explore the economic and mental health realities many families face, and learn practical ways to preserve a strong, loving attachment with your child, no matter your childcare situation.

This episode was originally released on 08/19/2024.

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: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

This week, we are revisiting a previously aired episode.

When is it okay to punish your kids? This loaded question kicks off a deep dive into the difference between punishment and effective, long-term discipline. Jess and Scott challenge common parenting tactics like spanking, timeouts, and taking things away, explaining why these methods often fail and can even damage the parent-child relationship. Listeners will learn why a child's behaviour is a signal, not a fault, and discover powerful, connection-based alternatives. Move beyond the 'punishment cycle' and learn how to use modelling and logical consequences to teach skills that last a lifetime.

This episode was originally released on 06/10/2024.

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: podcast@robotunicorn.net.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!