Robot Unicorn – Details, episodes & analysis

In this revealing episode, Jess and Scott dive deep into why a messy house is a major trigger for Jess. They explore how their different upbringings shaped their attitudes towards cleanliness, with Jess craving order while Scott is more relaxed about clutter.

Jess opens up about feeling overwhelmed by visual chaos and struggling to be present with her kids when the house is messy. They share practical strategies they've found helpful, like setting boundaries around eating spaces and getting rid of excess toys.

Listeners will gain insight into managing their own triggers around household mess, communicating needs to partners, and finding a balance between cleanliness and embracing the chaos of family life.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin 

Artwork by Wallflower Studio 

Production by Nurtured First 

In this controversial episode, Jess and Scott dive into the heated debate around sending kids to daycare. They explore the "mommy wars" between stay-at-home and working parents - unpacking the guilt, judgement, and insecurities on both sides.

Jess offers a nuanced perspective, explaining how quality childcare providers can be an important part of a family’s "village” and how a strong parent-child attachment can be built whether a child is in childcare or at home.

Listeners will gain insights on:

• How to preserve attachment even when using childcare.
• The importance of finding caregivers who truly connect with your child.
• Ways to stay connected and present during the time you do have together.

This balanced discussion aims to ease parents' guilt and encourage more compassion, reminding us we're all just trying to do our best for our kids.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Today, we dive deep into the trenches of motherhood with special guests Emily Baldoni and Satya Twena, the dynamic duo behind the brand We Are Amma [www.weareamma.com]. These powerhouse women get real about the challenges of parenting in a society that often leaves mothers feeling unseen, undervalued, and utterly exhausted.

From the isolating postpartum period to the daily grind of juggling work and family life, Emily and Satya share their personal stories of struggle and triumph. They discuss the importance of building a support system, even if it means creating your own "village" from scratch.

But let's be real: sometimes, in the midst of the chaos, a simple text back from a friend can make all the difference. Jess and Scott share their own experiences navigating the unequal spotlight of parenting in the public eye.

Together, they tackle the tough questions: How do we break free from the suffocating expectations of modern motherhood? What does it mean to prioritize self-care when you're knee-deep in diapers and sleep deprivation? And why is it so hard to ask for help?

This episode is a rallying cry for parents everywhere who are tired of feeling like they have to do it all alone. It's a reminder that we're all in this together, even when it feels like we're worlds apart. There’s SO MUCH goodness in this episode! Can’t wait for you to dive in!

Hear more from Emily and Satya on Instagram, and check out We Are Amma , a team of mamas dedicated to empowering and nurturing mamas at every stage.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin 

Artwork by Wallflower Studio 

Production by Nurtured First 

Is there ever a time when it’s ok to punish your kids?!

Scott gets curious with Jess in this important episode on punishment.

Scott and Jess unpack different forms of punishment, such as spanking, timeouts, and taking things away, and discuss the research on how these impact a child's behaviour and emotional development.

Jess explains the research behind these common forms of punishment and how you can effectively discipline instead.

Throughout the conversation, Jess and Scott share personal examples from raising their own kids and discuss how to discipline in a way that teaches valuable life skills.

Listeners will gain insights into child brain development, the power of the parent-child connection, and a framework for using respectful, reasonable consequences that help kids learn.

This episode is a must-listen for any parent!

Want to learn more about the research behind these types of punishments? Check out this Nurtured First blog post. 

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First 

In this fascinating discussion, Jess sits down with world-renowned sexologist Shan Boodram for a discussion about all things sex, shame, and self-discovery. Shan shares her personal journey from curious kid to professional sex educator, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs she's faced along the way.

Together, Jess and Shan dive deep into the reasons why talking about sex can be so uncomfortable, exploring the societal conditioning and messages that contribute to feelings of shame and awkwardness around intimacy. They also tackle the importance of comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education and the impact it can have on reducing stigma and promoting healthy relationships.

For parents tuning in, Shan offers valuable insights on how to approach sex education with children, emphasizing the power of open, honest communication. She and Jess also delve into the challenges of balancing motherhood and sexuality, providing tips for postpartum parents looking to rediscover their sexual selves and rekindle the spark in their relationships.

Throughout the episode, Shan and Jess share personal anecdotes and vulnerabilities, creating a safe space for listeners to reflect on their own experiences and beliefs about sex. They ultimately challenge us to examine our internalized messages and encourage us to create a new, shame-free narrative around intimacy for ourselves and future generations.

Whether you're a parent, a partner, or simply someone looking to cultivate a healthier relationship with sex and intimacy, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that will leave you feeling empowered, informed, and a little bit more comfortable talking about sex.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Jess shares her personal journey, starting with being a high school student with a passion for helping people, her education in child development, and how she eventually became an online parenting educator.

After being on social media for over six years, Jess has noticed some troubling themes in the online parent education space. Jess and Scott discuss the pervasiveness of misinformation and fear-mongering in online parenting advice and share tips for identifying credible, trustworthy guidance.

Jess and Scott emphasize the importance of building a strong attachment with your child through simple, everyday acts of love and attunement and reassure listeners that parenting isn’t as complicated as it seems to be online.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

Who else loves the Twilight movies? Jess and Scott watched the movies together when they were dating, and today, they talk with one of their favourite actresses from this series, Ashley Greene! In this raw and revealing episode, Ashley opens up about her journey to motherhood and the importance of reparenting yourself first.

She openly talks about the challenges of postpartum, like the pressure to get your baby to sleep through the night. Jess and Ashley dive deep into the internal work she did to regulate her emotions and break negative cycles before having her daughter. Ashley also gets candid about the challenges of balancing a thriving career with being a present mother and learning to let go of perfectionism.

Ashley and Jess also talk about women’s health, periods, and how to raise daughters to feel no shame about their bodies. At the end of the episode, Scott and Jess talk about raising their daughters and how Scott can talk to their girls about periods!

Hear more from Ashley Greene on Instagram, and check out Hummingway, her company focused on education about reproductive and hormonal health.

Send us an email at podcast@robotunicorn.net to share how you’ve started teaching your kids about periods!

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

In this raw, unfiltered episode, Jess and Scott dive into the complex topic of pushing kids to do hard things. They explore the fine line between encouraging children to reach their potential vs. pushing them past their limits. Jess vulnerably shares how her own painful childhood experiences make it challenging for her to watch her daughter being pushed.

Together, they unpack the key ingredients kids need to build true resilience. This honest, nuanced conversation will make you reflect deeply on how your own past shapes your parenting and what really matters when helping kids tolerate frustration. If you’ve ever struggled to find the right balance with your child, this episode is for you.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

CW: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, Stillbirth, Alcoholism

In this heartfelt episode, you’ll hear singer-songwriter Christina Perri open up in a profound way. Christina talks to us about her journey from being a sensitive, deeply feeling child to an unexpected superstar. She shares how her deep emotions and sensory processing difficulties made her feel misunderstood and how she found solace in songwriting from a young age.

Christina takes us behind the scenes of her sudden rise to fame with the hit song "Jar of Hearts" and how she navigated the challenges that came with fame at an early age. She also discusses the incredible impact of her song "A Thousand Years," and Jess shares a surprising story about this song with Christina.

In this vulnerable and honest conversation, Christina shares her experience with pregnancy loss, including the stillbirth of her daughter Rosie. She discusses her advocacy work to expand prenatal testing to prevent pregnancy loss and the importance of talking openly about grief and keeping Rosie's memory alive.

Christina also shares how motherhood has shaped her current focus on healing, authenticity, and vulnerability in her music and public persona. She emphasizes the power of connection and shared experiences, especially among mothers, in overcoming difficult times.

Throughout the episode, we explore themes of sensitivity, creativity, grief, advocacy, and the importance of being vulnerable and true to yourself. This moving conversation offers a rare glimpse into the heart and mind of a talented artist and the experiences that have shaped her life and music.

Hear more from Christina Perri on Instagram! 

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First

In this episode, we dive deep into our personal histories with food, body image, and the societal pressures that have shaped our relationships with eating. Scott shares his surprising journey to a healthy, intuitive approach to food despite growing up without positive role models, while Jess opens up about her struggles with diet culture, food rules, and the pressure to "bounce back" after having three children.

Through our candid conversation, we explore the impact of childhood trauma on Scott's relationship with food and how cooking became a source of escape, control, and comfort for him from a young age. We discuss the role of hypervigilance in Scott's eating habits and how his ability to listen to his body's hunger and fullness cues has contributed to his healthy attitude towards food.

Jess, on the other hand, shares her experiences with restrictive eating, body image issues, and the societal expectations placed on women's bodies, especially after pregnancy. We examine the gender differences in body standards and the unfair scrutiny women face compared to the acceptance of the "dad bod."

As parents to three young daughters, we also discuss how to create a positive body image in children. We share our approach to exposing our children to diverse cuisines, the importance of family meals, and our goal of raising intuitive eaters who trust their bodies and enjoy food without guilt.

Throughout the episode, we offer insights and strategies for overcoming food rules, finding balance through moderation, and learning to trust one's body. We also highlight the power of food to connect us to each other and to different cultures, sharing our own experiences of exploring the world through meals.

This thought-provoking and relatable episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever struggled with their relationship with food or body image and for parents looking to raise children with healthy, intuitive eating habits.

Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids’ printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN.

Learn more about the Solving Bedtime Battles course here.

Credits:

Editing by The Pod Cabin

Artwork by Wallflower Studio

Production by Nurtured First