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 ...
…
continue reading
1
Do Parents Really Love All Their Kids The Same?
23:02
23:02
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
23:02
In this episode, Jess and Scott dive into the challenges of parenting multiple children and giving each child the love and attention they need. Inspired by a viral social media post, they explore topics like balancing attention between babies and older kids, feelings of guilt and defensiveness as parents, and how children crave connection at all ag…
…
continue reading
1
How Can I Protect My Kids From Sexual Abuse?
43:37
43:37
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
43:37
CW: Sexual abuse, grooming, sex-related topics After hearing news about a case of sexual abuse in their community, Jess and Scott are sitting down and answering listener questions about how to talk to kids about body safety and consent in a way that won’t scare kids and will protect them. They provide practical advice for parents on how to have age…
…
continue reading
1
The #1 Reason Men Are Silently Struggling With Mental Health with Samir Mourani
1:02:08
1:02:08
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
1:02:08
In this powerful episode, Scott and Jess are joined by Samir Mourani to have an open and vulnerable conversation about men's mental health. They discuss their personal experiences with anxiety, depression, and emotional breakdowns, sharing how they've worked to overcome societal pressures that discourage men from expressing emotions. A few importan…
…
continue reading
1
Q&A: Jess And Scott Get Real About Anxiety, Disagreements, And Personal Struggles
38:21
38:21
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
38:21
In this fun and casual Q&A episode, Jess and Scott answer listener questions and give you a peek behind the curtain of their lives and relationship. Discover Scott's favourite quality about Jess, hear about their most rewarding parenting moments and learn how they handle disagreements. They share vulnerable insights about managing social anxiety as…
…
continue reading
1
How Much Do Friendships Matter For Our Kids?
33:20
33:20
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
33:20
Jess and Scott discuss the delicate balance between nurturing children's friendships and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. They discuss the concept of peer orientation, share personal experiences, and offer practical advice for parents navigating their children's social worlds. Key insights include: 1. The importance of modelling healthy relat…
…
continue reading
In this solo episode, Jess shares her reflections on a recent conversation she had. The conversation was about whether or not children should hear the word “no” and how parents who follow “this new wave of gentle parenting” are no longer the leaders in their homes. In the episode, Jess shares her thoughts on this view and tackles a common misconcep…
…
continue reading
In this solo episode, Jess answers a listener's question. She explores how to become curious about and respond to children’s challenging behaviours like hitting. She breaks down four key reasons why children may hit and provides practical strategies for addressing each root cause. In the episode, Jess covers: How to get curious about why your child…
…
continue reading
1
"As A Skeptic Husband, I Couldn't See The Value In Gentle Parenting." A Conversation With Our Friend
54:11
54:11
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
54:11
In this episode, Jess and Scott sit down with their good friend Josh to discuss the changes he’s made in his parenting style over the last six years. Josh candidly shares his experience raising his highly sensitive son. He talks about how a more traditional approach to discipline wasn’t working and his original skepticism around gentle parenting. T…
…
continue reading
1
The #1 Reason Kids (And Adults) Cling, Whine and Act Out
32:57
32:57
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
32:57
In this important episode, Jess and Scott dive deep into the root cause of challenging behaviours in both children and adults: separation. Jess explains how our core need for closeness drives many of our reactions, from clingy children to angry adults. Jess shares some eye-opening insights on: Why behaviours like clinging, whining, and crying happe…
…
continue reading
1
Why Does Childhood Trauma Impact Your Parenting? With Dr. Cotler
59:02
59:02
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
59:02
In this insightful episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Tanya Cotler joins Jess and Scott to explore the complexities of intergenerational trauma and cycle-breaking in parenting. Dr. Cotler shares her expertise on how childhood experiences shape our parenting, the importance of curiosity and compassion in understanding our triggers, and practical way…
…
continue reading
1
"Why Does Mess Trigger Me So Much!?"
39:15
39:15
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
39:15
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 …
…
continue reading
1
The Daycare Debate: Does Sending A Child to Daycare Ruin Attachment?
37:03
37:03
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
37:03
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…
…
continue reading
1
Why Are Some Kids So Strong-Willed And Stubborn!?
33:01
33:01
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
33:01
In this eye-opening episode, Jess delves deep into the concept of "strong-willed children" and challenges common assumptions about defiant behaviour. Listeners will gain fresh insights on: Why the "strong-willed" label can be problematic and miss underlying needs. How sensitivity, power dynamics, and leadership struggles contribute to defiance. Pra…
…
continue reading
1
"You Really Want To Talk About Sleep Training!?"
40:20
40:20
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
40:20
In this episode, Jess and Scott dive deep into the challenges of infant and toddler sleep and parenting through sleep deprivation. Jess opens up about her struggles as a new mom trying to follow rigid sleep training rules and how she eventually found a more attuned, connection-based approach. In the episode, Jess and Scott discuss: The pitfalls of …
…
continue reading
One of the most common questions Scott and Jess get about Robot Unicorn is: “Was your communication always this good? How did you learn to be less defensive and stop fighting in your relationship?” In this episode, Scott and Jess dive into their journey from high school sweethearts to happily married parents. They share valuable insights on: - How …
…
continue reading
1
How To Set Boundaries With Your Parents With Libby Ward
1:14:04
1:14:04
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
1:14:04
This episode was so incredible that it was hard to choose a title. Other possible titles for this episode included: “How To Heal Your Trauma While Parenting” “Mothering When You Have A Difficult Relationship With Your Mother.” “Breaking Cycles Of People Pleasing And Finding Your Authentic Self.” In this episode of Robot Unicorn, Jess and Scott welc…
…
continue reading
1
"You Don't Spend Enough Time With Me!!"
34:37
34:37
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
34:37
In this episode, Jess and Scott discuss a recent incident in which their child told them that she doesn’t feel like they spend enough time with her. Jess unpacks her feelings of guilt around being a working mom, and Scott helps her understand the deeper reasons behind this guilt. They explore the struggles of dividing time and attention between sic…
…
continue reading
1
How Can I Reduce My Anger and Annoyance As A Highly Sensitive Parent?
52:18
52:18
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
52:18
Scott recently had a situation where he lost his cool with his toddler. In this episode, Jess and Scott unpack what happened and how he could do things differently next time by setting himself up for success as a highly sensitive person. They discuss what it means to be highly sensitive, from noticing subtle textures and needing things a certain wa…
…
continue reading
1
Feeling Like A Shell Of Yourself With Sarah Landry
1:08:16
1:08:16
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
1:08:16
CW: Self-Harm, Mental Health Jess sits down with Sarah Landry from The Birds Papaya to discuss the challenges of authentically sharing your mental health struggles online. Sarah opens up about her experience with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) and the courage it takes to be vulnerable about the messy, uncomfortable parts of life. They explo…
…
continue reading
1
How To Teach Kids About Body Safety And Consent: Tricky People, Secrets, And Safety Plans
44:39
44:39
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
44:39
CW: Sexual abuse, grooming, sex-related topics In this powerful episode, Jess and Scott discuss the importance of teaching body safety to kids of all ages. Jess has been educating parents about these topics for over a decade, and in this episode, she answers Scott’s questions about why it’s so important for parents and kids to understand body safet…
…
continue reading
1
Struggling With Mental Health After A Baby, And Finding Your Joy Again With Emily And Satya
1:14:08
1:14:08
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
1:14:08
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 postp…
…
continue reading
1
Spanking, Timeouts, And Taking Things Away: When Is Punishment Ok?
43:48
43:48
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
43:48
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Sex After Baby, Unlearning Shame, And Finding Your Sexual Self With Shan Boodram
1:16:26
1:16:26
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
1:16:26
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 t…
…
continue reading
1
Do We Overcomplicate Parenting? The Problem With #ParentingExperts
46:07
46:07
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
46:07
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 dis…
…
continue reading
1
What No One Talks About: Baby Sleep, Self-Worth, And Periods With Ashley Greene
1:05:01
1:05:01
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
1:05:01
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 …
…
continue reading
1
Forcing Kids To Do Hard Things: Raising Resilient Kids Who Can Tolerate Frustration
30:52
30:52
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
30:52
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 p…
…
continue reading
1
Feeling Misunderstood As A Sensitive Child: How Christina Perri Found Her Voice
1:15:43
1:15:43
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
1:15:43
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 fee…
…
continue reading
1
Is It Healthy Eating, Or Is It Trauma? Unpacking Scott's Relationship With Food
40:31
40:31
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
40:31
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 rule…
…
continue reading
1
Snickers For Breakfast: How To Let Go Of Perfectionism And Be Less Triggered
1:08:15
1:08:15
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب
1:08:15
In this raw and insightful episode, we sit down with our close friend Tryphena for a deep dive into the realities of parenting, friendship, and personal growth. Tryphena is Jess’s dear friend, a former educator, a mom of 2, as well as an Indian woman married to a French Canadian man. She opens up about the challenges of raising her neurodivergent s…
…
continue reading
Welcome to Robot Unicorn! In this trailer, you’ll meet my incredible co-host. We will explain the meaning behind the name and share what you can expect from this show. Robot Unicorn will officially premiere on April 22, 2024, at 5:00 am EST! We can’t wait for you to see all the magic we have in store for you!…
…
continue reading