Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

Ep. 375: Puberty 101

Mon, 08 Sep 2025

Laura and Shanna reveal the funny and unusual things they've asked the internet recently in the special segment "What I Googled This Week," diving into the topics of puberty, kids' casinos, inappropriate words and more. Also, Laura reports on her family's action-packed week without childcare, and Shanna discusses how she handled taking her children on a trip to visit an ill grandparent. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-How to fill time with your kids during summer break

-Fun things to do around LA with kids

-Taking a family trip to visit an ill family member

-How to tell my child that their grandparent is sick?

-Questioning whether words and phrases are socially acceptable

-Deep diving into the world's cutest animal

-Educating your kids about puberty, periods and the menstrual cycle

-Video-game strategy (for moms)

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Peterson Automotive Museum

-La Brea Tar Pits

-Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

-Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

-Free LA Philharmonic rehearsals at the Hollywood Bowl

-LA East Side Parents Instagram Account

-Bush babies jumping on TikTok

-KPop Demonhunters Movie on Netflix

-KPop Demonhunters Soundtrack on Spotify

-Improvised Shakespeare Company

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 374: When Volunteering Gets Out of Control

Mon, 01 Sep 2025

In the special segment "Gripe Water," Laura and Shanna share the hilariously petty parenting problems that have been bothering them lately, diving into the topics of volunteering, school-attendance policies, parties and more. Also, Shanna reports on the highs and lows of helping out at her kids' summer camp, and Laura discusses the surprising activity that captivated her kids on their recent vacation to Portland. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Volunteering at your kids' events and activities

-Hiring teachers/counselors as babysitters

-Taking a summer vacation with kids to Portland, Oregon

-Going to the most amazing pinball arcade

-Going hiking with your kids

-Setting boundaries when it comes to volunteering

-Stringent school-attendance policies

-Feeding your kids at parties

-Frustrating experiences at kids' sports and extra-curricular activities

-Back-to-school shopping with your kids

-Taking your kids to an immersive art experience

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Next Level Pinball Museum and Arcade

-Forest Park in Portland

-Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 373 (For the episode where Laura determines that going to Portland every summer is her family's tradition)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

bit.ly/bfp-inito

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 373: Mom Jealousy

Mon, 25 Aug 2025

In Part 2 of “Checkin’ the Inbox,” Shanna and Laura answer more listener questions about everything from embryo storage to family traditions, to friend jealousy and more! Also, Laura reports on how her family managed a week without childcare after her kids finished preschool and camp for the summer, and Shanna talks about going to a mom meetup in an unexpected place. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-How do you manage work and childcare during the summer when your kids are out of school?

-Managing work-life balance as a mom

-Finding ways to connect with other parents at work

-Did Shanna ever make a decision about what to do with her embryos?

-Our favorite off-the-radar family traditions

-Jealousy vs. FOMO with your adult friends

-Some of our favorite TV shows of 2025

-An excellent audiobook that Laura recommends

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Menchies - The oft-mentioned frozen yogurt shop that Shanna and her kids love

-"Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings" by Laura Markham

-"What We Do in the Shadows"

-"The Ultimatum: Queer Love"

-"Severance"

-"Dying for Sex"

-"Dead Flowers" by J.M. Petrick

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 37 (For the first episode where Shanna talks about being unsure what to do with her frozen embryos)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

bit.ly/bfp-inito

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 372: When Is My Child Officially Potty Trained?

Mon, 18 Aug 2025

In the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox," Laura and Shanna answer listener questions about knowing when your toddler is officially potty trained, handling your kids' socially unacceptable habits, our worst bosses ever and more! Also, Shanna reports on the unexpected ending to a breakfast date with her 6-year-old, and Laura discusses the range of emotions involved in her 4-year-old's last week at preschool. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Spending one-on-one time with your children

-Kids' feelings vs. Mom's feelings about the last week of preschool

-How do you know when your toddler is officially potty trained?

-How do you handle your young kids' "annoying" habits?

-What are BFRBs?

-If we (and our kids) were vegetables, what would we be and why?

-What does a podcast producer do?

-The worst bosses that Laura and Shanna have had

-The unexpected activity that had Shanna and Elle laughing hysterically

-Mom's night out!

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-"Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent" by Gia Gambaro Blount and Laura Birek

-Laura and Gia's book on NetGalley - Get an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

-Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB)

-What does an artichoke flower look like?

-Potatoes - by Farideh

-"Dork Diaries 12: Tales from a Not-So-Secret Crush Catastrophe" by Rachel Renée Russell

-Kristen Schaal Is a Horse

-RadioLab episode "Loops"

-Jo Piazza

-Under the Influence Podcast

-"Everyone Is Lying to You" by Jo Piazza

-Father's Office

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 358 (For Laura's story about her ex-boyfriend)

This episode's full show notes can be found here.

Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

bit.ly/bfp-inito

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 371: Ouch! Facing the Pain of Parenthood

Mon, 11 Aug 2025

In the special segment "Never Have I Ever: Parenting Edition," Shanna and Laura reveal funny and unexpected things they've never done before having kids, including incidents that hurt their bodies as well as their egos. Also, Laura goes on an adventure with her mom friends that feels all wrong without her kids there, and Shanna eavesdrops on a conversation that ignites her competitive spirit. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Taking a tour of the WB lot in Los Angeles

-Feeling bad when you do fun things without your kids

-When you realize other parents are taking children's activities very seriously

-Doing scavenger hunts... in public... alone

-Accidentally hurting yourself when you're a mom

-How to wash LEGO

-Seeing food delivery robots in your neighborhood

-Wondering when your kid will be able to swim independently

Products, links, and resources mentioned in this episode:

-Warner Bros. Studio Tour

-Superman movie