Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica Hochman
Welcome to Your Child Is Normal, the podcast that educates and reassures parents about childhood behaviors, health concerns, and development. Hosted by Dr Jessica Hochman, a pediatrician and mom of three, this podcast covers a wide range of topics--from medical issues to emotional and social challenges--helping parents feel informed and confident. By providing expert insights and practical advice, Your Child Is Normal empowers parents to spend less time worrying and more time connecting with their children.
Ep 251: The Gut Microbiome: What Actually Matters for Kids? with Stephanie Culler, PhD
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What exactly is the gut microbiome—and how much does it really matter for our kids?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with Stephanie Culler, PhD, microbiome scientist and co-founder and CEO of Persephone Biosciences.
Stephanie explains how the microbiome develops beginning in infancy, why Bifidobacterium may be particularly important early in life, and how birth, diet, antibiotics, pets, siblings, fiber, and fermented foods can influence the bacteria living in our gut.
We also talk about:
• What the microbiome actu...
Ep 250: Is This Normal—or Is It OCD? What Parents Need to Know with Dr. Emily Aron
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Is your child's repetitive behavior just a normal childhood phase—or could it be OCD?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with child psychiatrist Dr. Emily Aron about how obsessive-compulsive disorder can show up in children and how parents can recognize when everyday worries, rituals, and routines have crossed the line into something that needs support.
We discuss the difference between OCD and anxiety, intrusive “junk thoughts,” compulsions, reassurance-seeking, perfectionism, and why well-intentioned parents can sometimes accidentally reinforce OCD by repeatedly reassuring or acc...
Ep 249: The Japanese Way of Parenting: What American Parents Can Learn About Manners, Independence & Community, with Lisa Katayama
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The Japanese Way of Parenting: What American Parents Can Learn About Manners, Independence & Community
What can American parents learn from the way children are raised in Japan?
In this episode, I sit down with Lisa, author of The Japanese Way of Parenting, to explore the cultural differences—and surprising similarities—between Japanese and American parenting.
Lisa shares what inspired her to look at her own Japanese upbringing after becoming a mother in the United States, and how she has incorporated elements of Japanese culture into raising her chil...
Ep 248: Why Your Teen Can’t Sleep: What Parents Need to Know, with Dr. Rakesh Bhattacharjee, pediatric sleep specialist
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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with pediatric sleep specialist Dr. Bhattacharjee, who leads the sleep program at Rady Children’s Hospital, about why sleep is so important for children’s physical health, mood, learning, attention, and athletic performance.
They discuss why teenagers naturally want to stay up later, how early school schedules work against adolescent biology, and what parents can realistically do to help. Dr. Bhattacharjee shares practical advice about screens, phones in the bedroom, caffeine, weekend sleep schedules, bedtime routines, and figuring out how m...
Ep 247: Feeding Kids Without Fear: Picky Eating, Nutrition & Practical Meal Tips with Jennifer Anderson
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with Jennifer Anderson, founder of Kids Eat in Color, to discuss her new book, Feed Them Well, releasing September 8, 2026. They talk about how parents can tune out fear-based nutrition messaging—including concerns about ingredients like Red Dye 40—and look past the marketing of “healthy” foods and hyper-palatable “healthy swaps.”
They also discuss what really matters when feeding kids, including prioritizing protein and fiber, understanding normal changes in appetite (especially during the toddler years), and helping prevent extreme picky eating through repeated food exposure, coming to me...
Ep 246: Healthy Kids Without the Overwhelm: Small Changes That Actually Stick with pediatric health coach Arielle Levi, PhD
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Parents today have access to more health information than ever—but does more information actually make it easier to raise healthy kids?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with Arielle Levi, pediatric health coach and co-founder of the Pediatric Health Coach Academy, about helping families turn health advice into realistic, sustainable habits.
They discuss what pediatric health coaching is, how it differs from the roles of pediatricians, dietitians, and therapists, and why simply telling families what they “should” do often isn't enough.
Jess...
Ep 245: Why it's Normal for Kids to Fear the Doctor—and How We Can Help, with Kaitlin Wiseman MD
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Why are so many children afraid of going to the doctor—and what can parents do to help?
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman is joined by family physician and Playhouse MD co-founder Dr. Kaitlin to discuss why medical visits can feel so overwhelming for children and how parents and healthcare providers can make them less intimidating.
They talk about the developmental reasons behind medical anxiety, the powerful role of parental emotions, how honesty builds trust, and practical ways to prepare children for vaccines, blood tests, and doctor's appointments th...
Ep 244: Helping kids with back-to-school anxiety, with Lynn Lyons
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman welcomes back anxiety expert Lynn Lyons, to discuss how parents can help children navigate back-to-school anxiety.
Lynn explains why reassurance isn't always reassuring, why parents often talk too much when children are anxious, and how simple changes in our language can build confidence instead of fear. Together they discuss what to say when a child doesn't want to go to school, when anxiety becomes a reason to seek professional help, and why learning to tolerate uncertainty is one of the greatest gifts we can give...
Ep 243: Why Are Kids So Picky? The Surprising History of Children's Eating | Helen Zoe Veit
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For years, many of us have assumed that toddlers are naturally picky—that children are simply born preferring bland foods, avoiding vegetables, and rejecting anything unfamiliar. But what if that's not actually true?
This week I'm joined by historian Helen Zoe Veit, author of Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History. Together we explore how picky eating became so common, why children in previous generations—and in many cultures around the world—ate the same foods as adults, and what history can teach us about raising confid...
Ep 242: Protecting Your Child's Vision: A Pediatric Retina Specialist Explains what parents need to know, Aaron Nagiel, MD, PhD
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What are the most common eye injuries in children—and how can parents help prevent them?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with Dr. Aaron Nagiel, pediatric retinal specialist and Chief of the Retina Division at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, to discuss children's eye health, vision safety, and the latest breakthroughs in retinal care.
Dr. Nagiel explains how the retina works, common retinal conditions seen in children, and the warning signs parents should never ignore. He shares real-world stories about sports injuries, Ne...
Ep 241: Beyond Medication: Natural Ways to Support Kids with ADHD, with Dana Kay
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ADHD affects nearly 1 in 9 children in the United States, and many parents wonder whether medication is their only option. In this episode, I sit down with Dana Kay, founder of the ADHD Thrive Institute, to discuss practical lifestyle strategies that may help support children with ADHD symptoms. Dana also shares her personal journey raising a son with ADHD and how that experience inspired her work helping thousands of families.
While medication remains an evidence-based treatment that helps many children, this conversation focuses on additional tools parents can consider alongside medical care...
Ep 240: Play First: Why Fun Is One of the Best Parenting Tools We Have w/ Dr. Kim Van Dusen
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In this episode, therapist and play therapy expert Dr. Kim Van Dusen explains why play may be one of the most powerful parenting tools we have: play strengthens parent-child relationships, reduces power struggles, supports emotional regulation, encourages independence, and helps children learn important life skills.
She shares practical ways to incorporate play into everyday routines, including chores, homework, transitions, mealtimes, and even those moments when parents are completely exhausted.
We also discuss the importance of independent play, why boredom can be beneficial, and how families can create more connection...
Ep 239: Divorce Through a Child's Eyes: What Parents Need to Know with Erica Komisar
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Divorce is one of the most significant transitions a family can experience—but how does it affect children, and what can parents do to minimize the emotional impact?
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, and bestselling author Erica Komisar to discuss the developmental and emotional effects of divorce on children. They explore why certain ages may be more vulnerable than others, how attachment influences children's reactions to separation, common mistakes parents make during divorce, and practical ways parents can help children feel secure during times of ch...
Ep 238: Your Child Doesn't Need to Read Early: What Really Matters for Literacy, with Ruth Rothfeld-Hochman SLP (my Mother-in-Law)
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Many parents worry about reading: Is my child reading early enough? What if my child doesn't like books?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica sits down with a very special guest—her mother-in-law, a speech-language pathologist and reading specialist with decades of experience helping children develop language, literacy, and learning skills.
Together they discuss the difference between speech and language, why comprehension matters more than reading words early, how parents can make reading aloud more meaningful, and the signs that may suggest a child needs ad...
Ep 237: What teens and tweens actually need for healthy skin? Dr Angela Casey, Dermatologist explains.
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Skincare has become a major part of teen and tween culture. From Sephora shopping trips to elaborate nighttime routines, many kids are using more skincare products than ever before. But what do young people actually need for healthy skin?
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with dermatologist Dr. Angela Casey about the rise of skincare among children and teens and how parents can help their kids make smart choices.
They discuss:
• Why skincare has become so popular among tweens and teens
• What products kids actually need—and wh...
Ep 236: Navigating Food Allergies and Early Introduction with allergist Dr Akansha Ganju
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Food allergies can feel incredibly overwhelming for parents — especially during infancy when introducing new foods for the first time. What does a true allergic reaction actually look like? And what should families know about new treatment options for food allergies?
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with allergist Dr. Akansha Ganju of Latitude Food Allergy Care to discuss the latest science around food allergies, eczema, early allergen introduction, and oral immunotherapy (OIT).
They discuss:
Why early allergen introduction mattersThe connection between eczema and food allergiesWhat mild vs...Ep 235: Parenting Through Anxiety: Practical Advice from Lynn Lyons (Replay)
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In this replay of episodes 31 and 32 of Your Child Is Normal, anxiety expert and psychotherapist Lynn Lyons shares practical, reassuring advice for parents raising anxious kids.
The conversation covers:
how anxiety shows up in childrenwhy reassurance can sometimes worsen anxietyhow avoidance strengthens fearways parents unintentionally accommodate anxietypractical strategies to help children build resilience and confidenceLynn explains the difference between normal worry and anxiety disorders, and offers concrete language and tools families can use at home right away.
To learn more from Lynn Lyons (highly encouraged!), visit...
Ep 234: Can we teach our children to be resilient and develop a high self-esteem? with Dr Joan Rosenberg
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What helps children become resilient? How do we raise kids with genuine confidence and self-esteem—while also helping them navigate disappointment, frustration, and uncomfortable emotions?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, I am replaying one of my favorite past conversations—originally released as Episode 51—with Dr. Joan Rosenberg, bestselling author, psychologist, TEDx speaker, and expert on emotional resilience and confidence.
In our conversation, we discuss how parents can help children build resilience, develop authentic self-esteem, and learn how to cope with life’s inevitable disappointments. Dr. Rosenberg explains...
Ep 233: Why Routines Matter (Without Being Rigid) — with Jessica Irwin, (Rooted in Routine)
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Parents hear it all the time: kids need routine.
But what does that actually mean—and how do you make it work in real life without becoming overly rigid?
In this episode, we are joined by pediatric occupational therapist Jessica Irwin, founder of Rooted in Routine, to talk about how simple, flexible routines can make a big difference for kids—and parents.
We discuss:
Why routines help kids feel safer, calmer, and less anxious The 5 key anchor points every family can focus on (and why it does...Ep 232: Motor Milestones Without Panic: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and When to Get Help w/ Daniella Brown
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When it comes to babies and movement, parents often ask:
Is my child developing normally? Should I be worried? And when is it time to get help?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman is joined by Daniella Brown, a pediatric physical therapist and founder of Proactive Pediatric Physical Therapy.
They cover:
What pediatric physical therapy actually looks like Common reasons children are referred (torticollis, delays, gait issues) What’s truly “normal” when it comes to milestones When to watch and wait vs. when to interv...Ep 231: Pumping 101: How to Make It Easier (and Less Overwhelming), with Tamari Jacob, One With The Pump
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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with pumping expert Tamari to break down everything parents need to know about pumping—from when to start, how often to pump, and how to make it actually work in real life.
They talk honestly about the challenges of breastfeeding and pumping, the pressure many moms feel, and why it doesn’t have to be as stressful as it often seems. Tamari shares practical, realistic advice to help make pumping more manageable—and even empowering.
This conver...
Ep 230: Sleep, Babies, and Sanity: What Parents Need to Know, with Chrissy Lawler, The Peaceful Sleeper
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Sleep is one of the most common—and stressful—concerns for parents, especially in the first year of life.
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with therapist, sleep expert, and mom of four Chrissy (The Peaceful Sleeper) to talk about how to approach sleep in a way that actually works for real families.
Chrissy shares a practical, intuitive framework for understanding baby sleep—from the early newborn months to teaching independent sleep skills—without rigid rules or one-size-fits-all approaches.
Togethe...
Ep 229: The Benefits—and Risks—of Labels in Kids, with Pediatrician William Wilkoff MD
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Why do parents feel so relieved when their child gets a diagnosis?
And when can that same label do more harm than good?
In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman speaks with pediatrician Dr. William Wilkoff, who has spent decades caring for children in Maine and writing for both parents and physicians.
Dr. Wilkoff introduces a powerful idea he calls the “Rumpelstiltskin effect”—the relief that comes from simply naming a condition. But as he explains, that relief can come with trade-offs.
Togeth...
Ep 228: Are We Over-Pathologizing Normal Boy Behavior? with Dr Michael Milobsky
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In part two of my conversation with Dr. Michael Milobsky, we talk about boys — and why so much normal boy behavior is increasingly being labeled as a problem. We discuss redshirting, kindergarten expectations, ADHD concerns, school environments that may not fit many boys well, and how to tell the difference between a child who is truly struggling and one who is simply developing normally. This is an important conversation for parents and educators about self-esteem, school readiness, and creating spaces where boys can thrive.
Your Child is Normal is the trusted po...
Ep 226: Raising Kids Without the Pressure: Feeding, Milestones, and Language Development with Jordan Koveleski Gorman
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In this episode, Dr. Jessica Hochman speaks with Jordan Koveleski Gorman, pediatric speech pathologist, feeding specialist, and founder of Eat Play Say, a platform that helps millions of parents support their children’s development through practical, realistic strategies.
Jordan shares why feeding has become such a stressful topic for parents — and how we can shift away from comparison and perfection. She explains the difference between food preferences and feeding problems, how parents can help kids expand their diets, and simple ways to move babies from pure...
Ep 227: Parenting Without Panic: Why Your Kids Will Be Fine, with Dr Michael Milobsky
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Why do so many parents feel overwhelmed right now? In this conversation, I talk with pediatrician Dr. Michael Milobsky about why modern parenting feels so anxiety-provoking — from social media and information overload to the pressure to optimize every part of childhood. We discuss what kids actually need from us, why temperament matters more than parenting hacks, and how parents can stop comparing, trust themselves more, and focus on connection over perfection. This is a thoughtful, reassuring conversation about raising kids with more confidence and less fear.
Your Child is Normal is th...
Ep 225: Wisdom from a Pediatrician with 40 Years of Experience, with Dr. Stan Block
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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with Dr. Stan Block, a pediatrician who spent more than four decades caring for children and is the author of Pediatrics Around the Block.
Drawing on years of experience in clinical practice and pediatric research, Dr. Block shares practical wisdom about the questions parents ask every day. They discuss why vaccines remain one of the most important tools in pediatric medicine, what normal speech development looks like in young children, how to think about ADHD concerns in active kids...
Ep 224: Kids Need Independence: The Science of Play & Risk — Dr. Peter Gray
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In this two-part conversation, pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with psychologist and play researcher Dr. Peter Gray about what kids actually need to grow into healthy, capable, well-adjusted adults.
In this episode, we talk about:
• Why play is not just fun — it’s biologically necessary
• What children lose when play disappears
• How over-structuring childhood may be backfiring
• What parents can do to foster independence
You can find more of Dr Gray's work here:
• His Substack: Play Makes Us Human
• His website: petergray.org
•...
Ep 223: Why School Is Stressing Kids Out (and What Parents Can Do) — Dr. Peter Gray
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In this two-part conversation, pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with psychologist and play researcher Dr. Peter Gray about what kids actually need to grow into healthy, capable, well-adjusted adults — and why modern childhood is drifting in the opposite direction.
In Part 1 we talk about why modern school has become such a major source of stress for kids — and what parents can do when changing schools isn’t realistic. Dr. Gray shares what he learned studying graduates of a self-directed school model, why curiosity matters more than pressure, and how to support kids a...
Ep 222: Understanding Motor Milestones & Development, insights from Allison Mell, Pediatric PT
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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, I’m joined by pediatric physical therapist Allison Mell, founder of Tots on Target. We talk about baby motor development in a way that’s both reassuring and practical — including what milestones typically look like, what matters more than the exact age, and how parents can support development at home without overthinking it (or overbuying ).
We cover common reasons pediatricians refer to PT — like torticollis and head preference, tummy time struggles, late crawling, and toe walking — and Allison explains what’s normal, what deserves att...
Ep 221: Navigating Childhood Tics and Tourette Syndrome: Expert Insights with Dr. Greenberg
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Navigating Childhood Tics and Tourette Syndrome: Expert Insights with Dr. Greenberg
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Greenberg, director of the pediatric psychiatry OCD and Tic disorders program in Boston, to discuss the complexities of childhood tics and Tourette Syndrome. Dr. Greenberg shares her extensive expertise and personal experiences to help parents understand what tics are, how they manifest, and their natural progression. She provides insights on effective treatments such as CBIT therapy and when medication might be necessary. Additionally, Dr. Greenberg emphasizes the importance of differentiating between normal t...
Ep 220: Understanding Pediatric Migraines with Dr. Amy Gelfand
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In this episode, Dr. Amy Gelfand, a child neurologist specializing in pediatric headaches, discusses the complexities and treatment of migraines in children. Gelfand explains the genetic nature of migraines and their commonality among kids, noting triggers like menstrual cycles and changes in sleep patterns. She elaborates on distinguishing features of migraines and provides insight into preventive and acute treatments, including NSAIDs, triptans, neuromodulation devices, and supplements. The discussion also covers the importance of a regular schedule, the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and recent advancements in migraine-specific medications. Dr. Gelfand emphasizes the...
Ep 219: Technology is here to stay, so how do we teach our kids to make better choices? with Aniko Hill, cofounder of DopaMind
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In a podcast discussion, Aniko Hill, shares her insights into limiting technology use for children. Aniko co-founded DopaMind, a nonprofit aimed at educating kids and parents about the effects of modern technology on mental well-being. Through schools and parent resources, DopaMind provides accessible, nonjudgmental education on making better tech choices.
It's really incredible what DopaMind is doing to help educate parents and children about having a healthy relationship with technology!
Here's a 1 minute video describing DopaMind
Here's an example of DopaMind at an elementary school
He...
Ep 218: Family Meals Made Easy, Tips from Aliza Sokolow, author of Children's Book: This is What I Eat
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This week on Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with chef and food educator Aliza Sokolow, author of the children’s book This Is What I Eat, to make healthy eating feel simpler, more joyful, and actually realistic for busy families.
Aliza shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she went from architecture to food media, to working with Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution in schools — where she saw how powerful basic food education can be. Aliza talks about why how you present food matters, how to...
Ep 217: Reducing Screens & Ending Homework Battles: The Parenting Playbook (Part 2) — with Mike McLeod
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This is Part 2 of Dr. Jessica Hochman’s conversation with Mike McLeod, founder of Grow Now ADHD — and it’s packed with practical strategies.
We talk about why internet-connected screens can be especially dysregulating for kids with ADHD, how to recognize when screen use is crossing into addiction, and what “authoritative parenting” looks like when you’re setting limits that kids will absolutely push back on.
In this episode, part 2, we cover:
Which types of screen time are most harmful (and why TV is different)The biggest myth...Ep 216: ADHD & Executive Function: What Matters More Than Grades (Part 1) — with Mike McLeod
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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman talks with Mike McLeod about ADHD, executive function, and why grades are not the best predictor of long-term success.
Mike explains why ADHD is less about “attention” and more about missing internal skills — including self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, and self-evaluation — and how those skills show up at home through homework battles, emotional conflict, and daily routines.
In Part 1, we cover:
Why executive function predicts real-life success more than gradesThe “internal skills” behind ADHD behaviorsWhy home is ofte...Ep 215: When Period Pain Isn’t Normal: Endometriosis in Teens with Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch
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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with endometriosis specialist Dr. Iris Kerin Orbuch, author of Beating Endo: How to Reclaim Your Life from Endometriosis and a key medical voice in the films Endo What? and Below the Belt.
Dr. Orbuch explains what endometriosis is, why it’s so common yet underdiagnosed, and how it often first shows up in teens—not only as painful periods, but often as chronic gut issues, fatigue, and “IBS” that never fully resolves. She shares how she evaluates patients, why exci...
Ep 214: Raising Intuitive Eaters, with Kim Shapira, Dietician and Author
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In this episode of Your Child Is Normal, Dr. Jessica Hochman sits down with dietitian and author Kim Shapira whose book This Is What You’re Really Hungry For helps people rebuild a peaceful relationship with food.
Kim shares how her own childhood health struggles and experiences with patients led her away from traditional dieting and toward an approach centered on trust, body awareness, and emotional honesty around eating.
Why using dessert or “treats” as rewards (for shots, potty training, etc.) can wire kids to use food for comfort.How to tal...Ep 213: Screen addiction: how can we prevent this with our children? With Dr Nicholas Kardaras
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In this flashback episode, we are revisiting my interview with Dr Nicholas Kardaras (episode 100) to discuss screen addiction and children.
Dr. Nicholas Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, an internationally renowned speaker, and one of the country’s foremost addiction experts. He is the CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Maui Recovery in Hawaii and Omega Recovery in Austin, Texas. A former Clinical Professor at Stony Brook Medicine in NY where he specialized in teaching the neurophysiology and treatment of addiction.
Dr. Kardaras is the author of the best-selling "Glow...
Ep 212: Your Teen is Normal! A conversation with actual kids-- The hosts of the Holistic Kids Show
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In episode 211 of Your Child is Normal, Abdullah, Emaad, Zain, and Qasim Ansari (Brothers spaning the ages of 10 to 17) hosts of the Holistic Kids Show podcast, share their journey of creating a podcast focused on health and wellness for teens. They discuss the importance of hydration, the impact of technology and social media, and effective parenting strategies. The conversation emphasizes the need for independence in children while maintaining a balance with guidance. The Ansari brothers also highlight the significance of healthy eating habits and spending time in nature. Their insights are backed by...
