Podcast · Kids & Family

"Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent

by Stephanie Greunke, RD and Dr. Elana Roumell, ND · English · Kids & Family

Join Dr. Elana Roumell, naturopathic doctor and mom of 4, and Stephanie Greunke, registered dietitian and mom of 2, for short, pediatric-focused episodes that help you support your kids with a natural-minded, balanced approach. You'll get practical sick day tips, simple nutrition support, and clear

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 17 min
Latest: 6 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026 · 47 min

#432: How Do You Know When It's Time to Say No as a Mom? with Dr. Elana Roumell and Steph Greunke, RD

Saying no as a mom gets harder when everyone around you insists you "should" keep going. Dr. Elana and Steph share how to spot the "shoulds" keeping too much on your plate. Steph walks through how she went from a hard no on youth tackle football to cheering on her boys at Lambeau Field, including how their team limits contact at practice, why they wear Guardian Caps, and the brain health toolkit she keeps at home. She also shares the three simple asks that got her kids' school to stop using candy as a reward. Elana opens up about mom capacity after four kids, what her brain scan revealed…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S19 · E431 · 29 Sep 2026 · 49 min
#431: What to Actually Look for in Infant Formula with Hope Lima, PhD, RD, IBCLC
If you've ever felt confused or guilty when reaching for formula, or you found yourself anxiously googling, "How do I combo feed without ruining my milk supply?" this episode is for you. Dr. Hope Lima, IBCLC, RDN and nutrition researcher, joins Steph to break down what actually matters when it comes to infant feeding. We're covering how to choose an infant formula based on ingredients instead of brand marketing, what combo feeding does (and doesn't) do to milk supply, how to tell normal formula adjustment from a real intolerance, and when it's time to call your provider about feeding…
S19 · E430 · 22 Sep 2026 · 17 min
#430: How to Stay Calm When Your Kids Get Sick with Dr. Elana Roumell
Simple always beats a 15 step plan when your kid is sick. Here's the 3 part method that helps you stay calm, confident, and clear on what to do next. In this episode, Dr. Elana walks you through the exact 3 part method she uses to stay calm when her own kids get sick, even after 14 years of pediatric practice. You'll learn why panic doesn't mean you're doing something wrong, why a simple protocol beats a complicated one every time, and how each sick day becomes a chance to build real confidence as a Doctor Mom. She also shares the story of her daughter's first tick bite and what happened…
S19 · E429 · 15 Sep 2026 · 15 min
#429: How to Pack a Lunchbox Your Kid Will Actually Eat with Steph Greunke, RD
A registered dietitian and mom of two boys shares the exact four-step framework she uses to pack cold lunches her kids actually eat, no Pinterest required. In this episode, Steph walks through the four-step framework she has used for six years of packing cold lunch every single school day. You'll learn why letting your kids choose within structure beats deciding for them, which smarter swaps to make on lunchbox staples like Lunchables, juice boxes, and fruit snacks, and how to troubleshoot why a lunchbox is coming home untouched. She also covers why appetite and preferences shift throughout…
S19 · E428 · 8 Sep 2026 · 13 min
#428: Best Breakfast Foods for Kids' Brain Health and Focus with Steph Greunke, RD
Most kids' breakfasts spike blood sugar fast, and the focus crash hits right when school starts. Registered dietitian Steph Greunke breaks down the most common breakfast culprits, including cereal, frozen waffles, and flavored yogurt, and shows you exactly what to swap in instead. You'll learn why blood sugar spikes lead to a focus crash right when school starts, what artificial food dyes have to do with hyperactivity, and what to do if your kid refuses breakfast altogether. Topics Covered In This Episode: Why breakfast affects school focus Breakfast culprit #1: cereal and blood sugar spikes…
S19 · E427 · 1 Sep 2026 · 54 min
#427: The Brain Type Behind Your Kid's Focus and Meltdowns with Dr. Steven Rondeau
If your child has been labeled with ADHD, anxiety, or "just difficult," this brain scan conversation will change how you see their brain completely. Dr. Steve Rondeau, a licensed naturopathic doctor and founder of Axon EEG Solutions, has analyzed over 50,000 brain scans. In this episode, he explains why two kids with the same ADHD diagnosis can have completely different brains, what a QEEG brain scan actually measures, and why he calls certain wiring patterns "gifts" instead of disorders. We also get into his Husky Phenomenon concept, why some kids self-regulate on screens while others fall…
S19 · E426 · 25 Aug 2026 · 15 min
#426: Do Vaccines Need a Detox Plan? with Dr. Elana Roumell
Whether you vaccinate fully, selectively or not at all, you're going to want a vaccine detox plan that supports your child's immune system, not just their liver. In this episode, Dr. Elana breaks down why a vaccine detox plan is really an immune support conversation, not just a toxin flush. You'll learn why she never recommends vaccinating a sick child, why Tylenol before and after shots may work against your child's immune response, and how glutathione supports both detox pathways and vaccine metabolism. Whether you're fully vaccinating, going selectively or still deciding, this episode…
S19 · E425 · 18 Aug 2026 · 11 min
#425: 3 Tips for Smoother School Mornings with Steph Greunke, RD
If your school mornings involve missing shoes, forgotten lunches, and getting to drop off with two minutes to spare, this episode is for you. Steph is sharing the three systems (plus one bonus tip) that turned her family's school morning routine from chaos into something predictable. She walks through why a consistent sleep and wake schedule matters more than most parents realize, why you need more buffer time than you think, and how staging things the night before removes the morning scramble. Then she shares her whiteboard checklist trick for kids who are old enough to read and follow a…
S19 · E424 · 11 Aug 2026 · 40 min
#424: Why a Tick Bite Doesn't Always Mean Lyme Disease with Dr. Jaquel Patterson
Lyme disease is called "the great imitator" because it can look like growing pains, fatigue, or nothing at all and this episode shows you what to watch for. Steph sits down with naturopathic physician Dr. Jacquell Patterson, a nationally recognized expert in Lyme disease, tick-borne co-infections, and PANS/PANDAS to cover everything parents need to know about ticks and Lyme disease. You'll learn which areas to check on your kid's body, why the smallest ticks cause the most infections, and how to tell the difference between growing pains and a tick-borne illness that's being missed. Dr.…
S19 · E423 · 4 Aug 2026 · 13 min
#423: Is My Picky Eater Getting Enough Iron? with Dr. Elana Roumell
If your toddler has gone from eating everything to skipping meat, you're probably wondering about iron deficiency in kids,and you don't have to guess your way through it. My daughter Adena used to eat sardines and steak without hesitation. About a year ago she got selective and stopped eating the foods richest in iron like meat, chicken and fish. In this episode, I walk through the three-day iron reality check I ran on my own picky eater, three food boosters that help even without meat, and how to know if your child needs basic food support or a more targeted therapeutic plan. I'm also…
S19 · E422 · 28 Jul 2026 · 32 min
#422: Starting Solids Doesn't Need a Perfect Plan with Dr. Elana Roumell
Starting solids doesn't need a perfect plan. I'm showing you exactly what I feed my fourth baby, week by week, mess and all. In this episode, Dr. Elana walks you through her real, unfiltered approach to starting solids with fourth baby, Revi. You'll hear how she builds a simple prep system around meat stock, egg yolk and bone marrow, why she introduces food allergens early and slowly and how she handles the iron rich foods, salt and mess that come with every stage of baby led weaning. She's also answering the questions she hears most from moms, like what to do about constipation, rashes and…
S19 · E421 · 21 Jul 2026 · 12 min
#421: Why Does My Kid Only Eat 5 Foods? with Steph Greunke, RD
If your child eats the same five foods every single day, it's probably not stubbornness. There are five real reasons picky eating happens, and Steph breaks down every one. In this episode, registered dietitian Steph Greunke walks through the five most common reasons behind picky eating in kids, from sensory sensitivity and gut health to nutrient deficiencies, anxiety and mealtime dynamics. Using a real client story, Steph shows how a five year old's five food list grew once his mom understood what was really happening in his nervous system. You'll learn what to watch for, when to loop in…
S19 · E420 · 14 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
#420: Starting Solids: What Should Baby's First Food Really Be? with Kate Pope
If you've ever wondered whether there's a better way to start solids than the 100 foods before one approach, this episode is going to change the way you think about feeding your baby. Dr. Elana and GAPS certified practitioner, Kate Pope, break down why meat stock is baby's most powerful first food. In this episode, Dr. Elana sits down with Kate Pope, founder of Wild Nutritionist and a certified GAPS practitioner, to walk moms through the GAPS approach to starting solids. You will learn why meat stock is not the same thing as bone broth, what conditions GAPS first foods can help support…
S19 · E419 · 7 Jul 2026 · 52 min
#419: Turning 40, Four Kids and Being Honest About It All with Dr. Elana Roumell and Steph Greunke, RD
Between turning 40 and navigating life with a baby, a toddler and two more kids, there is a lot going on in our world right now and we are not holding back! In this candid quarter check-in, Dr. Elana and Steph pull back the curtain on what life actually looks like right now. Steph opens up about turning 40, rebranding an entire decade and the health appointments and mindset shifts she is building into her 40s. Dr. Elana gets honest about the weight of four kids, postpartum fatigue and the three tools she reaches for every time she starts to feel off. If you have ever loved your life and…
S18 · E418 · 30 Jun 2026 · 36 min
#418: Is Your Child High Risk? How to Know Before the Next Vaccine Visit with Dr. Ari Calhoun
For the first time, the CDC vaccine schedule officially reflects that not every child has the same risk and that some vaccines now fall under 'shared decision making' between you and your doctor. Here's how to actually use that. In this episode, Dr. Elana sits down with Dr. Ari Calhoun, ND to unpack the most significant shift in how the CDC frames childhood vaccination. The updated schedule now includes three categories: vaccines recommended for all children, vaccines for high-risk groups and vaccines based on shared decision making. Dr. Ari and Dr. Elana break down what those categories…
S18 · E417 · 23 Jun 2026 · 50 min
#417: What Your Kid Eats Before Practice Is Changing Their Performance with Angie Asche MS, RD, CSSD
Your child does not need sports drinks, protein powders or pre-workout anything. They need real food, good timing and a mom who knows the difference. Registered dietitian Angie Asche breaks it all down simply and practically. In this episode, Steph and sports dietitian Angie Asche, cover youth athlete nutrition from the ground up. You will learn what recreational and competitive kids actually need to perform and recover, how to time meals around practices and tournament days, what to do when your child is hungry 20 minutes before bed after a late game and why most popular sports products…
S18 · E416 · 16 Jun 2026 · 15 min
#416: Summer Nutrition Prep: Setting Up for Success with Steph Greunke, RD
Your child does not need sports drinks, protein powders or pre-workout anything. They need real food, good timing and a mom who knows the difference. Registered dietitian Angie Asche breaks it all down simply and practically. In this episode, Steph and sports dietitian Angie Asche, cover youth athlete nutrition from the ground up. You will learn what recreational and competitive kids actually need to perform and recover, how to time meals around practices and tournament days, what to do when your child is hungry 20 minutes before bed after a late game and why most popular sports products…
S18 · E415 · 9 Jun 2026 · 14 min
#415: Vitamin D: Do Kids Need Supplements? with Steph Greunke, RD
Vitamin D is one of the most common deficiencies in children and one of the most overlooked. If your child has never been tested, this episode is worth a listen. In this episode, Steph breaks down everything you need to know about vitamin D for kids: which children are most at risk for low levels, what your labs are actually telling you (and what they might be missing) and how to choose a supplement your child will consistently take. If your child has been getting sick over and over or if vitamin D has never come up at a well visit, this one is for you. Topics Covered In This Episode: Why…
S18 · E414 · 2 Jun 2026 · 15 min
#414: Pinworm Treatment for Kids: What Actually Works with Dr. Elana Roumell
The moment you realize your kid has pinworms is one of those mom moments nobody prepares you for. The embarrassment, the overwhelm, the pile of laundry you're already mentally sorting. This is the calm voice you needed five minutes ago. Pinworms are the most common parasite found in children and they spread fast. Not because of anything you did wrong, but because kids are kids. They touch everything, put their hands in their mouths, and share germs the way most of us share snacks. It happens in the cleanest homes, to the most attentive moms and it happens all the time. In this episode, Dr.…
S18 · E413 · 26 May 2026 · 53 min
#413: Is Low Fiber Causing Your Child's Constipation? with Will Bulsiewicz, MD
Your child's gut is connected to their mood, their immune system, and even their skin. Dr. Will Bulsiewicz joins Steph to break down the fiber gap that affects 97% of kids and the simple foods that can shift everything. In this episode, Steph sits down with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, award-winning gastroenterologist, gut health expert, and New York Times bestselling author of Fiber Fueled and Plant Powered Plus. Together they unpack the science of the pediatric microbiome, including how it is built, what disrupts it, and why fiber is the most underrated nutrient in your child's diet. You will…
S18 · E412 · 19 May 2026 · 15 min
#412: Natural Tylenol Substitutes for Kids Fever with Dr. Elana Roumell
Tylenol isn't the only answer when your child has a fever. Here's what a Naturopathic Doctor reaches for first, and when conventional fever reducers actually make sense. In this episode, Dr. Elana walks through her full three-step fever framework: when it's okay to do nothing except hydrate and rest, which comfort therapies to try first (including cold wet socks), and how to use natural Tylenol substitutes like homeopathy and herbs before ever reaching for a fever reducer. You'll also learn exactly when conventional medicine still has a place, because being a Doctor Mom means having a full…
S18 · E411 · 12 May 2026 · 11 min
#411: Cold Wet Socks for Fevers, Coughs and Congestion with Dr. Elana Roumell
Cold wet sock therapy sounds strange. But once you see why it works, you will want cotton socks and wool socks on standby every sick season! In this video, Dr. Elana breaks down exactly how cold wet sock therapy works, when to use it beyond fevers and how to do it step by step. This simple home remedy supports the immune system by increasing circulation throughout the body and it works for more than just fevers. Congestion, sore throats, headaches, coughs, sinus pressure and general sick day discomfort all respond to it too! The whole setup costs about $3 and takes three minutes, making it…
S18 · E410 · 5 May 2026 · 13 min
#410: Electrolytes for Kids: Do They Actually Need Them or Is Water Enough? with Steph Greunke, RD
Most kids don't need a sports drink. They need more water. But there are real situations where electrolytes matter, and knowing the difference keeps you confident instead of second-guessing yourself at every practice. In this episode, Steph breaks down exactly what electrolytes are, when kids genuinely need them, and what to look for in cleaner options when a sports drink makes sense. She covers age-specific guidance from toddlers to teens, flags the ingredients to avoid in conventional brands, and shares three real food alternatives that actually work. Topics Covered In This Episode: What…
S18 · E409 · 28 Apr 2026 · 46 min
#409: Why Your Kid Has Seasonal Allergies Every Year And What To Do About It with Dr. Ana Maria Temple
If your child has seasonal allergies, eczema or recurring ear infections, this episode might change how you see all three. Dr. Elana sits down with holistic pediatrician Dr. Ana Maria Temple to unpack the root causes of kids' seasonal allergies and why they so often connect to eczema, asthma and food allergies (the 'allergic march' most pediatricians never mention). From diet and fiber to dust mites and when Zyrtec is actually fine to use. You will leave this episode with a real plan, not just a symptom list. Topics Covered In This Episode: Root causes of allergies Seasonal allergies and…
S18 · E408 · 21 Apr 2026 · 15 min
#408: Iron Deficiency in Kids: The Silent Nutrient Gap with Steph Greunke, RD
Before you spiral over that iron lab result, here's exactly what it means and how to help your child from both a conventional and integrative medicine perspective. In this episode, Steph breaks down iron deficiency in kids from every angle: why it happens, who is most at risk, how to treat it with conventional iron supplementation and how integrative medicine can help address the root cause. You'll walk away knowing which iron forms are easier on little stomachs, which foods actually raise iron levels and one surprising connection between low iron and ADHD symptoms that every mom needs to…
S18 · E407 · 14 Apr 2026 · 13 min
#407: What Remedies Do You Give Your Kid First When They Get Sick? with Dr. Elana Roumell
If your child starts feeling off and your first thought is "what do I even reach for?" this episode was made for you. Dr. Elana breaks down one of the most practical frameworks she teaches inside the Doctor Mom Membership: the difference between general immune support and targeted natural therapies, and why understanding that one distinction will change how you stock your medicine cabinet forever. She shares her top three go-to general immune supplements for kids, including why timing and frequency matter more than most moms realize, and how layering general and targeted remedies is exactly…
E406 · 7 Apr 2026 · 40 min
#406: How Two Busy Mom Practitioners Navigate Chaos, Balance and a Brand New Season with Dr. Elana Roumell and Steph Greunke, RD
After nearly a decade of podcasting, the Doctor Mom Podcast is back with a bold new format built around what busy moms actually need: shorter, more practical, pediatric-focused episodes that fit into your real life. Dr. Elana and Steph Greunke walk you through everything changing this season and why. Solo episodes are now 10 to 20 minutes, the podcast is live on YouTube, and the content is going deeper on the pediatric topics you care most about. Dr. Elana previews her upcoming solo topics including immune support strategies, the cold wet sock method for fevers, Tylenol alternatives, and…
S17 · E405 · 31 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
#405: How to Fuel a Healthy Pregnancy and Postpartum with Lily Nichols
Moms deserve clear guidance that supports real nourishment through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum. In this episode, registered dietitian and bestselling author, Lily Nichols, shares the research that is reshaping modern prenatal nutrition, including updated protein needs, micronutrient gaps, concerns with fully plant based diets, the truth about weight gain guidelines and why real food foundations make such a difference. You'll also hear about her personal journey navigating professional growth, boundaries and motherhood while staying grounded in science. This conversation will help…
S17 · E404 · 24 Mar 2026 · 55 min
#404: Ending Mealtime Battles and Picky Eating with Jill Castle
Feeding kids does not have to feel stressful or chaotic. With the right tools, it becomes an opportunity to strengthen connection, build autonomy and nourish your child with confidence. Childhood nutrition expert, Jill Castle, shares her love with limits approach, a simple and effective framework that helps parents reduce mealtime battles, create structure, support appetite awareness and raise kids who listen to their bodies. You'll learn how often to feed, how to set boundaries gently, what feeding mistakes to avoid and how to support picky eaters with ease. This inspiring conversation will…
S17 · E403 · 17 Mar 2026 · 1 min
#403: How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt with Melissa Urban
Setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable for many moms, especially when people-pleasing patterns are deeply ingrained. In this conversation, Melissa Urban, co-founder of Whole30 and author of The Book of Boundaries, breaks down why boundaries are essential for emotional health, strong relationships, and family wellbeing. We talk about unearned guilt, over-explaining, people pleasing, and how past experiences shape our ability to speak up. Melissa shares practical scripts, real life examples, and simple frameworks to help moms communicate clearly with partners, in laws, coworkers, and even…

About "Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent

"Doctor Mom" Podcast | Practical Tips to Be a Proactive Parent is a English kids & family podcast from Stephanie Greunke, RD and Dr. Elana Roumell, ND. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Stephanie Greunke, RD and Dr. Elana Roumell, ND
Language: English
Category: Kids & Family
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 17 min
Latest episode: 6 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id973303969

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