Wild and Well | Motherhood, Postpartum Wellness and Children’s Health

Raising healthy, resilient children has never felt more complex. From screens and ultra-processed food to rising anxiety and dependence, many parents feel like they are working against the modern world. In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist Nicole Runyon to unpack what is really driving these challenges. We explore child development, the impact of technology and nutrition, how to foster independence, and what it means to support your child without overprotecting or over-accommodating.   Nicole and I talk about: Why too much screen time disrupts development and emotional regulation• Why children need discomfort, boredom, and challenge to build resilience• How to hold boundaries while staying deeply connected to your child• Practical ways to foster independence at every stage of childhood• Why your child’s behaviour is often a reflection of your own unresolved patterns• Simple ways to strengthen connection, trust, and attachment in your family• How to teach kids to take responsibility instead of blaming others• Why parents need to step into leadership rather than trying to be their child’s friend Nicole Runyon, LMSW, is a psychotherapist, parent coach, keynote speaker, and author of the bestselling book Free To Fly: The Secret To Fostering Independence In The Next Generation. Nicole is renowned for her expertise in child and adolescent mental health, backed by an extensive 22-year career in the field. Most importantly, she is the mother of two children. Episode Links:  Follow Nicole on Instagram Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn Visit Nicole’s website Get a copy of Free to Fly Come say hi to me on Instagram Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.  Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods. Resources I Am Loving    The Brain Health Movement – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL    MamaZen App – Become a happier and calmer mom through cognitive hypnotherapy, CBT, and mindfulness. Use code 9c Fertility & Beyond – Natural solutions for your fertility struggles I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.  

Gut health is at the centre of nearly every aspect of wellness, from energy levels to hormones to immune function. When it’s off, the effects can show up everywhere in the body, often in ways people don’t expect. In this episode, I sit down with Functional Health Practitioner Kristen Blake to unpack how gut health connects to nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and autoimmune conditions. We walk through practical ways to identify root causes, common mistakes people make, and what it actually takes to support long-term healing. Kristen and I talk about: Why gut health is foundational for nutrient absorption and overall health• The difference between what you eat and what your body actually absorbs• What leaky gut is and how it impacts the immune system• Common causes of gut dysfunction, including infections and food sensitivities• Practical starting points to support gut healing at home• Why so many women struggle with nutrient deficiencies• The most common deficiencies seen in practice• How hormone imbalances are often misunderstood and mistreated• When to consider comprehensive hormone testing• How triggers like infections, toxins, and stress contribute to autoimmunity• What mast cell activation is and how it shows up in the body Kristen Blake is a functional health practitioner and founder of Kristen Blake Wellness, where she helps women and their families improve gut health, balance hormones, and restore energy through a personalized, root-cause approach. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Human Performance, is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and has advanced training in gut and hormone health. After seeing many women dismissed or told their symptoms were “normal,” Kristen focuses on identifying underlying causes using functional lab testing, nutrition, and evidence-based strategies. Her work centres on helping clients better understand their health and make sustainable changes to support long-term wellbeing. Episode Links Follow Kristen Blake on Instagram Visit Kristen Blake Wellness website Book a discovery call with Kristen Come say hi to me on Instagram Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.   Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.   Resources I Am Loving   Green Goo – Natural plant powered first aid and skincare remedies. Get 10% off with code: DRHILARYCLAIRE The Brain Health Movement – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL   MamaZen App – Become a happier and calmer mom through cognitive hypnotherapy, CBT, and mindfulness. Use code 9c Fertility & Beyond – Natural solutions for your fertility struggles I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.

Screen time is everywhere, and for many families, it feels impossible to manage. But the issue isn’t just how much time kids spend on screens, it’s what that time is replacing, and how it’s shaping their development. In this episode, I’m joined by screen time consultant and educator Emily Cherkin to unpack how screens impact children’s brains, behaviour, and relationships. We talk about what actually works for families, how to set realistic boundaries, and why connection (not control) is the foundation of healthy tech use. Emily and I talk about: What “tech intentionality” means and how to apply it in everyday parenting• Why “later is better” and “less is more” are key principles for screen use• How screen time displaces critical developmental experiences like play and connection• Why boredom, discomfort, and frustration are essential for building resilience• The three questions to ask before giving your child a screen• Why strong relationships matter more than strict screen limits• Practical ways to delay smartphones and social media access• How to navigate peer pressure and FOMO around devices• A simple strategy for sharing a phone to build trust and accountability• What to do if your child is already reliant on screens• Why many parents regret introducing screens early, but not delaying them• Key questions to ask schools about tech use in the classroom Emily Cherkin is a former teacher, screen time consultant, and parent educator who helps families and schools navigate technology in a more intentional, developmentally appropriate way. Known as “The Screentime Consultant,” she is an author, speaker, and advocate focused on reducing the harms of excessive screen use and rethinking how technology is used in education. Emily is the author of The Screentime Solution and has been featured in major outlets including The New York Times, NPR, and Good Morning America. Episode Links: Follow Emily on Instagram Read her book The Screentime Solution Download the Unplug EdTech Toolkit Come say hi to me on Instagram Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.  Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.  Resources I Am Loving  Squat Seat – Comfortable seat to increase mobility and deep squat. Use code WILD5 for a discount. Ananda Elixirs – Delicious functional mushroom wellness elixirs. Get 20% off The Brain Health Movement – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend.  Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.

Motherhood was never meant to be a done alone. That leads to exhaustion, overwhelm, resentment and being snappy. At least that was my experience.  In this episode, I am joined by the founder of the Brain Health Movement Lucia Silver. Lucia is interviewing me!  We explore what’s really happening beneath maternal burnout, from nutrient depletion and nervous system dysregulation to cultural conditioning and the invisible weight of the supermom myth. I also share my personal journey as a burnt-out new mother, and the paradigm shift that reshaped my life and work.  Lucia and I chat about:  Why burnout has become normalized in modern motherhood The powerful feedback loop between maternal overwhelm and child dysregulation How small micro-shifts can restore resilience Why self-care is not a luxury, but a biological necessity How to begin reclaiming your energy without adding more to your to-do list   Lucia Silver is the founder of The Brain Health Movement and the mother behind “The Mighty Quinn.” An Oxford scholar and award-winning entrepreneur, Lucia is now leading a parent-powered mission to re-educate families on the true root causes of childhood struggles. She’s the creator of The Whole Child, Multi-Disciplinary Roadmap to Healing – a course that brings all the answers you need, in one place, in the right order. Lucia has helped hundreds of families navigate ADHD, autism, anxiety, PANS/PANDAS, tics, gut and chronic health issues and more.  Episode Links: Listen to my chat with Lucia in Episode 65 about root cause parenting  Say hi to Lucia on Instagram Listen to My Might Quinn podcast Check out The Whole Child, Multi-Disciplinary Roadmap to Healing Course and use code WILDANDWELL for a substantial discount  Come say hi to me on Instagram   Helpful Articles: Read my articles on wellness, motherhood, picky eating, and thriving as a mom.  Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. Motherhood Reset Program: Get in-depth guidance for postpartum recovery, self-care for moms, and energy restoration with this program. Resources I Am Loving  The Brain Health Movement – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL BON CHARGE – Red light devices. Get 15% off with the code: WILDANDWELL MamaZen App – Become a happier and calmer mom through cognitive hypnotherapy, CBT, and mindfulness. Use code 9c   I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.

In this episode of Wild & Well, I sit down with Sarah Michelle Bose – nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, heart mom, and mental health advocate – to talk about her extraordinary journey navigating the entrepreneurship, becoming a heart mom, mental health challenges, and advocacy work. From experiencing panic attacks as a nursing student to building a million-dollar Nurse Practitioner test prep business during COVID, Sarah shares the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned along the way. We also dive into her personal story as a mother to Meadow, a child born with a severe congenital heart defect, and how that journey led her to advocacy work, including legislative efforts, community initiatives, and children’s book creation. Sarah and I chat about: Sarah’s path from nursing student to nurse practitioner to successful entrepreneur. How she built a business centered on exam day anxiety and community support that grew from $0 to $1M in under a year. Insights into starting a business: why just starting is more important than perfecting your plan. The emotional and logistical realities of parenting a child with tetralogy of Fallot, including navigating multiple heart surgeries and complex medical care. Coping strategies for parents facing medical uncertainty, including recognizing your role as the expert on your child and learning to sit with grief and discomfort. Sarah’s journey with an OCD diagnosis, and the tools and mindsets she used to manage uncertainty and practice self-compassion. How she became a leading advocate for congenital heart disease, including Hill Days, Heart Walks, and creating children’s books to raise awareness. Her vision for the future of heart defect care: less invasive surgeries, increased research, and stronger advocacy networks. Sarah Michelle Boes is a nurse practitioner–turned entrepreneur, heart mom, and mental health advocate. She built and sold a multimillion-dollar NP board review business and now channels her expertise and lived experience to support families navigating congenital heart disease. Through advocacy, public speaking, and education, Sarah empowers others to face life’s challenges with courage and compassion. Episode Links: Say hi to Sarah on Instagram Read Sarah’s book Meadow & Her Four-Leaf Clover Heart Find out more about Sarah and her advocacy work on her website Come say hi to me on Instagram   Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.  Resources I Am Loving Green Goo – Natural plant powered first aid and skincare remedies. Get 10% off with code: DRHILARYCLAIRE The Brain Health Movement – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL  Mindfully Tate – The cutest mindful stuffie. Use code WILD+WELL15 for 15% off MamaZen App – Become a happier and calmer mom through cognitive hypnotherapy, CBT, and mindfulness. Use code 9c Fertility & Beyond – Natural solutions for your fertility struggles I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.  

Picky eating can be frustrating (and exhausting) for parents, but there's often so much more beneath the surface than simply a child being "fussy."  In this episode, I explore some of the psychological factors that can contribute to and maintain selective eating in children.  I chat about:  Why it’s not just psychological – how behavioral, physiological, and environmental factors also play a role How a child’s sense of calm and safety at mealtimes can directly affect their willingness to eat The impact of a parent’s stress and nervous system on a child’s appetite and digestion Why it’s so important to prioritize your connection with your child over the food on their plate The importance of understanding your role as the provider of food and knowing what your child’s role is too  Why pressure, rewards, and labels (like “picky eater”) can actually make things harder How your own eating behaviors and attitudes around food shape your child’s approach to eating If you’ve ever wondered why your child is so selective or how to shift the dynamic at mealtimes without pressure or power struggles, this episode is for you. Come say hi to me on Instagram Helpful Articles: Read my articles on wellness, motherhood, picky eating, and thriving as a mom. Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods. Resources I Am Loving Squat Seat – Comfortable seat to increase mobility and deep squat. Use code WILD5 for a discount. Green Goo – Natural plant powered first aid and skincare remedies. Get 10% off with code: DRHILARYCLAIRE Ananda Elixirs – Delicious functional mushroom wellness elixirs. Get 20% off Kultured Wellness – Yogurt and kefir cultures and everything you need for optimal gut health. Use code WILDANDWELL The Brain Health Movement – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL    I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.  

What if we treated mental health the same way we treat physical fitness? In this episode, we explore the concept of mental fitness and why proactively building emotional strength, regulation, and resilience is one of the most important gifts we can give our children. My guest, Natalie von Teichman, children’s mental fitness coach and founder of Mindfully, shares how mental fitness helps children develop the skills they need before stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm show up. Together, we discuss why simply telling kids to “calm down” doesn’t work, how breathing and co-regulation support nervous system regulation, and why allowing children to experience manageable discomfort actually builds resilience. Natalie and I chat about: What mental fitness is and how it differs from mental health Why kids need to practice emotional regulation before big feelings arise How breathing supports the nervous system and emotional regulation The power of role modelling (and why perfection isn’t required) Why naming emotions is only the first step and what comes next  How imagination, play, and storytelling strengthen emotional resilience Ways to support children’s mental fitness in a digital world Natalie von Teichman is a children’s mental fitness coach, mindfulness educator, mom of four, and the founder of Miindfully, the brand behind the world’s first meditation stuffie for kids (a multisensory, screen-free tool designed to support emotional regulation, sleep, and resilience through play). With a background in health science, mindfulness education, and pediatric mental wellness, Natalie’s work focuses on helping children build mental agility, emotional regulation, and self-compassion using evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate strategies. Her approach integrates breath regulation, cognitive processes, role-play, and neuroscience-based mindfulness practices. Episode Links: Say hi to Natalie on Instagram Learn more about Miindfully or get your own meditate at Miindfully. Use code WILD+WELL15 for 15% off  Come say hi to me on Instagram Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom. Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.  Resources I Am Loving Squat Seat – Comfortable seat to increase mobility and deep squat. Use code WILD5 for a discount. Green Goo – Natural plant powered first aid and skincare remedies. Get 10% off with code: DRHILARYCLAIRE Ananda Elixirs – Delicious functional mushroom wellness elixirs. Get 20% off Miindfully Tate – The cutest mindful stuffie. Use code WILD+WELL15 for 15% off   I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.