The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast

What happens when a child grows up feeling “different” without the language to understand why?
In this episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with author Nancy Lasater to discuss her novel Farmer’s Son, a powerful story exploring dyslexia, identity, family dynamics, and the lifelong impact of being misunderstood as a child.
Together, they explore how learning differences shape confidence, why many neurodivergent kids come into their own on their own timeline, and how parents can shift from rigid expectations toward supporting who their child truly is. This episode is a thoughtful conversation about parenting outside the box, redefining success, and helping kids feel safe, seen, and supported.
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What does it really mean to be a good daughter...and why does it feel so exhausting for so many women?
In this episode, Dr. Whitney Casares is joined by Dr. Allison Alford, communication scholar and author of Good Daughtering, to explore the invisible emotional labor daughters carry across generations. They unpack how caregiving, obligation, gender expectations, and the “sandwich generation” collide...and why redefining daughtering is essential for women’s mental health, identity, and self-preservation. This conversation is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to earn your worth by overextending yourself and that you’re already doing enough.
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In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Alyssa Campbell, parenting educator, school consultant, and bestselling author of Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, to talk about why the elementary and middle school years can feel surprisingly hard for kids and parents.
They unpack what’s really going on beneath meltdowns, shutdowns, and “they’re old enough to know better” moments, including how nervous systems, sensory processing, and neurodivergence shape kids’ behavior. Alyssa shares powerful stories from her own family and from her work in schools, showing why regulation—not perfection—is the foundation for learning, connection, and emotional growth.
This conversation is a validating reminder that parenting isn’t about doing everything “right.” It’s about understanding the kid you actually have, meeting them where they are, and learning how to move through hard moments together.
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In this episode, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for children and families.
Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, social skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support.
The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers.
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Our kids are growing up surrounded by misinformation about health, beauty, and worth. My new book, My One-of-a-Kind Body, helps kids ages 7–12 understand how their bodies work, what real health means, and how to build body confidence grounded in science, not social media. It features kids of all races, sizes, abilities, and family backgrounds, so every child feels seen and respected.
GRAB YOUR COPY

What if the stories we struggle to share are the very ones that could help someone else feel less alone?
In this deeply moving episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney sits down with physician and author Dr. Rebecca Thompson to talk about her powerful collaborative memoir, Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love. The book weaves together the real-life stories of 22 women navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, adoption, medical trauma, foster care, grief, and the countless unexpected turns that shape family life.
Dr. Thompson shares the origin of the book—born from her own life-threatening pregnancy complications—and why preserving women’s stories felt essential in a culture that often pushes these experiences into silence. Together, Whitney and Rebecca explore themes of isolation, vulnerability, grief, flexibility, and the emotional complexity of becoming—and being—a parent.
Throughout the conversation, they unpack what it means to:
Feel deeply alone in motherhood, even when surrounded by others
Let go of rigid expectations and grieve the family life you thought you would have
Navigate identity when medical knowledge doesn’t protect you from fear or uncertainty
Face the guilt and self-blame that often show up when our children struggle
Redefine family beyond biology through adoption, fostering, step-parenthood, and chosen family
Hold grief and joy at the same time, especially when honoring lost parents and imperfect relationships

Purchase the book here.
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Our kids are growing up surrounded by misinformation about health, beauty, and worth. My new book, My One-of-a-Kind Body, helps kids ages 7–12 understand how their bodies work, what real health means, and how to build body confidence grounded in science, not social media. It features kids of all races, sizes, abilities, and family backgrounds, so every child feels seen and respected.
GRAB YOUR COPY