Show Notes: Recent Episodes

This week, we’re talking travel. After years of pandemic lockdowns and border closures, the world’s appetite for travel is bigger than ever. Are you itching to fit more travel into your life? Wondering how to make traveling with kids easier? And determined to see the world around you while also protecting our planet? Listen to this episode for tips on all that and more! 

• Travel is good for you, from your heart health to mental health! This short but impactful article and this research study describe how.
• One of the best ways both of us have made travel easier is by registering for Global Entry, which (bonus!) includes TSA Pre-check. For our American listeners, the TSA website has details on these and other programs to help you cut through those long airport lines.
• Learn about how carbon offsets can make travel more sustainable for the environment through Ask MIT Climate, and find a list of carbon offset programs here.
• Need ideas for fun games for road trips? We've got you covered!
• Keep your trip organized with awesome apps like TripIt and Citymapper. Hit us up on social media to share your favorites!

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  Subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, and we might pick your review to share in a future episode! 

On this episode, we’re talking to physiatrist expert Dr. Alba Azola about long COVID (postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or PASC). How common is it, what are the symptoms, and how can we treat it? Dr. Azola tells us all this and more to help you protect yourself and your loved ones.

• Dr. Alba Azola, MD is one of a small group of physicians in the U.S. who are at the forefront of post-COVID research and treatment. Read more about Dr. Azola and her work.
• Learn more about PASC, including how it affects children.
• The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) PASC Dashboard tracks the numbers of people diagnosed with PASC in the U.S. 
• Resources in the medical literature:
  • Consensus guidance statements on the assessment and treatment of cognitive symptoms, fatigue, and respiratory sequelae in PASC
  • Consensus guidance statement on PASC in children and adolescents
  • Symptoms and risk factors for long COVID in non-hospitalized adults

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  Subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, and we might pick your review to share in a future episode! 

On this episode, we're here to take some of the stress out of parenting infants and toddlers. Whether it's how much time you spend with your baby, or the speed of your child's development, or the dreaded potty training, we're sharing what we worried about so that you don't have to. Here are some of the resources we talked about to help with raising our little ones! 

• Check out the Babycenter.com survey on what parents often worry about and what you can do about it.   
• Sudden infant death is an understandable worry, but as we say: Knowledge is power, and action can reduce anxiety. Here is expert advice on how to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sudden infant death.
• Parental anxiety can feel debilitating, but it doesn't have to! Learn how to recognize the symptoms, and get help with the mental health resources we shared in episodes 36 on staying mentally healthy and 51 on burnout.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  Subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, and we might pick your review to share in a future episode! 

This week, we’re talking about burnout. Has the pandemic left you feeling like your work or life responsibilities are harder to manage than ever? Wondering what burnout really means? And need to know if you have it and where to turn for help? Keep listening so you can take better care of a very important person: You. 

• Burnout is largely caused by the systems around us. Here are some tips on how to start the search for a new system (i.e., job) even if you're deep in the throes of burnout.
• Though burnout may be caused by the systems around us, don't hesitate to get personal help as well, including mental health support. Talkspace.com and Betterhelp.com are just two of the resources we shared in this episode.
• Sometimes leaving that job is just not an option. Here are a few ways to make life more manageable even if quitting is not on the table.
• Any thoughts of hurting yourself or others is an emergency. Call 911 or call 988 for the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  Subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, and we might pick your review to share in a future episode!

On this episode, viruses are the reason for the season. Why is RSV making headlines? What should parents do if their kids are sick with a respiratory virus? And how can we protect our little ones from RSV, flu, and COVID this winter? Listen for all that and more -- and share this episode with other parents who are struggling!

Please remember, always take medication only according to instructions from your doctor or the medication label.

• How is RSV different from a regular cold? Learn more from the American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children website.
• Read the letter where pediatric health organizations call for a national response to addressing the current healthcare system crisis.
• Check out this article and this one dispelling the myth of "immunity debt."
• Do you love snot (or at least sucking it out) as much as we do? We love the Nose Frida. There are other similar brands out there too! 

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  Subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, and we might pick your review to share in a future episode!

In this episode, we’re talking about groceries and inflation. Are skyrocketing food prices giving you chest pain? Are you having trouble affording a healthy diet when your dollar buys so much less? Are you looking for ways to cut down your grocery bill so you can still bring home a vegetable or two? Listen for tips to keep more green in your wallet AND on your plate! 

• Want to try the money-saving apps we mentioned? (We may earn a small commission from these referral codes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!)
  • Flashfood referral code: LISA3ZCFD ($8 off if first purchase is over $10)
  • Ibotta referral code: pdpxquw
  • Rakuten referral code: https://www.rakuten.com/r/ELIZAB8156?eeid=44749 (earn $40 back if you spend $40)
• Misfits Market sells high-quality "funny-looking food" that would otherwise get thrown out, and does so at a steep discount. Win-win for you and the planet!
• Couponing websites (we don’t endorse any one in particular, but they can all give you a basic introduction to the strategies involved):
  • Thrifty Nomads
  • Krazy Coupon Lady
  • The Frugal Farm Girl
• Are you struggling to afford food for your family or know someone who is? There is help! WIC (for pregnant and postpartum women and for children under 5) and SNAP (for individuals and families) are programs that provide assistance with getting healthy food. Also check out FindHelp.org to find food pantries and other organizations near you that can help save money and keep your plate healthy.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  Subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, and we might pick your review to share in a future episode!

It's time to take your shot! Still have questions? Here are the resources we shared on our episode. Tag us on social media to share resources you love!

• Vaccines.gov has an easy-to-use search tool to find COVID‑19 vaccine locations near you.
• Find COVID-19 data on the children in your state on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) COVID-19 reporting page. The CDC also tracks death rates from COVID-19.
• The AAP has also compiled FAQs on the different types of COVID-19 vaccines available for all children and teens.
• We love these audio guides! Listen to our Physician-Mom Hack this week to hear why!

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  Subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, and we might pick your review to share in a future episode!

We hope you "judged" this episode to be as inspiring as we did! (See what we did there? #momjokes)

• Learn more about Judge Mathew's incredible journey as the first Indian-American woman elected to the judicial bench in the United States. 
• Our Mothers in Politics series now has its own page! Check out all of our Mothers in Politics episodes and guests here, and share it with a friend who you want to encourage to run for office!
• (Remember, all views expressed by guests on the show or at external links are their own. See our full disclaimer on our home page.)

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  Subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, and we might pick your review to share in a future episode!

It's our Season 4 premiere! We’re talking about all the parental back-to-school fears we didn’t need to have. Can you relate to being worried that your child didn’t get the best teacher? Won’t make any friends? Isn’t on enough basketball teams to make the NBA? In this episode, we share our favorite tips with you so that you can bypass the worries and head into a successful school year! 

• Want even more tips on reducing your family's stress these first few weeks of the year? Check out Aha! Parenting Blog's list.
• Want more info educational resources, enrichment activities, and parent guides by school grade? Head over to this list at Today.com.
• We love that this week's Physician-Mom Hack of the Week will save you money. And you can help families in under-resourced communities by donating school supplies. Here's how!

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  Subscribe and review us in Apple Podcasts, and we might pick your review to share in a future episode!

We hope you found some practical tips in this episode on how we can all do our part to end the gun violence epidemic.  Here are some articles, data, and organizations that you can share and support in the fight.

• Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on how to talk to children and teens about gun violence
• It's not enough to keep kids safe in your own home. Learn from Asking Saves Kids about how to protect them from accidental shootings where they play or visit.
• A study, conducted by pediatricians, showing that states with stricter firearm legislation, specifically legislation regarding universal background checks for firearms, had lower firearm-related mortality rates in children.
• What do Pope Francis and other faith leaders say about guns?
• Bipartisan laws to reduce gun violence can happen! It is time to advocate for our elected officials to put our collective safety above partisan politics.
• Share the facts: Around 90% of Americans, including gun owners, support universal background checks. Gun control is not futile; it saves lives. Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death in children, and strategic policies can fix this problem. Gun ownership also leads to higher incidence of suicide.
• Learn the truth about the NRA and the firearm lobby: They profit from mass shootings. They hold rallies where people are suffering after mass shootings. They fought to prevent the CDC from conducting research into gun violence. They fight to prevent doctors from discussing gun safety with their patients and were successful for several years. They encourage nonsensical and dangerous laws like this one in Iowa, allowing children of all ages to own a gun.
• Consider donating to these organizations as they advocate for common sense gun reform: Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, Brady Coalition, and The Trace. 
• Good Guy with a Howitzer: A satirical article on why we should all own tanks.
• Did you know that the authors of the 2nd Amendment banned guns on campus at our alma mater, the University of Virginia?
• From The New Yorker: "In America alone, gun massacres, most often of children, happen with hideous regularity, and they happen with hideous regularity because guns are hideously and regularly available."

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Did this episode speak to you -- and the pain in your back, neck, and other places you didn't ever expect? Ready to try some simple lifestyle changes that might have a lasting impact on your quality of life?  Check out these websites from Dr. Sharma and share your journey with us on social media! 

• Learn more about Dr. Sharma and what motivated her to search for effective, drug-free ways to treat pain. Her website also includes a blog with more resources to help strengthen your body and mind.
• Want to read more about treating pain holistically? Dr. Sharma literally wrote a book about it -- The Pain Solution: 5 Steps to Relieve and Prevent Back Pain, Muscle Pain, and Joint Pain.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

We may technically be adults, but we love finding out about new STEM toys, games, and books!  Can you relate (and pretend they're for the kids in your life)?  Here are links to the items we shared on this episode.  Listen to the show to hear why we love each one!

• Lego Chain Reactions 
• MagnaTiles 
• Stomp Rockets
• Primary Science Lab Set
• Outdoor Bug-Catching Kit
• Crayola Color Chemistry Lab Set
• My First Mind-Blowing Science Kit
• Squishy Human Body Anatomy Kit
• Gravity Maze
• National Geographic Dino Fossil Dig Kit
• KiwiCo monthly subscriptions
• Steve Spangler Science Kits
• Magnetic Science
• Botley the Coding Robot
• Snapino Circuit Coding
• "The Ultimate Book" series
• Usborne Lift-the-Flap books
• National Geographic books
• Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World
• Helaine Becker's series on important scientists
• Unbored: The Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun
• Brainchild series on Netflix

Share your favorite STEM books, games, and toys with us on social media!

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Waste not, want not!  We hope you picked up some helpful tips from this episode to make that saying a reality for you.  Here are more ways that you can reduce, reuse, recycle... and upcycle!  (None of these links are sponsored.  We just genuinely find them helpful!)

• What do those expiration dates on food really mean?  How long does food stay safe to eat? (Spoiler: It might be longer than you think!)
• The EPA's guide to composting may help make composting your food scraps simpler than you expect.
• Ready to save some $$$ and help the planet by selling your clothing or buying secondhand? This site is a one-stop shop with 36 popular thrift stores (including women-owned and Black-owned shops) in the U.S. and around the world.  The list includes stores like ThredUp and many more!
• Wondering what types of plastics are recyclable?  We love this NPR site that makes it easy to figure out the nuances.
• Want to make it even easier? Check out Earth911.com, enter your location and the material that you want to recycle, and you can quickly find out what your local recycling plant can process!
• Here's how Lanre made an upcycled wine cork trivet! And here are Lisa's fave reusable lunch bags from Lunchskins and a list of some of the best reusable shopping bags.
• Want to take it a step further and work on a community or policy level?  Check out www.Earthday.org for ways that you can support local, national, and international efforts to curb waste and pollution.  

Share your favorite tips with us on social media!

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We learned so much about moving (and thriving!) abroad with Jennifer Stevens, the voice behind the blog Adventurous Appetite who has now lived in four new countries.  

• Learn more about Jennifer and her travels through her website, Adventurous Appetite.
• Were you able to guess the most popular countries for people to move to?  See the full list on InterNations. Their organization helps connect expats from any country in any city. 

Are you considering moving abroad? Or have you already decided to make the leap? We're here to help you sift through the countless resources online:

• Transitions Abroad has guides for living, working, volunteering, and studying abroad.
• International Citizens includes advice on health, financial, legal, and other issues that should be considered before moving. They also share this step-by-step guide for moving abroad from the U.S.
• Passports, taxes, and voting, oh my! American Citizens Abroad has info on these nuances and more about life abroad.
• Connect with other Americans abroad and keep up-to-date with the many policies impacting American expats with the Association of Americans Resident Overseas. 

We recognize that "expat" can be a loaded word, particularly given the challenges faced by immigrants everywhere. Read more about the racial and economic history behind these terms and how people are working to examine and redefine these designations.

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We're grateful to Dr. Fortuna for sharing her expertise on recognizing and managing anxiety in kids and teens. Share these resources on mental health with everyone in your circles - we could all use a little support these days!

• Learn more about Dr. Fortuna and her work at UCSF.
• 3 major pediatric organizations joined forces to declare a national emergency in children’s mental health.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have published several articles on youth mental health, free to the public. 
• Priceless tips on coping during a crisis, with lots of information and practices for both adults and children
• Resources for parents on child mental health, including conditions like ADHD and emotion regulation issues

Looking for apps and other tech resources to support your or your child's mental health?  This comprehensive list is a great place to start. These offers are current at the time of this episode's release; please check the fine print on their websites to confirm the details on availability and cost.

Meditation and relaxation:

• Headspace: Two-week free trial for the general public.
• Healthy Minds Program App: Free. Meditation and mindfulness skills.
• Calm: Seven-day free trial. A meditation, sleep, and relaxation app.
• Stop, Breathe & Think: Personalized mindfulness app, available by subscription.
• Insight Timer: Free. This is not a daily app, but rather a great library where you can search for various types of meditations and lengths by excellent teachers.
• 10% Happier: Free and paid options available. (Seven days free, then $99 per year.)
• Mindfulness Coach: Mindfulness Coach 2.0 was developed to help veterans, service members, and others learn how to practice mindfulness. The app provides a gradual, self-guided training program designed to help you understand and adopt a simple mindfulness practice.

Coping with anxiety and depression:

• Sanvello: A program for reducing stress and treating anxiety and depression that includes a coach or groups.
• Happify: Some free content, including stress reduction and cognitive techniques to address anxiety.
• MindShift CBT: Free content, including cognitive behavioral therapy strategies to address general worry, social anxiety, and panic.
• PTSD Coach: Created by the VA’s National Center for PTSD and the Department of Defense’s National Center for Telehealth & Technology. This app provides education about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), information about professional care, a self-assessment for PTSD, opportunities to find support, and tools that can help you manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD.  The PTSD Family Coach version includes guidance on taking care of your relationship with your loved ones or with children and how to help your loved one get the treatment they deserve.
• Mothers and Babies Online Course: A well-validated, web-based program for depression (available in both English and Spanish) for pregnant women, new mothers, and those who want to support them.
• COVID Coach: Created for everyone, including veterans and service members, to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.

Insomnia

• CBT-i Coach: Free cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

This episode was chock-full of updates and resources.  You might want to bookmark some of these sites and share with others!

• The most up-to-date CDC recommendations for quarantine and isolation
• The real facts about COVID vaccine efficacy from the Mayo Clinic and vaccine safety from the CDC, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, and Harvard
• FAQs about COVID vaccines for kids from the American Academy of Pediatrics (we're all looking forward to the day when we can celebrate the approval of the under-5 vaccine!)
• Get your free COVID tests from the federal government if you're in the U.S.
• Inaccuracies in death certificates and the true toll from COVID 
• Learn how to debunk myths about COVID vaccines and the safety of masks 
• Curious about your own Resiliency Assessment after hearing our Physician-Mom Hack of the Week? Try it out here, and connect with us on social media to let us know what you think!

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!  

Feeling inspired to take the leap and apply to medical school? Or want to share some resources with a loved one who wants to become a doctor?

• Finding summer research opportunities to add to your experience and resume can be challenging. Luckily, the National Science Foundation and Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) have databases of programs throughout the country. 
• The AAMC also has suggestions on how to find a doctor to shadow. What better way to know what you're getting into?
• Medical school can be very expensive. The AAMC and US News have great tips on how to finance your education.  
• You may be familiar with the organization Black Men in White Coats, which released an inspiring documentary in 2020 about the experiences of Black male physicians. They're partnering with DiverseMedicine.org to provide mentorship and guidance to students from ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine -- including helping students pay for the MCAT! These are students who would make great doctors but face financial obstacles that would be otherwise insurmountable. If you feel compelled to help out, go to diversemedicine.org/donate to learn more. We're not affiliated with the organization, but we bet that the students you help would be incredibly grateful!
• This episode focused on the MD-school application process. But if you’re interested in becoming an osteopathic physician (getting a DO degree), check out the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

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