Lessons from a divorcée : A story about decisions, kids, and new norms

Lessons from a divorcée : A story about decisions, kids, and new norms

Masha is back, and this time she goes all the way in. This episode is Masha’s divorce story — why she ended a marriage that looked fine from the outside, how she and her ex navigated separation during COVID with her mother in the house and two kids under seven, and what she’d do differently if she could go back. She also talks about introducing Raman to her kids, how her son handled learning that his dad was dating, and the decision to stop drinking that she credits with finally helping her move forward. Dr. Angel covers adverse childhood events, what buffers them, and what the research says about how kids from non-traditional households actually do. Plus: the surprising stats on how today’s 12th graders feel about marriage and kids.

When Your Boyfriend Says He’s Having a Baby With Someone Else

Masha is finally here. In this episode, Raman’s girlfriend joins the show to tell her side of the story — how they met, how she found out about Ashley’s proposal, and what it’s actually been like to be the partner in this particular situation. She’s an economics professor with a PhD, a mom of two navigating 50/50 shared custody, and someone who has consistently shown up for Raman throughout all of this. Her take on his decision to become a dad is worth hearing in her own words. Dr. Angel covers postpartum mental health (it’s not just for moms), shared custody statistics, and the research on divorce rates by education level. Plus: Masha coins the title Fanti, and it’s sticking. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your treating physician for guidance specific to your situation!

Early Childhood Vaccines: What New Parents are Wondering

Dr. Samantha Johnston is back for round two. This time: early childhood vaccines. This episode covers every question new parents actually ask — why hep B is given at birth, whether the ACIP changes affect anything right now (they don’t, thanks to an AAP lawsuit), what the autism data actually shows, why spacing out vaccines backfires, what aluminum in vaccines means in context, and why giving Tylenol before shots is no longer recommended. Plus: kids today get exposed to 130 antigens through vaccines. Kids in the 1980s got over 3,000 — for fewer diseases. The episode reframes almost every common concern about childhood vaccines. Angel admits the autism thought crossed her mind when vaccinating her own kids. She vaccinated on schedule anyway. Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your treating physician for guidance specific to your situation!

A Pediatrician, Infectious Disease Specialist, and Soon-To-Be Dad Talk About Vaccines During Pregnancy

Vaccines during pregnancy: what to get, what you can’t get, and why it all matters more than most people realize. In this episode, Dr. Angel is joined by Dr. Samantha Johnston, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and longtime friend. Together they walk through the four vaccines recommended during pregnancy — Tdap, RSV, COVID, and flu — and explain exactly what each one is doing for the mom and the baby. They also cover MMR and varicella (live vaccines that can’t be given during pregnancy), herpes near delivery, and the new RSV monoclonal antibody for newborns. The ‘Stuff You Didn’t Know’ segment covers measles immune amnesia — how the natural measles virus can erase up to 70% of your lifetime immune memory. The vaccine doesn’t do this. The disease does. Raman ends the episode with Dr. Johnston’s number saved as Rash Samantha.

The Registry, the Car Seat, and the Guy Who Still Doesn't Have an Apartment

Ashley is 5.5 months pregnant, the baby bash is coming up, and Raman still doesn't have an apartment near the baby. Episode 7 of The Unplanned Parent is the practical one. Ashley spent 15 hours on her baby registry and is overwhelmed by the options. Raman plans to go with the flow and is grateful Ashley did the hard work. Dr. Angel steps in with the information that actually matters: what to look for in a car seat, why Wirecutter and Consumer Reports are your best friends, what the stroller pram function is for, and why the weight of the car seat itself matters more than most people think. They also cover breastfeeding — including what the data actually says about breastfeeding with breast implants, what to do when the latch doesn't work, and how pumping compares with breastfeeding. Plus sleep safety, co-bedding vs. bassinet, tongue ties, circumcision, and the two things you absolutely need to decide before you leave the hospital. And: 70% of people make errors installing a car seat. Even experienced ones. There's a fix for that. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your treating physician for guidance specific to your situation!