Episode #24: Starting Preschool: Tips for Making the Transition Smoother
Starting preschool or daycare? We’ve been there—more than six times between us! In this episode, we share our best tips for easing the preschool transition, from choosing books that prepare your child to creating goodbye routines that actually work. You’ll hear real stories from our own kids, easy role play ideas, a simple connection routines for drop-off, and a preschool playlist to help your preschooler start the day feeling brave and confident. Links & Resources: Shop our favorite books for starting school: Amazon | Bookshop.org Personalized Starting School Books from Pinhole Press Kind + Strong Playlist on Spotify & Apple Music Free 10-Day Songs+Stories Trial How to Support Social Skills in the Preschool Years
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Episode #23: Tonsils + Adenoids—When to Watch, When to Worry with Dr. Anjuli Gans
You’ve probably heard of kids having their tonsils or adenoids removed—but how do you know when it’s actually necessary? In this episode of Talk It Out, we’re joined by board-certified pediatrician Dr. Anjuli Gans to break down everything parents need to know about tonsils and adenoids in children. From their role in the body to the signs that they might be causing problems, Dr. Gans helps make sense of this often confusing part of pediatric health. Dr. Gans is an attending physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and the founder of Resilient Rascals. As a pediatrician and mom of two, she shares evidence-based, holistic advice to help parents make confident healthcare decisions. In this conversation, we talk about what tonsils and adenoids actually do, how to spot signs of enlargement, and when it might be time to seek a referral to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist). Dr. Gans also walks us through what to expect if your child needs a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, how to prepare your child for surgery, and her best tips for a smooth recovery. Plus, Katie shares her personal experience having two of her children go through T&A surgery—and what she wishes she had known sooner. If you’re wondering whether your child’s snoring, mouth breathing, or frequent illness might be related to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, this episode offers clarity, expert insight, and plenty of reassurance. If your child snores, struggles with sleep, seems to get sick often, or has had tonsils and adenoids mentioned at a doctor’s visit—this episode will help you feel more informed and confident. Mentioned in this episode: 🎧 Missed our last episode with Dr. Gans? Check out Episode 21 on Ear Infections + Speech Development How to Prepare for a Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy from resilientrascals.com Connect with Dr. Gans: Visit Dr. Gan’s website: resilientrascals.com Follow Dr. Gans on Instagram: @resilientrascals Dr. Gans' guides – we love these! Connect with us: 🎧 More episodes of Talk It Out📱 Follow us on Instagram
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Episode #22: Is Your Toddler a Picky Eater? What’s Normal—and What Actually Helps with Jenny Friedman, RD
Picky eating is one of the most common concerns for parents of toddlers—but how do you know if it’s a normal phase or something more serious? In this episode of Talk It Out, we’re joined by Jenny Friedman, a pediatric dietitian, picky eating specialist, and mom of three. Together, we dive into what picky eating looks like in toddlers, how to reduce mealtime stress, and what actually works when your child refuses to eat. Whether your toddler is down to just a handful of foods or you’re dealing with a new wave of food refusals, this conversation is filled with practical, low-pressure strategies to help. Jenny breaks down what typical toddler picky eating looks like, common misconceptions parents have, and signs it might be time to seek extra support. She also shares simple ways to help your toddler try new foods without pressure, tips for creating a positive mealtime environment, and how to think about nutrition when your child is eating very little. We also talk about: The small signs of progress that often go unnoticed but really matter Mindset shifts for parents who feel stuck or overwhelmed Easy snack ideas that even selective eaters tend to accept Our experiences in our own homes when it comes to feeding kids If you’re looking for realistic picky eating tips for toddlers, or just want to feel less alone in the daily mealtime battles, this episode offers the support and expert insight you need. Resources from this episode: Jenny’s free masterclass: Peace Out Picky Eating jennyfriedmannutrition.com/peace Her book: Stories of Extreme Picky Eating Get it here Follow Jenny on Instagram: @feedingpickyeaters Jenny's picks for high chairs Jenny’s breakfast ideas for picky eaters Connect with us: 💛 www.weetalkers.com 🎧 More episodes of Talk It Out📱 Follow us on Instagram THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: Little Spoon: Use the code WEETALKERS to get 30% off your first order at littlespoon.com/weetalkers. Little Spoon offers delicious, nutritious meals and snacks for babies, toddlers, and big kids—delivered right to your door. The quality is so good! We think your family will love it.
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Episode #21: Ear Infections + Speech Development — What Parents Should Know with Dr. Anjuli Gans
If your toddler has had multiple ear infections, you’re not alone—and if you’ve ever wondered how those infections might impact their speech or language development, this episode is for you. We’re joined by Dr. Anjuli Gans, a board-certified pediatrician with over a decade of experience, an attending physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania. She’s also the creator of Resilient Rascals, where she shares evidence-based, down-to-earth advice on pediatric health—and she’s a mom of two. We’ve learned so much from Dr. Gans over the years and are thrilled to have her on the podcast. But first, Katie shares her personal story of navigating chronic ear infections with her son, how it affected his early development, and what happened after getting PE tubes. In the episode we discuss why toddlers are especially prone to ear infections, how ear infections can impact speech and language development, and what’s really going on when there’s fluid in your child’s ears. You’ll learn how fluid affects hearing, when antibiotics are necessary (and when they might not be), and how to know if it’s time to see a pediatric ENT. We also explain what pressure equalization (PE) tubes are and when they can be helpful. Most importantly, we share what to do if you’re feeling stuck or worried about your child’s communication—because you’re not alone, and there are ways to help. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by ear infections, unsure of the next step, or concerned about your toddler’s speech and language, we hope this episode helps you feel a little more informed—and a lot more supported. Resources Mentioned: Get our free Toddler Milestone Checklist to track your child’s communication skills Wee Talkers programs to support families How Recurring Ear Infections Affect Speech Development Connect with Dr. Gans: Visit Dr. Gans' website: resilientrascals.com Follow Dr. Gans on Instagram: @resilientrascals More information about Ear Infections from Dr. Gans Connect with us: 💛 Wee Talkers Website 🎧 More episodes of Talk It Out📱 Follow us on Instagram
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Episode #20: Why Is My Toddler So Frustrated? (And What Can I Do to Help?)
In this episode of Talk It Out, Carly and Katie are tackling a topic that so many families face: toddler frustration—especially when it’s linked to speech and language delays. If you’ve ever watched your child melt down because they can’t quite say what they’re trying to express, you are far from alone. This episode explores why late talkers tend to show more frequent or intense frustration and how parents can both understand and support them. Carly and Katie, pediatric speech language pathologists, explain the natural mismatch that often happens in toddlers who understand more than they can say—and how this gap can lead to outbursts, shutting down, or behaviors like hitting and biting. They share practical ways to recognize when frustration is rooted in communication challenges and offer clear, compassionate guidance for what to do in the moment and outside the moment to help. You’ll learn how to model simple language, use sign support, validate emotions, and create more calm and connection—while still holding important boundaries. Carly and Katie also talk about why dysregulation makes language harder, and how showing up as a calm, responsive presence can go a long way. Reminder for you: if your toddler is struggling, it’s not your fault—and there’s so much you can do to help. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Speech + Language Milestone Checklist, a helpful resource for understanding what’s typical at each stage of toddler development, and how to know when it might be time for extra support. You can download it at weetalkers.com/toddler. Social emotional book recommendations – Bookshop.org | Amazon Songs+Stories Membership – A high-quality screen-time option that encourages language and literacy through engaging storytime videos. TalkToddler Course – Help your toddler say more words and improve their communication.
Helping you nurture your child’s speech and language development with confidence! Hosted by Carly and Katie, pediatric speech therapists and moms, this podcast is packed with practical tips, expert insights, and encouragement to help your child thrive in speech and language development. Whether you're wondering about milestones, curious about how to best support your child, or choosing the best books and toys, we’re here to help—without the overwhelm. Tune in for answers to your biggest questions, relatable stories, and plenty of encouragement along the way!
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