Tag Archives: parenting

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #96 Joel Warsh, MD Vaccines – What Do We Know in 2025?

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Welcome back to Dr. M’s Women and Children First podcast where we look at the world of Women and Children’s Health through an anthropological lens with the humble understanding that we have a lot to learn.

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Joel “Dr. Gator” Warsh, a pediatrician, author, and advocate for a whole-child approach to healthcare. Dr. Warsh earned his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College and completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Along the way, he also obtained a Master’s degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Queen’s University in Canada, giving him a strong foundation in both clinical care and population health. These educational pursuits make him uniquely suited for today’s conversation on vaccines.

He is the author of Between a Shot and a Hard Place. In his own words, he says: I’ve dedicated my career to helping families navigate complicated health topics with clarity. My book addresses vaccine questions in a calm, data-driven, and practical way, offering parents guidance that steers clear of extremes. Parents face unprecedented pressure to make the “right” choices, often without enough balanced information. He has been featured on major platforms sharing his message with more than 400,000 parents through social media. We discuss his passion for empowering families to make informed, individualized decisions, including in areas that have been challenging or even taboo to discuss.

Today, we’ll dive into his latest work, his perspectives on vaccines and preventative care, and how he envisions a future of pediatrics that is proactive rather than reactive. This is a conversation about rethinking the foundations of child health and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 12

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There is a quiet truth written in the tomes of family life that science keeps confirming over and over. It’s worth pausing to reflect on.

A warm bond between a father and child lights a path toward a steady, grounded adulthood. Studies show kids with an emotionally present dad, someone who’s there with a hug or a knowing nod, are less likely to stumble into behavioral trouble. Boys, especially, often look to their fathers as a mirror, shaping themselves in the image of a dad they feel close to. It’s a simple gift: presence breeds strength, presence breeds exploration of self, presence breeds knowing, presence breeds growth in all things for men.

Now, here’s a twist you might not expect. The old-school image of the rugged, masculine dad, stoic and commanding, was once thought to mold boys into the same mold. But research, like a wise teacher, reveals otherwise. A boy’s masculinity isn’t forged by a father’s stern hand; it’s an innate spark, flickering or bold regardless of style. As a Stoic father might counsel, we can’t control the nature we’re given, only how we nurture it. So, let’s release the pressure to force a mold and instead guide with patience. This theory follows the excellence of The Carpenter and the Gardener by Gopnik…. and a recipe.

Enjoy

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #89 – Trenna Sutcliffe, MD – Autism and Development

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Today we are joined by a remarkable guest, Dr. Trenna Sutcliffe, a board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatrician and the founder of the Sutcliffe Clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her educational history is impressive. She completed her undergraduate education in Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics followed by a masters degree in Biophysics at The University of Toronto. She obtained her Medical degree at McMaster University before her pediatric residency and training finished at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. And oh by the way, she then did a year of pediatric Neurology residency and a Fellowship in Developmental Pediatrics. And finally, another Masters degree in Epidemiology at Stanford University. Thus, her educational path has allowed her to see the developmental landscape through a wider lens covering many disciplines. Dr. Sutcliffe started the first Developmental Pediatrics Clinic at Stanford and played the role of trailblazer throughout her career.

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Sutcliffe specializes in supporting children with autism, ADHD, and anxiety, offering a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. In this episode, she’ll share her insights on the rising prevalence of these conditions, the importance of personalized care, and practical strategies for parents navigating developmental challenge. Fundamentally, Dr. Sutcliffe is a going to educate us on a better way to deliver whole person care to the developmentally challenged and beautiful children of this country.

Two words encapsulate her work: empowering and thoughtful.

Let’s dive into this conversation with Dr. Sutcliffe to learn how we can help our children thrive!

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #88 – Michael Collins – Sugar Addiction

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Today we’re tackling a topic that hits close to home for so many of us, sugar addiction and its impact on our kids and ourselves.

We’ve got an incredible guest joining us: Michael Collins, the author of The Last Resort Sugar Detox Guide: Learn How To Quickly and Easily Detox from Sugar and Stop Cravings Completely. Michael is a former sugar addict who’s been sugar-free for over 30 years, and he’s helped thousands break free from sugar’s grip through his work as the founder of SugarAddiction.com. He’s also raised two children sugar-free from the womb to age six—a feat that’s as inspiring as it is eye-opening. In this episode, Michael will share his journey, the science behind sugar’s addictive pull, and practical strategies to detox for good, especially for families navigating the modern food landscape. Whether you’re a parent worried about your child’s sugar intake or someone struggling with cravings yourself, you won’t want to miss this.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #86 – Joe Pizzorrno, ND

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Welcome to Dr. M’s Women and Children First, the podcast where we dive deep into the science of health, wellness, and prevention—especially for women, children, and families. Today, we have a truly special guest, Dr. Joe Pizzorno.

Dr. Joe Pizzorno is a world-renowned leader in functional and naturopathic medicine, a trailblazer in environmental health, and the founding president of Bastyr University, one of the most prestigious natural health institutions in the world. With decades of research, policy advocacy, and clinical expertise under his belt, Dr. Pizzorno has been at the forefront of reshaping modern medicine by emphasizing the critical role of nutrition, detoxification, and whole person health in preventing and reversing disease.

He is the author of these books: Textbook of Natural Medicine, The Toxic Solution, Clinical Environmental Medicine, Clinical Pathophysiology and Total Wellness. He is an incredible teacher and sought after speaker worldwide.

Today, we’ll be discussing metabolism and the hidden impact of environmental toxins on women and children’s health, practical detox strategies, and how we can take charge of our well-being in an increasingly toxic world. If you’re looking for science-backed insights and actionable tips to help your family thrive, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Joe Pizzorno!

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #83 – Ana Maria Temple, MD

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Dr. Ana-Maria Temple, MD, is an integrative pediatrician known for her whole child approach to children’s health. She studied medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine before pursuing pediatric residency training at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. In 2017, Dr. Temple further specialized by completing a fellowship in Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. She combines conventional medicine with functional and lifestyle-based strategies to address common childhood conditions such as eczema, asthma, and allergies. Dr. Temple has a particular focus on helping families reduce dependence on medications by making sustainable health and wellness changes.

With decades of clinical experience, Dr. Temple has been a vocal advocate for preventive care, emphasizing nutrition, environmental changes, and integrative treatments. She is the author of the two bestselling books Healthy Kids in an Unhealthy World and Ending the Eczema Epidemic. Additionally, Dr. Temple is a sought-after speaker and podcast guest, sharing her expertise on holistic pediatric care through various platforms. Today, we focus on her approach to eczema and children’s health.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Audiocast Volume 14 Issue 38

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Section I

Are Smart Phones a benefit or a curse for the teenager in school? This is becoming a huge topic this past year or so. Logic would seem to dictate that this is a curse more than a benefit, but what does the data and expert opinion show?

The Scientific American article “Do Phone Bans Help Students Perform Better in School?” examines the growing trend of banning smartphones in schools to enhance student performance and well-being. Numerous U.S. cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have recently implemented or are considering bans on phones in classrooms. Schools use tools like the Yondr pouch, which locks phones away during school hours, to enforce these bans. These measures are popular with educators and parents, with 60% of likely voters in New York State supporting such restrictions. Charlotte Schools has this policy: “In accordance with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Student Code of Conduct, personal technology devices, including cell phones must remain off and put away during school hours. Violations will result in confiscation of the personal technology device. The district is not responsible (monetary value or replacement) for theft, loss or damage to personal technology or other electronic devices brought onto CMS property.” (CMS) My informal poll has a higher number of parents interested in phone ban restrictions in North Carolina….plus a section on teen anxiety.

Enjoy,

Dr. M

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