Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek & Dr. Roberta Golinkoff on Why Kids Learn Best Through Play

EP575. Is it ADHD… or is it perimenopause? Or is it both showing up at the same time to completely derail your nervous system?In this solo episode of The Mom Room, Renee gets real about her experience with ADHD, taking Vyvanse, and navigating perimenopause in her late 30s and early 40s. After a conversation with an OBGYN that stopped her in her tracks, Renee explores why so many women feel like their brains and bodies suddenly stop working, and why the overlap between ADHD symptoms and perimenopause symptoms is so often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed.Renee breaks down common ADHD symptoms in women, common perimenopause symptoms, where they overlap, and why medications like Vyvanse are helping some women function better during this stage of life. She also shares her personal experience starting birth control to manage perimenopause symptoms, why it helped, why it eventually won’t be enough, and what modern hormone replacement therapy (HRT) actually looks like in 2026.This episode is equal parts educational, validating, and rage-inducing (in the best way). If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, foggy, irritable, exhausted, or like you’re “failing at adulting,” this conversation will make one thing very clear: you are not broken, you are under-supported.Women deserve real information, real treatment, and real quality of life. And we’re finally starting to talk about it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep574. Renee is joined by developmental psychologists Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Golinkoff to unpack why modern parenting has become so overwhelming — and why kids don’t need flashcards, apps, or pressure to thrive. Drawing from decades of research and their new book Einstein Never Used Flashcards, they challenge the myth that “earlier is better,” explain why play and human connection matter more than gadgets, and share practical, low-stress ways to support learning through everyday moments. It’s a refreshing, research-backed reminder that joyful, child-led parenting isn’t just easier — it’s better for kids and parents alike.Find Dr. Kathy & Dr. Roberta:IG: @drkathyanddrroSponsors:Quince - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Wayfair - Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.Pique Life - Set your best health goals in motion. Access 20% off and begin your journey toward sustained wellness today at Piquelife.com/momroomSkims - Shop the SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. And if you’re looking for the perfect gifts for everyone on your list - the SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com.Olive & June - Visit OliveandJune.com/MOMROOM for 20% off your first System.RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP573. In today’s solo episode of The Mom Room, I’m covering A LOT, from puppy yoga with Pomeranians to why the hell there are Stranger Things toys in the Walmart kids’ aisle. We also talk comfort shows, current reads, and I give a sneak peek at an upcoming episode on ADHD, perimenopause, and my experience with Vyvanse.✨ What I talk about in this episode:• My chaotic and adorable experience doing puppy yoga with Pomeranians• Why going from two dogs to three dogs can’t be that different (…right??)• The moment we realized Stranger Things is NOT for kids after trying to watch it with Milo• Why I’m fully obsessed with Younger on Netflix, aka my current comfort show• A quick book update: I just finished Parents Weekend and started Great Big Beautiful Life• A preview of next week’s deep dive into ADHD + perimenopause symptoms, the overlap, and my personal experience with Vyvanse🎧 If you love real, relatable mom-life conversations mixed with pop culture, parenting chaos, and midlife revelations, you’re in the right place.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep572. Renee is joined by Glen Henry (Author of Father Yourself First) for a great conversation about parenting, identity, and the long road of becoming yourself while raising kids. Glen discusses his own upbringing, the lessons he’s had to unlearn, and how those experiences have shaped the way he shows up as a parent today. They talk about emotional availability, breaking generational patterns, and the discomfort that often comes with doing things differently than how you were raised. it's about learning in real time, giving yourself grace, and recognizing that growth — for parents and kids alike — isn’t linear.Follow Glen:IG: @beleafmelAmazon: Father Yourself FirstSponsors:Quince - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Wayfair - Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.Pique Life - Set your best health goals in motion. Access 20% off and begin your journey toward sustained wellness today at Piquelife.com/momroomSkims - Shop the SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. And if you’re looking for the perfect gifts for everyone on your list - the SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com.Olive & June - Visit OliveandJune.com/MOMROOM for 20% off your first System.RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP571. In this solo episode, Renee dives into a surprisingly heated topic: why some moms cannot accept that other women have equal partners. After a Reddit comment accused her of being “lazy” because her husband does school drop-off, Renee unpacks the bigger cultural issues behind reactions like this.She discusses why an involved dad is still seen as a threat to traditional motherhood roles, how internalized misogyny leads women to attack other women instead of the actual problem, and why cognitive dissonance and jealousy play a huge role in mom-to-mom judgment.This episode explores mom-martyr culture, equal partnership, mental load, and the emotional triggers that arise when women see support they themselves haven’t received. If you’ve ever felt judged for having help, or wished your partner showed up more, this is a validating, honest, and deeply relatable listen.Topics include:• Mom martyrdom and outdated expectations• Why equal partnership challenges people• Internalized misogyny and mom-to-mom policing• Jealousy disguised as moral judgment• What it actually means to have support in motherhood• The real story behind Renee’s “drop-off drama”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP570. This week, Renee is joined by Tyler Champagne (@Heated_Seats) for a candid conversation about balancing parenting with content creation. Tyler shares his journey from making car content to becoming a widely followed parenting creator after becoming a dad, and how one exhausted, sleep-deprived rant after his son’s birth shifted everything. Together, they talk openly about labor and delivery trauma, unrealistic expectations around new parenthood, and the shock of bringing a newborn home without truly knowing what’s ahead.The conversation dives deep into postpartum, mental load, and default parenting — including Tyler’s viral Understanding Postpartum for Dads series and the unexpected response from moms who felt seen for the first time. Renee and Tyler explore why postpartum is still so misunderstood, how partners can better support new moms, and why small, intentional actions from dads can make a huge difference.Find Tyler:IG: @heated_seatsTikTok: @champagnetylerFacebook: Tyler ChampagneSponsors:Quince - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Wayfair - Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.Pique Life - Set your best health goals in motion. Access 20% off and begin your journey toward sustained wellness today at Piquelife.com/momroomSkims - Shop the SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. And if you’re looking for the perfect gifts for everyone on your list - the SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com.Olive & June - Visit OliveandJune.com/MOMROOM for 20% off your first System.RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP569. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down my 2026 Bingo Card, the goals, boundaries, plot twists, and “this was NOT on my vision board” moments I’m calling in for the year ahead.From motherhood in a new season, to career shifts, social media boundaries, mental health, aging, confidence, friendships, and filling my own cup, this episode is equal parts honest reflection and unhinged manifestation energy. If you’re a mom re-evaluating everything, entering a new era, or just trying to survive while thriving (??), this one’s for you.We’re talking:✨ Being intentional✨ Motherhood & marriage goals ✨ Social media & showing up differently online✨ Going after what I want this year✨ Goals I actually care about vs. goals I’m done chasing✨ Main character energy, rest, fun, and trusting myself againThink of this episode as a realistic vision board, a permission slip to evolve, and a reminder that you’re allowed to change your mind at any age or stage of motherhood.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep568. Welcome back, Mom Roomers! This week, Renee sits down with Pam Stepnick, mother of Logan and Jake Paul, to talk candidly about what it’s really like raising kids whose lives unfold in front of millions. Pam opens up about navigating fame without a parenting handbook, balancing fear and faith, and learning when to guide, when to step back, and when to simply hold steady. They cover everything from mental health and sibling rivalry under a public microscope to the realities of social media for families — and why presence matters more than perfection. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about motherhood, resilience, and trusting your kids while protecting your own peace along the way. Don’t miss it!Find Pat:IG: @pam_stepnickWebsite: fthepauls.comSponsors:Quince - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Wayfair - Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.Pique Life - Set your best health goals in motion. Access 20% off and begin your journey toward sustained wellness today at Piquelife.com/momroomSkims - Shop the SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. And if you’re looking for the perfect gifts for everyone on your list - the SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com.Olive & June - Visit OliveandJune.com/MOMROOM for 20% off your first System.RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP567. Happy Holidays! We will be back with all new episodes on January 6th 2026! For now, please enjoy this vintage solo episode on relationship compassion!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EP566. Happy Holidays! We will be back with all new episodes on January 6th 2026! For now, please enjoy this vintage solo episode on rest!!! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.