Find an Episode

Why do kids get so many rashes? One of the best ways to understand skin is by starting with one of the most common childhood problems: diaper rash!

Discover how the science of skin can help keep your whole family's skin healthy. The simple principles of healthy skin apply to babies, kids, teens, and adults alike.

Learn how the skin barrier protects us, the surprising ways we accidentally damage it, and what different rashes reveal about the immune system.

Whether you're caring for a newborn w...

Is bedtime the hardest part of your day? If every night feels like a negotiation, your child may have what pediatricians call Behavioral Insomnia of Childhood - one of the most common sleep problems that most parents have never heard of.

In this episode, Dr. Wendy explains why some children can't fall asleep without a parent in the room, while others seem determined to delay bedtime at all costs. You'll learn the simple science behind why consistency works, why bedtime often gets worse before i...

Does your son sneeze just like his dad? Fathers matter in ways we never imagined!

Discover the fascinating science of fatherhood, from the latest research on epigenetics showing that dads may pass along more than just DNA, to decades of developmental psychology demonstrating how fathers shape their children's confidence, curiosity, emotional health, and resilience.

Whether you're a father, a mother, a grandparent, this episode will leave you with a new appreciation for the extraordinary role f...

Are toxic chemicals surrounding your baby while they sleep? Babies and kids spend thousands of hours breathing inches from their mattress, bedding, carpet, and furniture, yet most of us rarely think about what those products are made of.

Mattress expert Arin Schultz explains the science behind chemicals in mattresses and nursery products, what “off-gassing” means, and why certifications can be confusing. We talk about breathability, mold, organic bedding, furniture materials, and the question m...

Why can people with ADHD focus intensely for hours on things that are interesting or emotionally engaging...but not on their homework? The real challenge may be how the brain processes reward.

Learn why researchers are rethinking ADHD, how stimulant medications work, how dopamine shapes motivation and persistence, and practical ways parents can help children.

Resources & References:
• The Incredible Years Parent Program: The Incredible Years
• Large-scale functional MRI study on ADHD medicatio...

Have you felt frustrated trying to get medical care for your child? Long waits for appointments, confusing insurance rules… modern pediatric healthcare can feel overwhelming for families and physicians alike.

Meet Dr. Amanda Furr of Zarminali Pediatrics - she pulls back the curtain on what’s happening inside pediatric healthcare right now. Learn practical tips for navigating the healthcare system more effectively without losing your mind.

Send your questions to hello@pediatriciannextdoorpodcas...

Have you worried you’re raising a child who feels entitled, anxious, or unprepared with money?

The best way to teach kids about money is through the lens of child development and brain science.

From toddler meltdowns to teen spending, walk through what kids understand at each age and learn simple, practical ways to help them build healthy habits over time.

Send your questions to hello@pediatriciannextdoorpodcast.com or message me online here.

Find products from the show on the shop page.

*A...

Are screens changing our kids or just the way they spend their time? What’s happening in the brain when we’re constantly interrupted, and why is focus is getting harder for both kids and adults? Today’s “always-on” world may be crowding out the very experiences that build confidence, creativity, and resilience.

Dr. Wendy shares the 8 simple, practical ways to protect your focus and stay grounded in real life.

Learn more about guest Jeff Wozer.

Send your questions to hello@pediatriciannextdoor...

Is your social media feed full of gut health advice? From food sensitivity testing to “leaky gut”, there's a lot of misinformation out there! Dr. Wendy busts the biggest gut health myths and shares real, science-backed tips for keeping your microbiome happy. Learn what actually helps (and what doesn’t) when it comes to cleanses, diets, probiotics, fermented foods, and keeping your gut and your kids’ gut healthy.

Send your questions to hello@pediatriciannextdoorpodcast.com or submit at drwendyhu...

Have you wondered when your child will be ready for school, or worried they’re falling behind?

What does research say about preschool: which kids need it, does development matter, and is there a “right” age to begin? What if your first grader is struggling with reading – will repeating a grade help?

Learn how early reading skills develop, why some children fall behind, what schools are supposed to provide for support, and what the research says about holding kids back. Here’s a clear framework...

How are kids low on iron when we’re surrounded by food? Toddlers and teens are especially at risk - and iron supplements can taste terrible, upset the stomach, and be a daily parenting battle.

Patrick Monsivais, founder of Gensavis Pharmaceuticals, set out to solve this problem after facing it in his own home. We talk about why iron is so hard to formulate, what makes some types easier to tolerate than others, and how to get kids to take it.

If you’ve struggled with a picky eater, a tired teen...

Why do babies shake their heads, pull on their ears, or reject a food they loved yesterday? Why do toddlers say “no,” bite, and throw food on the floor?

Laugh until you cry with Dr. Diane Arnaout, a pediatrician and author, as she explores the weird, funny, and sometimes frustrating things kids do that worry parents but are actually normal parts of development.

Order your copy of Hiccups: A Pediatrician Mom’s Guide to Surviving Your First Year of Parenthood

Send your questions to hello@pediat...

What if your child reacts to a food—but it doesn’t look like a typical food allergy? Maybe it's FPIES! Allergy specialist Christopher Parrish, MD. explains Food Protein–Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES). Unlike typical food allergies, FPIES reactions happen hours after eating and can cause severe vomiting without the usual signs like hives or swelling. That's why it’s often missed.

Dr. Parrish explains why it can be difficult to diagnose and how families manage it once they know what’s goi...

Protein is everywhere — in coffee, cereal, waffles, even potato chips. But are we low on protein? Or are we being sold a solution to a problem we don’t have?

What does protein do in the body, how much do adults and kids need, and how were those numbers created? I’ll break down common myths — including whether plant proteins are “incomplete,” whether more protein builds more muscle, and whether high-protein foods are healthier.

Here’s the surprising truth: most American families are already get...

Why do so many more boys get diagnosed with autism than girls? For decades, autism research focused mostly on boys, and the picture we learned to recognize was built around them. But what if girls have been there all along — just harder to spot?

Myah Gittelson, PhD reveals how autism can look different in girls. Why are many girls labeled anxious or perfectionistic instead of autistic? We also talk about misdiagnosis and what to do when your school says everything is fine.

If you’ve ever wonde...

The food pyramid is back — and it looks different. Protein is front and center. Ultra-processed foods are out. So what does this new pyramid mean for your family?

Dr. Wendy breaks down how the Dietary Guidelines are created and what we can learn from them. We talk about fiber, gut health, and how to choose the right carbs — plus simple food swaps you can make this week.

Listen to this episode on your way to the grocery store!

Kickstart your family’s health by downloading the 7 Day Family Well...

Dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, and a racing heart are often brushed off as anxiety or stress. But sometimes there’s a real reason behind these symptoms: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Dr. Wendy talks with pediatric autonomic specialist Dr. Jeff Boris about POTS, an often-missed nervous system condition. We explain what POTS looks like, how it’s diagnosed, why it can show up after viral infections like COVID, and treatments that help kids feel better.

Find Jeffrey Boris, MD an...

What is influenza? Is it really that bad? Yup, doctors take the flu seriously because an overactive immune response can make people really ill from the virus! Does the vaccine help or make you sick? Listen for Dr. Wendy's insider tips about what helps once your child has the flu, what doesn’t, and when it’s time to worry.

Send your questions to hello@pediatriciannextdoorpodcast.com or message me online here.

Find products from the show on the shop page.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn commiss...

Does special education make a difference and what’s at risk right now? From IEPs and 504 plans to chronic underfunding and growing legal challenges, millions of students rely on this system—but few understand.

Education researcher Kimber Wilkerson explains how special education has expanded access to schooling over the past 50 years, and why it remains underfunded. We also explore what it would mean for students if protections like Section 504 were weakened—and how shortages of special educatio...

Your child’s stomach hurts every day. You’ve tried diet changes. You’ve done the tests. Everything comes back normal—and the pain is still there!

Discover the new science of Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction; why food gets blamed when it isn’t the cause, and how the nervous system can cause digestive symptoms. Hear about the surprising treatment that helps many kids feel better.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, dismissed, or desperate for answers about your child’s stomach pain, this episode offers...

Can a 14-year-old have a “career-ending” injury? Can an ACL tear affect a child for decades? Youth sports culture rarely talks about the long-term cost.

Why are serious sports injuries—especially knee injuries like ACL tears—becoming more common in kids and teens? Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Matt Tao breaks down what’s really driving these injuries: early specialization, overuse, playing through pain, and rushing recovery.

Most importantly, this episode shifts the focus from getting kids back in th...

Have updates to the vaccine schedule made you pause? In this encore episode, pediatrician Wendy Hunter, MD addresses vaccine hesitancy, answering the same questions she hears every day in the exam room. Why are vaccines given when they are? Are they safe? What happens when families delay or skip them? Listen if you want to feel confident about protecting your kids.

Send your questions to hello@pediatriciannextdoorpodcast.com or message me online here.

Find products from the show on the shop pa...

Are kids really sicker than before? Are screens hurting our kids more than we realize? And did we miss something important about anxiety, vaccines, or environmental exposures in 2025?

Episode 147 looks back at the biggest children’s health headlines of the year—and explains what we got wrong, what the science clarified, and what truly matters going forward.

If you’ve felt overwhelmed by headlines or worried you might be missing something important, this episode is your calm, evidence-based res...

Is your child nice when you’re not watching?
Kids make social choices every day without adults around. Family therapist Dr. Erika Bockneck (host of Raising Souls: A Convo Podcast) explores how kids learn social cues, internalize family values, and balance fitting in with staying true to themselves—so they can make good choices on their own.

Send your questions to hello@pediatriciannextdoorpodcast.com or message me online here.

Find products from the show on the shop page.

*As an Amazon Associ...