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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.

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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.

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Why does giving feels so good for both kids and parents? Giving isn’t just about presents— generosity changes the brain! Learn how to make the most out of this season and how gift-giving helps kids develop empathy, gratitude, and emotional intelligence.

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

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More from The Pediatrician Next Door:
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Is your child’s snoring just a funny nighttime sound—or a sign of something more? Learn why kids snore, why mouth breathing and restless sleep aren’t just quirks, and how snoring can affect behavior, focus, and even facial growth!

Join Dr. Shereen Lim, dentist and author of Breathe, Sleep, Thrive, who explains how airway and muscle development shape a child’s sleep and health. Uncover the red flags parents often overlook, learn when to seek help, and what treatments can get your child breathing...

Want to make mealtime healthier and yummier? You know that avocado oil, fish, and kale are packed with nutrients—but getting kids to actually eat them? That’s the tricky part! In this encore episode, Chef Kelly Senyei reveals her favorite secret ingredient—one that’s affordable, boosts protein and calcium, and works in everything from pancakes to bolognese.

Mentioned in episode:

Serenity Kids Salmon and other pouches

The Best Creamy Coconut Rice Recipe at Justataste.com

This episode is made ...

Why does your calm, reasonable self disappear when your child refuses to put on their shoes? Therapist Todd Sarner answers Dr. Wendy’s questions about why kids seem to know exactly how to push our buttons—and why it’s not about defiance at all. Discover why common discipline tactics don’t work, and what to do instead. Learn how to reset after a blow-up, and get back on the same page with your partner—no sticker charts required.

This episode is made possible by our sponsor Cure Hydration. Get 20...

What happens when kids don’t get sex ed in school? They don’t just “figure it out”—they pick up myths, rumors, and advice on social media. What they learn matters for their safety and relationships. How can parents help guide an appropriate education?

Use trusted resources like:

National Sex Education Standards

Advocates for Youth - Rights Respect, Responsibilities Curriculum

Planned Parenthood’s Parent Resources

Listen: Ep. 113: The “Private Parts” Episode or Ep. 46: Talking About Sex and ...

Smart toys can talk and even remember what kids say—but what’s that doing inside a child’s developing brain? Artificial intelligence may be shaping children’s language, emotions, and relationships. With guest expert Dana Suskind, MD, a leading researcher on early brain development, learn how real human interaction wires a child’s mind—and what might be lost when those conversations happen with a machine instead of a person.

Send your questions to hello@pediatriciannextdoorpodcast.com or message...

What’s scarier than ghosts and goblins? The medical mysteries that hide in plain sight. In this year’s Halloween special, hear three true stories that sound like ghost tales but come straight from the pediatric ward.

Each story unfolds like a mystery, with clues, red herrings, and real-life science behind the scares.

Listen if you dare… and see if you can solve the cases before Dr. Wendy reveals the truth.

This episode is made possible by our sponsor Cure Hydration. Get 20% off your first ord...

Do you ever feel like you’re tiptoeing around your child—careful with every word, changing plans, and doing whatever it takes to avoid a meltdown? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dr. Wendy Hunter explores whether “walking on eggshells” really helps anxious kids—or if it accidentally makes anxiety stronger. With insight from pediatrician Dr. Natasha Burgert, author of Managing Childhood Anxiety for Dummies, you’ll learn why avoidance and constant reassurance backfire, which parenting styles he...

Think well visits are only for vaccines? Dr. Wendy asks why checkups still matter—even when no shots are due. From spotting hidden conditions like early puberty or high blood pressure, to giving kids a safe place to talk, well visits are about prevention, connection, and catching problems before they become emergencies. Have you schedule your annual visit?

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

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Feeding your kids shouldn’t feel like a minefield—but let’s be honest, it kind of does. In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Wendy Hunter talks with registered dietitian and mom Sarah Schlichter about some of the most controversial topics in kids’ nutrition. From hiding veggies in food (should you?) to whether chocolate milk belongs in your kid’s lunchbox, they break down what matters, what doesn’t, and how to make food less stressful at every age.

You’ll hear tips on:

How often kids really need ...

Should kids stick to one sport year-round, or does early specialization put them at risk? Dr. Wendy investigates the truth behind youth sports specialization—exploring injury risks, burnout, long-term performance, and equity. With insights from Nirav Pandya, MD learn why variety and play may be the healthiest path for kids.

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 commi...

Is screen time really rotting our kids’ brains—or is the real danger something we don’t even see? Dr. Wendy takes you inside the mystery of what constant scrolling and gaming are doing to children’s sleep, moods, and relationships. She uncovers the surprising truth: the number of hours isn’t the enemy. The real key is hidden in three simple pillars—sleep, movement, and connection—that can reset your family’s digital habits and bring back peace at home. If you’ve ever felt powerless against phone...

When a child suddenly can’t breathe, feels dizzy, or has chest pain, parents fear the worst. Could it be asthma? A heart problem? Dr. Wendy Hunter explores the mystery of childhood panic attacks with pediatrician and Natasha Burgert, MD, author of Managing Childhood Anxiety for Dummies. Together, they uncover what’s actually happening in the brain and body, why kids can’t just “snap out of it,” and the surprising techniques that work.

Find products mentioned in the show:

Hedgehog Fidget Sensor...

Is it the C-section? The formula? The antibiotics? Parents often wonder if they’ve messed up their baby’s gut health. In this episode, Dr. Wendy talks with Stephanie Culler PhD, co-founder of Persephone Biosciences, about groundbreaking research on the infant microbiome. You’ll learn why most American babies are missing Bifidobacterium infantis—the bacteria that digest special sugars in breast milk and help build the immune system—and how new science is bringing those microbes back through a pro...

Why do brothers and sisters who love each other one minute turn into sworn enemies the next? Dr. Wendy unpacks the mystery of sibling rivalry—why kids fight, what’s really going on beneath the bickering, and the surprising moments when stepping in actually makes things worse. Learn the hidden dynamics that fuel rivalry and the key strategies parents can use to shift kids from competition to connection. If you’ve ever felt stuck refereeing endless squabbles, this episode holds the surprising answ...

When a friend loses a child, many of us are left wondering what to say—or how to help. In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Wendy talks with Hans Kullberg, a father who lost his 10-month-old daughter, Aviva, and learned to navigate life after loss. Hans shares what grieving parents wish others understood, how friends and family can show up in meaningful ways, and how his experience has reshaped the way he parents. This conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of grief, practical way...

Food allergies now affect 1 in 13 children in the U.S., turning mealtime into a daily source of anxiety for families. But groundbreaking research — including the LEAP study — shows that introducing allergenic foods like peanuts early and often can prevent most peanut allergies before they start.

Catherine Jaxon, co-founder of Mission Mighty Me and mom to a child with a nut allergy shares the story of her daughter’s first allergic reaction, what she learned from leading allergy researcher Dr. Gi...

Is your kid suddenly clingy at drop-off? Refusing to sleep before 10 p.m.? Bringing home a full, untouched water bottle every day?

You’re not alone — and it’s not just your kid.

In this back-to-school Q&A episode, pediatrician Dr. Wendy Hunter answers the real questions parents are asking right now. From separation anxiety to sleep resets, immune-boosting tips, social struggles, and hydration battles, Dr. Wendy breaks down what’s normal, what’s helpful, and what to let go of — all with her sig...

Feeling overwhelmed by parenting advice from Google, Instagram, and everyone you know? You’re not alone! Learn how to cut through the noise and find answers you can actually trust about your child’s health.

Dr. Wendy talks about the viral parenting hacks that fill your feed (are they genius or just hype?), the scary headlines that make you second-guess yourself, and why not all advice—online or offline—is created equal. You’ll hear simple tips for spotting sketchy medical content, finding relia...

Family meals are supposed to be good for kids—but what if getting everyone to the table feels like the most stressful part of your day? Join Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN, host of the Managing Mealtime Madness podcast to hear realistic, judgment-free advice for busy parents: how to plan meals around your schedule, make dinnertime less chaotic, and more fun.

Check out my favorite Kids Cooking/Baking set – it's a great gift idea!

Listen to Sarah Schlichter’s podcast: Managing Mealtime Madness and r...