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Robot Unicorn

Nurtured First
Parenting
Child Development
Mental Health
Parenting Strategies
Family Dynamics
Body Safety
Emotional Regulation
Separation Anxiety
Discipline
Friendship
Attachment Theory
Communication
Timeouts
Screen Time
Body Safety and Consent
Parenting Styles
Nurtured First
Couples Therapy
Creativity
Children's Mental Health

Join me, Jess VanderWier, a registered psychotherapist, mom of three, and founder of Nurtured First, along with my husband Scott, as we dive deep into the stories of our friends, favourite celebrities, and influential figures. In each episode, we skip the small talk and dive into vulnerable and honest conversations about topics like cycle breaking, trauma, race, mental health, parenting, sex, reli... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes131Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & FamilyRelationshipsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Robot Unicorn

Latest Episodes

“How does a baby get made?” If that question leaves you searching for words, Jess offers a calm, practical starting point in this episode. She walks through a reproduction script, explains why factual answers don't have to undermine childhood innocen... more

YouTube

Jess joins psychosexual therapist Dr. Sara for an honest conversation about sex, intimacy, and why connection after children involves far more than desire alone. Discover low-pressure ways to reconnect and hear why Dr. Sara's emergent love model emph... more

YouTube

This week, we are revisiting a previously aired episode.

When your child refuses to go to school, what's really behind the struggle—and how can you help without dismissing their feelings or removing every challenge? Jess and Scott explore the overla... more

YouTube

This week, we are revisiting a previously aired episode.

Why is your child perfect at school, only to completely fall apart the moment they get home? This episode dives deep into the common but misunderstood phenomenon of 'After-School Restraint Col... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh
Psychosexual therapist, relationship psychologist, TED speaker
Independent/Professor-level consultant
Episode: Sex and Intimacy After Kids With Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh
Loryn Brantz
Emmy award-winning author, artist, poet, and director; creator of Feminist Baby and related works
Author and children's media creator
Episode: Are You Raising A Spicy Nugget? with Loryn Brantz
Dr. Sasha Hamdani
Board certified psychiatrist and ADHD expert
PsychD/ADHD expert
Episode: The ADHD Experience No One Talks About: Sensitivity, Emotions & More with Dr. Sasha Hamdani
Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
Board certified psychiatrist, bestselling author, women's mental health advocate
None explicitly stated
Episode: Self-Care for Burnt-Out Parents with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
Dr. Rachel Goldman
Clinical psychologist, author, and NYU professor
New York University (NYU)
Episode: Stop Letting the Scale Dictate Your Worth With Dr. Rachel Goldman
Dr. Michael Robb
Head of research at Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media
Episode: How To Create Healthy Screentime Habits with Dr. Michael Robb
Dr. Tracy
Couple therapist and psychologist, owner of Integrated Wellness in Ottawa
Integrated Wellness
Episode: In-Laws Stressing You Out? An Expert's Guide To Setting Boundaries
Kate Bowler
Historian and four-time New York Times bestselling author
Duke University
Episode: Biblical Discipline, Deconstruction, And Belonging with Kate Bowler
Dr. Tracy Dalgleish
Psychologist, couples therapist, and author
Integrated Wellness
Episode: I Love My Kids, But I Resent My Partner—Now What? With Dr. Tracy D

Hosts

Jess VanderWier
Licensed psychotherapist, co-host, founder of Nurtured First; frequent contributor on parenting and child development topics.
Scott VanderWier
Co-host, partner of Jess; brings parenting experience and practical inquiry into episodes.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Finally!

    I’ve spent so long looking for free podcasts that matched the expectations or hopes I have for my parenting needs. Potentially might help that I am a social worker and share similar language, concepts, beliefs etc. I haven’t previously found ones that matched my expectations for various reasons (that I won’t list here), but I feel like this is exactly what I am looking for as a toddler mum who wants to be very intentional, value based and a parent led model. Your topics appeal to me, which can o... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bel - Queensland, Australia
    Australia5 months ago
  • ❤️

    I am a big fan of your instagram account and podcast. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my email a while back and do an episode about the struggles our family has and I’m sure so many other families have. We have 2 sets of twins, 2 & 5 and your advice has truly made me a better mom. Learning how to be a coach, not a ref… how to not be so reactive when something goes wrong… how to put myself in their shoes and really listen to them and their big feelings. It has made my relationship wit... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yeahyeahyeahgoogoodolls
    United States8 months ago
  • Loved the revisit ep on punishment! A must listen!

    Such a great episode that I needed to hear! Explained it so well that I can clearly understand and apply it. Love the way to both talk through the topic to each other makes it easy to digest. You guys honestly help me be a better parent, the parent I want to be for my kids. Thanks so much x

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Noah MD
    Australia8 months ago
  • Permissive parenting

    Transformative content in modernising parenting. Loved the last episode on permissive parenting. How does this sit and fit when the child and/or the parents are neurodiverse (ASD/ADHD)?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mamma to Max
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Very honest and real

    Thank you both for being so honest and open about your dialogue. I love that Scott can ask questions and also receive answers in such a calm manner with you. I also appreciate your real life experiences and hearing about hardships that you shared about being a kid and dealing with hard things. Thank you so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sdebias
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High value on body safety and consent education; episodes feel like supportive coaching for everyday parenting challenges.
Listeners appreciate the calm, collaborative dynamic between Jess and Scott and the actionable advice.
Audience tends to share the content with fellow parents, therapists, and educators seeking evidence-based guidance.
Relatable, practical, and thoughtful; hosts balance research with real-life parenting stories.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sex and Intimacy After Kids With Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh
Q: How do the brain and body change after having a baby affect sexual desire?
The brain and hormones shift to prioritize the baby, with the mother and partner both experiencing changes; understanding this helps normalize fluctuations and guides couples to adapt practices that support closeness without pressuring for immediate sexual activity.
Sex and Intimacy After Kids With Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh
Q: Before we get into the details, what is the difference between intimacy and sex?
Intimacy is about being seen and understood in the moment, while sex is one form of closeness; for many, they are separate but interrelated, and couples can benefit from naming and negotiating what each means to them.
Are You Raising A Spicy Nugget? with Loryn Brantz
Q: What is your core message to parents about this book and about parenting in general?
Brantz wants parents to feel seen, to know they're not alone, and to understand that all kids can be spicy at times, with parenting focusing on presence, attunement, and less pressure.
Are You Raising A Spicy Nugget? with Loryn Brantz
Q: How does the mom in the story respond to a tantrum, and why this approach?
The mom remains hands-off at first to avoid escalating the meltdown; she validates feelings only after the child returns from the spice-nugget moment, which helps de-escalate and then unpack what happened.
Are You Raising A Spicy Nugget? with Loryn Brantz
Q: But what inspired the phrase Spicy Nugget?
Brantz explains the seed came from her daughter's playful descriptions and family humor, evolving into an alter ego for her child and eventually the book's central concept.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Robot Unicorn

What is Robot Unicorn about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, research-informed parenting show hosted by Jess VanderWier and Scott VanderWier that dives into child development, parenting strategies, and family dynamics. Episodes blend personal anecdotes with expert guidance on topics like impulse control, sleep, tantrums, independent play, and safety, often tying in courses or resources to help families implement concrete skills. The dynamic between the co-hosts—grounded in therapy and real-life parenting—along with guests and topics that span psychology, education, and daily family life, stands out as a thoughtful, actionable resource for caregivers seeking compassionate, evidence-based approaches.

Noteworthy elements include a consistent emphasis on body safety and consent education, c... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Robot Unicorn?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Robot Unicorn:

1. No One Told Us
2. After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings
3. You're So Right
4. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
5. Raising Good Humans

How many episodes of Robot Unicorn are there?

Robot Unicorn launched 3 years ago and published 131 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Robot Unicorn?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Robot Unicorn?

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What guests have appeared on Robot Unicorn?

Recent guests on Robot Unicorn include:

1. Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh
2. Loryn Brantz
3. Dr. Sasha Hamdani
4. Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
5. Dr. Rachel Goldman
6. Dr. Michael Robb
7. Dr. Tracy
8. Kate Bowler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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