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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
Parental Guidance

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes134Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & FamilyRelationshipsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Robot Unicorn

Latest Episodes

Jess welcomes clinical psychologist and friendship expert Dr. Miriam Kirmayer to explore friendship shame, loneliness, and the myth that meaningful friendships should happen effortlessly. Whether you're a busy parent or hoping to find your people in ... more

YouTube

In this solo Q&A, Jess wraps up the puberty mini-series with practical scripts for explaining erections, discussing periods and menstrual products, responding to teasing, navigating childhood crushes, and handling unsafe images. Listen for adaptable ... more

YouTube

Voice cracks, growth spurts, wet dreams—boys deserve more than a quick, awkward puberty talk. In this episode, Jess shares practical ways to prepare your son for body changes, build hygiene habits, and keep conversations about erections, consent, and... more

YouTube

“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

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Recent Guests

Miriam Kirmayer
Clinical psychologist and friendship expert who studies the science and psychology of friendship
Episode: The Science Of Making Friends As An Adult with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer
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
Libby Ward
Creator, speaker, advocate for women and mothers; author of Honest Motherhood
Hello Sunshine Collective; Libby Ward branding
Episode: Getting Honest About New Motherhood With Libby Ward
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

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
  • So helpful

    I just listened to the episode about shy kids and it was so good. It made me reflect on my own shyness and reassured me about my shy kid. Thanks Jess!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rjnotts
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Best parenting podcast

    This is my favorite podcast about parenting and the first one I recommend to friends. It is so practical and so tangible and judgmental free. I love to see the girls growing up and coming to the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Larissa.bit
    Germany4 months ago
  • Thank you!

    Hi! I just wanted to thank you both for the “why does mess trigger me” episode. I related to Jess on every single point - from the house set up being open with no play room - to needing to build in clean up times. I was actually rage cleaning while I listened to this so it was perfect 😂 Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing all of this!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mal790
    United States5 months ago
  • Parenting guidance that’s truly helpful!

    I have been following for a few years now on instagram and I can tell you that you (Jess) have made me a better parent. I like Scott had a different childhood than my husband did so a lot of the emotions that come with trauma and childhood and so hard to process while remaining calm with your children. Most recently listening to the brain stuckness and hearing your daughter talk about her feelings was so important and my girl is her age! So grateful for you guys. 💕

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rworrell1117
    United States6 months ago
  • 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
    Australia6 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.

The Science Of Making Friends As An Adult with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer
Q: Where would someone start? Like, how would you start to find someone who you could nurture that relationship and turn it to a friendship?
Kirmayer says it is never too late to make close friends. She recommends pursuing a genuine interest through a recurring activity, being open to conversation, putting away the phone and initiating invitations.
The Science Of Making Friends As An Adult with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer
Q: What does it mean to have a friend as an adult? How do we even define friendship?
Kirmayer describes friendship as a chosen, reciprocal relationship with emotional intimacy. She distinguishes closer circle friends from context-specific friends and says both can contribute to a healthy social network.
Puberty Q&A: Erections, Periods, And Crushes
Q: My nine-year-old has a crush. What should I make of that?
Jess says a crush at that age may describe interest, curiosity, or admiration rather than a mature romantic desire. She recommends asking the child what the crush means to them and avoiding teasing or dismissing their feelings.
Puberty Q&A: Erections, Periods, And Crushes
Q: My son, I think, is gonna start having erections soon. He's 10, I've never talked to him about it. How do I describe what it is without blushing, feeling super uncomfortable?
Jess suggests explaining that erections happen when blood flows into the penis, are normal, may occur randomly during puberty, and pass on their own. She recommends reassuring the child that it is private and that they can ask questions.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
2. After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings
3. Raising Good Humans
4. Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled
5. No One Told Us

How many episodes of Robot Unicorn are there?

Robot Unicorn launched 3 years ago and published 134 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Robot Unicorn?

Recent guests on Robot Unicorn include:

1. Miriam Kirmayer
2. Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh
3. Loryn Brantz
4. Dr. Sasha Hamdani
5. Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
6. Libby Ward
7. Dr. Rachel Goldman
8. Dr. Michael Robb

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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