Two Parents & A Podcast

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast — we have a LOT of baby #2 updates after our third-trimester OB appointment. Things escalated quickly and apparently Harrison is now delivering the baby??? (Our doctor casually suggested that dads can deliver the second baby (???) and we’re still unpacking that), plus we talk through the breech situation (Harrison keeps calling it “THE BREACH” like a contract hahahah) and why I’m choosing NOT to do anything to flip him.

From there, we get into what feels different the second time around — the things we obsessed over with our first baby that we truly do not care about anymore — and why that confidence immediately turned into redesigning half the house. We share nursery plans, the guest-room shuffle, and the logistical chaos of prepping for baby #2 while still very much parenting a toddler.

Then Harrison explains why he’s officially OUT on Waymo (parking lot purgatory + surprise “voice of god” moments), and we spiral into Austin’s most unhinged design choice: back-in angle parking (with a bike lane in between, obviously). We also confirm that every couple has a driver — and yes, we know exactly who ours is (spoiler alert: NOT Harrison). 

We revisit the audiobooks vs. reading debate (we decided every can participate in book club but Jules has to wear a scarlett letter on her chest), share a nonstick-pan update (turns out “full blast heat” was the problem), and take a nostalgic detour back to 2016 (where were you and why does it suddenly feel iconic?). Plus, we talk about marrying into a marathon family (I’ll watch) and the moment everyone has been waiting for… we break down our 6-minute bedtime routine!!! 

And in Things We DMed Each Other: the world’s first “accurate” breastfeeding monitor (do we need this??), a phone-disguising gadget meant to keep babies’ worlds screen-free, and baby sign language — aka how one tiny “more” hand sign changed our entire mealtime experience :) 

LOVE YOU GUYS — thanks for listening!!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:04:40 Second baby energy: what we obsessed over the first time (and don’t now)

00:05:50 House update: Nursery plans + guest room setup

00:11:13 Harrison is officially OUT on Waymos (support your local Uber driver!)

00:18:36 What is the benefit of back-in angle parking?! 

00:21:24 Every couple has a driver… and we know who ours is

00:24:20 Audiobooks vs books (the debate continues)

00:28:35 We finally learned how to not ruin our nonstick pans

00:32:40 Our OB says dads can deliver baby #2?!

00:39:07 Why I’m not flipping my breech baby

00:46:20 We’re nostalgic for 2016

00:55:47 Marrying into a marathon family (and why I’ll never run one)

00:59:05 Our 6-minute bedtime routine for a 16-month-old

01:04:39 Things We DMed Eachother: The world's first accurate breastfeeding monitor

01:08:02 Things We DMed Eachother: Keeping your infant’s world phone-free

01:10:16 Baby sign language (and how “more” changed everything)

01:13:33 LOVE YOU GUYS!

#twoparentsandapod

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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast — we are DEEP in nesting mode (like… vacuuming-baseboards level nesting) and officially debating whether audiobooks “count” as reading (jury is still out (kind of) PLEASE settle this debate in the comments).

We kick things off with a Bring It On reference (is that anyone else’s FAVORITE movie??). Then we debunk the “gum stays in your stomach for 7 years” myth (plot twist: it does NOT), revisit our gift-returning etiquette as a couple, and activate full “dad mode” with Harrison’s Apple Watch + AirPods case + phone-wallet combo (peak suburban father energy).

Then we get into reflecting on our toddler communication ep — pointing, signing, and how much Tate actually understands — plus what to ask when you’re interviewing childcare providers. We also finally finished Heated Rivalry (!!!), immediately disagreed on the best episode with Jules (she says we’re basic), and then spiraled into this week’s Bicker of the Week: Do audiobooks count as reading or no?! 

Alex gives a mini Mean Moms book review (and the fictional-defamation drama behind it), we celebrate podcasts arriving at the Golden Globes, and we taste-test Flock’s new Chicken Stick (Alex’s first time live on the pod!!!).

Plus — a pregnancy update (the naps are napping), house-project brainstorming, girls’ brunch surprises, Venmo-privacy etiquette, our toddler’s alarming berry budget, and a viral list of places women REFUSE to go on a first date (Waffle House slander will not be tolerated).

LOVE YOU GUYS — thanks for listening!!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast

00:03:08 Should you wash your hair before a haircut?

00:05:58 Myth or fact: Does gum really take 7 years to digest?

00:11:43 Returning gifts from your partner — yes or no?

00:14:57 “Dad mode” activated: Apple Watch, AirPods case & phone wallet

00:19:29 Toddler communication — our takeaways from Dr. Ari

00:22:38 What to ask when interviewing childcare providers

00:26:08 We finally finished Heated Rivalry!

00:32:42 Bicker of the Week: Do audiobooks count as reading?

00:37:18 Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblum — thoughts & drama

00:42:50 Podcasts officially hit the Golden Globes

00:46:41 Alex taste-tests Flock’s new Chicken Stick

00:51:32 Nesting mode before baby #2

00:56:33 Pregnancy update — exhaustion & cravings

00:57:56 House projects & planning Phase Two

01:02:36 Girls’ brunch recap

01:04:50 Venmo etiquette — public vs private

01:10:20 The “berry budget” & why kids hate vegetables

01:12:20 Things We DMed: Viral list of places women refuse to go on a first date

01:23:36 LOVE YOU GUYS! 

#twoparentsandapod

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we’re joined again by Dr. Ari Brown — board-certified pediatrician and author of the bestselling 411 series — for a conversation all about toddler talking and communication. You guys loved her last episode, and we’re so excited to officially bring her on as a RECURRING GUEST once a month!!

Dr. Ari breaks down what toddlers actually understand before they can talk (spoiler: a lot), what counts as a real “word,” and the core language milestones between 12–24 months. We get into receptive vs. expressive language, nonverbal communication, and the difference between “they don’t understand me” and “they’re choosing not to listen,” which… hits home.

We also cover the big “is this normal?” questions — pointing and waving, only repeating you, not responding to their name, mixing languages — and when it’s worth checking in with your pediatrician. Dr. Ari explains why early intervention leads to the best outcomes, and gives simple tools parents can use at home (talk time, books, songs, naming emotions, and turning off our own screens).

And because communication and behavior are so connected, we talk through the toddler frustration cycle — the pointing, the grunting, the meltdowns, the boneless moments — and how to help kids feel seen and understood even before they have the words. We’ll go deeper on discipline NEXT MONTH, but this episode gives the foundation every parent needs to understand what’s happening in that little toddler brain!!

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast
00:01:20 Reintroducing Dr. Ari Brown
00:03:45 How much toddlers actually understand before they can talk
00:05:10 The speech and language milestones from 12–24 months
00:06:35 Do toddlers really understand the word “no”?
00:10:55 What counts as a “word”? (mispronunciations, animal sounds, sign language)
00:13:10 What toddlers don’t understand at this age
00:15:55 When to bring communication concerns to your pediatrician
00:17:05 How pediatricians evaluate & support a child who isn’t speaking
00:18:30 Rewarding early communication
00:20:55 Why it’s so confusing and frustrating to be a toddler
00:23:58 Handling tantrums and “boneless” moments
00:27:45 Why “no” becomes their favorite word
00:29:50 What toddlers can understand when it comes to discipline
00:34:20 Audience Question: Babbling but no pointing/waving — when to worry
00:38:35 Audience Question: 1-year-old ignores “wait/come here/stop”
00:42:42 Audience Question: Only repeating words — does that count?
00:43:33 Audience Question: Discipline with a speech delay
00:44:27 Audience Question: Multilingual or bilingual schools
00:45:23 Audience Question: Do bilingual kids talk later?
00:46:47 Audience Question: Helping kids feel seen and understood
00:50:10 Understanding communication red flags & early intervention
00:53:45 Summary of communication red flags
00:54:55 Top 3 things parents can do at home for language development
00:57:30 Thank you for listening!

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Find our guest:
Website | https://www.draribrown.com/
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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast — we’re back in ATX and easing into 2026 (our christmas decorations are still up). We kick it off by talking about why traveling with friends (especially with kids) is the ultimate compatibility test, how wild it is that a one-year-old can actually ski (like WHAT), and why our current neighborhood setup feels like college (in the best way!!!). 

Then we get into the thing everyone keeps asking: our childcare plan for baby #2. We talk about Maria’s mom (Peggy!! our angel), how the cross-house setup actually works, and what we’re looking forward to most with this set up! 

 Then we spiral into airline-mile skepticism, childhood “world-class” foods that absolutely do not hold up, and our early thoughts on Heated Rivalry (NOTE FROM JULES: it’s 9pm wednesday night and they’ve texted me that they’ve already changed their minds). Alex explains her beef with dramatic New Year’s resolutions, and Harrison shares the four phone-reduction rules he’s committing to in 2026 — no phone before 8am, no phone at dinner, no phone in the bathroom, and no doom-scrolling in bed.

We also talk couples who work out together, our current coffee-order identity crisis, babysitter etiquette (and the horror stories you sent in), “technoference” and how parental phone habits affect toddlers, Illinois’ new paid pumping-break law, and whether caviar really is “breast milk for adults”???? 

LOVE YOU GUYS and thanks for listening!

Timestamps: 

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! 

00:01:32 You learn a lot about people when you travel with them (ESPECIALLY with kids)

00:05:11 Our childcare plan for baby #2 

00:11:23 Are airline miles worth it or is the points game a scam?

00:15:05 When “world-class” childhood favorites don’t hold up

00:21:01 We’re watching Heated Rivalry

00:25:42 What’s Alex’s beef with New Year’s resolutions? 

00:28:36 Harrison’s 4 phone-reduction goals for 2026

00:33:50 Couples who work out together are 600% more likely to hit their fitness goals

00:36:30 We’re switching up our coffee orders?! 

00:40:10 Babysitter etiquette & horror stories

00:46:50 Things We DMed Each Other: “technoference” & parental digital distraction

00:49:22 Things We DMed Each Other: paid pumping breaks for moms in Illinois

00:50:40 This Week I Learned: Is eating caviar for adults kind of like breast milk for babies?

00:53:06 LOVE YOU GUYS!

#twoparentsandapod

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Ollie: Cozy up with your pup this season! Go to https://www.ollie.com/twoparents and use code twoparents to get 60% off your first box!

*Nutrafol: Get $10 off your first month’s subscription plus free shipping at https://www.nutrafol.com with code TWOPARENTS.

*Quince: Go to https://www.Quince.com/ALEX for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:

https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod

https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod

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Follow Alex Bennett:

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Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman

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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast — it’s the FIRST EPISODE OF 2026!! (Happy New Year!!!) And we’re kicking things off with a little Q&A (answering all of YOUR questions!!). We’re talking through what we’ll do differently with baby #2 (and what we’re keeping the same), how we think about screen time for Tate (& baby #2) AND ourselves, and how we navigate parenting style differences with friends as we build our village.

We also get into preparing Tate for baby boy, whether sibling jealousy is inevitable, and how we’re balancing friendships with people who don’t have kids — without making it weird. Plus, we share the one thing that made parenting noticeably easier this year that no one really talks about, and our #1 goal for 2026 as we go from a family of three to four.

And if you’ve already been through the toddler-to-newborn transition… please DM us your best advice. We’re collecting it all :) 

Timestamps: 

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:01:49 Q&A: Do you rotate who gets up with Tate in the morning and who does bedtime routine?

00:08:07 Q&A: Things you’ll do differently with baby #2?

00:13:27 Q&A: Things you won’t change with baby #2? 

00:17:33 Q&A: Starting to get nervous with giving birth - best advice? 

00:22:36 Q&A: Opinions on screen time?

00:25:58 Q&A: How do you handle parenting and disciplining differences among friends with kids?

00:31:32 Q&A: How do you think Tate will react once baby boy comes? Any jealousy? 

00:34:39 Q&A: Best activities to do with your single friends as a parent?

00:37:49 Q&A: What’s one thing that made parenting easier this year that no one talks about?!

00:39:27 Q&A: What’s your #1 goal for 2026?

00:41:40 LOVE YOU GUYS! 

#twoparentsandapod

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Hero Bread: Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://www.hero.co and use code TWOPARENTS at checkout. 

*Perelel:  Exclusive for our listeners, new customers can enjoy 20% off their first order with codeTWOPARENTS at https://www.perelelhealth.com

*Hungryroot: For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to https://www.hungryroot.com/TWOPARENTS and use code TWOPARENTS. 

*Cozy Earth: Go to https://www.cozyearth.com/TWOPARENTS for up to 20% off!

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Listen to the pod on YouTube/Spotify/Apple:

https://www.youtube.com/@twoparentsandapod

https://open.spotify.com/show/7BxuZnHmNzOX9MdnzyU4bD?si=5e715ebaf9014fac

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-parents-a-podcast/id1737442386

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod

Follow Alex Bennett:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/justalexbennett

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexbennett

Follow Harrison Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman

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