When Millennials Become Moms

Red light therapy is everywhere right now, but most people do not really understand how it works or how to use it correctly. In this episode, Natasha sits down with Vivian Chen, founder of Lumebox, to break down the science of red and near infrared light in a practical and approachable way. They discuss why Natasha was initially skeptical, how artificial light disrupts circadian rhythms, and why timing, placement, and wavelength matter more than most people realize. Vivian explains how red light supports energy, sleep, hormone balance, and even thyroid health, while also addressing common questions about EMFs, face masks, and how Lumebox differs from other devices on the market. If you have ever wondered whether red light therapy is worth it or how to actually use it safely and effectively, this episode is a must listen. Notes: 1:01 – Why Natasha was skeptical about red light therapy at first 2:20 – Vivian’s personal journey into red light therapy and founding Lumebox 4:25 – The big-picture benefits of red and near-infrared light 6:30 – Why so many people are using the wrong type of light—and what kind you actually need 9:00 – The best way to start your day using light for circadian health 12:00 – How modern indoor lighting disrupts our biology 14:10 – The impact of time changes on sleep, mood, and energy 17:00 – Phone use at night and how artificial light affects melatonin 19:00 – Key differences between red light devices on the market 22:00 – How often to use the Lumebox, where to use it, and best timing 24:00 – Do red light face masks actually work? 25:00 – When to use red light vs. near-infrared light 28:00 – Using red light therapy for thyroid support 32:00 – Lumebox and EMFs: what you need to know 35:00 – Why light exposure—especially morning light—is foundational to health 38:00 – Why Natasha continues to use and trust the Lumebox Links: Red Light Bulbs -https://healthlighting.com/pages/chromalux-the-original-light-for-health-and-wellness  Clip on Nightlight - https://amzn.to/3MJHzRj

In this episode, we sit down with Nicki Petrossi from Scrolling 2 Death to unpack the growing mental health concerns tied to kids’ technology use. We explore how social media, gaming platforms, and school-issued devices impact attention, emotional health, and development. Nicki breaks down what parents need to know about platforms like Roblox, Snapchat, and Discord and offers practical steps families can take to set healthy boundaries around tech without shame or fear.  Rough Timecodes: 1:00 – Welcome 3:00 – The link between social media and depression 5:00 – Mental health impacts and the connection to fragmented attention 6:00 – Kids getting devices earlier and schools providing devices 7:00 – Everything is becoming social media (Spotify, Roblox, etc.) 8:00 – What parents need to know about the dangers of Roblox 11:00 – What if you allow these platforms so your child doesn’t feel excluded? 13:00 – The dangers of Snapchat for kids 15:00 – Two things parents can do to avoid common pitfalls 18:00 – Playing games with your child and what to do if something isn’t appropriate 20:00 – Discord: what it is and what parents need to know 21:00 – Age gating and GCO 22:00 – Facial scanning and how it relates to age gating 24:00 – Going backwards: how to help kids reduce tech use 27:00 – Creating a family tech contract 30:00 – Teaching kids phone etiquette 33:00 – The dangers of laptops in schools Links: 10 rules for raising a kid in a high tech world - https://amzn.to/3KNemnV how to make your smart phone a dumb phone - https://www.drorganicmommy.com/blog/how-we-turned-our-sons-smartphone-into-a-dumb-phone-and-how-you-can-too-natasha-beck Tin Can https://tincan.kids New York times - laptops in schools - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/opinion/laptop-classroom-test-scores.html Tech Safe learning - https://www.techsafelearning.org Good Pictures Bad pictures book -https://amzn.to/4pXMs7q

This week, Natasha breaks down why she’s never aligned with the Elf on the Shelf tradition and why so many parents feel exhausted, pressured, or conflicted by it. From the unrealistic nightly expectations to the “someone is watching you” messaging, she explains why it may be time to rethink the Elf entirely. She also shares gentle scripts for shifting the Elf’s role, ways to retire it without breaking the magic, how to make the holidays meaningful without the focus on gifts, and even a goodbye letter families can use. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the Elf cycle but afraid to stop — this episode gives you permission and language to opt out with confidence and love. Link Pill box:https://go.shopmy.us/p-34214036 Advent calendar https://www.drorganicmommy.com/blog/adventcalendar XIV Karats https://www.xivkarats.com (https://www.xivkarats.com/) Notes: 00:00–1:00 — Must-Haves of the Week 2:00 — Why You Shouldn’t Buy Plastic Jewelry This Holiday Season  A quick conversation about toxic materials, why so many holiday trinkets are made from low-quality plastics, and safer alternatives for kids with Caryn from XIV Karats  3:00 — The Truth About Elf on the Shelf 4:55 — Stuck Doing the Elf but Want Out? 6:45 — Making Holiday Memories Without the Gifts 7:30 — Scripts for Retiring Your Elf Natasha shares parent-tested language for shifting the Elf’s role, softening the myth, or gracefully ending the tradition. 10:00 — A Goodbye Letter From the Elf 12:25 — The Guilt Parents Feel About Giving Up the Elf

In Part 2 of our deep dive into GLP-1s, we continue our conversation with Dr. Elroy Vojdani to explore the questions everyone is asking but few experts are willing to answer. This episode goes beyond weight loss to uncover how GLP-1 medications intersect with women’s health, hormones, longevity, and the natural aging process. We break down microdosing, natural GLP-1 alternatives, and what women need to consider if they’re taking these drugs without a clinical need. Dr. Vojdani sheds light on tricky topics like COVID and GLP-1 interactions, endometriosis and PCOS, hormone absorption issues, and whether these medications impact bone density, muscle mass, hot flashes, mood, or sleep during menopause and perimenopause. We also tackle the big question: what are the real downsides? From gallbladder risks and pancreatitis to gut-motility concerns and what actually happens when someone stops taking these medications, this conversation is packed with the latest research from a functional medicine lens. Links:  Regenera Medical - https://www.regeneramedical.com Subtack - https://theinflamedgeneration.substack.com Timecodes: 00:30 — Microdosing GLP-1s 02:13 — What about women taking GLP-1s who don’t medically need them? 03:29 — Natural GLP-1 alternatives 05:40 — COVID, vaccines, and GLP-1s 08:29 — The intersection between GLP-1s and menopause/perimenopause 09:29 — Endometriosis, PCOS, and GLP-1s 12:29 — Possible issues with oral hormone therapy absorption while on GLP-1s 13:29 — Do women need to protect bone density and muscle mass more while on GLP-1s? 15:29 — Links between GLP-1 use and hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep quality during perimenopause/menopause 17:09 — So… what are the downsides? 17:29 — What are normal aging mechanisms in the body, and could GLP-1s potentially accelerate them? 18:29 — How concerned should people be about gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, gut motility problems, etc.? 22:15 — What happens when someone stops taking them?

In this first part of our GLP-1 deep dive, Dr. Natasha Beck and Emily sit down with their own functional medicine doctor, Dr. Vojdani, to unpack everything you’ve been hearing about these buzzy weight-loss and longevity medications. Together they break down how GLP-1s work, who they’re for, and what you must know before considering them. From the difference between prescription peptides and unregulated versions sold online to the latest research on cancer risk, muscle loss, addiction, and more—Dr. Vojdani offers a grounded, science-based perspective on what these drugs are really doing inside your body and how to support your health with or without them. 1:00 – What are GLP-1s and how do they work? 2:50 – The difference between prescription peptides and unregulated versions sold online 5:00 – The biggest takeaway: what your doctor wants you to know about this class of drugs 7:30 – GLP-1s and current research related to cancer risk 8:30 – Key differences between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide 10:15 – How GLP-1s impact alcohol cravings and addiction pathways 14:00 – What actually happens inside your body when you take these medications 15:38 – Why tracking muscle loss matters 16:00 – The importance of a DEXA scan and APOE gene test for everyone 21:00 – How to combine lab testing, nutrition, and lifestyle—whether or not you’re on GLP-1s 23:00 – Functional and natural ways to achieve similar results without the drug