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Robot Unicorn

Nurtured First

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, religion, postpartum, healing, and loss.

We are glad you are here.

PS: The name Robot Unicorn comes from our daughter. When we asked her what we should name the podcast, she confidently came up with this name because she loves robots, and she loves unicorns, so why not? There was something about the playfulness of the name, the confidence in her voice, and the fact that it represents that you can love two things at once that just felt right.

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  • 27 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 31 min
  • English

Episodes 27

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  • #107
    May 4 · 1 hr 6 min

    Getting Honest About New Motherhood With Libby Ward

    Jess sits down with guest Libby Ward to discuss her highly anticipated new book, Honest Motherhood. Themes covered include: Raising a sensitive baby, learning how to be a parent after a traumatic childhood, postpartum anxiety, and more. Tune in for an incredibly raw, validating conversation that will help you drop the heavy facade of the 'perfect mom' and learn how to find yourself. Want to hear more from Libby? Connect on Instagram Connect on TikTok Connect on Facebook Order her new book: Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN. We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits: Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

  • #106
    April 27 · 22 min

    Why “Stranger Danger” Doesn’t Protect Kids (Part 3)

    CW: Abuse, child sexual abuse, grooming In this final episode of our 3-part series on child sexual abuse, Jess and Scott dive into practical steps parents can take to protect their kids. Listeners will walk away with valuable tools, including easy conversational games to play with children and tips for recognizing behavioural red flags. Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN. We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits: Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

  • #105
    April 20 · 37 min

    The Truth About How Child Abuse Stays Hidden (Part 2)

    CW: Abuse, child sexual abuse, grooming In Part 2 of this critical series on child sexual abuse, hosts Jess and Scott delve into the dark realities of child abuse and the manipulative process of grooming. Jess and Scott debunk dangerous myths while providing parents with practical red flags to look out for. Tune in to empower yourself with the vital knowledge needed to protect your children and identify unsafe environments before they escalate. If you want to learn more about how to proactively teach your child about body safety and consent to reduce their risk of abuse, check out these other episodes: How Can I Protect My Kids From Sexual Abuse? How To Teach Kids About Body Safety and Consent: Tricky People, Secrets, and Safety Plans Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN. We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits: Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

  • #104
    April 13 · 24 min

    What Parents Need To Know About Grooming: Protecting Kids (Part 1)

    CW: Abuse, child sexual abuse, grooming In this heavy but crucial episode of Robot Unicorn, hosts Jess and Scott tackle the difficult reality of childhood sexual abuse and the grooming process. We break down why abusers are overwhelmingly people the child already knows and trusts, completely dismantling the outdated 'stranger danger' myth. Listeners will gain vital insights into how abusers manipulate power dynamics and learn actionable ways to use body safety education as a powerful shield. Join us for an empowering conversation designed to help you recognize red flags and proactively protect the children in your life. If you want to learn more about how to proactively teach your child about body safety and consent to reduce their risk of abuse, check out these other episodes: How Can I Protect My Kids From Sexual Abuse? How To Teach Kids About Body Safety and Consent: Tricky People, Secrets, and Safety Plans Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN. We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits: Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

  • #103
    April 6 · 45 min

    Stop Letting the Scale Dictate Your Worth With Dr. Rachel Goldman

    In this insightful episode of Robot Unicorn, Jess sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman, author of 'When Life Happens.' They explore the empowering concept of body neutrality and discuss why the cultural pressure of toxic body positivity might actually be holding us back. Dr. Rachel unpacks the complexities surrounding GLP-1 medications, the rising impact of social media on orthorexia, and practical CBT tools for reframing our most anxious thoughts. Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies for embracing their bodies' functions, challenging negative self-talk, and modelling a healthy body image for their children. Tune in to discover why it is perfectly okay not to love your body every single day! Want to hear more from Dr. Rachel? Connect on Instagram https://www.drrachelnyc.com/ Order her new book: When Life Happens Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN. We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits: Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

  • #102
    March 30 · 35 min

    Brain Stuckness: Reducing Power Struggles & Building Flexibility (Part 2)

    This week, Jess and Scott talk about how to reduce power struggles and brain stuckness. You'll gain crucial insights into why toddlers can't self-regulate, how 'radical honesty' diffuses tension, and why over-explaining rules can actually invite more defiance. Tune in to learn how to speak your child's language through play and become a more confident, trusted leader in your home. Check out these Robot Unicorn episodes for more on the impact of screens, social media and gaming on our kids: How To Create Healthy Screentime Habits with Dr. Michael Robb (12/15/2025) The Impact Of Social Media, Gaming And Smartphones On Kids (6/9/2025) Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN. We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits: Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

  • #101
    March 23 · 39 min

    Brain Stuckness: Why Kids Struggle With Flexibility (Part 1)

    In this episode of Robot Unicorn, Jess and Scott are joined by a very special guest—their 5-year-old daughter—who shares a story about her brain getting stuck on making a paper kite. The hosts dive into the fascinating concept of "brain stuckness," explaining why young children often fixate on a single idea and struggle with flexible thinking. Listeners will gain crucial insights into the "five-to-seven shift" in brain development, helping parents distinguish between intentional defiance and simple neurological stuckness. Discover why traditional logic often fails with kids and how understanding impulse control can help you parent with more empathy and grace. Tune in to transform your approach to toddler meltdowns and stubborn behaviour! Get 10% OFF parenting courses and kids' printable activities at Nurtured First using the code ROBOTUNICORN. We’d love to hear from you! Have questions you want us to answer on Robot Unicorn? Send us an email: podcast@robotunicorn.net. Credits: Editing by The Pod Cabin Artwork by Wallflower Studio Production by Nurtured First Head to nurturedfirst.com/bodysafety to learn more about our Body Safety & Consent course!

Showing 21–27 of 27 episodes