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StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast

StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast

Written by: Munchkin Inc.
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About this listen

 Does everyone you know give you different parenting advice? Are you overwhelmed trying to find the most credible sources for innovative parenting tips? Let us do that! StrollerCoaster is a podcast for parents that allows you to sit down with childhood development experts and parents from around the world who are answering your biggest parenting questions and providing solutions you can actually use. Created by Munchkin Inc. (The Most Loved Baby Lifestyle Brand in the World) and hosted by CNN and NBC news anchor Lynn Smith, we cover topics from social emotional learning, to feeding your kids, to understanding your own parenting experiences, and so much more. Plus, we even have a podcast for kids! StrollerCoaster StoryTime is a short-form podcast with a modern take on your favorite children's stories. It's full of surprises, cool sound effects and unexpected twists and turns, and you can find these episodes right here in the StrollerCoaster feed. So, whether you’re a parent to be, or a parent of three, hop on board the StrollerCoaster, because raising little humans can be quite a ride. Literature & Fiction Parenting Relationships
Episodes
  • A Solid Start: Allergies and First Foods

    A Solid Start: Allergies and First Foods
    May 4 2026
    Today’s Guests: Dr. Zachary Rubin & Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Shane McAnally. Some of the most meaningful parenting moments happen during mealtime - from those quiet early feedings of formula or breastmilk to the hilarious (and often messy) introduction of solid foods. But alongside those memories comes a steady stream of questions: What should my baby be eating? When is the right time to introduce new foods? How do I handle allergies? In the final episode of our three-part feeding series, StrollerCoaster zooms out to explore the full journey of nutrition across your baby’s first 1,000 days - a critical window that plays a powerful role in growth and development. Host Lynn Smith is joined by Dr. Zachary Rubin, a double board-certified pediatrician, who walks us through each stage of feeding. From breastmilk and formula to introducing allergens and transitioning to solids, he offers clear, practical guidance to help parents navigate every milestone with confidence. Then, in our Parenting Story of the Day, four-time Grammy Award winner Shane McAnally shares what it’s really like raising three kids while balancing life in the music industry. His stories about feeding on the road and bonding with his babies bring humor, honesty, and a fresh perspective on modern parenting. Special thanks to Target for sponsoring this episode. Dr. Zachary Rubin TikTok / IG / FB / Threads / YouTube / Bluesky Dr. Zachary Rubin is a double board-certified pediatrician specializing in allergy and immunology, with a focus on pediatric food allergies. A nationally recognized medical educator and public health advocate, he shares evidence-based, accessible information on allergies, asthma, and public health with over four million followers under the handle @rubin_allergy. He recently authored the best-selling book All About Allergies, offering a clear, compassionate guide to managing allergic diseases. Shane McAnally IG / FB / TikTok Shane McAnally is a four-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer with more than 50 No. 1 hits across country and pop music. He has been nominated for more CMA Awards than any other songwriter in history and has worked with renowned artists including Kacey Musgraves, Sam Hunt, Kenny Chesney, and Blake Shelton. Shane is the founder of SMACKSongs, a leading music publishing and artist development company that manages singer/songwriter Walker Hayes, who shot to superstardom with his smash hit “Fancy Like,” produced by McAnally. Shane is the founder of SMACKSongs, a leading music publishing and artist development company that manages singer/songwriter Walker Hayes, who shot to superstardom with his smash hit “Fancy Like,” produced by McAnally. On screen, he starred in NBC’s Songland, and on stage, he co-wrote the music and lyrics of the Tony-award winning Broadway musical Shucked. Across every project, McAnally continues to champion storytelling, country music, and underrepresented voices in the industry. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products, including our new infant formula Nurture 10 Blend at https://www.munchkin.com Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / TikTok Trees for the Future - www.trees.org All information presented on this program is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; nor should it replace the medical judgment of a licensed healthcare provider. It is the responsibility of a guardian to seek appropriate medical attention when they are concerned about their child. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Munchkin Inc., Munchkin Inc. affiliates or the production company.
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    28 mins
  • Formula Feeding: The Data, The Science, and The Real-Life Decisions

    Formula Feeding: The Data, The Science, and The Real-Life Decisions
    Apr 20 2026
    When it comes to feeding your newborn, the hardest thing to find isn’t opinions…it’s facts. In Part 2 of our special three-part series on feeding, StrollerCoaster goes deeper into the science and data behind infant formula, cutting through the noise to give parents real, evidence-based information they can trust. Host Lynn Smith is joined by two experts with complementary perspectives. Dr. Cynthia Barber, a biochemist and leader in infant nutrition innovation, breaks down what formula actually is, how it’s developed, and what parents should understand about safety, regulation, and the evolving formula landscape. And Emily Oster, CEO ParentData.org, brings her signature data-driven approach to parenting decisions, helping families navigate feeding choices with confidence, clarity, and far less guilt. In our “Parenting Story of the Day” Jill, a mom from Atlanta, who made a choice about how she wanted to feed her baby and the surprising challenges that almost got in her way. Special thanks to Target for sponsoring this episode. Dr. Cynthia Barber Dr. Barber is a biochemist and infant nutrition expert with decades of experience developing and bringing formula products to market. Over her career, she has helped clear an average of 26 infant formula products per year through FDA regulatory processes and played a key role in launching the first store-brand infant formulas in the United States. She has worked with a wide range of companies, including organic formula brands, and is deeply committed to improving access to safe, high-quality infant nutrition. Today, she focuses on addressing the North American infant formula crisis and helping companies navigate FDA and international regulations to bring products to families who need them. Emily Oster In / FB / IG / X Emily Oster is the CEO of ParentData, a professor of economics at Brown University, and a best-selling author known for her evidence-based approach to parenting. She earned her PhD in economics from Harvard and is the author of Expecting Better, Cribsheet, The Family Firm, and The Unexpected, with more than one million copies sold. Through her work, Emily helps parents make informed decisions about pregnancy, parenting, and health by translating complex data into clear, practical insights. Jill B Jill B develops award-winning advertising campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands. Outside of work and her obsession with sports, she’s the proud mom of two incredible boys, Ryder and Hudson. You’ll usually find her serving as team mom, class parent and overextending herself in just about every volunteer position possible because she has a hard time saying no. All while balancing a full-time career and a growing side business. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products, including our new infant formula Nurture 10 Blend at https://www.munchkin.com Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / TikTok Trees for the Future All information presented on this program is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; nor should it replace the medical judgment of a licensed healthcare provider. It is the responsibility of a guardian to seek appropriate medical attention when they are concerned about their child. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Munchkin Inc., Munchkin Inc. affiliates or the production company.
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    20 mins
  • Formula? Breastmilk? Both? There’s No Wrong Answer.

    Formula? Breastmilk? Both? There’s No Wrong Answer.
    Apr 9 2026
    You just had a baby. You’ve got a million things running through your mind. But there’s one thing you have to do right away: feed your baby. No matter how much you planned, it can feel stressful and overwhelming. That’s where StrollerCoaster comes in, with a special three-part series devoted to feeding. In our first episode we start at the very beginning: Formula? Breastmilk? Both? While breastmilk is often recognized as the gold standard, we know every family’s journey is different - and we’re here to explore and support all feeding choices. We’re joined by Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi, an emergency physician, infant feeding expert, and co-founder of the “Fed Is Best” Foundation who shares evidence-based insights on newborn nutrition, the risks of insufficient feeding, and why flexibility and informed choice are critical for families. Then, in our Parenting Story of the Day, Nona Willis Aronowitz, author of a New York Times opinion piece titled “The Secret to Marriage Equality is Formula,” explains how feeding choices can impact not just your baby, but your relationship with your partner as well. Special thanks to Target for sponsoring this episode. Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi / FB / IG / YT / In Dr. Christie del Castillo-Hegyi is a board-certified emergency physician, infant feeding researcher, and Co-Founder of The Fed is Best Foundation which advocates for safe, informed newborn nutrition. After her own child experienced complications from insufficient breastfeeding, she dedicated her work to studying feeding-related risks such as jaundice, dehydration, and hypoglycemia. She is a member of the Global Development Disability Research Collaborators and co-author of Fed Is Best: The Unintended Harms of the "Breast Is Best" Message and How to Find the Right Approach for You and Your Baby, which promotes a balanced, judgment-free, and evidence-based approach to feeding. Nona Willis Aronowitz IG / X Nona Willis Aronowitz is an author, editor, and speaker whose work explores gender, culture, and modern relationships. Her widely discussed New York Times opinion piece, “The Secret to Marriage Equality is Formula,” offers a fresh and personal perspective on how infant feeding choices can influence partnership dynamics and shared parenting responsibilities. StrollerCoaster: A Parenting Podcast is created by Munchkin Inc., the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world. You can find all your favorite Munchkin products, including our new infant formula Nurture 10 Blend at https://www.munchkin.com Follow Munchkin on Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / TikTok Trees for the Future - www.trees.org All information presented on this program is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; nor should it replace the medical judgment of a licensed healthcare provider. It is the responsibility of a guardian to seek appropriate medical attention when they are concerned about their child. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Munchkin Inc., Munchkin Inc. affiliates or the production company.
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    25 mins
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