Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP) Podcast By Laura Birek Shanna Micko cover art

Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

By: Laura Birek Shanna Micko
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Getting a big fat positive pregnancy test (your BFP!) is just the beginning of a wild, emotional and often funny ride into parenthood, and "Big Fat Positive" is here for you through it all. On this weekly podcast, hosts Shanna and Laura share their pregnancies and parenthood in real time, starting at just eight weeks pregnant.

They tell hilarious true stories, tackle tough parenting topics, share favorite tips and products, explore the wild and wacky corners of parenthood, and bring in expert guests for trustworthy insight on pregnancy, babies, mental health and more.

Whether you’re newly pregnant, navigating life with a newborn or deep into the parenting years, "Big Fat Positive" offers a smart, supportive mix of laughter, honesty and evidence-based information, plus the feeling of having two best mom friends in your corner, reminding you you’re not doing this alone.

New episodes are released every Monday.

© © Laura Birek, Shanna Micko Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Ep. 410: Rage Bait

    Ep. 410: Rage Bait
    May 11 2026
    Shanna and Laura talk bizarre pregnancy infographics and shockingly bad mom "hacks" in the special segment "Internet Insanity." Also, Shanna recounts a tumultuous week of getting her 7-year-old started on a new medication, and Laura reports on some unexpected news from her 5-year-old's ENT appointment. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a spontaneous neighborhood adventure and a long-overdue outing to a beloved Los Angeles children's museum. Shanna's kids are 7 and 10 years old, and Laura's kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.Topics discussed in this episode:• Strategies for helping your child start a new, daily medication• Navigating ADHD medication side effects and adjustments• Figuring out if your child needs ear tubes put in• What are adenoids, and why do kids get them removed?• Terrible AI-generated health content online• Questionable parenting "hacks" on Facebook• Getting out of a rut: "capital A activities" for kids in Los AngelesProducts, links, resources mentioned in this episode:• The ADHD Parenting Podcast• Ruchi Singh - Facebook creator of terrible AI pregnancy posts• Questionable kids' natural makeup hack• Questionable swim diaper hack• Hopia Like It - Filipino bakery Shanna discovered on a neighborhood walk with Cece• KidSpace Children's Museum - Laura's BFP outing in PasadenaPast BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:• Ep. 405 - Where Shanna and Laura talk about ADHD• Ep. 402 - Where Laura talks about taking Sebastian to the ENT to discuss the status of his ear tubes at age 5• Ep. 266 - Where Laura reports on Sebastian's ear tube surgery at age 2Connect with Us:• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast• Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    57 mins
  • Ep. 409: Impulsive Decisions

    Ep. 409: Impulsive Decisions
    May 4 2026
    Laura reports on her family's rocky journey home from Mexico and the effects it had on her kids, and Shanna talks about how her daughter's adorable Easter egg hunt took an unexpected turn. Also, in the special segment "Throwback," Shanna shares two stories about how her impulsive decisions as a child disrupted her family's vacations. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a long-overdue errand Laura finally checked off her list and a spontaneous project Cece took on that made Shanna's heart sing. Shanna's kids are 7 and 10 years old, and Laura's kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.Topics discussed in this episode:• How to keep your kids occupied during a long travel day• Handling sibling jealousy during spring break• Taking kids to birthday parties when they're overtired and dysregulated• Sending your kids to day camp during school breaks• Impulsive childhood decisions• When best-laid vacation plans go wrong• Letting your child take ownership of a projectProducts, links, resources mentioned in this episode:• Johnny Rockets (Restaurant in the Cancun airport)• "Meat tenderizer in the acute treatment of imported fire ant stings" - Article from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1987• Pinetop, Arizona - Where Shanna's family vacationed• Best Jewelry and Watch Repair, Glendale — Laura's ring resizing recommendationPast BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:• Ep. 386 - Where Shanna shares the hack of keeping an Oh Shit kit in your car• Ep. 397 - Where Shanna talks about her girls attending "field trip" camp over winter break• Ep. 408 - Where Laura shares a Throwback story about the time her family went on vacation to an all-inclusive Club Med resort in MexicoConnect with Us:• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast• Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    55 mins
  • Ep. 408: Land Cruise

    Ep. 408: Land Cruise
    Apr 27 2026
    In the special segment "Throwback," Laura recounts a family trip to Club Med in Mexico when she was 13 that involved hypnosis, trapeze and forbidden love. Also, Shanna faces the consequences of packing too many family plans into one Saturday, and Laura shares the revelation that allowed her to fully enjoy her family's spring-break trip to Mexico. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including late-night tooth trauma and more. Shanna's kids are 7 and 10 years old, and Laura's kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.Topics discussed in this episode:• Over-planning your weekend (and paying the price)• Travelling with a selective/picky eater• Vacationing at an all-inclusive resort with kids• Growing up at 13: crushes, trapeze, and the last family trip before everything changed• Dog training: getting the whole family on the same page• Dental health hacks for people who hate flossingProducts, links, resources mentioned in this episode:• Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya - The all-inclusive resort Laura and fam stayed at during their vacation in Mexico• Agoutis - the cute critters Laura's family saw during their trip• Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 toothbrush - The toothbrush Laura uses that gets her a gold star at the dentistPast BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:• Ep. 281 - Where Laura shares a Throwback story about the time her family found what they thought was a baby osprey while vacationing on the Jersey shore.Connect with Us:• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast• Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    52 mins
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I've been listening nearly every work day since I first found out I was expecting! it is like having pregnant friends going through the experience with you. not to mention there is a decent amount of learning and tons of cute stories involved in their parenting! I am always telling my sweetheart stories from the podcast and recommend it to my friends and family.

so much fun!

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I started listening to BFP when I was about 24 weeks, and I have absolutely loved it! It is a great combination of comedy, education, and commiseration.

A fun listen for a pregnant mom!

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