MMD BLOG


CATEGORY:

Dr. Whitney

THE TRUTH ABOUT FEAR, TRAUMA, AND HYPNOBIRTHING WITH FILMAKER LIAT RON

 Modern Mommy Doc


PUBLICATION DATE:

October 8, 2025

THE TRUTH ABOUT FEAR, TRAUMA, AND HYPNOBIRTHING WITH FILMAKER LIAT RON

 Modern Mommy Doc

CATEGORY: Dr. Whitney

About the Episode:


In this episode of the Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Liat Ron, filmmaker and producer of the new documentary Fear and Now. The film shines a light on how fear and trauma often shape the birthing experience—and how tools like hypnobirthing can transform it into something calmer, safer, and even enjoyable.


Liat shares her own journey of discovery as she dove into the world of birth work, learning that women don’t have to choose between medicine and empowerment. Instead, it’s about reframing birth as an experience where parents can feel informed, supported, and free from unnecessary fear.


You’ll learn:


  • Why fear and trauma are so common in modern birth stories—and how they can be addressed.


  • What hypnobirthing actually is (and what it isn’t).


  • How parents can prepare for a more calm, confident, and fear-free birth.


  • Why this movement isn’t “anti-medicine”—but rather about combining safety with empowerment.


  • Liat’s behind-the-scenes experience making Fear and Now and what she hopes parents, providers, and birth workers take away from it.


This conversation is an invitation to imagine birth differently: with less fear, more connection, and the possibility of joy in one of life’s most powerful transitions.


Key Links:


  • Website: fearandnowmovie.com - Join the movement: take action, host a screening, learn about screenings in your area, and sign up for updates.




About Our Guest:


Liat Ron is a filmmaker, performer, writer and a mother of two whose work explores empowerment, self-expression, and transformation. Fear and Now is her directorial debut. The first film to highlight the profound impact of HypnoBirthing on pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.


As an actor, Liat has performed in numerous plays, musicals, and independent films. Among her NYC theater credits is GUTS, her critically acclaimed autobiographical solo show, which she wrote and executive produced. A professionally trained Middle Eastern dancer, she developed an innovative teaching method that empowers women of all ages and backgrounds, using movement as a gateway to confidence, strength, and self-liberation.


Liat is also a writer and co-founder of Techealthiest, a website she created with her husband, psychologist Dr. Greg Kushnick. The site provides real-world strategies for navigating health and well-being in an age dominated by technology.


Currently, Liat is in the early stages of development on her next documentary, Healthy is the New Sick, which takes a deep dive into our wellness culture and its effects on our health, body image, and sense of self.


Across all her creative and professional endeavors, Liat is committed to challenging cultural norms, sparking change, and breaking boundaries. Her work empowers individuals to reconnect with their true selves, reshaping narratives around wellness, identity, and empowerment, while encouraging deeper personal and societal transformation.


Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today?


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Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body before it launches on October 20, 2025.
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www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books


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When you pre-order, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with:


  • Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs”
  • How to talk about health without weight talk
  • What to do when your own inner critic shows up
  • How to interrupt diet culture at home
  • The first step to raising a body-confident kid—even if you didn’t grow up as one

    📩
    Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.

Raising Body-Confident Kids Starts at the Doctor's Office!

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About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
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By Dr. Whitney December 17, 2025
About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
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