Episode Description

Vaccinations have become one of parenting’s most complicated conversations. But what changed?

In this episode of UNrattled, Jessica and Venay sit down with pediatrician Dr. Jonathan Holmes to explore how social media, COVID, changing trust in institutions, and our relationships with healthcare providers have reshaped the vaccination conversation.

This isn’t about telling parents what to think. It’s about staying curious, asking good questions, and understanding the world influencing the decisions we make for our children.

Key Takeaways

• More information doesn’t always mean more certainty. Algorithms and endless sources can make it harder to know whom to trust.
• How we perceive risk matters. Our brains naturally respond differently to the risk of taking action versus doing nothing.
• Trust grows through relationships. A healthcare provider who knows your child offers something the internet simply can’t.
• Curiosity makes room for conversation. Listening to understand doesn’t mean you have to agree.

This Week’s UNrattled Challenge: Choose Curiosity

The next time someone says something that immediately makes you want to defend your position as a parent, pause.

Instead of explaining why you disagree and becoming defensive, ask:

“What led you to feel that way? Why do you think that?”

Then really listen.

You don’t have to agree or change your mind. Just try to understand something you didn’t before. Sometimes the best conversations happen when nobody is trying to win.