More than Milestones
Hosted by pediatric physical therapist, wife and mom of three, Dr. KC Rickerd, More Than Milestones is the podcast that goes beyond baby checklists and dives deep into real motherhood, real development, real relationships, and everything in between.
Whether you’re supporting your baby’s motor development, navigating big kid emotions, or navigating a new stage of life & parenting, this show blends expert-backed education with the honest, unfiltered reality of motherhood.
Each week, KC brings you conversations with trusted professionals—pediatricians, therapists, sleep and feeding experts, mental health pros, and more—plus raw, relatable stories from fellow moms and caregivers. No pressure to be perfect. Just honest conversations, support, humor, and community for the journey you’re on.
If you're looking for clarity, connection, and a reminder that while supporting our children’s development is important, so is supporting ourselves - you’re in the right place, because it’s always more than milestones.
More than Milestones
24. Sex After Kids: How to Reconnect as Partners, Reignite Intimacy & End the Roommate Phase With Vanessa & Xander Marin
If you’ve ever felt like your partner turned into a roommate after kids, this conversation is for you. I'm joined by the one and only Vanessa and Xander Marin. Vanessa is a licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in sex therapy, and Xander left his career at Google to focus on helping couples talk openly about sex. In this episode, we dive into the “roommate phase,” the bristle reaction, and what it really looks like to reconnect sexually after kids. Vanessa and Xander normalize the fact that every couple struggles with intimacy, from mismatched sex drives to communication breakdowns and share practical, realistic tools to help partners feel less alone and more connected.
Key Topics Covered
- Why intimacy shifts for every couple
- The “roommate phase” and how couples drift
- Preparing for how parenthood impacts your sex life
- Mom mode → me mode → we mode, and why transition time matters after birth
- Mental desire vs. physical arousal, including responsive desire
- How to communicate needs and invite reconnection without rejection
- Why sex shouldn’t feel like a chore—and how to rebuild real connection
Follow Vanessa + Xander on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessaandxander/
Visit Vanessa + Xander’s Website: vmtherapy.com
Their Book; Sex Talks: https://sextalksbook.com/
Links & Resources
💻 Website & Blog:
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/
📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
https://www.instagram.com/milesto nes.and.motherhood/
🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/
🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining
📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097
🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm
🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com
Go deeper with KC on Substack
More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.
https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones
Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍