If you’re a new or expecting parent, finding the perfect work-life balance between your family and your profession (not to mention getting a good night’s sleep) can be tricky. HOPA Now is here to help – call it an early Christmas present!

We assembled an expecting mother, a new father, and a mother of twins to join Matt and Father-of-Four Peter to share their stories and tips on raising children and how their attitudes to their jobs have changed.

Former HOPA Now host Benjamin Andrick, PharmD, BCOP joined us alongside Renee McAlister Jones, PharmD, BCOP and Emma Garrison, PharmD, BCOP for a wide-ranging chat about everything you might want to know if you’re a HOPA member looking to start a family, or are already on the way to starting one.

Our podcasting parents cover everything from date night advice and the surprising amount of protein in Costco bagels, to the challenge of finding mess-free crock pot recipes, and the joys of Lucky Charms cereal.

Featuring a shocking mid-episode reveal you won’t see coming (our producer and one of the co-hosts didn’t when we were recording this, either!), you won’t want to miss our bumper Christmas edition of HOPA Now!

And don’t forget to share your hobby, side-hustle or passion project with us for a chance to join us onstage at Annual Conference for our first-ever live episode! And if you’re selected, get your conference registration and select expenses reimbursed! Submit before Sunday, January 11, 2026 at https://apps.hoparx.org/forms/call_for_guests/

Renee, Emma, Ben and Peter recommended the following books and items:

HALO SleepSack
Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong--and What You Really Need to Know by Emily Oster
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool by Emily Oster
The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp
The “What to Expect” Series by Heidi Murkoff

HOPA does not endorse any of these items, and these recommendations reflect the individual opinions of our guests.

Interested in contributing to a future episode? Got a topic suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at communications@hoparx.org