Hey Doc,

If you’ve ever looked into the au pair program and wondered, “Okay but… how much does it actually cost?” — this is for you.

This episode was inspired by a client who asked me directly what she’d really be signing up for financially. And when I say there’s nuance? Whew. There’s nuance.

The au pair program can be more cost-effective than a nanny, but only if you understand what you’re actually paying for and how to make it work for your family.

Yes, it can be more affordable. The flexibility is unmatched. The cultural exchange is a beautiful benefit for both your kids and your home.

In this episode, I walk you through:

• A full breakdown of the real costs — required and optional
• How program structures differ between agencies
• What to absolutely know before you offer more than the stipend
• The subtle traps that can cost you way more than money (👀)
• How to avoid common mistakes that lead to frustration… or rematch

I also share how we’ve structured our own au pair experience to support our values, our lifestyle, and our kids.

Key Takeaways:

• Hosting an au pair will cost you at least $20K/year, but most spend closer to $25K–$35K (or more).
• Some perks sound generous, but can cause friction later if not clearly defined from the start.
• Even with the extras, an au pair is often still more cost-effective than a nanny — especially if you're using close to the full 45 hours of coverage.

This episode isn’t about convincing you to choose one path or another. It’s about clarity. Because the more you know, the more empowered your decision will be to make the right choice for your family.

🎧 New to the au pair program? Listen now and bookmark this episode!

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

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If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

Hey Doc,

This episode is about the reason I created ✨The Connected Motherhood Experience✨ — a space specifically for Black physician moms.

It came out of years of being in rooms, reading books, and trying to apply lessons that were never written for me. Most of the popular resources in the personal and professional development world weren’t created with women like us in mind. The frameworks often reflect lives with different levels of privilege, support, and responsibility.

And too often, the burden falls on us to translate.

To fit our reality into someone else’s formula. To ignore what doesn’t apply and pretend the rest is enough. To carry the weight of being the only one in the room.

In this episode, I talk about what that’s looked like in my own journey, and how it shaped the kind of space I knew I needed to create for others.

✨The C.M.E.✨ isn’t an afterthought.

It’s not a branding angle.

It’s an intentional space built around the lived experiences of Black physician moms — with room for difference, without the need for explanation.

Inside this episode I talk about:

• What it feels like to grow in spaces that weren’t built for you
• The emotional and cognitive labor of translating frameworks that don’t reflect your life
• Why representation isn’t just “nice to have” in coaching, it’s necessary
• The vision behind ✨The Connected Motherhood Experience✨ and what makes it different

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya

Hey Doc,

This one’s different.

In format and in focus.

In this episode, I’m sharing excerpts from a book that reshaped the way I think about boundaries.

It’s called Boundaries After a Pathological Relationship by Adelyn Birch.

Yes, it’s about toxic romantic relationships... but when I read it, it felt like it captured everything I’ve experienced while in medicine.

The way we’ve been trained to tolerate mistreatment, to deny our needs, to believe we can’t leave... It’s the very definition of a dysfunctional relationship.

And most of us are still in it.

You’ll hear some of the most soul-shaking passages from the book and I’ll unpack them through the lens of physician motherhood. Because boundaries aren’t just about saying no. They’re about reclaiming your time, your worth, and your right to want more.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why confrontation isn’t a character flaw, and what it actually signals
• The radical idea that your wants and needs are legitimate (yes, even as a doctor, even as a mom)
• How medicine gaslights physicians into forgetting their power — and how to take it back
• A list of your basic human rights in relationships that will stop you in your tracks

If you’ve ever felt stuck, dismissed, or just deeply tired this conversation is for you.

Not to fix it all.

But to remind you that your truth matters.

And you don’t need permission to honor it.

🎧 Tap play. Then send this to another physician mom who’s been silently questioning everything.

What did you think of the episode, doc? Let me know!

Subscribe to ✨Stethoscopes and Strollers✨ on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Apple Podcast | Spotify | YouTube

Connect with me: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Join my Email list to get tips on navigating motherhood in the medical field.

If you are going through a transition -- becoming a parent, leaving a job, figuring out how manage it all, schedule a free coaching session.

Free Coaching Session with Dr. Toya