From 9 to Mom

You've got the nursery done, the registry checked off, and the hospital bag packed — but are you actually ready?

This week, Catie and Danielle sit down with Nina Spears, founder and CEO of Baby Chick, certified baby planner, birth and postpartum doula, and author of the brand-new The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy. With 15+ years of experience supporting 800+ families and attending over 350 births, Nina has seen it all — and she's here to talk about the one thing most moms skip: preparing for becoming a mother.

Nina breaks down why our culture obsesses over baby stuff but ignores the emotional, physical, and relational shifts that hit hardest after delivery. She shares what she wishes every mom knew before coming home from the hospital, how to navigate the identity crisis of returning to work, and why the most capable women often struggle the most.

If you've ever looked at your baby and thought "now what?" — this episode is for you.

📖 Pre-order Nina's book and enter to win over $5,500 in prizes (Halo, Mockingbird, Coterie + more): baby-chick.com/positive-pregnancy-book

Subscribe to Nina's free newsletter and explore all things pregnancy, postpartum, and early motherhood at baby-chick.com

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:35 – Nina's Origin Story: How a Childless 23-Year-Old Became a Baby Expert

05:22 – "Baby's Here, Now What?" — How Unprepared Are Moms Really?

07:02 – Why Our Culture Celebrates the Baby But Forgets the Mother

10:50 – The Most Common Thing Moms Wish They Had Prepared For

13:43 – Identity Shifts, Mom Guilt, and Learning to Ask for Help

15:34 – How Baby Chick Was Built (and How Nina Vets What Gets Published)

18:39 – The Information Overload Problem — and How to Find Trustworthy Advice

21:57 – Returning to Work as a Completely Different Person 24:12 – The Emotional Reality of the Fourth Trimester (and Beyond)

27:25 – If You Want a Village, Be a Villager

29:36 – Why the Moms Who Look Like They Have It Together Often Struggle Most

30:48 – The One Thing Nina Wishes Every Mom Knew Before Baby Arrives

33:27 – About the Book + Giveaway Details

Come catch up on life with us. For those of you that are new here, welcome. We're 2 working moms who have full time 9-5 jobs. We work remote, mostly. We also run this full time and are business partners.

Catie's kids are 3 & 4

Danielle's kids are 3 & 7

Let's get into this weeks therapy session.

Catie's three-year-old is basically blind (fine, astigmatisms, but same energy), Calvin showed up to the office in mom's sunglasses watching Peppa Pig during a live meeting, and somehow rainbow glasses are now a hill we're willing to die on. Meanwhile Danielle solo-pilgrimaged to a BTS concert in Vegas, made three new best friends in the parking lot, and is already planning her Stray Kids festival outfit down to the lightstick.

We also solve the great debate: summer bucket list vs. themed activity days, why $590 art camp is a hard no, and how drop-off logistics are genuinely a second full-time job nobody hired us for.

Chaotic. Unfiltered. Basically free therapy.

• 00:00 – Welcome to the Therapy Hour
• 00:48 – Calvin Is Basically Blind & We're Spiraling
• 07:40 – Peppa Pig, Dilated Pupils & a Very Unbothered Toddler
• 11:16 – Colton Failed the Swim Test & We're Actually Fine With It
• 12:25 – Danielle Goes Solo to Vegas (for a K-pop concert, obviously)
• 13:21 – Are We Too Old for Concert Merch? (No.)
• 17:01 – $590 for Art Camp. We Said No.
• 22:04 – Bucket Lists vs. Themed Days: The Summer Planning Debate
• 27:12 – Why Are We Still Dressing Our Kids? They're Four.
• 29:17 – Morning Drop-Off Math Nobody Warned Us About
• 31:26 – Moms Gone Wild (Nick Jonas + Stray Kids, separately)

Motherhood changes everything — including how you get dressed. But here's the thing: your style didn't disappear, it just evolved. And that might actually be a good thing.

In this episode, we're joined by personal brand stylist Nina Piccini to talk all things mom fashion — from building a wardrobe that works across every version of your life, to navigating trends without losing yourself, to finally tackling that decision fatigue every time you open your closet.

We also pull back the curtain on our own lookbook experience with Nina — what the process looks like, what surprised us, and what we absolutely loved.

What we cover:

• Why your style actually gets better after kids
• How to build a versatile wardrobe that works from drop-off to boardroom
• Using lookbooks and Pinterest to reduce morning decision fatigue
• How to shop trends without losing your personal style
• The real reason button-downs aren't working for you
• Wardrobe refresh strategies that don't break the bank
• Style myths every mom needs to stop believing

Connect with Nina: https://www.ninapiccini.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nina_piccini

Substack: The Style Brief https://ninapiccini.substack.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Personal Brand Styling

02:48 Nina's Journey to Styling

05:46 The Importance of Wardrobe for Moms

08:51 Creating Lookbooks: The Process

11:46 Incorporating Personal Style

14:20 Overcoming Fashion Fears

17:12 Navigating Trends and Personal Style

21:06 Navigating Fashion Trends

29:35 Wardrobe Refresh Strategies

34:19 Style Myths and Budget Shopping

35:12 Embracing Personal Style as a Mom

In this episode of From 9 to Mom, we’re diving into a topic that’s suddenly everywhere: plastics, microplastics, “clean living,” and the overwhelming pressure moms feel to somehow detox their entire homes overnight. 😵‍💫

We’re joined by Jessica Franklin, busy mom, health coach, and host of The Live Lightly Podcast, to break down what actually matters when it comes to plastics, toxins, and low-tox living… without spiraling into fear or throwing out every sippy cup you own tomorrow.

From plastic cutting boards and kids’ lunch gear to hidden plastics in bedding, clothing, and everyday products, Jessica helps us understand where these exposures are really coming from, what the science says about microplastics and hormone disruption, and how moms can make practical swaps without adding another full-time job to the mental load.

We also talk about:
• The truth behind “BPA-free” labels
• Why plastic cutting boards became everyone’s villain origin story
• The hidden plastics most families never think about
• Affordable, realistic swaps that actually make sense
• How to avoid fear-based wellness marketing
• The balance between awareness and overwhelm

If you’ve watched the documentaries, fallen down a TikTok rabbit hole, or stood in Target staring at “eco-friendly” labels wondering what any of it means… this episode is for you.

Because healthy living shouldn’t require a chemistry degree, a full pantry relabel, or losing your sanity in aisle 12. 💛

Sign up for the Microplastics Masterclass here: https://livelightly.myflodesk.com/microplasticmasterclass

Featuring: Jessica Franklin of The Live Lightly Podcast

Everyone has an opinion… especially once you become a mom. 😅 In this episode, Catie and Danielle dive into the overwhelming world of advice, from parenting tips and social media “experts” to professional feedback and personal growth. They talk about how to filter the noise, trust credible sources, and take advice with grace without losing confidence in yourself along the way.

The conversation covers information overload, motherhood, mental health, trusting professionals, and learning when to listen… and when to let the advice scroll right on by. Plus, the hosts share personal stories about navigating feedback, building trust, and protecting their peace in a world full of opinions.

If you’ve ever felt buried under unsolicited advice, conflicting parenting recommendations, or the pressure to “do it all right,” this episode is your reminder that you know yourself and your family better than anyone else.

✨ Topics Covered:

• How to take advice without taking it personally
• Managing information overload as a mom
• Trusting experts vs. social media opinions
• Parenting advice, professional growth & self-confidence
• Setting boundaries and protecting your mental well-being

⏱ Chapters:
00:00 Navigating Advice in Motherhood
02:57 The Challenge of Information Overload
05:39 Finding the Right Sources of Advice
08:50 The Importance of Professional Guidance
11:38 Personal Experiences and Parenting
14:27 Building Trust in Relationships
17:20 Embracing Vulnerability and Growth
20:19 Practicing Receiving Feedback

This week on From 9 to Mom, we’re diving into the beautiful, chaotic, emotionally loaded glitter tornado that is Mother’s Day. 🌷

From the pressure of making the day “perfect” to the reality of May-sember schedules, sports, school events, and trying to enjoy one uninterrupted hot coffee, we’re talking about what moms actually want for Mother’s Day.

We get honest about expectations vs. reality, gift giving fails and wins, mom guilt, and why sometimes the best gift isn’t flowers or jewelry... it’s being acknowledged without having to delegate your own celebration. 😅 We also share the moments and memories that matter most, how motherhood shifts friendships and family dynamics, and why celebrating together can make the chaos feel a little sweeter.

If you’ve ever said “I don’t need anything” while secretly hoping someone planned literally anything... this episode is for you.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Balancing Work and Motherhood
00:19 Celebrating Mother's Day: Reflections and Realities
00:44 Balancing Motherhood and Work: The Ongoing Struggle
00:46 The Chaos of May-Sember
03:42 Expectations vs. Reality on Mother's Day
06:29 Gift Giving and Personal Preferences
09:27 Mom Guilt and Balancing Family Dynamics
12:17 Creating Meaningful Memories
15:08 Celebrating Motherhood Together
18:02 The Importance of Acknowledgment
21:01 Final Thoughts on Mother's Day

Spoiler: you're probably not actually taking one.

Catie and Danielle are getting real about what happened to the lunch break. Remember when it meant leaving the office, grabbing food, maybe sneaking a 5-minute nap in your car? Yeah... those days are gone. Now it's "let me quickly sign the kids up for soccer, reschedule that dentist appointment, and throw in a load of laundry" — and somehow that counts as a break.

This week they dig into how working from home completely rewired the lunch hour, why commuting actually had some unexpected perks for productivity, and how support systems (or the lack of one) make or break your ability to catch your breath mid-day.

Because here's the truth: if you're a working mom, you're not just on your lunch break — you're on everyone's lunch break.

This one's your permission slip to actually eat something and sit down for 12 consecutive minutes. You've earned it.

This Week's Chapters:

• 00:00 The Lunch Break Dilemma
• 06:41 Productivity vs. Personal Time
• 13:37 Balancing Work and Family Responsibilities
• 19:34 Navigating the Modern Work Environment

Outsourcing isn’t lazy… it’s survival with a strategy 😅

In this episode, we’re getting real about what it actually looks like to “do it all” and why more moms are deciding… yeah, no thanks. From the evolution of online grocery shopping (because dragging kids through a store deserves hazard pay) to hiring help and reclaiming your time, we’re breaking down the mental load of motherhood and what happens when you finally start letting some of it go.

We talk about the guilt, the judgment, and the very real math behind outsourcing. Because somehow spending money to save your sanity requires a full-blown internal TED Talk. We also get into balancing packed family schedules, meal prep chaos, and how AI is quietly becoming the assistant we didn’t know we needed.

This episode is your permission slip to stop doing everything the hard way. You don’t have to earn your exhaustion.

And if you’ve ever justified a purchase by calculating your hourly rate in your head… welcome, you’re among friends 🤝

Chapters:
00:00 The Shift to Online Grocery Shopping
02:53 Outsourcing for Time Management
05:29 The Value of Hiring Help
08:17 Balancing Family Activities and Responsibilities
11:05 Navigating Food Choices and Meal Prep
14:10 The Role of AI in Parenting
17:00 Normalizing Outsourcing in Motherhood
20:00 Mom Math: Justifying Expenses
22:58 Conclusion and Future Plans

What happens when your kid suddenly decides… he’s a vegetarian? 😅

In this episode of From 9 to Mom, we’re talking all things picky eaters, kids nutrition, and the daily chaos of family mealtime. From navigating sudden food preferences to dealing with food allergies and school lunches, we’re sharing our real-life experiences trying to keep our kids fed without turning dinner into a full-blown battle.

We get into picky eating behaviors, how kids always want what you’re eating (until they don’t), and the struggle of balancing healthy meals with what they’ll actually touch. Plus, we’re sharing practical tips for busy moms on meal prep, finding healthy alternatives, and managing ever-changing food phases.

If you’re dealing with picky eaters, trying to build healthy eating habits, or just looking for realistic parenting tips around food… this episode will make you feel seen.

🎧 Topics we cover: picky eaters, kids nutrition, family meals, food allergies, school lunches, healthy eating habits for kids

Post-bedtime, slightly delirious, and joined by a special guest (hi Ryan 👋), this episode of From 9 to Mom is all about the things we really wish someone had told us before kids.

From the sensory overload of unsolicited advice during pregnancy to the survival mode of newborn life, we’re diving into the moments that caught us off guard, the mistakes we definitely made, and the lessons we only learned the hard way. We’re talking sleep deprivation fights that “don’t count,” splitting responsibilities, second kid confidence vs. first kid panic, and why literally no one cares if your baby cries in public.

We also get into how our relationship has evolved through it all, the pressure we put on ourselves (hi, potty training 🙃), and the things we’d absolutely do differently if we could go back. Spoiler: you’re never as unprepared as you feel… but also, you kind of are, and that’s normal.

It’s honest, a little chaotic, and exactly what happens when you hit record after bedtime and just start talking.

If you’ve ever thought, “wait… are we doing this right?”—this one’s for you.