In this episode of Mom to MORE®, host Sharon Macey is joined by Jo Piazza, international bestselling author, acclaimed podcast creator, and mom of three feral children.

Jo’s books, including The Sicilian Inheritance, We Are Not Like Them, and How to Be Married, have been published internationally and optioned for film and TV. She’s also the creative force behind podcasts like Under the Influence, which explores the influencer economy, and Committed, featuring stories about modern relationships.

Jo shares her unique perspective on how she dedicates those precious 6 hours a day to work when her kids are in school, while balancing an impressive career in writing and podcasting while raising her three children. With humor and authenticity, she discusses the challenges of maintaining efficiency, prioritizing self-care, and embracing the chaos of motherhood.

Tune in for a rich conversation that dives into Jo’s creative process, her thoughts on the evolving landscape of motherhood, and the inspiration behind her latest best-selling novel, The Sicilian Inheritance.

[00:00] Introduction [02:33] Jo’s journey as a working mom balancing motherhood and a career in storytelling [05:43] Embracing imperfection: Why “done is better than perfect.” [07:30] How motherhood has influenced Jo’s creative voice [12:08] The importance of self-care in the thick of parenting [18:59] Accepting help to thrive as a mom and creator. [22:58] The Sicilian Inheritance: A twisty, poignant novel exploring motherhood and ambition [27:24] Jo’s MORE - Hint: It involves taking to the skies!

Meet My Guest Jo Piazza

Instagram: @JoPiazzaAuthor Podcast: Under the Influence Substack: Over the Influence

Website: https://www.jopiazza.com/

Jo’s most recent best-selling novel, The Sicilian Inheritance: https://go.sylikes.com/eNyVoRDkfHry

Looking for More? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #29 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Missy Tannen, co-founder of the luxury bedding company Boll & Branch.  Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE®, host Sharon Macey is joined by visionary storyteller and mom, Christine Swanson, a multiple award-winning director recognized for her powerful and heartfelt filmmaking.

Christine Swanson, a Detroit native, earned a BA from Notre Dame and an MFA in film from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where she was recognized as one of its most promising filmmakers. Her career includes developing and directing projects for major studios such as HBO, Lionsgate, BET Films, and Warner Bros.

Tune in as Sharon and Christine delve into the challenges of balancing motherhood with creative ambitions. Christine shares how she took a 15-year “timeout” to focus on raising her four children and the profound lessons she gained from that season of life. 

This episode also explores Christine’s return to filmmaking, her journey through significant family challenges, and her latest project, the award-winning film Albany Road.

This inspiring dialogue celebrates resilience, creativity, and faith, reminding moms everywhere to embrace every chapter of their journey with joy and purpose.

[00:00] Introduction [02:38] Christine’s story, raising four children in Los Angeles and Charlotte [04:07] Why Christine paused her career for a 15-year “timeout” [06:02] Lessons learned as a stay-at-home mom [10:06] How motherhood shaped Christine’s directing style [18:04] Overcoming financial and personal challenges [22:06] Returning to filmmaking and Christine’s journey to success [23:00] Discussing her new feature film, Albany Road[27:01] The strength of women in Christine’s stories [30:28] Finding joy in less [31:07] Where to Find Christine Online

Meet My Guest Christine Swanson:

Website: FaithFilmWorks.com Albany Road Instagram: @albanyroadmovie

Instagram: @Cswanson44

Looking for More? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #28 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Jo Piazza, international best-selling author, acclaimed podcast host, mom and so much more…. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Nancy Travis, actress and mom who is creating her next chapter. Nancy Travis has built a long and versatile career in film, television and theater with roles that include ‘Last Man Standing’, ‘Three Men and a Baby’, ‘The Kominsky Method,’ the cult classic ‘So I Married an Axe Murderer' and Hallmark’s ‘Ride’, among many others.

On Broadway, Nancy performed in Brighton Beach Memoirs and I’m Not Rappaport.  Newer projects include Grosse Pointe Garden Society on NBC and Amazon’s El Gato.  She balances her love for acting with family life in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and two sons.

Sharon and Nancy dive into how motherhood reshaped Nancy’s career, her pivot from film to television to be closer to family, and the unique challenges of balancing a career with raising two sons. 

Tune in for an insightful and heartwarming dive into the art of reinvention as Nancy shares her journey balancing career and family, embracing growth, and exploring new creative passions. Nancy’s openness about her struggles and triumphs inspires other moms to pursue their own paths, stay resilient, and embrace each chapter of life with curiosity, courage and taking risks.

[00:00] Introduction [02:40] Nancy’s transition from film to television to stay close to family [06:24] Early career and balancing ambition with motherhood [08:57] The reality of “having it all” as a working mom [12:15] Importance of presence and quality family time [14:10] How motherhood has enhanced Nancy’s skills as an actress [18:01] Reflecting on the challenges and sacrifices of a creative career [28:06] Nancy’s MORE [30:39] Where to find Nancy online

Meet My Guest Nancy Travis:

Instagram: @NancyTravisOfficial

Looking for More? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  

@Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #27 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Christine Swanson, award-winning director, visionary storyteller and former SAHM . Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Kay Paschal, entrepreneur, early childhood educator and author.

After leaving a corporate career to raise her two  sons, Kay and her husband founded a preschool in Atlanta…with no previous early childhood experience…what could go wrong…which expanded to two locations, and thrived for over 25 years.  Kay served on the Georgia Child Care Association Board, contributed parenting articles to local publications, and wrote her book entitled Insert Giggle Giggle – Laughing Your Way Through Raising Kids and Running a Business.  Kay now speaks nationally on motherhood and business.

Join Sharon and Kay as they explore Kay's journey balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, her early challenges, and the joy of building a supportive community for parents and educators. 

Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with lots of laughter, wisdom, and the spirit of reinvention as Kay encourages moms to explore new opportunities, remain open-minded, and embrace every stage of motherhood!

[00:00] Introduction [01:26] Kay's unique journey from motherhood into preschool ownership [05:46] Building a community-centered preschool [07:00] Early challenges and growth in the business [11:16] Creating a family atmosphere in the preschool [16:16] The inspiration behind Insert Giggle Giggle [25:43] Advice for moms considering their next chapter [29:29] Where to find Kay online

Meet My Guest Kay Pascal: Instagram: @insertgigglegiggle Website: insertgigglegiggle.comBuy The Book: https://go.sylikes.com/eNqScgnF6R7Z Want to connect with Kay or have her speak to your group? Email her at:  [email protected]

Looking for More? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn

Keep an eye out for episode #26 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by the very talented Nancy Travis, actress and mom who is creating her next chapter. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Heidi Johnson, nonprofit founder, author, host of the Charity Matters podcast and a mom dedicated to making a difference in the world through her charitable work.

Join Sharon and Heidi as they discuss how a personal tragedy motivated Heidi to dedicate her life to serving others, the importance of introducing children to philanthropy, modeling charitable behavior and the physical and emotional benefits of helping others. Tune in to be inspired by Heidi's journey of turning her pain into her passion and purpose, and discover how embracing service and philanthropy can create a positive impact on your family and community.

[00:00] Introduction [00:00:45] Heidi Johnson’s background and motherhood journey [02:00] Balancing motherhood and philanthropy and introducing children to charitable causes [07:29] The personal tragedy that changed Heidi’s life and led to a deeper commitment to philanthropy [13:31] The origin of the Charity Matters podcast [21:12] Resource for moms considering nonprofit involvement [29:44] Where to find Heidi online

Meet My Guest Heidi Johnson: Heidi’s new book, Change for Good: https://go.sylikes.com/eNkv5bF8ebUU Website: charity-matters.com Instagram/Facebook: @charitymatters X: @Charity_Matters LinkedIn: Heidi McNiff Johnson Catchafire.org:  https://www.catchafire.org/

Catchafire.org is an amazing resource for people wanting to get into the workforce from volunteer work. As moms, we excel at volunteer work!

On Catchafire, your skills support nonprofits on the frontlines solving critical community issues. Build your resume and portfolio while directly supporting the causes you care about.  With over 150 project types, customize your support based on your skills and availability while gaining connections, resume building, and targeted volunteer experience.

Looking for More? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn. Keep an eye out for episode #25 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Kay Pascal, entrepreneur, early childhood educator and author of Insert Giggle Giggle. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this “Expert Episode” of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Erica Humbert, a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner and owner of Optimized Life Health, a medical practice that specializes in 1 on 1 care and finding the root cause of common problems in all areas of women’s health and wellness. 

Erica is the kind of women’s advocate we need.  

She understands WHY we’re exhausted, WHY we have trouble losing weight, WHY we aren’t sleeping well, WHY our hormones are out of whack, and what we can do to get our act together NOW for optimized health going forward. 

Erica treats hormone imbalances to achieve weight loss, optimize vitamin levels, and find mental and physical wellbeing.

Erica’s transition from traditional medicine to a more personalized, holistic practice highlights her dedication to empowering women to take control of their health. Erica’s focus on addressing hormone imbalances, strength training, and proactive self-care reflects her belief in the importance of tailored solutions for each individual. Her journey inspires others to advocate for themselves in healthcare, pursue their passions, and embrace a balanced, fulfilling life at any stage.

Erica has 21 years of healthcare experience, including 11 years as a family practice nurse practitioner, 10 years of nursing, and served our country for 5 years as a Navy Nurse.  She received her training at the University of Florida.

She is also a motivational speaker for organizations, conferences, and podcasts (now adding Mom To MORE™️!) on topics such as the importance of hormone and vitamin assessment and treatment, the mind-body connection and living a happy, healthy lifestyle.

Join Sharon and Erica as they discuss hormonal changes, advocating for yourself in healthcare, and the importance of strength training while you age.

[00:00] Introduction [02:26] Erica Humbert’s background and expertise in women's health and wellness [03:33] Transitioning to a new model of care [05:09] Common health issues for women at different stages of life [06:43] Challenging the aging narrative [07:57] Understanding hormone replacement therapy [10:10] Research on hormone therapy and its effects on long-term health [12:09] The role of strength training in support of women’s health and longevity [15:32] Finding joy and time for yourself and strategies to prioritize self-care [19:25] Tips for finding the right doctor [22:14] Recognizing perimenopause symptoms [29:42] Find Erica Humbert and her work online

NOTE: This episode is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.  Please speak with  your own health practitioner to determine what the correct and appropriate protocols are for you. 

Learn more about Erica Humbert:

website: optimizedlifehealth.com Facebook: @optimizedlifehealth Instagram: @optimizedlifeaprn

Looking for More? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn. Keep an eye out for episode #24 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Heidi Johnson, nonprofit founder, author and host of the Charity Matters podcast. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Melissa Dean, homeschooling mom, midwife and founder of  Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center, in Los Gatos, CA.

As a functional and integrative medicine practitioner, Melissa combines her expertise in women's health with her midwife practice. She provides care with an emphasis on holistic health modalities to bring wellness to women in every stage of their health journey,  including childbirth, transition to motherhood and beyond.

Melissa’s expertise has been featured in leading publications such as The Bump, Today’s Parent, and The CheckUp. She has been a featured guest on leading podcasts such as Dear Doula, The Hypnobirthing Podcast, and The Go Deeper Podcast by Floka. And now she can add Mom To MORE! 

Melissa serves as an inspiration to other moms through her journey of personal and professional reinvention. As a stay-at-home mom who chose to homeschool her 4 children, Melissa exemplifies dedication to family while also showing that motherhood can be a springboard for personal growth. Her decision to incorporate a part-time career as a doula into her family life, and later become a certified midwife, is a powerful example of how balancing family life and a personal calling is not only possible but incredibly rewarding, as it benefits women in her local community and beyond..

Melissa’s journey proves that it’s never too late to follow a passion, and that motherhood can be an incredible foundation for achieving professional success and making a lasting and meaningful impact on others.

[00:00] Introduction [01:30] About Melissa Dean and her background [02:59] Melissa's Family and Homeschooling Journey [04:32] Homeschooling approach and benefits [08:12] Practical education and teaching life skills [10:52] Transition from homeschool to high school and college [11:53] Skills learned from being a stay-at-home-homeschooling mom [16:27] Melissa's path to becoming a midwife [19:26] Founding Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center [21:00] Comprehensive care provided at Casa Natal [23:37] The importance of supporting mothers postpartum [24:43] Involvement of Melissa’s family in Casa Natal [26:23] Melissa's MORE [28:16] Where to Find Melissa Online

Learn more about Melissa:

Website: https://casa-natal.com/ Instagram: @casanatalbirthcenter

Looking for MORE? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn. Keep an eye out for episode #23 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by women’s health expert Erica Libby Humbert - Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Amanda Parton who took a career pause to "mother her brood", entered the world of competitive ballroom dance and followed a lifelong passion of home design to start her own business.

Amanda Parton grew up in a mining town in West Yorkshire, England.

Her career trajectory took her to London at Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, to Singapore to be Creative Director of Ogilvy 1 and finally to the United States where she took a career pause to “mother her brood”.

As her kids got older, Amanda, like so many SAHM’s who are looking to redefine their next chapter in life, started her introspection about her next steps. And step she did…or rather brilliantly danced into the world of competitive Standard Ballroom and as co-owner of The Dance Collective in Westport CT.

More recently, following a lifelong passion of home design, she started Homebird Interiors.

Join Sharon and Amanda as they discuss transitioning from a successful career to motherhood, reinventing yourself through your passions, and leveraging your many mom skills to launch new ventures.

Amanda Parton is a shining example of reinvention and her story is a testament to the power of embracing new passions and the courage it takes to step away from a traditional career path to explore the unknown. Amanda's transition into the dance world and later into interior design reflects her belief in personal growth and the importance of pursuing what truly fulfills you.

Amanda’s journey underscores the importance of maintaining a sense of self, even while nurturing others. She advocates for personal challenges as a means of growth, emphasizing that pushing beyond comfort zones can lead to unexpected and fulfilling opportunities. Her story inspires others to embrace change, seek new challenges, and recognize that it's never too late to pursue new dreams.

[00:00] Introduction [02:50] Importance of a career pause for Amanda [05:32] Decision to transition to a stay-at-home mom  [08:02] Moving to Singapore and social life as a new parent [09:01] Transition to the United States and making friends as a mom [11:13] Involvement in children's school life and becoming a personal trainer [13:14] Discovering Latin dance and facing new challenges [15:53] Balancing dance with family life [19:05] Embracing new challenges and personal growth [22:55] Starting Homebird Interiors and returning to school in midlife [25:10] Launching a business and overcoming fear [31:36] Amanda's future plans [34:08] Where to find Amanda online

Learn more about Amanda:

Website: https://www.homebirdinteriors.com/ Instagram: @homebirdinteriors1 and @partonia

Looking for MORE? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn. Keep an eye out for episode #22 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Melissa Dean, homeschooling mom, midwife and founder of Casa Natal Birth and Wellness Center in Los Gatos, CA. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Melissa Llarena:  Author, imagination coach and podcast host.

Melissa, a multi-hyphenated mom to 3 high energy boys, is also a contributor to Forbes Women articles that have garnered over 4 million views. She is the host of the Mom Founder Imagination Hub podcast (formerly Unimaginable Wellness podcast) for entrepreneurs, founders, and creators who are also moms. 

Melissa is a beacon of inspiration for moms who want to integrate creativity and resilience into their lives. As an imagination coach, she blends managing a business and raising her boys with innovative problem-solving and adaptability. Her journey highlights the power of creativity in overcoming challenges and balancing chaotic schedules, offering a motivating example for other moms striving to handle their multifaceted roles with confidence.

Her emphasis on creativity, resilience and a gradual, long-term progress on a mom’s personal timeline, provides valuable guidance for moms looking to enhance their lives and achieve fulfillment. Melissa’s story is a compelling reminder that creativity and determination can transform challenges into opportunities, inspiring moms to embrace their own journeys with courage.

Melissa holds a psychology degree from NYU, an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, and a Transformational Coaching Academy certificate. She is training to become a meditation practitioner.

Join Sharon and Melissa as they discuss balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, facing fears to unlock creativity, and leveraging imposter syndrome as an asset for success.

[00:00] Introduction [02:16] About Melissa Llarena and her background [04:19] Managing a busy schedule and motherhood [07:24] What is an Imagination Coach? [10:14] Validating intuition over data [13:11] Facing fears and unlocking your imagination [17:02] The role of fear in creativity [21:04] Giving yourself permission to be weird [25:04] Leveraging imposter syndrome as an asset [29:57] Melissa’s MORE [31:00] Where to find Melissa online

Learn more about Melissa:

Website: https://www.melissallarena.com/ Instagram: @melissallarena 

Say HI👋 to Melissa on IG and tell her what you liked about the episode.  She will respond back!

Thanks to our Sponsor ALLY Shoes! 

Looking for MORE? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn. Keep an eye out for episode #20 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Amanda Parton who took a career pause to "mother her brood", entered the world of competitive ballroom dance and followed a lifelong passion of home design to start her own business. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE™, host Sharon Macey is joined by Samantha Danielle, a Nashville native and mother of three teens, who advocates for women's empowerment and self-care through her platform samanthadanielle.com and on social media. As a blogger, content creator, and keynote speaker, she shares personal stories and practical tips, guiding women through motherhood and self discovery while emphasizing the importance of self-care, joy, and purpose.

Join Sharon and Samantha as they discuss overcoming trauma, starting over, why moms need to put themselves on their own to-do list, superpowers, and embracing change.

Drawing from her own experiences, including overcoming challenges like divorce and single parenthood, Samantha inspires women to embrace their worth and navigate life's complexities with resilience and self-preservation.

Her story isn’t perfect – and let’s be honest – no one’s is – which is why Samantha’s story resonates so strongly. She has pushed through adversity and hard seasons and encourages and inspires other moms to do the same.

[00:00] Introduction [00:40] About Samantha Danielle and her background [02:19] Importance of Being Present with Children [04:09] Advocacy for Women's Empowerment and Self-Care [06:02] Personal Trauma and Healing [10:01] Lessons from Divorce and Therapy [13:13] Realization of Personal Strengths [14:39] Identifying and Leveraging Superpowers [16:21] Importance of Online Safety for Kids [23:37] Reflection on Personal Growth and Gratitude [25:57] Future Plans and Projects

Learn more about Samantha Danielle:

Instagram: @heysamanthadanielle

Website: https://samanthadanielle.com/

Looking for MORE? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn. Keep an eye out for episode #20 of the Mom to MORE™ podcast where Sharon is joined by Melissa Llarena, author, imagination coach and podcast host. Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥