We entered the year with fresh calendars but quickly realized survival was the only real goal.

In this episode, we talk through the very real energy of 2026 so far, one marked by political noise, parenting overload, and the realization that "doing it all" is no longer the goal. Instead, we're leaning into our survival kits, lowered expectations, and doing what we can to keep life moving without burning out.

We unpack what modern motherhood looks like when everything feels loud at once, from toddler gymnastics and calendar chaos to learning when to say no, step back from doomscrolling, and protect our peace. We talk about why boundaries matter more than ever, and how adjusting expectations can be an act of survival, not failure.

We also share what feels actionable right now supporting local efforts, focusing on community impact, and resisting the pressure to carry the weight of everything at once. Sometimes it's the small, practical choices that help us get through the collective chaos we're all navigating this year.

We discuss:

(0:00) - Introduction & Welcome to Momarchy

(5:44) - The Traitors Drama: Michael & Colton Discussion

(11:41) - Year of the Horse: Fresh Start for 2026

(14:29) - Parenthood Survival Kit: Toddler Gymnastics & Lowered Expectations

(23:18) - Politics Survival Kit: Opting Out of Doom Scrolling

(31:30) - Taking Action: Supporting Your Community

(34:47) - Bonus Round: Non-Negotiable Boundaries for 2026

(44:48) - Ask Momarchy Lightning Round

(49:13) - Wrap Up & Next Week's Guest: Emma Bloomberg

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pregnancy is supposed to come with prenatal appointments and baby name debates not lawyers, hospital refusals, and life-or-death decisions.

In this episode of Momarchy, we sit down with Amanda Zurawski for a conversation that moves from light and funny to devastatingly real. Amanda shares what life looked like before a pregnancy complication collided with Texas's abortion laws. At 18 weeks pregnant, she experienced PPROM and was denied the medical care she needed. She walks us through the fear, confusion, and medical crisis that followed, including septic shock and the loss of her fertility. The systems meant to protect her nearly cost her life.

We talk about what it means to live in a state where healthcare comes with legal caveats, why Amanda decided to sue the state of Texas, and the emotional toll of becoming the public face of a fight she never asked to join. Amanda also shares how community, anger, and hope have shaped her advocacy, and what she wants future generations to understand about reproductive freedom.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:41) Millennial Mom Check-In

(3:39) Listener Suggestions

(6:06) 2026 vs 2016

(8:24) Episode Preview: Pregnancy Laws

(12:08) Interview with Amanda Begins

(12:33) Rapid Fire Questions

(17:08) Amanda's Life Before

(20:02) The Medical Emergency

(28:23) Suing the State of Texas

(31:52) Life in the Public Eye

(36:31) Make It Make Sense

(39:36) Motherhood and Hope

(44:34) Closing Thoughts

(45:59) Outro

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adoption is often talked about as one big happy ending but getting there often comes with heartbreak along the way.

In this episode, we sit down with our friend Alvina Vasquez to talk about herthe long and, complicated road to parenthood. We begin with lighter moments and quick rapid-fire favorites before moving into the systems that shape so many of our lives, including ICE, Trump-era policies, and the ways political decisions ripple through families and communities.

From there, the conversation turns personal as Alvina shares her experience with miscarriages, IVF, and private adoption. She walks us through the emotional highs and lows of a failed adoption, the realities of navigating a system filled with uncertainty and bad actors, and the relief and joy of finally bringing her son, Romero, home. It's honest, emotional, and full of insight for anyone navigating (or questioning) the adoption process.

And because this is Momarchy, we close by naming what we officially do not give a f*ck about in 2026, from toddler meltdowns to beauty standards, because sometimes survival means letting things go.

We Discuss:

(0:00) - Introduction

(0:33) - Pop Culture Update

(15:41) - Political Updates - Venezuela

(22:20) - Political Updates - Minnesota ICE Incident

(30:48) - Journey to Motherhood

(46:54) - Parenthood Advice

(50:05) - Issues That Matter as a Parent

(52:22) - DGAF 2026 Edition

(56:59) - Closing

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it look like when two 90s kids become parents in a world that never logs off?

In this episode, we talk through a chaotic start to 2026, one marked by illness, holiday health scares, ER visits, and the reality of keeping life (and a podcast) moving when modern motherhood doesn't slow down.

We take a nostalgic detour back to the 90s, revisiting childhood memories shaped by landlines, dial-up internet, and growing up offline. As trends resurface and nostalgia creeps in, we reflect on why that era feels especially comforting now and how different it is to raise kids in a technology-driven world where constant connection is the default.

Alongside the personal, we touch on the broader cultural and political moments shaping family life today, from the background hum of the news cycle to the rising costs and pressures parents are navigating. These conversations sit alongside everyday questions about screen time, phones, and how much access kids really need to the digital world.

We close by talking through how we're navigating this moment as parents, what we're paying attention to, what we're still figuring out, and how we're trying to raise kids who are thoughtful, curious, and kind in a world that feels anything but simple.

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever welcome a new year and immediately think, "Oh… we're still doing this?"

In our first episode of 2026, we ring in the new year by reflecting on what last year taught us, what we're leaving behind, and what we're carrying forward, starting with stronger boundaries, better mental health habits, and a renewed commitment to staying engaged (without completely losing our minds).

We dig into the political reality of the year ahead, from the high-stakes midterm elections to why the January 6th insurrection still matters, not as a distant memory, but as a moment with lasting consequences for the future our kids are inheriting. We walk through what happened, what followed, and why forgetting isn't an option.

Zooming out, we talk about community organizing, our fears and hopes for democracy, and the unique role parents play in shaping political awareness at home even when the coffee is cold and the to-do list is endless.

And in true Momarchy fashion, we land on a New Year's resolution that actually counts: show up. Vote. Talk to your kids. Lean on your community. Because raising humans in 2026 means caring about the world they're growing into.

We discuss:

(00:00) – Welcome to 2026: Laughing through politics, parenting, and the mess

(04:00) – January 6th: Remembering what really happened at the Capitol

(07:00) – Resolutions we're leaving behind: anxiety, people-pleasing, and passivity

(13:00) – This wasn't a protest—it was planned political violence

(16:00) – How January 6th nearly disrupted nuclear command systems

(20:00) – Trump pardoned 1,000+ rioters—many now face new charges

(26:00) – How having kids changes the way we see political violence

(28:30) – Schools, history, and rewriting January 6th in real time

(32:00) – Extremist organizing online: the threat is still very real

(39:00) – You're not "just a mom" — your voice, vote, and influence matter

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wish you could ask a pediatrician all your questions, the serious ones, the political ones, and the "is this normal or am I losing it?" ones?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Megan Prior, a pediatrician and mom, to talk about how she found her way into pediatrics and why caring for children has always meant caring for families, too.

Dr. Prior shares what it's really like to balance a demanding medical career with motherhood, and how that experience exposed the fragile support systems so many families rely on. We talk about childcare, paid leave, and why the United States continues to fall behind other developed nations when it comes to supporting parents with the consequences landing hardest on working and low-income families.

We also discuss the growing influence of political misinformation in pediatric healthcare, from vaccines to fluoride, and why parents are increasingly asked to navigate talking points instead of science. Dr. Prior explains why staying informed matters, how advocacy can actually make a difference, and why reaching out to legislators is one way parents can help protect children's health.

Dr. Megan Prior is a pediatrician, mother, and advocate for children and families, committed to evidence-based care and building systems that actually support the people they're meant to serve.

We discuss:

(00:00) – What Momarchy is all about: calling out the BS in politics & motherhood

(01:40) – "We're not safe" – Mass shootings, antisemitism, and heartbreaking headlines

(04:00) – The Jewish community's size, history, and hate crime statistics

(07:00) – Feeling helpless and angry: "It's okay to be mad"

(10:00) – Healthcare subsidies in danger: what parents need to know

(24:00) – Dr. Megan Prior on why she became a pediatrician

(27:00) – The broken U.S. childcare system: real stories from real families

(36:00) – $50K/year for childcare? "Make that make sense"

(44:00) – RFK's fake solutions to real parenting problems

(55:00) – Action steps: What parents can do heading into 2026

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it look like when two busy moms hit the end of the year and finally take a breath?

In this holiday episode, we reflect on the beautiful chaos of mid-December, the kind that sneaks up quickly and somehow feels both magical and exhausting. As the year rushes to a close, we revisit the traditions that anchor us: Christmas movie marathons, Hanukkah celebrations, and the annual antics of the Elf on the Shelf that leave parents wondering why they ever started in the first place.

We also take a candid look at the cultural and political moments that shaped the year, including Trump's controversial pardons and the kind of headlines that made us pause, laugh, or say, "Are you kidding me?" These reflections sit alongside the smaller, more personal dilemmas of the season like navigating thoughtful gift-giving for teachers and nannies, reminding us how ordinary and extraordinary this time of year can be.

As we look back on our very first year of podcasting, we share the gratitude that has carried us: for the listeners who showed up, the sponsors who believed in us, and the guests who helped shape conversations we're proud of. We also open up about what's ahead, offering a glimpse into where the show is headed next.

This year is both a celebration and a chance to acknowledge the wins and WTFs, while sending you into the holidays with warmth, humor, and our heartfelt thanks.

We discuss:

00:00 – Welcome to Momarchy: Calling out BS in politics and motherhood

04:00 – ChatGPT makeup advice & makeshift podcast studios

07:15 – Trump tells steelworkers to "buy fewer gifts" – seriously?!

08:30 – Erika Kirk compares husbands to the government

13:30 – Trump pardons 1,500+ Jan 6 rioters and drug traffickers

17:00 – Launching a business + this podcast = real startup life

23:00 – WTF Kid Moment: Pooping on a book (yes, really)

28:30 – Ask a Millennial Mom: Do we *really* need to give 12 teacher gifts?!

41:00 – Elf on the Shelf: Meet "Neil" and his magical guilt trips

51:00 – De-stress your holiday: Zoo lights and hot chocolate work just fine

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wish parenting came with a Hallmark-style guarantee? Ninety minutes, one conflict, a cozy ending? Same.

In this episode, we welcome our first-ever family guests and our first dads on the podcast to share their perspective on modern parenting: Luke Macfarlane and Hig Roberts.

We dive into everything from their journey to fatherhood, to balancing high-profile careers with nap schedules, to the real and unfiltered experience of raising a child. We also zoom out to the bigger conversations: how society views same sex families, the shifting political landscape around parenting rights, and what it truly means to show up for your child when the world feels unpredictable.

And in true Momarchy fashion, we land where it matters most: the beauty, the mess, the questions, and the love that make modern parenting work… whether your life looks like a Hallmark movie or absolutely does not.

We discuss:

00:00 – Welcome to Momarchy + show mission

05:00 – Launching the Momarchy YouTube channel

07:20 – Costco sues over tariffs (politics update)

10:40 – Katie Miller controversy: "waffles vs spaghetti"

16:50 – Introducing guests Luke & Higgs

21:00 – Rapid fire: parenting & relationship dynamics

33:00 – Becoming dads as a gay couple

47:30 – NICU discrimination story

01:06:30 – Hallmark movies vs real-life parenting

01:19:40 – Family rights, hope, and closing reflections

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her year old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to find people to talk to about Traitors.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

YouTube: @momarchy

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @momarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever looked at the news, looked at your kid's half-eaten snack plate, and wondered if the entire country is gaslighting you at the same time?

In this episode, we talk about the Epstein files, the political circus surrounding them, and why so many of us are feeling politically homeless as 2025 drags itself to the finish line. Nothing about this season feels calm, and pretending otherwise is its own kind of delusion.

We get into power, accountability, the way both parties talk down to parents, and how moms end up carrying the emotional load of a political system that refuses to just say the quiet part out loud. We also bring back our DGAF Mom Moment with the Hot or Not Edition, because sometimes laughing at the chaos is the only thing keeping us upright.

If you are tired, confused, or one performative political lecture away from snapping, grab your hot drink and tune in.

We Discuss:

(04:05) The boycott drama and why parents are over the judgment

(12:16) The Epstein files explained without the noise

(18:34) Trump's pivot and the political spin around the release

(27:51) Why so many of us feel politically homeless in 2025

(33:22) How exhaustion fuels gaslighting and misinformation

(41:00) The gap between what parents need and what politics delivers

(46:45) How to stay engaged without burning out

(51:18) Our DGAF Mom Moment: Hot or Not edition

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: https://substack.com/@momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a mother realizes that staying on the sidelines is no longer an option? For Shannon Watts, that moment came after the Sandy Hook tragedy, when the fear every parent carries turned into a determination she could not ignore.

In this episode, we look at how Moms Demand Action began with one Facebook post and grew into the largest women's volunteer organization in the country. Shannon shares why mothers so often become the steady force behind major social movements and what she has learned from watching everyday women transform concern into influence.

We also explore the emotional reality of raising kids in a country where safety cannot be taken for granted. Shannon talks about the guilt and pressure that often follow women who choose to speak up, and how activism can feel grounding when it offers community instead of isolation. She also shares insights from her new book about how women can identify what drives them and take meaningful steps toward the life they want.

Shannon Watts is a speaker, author, and the Founder of Moms Demand Action. She has been named a Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People, a Forbes 50 Over 50 Changemaker, and a Glamour Woman of the Year. She is the author of Fight Like a Mother and Fired Up, a New York Times and USA Today bestseller about helping women break limitations and ignite what comes next.

We Discuss:

(06:14) How the Sandy Hook tragedy pushed Shannon into action

(08:40) Why mothers often end up leading major movements

(11:56) Activism as grounding instead of burnout

(13:54) Navigating polarization and finding real common ground

(17:42) Why guilt shows up when women raise their voices

(24:09) The gap between "pro-life" rhetoric and gun safety

(29:26) How women use values, abilities, and desires to define their path

(34:17) Supporting teens who fear going to school

Learn more about:

Tanya Nathan is a political campaign and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in progressive campaigns and advocacy. Currently a Principal at a nationally-based grasstops consulting firm, she's a Denver native living with her 8-month-old daughter, husband, and their rescue pets. Her hobbies include crosswords, mezcal tasting, and trying to sleuth out who's going to be on Love is Blind Denver.

Sarah Andrews is a political strategist living in rural Colorado with her husband and two young kids. When she's not managing campaigns or chasing toddlers, she's passionate about women's rights, childcare policy, and creating space for honest political conversations that don't end in shouting matches.

Website: momarchypodcast.com

Substack: @momarchy

Instagram: @themomarchypodcast

TikTok: @momarchypodcast

Email: [email protected]

Find more from Shannon Watts:

Instagram: @shannonrwatts

X: @shannonrwatts

Website: momsdemandaction.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.