MomCast

Moms, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are magical and exciting.

This season can also be overwhelming when the to-do list includes decorating, gift buying, hosting, baking and more.

Add on the demanding relationships with family and travel…it’s no wonder we can feel depleted amidst the celebrating.

That’s why Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano is holding our hand this holiday season, with a new book that offers daily practical advice and encouragement.

It’s called “All is Calm…ish!” How to Feel Less Frantic and More Festive During the Holidays” and she shares her best, most practical trips for staving off stress and choosing joy:

* how to choose fewer, more meaningful activities so your family can actually enjoy each one more

* the case for amping up your selfcare when your schedule gets busier

* the long-lasting effects of staying self-regulated and how to find micro-moments of joy

* why it’s ok for kids to have a long wish list and why we should encourage it

* the unexpected reason Niro’s book was released a year later than expected…and why it’s a blessing!

Each of the 31 chapters in the book take us from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day-a true daily guide to savoring this season.

Make sure to follow Niro on Instagram @niro_feliciano and find out more on her website NiroFeliciano.com.

Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.com

IG: @thelocalmomsnetwork

Email: [email protected]

Moms, don’t believe everything you think!
Neuroscience proves that the critical voice in your head, or that of your child, is just a default mode-and knowing this can be life changing.
In this encore episode, psychologist Dr. Betsy Holmberg, author of Unkind Mind, teaches us how to flip the switch on negative self talk.
Dr. Betsy builds up our superpower to recognize this nagging voice and shut it up:

*  understand why we’re so hard on ourselves and then catch ourselves when we fall into a judgy mode

* learn the science behind two parts of our brain: the Default Mode Network (DMN) and the Central Executive Network (CEN)

* the personal struggles that inspired Dr. Betsy to uncover the research and change the course of her own life

* our power to explain these strategies to our kids and give them tools to quiet their own inner critic

* how to stop ruminating in its tracks, allowing for clearer decision-making and better sleep

To learn about Dr. Betsy Holmberg, head to her website and find her on Instagram @betsyholmberg

Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.com
IG: @thelocalmomsnetwork
Email: [email protected]

Moms, if you have ever doubted that your professional dreams could coexist beside motherhood, this episode of MomCast is a showstopper!

We’re joined by Sophie Chen Keller, bestselling author of Little Wonder. She knows exactly what it means to devote yourself to your children and your career simultaneously. In fact, she was holding two sick children when she got a call from Oprah saying Little Wonder was chosen for her illustrious Book Club!

Sophie shares so generously about her path to writing Little Wonder, and the heartbreaking storyline born from the love for her own children. Hear all about

* her experience raising her children in the U.S., China, and Germany—and how each culture approaches parenthood

* how Little Wonder explores what happens when a mother and child get separated, and the love that emerges from the woman who takes her place

* why putting her oldest child in daycare was the turning point in her career that led to unimaginable success

* the gift we give our children when they watch us chase a dream

* letting go of the “ideal” motherhood we conjured up when our kids were young, replacing it with a more authentic image of ourselves

You can learn more about our guest at SophieChenKeller.com and follow her on Instagram @imsophiekeller

Moms, before our kids can even talk, we’re drilling the words “please” and “thank you” into their heads. 

But etiquette goes so far beyond just being polite or using the right fork…so what matters and what can we let go of?

Etiquette expert Myka Meier is on MomCast with all the answers!

Myka is founder of the world-renowned Beaumont Etiquette, plus she’s a bestselling author, a reality TV star on Ladies of London, and a mom of two. (And it’s not just kids–we adults can use a refresher too.) 

Myka tackles it all, including:

*three stress-free ways for moms to look “put together” quickly

*teach kids how to craft a sincere apology in a world of cancel culture

*why she skips the terms “lady” and “gentleman” and what she uses instead to motivate kids

*how type-B moms might come off as rude… and what to be mindful of

*debating what “dress for success” means for the modern workplace

Make sure to check out Myka’s Mini Manners courses and learn more about her and Beaumont Etiquette at MykaMeier.com
Plus, follow along on IG @mykameier 

Moms, which chapter of motherhood are you in?

Wherever you are, let it change you and teach you because it’s all going to change anyway. 

Zibby Owens is the author of the new book “Between Chapters,” a celebration of how we evolve. And she knows this journey well!  Ten years ago she was a stay at home mom of four, and now she’s a bestselling author, a book store owner, and host of the podcast Totally Booked.

In this episode of MomCast she shares why saying “yes!” to opportunities that felt right for her changed everything. In our hilarious conversation she shares

*the lack of playbook that has moms searching for answers at any stage…and why she keeps rewriting her own

*what it was really like sending her twins off to college this year (plus the mourning that followed)

* why the adage of “it’s never too late” is truly what set her career on fire in her 40’s 

*how she finds harmony between feeling blessed and overwhelmed all at the same time–just like we do

*that time when “the talk” went comically wrong with her boy/girl twins and why laughing at yourself is a must!

You can find Zibby @zibbyowens on IG and find all her books at zibbyowens.com
Follow MomCast on IG @momcast.podcast and @thelocalmomsnetwork 

It's our Season 3 Premiere!

Moms, if you worry you’re not doing enough for your kids, it’s more likely you’re doing too much! 

Today we chat with renowned parenting expert and psychologist Dr. Shefali. She throws out our “fixing” instincts: rescuing kids from discomfort, over-managing emotions, and shielding them from the exact struggles that build resilience. 

Together, we unpack what "conscious parenting" actually means and why it’s the foundation of Dr. Shefali’s parenting empire. 

And it turns out raising capable sons and emotionally grounded daughters calls for two very different playbooks, so she wrote them! “Raising Conscious Sons” and “Raising Conscious Daughters” offer strategies you can try with your kids today, at any age.

For sons:

• create real-world challenges that trigger natural dopamine 
• connect emotionally through shared activities instead of questioning
• find male mentors to model healthy masculinity and confidence

For daughters:

• respond to “drama” with empathy instead of judgement
• buffer girls from the perfectionism and anxiety built by social media
• learn how to adjust your parenting by deeply knowing your daughter

Find Dr. Shefali on IG @doctorshefali and learn more at drshefali.com
Follow MomCast on IG @momcast.podcast and @thelocalmomsnetwork 

Moms, we have so many partners in raising our kids and one of the most trusted should be our pediatrician.
Today, we sit down with Dr. Mona Amin, the pediatrician millions of parents turn to on social media for clear, credible answers about our children’s health. Known for her no-nonsense, science-backed approach, Dr. Mona cuts through the headlines on her platform PedsDocTalk and as host of The PedsDocTalk Podcast.
She’s relatable rather than rigid, empowering parents to be curious and confident without feeling confined by “rules.”
We cover the biggest hot-button topics in pediatrics, and you will definitely be surprised by what you hear:
* real talk about vaccine schedules, plus what Dr. Mona says you can skip and what’s a must!
* her expert take on possible link between vaccines and autism and why we need more research in this debate
* the true causes of precocious puberty and what parents can realistically control to support their kids
* when it’s safe to travel with a newborn and why a mom’s mental health should guide decision-making from day one
* why multiple opinions might come into play for a neurodivergent diagnosis
Make sure to follow Dr. Mona on IG @pedsdoctalk and catch her on The PedsDocTalk Podcast

Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.com
IG: @thelocalmomsnetwork
Email: [email protected]
Podcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

Moms, it’s so fun to meet a celebrity and find she’s as warm and relatable as we’d hoped. We know you’ll think so too!
In today’s episode, we sit down with the incredible Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt. A New York Times bestselling author, Katherine gave birth to her third baby and children’s book, “Kat and Brandy,” all in the same year.
Katherine shares her inspiration for this heartwarming story, plus she opens us about the joys and challenges of motherhood in such a vulnerable way. She also shares a glimpse into her marriage to Chris Pratt and some gems of wisdom that will stay with you long after you listen:

- her focus on spending quality time with each of her kids in light of this busy season of life
- her “family first” philosophy and her mission to recreate the incredible childhood she enjoyed
- why communication is the key to success in her marriage (and why a program called Imago has been a gamechanger!)
- how transcendental meditation (TM) changed her mental health during the stress of parenting
- how she approached becoming a step parent and the village that helps her succeed in the role

You can learn more about Katherine and her books on her website, and don’t forget to check out her podcast “BDA Baby” and follow her on IG @katherineschwarzenegger

Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.com
IG: @thelocalmomsnetwork
Email: [email protected]
Podcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

Moms, only you know when your family is complete. Deciding how many children to have is a deeply personal decision, and frankly, one that requires no approval from family and friends.  Yet, judgement abounds…
That’s why Shannon Eng, a California-based mom, created the platform Only, Not Lonely Kids.  She and her husband have one child, by choice, and she celebrates other families who make the same decision.

Shannon spoke so honestly about her feelings and, truthfully, even moms of multiple kids will agree with much of the realities of motherhood we struggle with. Listen in to hear:

* the common misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding only children—and why most of them aren’t true

* how Shannon and her husband decided together on having one child and how they navigated outside pressure

* the inspiration behind creating Only, Not Lonely Kids and how the community supports one-child families

* sharing the emotional and practical factors that went into their decision to stop at one child…and yes, mental health and finances both matter!
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* encouragement for other parents to trust themselves, honor their limits, and define family size on their own terms.

Learn more about Shannon on IG @onlynotlonelykids - give her a follow!

Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.com
IG: @thelocalmomsnetwork
Email: [email protected]
Podcast facilities provided by the Digital Factory of NBCUniversal at Stamford Studios.

Moms, there’s no topic more popular amongst parents than sports! From the hectic schedules, to expensive equipment, and demanding travel, we pour a LOT into our kids’ athletics.
Why?
Well, we love watching our kids compete.
But we’re also investing in our relationship with our kids and the future adults they will become.
That’s why Jonathan Carone founded Healthy Sports Parents-a platform that’s amassed a cult following on his belief that youth sports are not about winning.
Jonathan is a coach and father of two kids, based in North Carolina, who says sports are about building wiser, strong adults. In our conversation, he urges us to:

* normalize failure; you win or you learn

* stop feeling triggered by your kid’s performance

* decipher whether a child really wants to quit a sport, or just needs a break

* respectfully disagree with a coach rather than criticize

* learn exactly what to say to your child on the car ride home from a game

Jonathan will definitely have you thinking differently about your child’s next practice or game.
You can find him on IG at @healthysportsparents, at his website healthysportsparents.com and the Healthy Sports Parents podcast.

Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.com
IG: @thelocalmomsnetwork
Email: [email protected]
Podcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.