Moms, when should you start prepping your kid for college?
Admission isn’t a race to the finish line, but rather a marathon that starts sooner than you might think. That's according to our guest Alex Merrill, the founder of Alliance Tutoring in Connecticut. Alex brings lots of perspective to this role both as a former teacher and a father of three. Simply put, he says one-on-one education is the gold standard. So how do you find the perfect tutor? Alex shares his take, plus much more:

* why middle school is a critical time in a child’s development and their journey to college
* why preparation will always trump natural ability on standardized tests
* the SAT v. ACT debate
* how college applications “speak” and offer a story about a student
* when to hire a tutor and how to know you have a stellar match for your child

Make sure to follow Alex on IG @alliancetutoring and at his website www.alliancetutoring.com

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Moms, it takes a unique temperament to meld motherhood and entrepreneurship and it can’t be captured in the sometimes-too-cute moniker “mompreneur.” The challenges and sacrifices are plentiful, but Gillian Stollwerk Garrett wouldn’t have it any other way. Gilly, as she’s affectionately known to her friends and customers, is the founder of Gilly’s Organics. Over 20 years in the skincare business, she’s found incredible success and disappointing lows and she insists it’s all a choice.

If you’re a mom who’s also riding the wave of owning her own business, or if you have an idea that just won’t quit you, this interview will solidify your resolve to keep going.

Gilly is also a mom of three-two daughters in college and a son in high school-and is as honest as moms come.  Listen for:

* why she’s never not momming, no matter how old her kids get
* the event that turned her hobby into a legitimate business
* the reason entrepreneurs neglect to celebrate their wins enough…and how to do just that
* why she stopped selling at Whole Foods and ultimately reframed that disappointment
* the reason to get a mentor or coach to hold yourself accountable
* the truth about bootstrapping through the growth of your business

You can find Gilly @gillysorganics on IG and at her website gillyorganics.com.  You can also find her hosting @everydayrockstars on IG as well.

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Moms, sometimes we throw our hands up and wonder if we’re parenting our children the right way, literally questioning the philosophy behind our decisions. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the Danish approach to parenting—a method that has gained global attention for its focus on balance, respect, and emotional well-being. 

Our guest, Jessica Joelle Alexander, is co-author of The Danish Way of Parenting and she offers practical tips on how to incorporate these ideals into our own daily practices. After all, Denmark has been recognized for decades as one of the happiest cultures in the world.  Interestingly, Jessica is an American who married a Dane and together they’re raising two children. With this unique perspective she shares:

* the Danish word hygge (pronounced "HOO-gah"), a feeling of warmth and comfort that comes from slowing down and enjoying togetherness

* the stark contrast between self-confidence and self-esteem that Danish culture values

* the incredible way in which Danish parents reframe a situation to look at a positive side

* the powerful reason parents need to reframe how we judge our kids

* a system for “certifying” kids before giving them a cell phone to prove they are ready to be good digital citizen

You can find Jessica on Instagram @jessicaljoellealexander or at her websites Jessicajoellealexander.com  & TheDanishWay.com

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Welcome back to another solo episode of MomCast and my “5 Things” that are consuming me this week!

Moms, I’m sharing a huge thank you to every listener for helping us build this platform. I’m so grateful that you’re listening, rating, reviewing, and reaching out to me.  When we know better, we do better…together!

In this episode, I’m sharing (rambling) about a recent momfail, the unexpected meltdowns of all three of my kids that I didn’t see coming, and why this podcast has changed my marriage (!).

We all have those topics that consistently spark arguments between us and our partners.  We try a million ways to explain how we feel but the sentiment never really gets across. Sound familiar?  For me, the challenge was explaining the mental load and invisible labor of being a SAHM.  But these terms didn’t exist 12 years ago when I needed them most!  

Today, the mom space and our awareness is changing.  That’s why Ep. 11 was a gamechanger and I’m shouting out Paige Connell for helping me flip the switch in my home.

Hear that and much more in this fun episode and don’t forget to email me and let me know which guest you’d like to hear next on MomCast.

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Moms, if you find yourself vacillating between two polar opposite emotions about motherhood, you’re not alone!  Love and frustration, overwhelm and gratitude, emotional and desensitized…they’re all proof of both the blessings and the burdens of this role.
That’s why the most powerful word in motherhood is AND.
Both ends of the spectrum are true and valid.
Our guest today, Lalaina Rabary, lives so authentically in this duality of motherhood. She’s a Texas toddler mom with a second daughter on the way and is feeling all the feels about expanding her family. She’s also a marketing executive for MomCozy, a brand you probably know best for their wearable breast pumps and so much more.
Together, Lalaina and I discuss the competing feelings of motherhood, plus:

* the impetus to find our mom village
* what drives us to reach out to other moms for help
* the mind games that IVF conjures up in mothers, including what Lalaina call the “carrot of hope” that it dangles in front of us
* the mindset shift around what a new baby really needs from the perspective of a second or third time mom
* Demetra’s analogy of how our hearts grow like the “trunk of a tree” to include more love and memories with each child
* why mom needs more care in the fourth trimester than the baby!

An important website that Lalaina discusses in this episode is pregnancyafterloss.com and we hope you find its resources helpful to you.
Please follow her at @lalainarabary and find her at both @momcozy and listen to their podcast called Momcozy Village

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Moms, isn’t it refreshing to talk to a woman who’s as open about her challenges as she is about her wins?  Plus, she’s funny, and warm, and you just want to keep chatting.  That’s Zibby Owens.  This mom of 4 spearheads a book empire (think author and publishing executive) and easily discusses the failures that make her success even more rewarding.
You’ve likely heard of her wildly successful podcast, Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, which was just renamed Totally Booked with Zibby!
We recorded this conversation a few weeks ago, before the unspeakable fires in LA threatened Zibby’s home.  Her family is safe and, miraculously, her house survived; however, the community of Pacific Palisades that she called her family’s “happy place” is decimated.
As you’ll hear, resilience is a word that quickly comes to mind when Zibby shares her story. Her fortitude is something that really struck me and I know you’re going to feel it too. 
She opens up about the long road to fulfilling her dream of becoming a published author, plus:

* why divorce allowed her the time without children to think critically about her goals and work toward them
* how she trusted her gut when her second marriage caused a bit of scandal in her social circle
* giving shy children tools to step out of their comfort zone (as a former shy person herself)
* the power of spending five, focused minutes with your child-no phones allowed!
* writing a graphic novel with her daughter
* approaching her career with more intention after the passing of her best friend on 9/11
* how she really feels about the title “bookfluencer” and her new role running a publishing house

Make sure to follow @zibbyowens and catch Totally Booked with Zibby wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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Moms, want to break out some new food habits but don’t know where to start?  We’ve got you!
Like you, we spend a lot of time fixating on food and movement. From what’s for dinner, to keeping up with what snacks our kids like, to fitting in time for exercise.
Today’s guest, Stefani Sassos, cuts through all the noise.
She’s a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab.
Her common sense advice helps us look at the big picture and make changes through small steps. 
As you’ll hear, Stefani is so passionate about exercise and eating well.  Oh, and if you have fought the idea of meal prepping, Stefani will make you a believer! Plus:

* hacks for swapping ultraprocessed snacks for more nutritious options
* the case for weight training no matter your age
* small goals in postpartum that will be boost your motivation
* ideas for finally breaking up with your sugar cravings
* her favorite quick meal that’s a life-saver…and hits all the macro-nutrients we need
* why she’s willing to pay more for organic fruits and veggies
* the best reframe for shared family meal time

You can follow Stefani on IG @stefanisassos and read all of her article at goodhousekeeping.com

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Moms, what’s in and out for 2025? Whatever we want! And to get us inspired, we sat down with PEOPLE’S Andrea Lavinthal. We cover it all from fashion trends (spoiler alert: make your own!) to skincare, to vowing to have more fun. The former Style and Beauty Director at PEOPLE, fluent in hair, makeup, fashion, Andrea is now Executive Director, Special Integrative Projects. She dishes about voting for the future Sexiest Man Alive and her fake-it-til-she-makes-it attitude about the Super Bowl.
While you’ve seen her on TODAY and Good Morning America, this episode will introduce you Andrea as a mom: creator of family traditions, junk food aficionado, and soccer devotee. She breaks down why Monday dinners are perfect for a girl’s night out, plus:

* why she’s teaching her daughter that makeup is meant “to decorate” our faces
* how she hosted the theme party to end all theme parties
* why getting properly dressed everyday is a must
* the mindset that will help her survive an upcoming family trip to Disney
* how to avoid becoming botox and filler “blind”
* her surprising reaction to getting proposed to years after having kids with her partner

Make sure to follow Andrea @andilavs and follow her work @people

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Moms, do you ever wonder if the push to include affirmations and self-talk in your daily routine-both for you and your kids- is actually worth it or just a bunch of BS?
This episode confirms you are not wasting your time!
Our guest, Dr. Reon Baird-Feldman, is trained in neuropsychology and breaks down exactly why affirmations work. They also, quite literally, change the way we think!
Dr. Reon, a trusted and longtime contributor to The Local Moms Network, explains why a child’s brain is primed to reap the benefits of affirmations and so much more:

* how affirmations rewire the brain to boost resilience and confidence
* why creating a positive voice can shatter doubt
* why a child’s brain is malleable for far longer than we may think
* how to draw boundaries to protect your peace
* why trying to be a good parent is, indeed, proof that you are one!

Dr. Reon leads a private practice called 2nd City Psychological Consulting that serves clients in California, New York, and Connecticut.  You can find her at 2ndcitypsych.com or helloalma.com and follow her IG @reonbairdfeldman 

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Sibling relationships can be incredibly warm and incredibly tricky, too. But when siblings are best friends, the love is truly palpable. In this episode, Kaki Dudley McGrath and Lauren Dudley Stephens, co-founders of the clothing brand Dudley Stephens, take us inside their partnership as sisters and entrepreneurs. If you’re not familiar with the brand, Demetra calls it the best way to feel totally put together and completely comfortable all day long!
Kaki and Lauren have 5 children between them (close cousins, of course!) and open up about the family dynamic that prompted their close relationship. Their varying strengths and confidence in each other also boost their success in business.
Moms, if you’re wondering how to get your own kids to be tight-knit, this conversation offers a lot of empathy…and much more:

* entering the world of podcasting to pull back the curtain on mixing family and business
* ruminating on how to minimize competition amongst siblings for our time and affection
* how parent relationships can set the stage for loyalty and love
* the contrast in how we view motherhood before and after having kids (hint: nothing can really prepare us)
* showing children the joy and fulfillment that work outside the home can bring
* shouting out the childcare that makes moms capable of doing all the things
* the incredible book “Moms on Call” by Lauren Hunter and Jennifer Walker that Lauren and Kaki swear by!

Make sure to follow Dudley Stephens @dudley_stephens or find them at www.dudley-stephens.com 
Their fun, new podcast is called Two Sisters in Business with Lauren & Kaki…give them a listen!

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