Today we're diving into one of the trickiest parts of modern parenting—raising kids in the digital age. From posting baby photos to getting them their first phone, the Internet is woven into every stage of our children's lives. But how do we balance sharing and connection with privacy and protection?

Joining me for this conversation is Professor Joana Gaia, Clinical Assistant Professor of Management Science and Systems at the University at Buffalo School of Management.

She shares why our online and offline lives shouldn't be treated as separate worlds, and how applying the same social rules to both can help us raise more self-aware, digitally responsible kids.

If you've ever second-guessed sharing that cute photo, felt uneasy about your child's screen habits, or wondered how to keep up with AI, this episode is your roadmap for navigating it all.

In this episode, we cover:

• The real risks (and realities) of AI, from deepfakes to data collection, and what parents can actually do to stay ahead.
• Don't panic! Joana breaks down what data fraudsters really want (and it's not what most parents think).
• The most overlooked online safety tool that can make a huge difference in protecting your child's privacy.
• Why "just say no to screen time" isn't the answer. And the guilt-free permission we've been waiting for!
• Plus, Joana shares the unexpected online game she uses in her classes to teach project management.

Connect with Joana:

• Through the University at Buffalo

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I'm joined by Human Design expert Kristin Quattlebaum, who shares how this powerful framework can help us uncover our true selves and move beyond fear and conditioning.

Kristin not only reads my Human Design, but also reveals why I've always been driven to hustle yet never quite felt satisfied. Together, we explore themes of worthiness, courage, and building new pathways to trust ourselves and act in alignment.

If you've ever wondered: Am I on the right path? or Am I doing enough? This conversation will help you begin to boldly walk in fear, trust your inner nudges, and step into the life you were designed to live. Or as Kristin puts it, "be who the f*** you're supposed to be."

In this episode, we cover:

• The one powerful step you can take to begin answering: Who am I, really?
• The surprising way Human Design uncovers parts of you that feel hard to explain.
• How to trust those inner nudges guiding you to your true self, even when your mind resists.
• Masculine and feminine energetics: how both live in us and shape our relationships.
• Why worthiness isn't earned, and what Kristin says about stepping into it right now.
• What's secretly stopping you from taking action, and how to finally move forward with courage.

Resources & Links:

• Here's the Strength Finders Assessment Kristin mentioned if you're interested in taking it.
• This is the book Kristin referred to: How to Love Yourself (and Sometimes Other People): Spiritual Advice for Modern Relationships, by Lodro Rinzler and Meggan Watterson

Connect with Kristin:

• Follow on Instagram
• View her website

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

Have you ever felt the pull to start something creative, something just for you, but haven't known where to begin? Maybe there's a quiet tug inside you that hasn't been satisfied yet.

In this episode, I share reflections of my journey into motherhood. I realized I had lost sight of my childhood dreams somewhere along the way. Deep down, I always knew I wanted to be more than just a mom or my career.

That's why I'm sharing the 3 steps that helped me connect with my passions and take real action to make my creative dreams a reality (including launching this very podcast!).

I hope this episode gives you the nudge to start that thing you've been putting off, feeling overwhelmed by, or telling yourself isn't possible.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why investing in yourself is the first step to uncovering what truly lights you up.
• How to turn big, overwhelming dreams into bite-sized, doable actions.
• The tough (but freeing) time audit I did. And what I let go of to make space for creativity.
• The hidden weight I didn't even realize I was carrying…and how you might be carrying it too.
• Three simple things you can do this week to start moving your creative dreams forward.

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I'm delighted to sit down with Dr. Nina Strollo, a board-certified OB/GYN, for an unfiltered conversation about the growing crisis in women's health care. Nothing is off-limits.

We dive into how the current political climate is stripping away access to reproductive care. And Dr. Strollo sheds light on how a broken medical system, compounded by the spread of misinformation on social media, is putting women's health at risk.

We also confront the realities of medical gaslighting and gender bias in exam rooms. Now, more than ever, finding a trusted provider and reliable information is essential.

Dr. Strollo encourages women to be skeptical, stay curious, ask questions, and protect their right to informed, evidence-based care. And support each other!

In this episode, we cover:

• How legislative attacks and policy changes are rolling back women's rights and forcing doctors into impossible decisions.
• The dangerous ripple effect misinformation can have when it reaches the exam room.
• How we can empower the next generation of girls to make informed, confident choices about their own bodies.
• The most exciting thing going on in women's medicine right now, according to Dr. Strollo.
• The ONE simple action we can all take today to drive meaningful change in women's lives.

Resources & Links:

• Women's health has been overlooked for decades. Hopefully that's changing. Research on perimenopause and menopause seems to be ramping up.

Connect with Dr. Strollo:

• Follow on Instagram

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

This is the conversation I've been CRAVING. And maybe you have too.

I sat down with Jill Barrile, intimacy and relationship coach and boudoir photographer, to have the raw, honest talk about intimacy I've been wanting to have for a while.

Once kids enter the picture, everything changes, including the way we connect with our partners. Between parenting, managing a household, and working full time, intimacy often falls to the bottom of the list.

But what if it doesn't have to? How can we fuel our relationship and connection, even in this chaotic, beautiful, overstimulating season?

Jill brings a judgment-free energy to this episode, and offers both practical tools and deep, soul-level insight into what real intimacy can look like after kids.

If you've ever felt disconnected from your partner — or from yourself — this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• The very real challenges of maintaining intimacy after becoming parents.
• Why connection often feels like an afterthought when you're just trying to survive the day.
• The simple shift I needed permission to make in my relationship.
• Why scheduling date nights feels transactional, and how to reframe it.
• How to clear mental clutter and create space for intimacy and connection.
• The one question Jill asks herself daily to stay anchored in joy.

Resources & Links:

• I came across this article about being touched out last year and it really hit.

Connect with Jill:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Check out her website

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I'm joined by Danna Berlad, fellow millennial mama and founder of Feel Good Snax, a healthy snack brand born from her desire to feed her kids additive-free, protein-packed treats.

What started as another internet deep dive, turned into a lesson about crunchy, silky, and scrunchie moms. These playful labels are helping millennial moms name how we show up as parents, while shaking off the judgment we so often feel from others (and from ourselves).

Danna and I had fun figuring out where we fall on the spectrum. And then we put our mom styles to the test!

At the end of the day, we both agree: whether you're proudly crunchy, totally silky, or thriving somewhere in the middle (I see you fellow scrunchies), the only "right" way to parent is the one that works for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• What it means to be a "crunchy," "silky," or "scrunchie" mom.
• Danna's journey of becoming a momtrepreneur.
• Natural vs. everything else — why is feeding our kids so complicated?
• The pressure and stigma around breastfeeding.
• Sleep training, co-sleeping, or crying-it-out…the kids are OK.

Resources & Links:

• Here's the list of "dirty dozen" foods with the highest amounts of pesticide residues. And the "clean 15" foods that are least likely to be contaminated by pesticide residues.
• And if you want another resource, check out the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce.
• The USDA's 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans stated there should be a "complete avoidance of all added sugar for children until two years old."
• This is the blog I mentioned about the pressures of breastfeeding.

Connect with Danna:

• Follow on Instagram

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

We're back with Part 2 of our hormone health deep dive featuring Nurse Practitioner and hormone expert, Teneika Gravely.

In this episode, we explore how hormones impact weight loss, especially postpartum. From cortisol spikes and estrogen dominance to thyroid issues and inflammation, Teneika breaks down the science behind why weight loss can feel impossible after having a baby.

We also dive into perimenopause and menopause. As I approach 40, I was wondering if perimenopause should be on my radar. That's a big fat yes!

In this episode, we cover:

• Why diet and exercise aren't always enough. Hormone imbalance could be preventing you from losing weight.
• Perimenopause vs. menopause: Understanding the difference, and why menopause is just one day.
• Belly fat, anxiety, and insomnia—perimenopause symptoms are more intense than you'd expect.
• Bioidentical hormones, getting optimized, and lifestyle changes: Tools for a smoother transition.
• Endocrine disruptors are everywhere. What's messing with your hormones without you knowing?

Resources & Links:

• Perimenopause looks different for everyone. What can you expect?

Connect with Teneika:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Connect on Facebook or LinkedIn
• View her website

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Related Episode:

• 15. Hormones control it all…from pregnancy to perimenopause, with Teneika Gravely - Part 1

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

If you've ever felt like your hormones are running the show, you're not alone!

In this episode I sit down with Teneika Gravely, Nurse Practitioner and hormone health expert, for a deep dive into how our hormones influence everything—from energy levels to mental health.

We explore how hormones fluctuate through different life stages, and the surprising ways they impact pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.

We had so much to unpack that there will be a Part 2 of our convo. Make sure to tune in—we're talking about how hormones impact metabolism and perimenopause.

In this episode, we cover:

• Navigating the hormonal rollercoaster of pregnancy and childbirth.
• Mommy brain: Myth or fact? What really happens to our brains when we're pregnant?
• Postpartum depression and anxiety: Recognizing the signs, even when they're not obvious.
• Matrescence and puberty are more alike than you think. Exploring hormonal and identity shifts of becoming a mom.
• Why diet and exercise aren't always enough. Hormone imbalance could be preventing you from losing weight.
• Should perimenopause be on your radar? (Spoiler: Yes!)

Resources & Links:

• Here's The Guardian article I mentioned that goes into detail about the study that shows how the brain reorganizes during pregnancy.
• What in the world is matrescence? Here's 5 things you need to know.
• Perimenopause looks different for everyone. What can you expect?

Connect with Teneika:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Connect on Facebook or LinkedIn
• View her website

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Related Episode:

• 16. Hormones control it all…from pregnancy to perimenopause, with Teneika Gravely - Part 2

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, my guest Alyse Tuccio and I reflect on our childhood experiences around nudity, modesty, food, self-control, and body image.

What started as a casual chit chat during a Brazilian wax, turned into a deep dive into the ways modesty standards were enforced differently for us versus our brothers.

In this unfiltered conversation, we unpack the messages we received growing up about our bodies, the fear of being objectified, and how these lessons still shape our behaviors today.

In this episode, we cover:

• Is there a "right" age when parents should stop changing or using the bathroom in front of their kids?
• Bathing children together is an opportunity to teach them about body awareness, boundaries, and consent.
• Fostering a healthy relationship with food starts with parents' behavior.
• The connection between enforced modesty and body shaming.
• While pop stars shaped our perception of the ideal body type, parents used them as blueprints for what is "inappropriate" dress.
• Does clothing choice have anything to do with sexual assault? (Spoiler: It doesn't—but society acts like it does.)

Resources & Links:

• If you're wondering if it's OK to be naked around your kids, or when you should start covering up, this article provides some great pros and cons to help you decide.
• Bathing children together—what you need to know.
• 5 Tips for Helping Kids Develop a Healthy Relationship with Food.
• Here's the study I reference in my final thought conducted by the City University of New York that covers dress and sex.
• 25 compliments you can use to build a child's self-esteem and self worth.
• Here's the article I found with tips on how to raise confident kids that I didn't get to.

Connect with Alyse:

• Follow on Instagram

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!

After taking the month of December to focus on my family and celebrate the holiday season, Momming as a Millennial is back with a new episode!

When my guest, Amanda Phillips got a text message from her son's preschool teacher telling her he was crying "too loudly" and disrupting the class, she started doubting her decision to send him to school.

At a complete loss, she emailed me wondering if she had done her son a disservice by not sending him to daycare. Overcome with emotion from reading her message, I set out to find some answers.

Join me and Amanda as we discuss her journey as a stay-at-home mom, the impact of the pandemic on family structure, and all aspects of the daycare debate.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why more and more American women are leaving the workforce to stay home with their children.
• COVID, childcare costs, political and societal influences—oh my!
• One mom's journey of leaving the workforce to stay home with her babies.
• How do finances work when there's one income? A stay-at-home mom's purchasing power.
• One thing SAHM's and working parents have in common.
• The great debate—is it better to send your child to daycare or keep them home?

Resources & Links:

• It's clear the COVID pandemic disproportionately impacted women in the workforce, especially in female-dominated sectors.
• What is the average cost of child care? Depends on what state you live in.
• More and more American women are forgoing work outside the home to take care of their children, citing the high cost of childcare as the biggest driver.
• I reference this study from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) when discussing daycare vs. staying home.

Connect with Amanda:

• Follow on Instagram

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on TikTok
• Check out my website

Be sure to subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!