Share Mommyhood Unscripted
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By Nicole Nalepa
4.7
2121 ratings
The podcast currently has 66 episodes available.
This episode features a real, raw conversation between two moms regarding careers and the struggles and sacrifices women make to become a mom. Dorothy Cascerceri Simone knows about this all too well as she learned to navigate some highs and lows -- both professionally and personally. She worked for the magazines: People, In-Touch Weekly, and Life & Style and appeared on various national T.V. segments, among a slew of other things; but Dorothy ended up trading her red-carpet events for staying-at-home with her son. Then the road to having her daughter was unfortunately paved with hardship: rounds of IVF, pregnancy loss, PTSD, and anxiety. Dorothy not only came out stronger on the other side, but she is living proof that our journey through life is unique; and in the end, you will ALWAYS know what is best for YOU!
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guest: Dorothy Cascerceri Simone
Instagram: @DorothyonTV
Website: https://dorothyontv.com/
Do you remember the chores your parents assigned to you, once upon a time? Is this something you plan to implement in your household, or are you struggling with where to start? In this episode, we're exploring how we--as parents and caregivers--can connect our children to tasks at home that will be meaningful and rewarding to them (in other words, how to make sure they'll get done)!
Nicole consults with parenting expert, Lori Sugarman-Li about this topic. She explains why dishing out chores are beneficial for our children's development and their future. Lori is the author of the children's book, "Our Home: The Love Work and Heart of Family". She has dedicated her work to fostering meaningful conversations families and encouraging them to contemplate -- not only how they care for one another -- but how they care for their shared space. Wait until you hear some of the ideas Lori offers up that you can incorporate at your home with your kiddos. Talk about an empowering conversation for all!
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guest: Lori Sugarman-Li
Instagram: @ourhomeourpride
Website: https://ourhomeourpride.com/
Once you become a parent, it can be extra hard trying to find that time to organize and declutter your home; think of it: you're now dealing with the stuff your children are accumulating! Whether you're a new parent, or even a grandparent, chances are you have more contents in your home than you know what to do with. That's why we are taking our disarray--from the junk drawer to the attic-- straight to organizational expert, Chelsea Wade. She is the owner/founder of "A Good Home" which is a full-service home organization and interior design studio based in Lyme, CT. Through her techniques and her careful steps, Chelsea can organize every space in the home -- from kitchens to closets, to attics and basements; and she is very graciously letting us in on her method to achieving beautifully balanced spaces that are functional for you and your family. This is definitely an episode you're going to want to bookmark and keep coming back to, as you accept the challenge to find order and organization in your home! (But here's a here's a pro-tip: start small.)
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guest: Chelsea Wade
Instagram: @agoodhome
Website: https://www.agoodhomect.com
Loss is something we all will experience in life. However, it is not always something we can predict. So how do we help guide our children through this human experience in a safe and effective way? Best-selling children's author Kellie Kaminskas set out to help families around the world work through this quandary. When she was pregnant with her son, she lost her mother to a long, courageous battle of cancer. But another tragedy would rock this new mom's world 14 months later: the sudden death of her son's father. Kellie--who always had a passion for writing--was motivated to help her son and other children navigate grief. That is how the award-winning children's book, "Here With You" was born. Kellie's book is an amazing resource for any families who may be going through a difficult time and are looking to begin the healing process.
This conversation between Nicole and Kellie chronicles the emotions tied to losing a loved one, the stages of grief, the support that's always there for you, and the strength that lies within us all.
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guest: Kellie Kaminskas
Instagram: @kellie.kaminskas
Website: https://www.kelliekaminskas.com/
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Even though important progress has been made in the last two decades in this area, we still have a lot of work to do. The World Health Organization says about 287,000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2020.
To help us understand the things that need to be done in order to bring these numbers down, Nicole sought out Daileann Hemmings. She is a doctoral prepared perinatal nurse with a focus in the Community/Public Health sector, with over 20 years of nursing experience specializing in perinatal health at some of the country's top hospitals, such as Yale New Haven Hospital and Johns Hopkins. Right now, Daileann serves as the Program Director of Maternal Health Equity at Hartford Hospital in which she works to address health disparities that impact mortality & morbidity.
Nicole and Daileann share in a very candid and open conversation about how we can better support mothers (especially those of color), some of the inequities that individuals of color experience, the initiatives she has helped implement to address the issues, and the preventability of maternal deaths. You will walk away from this episode with not only more knowledge on this topic, but a greater understanding of what you can do to help other support other moms experiencing such inequality when it comes to their maternal health.
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guest: Daileann Hemmings, DNP, RN, CLC, CCM
As virus season kicks into high-gear--between colds, the flu, and Covid-19--there's another virus affecting our most-vulnerable populations that you may not think about--and that is RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). In fact, this particular virus sidelined renowned actress and executive producer, Jennifer Beals. After her experience with RSV, she became a spokesperson for GSK this October -- which is RSV Awareness Month. Beals -- known for her iconic role in the film "Flashdance" and the T.V. series, "The L Word" -- shares her story with Nicole. Also joining this conversation is Dr. Leonard Friedland, the Vice President and Director of Scientific Affairs and Public Health for GSK in North America. He details what preventative measures are available, and what we need to be on the look out for to keep our families and loved ones safe. It's a quick listen packed with a lot of great health information!
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guests: Jennifer Beals & Dr. Leonard Friedland
Instagram: @thejenniferbeals
Website: www.sidelineRSV.com
Have you heard someone tell a new mother to 'not hold her baby too much' or to 'time out the baby's feeding sessions', or to let the baby 'cry itself to sleep'? Turns out, there's scientific evidence that has found "spoiling" your baby with affection, attention, and protection actually grows their brain development and transforms their mental health for life! Nicole has a very informative and eye-opening conversation with Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum who is a Neuroscientist, Family Sleep Specialist, Doula and Author. Her book, "The Nurture Revolution" guides parents on how to set their children up for success starting in infancy. Dr. Kirshenbaum challenges the idea on how we cultivate independence in our children, explains how past generations can affect your nervous system, and discusses just how *much nurturing our children need to succeed. Thanks to her steadfast research and experience, she is helping "speak for the babies" -- and moms all over the world are ready to listen.
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guest: Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum
Instagram: @drgreerkirshenbaum
Website: https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/about-me
This is a first-of-its-kind interview for "Mommyhood Unscripted" and an exciting one at that! "Maggie" the Musical just made its U.S. debut at The Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut -- where it will run through 10/20/24. Here's Playbill's synopsis: "A Scottish mother’s unbreakable love for her three sons is tested in an inspirational new musical about family bonds and changing times. After suffering the unthinkable loss of her husband, Maggie must rely on her strength, sense of humor and fiercely loyal friends to protect her family from a harsh world. Spanning over 20 years, a hardscrabble working class life blossoms with a soul-stirring pop-folk score. A generation of courageous mothers is celebrated in this rousing American premiere!"
The story line is steeped in a mother's journey through raising children, the unbreakable bond with her kids, and how important it is for women to find their tribe. It's based on the true story of Scottish-born singer-songwriter, Johnny Reid's grandmother. Nicole caught up with Johnny and Matt Murray who both created "Maggie" in this episode. The inspiration behind what drove these two men to bring Johnny's grandmother to life is not only moving, but it stirs up a lot of familial emotions when we consider the matriarchs that came and went before us. Nicole, Johnny and Matt discuss the ways we can honor the women in our lives, and the common themes that bind mothers and children of all generations together.
Don't miss this conversation, and keep your eyes peeled because "Maggie" is surely Broadway-bound, according to Nicole!
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guests: Johnny Reid and Matt Murray
Instagram: @johnnyreidofficial & @mattmurray123
Website: https://maggiethemusical.com/
There's no question about it: our youth are experiencing a mental health crisis. A February 2024 study by the nonprofit, "Kaiser Family Foundation", found that 1 in 5 adolescents reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. In 2023, researchers at Harvard found that 40% of teens said that they wanted their parents to reach out more and ask how they're really doing. But so many parents and caregivers struggle with how to go about doing that! That's why Nicole is talking with mental health expert, Dr. Charmain F. Jackman. She is a licensed psychologist, author, and TedX speaker, and a regular contributor to the PBS "Teachers' Lounge" column. In this episode you'll learn how to: help our kids identify and articulate how they're feeling, how to approach hard conversations with your child (of all ages), learn about the concerning signs to be on the lookout that'd indicate that your child is struggling in the mental health realm, and much more!
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guest: Dr. Charmain F. Jackman
Instagram: @askdrcharmain
Website: https://www.drcharmainjackman.com/
Country Music Star mama, Kimberly Perry is known for her role in the Grammy Award-winning group, "The Band Perry" (she wrote their groundbreaking crossover #1 single: "If I Die Young"). Now she is on her first solo headlining tour with CMT -- and she's doing it with a 1-year-old! Kimberly chats with Nicole about what it was like to become a mom for the first time, her birth story, the toddler stage, the everchanging seasons of our lives, and how to align yourself with the things that truly bring you joy. This is a refreshingly candid and relatable conversation between two mothers that you don't want to miss out on!
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SHOW NOTES:
Host: Nicole Nalepa | @NicoleNalepaTV
Guest: Kimberly Perry
Instagram: @thekimberlyperry
Website: https://www.kimberlyperry.com/
The podcast currently has 66 episodes available.