In this episode of Moms of the Lou, Rebekah & Lauren spend time with Michelle Li, an anchor for KSDK Channel 5. Michelle shares her journey of overcoming infertility and raising her son, who turns seven soon. Michelle also talks about her morning routine, the challenges of working in news, and the impact of social media on journalism. She highlights her foundation, The Very Asian Foundation, which supports Asian American journalists, inspired by a viral moment during a New Year's segment.

Michelle Li is a Peabody-award-winning journalist who anchors Today in St. Louis at KSDK, the NBC affiliate in St. Louis. Her work on disparities in women’s healthcare, gender, and race has garnered multiple awards, including national Murrows, regional Emmys, and a congressional Honor. Michelle worked on the team that opened the Park Central Library Branch in Springfield, Mo., where she worked part-time while serving as a news anchor. Michelle’s love for reading,

libraries, and librarians helped her launch The May Book Project, which is an international Asian American youth project for all readers through the Very Asian Foundation. The national FBI director recognized the program in 2023 for being a responsible and innovative way to combat anti-Asian hate.

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Rebekah and Lauren interview Reshma Chattaram Chamberlin, co-founder of Summersalt, a global swimwear brand. Reshma shares her journey from Mumbai to St. Louis, highlighting her eventual love for the city. She emphasizes the strong sense of community in St. Louis, particularly in the Central West End, and how motherhood has deepened her connections. Reshma discusses Summersalt’'s mission to inspire body confidence and childlike joy, noting the brand's significant growth, and reaching over a million women. You can learn more about Summersalt by going to their website!

Reshma Chattaram Chamberlin is the Co-Founder and Chief Brand and Digital Officer of Summersalt, a generation-defining lifestyle brand known for its data-backed fit and designer quality products without the designer price tag. In 2020, Fast Company named Summersalt one of the 10 Most Innovative Style Companies of the Year. Reshma and her Co-founder Lori Coulter launched Summersalt to change the conversation around swimwear and address a true market gap by creating designer swimwear without the designer price tag. Summersalt’s product is data-backed with 1.5 million measurements taken from 10,000 women’s body scans. From day one, Summersalt knew it wouldn't stop at swimwear. The first challenge was to transform the swimwear shopping experience from being intimidating and vulnerable to fun and empowering. Quickly, Summersalt expanded to include adventure-friendly essentials that help make every aspect of a woman's wardrobe more joyful and comfortable—from sleepwear to intimates to activewear. Named one of the Top 100 Upstarts in the world by CNBC, the brand has seen exceptional growth and consumer adoption, garnering praise from leading outlets including Vogue, Elle, CNN and Forbes.  Prior to co-founding Summersalt, Reshma spent 10+ years in brand building, user experience design, digital marketing, and strategy, for early entrants in the direct-to-consumer revolution. She previously ran a successful business design strategy firm, where she was an early advocate for design thinking at the foundation of any business, as a key unfair advantage. Reshma is passionate about keeping thoughtful practices at the heart of Summersalt, and is constantly championing sustainability. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from Principia College. Reshma sits on the board of Forest Park Forever in St. Louis, where she works on community relations and driving diversity and inclusion practices for the largest city park in the country. In her free time, she enjoys living out one of Summersalt’s core values by traveling the world with her husband.

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Rachel Cliffe, Community Outreach and Partnerships Manager at Siteman Cancer Center, discusses her role in cancer prevention and community education. She highlights the importance of healthy habits like eating well, exercising, and avoiding smoking to reduce cancer risk. Rachel shares her experience with recent partnerships with local businesses in St. Louis to help raise cancer awareness. Check out St. Louis Mom’s latest reel of Ovarian Cancer Prevention in partnership with Siteman Cancer Center!

This podcast episode is sponsored by Siteman Cancer Center: National Leaders in Cancer Treatment & Research.

Rachel Cliffe is a Telly Award–winning producer at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine, where she’s spent seven years advancing the organization’s mission to educate and empower the St. Louis community on cancer prevention and early detection. As Community Outreach & Partnerships Manager, Rachel develops innovative collaborations with local organizations, businesses, venues, and community groups to promote healthier lifestyles and raise awareness about the critical importance of early and routine cancer screenings. She also leads production of Siteman’s award-winning podcast, ‘This Is Cancer', a patient-centered series featuring conversations with WashU Medicine physicians that aim to inform, uplift, and support individuals navigating cancer treatment, caregiving, and beyond. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys taking her kids to local parks, cooking, spending time with friends and family, and discovering new restaurants in St. Louis.

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Rebekah & Lauren chat about their favorite fall activities in St. Louis, emphasizing the need to manage expectations and avoid overwhelm. They highlight events like the Art Hill Film Series showing ET on 10/10 and the Not So Haunted Magic House event every weekend in October. They also mention the Powell Hall Family Concert on 10/19, which includes interactive elements and encourages costumes. Additionally, they list out their favorite apple picking experiences and pumpkin patches in the St. Louis area and the Kirkwood Farmers Market's Fall Fun Zone. They remind us all to “pack our patience” in planning for parking and waiting times at all these events! Need more ideas for family fall fun? Check out the St. Louis Mom Fall Season Guide!

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Marissa Farrell, a high school English teacher in the Parkway School District, discusses her busy life as a mother of two daughters. She also runs a mentorship program for young girls called the Sister Project. Marissa and her husband, Luke, started a local business called Bucket List, which has grown to 230,000 followers on Instagram. They enjoy affordable family activities, such as the Magic House Toddler Time and the Missouri History Museum. Marissa values the importance of parental involvement in children's education and addresses the challenges of balancing work and family life as a teacher.

Marissa Farrell, high school English teacher in the Parkway School District, co-founder of STL Bucket List, and mom of 2 girls under 2, Mila (20 months) and Vada (6 months). Just another mom taking on the balancing act of motherhood and a career. 

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Rebekah & Lauren sit down with Mimō Davis, co-founder of Urban Buds. Mimō shares her journey from being a social worker in New York City to a flower farmer in Missouri. Inspired by her mother's greenhouse, she moved to Missouri in 1989 and bought a 15-acre farm. Urban Buds, located in St. Louis, grows 80 varieties of cut flowers year-round and sells them at the Tower Grove Farmers Market and online. They offer a CSA program, small weddings, and monthly happy hours. Mimō emphasizes the importance of local flowers for their longevity and environmental impact. She also highlights St. Louis's family-friendly activities and community support, particularly during COVID-19. Urban Buds will be hosting their next Kids Flower Workshop on Sunday, September 14th! And don’t forget to check out their next Monthly Flower Happy Hour with a friend!

A transplant from New York City, Mimō Davis, has been growing specialty cut flowers in Missouri since 1992. Her first farm, WildThang Farms, was located in Ashland, Missouri. Currently, she is a farmer-florist and co-owner of Urban Buds: City Grown Flowers, a one-acre flower farm in the Dutchtown neighborhood of St. Louis, with her business partner, Miranda Duschack. Urban Buds produces flowers year-round and grows 80-plus varieties annually, selling wholesale to St. Louis area florists, designing for select weddings and events, and bringing fresh, seasonal blooms to the Tower Grove and Boulevard Farmers’ Markets. Mimō is dedicated to mentoring and educating other flower farmers and serves on the board of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers as Community Engagement and Outreach Liaison, helping to foster growth and knowledge within the cut flower industry. Mimō holds a Master’s degree in Horticulture from North Carolina A&T University.

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by STL Bucketlist Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Rebekah Coste hosts a discussion with Michelle Hanna, a St. Louis mom, sourdough baker and events director in this latest episode of the Moms of the Lou podcast. Michelle shares her challenges of moving during the pandemic, closing her event planning business, and adapting to life in St. Louis. She highlights the differences in family-friendly activities and the importance of community. Michelle also discusses her passion for baking sourdough, launching her business Love Wildly Co. and balancing motherhood, work, and personal life. Upcoming St. Louis Moms events include Hanging with Heroes in August - don’t forget to sign up here!

Michelle Hanna and her family began an exciting new chapter in Missouri in 2020. Before their move, Michelle co-owned an event planning company in California with her best friend, where she gained over seven years of expertise in event planning and design. From managing private celebrations to large-scale events, she has honed her skills in creating meaningful and impactful experiences. Her passion lies in fostering connections, supporting local businesses, and crafting memorable gatherings. She’s thrilled to bring her creative vision and organizational expertise to St. Louis Mom events, ensuring they are seamless, inspiring, and fun for the community! When Michelle isn’t planning events, she treasures her role as a stay-at-home mom and loves adventuring with her two little boys. Recently, she’s embraced the art of sourdough baking and finds immense joy in experimenting with recipes. Exploring St. Louis’s vibrant food scene, supporting women-owned businesses, and connecting with other moms are among her favorite activities. You can follow Michelle Hanna on Instagram.

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

In this latest episode of the Moms of the Lou podcast, Rebekah chats with stylist & seamstress, Merrick White. Merrick discusses her move from Dallas to St. Louis, noting the similarities that eased the transition. She highlights the support from friends and a new community that helped her and her family quickly settle in and feel welcomed. Merrick also talks about her business, focusing on Instagram for engagement, and the evolving landscape of social media. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to changes and maintaining a strong online presence. You can connect with Merrick through her blog, Merrick’s Art and follow her on Pinterest and Instagram.

Merrick White is a blogger, stylist, seamstress, clothing designer, mama of three boys, wife to a wonderful guy, and currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri. She started Merrick’s Art back in 2008 when she was in college getting her art degree. After Merrick’s first baby was born in 2010, she discovered a love of sewing and spent a year or two doing a lot of clothing refashions, starting with this one right here. It was at least a year before she finally got brave enough to cut into a piece of fabric and start something from scratch, but she stuck with it and got better with every project! There’s nothing more thrilling for Merrick than designing and constructing a beautiful piece of clothing. Along the way, she became a style writer for Babble Style and SheKnows.com, and a contributor for Jo-Ann’s sewing blog, and wrote for each of them for several years. Over the years, Merrick has become obsessed with putting together outfits and helping women feel more confident in shopping and dressing their bodies.

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Rebekah Coste hosts the "Moms of the Lou" podcast, and features Leah Longueville of Polished Prints in this latest episode. Leah, an Illinois mom, discusses her business journey - starting with onesies for her daughter and evolving into a brand offering gender-neutral clothing and mom-friendly items. She highlights the challenges of balancing business growth with family life and emphasizes the importance of creating a community and safe space for customers to share personal stories. Go visit Polished Prints in Edwardsville or support Leah’s business online! 

Leah Longueville started Polished Prints in 2018 when she was a new mom with a personal love for graphic tees, and yet couldn't seem to find many for her daughter that really aligned with her own mindset. So she did what any graphic designer mom would do - she created her own. It all started in her guest bedroom, hand-printing onesies one-by-one and sharing them on social media. She focused on positive messages that reflect her own values, bringing to life the meaningful apparel she felt was missing in the world of children's clothing. It didn't take long for her to see how messages like "Be The Good" and "Love Thy Neighbor" resonated with so many others in the same way, so she decided to open up an Etsy shop so others could spread the love, too. Before she knew it, she launched her own website and this tiny hobby evolved into its own little business.

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

This latest episode of the "Moms of the Lou" podcast features local St. Louis mom and art educator, Colleen Fitzsimmons-Wiviott. Colleen shares her journey from being a St. Louis native, studying on the east coast, and then returning to St. Louis as an art educator. Colleen highlights her experience with the St. Louis Art Museum's teen assistant program and her subsequent career in museum education. She discusses her transition to freelance work, focusing on early childhood art education through her business, Start with Art. Colleen offers tips for parents on encouraging creative activities at home without the mess, emphasizing the importance of making art accessible and enjoyable for both children and parents. Check out Colleen’s blog post on A Guide to Visiting Art Museums with Kids.

We are so grateful to Foss Swim School for sponsoring this episode. At FOSS swim lessons are more than strokes and kicks. They're about building water safety, confidence and love of water that lasts a lifetime, whether your kiddo is just getting started, or looking to level up their skills. It's easier than ever to fit swim lessons into your family's routine. Find the class that fits your family or schedule your free preview lesson today!

A native of St. Louis, Colleen lives in Clayton with her husband, two kids, and rescue dog. She has worked in museum and art education for the past ten years and is the founder of Start With Art, which provides early childhood art workshops and classes around town. She is passionate about helping children discover their own creative processes while building community through art. When she’s not lesson planning, teaching, or momming, you can find her baking treats for her family, visiting the farmers’ market, or checking out all the amazing art exhibitions and performances St. Louis has to offer. Visit startwithartstl.com or follow on Instagram @startwithartstl!

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! 

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.