Mutha Life

On this episode, we sit down with Paige Port, the president of Dear Media and a mother of two. Paige shares her journey from various internships (shout out Red Sox and fellow intern alum, @AlexEdelman), working for her sister Whitney Port, to her current role at Dear Media. The conversation covers what I like to think of as an 'intuitive trajectory,' one where you go from job to job because you're excited about learning something new and you bring the skills forward to the next thing. We talk about the importance of support systems and how Paige and her husband balance their busy lives.

Show notes with alll the links: muthalife.substack.com

Produced by: Mutha Life

Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/

Today we have Dan Cooley in the closet and it's so annoyingly cliche that he happens to be extremely cool.

Dan is a seasoned locations manager in the film industry and he shares his career journey, spanning over 60 films and TV projects, including 'Spider-Man 3', 'Milk', and 'New Girl'. Dan discusses the unexpected path to his unique role, the dynamic challenges, and the magic behind some iconic sets. He also delves deeply into his personal life, candidly sharing the complexities of being a single dad to three daughters, managing work-life balance, and the intricacies of co-parenting (and when it's not really possible to do that). Dan touches on guiding principles in parenting, dealing with social media's impact on kids, and the importance of being present for his children.

Every week on the pod, I bake for our guests if they come to the closet IRL. For Dan and his three girls, I made super fudgy brownies.

Instagram: @mutha.life @candooley99

Show notes: muthalife.substack.com

Produced by: Mutha Life

Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/

Let's hang with Jeannie Roshar. In this episode, this director and accidental MOMager walks us through her career - from improv and a breakout music video (featuring heavily pregnant, lingerie clad, ladies) to a multi-faceted directing career with Blippi, Life Hacks for Kids and so much more. We cover so much in this episode, having your kids in 'SHOWBIZ', division of labor, expectations around working muthas, social media for our kids and ourselves and how we can choose to be influenced, and what's it's like when the star of the show is your daughter and she just doesn't feel like going on.

Every week on the pod, I bake for our guests if they come to the closet IRL. For Jeannie and her family, I made a midwestern staple for a midwestern gal, Blondies.

Instagram: @mutha.life

Show notes: muthalife.substack.com

Produced by: Mutha Life

Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/

Marketing guru Lisa Licht says hello from the other side...of parenting. While never taking her foot off the pedal of her career, Lisa's three kids are now all grown up and...still seem to like her!

Lisa has been climbing the corporate ladder since college and has worked at so many of your favorite places, guiding marketing strategy and toeing the line of the marketing frontier in fast-changing times. Lisa talks to us about raising her three kids in Los Angeles, all while working 12-14 hour days in demanding enviroments and parenting in true partnership with her husband.

Every week on the pod, I bake for our guests if they come to the closet IRL. For Lisa, I made the ultimate decadent brownies.

Instagram: @mutha.life

Show notes: muthalife.substack.com

Produced by: Mutha Life

Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/

TW: Cancer

This week, we hang out in the closet with Elissa Kalver. She's a force of nature: a dynamic Mutha who has had many careers, ultimately focusing her high octane energy on the nonprofit she founded, WeGotThis.org, the first-ever nonprofit gift registry for cancer patients. Elissa's drive to squeeze everything out of life is palpable, and while I am certain her metastatic breast cancer diagnosis has propelled her to do more than she ever imagined, I genuinely believe this is who she has always been - a woman who loves a goal. Loves to do good. Loves to spread joy to the people she cares about.

Every week on the pod, I bake for our guests if they come to the closet IRL. For Elissa and her family, I made classic chocolate chip cookies, not too chewy, not too crunchy…justttt right.

Instagram: @mutha.life @wegotthisorg @elissakalver

Show notes: muthalife.substack.com

Produced by: Mutha Life

Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/

In this episode, we talk to director Katie Locke O'Brien. Katie talks about her love of theater, entertaining and creating, and how in many ways that passion through-line has led her to so many key inflection points in her life story to date: ending up at Harvard, meeting her husband, processing the bewildering state of becoming a mutha, and ultimately becoming a director.

Every week on the pod, I bake for our guests if they come to the closet IRL. For Katie and her family, I made Whoopie Pies, a classic dessert from her home state of New Hampshire. Katie tells me mine are the closest she's come to a real whoopie pie in Los Angeles, so I am thrilled for me...and her.

Instagram: @mutha.life and @katielockeobrien Show notes: muthalife.substack.com Produced by: Mutha Life Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/

In this episode, we talk to documentary producer, Tracy Aftergood. Tracy talks candidly about her career trajectory, the tragic loss of her best friend, her mom, at an early age, and the work she does to show up for herself, so she can show up for her kids and her relationship. Tracy's latest doc on Diane Von Furstenberg, is now streaming on Hulu (link in show notes).

Every week on the pod, I bake for our guests if they come to the closet IRL. For Tracy and her family, I made classic chocolate chip muffins. Tracy gets bonus points for eating a muffin at my kitchen counter before we started recording. Truly loved it.

Instagram: @mutha.life Show notes: muthalife.substack.com Produced by: Mutha Life Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/

In this episode we talk to TV and film writer Kit Steinkellner. She shares her journey through Hollywood, from growing up on the set of some of our favorite shows, attending school on a studio lot, to balancing a creative career with parenting, and the intricacies of personal and professional life. From Kit's childhood on nostalgic TV sets, to her breakthrough TV show 'Sorry for Your Loss', Kit offers an intimate look into her life, the challenges of maintaining passion projects, and the realities of parenting during a pandemic. And if you're curious, we looked it up, she's not a nepo baby, SHE's AN INDUSTRY, BABY.

Every week on the pod, I bake for our guests if they come to the closet IRL. For Kit, I made Babysitter Sarah's Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies.

Show notes: www.muthalife.substack.com

Produced by: Mutha Life

Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/

Dubbed a 'cool person' by New York Magazine, Chris discusses his accidental journey to a successful writing career, his move from California to New York, and balancing his professional and personal life.

He shares insights about working with major publications like GQ, his love for Muay Thai and the health scare that precipitated a deep dive into the world of wellness, and his commitment to showing up for his family amidst the chaos.

For the play by play of the episode and links to all the things, check out our substack, muthalife.substack.com.

*We are still working out the kinks on our remote recording set up, hang with us! While the audio isn't perfect, Chris' story is!

Chris' Substack, Heavies.

Instagram: @ChrisGayomali @mutha.life

Show notes: www.muthalife.substack.com

Produced by: Mutha Life

Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/

Polythreat SOSUPERSAM's life is a practice in contrasts. She is mother at the club. She is also mother at home.

Sam shares how her upbringing in a Filipino household that valued both being a (talented) good time at parties AND valued hard work and business acumen came together in an unexpected way in her career. She talks about her commitment to routine, her appreciation for the need, sometimes, for a 'fuck it' button, and her approach to managing transitions and the vibe, at home and in the club, in this expansive hang.

Every week on the pod, I bake for our guests if they come to the closet IRL. For SOSUPERSAM, I made no-bake chocolate chip PB granola bars.

See her IRL: https://www.sosupersam.com/events

Read her on substack: https://sosupersam.substack.com/

Instagram:

@sosupersam

@mutha.life

Show notes: www.muthalife.substack.com

Produced by: Mutha Life www.mutha.life

Music by: Ronen Landa, https://ronenlanda.com/