Similar But Different

What happens when being a good mother means admitting there are things you would do differently?

In this episode, I sit down with Leah Thompson to talk about becoming a mother at 19 and growing up alongside her daughter. 

This meant losing the opportunity to go to college and play Division 1 soccer, but Leah committed herself to being a strong single mother, working two jobs and eventually building a successful career without a college degree. But some of Leah’s most important growth didn’t come from what she accomplished. It came from learning when to stop defending her decisions and start listening.

Leah opens up about the apology that transformed her relationship with her daughter, releasing the shame she carried as a mother, recognizing when busyness was pulling her away from what mattered, and learning to take accountability while also setting healthy boundaries. She also shares why she traveled alone to Peru for an ayahuasca retreat during one of the hardest periods of her life and what it took to integrate that experience once she returned home.

This is a conversation about motherhood, relationships, self-awareness, and accepting that someone else’s experience can be valid even when it looks different from your own.

Because growth isn’t about getting every decision right. Sometimes it begins when we’re willing to listen, own our part, and choose to show up differently.

Highlights

• (01:20) – Becoming a mother at 19 and finding purpose in an unexpected beginning
• (07:39) – How remarriage and a growing family affected Leah’s oldest daughter
• (09:57) – The shame that can come with making difficult decisions as a mother
• (14:57) – Giving up a Division 1 soccer scholarship and creating a different path forward
• (17:51) – Building a successful career without a college degree and learning from great mentors
• (28:16) – Letting go of shame and finding support through other mothers
• (31:42) – The apology that transformed Leah’s relationship with her daughter
• (33:22) – Why accountability has to begin with yourself
• (33:59) – How helping her daughter inspired Leah to build Collective Kindness
• (36:40) – Recognizing when success and busyness were taking too much from her family
• (43:09) – Setting boundaries and asking for accountability in a meaningful friendship
• (50:08) – Why Leah traveled alone to Peru for an ayahuasca retreat
• (01:10:43) – Returning home and learning that healing also requires integration

Connect with Samantha

Website: https://sadowstyle.com/

Instagram: @SamanthaSadow 

When was the last time you allowed yourself to dream so big that it scared you?

In this solo episode, I’m sharing a realization that’s been weighing on my heart lately: somewhere between routines, responsibilities, motherhood, and the realities of adult life, I stopped dreaming as boldly as I once did. And I know I’m not alone.

I talk about how predictability can quietly turn into stagnation, why many of us lose touch with our natural ability to believe in bigger possibilities, and what it takes to reconnect with that spark. I also share the mindset shifts and daily practices that help me move from feeling stuck to feeling inspired, hopeful, and open to new opportunities.

If you've been feeling disconnected from your goals, uninspired by your current circumstances, or simply longing for something more, this episode is a reminder that your dreams are still there waiting for you. You are not here to play small. You are here to expand.

Tune in now!

Highlights 

(00:00) – When was the last time you allowed yourself to dream so big it scared you?

(02:11) – Why many women stop dreaming big as life becomes more demanding

(03:21) – When stability becomes stagnation

(04:32) – Reconnecting with the power to dream, believe, and attract what you desire

(07:58) – The daily practices that help you align with your biggest goals

(13:19) – Becoming the person capable of creating the life you want

(18:27) – A reminder that you're not here to play small—you're here to expand

Connect with Samantha

Website: https://sadowstyle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadowstyle/

In this episode, Samantha dives deep into the challenges of maintaining momentum and creativity, especially after a long hiatus from recording. She reflects on how the longer we wait to pursue our passions, the more daunting they can seem, as our fears grow larger in our minds.

Throughout the episode, she touched on the significance of self-discovery, especially during our younger years, and the risks of losing ourselves in the pursuit of pleasing others. She stressed the importance of nurturing a strong connection with our true selves to avoid getting lost in distractions and societal expectations.

Highlights:

• 00:00 - Samantha dives deep into the struggle of losing momentum, which has held her back from sharing her thoughts.
• 03:20 - Reflection on how challenges can lead to shutting down and emphasizing the importance of pushing through.
• 06:00 - The importance of having a deep connection with oneself to avoid losing identity in pleasing others and distractions.
• 09:30 - Acknowledgment of ongoing challenges and the necessity of continuous self-discovery and learning.
• 11:50 - Shares her love for storytelling.
• 13:00 - Encouragement to acknowledge and act on inner desires and ideas, warning against ignoring that voice.

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://sadowstyle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthasadow/

In this episode of Similar but Different, Samantha Sadow sits down with her dear friend and tennis partner, Dianne Louise, for a thoughtful and engaging conversation about the evolution of friendship, the pressures of modern womanhood, and the pursuit of wellness—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Together, they explore how competition can both challenge and connect women, what it means to show up authentically in relationships, and how fitness and nutrition can serve as tools for both strength and self-awareness. From lessons on the tennis court to moments of vulnerability off it, Samantha and Dianne reflect on personal growth, aging with intention, and the value of showing up consistently—for others and for yourself.

This episode is an honest look at what it means to cultivate meaningful friendships, prioritize health, and give yourself grace in the process. Tune in now!

Highlights

• (04:30) – How tennis sparked a meaningful friendship rooted in respect and connection
• (06:43) – First impressions, missteps, and the foundation of lasting trust
• (10:18) – The unspoken rules of partnering on the court—and in life
• (22:29) – Emotional resilience and the challenge of performing under pressure
• (26:36) – Competing with women vs. empowering women: reframing old narratives
• (33:36) – Reclaiming fitness as joy, not punishment
• (39:01) – Why walking remains one of the most powerful tools for longevity
• (51:09) – The impact of mindful nutrition—and the myths that need debunking
• (01:05:44) – Understanding intermittent fasting, hormones, and intentional wellness

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://sadowstyle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthasadow/

Connect with Dianne:

Email: [email protected] 

In this episode of Similar but Different, Samantha Sadow welcomes Cara Katz, a full-time remote-working mom and Design Producer at augmented reality company for an insightful, heart-centered discussion about what it really means to stay grounded in a fast-moving, tech-saturated world.

From spontaneous school drop-off chats to a shared love of wellness (and a few moments of sauna-induced wisdom), Samantha and Cara dive deep into motherhood, identity, community, and the small choices we make every day to prioritize connection over perfection. Cara shares how working in advanced tech shapes the way she parents and how she consciously creates space for slow, present moments in a world that's anything but.

This episode is for anyone juggling a career, kids, and the quiet hope that it’s all adding up to something meaningful. Listen now!

Highlights

• (01:58) – Building community while constantly starting over
• (04:42) – Finding calm in connection when you come from formality
• (08:53) – Losing—and rediscovering—personal passions post-baby
• (11:42) – A real-time lesson on energy boundaries from the sauna
• (14:43) – Creating screen-time structure for kids (and for yourself)
• (17:06) – What it’s like working in AR—and what it actually means
• (32:42) – When too much tech takes a toll on your energy
• (45:37) – Raising emotionally intelligent kids in the age of acceleration
• (50:23) – Religion, tradition, and building values through community
• (01:03:00) – Remembering to nurture yourself as much as your children

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://sadowstyle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthasadow/

Connect with Cara Katz:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carakatz/ 

Have you ever looked back at a chapter of your life and thought, How did I even get through that?

In this episode of Similar but Different podcast, Samantha Sadow is joined by Abby McDowell, a Speech-Language Pathologist who lives between South Florida and Switzerland. Abby shares her journey from starting a family during the height of the pandemic to launching her own private practice focused on supporting children with speech, language, and feeding challenges.

They also explore what it’s really like working in both schools and hospitals, how COVID shaped the landscape of pediatric care, and the importance of mentorship and trauma-informed therapy in today’s evolving educational system.

Whether you're a parent, educator, healthcare provider—or simply someone passionate about purpose-driven work—you’ll find meaningful insights in this episode.

Highlights

• (00:10) – Introducing today’s guest, Abby McDowell
• (03:38) – Life lessons passed down from Abby’s mother
• (04:39) – A clear explanation of what pediatric speech-language pathologists do
• (06:12) – Supporting children with developmental delays and feeding disorders
• (07:19) – The emotional reality of working with medically fragile children
• (09:07) – How mentorship guided Abby into her career
• (12:33) – Becoming a mother during COVID and navigating remote therapy
• (16:44) – Long-term effects of pandemic disruptions on child development
• (19:36) – The shift toward trauma-informed care in schools
• (21:17) – Reflections on postpartum anxiety, pandemic parenting, and public health
• (24:57) – Academic pressure in early education

  
  

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://sadowstyle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthasadow/

Connect with Abby McDowell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-macdowell-ms-ccc-slp-590021155/?originalSubdomain=ch 

What happens when your high-powered career no longer aligns with the life you want to live?

In this episode of Similar but Different podcast, Samantha Sadow is joined by her sister-in-law Susan Tedesco—a former banking executive who traded boardroom stress for global travel, silent retreats, and a calling in mindfulness.

Susan shares how childhood trauma shaped her perfectionism, how corporate burnout pushed her to a breaking point, and how mindfulness-based stress reduction helped her reclaim her sense of self. From silent meditation in Portugal to teaching yoga during COVID, Susan’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and choosing to live with intention rather than urgency.

If you’ve ever questioned your path, felt stuck in survival mode, or wanted permission to stop pushing so hard—this one’s for you.

Hit play to hear how Susan made peace with her past, stopped striving, and let the universe meet her halfway!

Highlights

• (00:00) – Introducing Susan and her unexpected career shift
• (03:35) – Inside a 5-day silent retreat: structure, purpose, and personal growth
• (08:58) – Early signs of mindfulness through childhood coping
• (11:56) – Facing burnout and trauma in a high-stress executive role
• (14:51) – Losing her job during COVID—and the freedom it created
• (17:16) – Embracing trust over control and letting life unfold
• (21:46) – A powerful parable on perspective and acceptance
• (26:12) – How to recognize when you're not present—and what to do next
• (33:28) – Building confidence to confront a toxic boss professionally
• (36:10) – The hidden gift of trauma: heightened emotional intelligence
• (39:30) – What “Similar but Different” means in a new chapter of life

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://sadowstyle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthasadow/

Connect with Susan:

Website: https://susantedesco712.wixsite.com/space-between
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susantedesco/ 

What happens when life asks you to let go of perfection and embrace who you really are?

In this first episode of the Similar but Different podcast, Samantha invites you to hear her story—the ups, the downs, and everything in between. She opens up about her journey from a picture-perfect childhood that took an unexpected turn to finding herself again through life’s challenges.

Along the way, Samantha talks honestly about struggles with perfectionism, an eating disorder, and learning to listen to her own voice. She also shares how motherhood completely transformed her, giving her a new purpose and a deeper connection with others. This is just the beginning of a podcast about real stories, shared experiences, and supporting one another through it all. Join us—you’ll feel right at home.

Don’t miss this heartfelt introduction to the Similar but Different podcast. Hit play now and join Samantha on this inspiring journey. And if you love what you hear, follow along and share the episode with someone who needs inspiration today!

Highlights

• (00:01) Introduction to Similar but Different podcast and its purpose.
• (05:07) Materialism as a mask for deep emotional struggles.
• (07:05) Overcoming a 12-year eating disorder.
• (11:15) Letting go of blame and accepting parents’ limitations.
• (14:12) Motherhood as a life-altering, transformative experience.
• (17:06) Trusting maternal intuition for the first time.
• (19:00) Choosing daily positivity despite struggles.
• (20:47) The power of vulnerability in building real connections.
• (24:46) Creating a supportive community for women.

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://sadowstyle.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthasadow/