The Aiders Podcast

As Summer is coming to an end, Mikaela and Cebrina are catching up on the things that made this season memorable. The trips, treats, shows, products, kid chaos, favorite moments, and a few things that sounded much better in theory.

But somewhere between pool days, s’mores disasters, a week completely alone, and trying to keep track of seven kids in a wave pool, the conversation turns into something bigger: What do I actually want?

They talk about letting go of control, carrying the emotional load for the people around them, trying to do everything at once, and realizing how hard it can be to answer what you want when you’ve spent so much time thinking about what everyone else needs.

It’s a summer catch-up about the fun, the chaos, and what this season unexpectedly taught them about themselves.

Something happened at one of Hilary Duff's recent concerts that resonated with an entire generation of women, and it wasn't a song.

For many of us, Hilary was the soundtrack to our childhood. We grew up watching Lizzie McGuire, singing along to "Come Clean," and dreaming about who we'd become. Now, the same girls who looked up to her are raising children, building careers, and trying to remember who they are beyond the roles they fill every day.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Hilary Duff's journey from child star to pop icon, wife, mother, and now her long-awaited return to music. But this conversation isn't really about celebrity. It's about what her comeback represents.

We talk about the quiet fear that life can become predictable after motherhood, why so many women miss having "firsts," and the difference between wanting your old life back and believing there are still new versions of yourself waiting to be discovered.

Because maybe the goal isn't to become who you used to be.

Maybe it's to become someone new.

Shout out to @desertlibertiescandles on this week's episode!

If you're looking for amazing-smelling soy candles, be sure to check out their Instagram or visit their website. We love supporting small businesses!

What started as a fun challenge quickly turned into one of their most emotional conversations yet.

This week, Mikaela tried to describe some of the most heartfelt Bluey episodes to Cebrina to see if she could make her cry... but instead, Mikaela was the one in tears.

They talk through two fan-favorite episodes—Baby Race and Onesies—and the parenting lessons behind them. From the pressure of milestones and feeling like you're falling behind, to infertility, grief, and the complicated emotions that can exist alongside joy, these stories opened the door to a much deeper conversation than they expected.

Whether someone is a parent, hoping to become one, navigating infertility, or simply trying to give themselves a little more grace, these episodes remind us that we're all just doing our best.

In this episode they discuss:

• Why Baby Race resonates with so many first-time parents

• The beautiful message behind Onesies and infertility

• The pressure to keep up with milestones

• Holding joy and grief at the same time

• Why sometimes the simplest children's show says exactly what adults need to hear

Have you ever cried watching Bluey? They’d love to know which episode gets you every time.

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Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: LZKM0RN0Q2U7ZWPE, 42NYXRIU1SPZCG1N

Last week we shared some of our own parenting hot takes. This week, we're reacting to yours.

From gentle parenting and spanking to co-sleeping, sleep training, social media, and raising kids without losing yourself in the process, we're diving into the parenting opinions you submitted on Instagram.

We talk about what discipline actually means, why boundaries matter, whether kids need boredom, and how every stage of parenting asks us to adapt. We also share our thoughts on raising children with curiosity instead of fear, creating trust with our kids, and why we believe there isn't one "right" way to parent.

As always, these are simply our experiences and opinions—not a blueprint for every family. Parenting isn't one-size-fits-all, and we hope this conversation reminds you that it's okay to find what works best for you and your children.

Check out these parenting accounts on Instagram!

@biglittlefeelings

@simplyonpurpose

@destini.ann

Do babies really need TV? Should kids be allowed to swear? Are sleepovers actually worth the risk?

This week we're sharing some of our biggest parenting hot takes and the conversations they spark. From screen time and sugar to social media, sleepovers, and even whether parents should read their kids' texts, we're unpacking the parenting decisions that seem to divide everyone.

This isn't about convincing anyone that our way is the right way. It's about questioning the rules we've inherited, talking through the "why" behind our choices, and recognizing that every family is different.

Next week, we're turning the microphone over to you as we react to the parenting hot takes you submitted on Instagram.

We'd love to hear yours, too. What's a parenting opinion you have that everyone else seems to disagree with?

check out @yummytoddlerfood on instagram for some yummy low sugar snack options!

Have you ever walked out of a store without buying anything and immediately felt suspicious? Hit "No Tip" on the payment screen like someone was judging you? Or wondered why drinking water from a mug just feels... wrong?

This week we're diving into all the everyday things that somehow feel illegal even though they're completely normal.

From sneaking snacks into the movie theater, taking hotel toiletries, and walking into Costco through the exit, to the deeper conversations about motherhood, periods, pregnancy, parenting, and why women often carry guilt that isn't ours to hold, this episode starts with laughs and ends with a surprisingly meaningful conversation.

If you've ever caught yourself thinking, "Wait... does everyone else feel this way too?" this episode is for you.

✨In this episode we talk about:

• Everyday things that somehow feel illegal
• Listener submissions
• Mom guilt and emotional responsibility
• Working while pregnant or on your period
• Why parenting feels impossible sometimes
• Growing up without enough education about our own bodies
• The weird social rules we all silently follow

Whether you're driving carpool, folding laundry, or hiding in your pantry for five minutes of peace, we're so glad you're here.

If this episode made you laugh, send it to a friend and don't forget to leave a rating and review it helps more women find The Aiders.

What happens when you wake up one day and realize you've spent years taking care of everyone else—but have completely lost touch with yourself?

In this week's episode, Mikaela sits down with Maddy, life and identity coach and creator of In The Second Act, for an honest conversation about emotional labor, self-abandonment, motherhood, marriage, faith transitions, and rebuilding your life after divorce.

Together, they explore the invisible emotional weight many women carry: managing everyone's moods, keeping the peace, putting their own needs last, and slowly losing themselves in the process.

Maddy shares her personal journey from growing up in the Mormon faith, getting married young, and becoming a mother, to questioning the life she had built and ultimately stepping into a completely new chapter. She opens up about the fears, guilt, and uncertainty that often surround divorce, as well as the surprising clarity that can come from finally choosing yourself.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The difference between mental load and emotional labor
• Why so many women lose themselves in marriage
• The pressure to be "selfless" and how it can lead to self-abandonment
• Faith transitions, identity, and questioning the life you've built
• Signs you may be carrying too much emotional responsibility in your relationship
• The fears that keep women stuck in unhappy situations
• Advice for women questioning their marriage
• Rebuilding confidence and finding yourself after a major life transition
• Why taking action creates clarity

Whether you're navigating a divorce, questioning your identity, feeling overwhelmed by emotional labor, or simply trying to reconnect with yourself, this conversation is a powerful reminder that your needs matter too.

Connect with Maddy:
Instagram: @inthesecondact
Website: inthesecondact.com

As always, take what resonates and leave what doesn't.

This week on The Aiders, we’re asking a big question: Who am I? From the roles we play to the expectations we carry, we’re exploring how our identities shift and evolve through different seasons of life.

It’s an honest conversation about self-discovery, personal growth, and learning to reconnect with who we are beneath all the labels.

In this episode, we continue our discussion with Gabi Pegeuro, the "healer" featured on Season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.

Gabi does a live reading for Mikaela, and they get real about a few of their traumas and coping mechanisms, and try to glean a little bit of insight from the other side.

In this episode, we sit down with Gabi Pegeuro, the "healer" featured on Season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, to learn more about her journey, her gifts, and how she connects with the energy around others.

While many people use titles like psychic or medium, Gabi simply prefers to be knows as herself, someone deeply intuitive who connects with the energy of both people and the angels surrounding them.

Fresh off her live event, An Evening with Angels, Gabi shares what it was like creating a healing experience alongside Jessi and Marciano from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and Vanderpump Villa. We talk about how she first began channeling energy, what these experiences feel like for her, and the impact this work has had on others.

If you weren't able to attend the live event, this episode offers a deeper look into Gabi's world, her process, and what may be her next journey.