Thanks to the internet and smart devices, our kids have access to information like never before. At the same time, media has become more and more bias and divisive than ever before. 

On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, we are talking to an authority on media to learn more about how and why media is changing and how to talk to our kids about what they're seeing. 

Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning documentarian, journalist, speaker, author, philanthropist, and founder of Soledad O’Brien Productions, a multi-platform media production company dedicated to telling empowering and authentic stories on a range of social issues. Up until recently, she anchored and produced the Hearst TV political magazine program "Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien" and is a correspondent for HBO Real Sports. She has also anchored shows on CNN, MSNBC and NBC and her long list of awards includes four Emmys, two George Foster Peabody Awards, three Gracie Awards, which honors women in media, and many others. But on top of all of it, she’s also a mom to FOUR kids.

Find Soledad on Instagram. 

Visit the Soledad O'Brien Productions website to learn more about Soledad's documentary work. 

Watch The Perfect Neighbor on Netflix and on The Devil is Busy on HBO.

What does abundance look like and how do you attract it into your life? According to today's guest, it's a lot easier - and funner - than you think. 

Cathy Heller is a renowned teacher, podcaster and author. She hosts one of the top spiritual podcasts, which has been downloaded more than 45-million times. She's a practitioner of the law of reception, and has a deep understanding of the universal principles of manifestation. Cathy guides individuals on a transformative journey toward unlocking their highest potential. 

You can find Cathy on Instagram.

And buy her new book, Abundant Ever After TODAY!

And listen to her podcast, The Cathy Heller Podcast. 

Our kids are being inundated with "current events" of the worst kind - shootings, devisive politics, natural disasters and so much more on the news. Even if we try to shield them from a lot of it or create open dialogue around it, negativity still seeps in. 

But those things aren't the only things happening in the world. 

On today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast, Travel Expert, Author and Mom Salisha Shears talks about the importance of traveling with your kids, why being uncomfortable is a good thing and she even shares tips and tricks to make travel affordable and easy! You won't want to miss this one. 

Salisha's Bio:

After traveling to over fifteen countries together, Salisha Shears and her daughter Remy have mastered the art of having fun while on the go.  From history lessons to architecture, they both have learned the beauty of experiencing culture in every destination. Now Salisha works to inspire other families to travel and explore together. With a background in Early Childhood Special Education and Early Intervention as well as three Master’s degrees in education, and a business degree in Organizational Leadership, Salisha blends her educational expertise with a passion for storytelling. Salisha is the author of the adorable children’s books: Remy Takes Flight and Playdates with Remy.

Follow Salisha on Instagram. 

For all things travel, check out Consider it Scheduled.

And you can find Salisha's books on her website or on Amazon, Walmart and many other online book retailers. 

According to the CDC, more than 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have some sort of disability, but less than 1% of characters on TV have a disability. Today's guest, Shea Fontana, shares with us the intention, care and attention to detail that goes into some of our kids favorite shows, why representation matters and what we can expect for the future of animation. 

Shea Fontana is the award-winning writer behind some of your kids’ favorite cartoons including: Nickelodeon's Monster High, Netflix's Polly Pocket and Action Pack, the DC Super Hero Girls, Doc McStuffins and so many more. Her first non-fiction book is called DC: Women of Action, published by Chronicle. Shea was named one of Variety’s Top 10 Animators to Watch in 2022 and her graphic novels have been New York Times Best Sellers. 

You can find Shea on Instagram. 

Or find her on Blue Sky. 

You can find any of her books wherever you buy books. 

And you can watch Monster High on Paramount Plus, Polly Pocket and Action Pack on Netflix, Mermicorno: Starfall on HBO and so many others!

Like me, and many other moms, today's guest knows first hand the struggles that can come with trying to breastfeed your baby. 

Mia Funt is a mom of three. Her difficulty with breastfeeding led to the need for formula with her first baby, but her search was daunting, confusing and left her frustrated with the only options available and the lack of progress and innovation in the formula space. So, she and her brother, Ron, started a company called ByHeart and created their own formula, always asking “why?” and searching for a better way to feed our babies.

Join us as we break down the stigma surrounding formula feeding, the options available and what it takes to have confidence in your decision on how to feed your baby. 

DISCOUNT: ByHeart is offering denmother listeners an exclusive offer - use code Denmother30 for 30% off your first subscription order!

You can also find ByHeart at most major retailers, including Walmart, Target, WholeFoods, Kroger and Amazon among others and on their website, ByHeart.com.

What is your plan for aging? Do you have one or (like most of us) are you just dreading/avoiding the topic altogether?

Today's has the unique experience of aging in front of the camera. After graduating from Brigham Young University, Nicea DeGering became a Crime Reporter at the age of 23. Over the next several years, she covered security at the 2002 Winter Olympics, Elizabeth Smart’s disappearance and produced several special reports, including taking viewers inside the FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. She later became one of the original hosts of the Emmy-Award winning Lifestyle Show, Good Things Utah, where she continues to work to this day.

Nicea gets real with denmother listeners about AGING MAINTANENCE, mindset, strength and exercise and the long list of exciting pros of aging, as well as one or two cons. This will be the most life giving and affirming conversation you have ever heard on aging - guaranteed. 

You can watch Nicea on Good Things Utah.

And follow her on Instagram. 

Did you have a traumatic birth? Or did you feel in control and empowered in your experience?

The way we experience birth affects so much from our relationship with our babies, to their early beginnings as well as our healing and so much more.

Luckily, a GROUNDBREAKING study finds that healing from birth trauma is possible through something called a "Redemptive Birth." The study authors, Gill Thomson and Soo Downe discuss the findings in today's brand new episode of the denmother podcast. 

Gill Thomson is a Professor in Perinatal Health with a psychology academic background and a PhD in midwifery. She leads the Maternal, parental, and Infant Nutrition and Nurture Unit at the University of Lancashire. You can email her with questions at [email protected]. 

Soo Downe is a midwife with 15 years clinical experience in a busy labour ward, followed by 25 years at UCLan (now the University of Lancashire) leading the Research in Childbirth and Health (ReaCH) group as the Professor of Midwifery Studies. You can email her with questions at [email protected].

Can you imagine spending $22,000 per month on childcare, just so you would never be without an extra set of hands? Exorbitant, maybe, but it's luxuries like this that a career in Real Estate Investing has afforded today's guest. And she says you can do it, too!

After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in Finance at 20 years old, Veena Jetti pursued her passion for real estate and in 2020, she founded Vive Funds, a unique commercial real estate firm that specializes in conservative opportunities for investors. Veena has transacted on over $1 billion dollars in real estate assets and is often a panelist and speaker for various podcasts, global conferences, and radio shows. She is also a wife and a mom to twin girls.

Find Veena on Instagram.

Or learn more about Veena on her website. 

You can also join Veena's Facebook Group: Mastering Multifamily with Veena Jetti

Brittani Noel is an actor, writer and producer and most importantly - a mom. Her latest project is a short film that shines a light on what many women really go through in the postpartum phase. It will be a film that confronts the silence of postpartum with honesty, empathy, and a disarming touch of humor. And the good news is - you can be involved in the filmmaking process!

Follow Brittani on Instagram. 

And follow the Postpartum Short Film too. 

You can also contribute to the Seed & Spark campaign and help the film get made!

What does strength look like? Does it look like a toned, sculpted body? Or does it look like resilience in the face of immense grief? Or maybe it's the fierce love of a mother bringing life into the world. Maybe it's all of the above and then some. 

Today's guest built her body, capability and endurance from that of a casual runner to a soon to be 6X competitor on the NBC hit show American Ninja Warrior. She also survived the death of her oldest son, Victory Morgan, inspiring other women and moms in their grief through her art. 

In addition to Victory, Jenedy Paige has three other children. She lives with her husband and kids in Utah where she continues to pursue art and ninja training. Jenedy is the epitome of strength, resilience, beauty and a strong spiritual connection to the Source. 

Follow Jenedy on Instagram.

View her art on her website. 

Attend her Strong Women Experience on September 26th, 2025. (Use code STRONGER for $15 off!)