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In this week’s catch-up, Lina opens up about how hard it can be to feel grateful during a difficult season of parenthood. 

Meanwhile, Valentina talks about her first two months of homeschooling her daughter: what she’s learned, what’s surprised her, and why it’s been such a fulfilling change for her family’s rhythm as a small business owner and a musician’s wife.

It’s an honest, reflective, and comforting conversation about finding peace in imperfect seasons, redefining success, and doing what works for your family.

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In this episode, we sit down with Valentina's husband, musician and creative Ben Weinman to unpack how social media has evolved from the early days of MySpace and message boards to today’s hyper-curated feeds and algorithm-driven culture.

We reflect on what it means to “have a following” in 2025, the strange overlap between performance and authenticity online, and how the internet has reshaped our sense of community, creativity, and self-worth.

It’s a raw, honest conversation about chasing connection in a world that profits off our attention and what it looks like to reclaim a little bit of our humanity in the process.

Follow Ben Weinman on Instagram @benweinman 

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This week, we sat down with Ally Norton, owner of The Corner in Flemington, to talk about her powerful journey of reinvention.

Ally opened up about taking a leap of faith and walking away from her corporate career when the stress began to take a serious toll on her mental and physical health. Along the way, she discovered she has ADHD, underwent weight loss surgery, and has since lost over 100 pounds—transforming not only her body but her outlook on life.

We dive into what it takes to trust yourself, prioritize well-being over expectations, and rebuild a life that actually feels good to live.

🎙️ Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to start new.

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Summer was… a lot. 🌞 In this episode, Lina and Valentina get real about why they’re both over it. Lina shares how her “fun” summer plan of mixing different camps for her son turned into a schedule nightmare and a budget shocker when she saw the true cost of summer camp. Valentina opens up about why “back to school” looks totally different for her family this year as she steps into the world of homeschooling. From juggling unpredictable weeks to dreaming of the sweet structure of fall, we’re talking about the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

If you’re a parent who’s counting down the days until September or redefining what school even looks like, this one’s for you.

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Has gentle parenting gone too far? 

In this episode, we sit down with parenting coach and early childhood expert Danielle Lindner to unpack the growing backlash against gentle parenting. Danielle shares why the approach is often misunderstood, how it can easily tip into permissive territory, and what boundaries kids actually need to thrive.

We talk about:

• The difference between gentle and permissive parenting
• Why “being nice” isn’t the same as being effective
• How to set firm limits without yelling or losing your cool
• The guilt parents feel about saying “no” and why we need to let that go
• Tools for raising confident, respectful kids who still feel seen and heard

Whether you’re feeling burned out by meltdowns or second-guessing your parenting style, this one’s for you. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being intentional. 

Buy Danielle's book, Parent’s Pocket Guide to Surviving the Preschool Years: One Challenge at a Time on Amazon. 

Follow her @parentingtakespractice

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What happens when the life you thought you wanted turns out to be the very thing burning you out?

In this episode, we sit down with the radiant and rebellious Michelle Keinan, somatic therapist, mom, wife, and former 6-figure online coach who walked away from the hustle, the clients, and the “you’re so successful” compliments to pursue something totally unexpected: becoming a DJ.

We dive deep into what it really means to live a rich life (spoiler: it’s not about money), how to escape the comparison trap on social media, and why so many of us feel stuck chasing someone else’s version of success.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, is this it?, or feeling like you’re living a life that looks good on the outside but doesn’t feel aligned on the inside, this one’s for you.

Follow Michelle and her magnetic, truth-telling energy at @michellekeinan

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On this episode of Can I Be Honest, Valentina sits down with Christina from the Radical Stepmoms podcast for a raw and revealing conversation about what it really means to be a stepmom. 

Navigating discipline and household rules, dealing with tricky dynamics with the bio-mom, they cover the real-life challenges (and joys) of blending families.

They dive into questions like:
 — Does it matter how old the kids are when you join a blended family?
 — How do you bond with step-kids in a way that feels natural and respectful?
 — What pressures and double standards do stepmoms face compared to stepdads?

Valentina also opens up about her personal journey as a stepmom to an 8-year-old and a 13-year-old and how she’s learning to define her role on her own terms.

Whether you're a seasoned stepmom, new to the role, or just curious about the modern dynamics of blended families, this episode is full of insight, validation, and a lot of heart.

Follow @radicalstepmoms to connect with Christina!

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In this episode, our friend Lena talks about how the pandemic changed everything for her in terms of her son's education and how she pursued a homeschool route for him. She also wanted to pursue an education style that allowed her to spend more time with her son. Now at 13, she describes what her relationship is like with her son after homeschooling for the last few years. 

Lina shares her personal experience being homeschooled during middle school and how it shaped her views on learning, independence, and socialization. Valentina opens up about the complexities of being in a blended family, where her step-kids are in public school and making a different choice for her daughter isn’t so simple.

We unpack the pros and cons of public school, homeschooling, and alternative education styles especially when it comes to kids with learning differences. We get honest about IEPs and flexible (or not so flexible) schedules, parent guilt to peer pressure, we explore what it really means to choose the “right” education path for your child… and how sometimes, there isn’t just one right answer. 

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In this deeply emotional episode, we sit down with Michelle Thornton—a former teacher whose world was turned upside down by the devastating loss of her daughter.

What followed wasn’t just grief, it was a complete spiritual awakening. Michelle shares how that unimaginable pain cracked her open, igniting a journey that led her to leave the classroom and step fully into her purpose as a Life Path Mentor and Spiritual Teacher.

We talk about what it means to surrender to the unknown, how to find light in the darkest moments, and why grief can be the portal to the most profound transformation.

This conversation is raw, real, and a powerful reminder that even the deepest heartbreak can become a sacred turning point.

Learn more about Michelle's coaching sessions, 1:1 mentorship, group coaching program, and more here. 

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This week we’re diving headfirst into the viral Emma Grede interview on Diary of a CEO. You know—the one where she came for remote work culture and had opinions about modern-day leadership?

Valentina (popular coffee shop owner) and Lina (corporate mama at a global tech giant) share their hot takes on Emma’s bold claims.

We also go there:

💻 Why we AGREE with a lot of Emma's hot takes 

👶 Why we’re not fans of gentle parenting

📈 What work-life balance actually looks like when you’re juggling kids and motherhood

If you're a fellow working mom, whether you're an entrepreneur or corporate mom or somewhere in between, this episode is your cathartic cup of tea.