The Mami Collective

What happens when you grow up being the one everyone depends on—and then become a mother?

In this episode, Paulina sits down with Kasia Starzyk-Tomlinson, a mom of three, full-time office manager, and the behind-the-scenes backbone of The Mami Collective. As the oldest daughter of immigrant parents, Kasha learned early how to translate, problem-solve, take responsibility, and keep everything moving. Now, those same instincts follow her through motherhood, marriage, and a career where she manages the needs of more than 30 employees.

They get real about growing up too fast, raising children differently than you were raised, working-mom guilt, learning to ask for help, and why rest can feel so uncomfortable when your worth has always been tied to what you can handle.

This conversation is for every woman who loves her family deeply but is exhausted from carrying everyone an

Can we talk about the people who can't just let you be excited for five minutes?

This episode was inspired by the most random interaction at IKEA. A woman recognized me from the radio, we had the sweetest conversation...and then someone else hit us with a comment that made me think, "Huh...what was that about?"

It sent me down a rabbit hole about the people who always seem to have something to say when you're excited. You know the type. You share good news, and suddenly they're your risk manager. You tell them your dream, and they're already explaining why it probably won't work.

We're getting into the psychology behind why some people "yuck your yum," how to tell the difference between a friend who's protecting you versus one who's projecting onto you, and why I've become incredibly intentional about who gets a front-row seat to my dreams.

Because here's the truth: life is hard enough. Mommin is hard enough. Your people should clap first.

If you've ever left a conversation feeling like someone quietly took the wind out of your sails, or you're trying to build a circle of women who genuinely celebrate each other, this one's for you.

What started as an intimate dinner for 20 moms became one of the smartest business moves I’ve made.

In this solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of The Mami Plug Dinner Series and I'm sharing how one small, intentional event became market research, a content engine, a natural opportunity for brand partnerships, and proof of concept for something much bigger.

We’re talking about why bigger doesn’t always mean better, why trust is the real currency of community, and how creating a meaningful experience for the people already in the room can shape your entire business.

If you’re building a brand, business, event, or community, this episode will make you rethink what “growth” can actually look like.

Fertility care often begins only after something goes wrong-but Dr. Roohi Jeelani believes women deserve answers long before they’re forced to struggle.

In this episode, Dr. Roohi shares her deeply personal journey from being diagnosed with PCOS at 14 to becoming a fertility specialist, navigating infertility herself, and building the kind of patient-centered practice she once needed. We discuss why the fertility care system can feel so reactive, when women should seek testing, the truth about “unexplained infertility”, and how to protect your peace throughout the process.

Dr. Roohi also opens up about motherhood, building Onto Health, leaning on her village, and accepting that you won’t be the perfect mom, doctor, and CEO all on the same day.

Whether you’re trying to conceive, thinking about your future, or simply want to understand your body better, this conversation is a reminder that you shouldn’t have to struggle first to start taking control of your fertility.

Follow Dr. Roohi Jeelani here: https://www.instagram.com/roohijeelanimd/

If you’ve ever stood in front of a closet full of clothes and still felt like you had absolutely nothing to wear, this episode is for you.

Paulina sits down with style coach and mom of two Vany Hernandez to talk about why so many women lose touch with their personal style after motherhood-and how to find it again without changing everything overnight or spending a fortune.

Vany explains how your wardrobe should evolve as your body, lifestyle, career, and identity change. She shares the signs that your closet may no longer be serving the woman you are today, the staple pieces busy moms can build outfits around, and simple ways to shop more intentionally on a realistic budget. They also talk about getting caught in the comparison trap, investing in the right basics, and why feeling good in your clothes can change how confidently you show up.

Because rediscovering your style isn’t about becoming who you were before kids. It’s about dressing for (and celebrating) the woman you are now.

Follow Vany on Instagram and Facebook at @StyleByVany

In this episode of The Mami Collective Podcast, Paulina sits down with Abbey, owner and director of Le Village Cowork Old Route 66, aka the woman who gave Paulina her time, sanity, and working-mom brain back.

Abbey is a mom of twin boys, a photographer, a business owner, and a literal village-builder. After experiencing firsthand how hard it is to work, parent, create, and not completely spiral while doing it all, Abbey went from being a Le Village member to opening her own location for other families who needed the same kind of support.

Paulina and Abbey talk about what working moms actually need, why flexible childcare matters, how community changes the motherhood experience, and why needing help does not make you less of a mom. They also get into boundaries, business ownership, mom guilt, raising confident kids, same-sex parenting, and building a life where your child is cared for and you get to be a whole person too. Imagine that. Revolutionary.

This conversation is for the mom trying to answer emails while someone is asking for a snack, the mom who loves her kid deeply but also needs to use her brain, and the mom who is realizing she was never meant to do all of this alone.

Because motherhood is not a solo sport. And honestly? It never should have been.

Follow Le Village Old Co-Work Route 66 here: https://www.instagram.com/levillagecowork_oldroute66/

Check them out here: https://www.levillagecowork.com/oldroute66

What would happen to your children if something unexpected happened to you? It's a question most parents don't want to think about—but one every family needs to prepare for.

In this episode of The Mami Collective Podcast, Paulina sits down with financial educator and entrepreneur Viviana Cordon to talk about the financial conversations every parent should be having-from life insurance and estate planning to budgeting, teaching kids about money, and creating generational wealth.

Whether you're a new mom, a working parent, or building a business while raising a family, this episode is packed with practical advice to help protect your family's future and raise financially confident kids.

• Why every parent should have a financial plan
• The importance of life insurance, wills, trusts, and estate planning
• How to protect your children if something happens to you
• Budgeting tips for busy families
• The biggest financial mistakes parents make
• How to teach children about money starting as young as four years old
• Creating healthy money habits that last a lifetime
• Raising financially responsible kids without fear or shame

One of the biggest takeaways? Financial literacy isn't just about money-it's one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.

If you've ever wondered how to prepare financially for your family, teach your kids about saving, or start building generational wealth, this conversation is for you.

Follow Viviana on Instagram: @vivianagcordon

🎙️ Subscribe to The Mami Collective Podcast for honest conversations about motherhood, entrepreneurship, money, parenting, career growth, and building a life you love.

What happens when the dream job you've worked years for no longer feels like the right fit?

This week, Paulina sits down with radio personality, podcast host, and mom of three (almost!), Brooke Taylor, for a heartfelt conversation about faith, motherhood, ambition, and the moments that completely change the direction of your life.

From walking away from Radio Disney to building a beautiful family and career she never could have planned herself, Brooke shares the power of trusting God's timing, embracing change, and finding peace when life doesn't go according to plan.

Together, they discuss confidence, mom guilt, career pivots, miscarriage, marriage, faith, and why women shouldn't have to choose between motherhood and their dreams. If you've ever wondered whether you're on the right path, this episode is for you. 

What happens when the career you've spent a decade building disappears overnight?

In this episode, Paulina sits down with entrepreneur and mom of two Angie Maciel, founder of La Casa Playroom, Chicago's first bilingual play space for children and families. Angie shares the raw story of being laid off after nearly 11 years in corporate America, how motherhood forced her to rethink success, and why she decided to bet on herself and build something her community desperately needed. 

They talk about:

• Getting laid off and starting over
• Leaving corporate life behind
• Raising young children while building a business
• Preserving culture and language through bilingual education
• Why community matters more than competition
• The realities of entrepreneurship, burnout, and mom guilt
• Learning to trust yourself and take the leap

This conversation is honest, inspiring, and a reminder that sometimes the thing that feels like the end is actually the beginning.

Connect with Angie:
Instagram: @lacasaplayroom
Website: lacasaplayroom.com

Follow The Mami Collective:
Instagram: @mamicollective
Website: themamicollective.com

Most moms think they're being held back by a lack of time, money, support, or opportunity.

But what if the thing standing in your way is actually... you?

In this episode, Paulina is serving a little tough love as she unpacks the hidden ways women keep themselves stuck. From overthinking and perfectionism to waiting for permission and wearing exhaustion like a badge of honor, she's calling out the excuses that sound responsible-but are really just fear in disguise.

You'll learn:

• Why confidence doesn't come before action

• How fear disguises itself as being "practical"

• The difference between preparation and procrastination

• Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness

• The real cost of trying to do everything yourself

• How to stop waiting for the perfect time and start moving forward

If you've been putting off the business, the podcast, the content, the conversation, or the dream because you don't feel ready yet, this episode is your reminder that nobody feels ready.

The women you admire aren't less scared than you. They just decided to move anyway. Because your next level isn't waiting for more confidence. It's waiting for more courage.