Why Are You On The Internet?

In this episode, I check in about what this podcasting journey has taught me about why so many amazing moms take to the internet to share their stories, and their stuff. I talk a bit about control, and identity, and refusing to feel ashamed of your journey. Thank you to everyone who has followed along for these first ten episodes - I am eternally grateful for your support, and for everything this podcast, and it's guests, have taught me along the way. 

You can find this and all of my other episodes on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify Podcasts. (Ratings and Reviews are always appreciated!) You can also find me, Katherine, online @thepaperdart, or you can follow the pod over on Instagram @whyareyouontheinternet.

today I will be talking to Liz Chavez, of Mrschavezreads on instagram. Liz is a teacher, mom of three, stepmom to one, and avid reader, and curator, of diverse books (for both children, and adults). 

During this episode Liz and I talk about everything from the importance of curating a diverse bookshelf for your kids, to the complex experiences around our own biases and places of privilege. We talked about parenting step-children, and biological children, and how we all have to pick and choose the values we want to emphasize along the way - because we just don’t have the time, or the expertise, to do it all. 

If you enjoy this episode, you can find Liz over on Instagram @Mrschavezreads, and if you're enjoying the pod, you can rate and review us over on Apple Podcasts (which helps more people find the show, and our lovely guests!). Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Emily and I talk about friendship in motherhood (and a bit about friendship before motherhood). We talk about how important it is, but also how deceiving the messaging we receive about "mom tribes," and how connected we think most other moms are, can be. 

Emily and I both talk a bit about the ups and downs of our journeys to make friends as adult transplants, and then again as new moms, as well as how the lessons we've learned translate into what we teach our little ones about making, maintaining, and moving on from friends. 

Emily is a friendship coach, and podcaster, over at The Connected Mom Life, and she shares some really interesting insight on a topic that everyone cares about, but no one really talks about. 

If you enjoy this episode, I would love for you to rate and review it over on Apple Podcasts, or share on social and tag me, @thepaperdart, or the pod, @whyareyouontheinternet! Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Kimberly and I talk about everything from the colossal identity shift so many of us experience during new motherhood, to the struggles and joys of returning to work outside the home, to the structures and systems that both we, and our employers, can and should put in place in order to making working while parenting sustainable, fulfilling, and equitable. 

In the intro, I shared a bit about my own back-to-work experience after having my first baby (this ends around minute 6 if you want to skip ahead), and Kimberly shared a bit of hers towards the end of the interview. 

This interview was one of my absolute favorites, as the challenges of working outside the home, balancing the expectations of employers and families, and finding ways to share the load (both at work, and at home) are things I am SO passionate about. Kimberly's expertise and wisdom in these areas are truly inspiring, and she gave me a lot to think about as I contemplate heading back into the workforce again soon. 

I hope you love this episode as much as I do and, as always, remember to rate and review us on iTunes, follow the pod @whyareyouontheinternet on Instagram, and find me, Katherine, over at my personal blog, www.thepaperdart.com or @thepaperdart on Instagram. 

Happy listening!

Today, I am going to be speaking with Alexandra Paetow of the instagram account @postpartumnutritionist. Alexandra is a dietitian nutritionist, specializing in the postpartum period, as well as pregnancy and pre-conception. 

On her instagram account, Alexandra shares a lot of information about how we can eat, and what we can eat, to heal and fuel our bodies during the postpartum period, but she also talks a about trusting yourself, and allowing your intuition and self-love to guide the way you eat, exercise, and share food-related experiences with your family. 

During our conversation, Alexandra shared a lot of really practical tips and guidance when it comes to eating to fuel yourself, and if you happen to be breastfeeding, your baby, but she also made it clear that there’s no one-size fits all solution, and that food should be fuel, but it should also be joyful and easy—especially during a time of our lives when NOTHING seems easy. 

Welcome back to Why Are You On the Internet! A podcast about moms who are doing things, making things, or sharing things that help other moms find connection online. Today I’ll be talking to Claire of the instagram account and blog @ByClaireWiley. Claire is a mom of THREE (although she was still about two weeks out from meeting the newest addition at the time that we recorded this episode). She is a self-taught gardener, an avid baker, a one-time teacher, and a sharer of simple living tips and tricks.

In this episode, Claire and I talk about a LOT of things—from how she started her blog, to when she decided to pivot, to why the “experiences” (versus material STUFF) side of lifestyle blogging matters so much to her. 

At one point in our conversation, Claire talked about her adventures in gardening, and how she believes that you don’t have to be an expert at something before you share about it. And, to be totally honest, I listened back to that part of our conversation a couple times while I was editing it, because it seems so obvious, but is also really profound.Welcome back to Why Are You On the Internet! A podcast about moms who are doing things, making things, or sharing things that help other moms find connection online. Today I’ll be talking to Claire of the instagram account and blog @ByClaireWiley. Claire is a mom of THREE (although she was still about two weeks out from meeting the newest addition at the time that we recorded this episode). She is a self-taught gardner, an avid baker, a one-time teacher, and a sharer of simple living tips and tricks.

In this episode, Claire and I talk about a LOT of things—from how she started her blog, to when she decided to pivot, to why the “experiences” (versus material STUFF) side of lifestyle blogging matters so much to her. 

At one point in our conversation, Claire talked about her adventures in gardening, and how she believes that you don’t have to be an expert at something before you share about it. And, to be totally honest, I listened back to that part of our conversation a couple times while I was editing it, because it seems so obvious, but is also really profound.

And that’s one of the things I really love about Claire’s internet presence. Like all of us, Claire is trying stuff, and learning new things, and getting better as she goes. And, to the absolute delight of her followers, she has allowed us to come along for the ride—and be better because of it. 

So, I hope you enjoy this interview with Claire, and that it perhaps inspires you to embrace your beginner ness in some way, and perhaps even start something new. 

During our conversation, Aimee and I talked about the books that got us hooked on reading as kids (shout out to pony pals,  the babysitters club, and the goosebumps series), as well as books that were written for kids, but did more to help us, as adults, along on our parenting journeys.

We talked about family book clubs, the amazing book-themed sugar cookies Aimee makes in her spare time, and how it is that she goes about actually HAVING spare time, as a mom of FOUR young children. 

Aimee is a shining example of the really good side of the internet, and is a treasure trove of wisdom (about everything from picking the right book, to strategies for encouraging all of your children to engage in TWO simultaneous HOURS of quiet time.

This conversation was so fun, and it allowed me to really bask in the glow of some really great memories involving books I read as a child, as well as those I have discovered more recently with my own children. 

And what makes Aimee’s little passion project on the internet even more inspiring is the purpose behind it, and her desire for every kid she encounters to have that moment where they find a book that really speaks to them, and ignites an interest — in magic, or dinosaurs, or scary stories, or whatever. Because it’s that interest, and the realization that there really is a book for everyone, that sparks what I think most parents hope is a life-long sense of curiosity, and a desire to know more, learn more, and read more about the world around them. 

So gather your favorite books about you, give ‘em a squeeze, and get ready for a great chat with Aimme and I about all things books. 

In this episode, Caitlin and I talk about how her blog has grown since she started it over a decade ago. What started out as a space for sharing her thoughts on wedding planning has become a hub for moms looking for everything from fashion tips to, conversations around mental health, to honest reflections on the reality of being a mom of two, spirited little girls. And while Caitlin's content is inspirational in it's own right, her path to becoming a self-taught entrepreneur online (and one who consistently works to share her knowledge and expertise with others at that), is also a story worth noting, and celebrating.

If you enjoy Caitlin's story and would like to hear more, you can find her on Instagram @caitlinhoustonblog. AND, if you enjoyed the pod, make sure to rate and review us on iTunes, or share this episode on Instagram tagging @whyareyouontheinternet, or ME, Katherine, over @thepaperdart!

Annalise and I talked about everything from saving space for yourself in the throes of motherhood, to career twists and turns, to the power of book therapy. We chatted about this current golden-age of romance and YA fiction, as well as a new-to-me genre that I can't wait to get my hands on. And, most importantly, we discussed the power of finding your people online--whoever they may be--and the beautiful blurring of the line between online connection, and real-life friend. 

If you enjoy this episode, you can rate and review it on iTunes, or share on social media and tag @whyareyouontheinternet!

Grace Hamlin is a fashion and lifestyle blogger who shares content that is both aspirational, and fiercely relatable. She is a stay-at-home mom of two little girls, as well as a former teacher, and her passion for deep connection is contagious. In this episode, Grace and I talked about the struggles and triumphs of early motherhood, the confidence-boosting power of a great outfit, and the ways in which she has chosen to use her platform, as well as the trust she's built in her audience, to share her unique experience with, and perspective on, issues of social justice. 

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode just as much as I enjoyed making it, and don't forget to share on social media (tagging @whyareyouontheinternet), and rate & review on iTunes!