In this episode, Jessica sits down with Kate Kurdziej — business strategist, retreat host, and founder of Olivier Consultancy — who packed up her family and moved from the UK to France to Spain, built a multi-six-figure business along the way, and now helps established female founders do the strategic thinking they never have time for from a villa with an infinity pool in the Mediterranean. Kate talks about the decision to move abroad with a baby, the bureaucratic realities of building a business across three countries, the Instagram story that accidentally launched her retreat business, and why most people don't have a marketing problem — they have an alignment problem. This one is for every ambitious mom who has ever felt like her business is running her instead of the other way around.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Why Kate left a toxic corporate job while pregnant during COVID — and never looked back
• The decision to move from the UK to France with a five-month-old: YOLO, aligned values, and a resilience mindset
• Two years in France, then three in Spain — and what drove the pivot
• Raising a multilingual child in an international school in Valencia
• The behind-the-scenes reality of setting up a business across three countries: visas, accountants, bureaucracy, and driving licenses
• Going from nap-time freelancer to burning out at 12-hour days — and what changed
• The Instagram story that accidentally launched Sun, Sea and Strategy retreats
• Why retreats sold out in 30 minutes — and what makes them work
• The two-sided business: hosting business strategy retreats AND helping other founders launch profitable retreats
• The Clarity, Strategy, Action framework Kate uses on retreat
• Why it's almost never a marketing problem — it's an alignment problem
• The financial mechanics behind profitable retreats most people don't think about
• How to build a retreat business that's sustainable, repeatable, and actually makes money
• Who Kate works with and what established means
• What's coming: the 2027 retreat waitlist and free resources

HOW TO CONNECT WITH KATE KURDZIEJ

• Website: https://olivier-consultancy.co.uk/
• Instagram: @kate_kurdziej https://www.instagram.com/kate_kurdziej/
• Retreats: https://olivier-consultancy.co.uk/business-retreat/
• Retreat strategy: https://olivier-consultancy.co.uk/retreat-planning-consultancy/

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Elizabeth Rago, founder of MGW Media, The Modern Domestic Woman magazine, and executive director of MDW CARES — a nonprofit dedicated to helping women navigate life's transitions through trusted information, meaningful connection, and accessible support. Elizabeth shares the season of financial crisis, shame, and isolation that sparked everything, how a transparent post in a small Facebook group changed the trajectory of her life's work, and what she's built over 12 years into a full ecosystem of support for women in Kane County, Illinois and beyond. This one is about what real community looks like — and what it costs when we don't have it.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• The car accident, bankruptcy, repossessed car, and seven-year legal battle that cracked Elizabeth open
• Why she felt shame about struggling — and what happened when she finally said so out loud
• The Facebook post that changed everything — and the flood of private messages that followed
• How a spreadsheet of local resources became a website, a magazine, and eventually a nonprofit
• The difference between hosting events and actually building community
• Why the lifestyle and magazine elements are not separate from the mental health mission — they're the entry point
• The dignity of being a full human even in your hardest season
• How Elizabeth acts as a care navigator — connecting women to therapists, lawyers, and other providers before they hit crisis
• The 708 Mental Health Grant from the City of St. Charles — and MDW CARES' first funded program
• Support groups: Mom support, women's general, and perimenopause groups meeting weekly and bi-monthly
• The Essentials Exchange: grocery gift cards during SNAP disruptions and the new period poverty initiative
• The Wildflower Project: connecting teenage girls through agriculture, gardening, and multi-generational community
• Saturday morning coffee with show-and-tell themes — and why it works
• What it took to quit her corporate job in February and go all-in on MDW full time

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Tri-City Family Services — local mental health organization partnered with MDW CARES

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH RAGO

• MDW website: https://www.themoderndomesticwoman.com/
• Nonprofit website: https://www.mdwcares.com/
• Support Listing: https://www.mdwcares.com/support-us

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Lauren Dewey — mom of two boys, former corporate sales leader, and founder of Brooksy Box — a curated care package company serving women at every stage of the motherhood journey: infertility, baby loss, pregnancy, the NICU, postpartum, and beyond. Lauren shares her nearly three-year infertility journey before IVF, the corporate layoff that forced a pivot, the rocking chair moment at 2 a.m. that made the decision clear, and why empathy — once labeled a weakness in corporate — became the foundation of everything she's built. This one is for the moms who needed someone to show up — and for everyone who wanted to but didn't know how.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Lauren's three-year infertility journey before conceiving her first son Brooks via IVF
• Why COVID was unexpectedly a gift — giving her the space to be home for treatments and appointments
• The identity of "climbing the corporate ladder" and what happened when motherhood shifted her entire perspective
• The corporate layoff that became the unlikely catalyst for Brooksy Box
• The rocking chair moment at 2 a.m. that made the decision clear: she didn't want to be in a hotel room
• How a sister-in-law's postpartum care basket changed everything she thought about gifting
• Why the path to motherhood is not linear — and why her boxes had to reflect that
• The full suite of Brooksy Boxes: infertility, baby loss, pregnancy, morning sickness, NICU, postpartum, and mama and baby mini
• What goes into every box: clean ingredients, no hormone disruptors, women-owned small businesses
• The practical and pretty philosophy — why the aesthetic matters as much as the contents
• Moving from direct to consumer into B2B with healthcare practices and corporate companies
• The emotional weight of the baby loss and infertility boxes — and why empathy keeps her going
• What's coming next: the deluxe mama and baby box designed for corporate gifting
• The full circle moments: following customers from loss to infertility to pregnancy to postpartum

HOW TO CONNECT WITH LAUREN DEWEY

• Website: https://brooksybox.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooksybox
• Also on TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn (Lauren Dewey — founder)

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Michele Clark — former early childhood learning center owner, director of development for the D300 Food Pantry, and candidate for Illinois State Senate in the 33rd district. Michele talks about 11 years of running a preschool while raising her own children, what she learned about childcare costs and deserts from behind the curtain, her work with Boys and Girls Clubs during COVID, and why she decided the next door to walk through was Springfield. This one is for every mom who has ever thought: somebody should do something about that — and maybe that somebody is me.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Growing up in a family business household — and how early entrepreneurship shaped her path
• Leaving corporate sales to start a preschool when her daughters were four and a half and one year old
• Why childcare is so expensive — and what running a center for 11 years taught her about the system from the inside
• Childcare deserts across Illinois and why families are being forced to choose between career and children
• What happened to families during the 2008 housing crash — and what she witnessed firsthand
• COVID and opening 13 emergency learning centers across four school districts with Boys and Girls Clubs
• Building relationships with legislators through nonprofit work — and how one of them tapped her to run
• Becoming campaign manager for a state house representative and what it taught her
• Why District 33 became an open seat and how Michele decided to run
• Her platform: childcare, youth development, equal opportunity for kids from every zip code
• What she's hearing at the door: affordability, SNAP benefits, Medicaid, and families hanging on by a thread
• Why Illinois has one of the highest percentages of mothers in the General Assembly — and why it matters
• How to get involved: volunteer, host a coffee, canvass, become an election judge
• Election Day November 3rd, early voting September 24th
• Her ask: if you're in District 33, she's coming to your door

HOW TO CONNECT WITH MICHELE CLARK

• Website: https://micheleforilsenate.com/
• District 33 covers: Crystal Lake (north) through St. Charles and Geneva (south), Kane County, McHenry County, and DuPage County
• To vote or get voting info: Kane County Clerk's office
• Election Day: November 3rd | Early voting: September 24th
• Ways to support: postcard writing, door knocking, hosting a neighborhood coffee, becoming an election judge

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Catherine Walsh — mom of three under four, trained doula, and founder of Holly Rose Co. — a Canadian brand creating locally made, organic cotton breastfeeding clothing that is comfortable, beautiful, and functional all at once. Catherine shares the body image journey that sparked the idea, the winding road from overseas manufacturing samples to finding local seamstresses she could trust, and why she believes that dressing well postpartum is one of the first acts of self-care most new moms forget to give themselves. This one is for every mom who has ever stood at her closet and felt defeated.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Growing up knowing she just wanted to be a mom — and the three back-to-back pregnancies that changed her wardrobe and her business idea
• Gaining 50 pounds in her first pregnancy and navigating the closet dread so many postpartum moms know
• Why she wanted clothing that was comfortable, beautiful, AND functional — and how hard it was to find all three
• The long road from overseas manufacturing samples to finding local Canadian seamstresses she could trust
• Organic cotton, GOTS and OEKO-TEX certifications, and why fabric quality matters for postpartum bodies
• The iteration process: changing zipper placement, adding pockets, adjusting for bigger busts during breastfeeding
• What her customers say about feeling beautiful and comfortable at the same time
• Why she designed the breastfeeding opening to be simple — and how her own difficult breastfeeding journey with her first shaped that decision
• Doula training, a love of birth, and the dream of becoming a midwife someday
• Scrap fabric reuse: scrunchies and minimalist quilted diaper bags made from fabric remnants
• What's coming: new summer styles in GOTS-certified green gingham and OEKO-TEX certified yellow floral
• Where to find Holly Rose Co and how Catherine helps customers find their size

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) — certification for organic fiber content in textiles
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — certification testing for harmful chemicals in textiles

HOW TO CONNECT WITH CATHERINE WALSH

• Website: https://hollyroseco.ca/
• Instagram: @hollyrose_co https://www.instagram.com/hollyrose_co/

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Katrina Ostmeyer, licensed psychologist, board certified behavior analyst, mom of two neurodivergent kids, and founder of Beyond the Individual. From a difficult pregnancy and a preterm birth that shifted her entire trajectory, to building a practice that serves children, families, and schools across complex behavioral and mental health presentations, Katrina brings the expertise of a researcher, the honesty of someone who has made every mistake, and the heart of a mom who knows firsthand what families navigating neurodivergence actually need. This is a conversation about doing things differently — and why it matters.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Katrina's winding path from pre-med to research psychologist to nonprofit director to private practice founder
• How a difficult pregnancy and preterm birth shifted her priorities from academia to family and community
• Making her own PhD internship to get back to Kansas City — and what it taught her about forging your own path
• Leading a not-for-profit expanding autism services in Kansas — and why quality versus scale became a values conflict
• Starting Beyond the Individual with a van, no plan, and a willingness to figure it out
• Opening a brick and mortar clinic in July 2020 — and everything that happened next
• Expanding to multiple locations, then pulling back — what she learned from scaling too fast
• The decision to leave the insurance model behind and serve a niche, complex population
• Joining the University of Kansas as associate faculty — and the three most successful years of the business
• Leaving academia again to return to Beyond the Individual full time
• The transdiagnostic approach — what it means and why specialty diagnoses miss the full person
• How Beyond the Individual works across home, school, and community systems
• Supporting parents of neurodivergent kids: acceptance commitment therapy, emotion regulation, and advocacy
• The birth to five program (Beyond Beginnings) — why early intervention is paramount
• Services available across 44 states

HOW TO CONNECT WITH KATRINA OSTMEYER 

• Website: http://beyondtheindividual.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondtheindividual/
• Services available across 44 states

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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 In this episode, Jessica sits down with Courtney Naliboff — writer, teacher, EMT, musician, and co-author of Your Postpartum Body: The Complete Guide to Healing After Pregnancy — for a conversation about refusing to lose yourself in motherhood, processing identity through punk music, and the postpartum information gap that prompted her to do something about it. 

From living and parenting on a remote Maine island to starting a feminist post-riot punk band at 37 to writing the book she desperately needed after her own birth experience, Courtney is living proof that becoming a parent doesn't have to erase any part of who you are.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Moving to North Haven Island at 24 — and the challenges of building identity in a condensed, fish-bowl community
• Becoming a parent nine years into island life — and how it expanded and contracted her world simultaneously
• Six weeks of maternity leave, a half-year sabbatical, and why she was so ready to go back to work
• Nursing with one arm and typing a memoir with the other — what intentional creative identity looks like in early motherhood
• How she found community on the island through shared parenthood
• Starting Bait Bag — a feminist post-riot punk band — at 37, in 2018, because she had a lot of anger to process
• What modeling creative expression and collaboration means for her daughter
• The song "Tear Me in Two" — and the chorus that became the seed of a book: nobody told me
• The postpartum information gap — pelvic floor, bladder changes, returning to running, and everything nobody explains
• Co-writing Your Postpartum Body with pelvic health PT Ruth Macy
• How a summer-resident literary agent changed the trajectory of the project
• The book's core thesis: centering the postpartum person regardless of gender or parenting status
• Toxic productivity culture, body image pressure, and why so much postpartum experience is still hush-hush
• Courtney's current diagnosis — breast cancer, curative treatment, great prognosis — and her Substack Mud Puppy

HOW TO CONNECT WITH COURTNEY NALIBOFF

• Book: Your Postpartum Body — available at Amazon, Bookshop.org, and wherever books are sold (https://bookshop.org/p/books/your-postpartum-body-the-complete-guide-to-healing-after-pregnancy-courtney-naliboff/a8bd729776629857)
• Substack: Mud Puppy — courtneynaliboff.substack.com
• Instagram / Threads / Facebook: @chnaliboff
• Bait Bag Instagram: @baitbagtheband https://www.instagram.com/baitbagtheband/
• Bandcamp: baitbag.bandcamp.com | Streaming everywhere except Spotify
• Deery Band Instagram: @deeryband https://www.instagram.com/deeryband/

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Ashley Wall, founder of Mama Bear Books and award-winning children's author, to talk about the books she was called to write, the under-resourced classrooms that shaped her mission, how she found balance between purpose and profit, and why she believes every child deserves a book that sees them. From screen time to storytelling, from math teacher to publisher, this conversation is for every mom who has a big idea and hasn't quite let herself go for it yet.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Ashley's journey from middle school math teacher to stay-at-home mom to children's publisher
• Why imagination is the foundation of innovation, confidence, and change — and what happens when kids don't have it
• The under-resourced classrooms that shaped Ashley's mission around equity and access
• Partnering with the Barbara Bush Foundation to get books into the hands of kids who need them
• Screens vs. books — what Ashley has observed, and the practical advice she gives to parents
• How she found balance between purpose-driven mission and business sustainability
• What happened when the business started consuming her — and how she pulled back
• Batching work, setting hours, and involving her kids in the business in age-appropriate ways
• Building a publishing house as a co-founder with her husband — and how they keep family and business separate
• The Day I Had series, Vix's Balloons, and the Wildflower Girls chapter book series
• Ashley's mission to build confidence in girls through the Wildflower Girls initiative
• Where to find Mama Bear Books — Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Target, and local stores

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Puddle Jumpers — parenting book on raising leadership and confidence in kids, recommended by Ashley
• Barbara Bush Foundation — literacy nonprofit Ashley partners with to get books to kids in need

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ASHLEY WALL

• Website: https://www.mamabearbooks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamabear_books/
• Books available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Target, and local bookstores https://www.mamabearbooks.com/collections/all-books

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Erica Bunton — co-founder of Good Roots, a pregnancy nutrition app backed by FDA, CDC, and ACOG data — to talk about the app she built after her own scary prenatal health scare, the statistic about Black women and childbirth complications that drove her mission, and how Good Roots is helping pregnant and postpartum women make more informed, confident nutrition choices — from the family dollar store to their home kitchen. 

This one is equal parts health education and entrepreneurship story, and every mom planning or expecting a baby needs to hear it.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Erica's background in pharmaceutical and medical device sales — and how it shaped her approach to healthcare
• Passing out during her first trimester in Denver — discovering severe anemia she didn't know she had
• The statistics about Black maternal mortality and preventable complications that drove her to act
• What Good Roots is — a pregnancy nutrition app that lets users scan any barcode for gestational safety scores
• How the app works: scanning packaged goods, generating recipes, building grocery lists, and allergen flagging
• Why the app is built on FDA, CDC, and ACOG data — and why that matters
• Serving women in under-resourced areas — how the app helps people make better choices anywhere food is available
• How Good Roots is being used by OBGYNs, doulas, and private practices as a between-appointment resource
• The pivot from wearables to nutrition — and what providers taught her about what women actually need
• Three active pilot programs: doula organization, hospital, and large private practice in the DMV
• Building a business with her husband as co-founder and CTO — and what that's actually like
• What's coming next: community features, registry partnerships, and more under the Maternal Health AI umbrella
• Advice for any entrepreneur: don't lose sight of the star — know why you built it

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ERICA BUNTON

• Website: https://usegoodroots.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usegoodroots
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@usegoodroots
• Email: erica@maternalhealth.ai
• Download Good Roots on the App Store or Google Play: https://usegoodroots.com/download

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Amanda Kingsley Malo — civic educator, democracy advocate, and founder of PoliticsNow — for a conversation about making civic engagement accessible, getting more women into office, and why not voting is also a political choice. 

Amanda has helped elect 60 women across two election cycles in Ontario without pushing any political agenda — just by giving people the tools, language, and confidence to participate. From managing news overwhelm to her daughter forming a union in second grade, this is one of the most energizing conversations the Mama Making Podcast has ever had.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Growing up in a household where politics was discussed like weather — and why that's rarer than it should be
• From teacher to campaign volunteer to founder of Politics Now
• Why municipal politics is the most tangible and immediate form of civic engagement
• How Politics Now has helped elect 60 women across two Ontario election cycles
• Why accessibility is the most important thing missing from political participation
• The public transit analogy: how to think about voting, parties, and changing your mind
• What it actually takes to get more women to run — campaign schools, workbooks, and meeting moms where they are
• Managing news overwhelm: Amanda's daily radio routine and how she protects her mental health
• Not voting is still a political choice — why that matters
• The unique gifts every mom can bring to civic engagement right now
• Non-traditional ways to support campaigns: making dinner, babysitting, bringing coffee on election day
• Time, talent, and treasure: how to contribute at whatever capacity you have
• Why politics is not over there — it's in the air you breathe, the schools your kids attend, the parks you visit
• Her daughter forming a union in second grade — and what that says about raising civically engaged kids
• Free campaign schools coming up in Ontario ahead of municipal elections

HOW TO CONNECT WITH AMANDA KINGSLEY MALO

• Website: https://www.polinow.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polinoworg/ | https://www.instagram.com/kingsleymalo/
• Free downloadable resources: available at polinow.org https://www.polinow.org/resources

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this live recap, Jessica sits down with Liz Gray — therapist and founder of Maternal Trauma Support Network — and Anna Rodney — founder of Chicago Family Doulas and Birth and Baby University — to recap their second annual Maternal Mental Health Demystified panel. They cover the barriers families face in getting support, the providers most people don't know about, the gaps in how the medical system handles perinatal mental health, and what both organizations are building to change it. This one is for every mom who has ever felt alone in the hardest parts of pregnancy and postpartum — and every provider who wants to serve them better.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• The origin of the Maternal Mental Health Demystified panel and why Liz and Anna joined forces
• Why isolation breeds shame — and what happens when we create space to talk about it
• The unique value of combining a therapeutic lens with boots-on-the-ground doula support
• How doulas are trained (and often anxious) to recognize and address mental health concerns in the home
• The barriers to postpartum mental health support: financial access, provider shortages, and normalizing the harmful
• Why common doesn't mean there's no support — and what families deserve even in "normal" hard seasons
• The gap in pediatrician and physician training around lactation, tongue ties, and perinatal mental health screenings
• The providers most families don't know they need: IBCLC, pelvic floor PT, chiropractor, OT, therapist, psychiatrist, doula
• Searching for a PMHC-certified therapist through Postpartum Support International
• The Trauma Informed Maternal Health Directory — what it is, who it's for, and how to use it
• Chicago Family Doulas, Birth and Baby University, and the new Project Bold nonprofit
• How education empowers families to ask the right questions and advocate for themselves
• The power of lived experience alongside professional expertise on a panel
• What's coming next for both organizations

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Postpartum Support International (PSI) — directory for finding PMHC-certified perinatal therapists
• 
  

HOW TO CONNECT WITH LIZ GRAY

• Website: https://www.maternaltraumasupport.com/
• Instagram: @maternaltraumasupport https://www.instagram.com/maternaltraumasupport/
• Trauma Informed Maternal Health Directory — free to search at https://directory.maternaltraumasupport.com/search/

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ANNA RODNEY

• Chicago Family Doulas: https://chicagofamilydoulas.com/
• Birth and Baby University: https://birthandbabyuniversity.com/
• Quarterly events: Doctors & Doulas events and Meet the Doula events — https://chicagofamilydoulas.com/events/

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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Beth Mazza and Victoria Sivrais — co-founders of Female Mavericks and authors of Entrepreneur Like a Mother — are living proof that you don't. Together they've built and sold two services businesses, raised nine children across their combined entrepreneurial journeys, and built a 20,000-strong community of mompreneurs.

 In this episode they talk about the moment each of them took the leap, the power of a kitchen cabinet, why corporate America is not as safe as you think, and the practical roadmap in their book for getting from idea to scale without apologizing for being a mom while you do it. This one is for every woman who has been sitting on the sidelines waiting for permission to go.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• How Beth and Victoria met, built two services firms together, and sold both to large consulting firms
• Nine children between them — all born during their entrepreneurial years
• The green flags that told them they were on the right path
• Why corporate America is not as safe as we think — and why starting earlier has long-term benefits
• Building a business when your kids are young vs. when they're teenagers — and what each season actually requires
• The power of a kitchen cabinet: cheerleaders, executors, and the people who won't let you spiral
• Overcoming outside critics — including the people closest to you who think it's too risky
• The freedom number: how to calculate if you can actually make the leap
• Why they wrote Entrepreneur Like a Mother — and what made existing books fall short for moms
• Being mom forward in the boardroom — and refusing to hide it
• Female Mavericks: the community, the book, the course, and the mission to get 10,000 women to seven-figure businesses
• Entrepreneur Like a Mother — available for pre-order September 22nd

HOW TO CONNECT WITH BETH & VICTORIA

• Website: https://femalemavericks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femalemavericks/
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/femalemavericks
• Newsletter: Founders Files https://femalemavericks.com/founder-files/
• Entrepreneur Like a Mother — pre-order available at femalemavericks.com, launches September 22nd https://femalemavericks.com/entrepreneur-like-a-mother/

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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If you're Renata Heringer, you grieve — and then you build. In this episode, Jessica sits down with Renata, a former physician from Brazil who immigrated to Canada, navigated unimaginable loss, and launched Tupi Açaí from her home kitchen while still on maternity leave. Today Tupi has four storefronts across Alberta and a community of Brazilians and Canadians who show up — rain, snow, or minus 40 — because what Renata built tastes like home. This is a story about grief and joy coexisting, about community as survival, and about what happens when you take the first step anyway.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Renata's upbringing in Vila Velha, Brazil — daughter of a physician and pastor, raised by the ocean
• Immigrating to Canada alone in 2018 for a master's degree at the University of Alberta
• Becoming a mom for the first time during the pandemic — and what early postpartum felt like far from family
• The tragedy that changed everything: losing her mom, dad, and brother when her son was four months old
• What grief actually looks like — and why it doesn't work the way we're taught
• Joy and grief coexisting — and what that taught her about resilience and motherhood
• Building community as an immigrant from scratch — and why it requires intentional effort
• The Brazilian mom group that changed everything in her early motherhood years
• How a conversation with her husband planted the seed for Tupi Açaí
• Starting from her home kitchen and growing to a farmers market booth, then four storefronts
• Partnering with a Brazilian entrepreneur who found her on Instagram
• What it means to give immigrant workers their first job in a new country
• Her advice for moms afraid to reinvent themselves: start small, test your idea, take the first step
• The grocery business that failed — and why she's grateful for it anyway

HOW TO CONNECT WITH RENATA HERINGER

• Tupi Açaí Bowls Website: https://www.tupibowls.ca/
• Tupi Açaí Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tupibowlsca/?hl=en

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Bronwyn Barry, founder of BU Fitness and Nutrition, a functional fitness and nutrition practice built for people the wellness industry forgets: new parents, women in life transition, and anyone over 35 who's tired of being sold results they never actually wanted. 

Bronwyn shares her journey from professional dancer and aerialist to nutrition scientist and fitness coach, what a broken toe taught her about taking care of herself, and the practical framework she uses to help busy moms and women in transition prioritize their health without perfect conditions, perfect schedules, or a plan that falls apart the second life gets in the way.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Bronwyn's path from professional dancer and aerialist to cruise ships to nutrition science and personal training
• Disordered eating, body image pressure in the performing arts, and the mindset shift that finally got her hired
• How a broken toe changed everything — and became the foundation of her coaching philosophy
• Why the wellness industry's advice is designed for a version of you that no longer exists
• The "windows of opportunity" framework — and why flexibility is more powerful than a perfect schedule
• Decision fatigue and the mental load — why moms need fewer choices, not more
• Strength training as the anchor: why it works for 45 minutes three times a week or 10 minutes five times a week
• What to look for — and what to avoid — when choosing a fitness program or coach
• Taking up space: building pride in what your body can do, not what it looks like
• Functional fitness in action: a client caring for an elderly parent and finding sanity through strength training
• Fitness culture in Ireland vs. the US — and the power of sport as a lifelong community
• The Function program — a six-month periodized fitness plan for tired humans who want to function better

HOW TO CONNECT WITH BRONWYN BARRY

• Website: beufitnessnandnutrition.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/be.ufitnessandnutrition/
• Start your fitness journey
• FUNCTION Foundation
• Be(ing)U Blog and Be(ing)U Pod

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Julie Jancius — known as the Angel Medium, host of the top-ranked Angels and Awakening podcast, founder of Angel Reiki School, and author of the upcoming Angel Signs — for a conversation about intuition, divine guidance, and what it means to stop shrinking yourself and start living the life you're actually here for. Julie talks about leaving corporate life, building a thriving spiritual business, what angels actually are and how to connect with them, and the practical tools every busy mom can use to start trusting her gut again. This one will make you want to put down your to-do list and start daydreaming.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• How Julie went from corporate career to angel medium — through a breakdown and a breakthrough
• Life as chapters: why God moves you on even when you're succeeding
• What angels actually are — and why Julie believes everyone can connect with them
• Why spiritual teaching written by men often doesn't apply to moms doing everything at once
• The expansion and contraction method — using your body's energy as a yes or no
• Signs from God and the angels — what they mean and what they don't
• Joy as a form of intuition — and why tuning into your own desires opens the channel
• How motherhood turns on your intuition — and why we need to keep it on
• The last six months: hiding away after something painful and choosing to come back
• Practical tools for busy moms to start reconnecting with their intuition today
• Angels and Awakening podcast, Angel Reiki School, and the upcoming book Angel Signs

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren — referenced
• Eckhart Tolle's concept of being the observer of your thoughts — referenced
• Thomas More — referenced as a male spiritual teacher whose work resonates

HOW TO CONNECT WITH JULIE JANCIUS

• Website: http://theangelmedium.com
• Podcast: Angels and Awakening — available everywhere you listen to podcasts https://pod.link/1451424894
• Angel Reiki School: https://theangelmedium.com/get-certified
• Book: Angel Signs — coming spring 2027 - https://theangelmedium.com/buy-the-book

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Thomai Roi, former pharmacist, founder of Arguably Feral Women, and divorce doula, for one of the most honest conversations about identity, burnout, and rebuilding this podcast has ever had. Thomai navigated three burnouts, three shuttered businesses, postpartum depression, a first marriage that wasn't right, and a total reinvention — and built her most successful work on the other side of all of it. She talks about identity residue, the sunk cost of the checklist life, why financial independence is the foundation of everything, and what it actually means to build from a place that's yours. This one is for every woman who has ever looked up and thought: how did I get here?

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Growing up with an inherited vision of what life should look like — and following it without questioning it
• Going from pharmacist to stay-at-home mom to accidental entrepreneur to divorce to reinvention
• Postpartum depression, clinical obesity, inflammatory arthritis, and the body's way of screaming for attention
• What identity residue is and how it shapes the life we build without realizing it
• The sunk cost fallacy of the checklist life — college debt, early marriage, and decisions made at 18
• How divorce became the catalyst for the most profound version of herself
• Why she says there's no right or wrong — only who you're being in the moment
• Financial independence as the foundation of every woman's freedom
• The sunny day trap — the weight moms put on themselves to perform perfect motherhood
• What it actually takes to rebuild: accountability without shame, and presence without past-casting
• Arguably Feral Women, the podcast, and the free divorce support community on School
• What it means to be a divorce doula and who that work is for

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THOMAI ROI

• Website: www.thomairoi.com
• Podcast: Arguably Feral Women
• Instagram: @thomairoiofficial
• TikTik: https://tiktok.com/thomai.roi
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomairoi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomairoi 
• Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thomairoi
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArguablyFeralWomen
• Free divorce community on Skool

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Ushta Canteenwalla, board-certified genetic counselor and founder of Find Genetics, to demystify prenatal and reproductive genetic testing from the ground up. From carrier screening before pregnancy to NIPT during, from IVF embryo selection to donor health profiles, Ushta walks through what's available, what it means, and how to make the decisions that are actually right for you — not your friend, not your OB's standard protocol, but you. This is the conversation every person planning a pregnancy deserves to have before they're sitting in that waiting room.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Why Ushta left a high-powered clinical role to build a telemedicine genetic counseling practice
• The gap in genetic counseling access — and why so many people never get offered testing they could have had
• The difference between carrier screening before pregnancy and testing done during pregnancy
• What NIPT (noninvasive prenatal testing) actually is — what it looks at, what it misses, and what false positives mean
• Amniocentesis and CVS — what they are, when they're done, and what risks they carry
• The 20-week anatomy scan and what genetics has to do with what they're looking for
• In utero therapy — conditions where treatment is possible before birth
• IVF, embryo testing, and selecting against serious genetic conditions
• Donor egg and donor sperm — what genetic counselors look for in donor health histories
• The designer baby misconception — and what people are actually selecting for
• Personal values, religious beliefs, and the role they play in genetic decision making
• What a session with Ushta looks like — and what she's building next at Find Genetics

HOW TO CONNECT WITH USHTA CANTEENWALLA

• Website: findgenetics.com
• Instagram: @findgenetics
• LinkedIn: Find Genetics or Ushta Canteenwalla

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Paulina Roe — Chicago radio personality, podcast host, and founder of the Mami Collective — for a candid, energetic, and deeply relatable conversation about ambitious motherhood, identity after baby, and why community changes everything. From her decade on Chicago radio to building a nationwide platform for moms who want more, Paulina shares her unfiltered take on postpartum identity, the myth of the selfless mom, and what it looks like to build the community you couldn't find. This one is for every mom who still wants it all — and knows she can have it.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Paulina's path from cassette tapes and UIC radio to the Fred Show and syndication across the country
• Starting her first podcast in 2018 before podcasting was mainstream — and why she built the one she was looking for
• How becoming a mom changed and elevated everything — without erasing who she was
• The fear of losing her identity in motherhood — and how she made sure that didn't happen
• Why being called "selfish" at nine months pregnant became her philosophy
• The connection between self-prioritization and a genuinely great postpartum experience
• What the Mami Collective is — and how it evolved from brunches to summits, dinner series, grants, and media opportunities
• The directory, the private newsletter, and how Paulina connects moms to real opportunities
• The annual summit — what it is, what's coming in October, and who it's for
• Where she wants to take the Mami Collective next — and why she's putting it into existence out loud

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Create and Cultivate — referenced as a summit model Paulina admires
• Brio Skin — success story from the Mami Collective directory
• Grief Magazine — featured Mami Collective member

HOW TO CONNECT WITH PAULINA ROE

• Website: themamicollective.com
• Instagram: @paulinaroe (personal) | @Mamicollective (community)
• Annual Summit: October 1st — tickets at themamicollective.com
• Newsletter: sign up at themamicollective.com

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Maria Ahmad, humanitarian, multilingual professional, journalist, and mom of two, whose life has spanned Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Latin America. Maria shares her journey from BBC radio journalist covering terrorism and elections to leading migration work for the United Nations, the realities of immigration that mainstream media gets wrong, what it looks like to raise sons who understand the female experience, and how moms everywhere — regardless of geography — can build the alliances that change the world. One of the most expansive and important conversations this podcast has ever had.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Maria's upbringing in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East — and how questioning gender restrictions shaped her worldview
• From BBC radio journalist to UN migration expert — the career path she never planned
• Covering terrorism, the Obama election, and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto
• How becoming a mom transformed the way she experienced the world
• Motherhood across continents — what she observed about family, community, and village across cultures
• Raising sons to understand and advocate for women — the conversation we're not having enough
• The cycle of abuse that gets passed down — and why the work starts with men, not just women
• What migration actually is — and why everything in mainstream media is misinformation
• Women and children in the migration system — why mothers flee, and what happens when they're separated from their children
• How privileged moms can build alliances and take action for migrant families
• Media literacy for busy moms — how to navigate the noise and find trustworthy sources
• Community protection, child safety, and what grandmothers can do
• The global unpaid care labor crisis — and why it's a policy issue, not a personal one

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• NPR and PBS — recommended as starting points for trustworthy news
• The Daily Show — referenced for accessible political commentary
• International Organization for Migration (IOM) — UN body on migration
• UN Women — referenced for care labor advocacy
• Baby Voyage — company founded for traveling parents

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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What if the hardest parts of postpartum aren't a sign that something is wrong with you — but a sign that something is finally waking up? 

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Jenny Tucker, founder of Centerline Community, a support space for new and expecting moms navigating postpartum and matrescence. Jenny brings her background in mental health counseling and yoga to a conversation about the good mother myth, the portal of postpartum, generational healing, and why building a village isn't just nice to have — it's biologically necessary. 

This one is for every mom who has ever felt alone in the hardest season of her life.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• How Centerline Community started as a prenatal yoga Zoom call in March 2020 — and grew to 500+ moms
• Why existing postpartum support is mostly baby-focused — and what moms actually need instead
• The portal of postpartum — what gets unearthed when a baby is born
• The good mother myth and the facade of perfect mom life
• Matrescence as an opportunity for generational healing
• Why moms are biologically not designed to be alone with their babies all day
• The people-pleasing conditioning that makes postpartum harder than it has to be
• Running a business from a feminine energy framework
• How to find your village when you're new, isolated, or introverted
• What it looks like to stop outsourcing your own wisdom
• The Centerline Community membership — weekly Zoom groups, in-person meetups, and the Mothership

HOW TO CONNECT WITH JENNY TUCKER

• Website: centerlinecommunity.com
• Instagram: @centerlinecommunity
• Free month trial code: welcomemama

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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If you're Alexandra Swayne, you start a marketing business, invent a baby product, and launch a women's networking group — all within a year. In this episode, Jessica sits down with Alex to talk about the layoff that cracked everything open, the 2 a.m. manufacturer calls that turned Binky Bands into a viral product launch, and what it actually looks like to build three businesses while raising two kids under three. This one is for every mom who has an idea they haven't trusted yet.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Getting laid off while pregnant — and why it became the catalyst for everything
• Launching Sunkiss Media: 12 years of marketing experience, one layoff, and one LLC
• The middle-of-the-night idea that became Binky Bands — a wearable pacifier and teether
• Going viral on LinkedIn on launch day and selling 100+ units before noon
• Starting She Means Business Long Island — 600 members, 75 women at the first event
• How motherhood built her confidence — and helped her stop shrinking herself
• Trusting your idea when people close to you say it won't work
• Using her marketing background to launch a product she actually believed in
• Balancing three businesses, two kids, and daycare two days a week
• AI as a business tool — the love-hate relationship that saves her hours
• Advice for moms on the edge of making a leap of faith

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ALEXANDRA SWAYNE

• Sunkiss Media: sunkissedmedia.net | Instagram/TikTok: @sun.kissedmedia
• Binky Bands: Instagram/TikTok: @binkibands
• She Means Business Long Island: Facebook Group + Instagram: @shemeansbusiness.li

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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 In this episode, Jessica sits down with Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers — licensed sex therapist, bestselling author, researcher, and founder of the Northwest Institute on Intimacy — for a conversation that every parent needs to hear. 

From the definition of sexual shame and how it develops from infancy, to the impact of abstinence-only education on an entire generation, to the practical framework for healing shame and changing your family's legacy — Dr. Tina brings the research, the tools, and the deep humanity that has made her work transformational for thousands of families. She also shares her work with psychedelic-assisted therapy for trauma, and why she's on a mission to make healing accessible to everyone. 

This one will change the way you think about your own story — and the one you want to pass on.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Dr. Tina's Swedish upbringing — why she thought every family talked about sexuality like recipes
• The first wave of abstinence-only education and the shame epidemic it created
• The clinical definition of sexual shame — and why it starts earlier than most parents realize
• What to say when your baby finds their genitals for the first time (and why it matters more than you think)
• How sexual shame develops across the lifespan — from infancy through adolescence
• The role of authoritarian religious structures in creating unsafe environments for curiosity
• Religious trauma and sexual shame — how they intersect and where they come from
• The Frame, Name, Claim, Aim model for healing sexual shame
• Practical tools for raising shame-free kids at every developmental stage
• Shameless Parenting — what's in it and how to use it as a roadmap
• The Northwest Institute on Intimacy — training clinicians in sexual health
• Psychedelic-assisted therapy for trauma — the research, the ethics, and the Inana Rising organization
• The patient equity scholarship fund and Indigenous Reparations Fund
• Dr. Tina's offer: free promo codes for her books for anyone who can't afford them

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Northwest Institute on Intimacy 
• Inana Rising (psychedelic-assisted therapy organization) — https://inannarising.org/
• Girls and Sex and Boys and Sex by Peggy Orenstein — referenced
• Brené Brown's work on shame — referenced

HOW TO CONNECT WITH DR. TINA

• Website: TinaSchermerSellers.com
• Instagram: @drtinashameless (parenting/shame work)
• Shameless Parenting by Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers 
• Sex, God and the Conservative Church: Erasing Shame from Sexual Intimacy by Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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 In this episode, Jessica sits down with Emily Encinosa, certified professional midwife, hypnobirthing instructor, and founder of Birds and Bees Maternity Center in Annapolis, Maryland, to talk about the modern home birth movement, the maternity care ecosystem she's building, and why continuity of care changes everything. From debunking home birth myths to navigating state regulations, transfer rates, and what it actually means to give birth on your own terms, Emily brings the clinical knowledge and the heart of someone who has attended over 500 births — and had two home birth transfers herself. This one is for every mom who has ever wanted more from her birth experience.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Emily's background — from New York to Las Vegas to bringing midwifery home to Annapolis
• The biggest misconceptions about home birth and where they come from
• Who home birth is actually for — low-risk screening, intermittent monitoring, and what qualifies
• Transfer rates — why a midwife who transfers freely is a sign of a good midwife, not a failed birth
• Emily's own two home birth transfers — and what they taught her as both a midwife and a mother
• The maternity ecosystem she's building at Birds and Bees — classes, support groups, doula referrals, and community
• Hypnobirthing, reframing pain as intensity, and shifting the cultural conversation around birth
• Postpartum Support International, the CLIMB fundraiser, and mental health advocacy
• The birth plan audit — a new offering for hospital-birth families who want a midwife's eyes on their plan
• State regulations, maternity deserts, and what needs to change for midwives to be recognized as legitimate stakeholders
• The role of community midwives in closing the gap in maternity care access

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Expecting with Emily — expectingwithemily.com
• Instagram: @expectingwithemily
• Birth Plan Audit 
• Postpartum Support International — Anne Arundel County Chapter
• The Village — women's networking group for perinatal professionals in Annapolis
• The Business of Being Born — documentary referenced
• The Big Push — documentary referenced
• Dr. Nathan and Dr. Stu — OBGYNs referenced for their advocacy work
• Born Free Conference — virtual attendance referenced

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

• Website: expectingwithemily.com
• Instagram: @expectingwithemily

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this solo episode, Jessica gets real about the last two weeks — a broken arm, a late-night ER visit with her son, a hard decision to miss a conference she was really looking forward to, and a full dental surgery under general anesthesia the following week. She talks about what it looks and feels like to go into survival mode, why the emotional weight hits hardest when it's all over, and what she's still figuring out about how to take care of herself on the back end of a crisis. Plus — a look ahead at what's coming for Season Five of the Mama Making Podcast and why she is more excited about it than anything she's done yet.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Bode's broken arm — the fall, the late-night ER visit, and navigating it solo while her husband was traveling
• The soft cast weekend from hell — keeping a wild, high-energy toddler still on pain meds
• The hard decision to skip the Podcasting Moms conference and what she was most bummed to miss
• Bode's dental surgery at Lurie's — general anesthesia, root canal, extractions, and an extra tooth
• Going into survival mode vs. feeling emotions on the back end
• The emotional and physical toll of shouldering two weeks of crisis largely alone
• What she's asking from her community: how do you decompress after survival mode?
• Season Five preview — Moms Making Impact: women building communities, working abroad, navigating advocacy, changing laws
• The newsletter, private episodes, and what's coming next for the Mama Making Podcast
• A big ask: share the podcast with someone who needs it

HOW TO CONNECT WITH JESSICA

• The Mama Making Podcast newsletter — themamamakingpodcast.com
• Subscribe on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TheMamaMakingPodcast
• Follow on social: https://tr.ee/tJdzccD-oi

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Terry Tateossian, founder of Thor (The House of Rose), a health coaching practice built for midlife women ready to reclaim their vitality. At 42, Terry lost over 80 pounds, overcame emotional eating, and discovered she had been navigating early perimenopause since age 37 — without knowing it. She shares the raw truth about burnout, using sugar and alcohol to regulate a dysregulated nervous system, the identity shift required to actually keep the weight off, and why strength training was the medicine that changed everything. This one hits home for every woman who has ever felt like she is running on empty and can't figure out where to start.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Terry's background — from Eastern Europe to entrepreneurship, two kids, and corporate burnout
• The panic attacks that sent her to the ER twice — and what they were really telling her
• Using sugar, alcohol, and nicotine to regulate an overwhelmed nervous system
• Why doing more was never the answer — and what doing less actually looked like in practice
• Early onset perimenopause at 37 — and why she thought she was pregnant again at 42
• The identity shift required to lose 80 pounds and keep it off for 13 years
• Time blocking, strength training, and the two-hour morning non-negotiable that changed everything
• How physical health transformed her business decisions — and freed her from fear-based choices
• The difference between profitable work and work that breaks you
• Thor retreats — what they are, what happens there, and who they're for
• Nervous system regulation, breathwork, restorative yoga, hiking, and community as medicine

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Thor (The House of Rose) retreats — thehouseofrose.com
• Instagram: @how.good.can.it.get & @thor.wellness
• Walking pad — mentioned as a tool for movement during the workday
• Resistance bands and dumbbells — Terry's recommendation for home-based strength training

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

• Website: thehouseofrose.com
• Instagram: @how.good.can.it.get & @thor.wellness

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Dr. Kim Van Dusen, licensed marriage and family therapist, registered play therapist, and founder of The Parentologist, to talk about why play is one of the most powerful and underused tools in a parent's toolkit. From meltdown interventions to getting picky eaters to try new foods, Dr. Kim breaks down the practical, evidence-based tools from her new book Parenting Through Play — and makes the case that you don't have to be a "play parent" to use them. This one is for every mom who has ever felt like they're fighting their kid instead of connecting with them.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Dr. Kim's background in play therapy and how she accidentally found her calling
• What play therapy is — and why it works when talk therapy doesn't
• The myth that play has to mean sitting on the floor for 30 minutes
• How playful moments woven into everyday life build the trust that reduces defiance
• The sand timer meltdown intervention — Dr. Kim's tried and true strategy
• Teaching emotional intelligence and regulation through play
• Play as a tool for picky eaters, homework resistance, and chore avoidance
• Why the connection you build through play makes consequences more effective
• Solutions for the overtired, overworked parent who doesn't have the energy
• Parenting Through Play — what's in the book and who it's for

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Parenting Through Play: Creative Strategies for Building Better Behavior, Deeper Connection, and Positive Communication by Dr. Kim Van Dusen 
  • On pre-sale now — releases May 5th, 2026
  • Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold
• The Parentologist Podcast — available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

• Website: theparentologist.com
• Instagram / TikTok / Threads / YouTube / X: @theparentologist
• Podcast: The Parentologist Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with returning guest Mariela De Santiago for a candid, practical, and deeply relatable conversation about what it actually looks like to prepare for baby number two. From a harder pregnancy than expected to a planned C-section, from sibling prep to postpartum non-negotiables, Mariela shares exactly what she did differently — and what she wishes she had known the first time around. Whether you're expecting your second or just dreaming about it, this one is packed with real talk and real recommendations.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• How Mariela's second pregnancy compared to her first — and why it was so much harder
• Slowing down, self-care, and giving herself permission to not push through
• Preparing a toddler for a new sibling — books, buy-in, and big brother involvement
• Why Mariela chose a planned C-section for her second birth and how different the experience was
• Postpartum recovery — the cart setup, mini fridge hack, comfortable clothes, and what actually helped
• The top five things Mariela did differently the second time around
• Postpartum doula, house cleaner, meal delivery, newborn photos, and having a hairstylist come to her
• Staying aligned with your partner on visitors, routines, and the division of care
• Freeze-drying breast milk with Milk by Mom — and why it's a game changer
• Keeping older children's routines consistent when a new baby arrives
• Having a provider resource list ready before you need it
• What Jessica is planning to do differently for her own second baby

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Milk by Mom — freeze-dried breast milk service (Mariela has a discount code — check show notes)
• Purple Carrot — plant-based meal delivery kit used during Mariela's postpartum
• Kindred Bravely — nursing bras and postpartum pajamas mentioned by Mariela
• Postpartum doula — highest recommendation from both Mariela and Jessica
• Bottle dishwasher — baby bottle-specific tabletop dishwashers (brands TBD — check show notes for links)

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

• Instagram: @newmomtalk.podcast
• Podcast: New Mom Talk Podcast
• Carlsbad Mom Crew

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Dr. Angele Close, clinical psychologist, motherhood coach, and author of Unburdening Motherhood, for a deeply honest conversation about matrescence, the Internal Family Systems model, and what it really means to heal inside of motherhood. From mom guilt and perfectionism myths to the parts of us that get triggered every single day, this conversation is the one every mother deserves to hear — and probably didn't know she needed.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Dr. Angele's personal story — from general practitioner to motherhood coach
• What matrescence is, where the term came from, and why it changes everything
• How every element of your identity shifts when you become a mother — physically, emotionally, neurologically, spiritually, and financially
• Why unhealed childhood wounds resurface alongside parenting
• The myths and cultural messages about "good motherhood" we absorb without realizing it
• The "good enough mother" research by Dr. Donald Winnicott — and why perfection actually harms our kids
• What Internal Family Systems (IFS) is and how it works
• The difference between manager parts, firefighter parts, and exiled parts
• What it looks like to parent from your parts vs. parenting from self-energy
• Practical ways to start working with IFS on your own
• Unburdening Motherhood — what's in it and who it's for

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Unburdening Motherhood: A Guide to Breaking Cycles, Healing Trauma and Becoming a Self-Led Mom by Dr. Angele Close 
  • Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all major retailers
  • Website: drangelclose.com
• Internal Family Systems model — developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz
• The Happy Mama Movement podcast by Amy Taylor Cabez (referenced by Dr. Angele as where she first discovered matrescence)
• Dr. Donald Winnicott's "Good Enough Mother" 

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

• Website: drangelclose.com
• Unburdening Motherhood available wherever books are sold

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this solo episode, Jessica gets honest about her business ownership journey — from a career she loved in nonprofit fundraising, to a corporate pivot, to an unexpected layoff that became the unlikely catalyst for everything. She talks about the messy middle of entrepreneurial growth, the imposter syndrome that comes with it, the therapy session that reframed everything, and what it really feels like to be a mom, a business owner, and a podcaster all at once — when none of it was exactly the plan. This one is for every woman who's figuring it out in real time.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• Jessica's background in nonprofit fundraising and why she walked away
• The pivot to project management and how it created space for the podcast
• Getting laid off — and why it was the push she didn't know she needed
• Starting Collabs Creative with her collaborator Maria
• Going from freelance side projects to full-on entrepreneurship
• The overwhelming reality of an unexpected growth phase
• Imposter syndrome, identity shifts, and the feeling of failing at everything
• What her therapist said that reframed it all
• Comparing the entrepreneurial growth phase to the first year of motherhood
• Trusting your gut, choosing alignment, and leading by example
• What's coming next: a new podcast season focused on women making impact

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Collabs Creative (Jessica's business) — collabscreative.com
• The Mama Making Podcast  — themamamakingpodcast.com

HOW TO CONNECT WITH JESSICA

• Podcast website: themamamakingpodcast.com
• Subscribe on YouTube: @themamamakingpodcast
• Join the newsletter: themamamakingpodcast.com

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• How The Formula Mom was born out of Mallory's own feeding struggles in 2016
• The 2022 formula shortage — what happened, why it mattered, and what changed
• Common formula myths and how to evaluate fear-based statistics with context
• Social media pressure and the culture of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding
• Combo feeding: why it's more common than we think (and why no one talks about it)
• The grief and guilt of a feeding journey that doesn't go as planned
• How navigating feeding challenges builds a muscle you'll use for the rest of your parenting life
• How to choose a formula that fits your baby's needs and your family's values
• International formula imports — the "black market" before 2022, the enforcement discretion pathway, and what it means now
• Bottle Service: the book, what's in it, and why Mallory wrote it

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Bottle Service: Education and Encouragement for Guilt-Free and Successful Formula Feeding by Mallory Whitmore 
  • Available at: bottleservicebook.com
  • Also available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and local independent bookstores
• The Formula Mom on social media: @theformulamom (all platforms)
• CDC Breastfeeding Report Card (referenced in conversation)

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

• Instagram / TikTok / all social platforms: @theformulamom
• Website & book info: bottleservicebook.com

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, I sit down with pharmacist, functional medicine consultant, podcast host, and new mom Dr. Kelly Moline to talk about building a business in the early days of motherhood — and redefining success along the way.

Kelly shares how her curiosity inside traditional pharmacy practice led her into functional medicine, root-cause wellness, and supporting women through hormones, gut health, cortisol regulation, and sustainable weight loss. We also talk about GLP-1 medications, the “crunchy mom” spectrum, NICU stays, miscarriage, podcasting vulnerability, and what it really looks like to build something meaningful while raising a baby.

We talk about:

• Starting an LLC weeks before going into labor
• Transitioning from traditional pharmacy to functional medicine
• Root-cause wellness vs. symptom management
• GLP-1 medications and weight loss conversations
• Hormones, cortisol, thyroid, and gut health
• Postpartum identity and ambition
• Miscarriage and NICU experiences
• Crunchy motherhood and holistic parenting
• Podcasting as connection and community

This episode is for the mom who wants to understand her body better, build something meaningful, and redefine what success looks like in this season.

Main Topics Covered

• Functional medicine and root-cause wellness
• Weight loss coaching beyond medication
• Comprehensive hormone testing (including DUTCH testing)
• The role of GLP-1 medications and lifestyle support
• Balancing entrepreneurship and new motherhood
• Rethinking hustle culture
• Slow-burn business growth
• Miscarriage and fertility conversations
• NICU stays and hospital transfers
• “Crunchy mom” philosophy and holistic parenting
• Podcasting vulnerability and community building

Resources Mentioned

• DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Testing for Comprehensive Hormones)
• Functional medicine lab testing (hormones, cortisol, gut health, thyroid)
• GLP-1 medications (as a weight loss tool)
• Moleen Method — https://moleenmethod.com

How to Connect with Dr. Kelly Moline

Instagram: @functionalmedicineformoms
Website: https://moleenmethod.com

Kelly offers health analysis appointments, functional lab testing, and personalized protocols focused on optimizing health naturally.

How to Connect with Jessica

Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads: @themamamakingpodcast
Website: https://themamamakingpodcast.com
YouTube: The Mama Making Podcast

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this honest check-in, I’m sharing podcast updates, business growth, big pivots for the next season, and some personal reflections on alignment, ambition, and expanding our family.

After five years of podcasting, this past year brought the most growth The Mama Making Podcast has ever seen — and it’s pushing me to think bigger. Bigger guests. Bigger impact. Bigger opportunities. And less holding back.

We talk about:

• The major listener growth from this past year
• The shift toward a “Moms Making Impact” focus
• Finally pitching the “big” guests
• Opening the door to aligned sponsorships
• The growth of Collabs Creative
• Hiring contractors and building processes in real time
• Choosing alignment over overcommitment
• Expanding our family and what that might look like

This episode is about shooting your shot, getting out of your own way, and redefining what’s possible — in motherhood, in business, and in life.

Main Topics Covered

• Five years of podcasting and recent growth
• Re-centering the podcast around impact
• Moms making impact beyond entrepreneurship
• Overcoming fear of pitching big guests
• Opening sponsorship opportunities intentionally
• Growing Collabs Creative
• Onboarding clients and contractors
• The messy middle of building systems
• Time alignment and overcommitment
• Hunkering down and choosing quality over quantity
• Expanding family hopes and future intentions

Resources Mentioned

• Collabs Creative — www.collabscreative.com
• Join The Mama Making Podcast email list
  
  

How to Connect with Jessica

Podcast: The Mama Making Podcast
Website: https://themamamakingpodcast.com

Business: https://collabscreative.com
Email: mamamakingpod@gmail.com

Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, I sit down with author, speaker, and founder of Cheri’s Choice, Cheri Bergeron, to talk about infertility, IVF after 40, egg donation, and ultimately choosing solo motherhood.

Cheri shares her journey from building a successful career in Silicon Valley to realizing that the timeline she assumed she had for motherhood wasn’t guaranteed. We talk about the emotional weight of fertility treatments, the decision to use an egg donor, grieving the traditional two-parent fairy tale, and the strength it takes to build a family on your own terms.

We also discuss the legal challenges Cheri faced when outdated laws collided with modern reproductive technology — and how her fight reshaped her understanding of autonomy and empowerment.

This episode is for any woman navigating infertility, reconsidering her timeline, or redefining what family can look like.

Main Topics Covered

• Career-first identity and delayed motherhood
• Fertility awareness and the realities of aging
• The emotional impact of IVF
• Choosing egg donation
• Becoming a single mother by choice
• Letting go of the traditional family narrative
• Legal challenges surrounding assisted reproductive technology
• Redefining empowerment through reproductive planning

Resources Mentioned

• Book: Mission Motherhood by Cheri Bergeron
• Cheri’s Choice nonprofit

How to Connect with Cheri

Website: https://cheribergeron.com
Nonprofit: https://cherieschoice.com
Instagram: @cheribergeron
LinkedIn: Cheri Bergeron

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, Jessica sits down with Kate Scholtes — founder of Your Behind-the-Scenes BFF — to talk about building businesses that support motherhood instead of competing with it.

Kate shares her journey from classroom teacher to network marketing to virtual assistant mentor — and how becoming a mom completely reshaped what ambition, alignment, and success look like for her.

They unpack:

• Letting go of hustle culture
• The evolution of identity through motherhood
• Setting real client boundaries
• Social media and “forced authenticity”
• The power of permission — to pivot, to change your mind, to redefine the dream

If you’ve ever felt like your goals shifted after becoming a mom — or wondered if it’s okay to want something different than you used to — this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.

Main Topics Covered

• Leaving teaching and starting in network marketing
• Becoming a mom and experiencing a complete identity shift
• Alignment vs. hustle culture
• Moving from accolades to peace as a success metric
• Building a VA business during pregnancy
• Setting client boundaries that protect family life
• Social media burnout + intentional stepping away
• “Forced authenticity” vs. real authenticity
• The flexibility myth in entrepreneurship
• Giving yourself permission to pivot
• Why changing your mind isn’t failure

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Course: Beginner to Booked VA

How to Connect with Kate

• Instagram: @yourbffkate
• Podcast: The Virtual Assistant School Podcast
• Website: https://yourbtsbff.com

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, Jessica sits down with email marketing strategist and mom of two Allison Hardy to talk about building a multi-six-figure business that actually supports motherhood — not one that drains it.

Allison shares her journey from college art professor to accidental entrepreneur, how postpartum depression forced her to rethink hustle culture, and why creating systems that work in the background changed everything. Together, they unpack identity shifts, redefining balance, getting your time back, and what it looks like to build a business that moves with the seasons of motherhood.

This is a grounded, honest conversation about letting go of pressure, honoring energy, and building something sustainable — in business and at home.

Main Topics Covered

• Losing a “dream career” and rebuilding identity after motherhood
• Entrepreneurship out of necessity vs. intention
• Postpartum depression and creating systems that reduce stress
• Selling daily without constant launching
• Email funnels as nervous-system support
• Why balance isn’t real — and what works instead
• Getting time back through systems at home and in business
• Teaching kids about work, leadership, and flexibility
• Modeling entrepreneurship through everyday life
• The power of not giving up when things feel messy

Resources Mentioned

• Email funnels & automated email marketing
• Lead magnets and evergreen content systems
• Collaborations, bundles, and private podcast series
• Pinterest, podcasting, and ads as long-term lead drivers
• AI tools for business systems (and kid-friendly creativity!)

How to Connect with Allison Hardy

• Website: https://www.allisonhardy.com
• Membership: Emails That Sell
• Podcast: Email Empires

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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Whether you’re actively trying or just starting to think about baby #2, this episode invites you to slow down, listen in, and reclaim your sense of agency along the way.

Main Topics Covered

• Madison’s personal story of postpartum healing and identity shifts
• How Ayurveda helps support digestion, hormones, and fertility
• Creating space emotionally and physically before trying to conceive again
• The difference between "trying" and consciously preparing
• How small daily rituals can restore energy and vitality
• Addressing fear, surrender, and nervous system regulation in motherhood

Resources Mentioned

• Banyan Botanicals
  (Ayurveda resource)
• Ayurvedic digestion term: Agni
• Free fertility-type quiz: Available at shriwellness.com
  
  

Connect with Madison Waggoner

Website: shriwellness.com
Instagram: @shriwellness
Programs: Preconception & fertility prep for moms thinking about baby #2

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Sascha Mayer, co-founder of Mamava, to talk about the origin story of the brand, how they’re changing public spaces for lactating parents, and why innovation in motherhood often starts with personal frustration.

From business-building to social impact, Sascha’s story is proof that when moms build, they build better for everyone.

Main Topics Covered

• The moment Sascha realized breastfeeding infrastructure was broken
• How Mamava got its start—and why it went B2B first
• Designing for dignity, privacy, and inclusion
• The policy gaps that inspired innovation
• Mamava’s evolution from pods to platforms
• Why lactation equity is a workplace issue
• Advice for moms pursuing big ideas

Resources Mentioned

• Mamava Locator App: Download here
• Lactation Consultant Resources
• Mamava Podcast: The Bodacious Optimist
• Human Milk Banking Association of North America
• Designing Motherhood Exhibit: Museum of Art & Design

Connect with Sascha Mayer

• Mamava: mamava.com
• Instagram: @mamava_vt
• LinkedIn: @mamava-llc

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Samantha Davis, founder of NuHealth Placenta Encapsulation, shares the story of starting a business in the thick of postpartum while advocating for better recovery options for new moms. From the science and safety behind placenta encapsulation to navigating stigma and consent, this episode is packed with insight, empowerment, and practical advice.

Whether you’re building a business in maternal wellness, exploring new ways to support recovery, or just love a story rooted in lived experience—this one’s for you.

Main Topics Covered

• How Samantha launched NuHealth in early motherhood
• What placenta encapsulation is and how it works
• Behind-the-scenes of safe, certified encapsulation practices
• Supporting hormonal health and emotional recovery after birth
• Reducing stigma and offering judgment-free postpartum support
• Building a brand rooted in advocacy, education, and care

Connect with Samantha Davis

• Website: www.nuhealthplacenta.com/
• Instagram: @nuhealth_placentaencapsulation
  
  

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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Whether you're navigating family dynamics, managing holiday stress, or simply craving a moment of calm, Madison offers a grounding, compassionate meditation to help you reconnect with your body, your breath, and your intentions.

Perfect for the quiet mornings before the house wakes up—or the evenings when you need to exhale it all—this is your gentle reminder that stillness is productive, too.

Let this practice be your bridge between seasons. Reflect, release, and root yourself for the new year ahead.

Connect with Taylor

• Website: Shri Wellness
• Instagram: @themompreneurpaperco

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, host Jessica Lamb sits down with Taylor Johnson, the founder of The Mompreneur Paper Company—a lifestyle brand offering planners, journals, and paper goods designed specifically for ambitious moms balancing business and motherhood.

Taylor shares how her own need for a functional planner sparked the idea behind her business, how she’s grown it from a Canva prototype to a full product suite, and how her approach to business honors both ambition and rest. Together, Jessica and Taylor dive into routines, outsourcing, seasons of hustle, and what it really looks like to “do it all” as a mom—on your terms.

This is a must-listen for any mom navigating entrepreneurship, identity shifts, and the reality of building a life you love… one nap time at a time.

Main Topics Covered

• How Taylor started her business with a Canva prototype
• Why traditional planners weren’t working for her—and other moms
• The realities of time management and flexible scheduling
• Letting go of hustle culture and embracing seasonality
• Creating a business that supports your family, not drains it
• Using outsourcing and systems to stay afloat
• How the Mompreneur Paper Company builds community through planning and storytelling
• Lessons learned from launching a magazine (and what’s coming next)

Connect with Taylor

• Website: Mompreneur Paper Company
• Instagram: @themompreneurpaperco

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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Ever wonder if that extra pair of baby shoes or outdated kitchen gadget sitting in your cabinet is worth anything? Spoiler alert: It is. In this episode of The Mama Making Podcast, Jessica sits down with Olivia —also known as The Marketplace Mom—to talk about the wild world of Facebook Marketplace. From turning clutter into cash to managing no-shows with grace, Olivia is here to demystify the selling process for everyday moms.

She shares how her side hustle started with a $15 TV mount and turned into a full-blown movement helping women feel empowered to sell, buy, and declutter on their own terms. They break down the myths, the must-knows, and even the “crazy stuff people will buy” moments.

Whether you’ve never listed an item or are a seasoned seller, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to lighten their load—physically and mentally—and maybe even fund that next family purchase.

Main Topics Covered:

• Olivia’s story: from secret side hustle to social media success
• Why Facebook Marketplace is a goldmine for moms
• Common fears (and why you should just start)
• How to price and list items that actually sell
• Why junk sells faster than nice stuff
• Marketplace wins—from towels to $500 porch pickups
• Controversial opinions: Cash vs. Venmo, to wash or not to wash, shipping tips
• Best beginner items to sell (hint: shoes + seasonal décor)
• How to make Marketplace a sustainable part of your decluttering system

Connect with Olivia , The Marketplace Mom:

• Instagram: @themarketplacemom 
• TikTok: @themarketplacemom 
• Facebook: @themarketplacemom

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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What if the same resilience it takes to run a marathon is the exact strength you need to navigate infertility, pregnancy complications, and surrogacy?

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Alison Beder Solway—author of The Miles We Run, fitness expert, and founder of ABS Fitness—to explore her deeply personal journey through high-risk pregnancy, genetic diagnosis, and surrogacy after being told she couldn’t carry more children. Alison shares how marathon training became the unexpected metaphor for her motherhood story and why resilience is a muscle we can all build.

From advocating for your body to trusting others with your dream, this conversation covers the emotional highs and lows of fertility, family building, and finding your strength—on the trail and in life.

Main Topics Covered:

• Alison’s high-risk pregnancy and HHT diagnosis
• Navigating infertility and the emotional journey to surrogacy
• The surrogacy process: what people don’t realize
• Building trust, advocating for yourself, and finding the right surrogate
• Resilience through IVF setbacks and loss
• Training for the NYC Marathon in her 50s
• The surprising connection between long-distance running and family building
• Why resilience is a muscle—and how you build it one mile at a time

Resources Mentioned:

• The Miles We Run website
  
  
• ABS Fitness
  
  

How to Connect with Alison:

• Website: themileswerun.com
• Fitness Platform: absfitness.ca
• Instagram: @themileswerun
• Book: The Miles We Run — available wherever books are sold

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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What if the care you actually needed wasn’t covered by insurance—and what if there was a better way? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Samantha O’Brien of The Hive Wellness Center and Dr. Amy Fetch of Chicago Mama PT to talk about the game-changing potential of cash-based healthcare for women and families. We unpack how this model empowers providers to offer deeper, more holistic care, gives patients more control and clarity, and allows moms especially to feel seen, heard, and genuinely supported.

From postpartum recovery to pediatric chiropractic to endometriosis pain to poop explosions during a session (yep, we went there), this conversation dives into the messy realities and surprising joys of care that actually cares. Whether you're a birthworker, a parent, or someone who's ever walked out of a 5-minute appointment wondering “was that it?”—this one's for you.

Main Topics Covered

• What cash-based care really is—and isn’t
• How traditional insurance models limit quality care
• Why longer sessions mean better outcomes for patients
• Pediatric and perinatal chiropractic explained
• Holistic pelvic floor PT for real-life motherhood
• Patient advocacy, transparency, and emotional support
• Busting myths about cost and accessibility
• When providers finally have time to care

How to Connect with the Guests

Dr. Samantha O’Brien – Chiropractor, Pediatric & Perinatal Care
📍 Geneva, IL
🔗 Website: thehivewc.com
📷 Instagram: @thehive.wc
📘 Facebook: The Hive Wellness Center

Dr. Amy Fetch – Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist & Women's Health Advocate
📍 Barrington, IL
🔗 Website: chicagomamapt.com
📷 Instagram: @chicagomamapt
📘 Facebook: Chicago Mama PT

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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What happens when your child is sick and you need to be close—but also need a place to sleep, eat, and breathe?

In this powerful episode, Jessica sits down with Holly Buckendahl, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana, to talk about the critical (and often misunderstood) work of Ronald McDonald House (RMH).

As both a nonprofit leader and a mom, Holly shares how RMH supports entire families through some of the hardest days of their lives. From hospital-adjacent “mini Ronald McDonald House” to full-service family houses to mobile medical units, RMH is doing more than most people realize—and this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how it all works.

Jessica also shares her personal story of staying at the Ronald McDonald House after her son’s NICU birth, and why this conversation is especially meaningful to record.

Main Topics Covered

• The mission behind Ronald McDonald House and who they serve
• The difference between family rooms, houses, and mobile medical units
• What it actually looks like to stay at a Ronald McDonald House
• Volunteer stories, funny moments, and the power of showing up
• How RMH partners with hospital networks and McDonald’s
• Ways to support RMH: volunteer roles, wish list donations, Round-Up at checkout
• What’s ahead for the organization, including an upcoming rebrand

Resources Mentioned

• RMH Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana
• RMH National Website
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Ways to Give
• Upcoming Fundraising Events

Connect with Ronald McDonald House 

• Website: www.ronaldmcdonaldhousechicago.org/
• Instagram: @ronaldmcdonaldhousechicago
• Facebook: @ronaldmcdonaldhousechicago
• YouTube: @ronaldmcdonaldhousechicago

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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From her days touring the world as a professional musician to leading one of the most trusted early childhood music education programs in Australia, Esther shares the science, structure, and soul behind musical learning—and why every parent (yes, even you!) is more musical than you think.

Whether your child is shy, spirited, or somewhere in between, this episode will give you insight and confidence to bring music into your everyday routine.

Main Topics Covered

• Esther’s journey from professional musician to music educator and executive
• The developmental benefits of music for babies and toddlers
• Why repetition and structure are more important than musical “talent”
• How music supports emotional regulation and resilience in young kids
• What happens in a Mini Maestros class (and how it works virtually!)
• How music can be adapted for all learning styles and neurodiverse children
• Turning everyday parenting moments into musical opportunities for connection
• The power of singing as a tool for calm, learning, and growth

Resources Mentioned

• Mini Maestros On-Demand: Try a class!
• Mini Maestros Blog: Read Here
• Researcher: Dr. Anita Collins — "How playing an instrument benefits your brain"
• Book reference: The Music Advantage by Dr. Anita Collins

Connect with Esther & Mini Maestros

• Website: minimaestros.com.au
• Instagram: @minimaestros

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this tender, wise, and radically honest episode, Jessica welcomes Dr. Margo Lowy, psychotherapist and author of Maternal Ambivalence: The Loving Moments and Bitter Truths of Motherhood. Together, they explore what it really means to love your children deeply and feel conflicting emotions—without shame or guilt.

This conversation is a balm for any mother who has ever whispered to herself, “Am I the only one feeling this way?” (Spoiler: you're not.)

They dive into the messy, beautiful terrain of maternal identity, emotional flow, breaking cycles, and rewriting the silent rules so many of us have internalized.

Whether you’re in the newborn trenches or parenting grown children, this one reminds you: your full humanity belongs in motherhood.

Main Topics Covered

• What maternal ambivalence means and why it’s normal
• Why “flow” is the missing link for many overwhelmed moms
• The difference between guilt and shame—and how to release both
• Social media’s role in shaping perfectionism in motherhood
• Letting go of being the “perfect parent” and embracing emotional honesty
• Re-mothering yourself while raising your children
• How ambivalence can actually deepen connection with our kids

Connect with Dr. Margo Lowy

• Maternal Ambivalence by Dr. Margo Lowy — Buy the book
• Website: drmargolowy.com
• Instagram: @drmargolowy

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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What if your prenatal education came with a built-in village?

In this episode, Jessica talks with Georgia Kastaris, founder of Expecting Together, a prenatal social club that blends expert-led education with real community. Based in Chicago and inspired by European models of group care, Expecting Together creates small, curated cohorts of expecting parents—matched by due date and neighborhood - to foster support that lasts well beyond the birth.

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or dreaming of a better way to help families prepare, this conversation is a must-listen. Georgia shares how she’s rethinking the prenatal experience to include connection, trust, and the kind of friendships that make early parenthood less isolating.

Use code LAUNCH100 for $100 off your cohort.

Main Topics Covered

• Georgia’s background in healthcare innovation and her journey to birthwork
• How Expecting Together reimagines prenatal education through small group cohorts
• The power of community and shared experience in the perinatal season
• Differences between U.S. prenatal care and European group models
• What support really looks like for new parents
• How friendship and familiarity can reduce postpartum anxiety and stress

Resources Mentioned

• Expecting Together: expectingtogether.com
• Discount Code: LAUNCH100 for $100 off cohort registration
• Instagram: @expecting.together
  
  

Connect with Georgia Kastaris

Website: expectingtogether.com
Instagram: @expecting.together
LinkedIn: @expectingtogether

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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Ever wish there was a family operating system to keep track of everything from your child’s passport to your emergency contacts?

Meet Nat Robinson, founder and CEO of Trustworthy—the digital assistant for modern families. In this episode, Nat shares the story behind the platform (spoiler: he sold a company and became a dad on the same day), how Trustworthy helps lighten the mental load for parents, and why smart tech should feel like a helping hand, not another to-do list.

We talk digital legacy, family systems, and what it really means to design tech that centers emotional as well as practical needs.

Main Topics Covered

• Nat’s personal story of becoming a dad and building Trustworthy
• The difference between document storage vs. intelligent organization
• Real-world use cases that shaped the platform
• Trustworthy’s focus on privacy, security, and peace of mind
• How AI + human support creates a better family admin experience
• Parenting, legacy planning, and redefining control in chaos

Connect with Nat Robinson

• Website: trustworthy.com
• Instagram: @trustworthyco
• YouTube: @Trustworthy-fos
• LinkedIn: Trustworthy & Nat Robinson

*This episode is sponsored by Trustworthy* 

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica sits down with Anna Rodney, the powerhouse behind Chicago Family Doulas and Birth & Baby University, for a deeply insightful conversation about what it takes to build a mission-driven birth business, support hundreds of families, and raise three daughters - all at the same time.

From a transformative first birth experience to launching one of the largest doula agencies in the country, Anna shares how her personal journey sparked a career shift, the business lessons learned through rapid growth, and the importance of childbirth education, not just for families - but for doulas too.

This is a must-listen for anyone navigating the world of birth work, motherhood, or values-driven entrepreneurship.

Main Topics Covered

• How Anna’s first birth experience inspired her career pivot
• The story behind founding Chicago Family Doulas
• Why she launched Birth & Baby University to fill a critical gap
• The myths about doula care - and what doulas actually do
• How education empowers both families and professionals
• Growing a business that serves 300+ doulas and countless families
• The personal cost of growth - and how Anna structured her business to support motherhood and freedom
• What new parents really need to know before birth
• The power of postpartum support and when families need it most
• Why doulas don’t replace education - and education doesn’t replace support

Resources Mentioned

• Chicago Family Doulas
• Birth & Baby University
• Bump to Baby Event (Chicago – October 18)
• Contact: hello@chicagofamilydoulas.com
  
  

Connect with Anna Rodney

• Website: chicagofamilydoulas.com
• Website: birthandbabyuniversity.com
• Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @chicagofamilydoulas
  | @birthandbabyuniversity
• For professionals: Birth & Baby University
  
  

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this solo episode, host Jessica Lamb peels back the curtain on what’s coming in Season 4 of The Mama Making Podcast - and reflects on the journey that brought her here. From rediscovering her identity after a layoff to launching a storytelling-based business, Jessica shares candid insights on motherhood, imposter syndrome, entrepreneurship, and building a community for moms in the messy middle.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at where the show is headed, what’s changing, and what will always remain the same: real talk, mom stories, and space to feel less alone.

Main Topics Covered

• The origin story of Collabs Creative and its mission
• The podcast’s evolving focus on storytelling and entrepreneurship
• What to expect from Season 4: solo episodes, guest convos, and video
• Creating connection through community, newsletters, and DMs

 Resources Mentioned

• Jessica’s Digital Marketing business: Collabs Creative
• Newsletter: The Mama Making Insider
• Podcast YouTube channel: YouTube.com/@themamamakingpodcast
  
  

Connect with Jessica

• Website: themamamakingpodcast.com
• Instagram: @themamamakingpodcast
• TikTok: @themamamakingpodcast
• Newsletter sign-up: Subscribe here

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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This rewind episode brings back one of our most informative and empowering conversations - how to prepare for pregnancy in your 30s and beyond—featuring holistic fertility coach Nora DeBora of Naturally Nora.

Together, we dive into what true preconception prep looks like, beyond the basics. Nora breaks down cycle tracking, hormonal red flags, nutritional foundations, and how to support your body for pregnancy (even if you’re not trying right now).

If you’re thinking about baby #1 or baby #3, or just want to understand your body better, this episode is packed with insight - and full of “why didn’t anyone teach us this?” moments.

Main Topics Covered

• How your body naturally prepares for pregnancy
• Preconception foundations: sleep, stress, food, and movement
• Cycle awareness + signs of hormone imbalance
• TTC in your 30s: how to support your eggs and energy
• What to ask your doctor before you start trying
• Why your period is a monthly report card
• The importance of mindset and patience during the process

Connect with Nora DeBora

• Website: naturallynora.ca
• Instagram: @naturally_nora
  
  

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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This rewind episode brings back one of our most-loved conversations—a real, empowering look at home birth, mindset, and the deep trust that comes with bringing babies into the world on your own terms.

Jessica is joined by Hayley Matossian, a mom of three, to revisit her two unique home birth stories: her first, a fast and powerful labor that changed how she saw herself, and her second—a twin birth at home filled with surrender, trust in her birth team, and one unforgettable moment when her baby needed extra support right after delivery.

Hayley shares what led her to midwifery care, how she mentally prepared for birthing twins, and what early postpartum looked like with two newborns. If you’ve ever questioned your strength, your voice, or your path—this episode will meet you where you are.

Main Topics Covered:

• Choosing home birth and building a supportive team
• Birth mindset and reframing fear into confidence
• What it was like to deliver twins at home
• When birth doesn’t go exactly to plan—and how to respond with calm
• Postpartum recovery with multiples
• What she wants every mom to know about their options

Resources Mentioned:

• The Business of Being Born (documentary)
• Hypnobirthing classes

Connect with Hayley:

• Instagram: @hayleymatossian

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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We dive into how community care, holistic support, and trauma-informed postpartum services can change the game for maternal mental health. And Becca doesn’t just talk about the problems - she’s building solutions.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED

• The inspiration behind Momma in Bloom
• Why postpartum care needs a complete overhaul
• How Becca transitioned from doula work to center founder
• The importance of trauma-informed support for new moms
• Ways community spaces help reduce isolation
• Addressing burnout and identity shifts in motherhood

HOW TO CONNECT WITH BECCA

• Website: mommainbloom.com
• Instagram: @momma.in.bloom

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this week’s episode, Jessica sits down with Anne Nicholson-Weber, the founder of BirthGuideChicago.com—a comprehensive directory for birth providers in the Chicagoland area. Anne shares how her own experiences during childbirth shaped the way she advocates for better, more transparent care options for expectant parents. We talk about how BirthGuide came to be, what to consider when choosing a provider or birth setting, and why informed choice is a vital part of the parenting journey.

Whether you’re planning your first birth or advocating for better systems of care, this episode reminds us how much power we hold when we’re given the right tools and information.

Main Topics Covered

• Anne’s personal birth stories and what led her to launch BirthGuide Chicago
• Why choosing a birth provider or location shouldn’t be based on convenience alone
• How BirthGuide helps families compare birth settings, philosophies, and outcomes
• What Anne learned about maternal care quality through building the platform
• Empowering expectant parents with questions, context, and confidence
• Shifting systems: from reactive care to informed, proactive support

Resources Mentioned

• BirthGuide Chicago
• Childbirth Connection
• Evidence Based Birth
• Pushed by Jennifer Block

Listen to The BirthGuide Podcast!

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, neonatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Prolacta Bioscience, Dr. Melinda Elliott, shares how human milk–based nutrition is transforming health outcomes for premature infants in the NICU. From evidence-backed science to heartfelt advocacy, Dr. Elliott explains what an exclusive human milk diet really means, why it matters, and how families can play an active role in their babies’ care—both inside and outside the hospital.

Whether you’re a NICU parent, former preemie, or simply passionate about equitable care for moms and babies, this episode will educate, inspire, and equip you with practical questions to ask—and systems to challenge.

Main Topics Covered

• Why human milk fortifiers are crucial for premature infants
• The risks associated with cow milk–based products in the NICU
• How human milk–based nutrition improves short- and long-term outcomes
• The role of advocacy and parent involvement in NICU care
• How Prolacta Bioscience is creating change through innovation and policy
• Supporting equitable access to human milk and NICU resources
• Donating milk and the impact it can have on critically ill babies

Resources Mentioned

• Prolacta Bioscience - How to access for NICU Parents
• Become a Donor with Prolacta
• NICU Parent Network
• NAMS Provider Directory
• Parent Support Hotline: 1-888-413-9885
• Contact: meded@prolacta.com
• Connect with Prolacta: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They talk about her personal experiences with induction, home birth, postpartum rest, and learning to trust the body again—plus, the real and raw truths of rebuilding your identity after becoming a mom.

Main Topics Covered

• What is somatic healing and how it supports motherhood
• Alexi’s path from yoga teacher to somatic therapist
• Rebuilding body connection after trauma or birth
• The difference between her two birth experiences (hospital vs. home)
• Why rest is radical in postpartum—and how she embraced it
• The importance of individualized care and maternal intuition

Connect with Alexi

• Website: soulfulsomatics.com
• Instagram: @soulful.alexi

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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Main Topics Covered

• What hormone therapy is (and isn’t)
• The myths behind breast cancer and hormone replacement
• The role of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
• Why gut health matters for hormone therapy
• Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause
• How to advocate for yourself when providers dismiss your concerns
• The overlap of perimenopause and postpartum symptoms
• Hormone support options during postpartum
• Why Yewande started her practice after her own perimenopause experience

Resources Mentioned

• Serene Infusion and Wellness Lounge
• Instagram: @serene_midlifewellness
• Menopause Provider Directory: nams.org

Connect with Yewande

• Instagram: @serene_midlifewellness
• Website: serenewellnessmed.com

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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Whether you're in the trenches of new motherhood or dreaming up your own idea, this episode is packed with real talk, product inspo, and encouragement to follow the tug on your heart.

Main Topics Covered

• Courtney’s inspiration for starting Le Lolo
• Why moms deserve beautiful, functional recovery products
• The R&D process behind her flower-shaped nipple shield
• Building trust and transparency as a mom-owned brand
• Advice for other moms launching something of their own
• How she balances entrepreneurship and motherhood

Resources Mentioned

• Le Lolo: wearelelolo.com
• Instagram: @wearelelolo

Connect with Courtney

• Website: wearelelolo.com
• Instagram: @wearelelolo

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They dive into the real talk on confidence, rates, support, and why moms are uniquely equipped to lead and grow businesses that work for their families. If you've ever wondered whether you could make it work as a VA, or you’re ready to outsource in your own business, this one’s for you.

Main Topics Covered

• How Breana started her VA business during a tough season
• What a virtual assistant actually does (and who they help)
• Why moms are naturally great at project management
• How confidence affects pricing—and how to build it
• How to know when and what to delegate in your business
• What it’s really like working from home with young kids
• Her two coaching paths for moms starting and scaling VA businesses

Resources Mentioned

• BreanaVelfling.com
• Instagram: @breanavelfling

Connect with Breana Velfling

• Instagram & Facebook: @breanavelfling
• Website: breanavelfling.com

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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What if postpartum wasn’t something we just “got through”—but a sacred, supported experience?

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Kaitlin Marcellot, founder of Shugie, a postpartum wellness platform rooted in storytelling and community. They talk about Kaitlin’s first birth during the height of COVID, her unique approach to preparing for postpartum before even thinking about pregnancy classes, and how she used her background in marketing, wellness, and storytelling to create Shugie as a resource hub for other moms.

They also dive into what happens when we stop choosing sides (Western or holistic), start advocating for ourselves in the delivery room, and use our voices to create change in maternal care systems.

Main Topics Covered

• How Kaitlin prepared for postpartum as a first priority
• Experiencing an emergency birth during the pandemic
• Advocating for yourself the second time around
• The power of journaling and storytelling to process birth
• What it means to hold privilege and push for systemic change
• Starting Shugie as a virtual hub for connection and care
• Embracing a “both/and” approach to birth and recovery
• Why sharing your story is healing—for you and for others

Resources Mentioned

• shugie.co
• Instagram: @hi.shugie
• The Recovery Method (Directory for postpartum providers)

Connect with Kaitlin Marcellot

• Website: shugie.co
• Instagram, TikTok + Facebook: @hi.shugie

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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What happens when everything goes according to plan—until it doesn’t?

In this powerful episode, Jessica talks with Maddie Moss, maternal mental health advocate and founder of Maternal Sunshine, about her unexpected descent into postpartum anxiety, her experience with inpatient care, and how she’s now creating community for moms in the fourth trimester and beyond.

They cover the signs Maddie missed, the breaking point that led her to seek emergency help, and the real support systems that helped her find her way back. If you've ever felt like you were drowning in new motherhood, this one’s for you.

Main Topics Covered

• When postpartum anxiety sneaks up after a “sunshine pregnancy”
• Birth trauma, recovery, and unmet expectations
• The impact of early crises (including a sewage leak!)
• Intrusive thoughts, sleep deprivation, and reaching a breaking point
• The gap in perinatal-specific inpatient care
• Finding the right therapist and perinatal psychiatrist
• Support groups and the healing power of peer connection
• How Maddie created Maternal Sunshine to support other moms

Resources Mentioned

• Maternal Sunshine
• Instagram: @maternal.sunshine
• Postpartum Support International
• Beyond the Baby Blues Support Groups (via The Family Institute, Evanston IL)
• Ascension Illinois Perinatal IOP (Alexian Brothers, Hoffman Estates)

Connect with Maddie Moss

• Website: maternalsunshinellc.com
• Instagram: @maternal.sunshine

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica talks with Stephanie DeFilippis, LCSW, founder of Crescent Moon Therapy, about those early moments of pregnancy and how to prepare for what’s next—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

They break down the common fears, the “I’m not ready” spiral, and why slowing down is just as important as stocking up.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever asked, “I’m pregnant—now what?”

Main Topics Covered

• Navigating the mental load of early pregnancy
• The panic of “am I ready?” and why it’s normal
• What no one tells you about the first 8 weeks
• Building support systems before postpartum hits
• Why therapy during pregnancy can prevent postpartum crisis
• Creating a postpartum care plan (for you, not just the baby)
• The importance of partner roles in postpartum recovery
• Identity shifts and grace through motherhood

Resources Mentioned

• Crescent Moon Therapy
• Instagram: @crescentmoon_therapy
• Calm app
• Prenatal yoga, mother-baby meditations (Rooted Beings Meditation)
• Postpartum Support International (postpartum.net)

Connect with Stephanie DeFilippis

• Website: crescentmoon-therapy.com
• Instagram: @crescentmoon_therapy

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They get honest about what burnout really feels like (spoiler: it’s not always obvious), how they’ve learned to prioritize rest and connection, and why building community is non-negotiable for modern motherhood.

If you’ve ever wondered how you’re supposed to do it all—or why you even think you should—this episode is the reminder you need that you're not alone, and you're not doing it wrong. It’s just that hard.

Main Topics Covered

• What it actually looks like to nurture yourself as a mom and entrepreneur
• How motherhood redefines your identity
• Burnout symptoms, signals, and why rest feels so hard
• Learning to ask for help without guilt
• Boundaries around work, life, and self-care
• Building communities where moms can tell the truth
• Why mentorship and shared experiences matter
  
  

Resources Mentioned

• The Sparkle Bar – Alexandra’s business
• Momentum for Working Moms – Chelsie’s company
• Nurture 19’s Faces of Nurture campaign

Connect with the Guests
Alexandra Bradberry

• Instagram: @alexbradberry
• Business: @thesparklebar
• Website: thesparklebar.com

Chelsie Bruggeman

• LinkedIn: Chelsie Bruggeman
• Instagram: @working_with_momentum
• Website: momentumforworkingmoms.com

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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In this episode, Jessica talks with therapist and Nurture 19 co-founder Erica Rose Cummings about how she’s disrupting the broken system parents are navigating. From postpartum trauma to creating physical spaces that combine childcare, wellness, and community support, Erica shares what modern parenting could look like when systems actually serve families.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in logistics, this one’s for you.

Main Topics Covered

• Erica’s personal postpartum journey and the birth of Nurture 19
• Why today’s parents are overwhelmed and unsupported
• The emotional and logistical labor of motherhood
• Building physical spaces to support parents
• Financial accessibility and equity-for-membership
• Legal rights and advocacy for working moms
• Creating true community and modern-day villages

Resources Mentioned

• Nurture 19’s crowdfunding on iFundWomen
  
  

Connect with Nurture19

• Website: nurture19.com
• Instagram: @nurture_19_

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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Rachel shares her own journey of rebuilding a social circle after baby #2, plus the low-pressure strategies she's seen work for clients and herself. Whether you're shy, newly relocated, or just tired of being the one who always initiates, this conversation offers real talk and real tools to help you make meaningful mom connections.

Spoiler: You don’t need 10 best friends—just a few people who get it.

Main Topics Covered

• Why making friends after becoming a mom feels harder than it “should”
• The myth of the instant village and what to expect instead
• Social scripts, routines, and “soft invites” that actually build connection
• Tips for navigating mom cliques, story time circles, and nature classes
• Shifting your mindset from “I’m not likable” to “I’m worth knowing”
• The role of therapy in untangling what’s getting in your way
• Building your own community hub (and why it doesn’t need to be fancy)

Resources Mentioned

• Mind Made Well Counseling
• RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association – resolve.org

Connect with Rachel Menge

• Website: mindmadewell.com
• Instagram: @mindmadewell
  
  

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They dive into the key phases of pelvic floor care - from preconception and pregnancy through postpartum recovery - including common myths, how to support your body before birth, and what pushing strategies can make a real difference in labor. Katie shares her personal birth prep journey and what surprised her most about becoming the patient.

Whether you’re planning a pregnancy or already postpartum, this conversation offers practical, empowering info to help you feel stronger, more informed, and less alone.

You can connect with Katie:

• On Instagram at: @atlpelvichealth
• On the web at: www.atlpelvichealth.com

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They explore the realities of fertility treatments, the weight of decision-making, and the stigma that still surrounds infertility. Laura offers insight into the power of education, advocacy, and community—and how her services are helping individuals and couples feel more supported and seen on their fertility journeys.

You can connect with Laura:

• On Instagram at: @navigatingfertilitywithlaura
• On the Web: www.yourpocketfertilitynurse.com

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They dive into why education and support are essential for anyone going through IVF, how success rates are evolving, and what hopeful parents should know when navigating their options. This conversation blends science with heart, offering clarity, compassion, and community.

You can connect with Jessica:

• On Instagram at: @explainingivf

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They explore the importance of community during fertility struggles, how storytelling can foster connection, and why staying grounded in hope matters most during life’s hardest seasons. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on family, perseverance, and the dreams that carry us forward.

You can connect with NaTasha:

• On Instagram at: @cnrproductions8
• On the web at: www.cnatashaproductions.com
• Buy “Married to the Dream” here

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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You can connect with Kendra:

• On Instagram at: @ayoupsychotherapy
• On the web at: aypsych.com
• More on Authentically You Support Groups & Retreats

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They explore the importance of patient advocacy, the impact of trauma in reproductive care, and the need for better support throughout the journey—from infertility to pregnancy and postpartum. Whether you're in the midst of fertility challenges or supporting someone who is, this episode offers validation, hope, and tangible ways to seek more compassionate care.

You can connect with Liz:

• On Instagram at: @infertilityadvocacy
• On the web at: www.maternaltraumasupport.com
• Maternal Trauma Support Directory

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They dive into practical tips for reading dog body language, setting boundaries, and teaching children how to safely interact with dogs. Whether you're navigating life with a new puppy, a growing toddler, or changing family dynamics, this conversation is full of real-world advice for creating a safe and happy household for everyone—fur included.

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They explore how personalized health strategies—grounded in genetic testing and nutritional support—can help women feel more empowered in their health journeys. Whether you're navigating fertility challenges or just curious about how your genes affect your wellness, this conversation offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on reproductive care.  

You can connect with Jaclyn:

• On Instagram at: @functionalgenomics
• On the web at: www.jaclyndowns.com
• Buy Jaclyn’s Book: Enhancing Fertility through Functional Medicine

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and motherhood, the influence of Italian heritage in family life, and the ongoing process of personal growth. Whether you're building a business, raising a family, or dreaming up your next chapter, this episode offers inspiration to lead with purpose.

You can connect with Maria:

• On Instagram at: @mariamooreauthor
• On the web at: www.mariacastelluccimooreauthor.com
• Buy Maria’s books
• Buy Castelluci Napa Valley Wine

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They dive into how Share the Drop is helping build a modern-day village for new parents, covering everything from safety measures and community connections to common myths around donor milk. Whether you’re navigating feeding challenges or passionate about parent-to-parent support, this conversation is both eye-opening and empowering.

You can connect with Kelly:

• On Instagram at: @sharethedrop
• On the web at: www.sharethedrop.com
• More on Feed it Forward: Donate to cover a mama’s membership

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They explore the differences between low- and high-risk pregnancies, the importance of trauma-informed support, and how to advocate for your birth preferences—from labor positions to epidurals. Whether you’re planning a hospital birth or simply exploring your options, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and practical tools for making informed, empowered choices.

You can connect with Megan:

• On Instagram at: @omgmidwives 
• On the web: Megan Belleavia Provider Bio &  Practice Bio 

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They dive into the benefits of seasonal learning, ways to foster curiosity outside, and how Katie’s classes build both community and confidence. Whether you're new to nature-based education or already embracing the outdoors with your kids, this conversation is full of inspiration and practical ideas.

You can connect with Katie:

• On Instagram at: @littlescreativeconnected
• On the web at: ​​www.littlescreativeconnected.com
• More on Nature Classes with Littles Creative & Connected

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They dive into the emotional depth of capturing these moments, the growing normalization of birth photography, and the importance of self-love and storytelling through all types of birth experiences.

You can connect with Lauren:

• On Instagram at: @birthbyhoneybrown
• On the web at: www.chicagobirthphoto.com
• More on Family Photography: www.honeybrownphotography.com

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The conversation touches on mindset, self-compassion, and coaching strategies that actually work. Kelly also shares helpful resources for navigating diagnosis and finding the right support, reminding listeners that patience and understanding are key to thriving with ADHD.

You can connect with Kelly:

• On Instagram at: @kellybaums 
• On TikTok at: @kellybaums
• On the web at: www.kellybaums.com
• More on ADHD Coaching

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

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They discuss the complexities of birth plans, the growing interest in free birth, and the role of doulas in providing education and support. This conversation highlights the importance of personal choice, empowerment, and autonomy in shaping a positive birth experience.

You can connect with Esmeralda:

• On Instagram at: @birthsathome
• On the web at: www.birthsathome.com
• More on The Home Birth Vault: The Ultimate Home Birth Resource

This episode is sponsored by Collabs Creative - a boutique digital marketing company helping small business owners and creatives tell their story.

Follow The Mama Making Podcast on socials on Instagram and Facebook!
Share and subscribe to the podcast: click this link
Watch on YouTube: Click here!