MomCast
by Local Moms Network
Hey moms, have you ever wanted to feel more seen and supported? This is MomCast, powered by the Local Moms Network. I'm Demetra Ganias, a host, a writer, a mom of three...and I am in it, just like you. I'm comfortable having the uncomfortable conversations about motherhood, so I'll ask the questions you're already thinking. Together, we'll talk to the best experts and most relatable moms for their take on this incredible, yet sometimes impossible, role. We'll raise questions, find some answers, share a lot of laughs, and likely even some tears. And we'll do it together. The good news, nothing's out of bounds here. We'll build a safe space to discover, share, and grow. Because when we know better, we do better. Let's throw perfect aside for the sake of good enough, because all our kids really need is us - to do the best we can. Come join our community, follow us now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your shows.
Episodes
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Ep. 94 - Banish the Bully in Your Brain with Dr. Betsy Holmberg
Moms, don’t believe everything you think! Neuroscience proves that the critical voice in your head, or that of your child, is just a default mode-and knowing this can be life changing. In this encore episode, psychologist Dr. Betsy Holmberg, author of Unkind Mind, teaches us how to flip the…
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Ep. 93 - Make Your Dream Happen in the Midst of Motherhood with Sophie Chen Keller
Moms, if you have ever doubted that your professional dreams could coexist beside motherhood, this episode of MomCast is a showstopper! We’re joined by Sophie Chen Keller, bestselling author of Little Wonder. She knows exactly what it means to devote yourself to your children and your career...
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Ep. 92 - Modern Manners, Motherhood & Reality TV with Myka Meier
Moms, before our kids can even talk, we’re drilling the words “please” and “thank you” into their heads. But etiquette goes so far beyond just being polite or using the right fork…so what matters and what can we let go of? Etiquette expert Myka Meier is on MomCast with all the answers! Myka is...
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Ep. 91 - Chapters of Motherhood: Own the Plot Twist! with Zibby Owens
Moms, which chapter of motherhood are you in? Wherever you are, let it change you and teach you because it’s all going to change anyway. Zibby Owens is the author of the new book “Between Chapters,” a celebration of how we evolve. And she knows this journey well! Ten years ago she was a stay at...
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Ep. 90 - Dr. Shefali says "Stop Doing Too Much For Your Kids!"
It's our Season 3 Premiere! Moms, if you worry you’re not doing enough for your kids, it’s more likely you’re doing too much! Today we chat with renowned parenting expert and psychologist Dr. Shefali. She throws out our “fixing” instincts: rescuing kids from discomfort, over-managing emotions…
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SUMMER SIZZLER: Vaccines, Puberty & Mom's Mental Health with Dr. Mona Amin of PedsDocTalk
Moms, we have so many partners in raising our kids and one of the most trusted should be our pediatrician. Today, we sit down with Dr. Mona Amin, the pediatrician millions of parents turn to on social media for clear, credible answers about our children’s health. Known for her no-nonsense,...
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SUMMER SIZZLER: Real Talk with Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt
Moms, it’s so fun to meet a celebrity and find she’s as warm and relatable as we’d hoped. We know you’ll think so too! In today’s episode, we sit down with the incredible Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt. A New York Times bestselling author, Katherine gave birth to her third baby and children’s…
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SUMMER SIZZLER: Only Not Lonely: Celebrating the One-Child Family with Shannon Eng
Moms, only you know when your family is complete. Deciding how many children to have is a deeply personal decision, and frankly, one that requires no approval from family and friends. Yet, judgement abounds… That’s why Shannon Eng, a California-based mom, created the platform Only, Not Lonely…
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Summer Sizzler: Build Grit, Goals & Great Kids Through Sports with Jonathan Carone of Healthy Sports Parents
Moms, there’s no topic more popular amongst parents than sports! From the hectic schedules, to expensive equipment, and demanding travel, we pour a LOT into our kids’ athletics. Why? Well, we love watching our kids compete. But we’re also investing in our relationship with our kids and the future...
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SUMMER SIZZLER: Secrets of Elite College Applications with Kate Stone
Moms, if the thought of the college admissions process feels either overwhelming or confusing (or both), Kate Stone of Kate Stone Prep has answers. Her team mentor students all over the world to crack the code on college admissions. From essays to application strategy, Kate breaks through the…
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Ep. 84 - Finding Me Again: Reflections on Wellness, Divorce & Alcohol with Amanda Vlastas
Moms, we all get swallowed up by motherhood sometimes, right? It takes practice and intention to create space for both of our identities: woman and mother. Today, we sit down with one of our own moms, Amanda Vlastas, who curates the site West University Moms, in Houston, Texas. Amanda has been…
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Ep. 83 - Solving Secondary Infertility at ESSE Care with Dr. Karli Provost Goldstein and Dr. Leigh Goldstein
Moms, there’s something so frustrating and scary about secondary infertility. If you’ve had a baby once, it’s easy to spiral about all the reasons you’re not getting pregnant again. Before you panic, it’s time to learn more about your body. Joining us once again are two experts in gynecologic…
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Ep. 82 - Big Ambition, Bold Motherhood & Courageous Kids with Gloria Harrison-Hall
Moms, we don’t need anyone to greenlight our dreams. It’s a message that’s just as powerful for us as it is for our children and our guest will make you believe it! Gloria Harrison-Hall is an Emmy-nominated producer who has spent two decades in television. Today, she serves as Executive Producer…
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Ep. 81 - Safety & Freedom from Little Bird: A Wearable that Works! With Founder Monica Plath
Moms, imagine knowing exactly where your child is all the time but still allowing them freedom to roam and play without restriction. It’s possible with Little Bird! Little Bird is a wearable that offers on-demand location alerts and so much more. Joining us on MomCast is founder and mom of two...
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Ep. 80 - Calm Your Nervous System & Beat Burnout with Dr. Jennifer Okwerekwu
Moms, feeling frazzled is not mandatory in motherhood. It’s true! If your body and brain are screaming “burnout” but you don’t know how to break free, Dr. Jennifer Okwerekwu is your saving grace. Dr. O, as we affectionately call her, is a reproductive psychiatrist who supports women from before…
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Ep. 79 - Finding Calm, Clarity & Confidence with Kelly Rutherford
Moms, today we sit down with an iconic mom-both in real life and in fiction. Actress Kelly Rutherford, best known for her role as Lily van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, opens up about raising her own two teens and creating space for independence, trust, and meaningful connection with them. Kelly is...
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Ep. 78 - Sobriety, Showing Up & a Strong Marriage with Jon Gustin, The Tired Dad
Moms, if there’s one word that describes all of us, it’s tired. Dads are tired too. Our guest on MomCast this week is Jon Gustin, aka the Tired Dad. He’s the guy on Instagram who pours coffee and shares his journey through sobriety with more than a million followers. Now, he’s an author of The...
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Ep. 77 - Financial Planning for Children with a Disability: Two J.P. Morgan Moms Share their Personal Experience
Moms, so much of parenthood is planning…from what to feed our children, to where they should go to school, and ultimately, how to prepare them to leave home and start their own lives. For parents of a child with a disability, these layers are more complex because they include decisions about...
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Ep. 76 - TLMN Announces Mule Media with Erika Badan
Moms, we have an incredible announcement to share! The Local Moms Network is transforming the way we support you through every stage of your life. Announcing Mule Media, a company that emboldens us through ambition, marriage, parenting, career pivots, and second acts. Our CEO Layla Lisiewski is...
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Ep. 75 - Shift Your Stress, Mindset & Body Image with Dr. Rachel Goldman
Moms, the hamster wheel of stress and burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable. Let’s change it together! No hacks today. Clinical psychologist and author Dr. Rachel Goldman walks us through small, sustainable changes for feeling stronger and getting unstuck. Drawing from her new book When Life...
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Ep. 74 - How to Claim Your Confidence with Lydia Fenet
Moms, it’s time to live the life you want. And our guest makes us believe we have the guts to make it happen! Lydia Fenet is a mom of three and a world renowned auctioneer who founded the Lydia Fenet Agency. Confidence is truly her brand; Claim Your Confidence is the title of both her book and...
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Ep. 73 - The Myth of the Perfect Mom with Erin Schlozman
Moms, when did you first feel the pressure to be the perfect mother? We all carry a laundry list of to-do’s and obligations that come with this role…but aspiring to be “perfect” can lead to a crippling whisper that tells us we’ll never be enough. Let’s be done with it! The Myth of the Perfect Mom...
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Ep. 72 - Spot the Signs of Emotional Struggle & What to Do About It: Sissy Goff and David Thomas
Moms, parenting tweens and teens can be downright confusing. Some behaviors are developmentally normal—yet those same behaviors can also signal that it’s time to step in. Today’s guests, Sissy Goff and David Thomas, are experts at helping parents understand the difference. Both are licensed...
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Ep. 71 - Embrace the Shocking Moments in Motherhood: Lauren Garcia of The San Antonio Moms Network
Moms, nothing unlocks the emotions of the human experience like motherhood. All the cliches ring true; it’s a rollercoaster, a whirlwind… This week’s guest puts words to these feelings in such a poignant way…and she’s one of our own! Lauren Garcia is curator of The San Antonio Moms Network, one…
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Ep. 70 - Don't Do It All-Delegate! With Jomboy Media CEO Courtney Hirsch
Moms, we all seem to have collectively embraced the idea that we don’t have to “do it all.” But once we let go of that myth, what do we actually delegate? And how do we outsource without guilt or micromanaging? Our guest this week is Courtney Hirsch, CEO of Jomboy Media, a creator-led sports…
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Ep. 69 - Is This Normal? Advice From First Period to Perimenopause From the Experts at ESSE Care
Moms, imagine this: your daughter is riding the rollercoaster of puberty while you’re navigating perimenopause. Sound familiar? This episode takes us headfirst into the wild world of hormones equipped with the absolute best information. We welcome back two powerhouse experts in gynecologic care:...
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Ep. 68 - Is Genetic Testing Right For You? Genetic Counselor Kira Dineen on Carrier Screening, Chromosomes & Conception
Moms, information is power. And when it comes to pregnancy, each woman decides how much genetic information she wants to know. Whether you’re convinced of its value, or just curious about what it entails, this episode explains genetic testing before and during pregnancy. Our guest is Prenatal...
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Ep. 67 - Struggling with a Strong-Willed Child? Find Connection Over Control with Kirk Martin
Moms, there’s no shame if we need help connecting with our kids. After all, building a relationship isn’t intuitive—it takes work. Kirk Martin, a dad and founder of the Celebrating Calm platform, has helped thousands of parents build strong relationships with their children. Spoiler: the strategy...
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Ep. 66 - The New Food Pyramid and Why Fiber is the New Protein with Stefani Sassos of Good Housekeeping
Moms, feeding our kids can feel like a full-time job and just when we think we’ve got it figured out, the rules change. With the government rolling out an updated food pyramid, it’s no wonder we’re curious about what actually matters. We’ve got you! Registered dietitian Stefani Sassos joins us…
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Ep. 65 - Celebrity Feuds, Facial Recs & Parenting Fears: Behind the Headlines with People’s Andrea Lavinthal
Moms, what happens when you mix celebrity news, mom-group gossip, and real talk about covering stubborn grey hair? You get a must-listen episode with People’s Andrea Lavinthal. We sat down with the media executive and mom of two for a hilarious, honest conversation that feels like the ultimate...
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Ep. 64 - How to Stop Yelling At Your Kids: Strategies to Model Respect & Build Cooperation with Celia Kibler
Moms, the childhood you create for your kids shapes who they become. It’s an enormous responsibility, right! It forces us to look at our own triggers and insecurities and do better. Our guest is Celia Kibler, a parenting expert and creator of the Be A Better Parent App. A mother of 5 kids in a...
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Ep. 63 - An Expert Guide to Getting Pregnant...Again: Dr. Lucky Sekhon Shares Breakthroughs for Secondary Infertility
Moms, if you’re trying to get pregnant again and it’s just not happening, you’re not alone—and it can be scary. You might even feel like your body is betraying you, because you’ve conceived and delivered before. Enter Dr. Lucky Sekhon. She’s a double board-certified OB-GYN and fertility…
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Ep. 62 - Vaccines, Puberty & Mom's Mental Health with Dr. Mona Amin of PedsDocTalk
Moms, we have so many partners in raising our kids and one of the most trusted should be our pediatrician. Today, we sit down with Dr. Mona Amin, the pediatrician millions of parents turn to on social media for clear, credible answers about our children’s health. Known for her no-nonsense,...
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Ep. 61 - How's Your Marriage Really Doing? Jocelyn Freeman Helps us Build Connection & Resolve Conflict
Moms, be honest…how’s your relationship going? In today’s MomCast, we’re steping back from the day-to-day of mom life and dive into something just as important (if not more!): our marriages. We spend so much energy on parenting that our partnerships can easily slip to the bottom of the priority...
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Ep. 60 - Only Not Lonely: Celebrating the One-Child Family with Shannon Eng
Moms, only you know when your family is complete. Deciding how many children to have is a deeply personal decision, and frankly, one that requires no approval from family and friends. Yet, judgement abounds… That’s why Shannon Eng, a California-based mom, created the platform Only, Not Lonely…
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Ep. 59 - High-Tech Healing for Endometriosis & Infertility: ESSE Care Takes Us Behind the Breakthroughs
Moms, we get it…there are moments in motherhood when we put ourselves last but ignoring health concerns is never ok. In fact, suffering in silence is dangerous; symptoms like painful periods, chronic fatigue, and pelvic pressure need attention. Dr. Karlie Provost Goldstein and Dr. Leigh Rosen are...
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Ep. 58 - How to Stay Calm...ish This Holiday Season: Niro Feliciano Helps Us Feel Less Frantic & More Festive
Moms, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are magical and exciting. This season can also be overwhelming when the to-do list includes decorating, gift buying, hosting, baking and more. Add on the demanding relationships with family and travel…it’s no wonder we can feel depleted...
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Ep. 57 - Real Talk with Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt: The Author Opens Up About Motherhood, Marriage & Meditation
Moms, it’s so fun to meet a celebrity and find she’s as warm and relatable as we’d hoped. We know you’ll think so too! In today’s episode, we sit down with the incredible Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt. A New York Times bestselling author, Katherine gave birth to her third baby and children’s…
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Ep. 56 - Stay-at-Home Motherhood's PR Makeover: Author Neha Ruch Tosses Outdated Labels & Makes Room for Ambition
The stereotype of the stay-at-home mom is finally getting a rebrand thanks to Neha Ruch. A mom of two, Neha leapt onto the national stage with her bestseller “The Power Pause,” a primer for ambitious mothers leaning into family life. This success, she says, didn’t happen overnight; she planted...
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Ep. 55 - Parenting Playbook: Build Grit, Goals & Great Kids Through Sports with Jonathan Carone of Healthy Sports Parents
Moms, there’s no topic more popular amongst parents than sports! From the hectic schedules, to expensive equipment, and demanding travel, we pour a LOT into our kids’ athletics. Why? Well, we love watching our kids compete. But we’re also investing in our relationship with our kids and the future...
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Ep. 54 - Banish the Bully in Your Brain: Dr. Betsy Holmberg on How to Silence the Unkind Mind
Moms, don’t believe everything you think! Neuroscience proves that the critical voice in your head, or that of your child, is just a default mode-and knowing this can be life changing. Our guest today is psychologist Dr. Betsy Holmberg, author of Unkind Mind, who teaches us how to flip the switch...
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Ep. 53 - Raise Your Standards & Create New Dreams: Actor Brooke Lyons Parts Ways with Her Pick-Me Era
Moms, if you’re questioning the power of a motherhood renaissance, Brooke Lyons is proof that it’s empowering and alluring. Having lived in Hollywood for 20+ years, the actor and mother of two has officially ended her pick-me era. Brooke is trading in the titles of “low maintenance” and…
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Ep. 52 - Secrets of Elite College Applications: Kate Stone on the New Model for Becoming Unstoppable
Moms, if the thought of the college admissions process feels either overwhelming or confusing (or both), we’ve got answers! This week on MomCast, we sit down with Kate Stone of Kate Stone Prep. While her team is based in Fairfield County, CT, they mentor students all over the world to crack the...
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Ep. 51 - Invest Like a Mother: How to Grow Wealth, Fund College & Teach Kids to Save
Moms, we are so far beyond the days of money being taboo. We are the CFO’s (Chief Financial Officers) of our families and we need to talk about money MORE. MomCast asked our listeners for some of your most pressing financial questions -and we found answers! Bridget Wyatt and Lindsay Sabel are...
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Ep. 50 - Forget Perfect, Just Get it Done! Our CEO Layla Lisiewski on Raising a Family & Building a Business
Moms, there is no one better to kick off Season 2 of MomCast than the CEO of The Local Moms Network Layla Lisiewski! When Layla became a mom, she couldn’t find the mom community she craved so she built one. Ten years later, her company is comprised of 100+ moms in suburbs across 30 states, each...
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Ep. 46 - Motherhood at 50! How Egg Donation Led to a Miracle Baby for Frances Largeman-Roth
Moms, how did you know you were done having kids? Or maybe you’re still deciding if your family is complete. Truth is, there is no one who can answer that question but you. Frances Largeman-Roth had three kids in her 30’s, along with a booming career as a registered dietician nutritionist, an...
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Ep. 45 - Ereka Vetrini Talks Food, Family & Following Your Passion
Moms, if you have a passion for something, don’t let anything get in the way of sharing it! That’s the advice of Ereka Vetrini, a foodie turned recipe creator whose personality, and warmth helped her surpass a million followers on Instagram over the last year! Gen X and Millennials probably...
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Ep. 44 - Baby Led Weaning 101: Dr. Krupa Playforth on Starting Solids and Feeding Growing Kids with Confidence
Moms, feeding our kids can be the most basic and most mind-boggling task we have as parents. What seems simple and intuitive can be stressful! After all, our approach and habits literally teach a child how to eat. Exclusive breastfeeding or introducing foods? When do we start foods? Purees or...
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Ep. 43 - Breaking Away from Toxic Achievement Culture with Jennifer Breheny Wallace
Moms, this may be controversial, but it’s a fact: pushing a child to succeed can put their mental health at risk. It’s all outlined by Jennifer Breheny Wallace in her breakthrough book Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It. Today’s episode is a wake-up...
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Ep. 42 - Teenagers, Pausing Time & IG Trends I Had to Try - Host Demetra Soterakis in Solo Episode #4
Moms, I have a teenager! All the cheesy cliches feel so appropriate right now (Time has wings! They grow up so fast! Blink and they’re big!). In fact, all three of my kids have summer birthdays so it’s a reflective season. Learning to be a better mom hasn’t been easy, but I’m here and I’m wiser....
About this show
Hey moms, have you ever wanted to feel more seen and supported? This is MomCast, powered by the Local Moms Network. I'm Demetra Ganias, a host, a writer, a mom of three...and I am in it, just like you. I'm comfortable having the uncomfortable conversations about motherhood, so I'll ask the questions you're already thinking. Together, we'll talk to the best experts and most relatable moms for their take on this incredible, yet sometimes impossible, role. We'll raise questions, find some answers, share a lot of laughs, and likely even some tears. And we'll do it together. The good news, nothing's out of bounds here. We'll build a safe space to discover, share, and grow. Because when we know better, we do better. Let's throw perfect aside for the sake of good enough, because all our kids really need is us - to do the best we can. Come join our community, follow us now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your shows.
Hosted by
Local Moms Network