Mondays with Mom

Before the days of LinkedIn and being ghosted by companies' recruiters online, my mom talks about her own work experience during a rural hospital block rotation which was nothing short of wild. Getting super sick, far away from home was definitely not the plan, but it ended up working out in the end and led my mom to her first job. And if all I have to face is some rejection emails, I'm pretty grateful, especially after hearing my mom's stories!———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

Your fiancé is sick in hospital and your future in-laws put you in charge of feeding their pitbulls while they're away. This might be the wildest puppy-sitting story you'll listen to because while the dogs were fine... The house wasn't! A wild case of a puppy party gone wrong, and a surprise workout routine all in one!———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

Mine and Mom's first sailing yacht trip felt like a disaster! While of course we are so blessed to have had the opportunity, it was hard to remember this while feeling sea sick and being flung around the boat by powerful waves!———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

The two of us love our dogs, even when they do some wild things! This week my mom talks about one of her beloved childhood dogs, Pepito and the crazy adventures he got up to in suburbs, the farms, and even the city centre. Pepito was one loyal, loving and adventurous dog who seemed to get himself into all sorts of trouble. And maybe, just maybe, his legacy continues still to this day. ———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

My mom tells us a few stories of a very cranky car that despite many attempts to get rid of it, had a lot of staying power. And maybe certain cars, can build character.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

My mom has been through some crazy times, which if the title is any clue, bring to mind the lines of the classic Nancy Sinatra song "Bang Bang". This week's stories make us think we were never made for the violence of the wild west.... And we're grateful for it! ———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

Picture this: you just got off the bus, and as it drives away you realise you don't have your bag. What would you do? Well we find out just what my mom did in this episode!———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

Hair is an important part of your identity and how you present yourself to the world. So with that in mind, this week's story is all about a certain hair-raising situation in which a Marilyn Monroe costume does not turn out the way it should have. Be careful because this episode may cause you to flip your wig! (metaphorically, of course). ———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

As we just celebrated (Greek) Orthodox Easter, we spoke about two Easter miracles that Mom has experienced that have reinforced and even 'ignited' her faith.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

God communicates in mysterious ways. Now, we're not saying that everything is a sign but we think that the ones Lia experienced definitely were.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

Before Caller I.D and cell phones, there were times you had absolutely no idea who was calling or sometimes even why they were calling. So what did Mom do when a stranger called?———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

You won't be-leaf it but it's true. There was a time when it started raining oranges.... Well, we made it rain. Why? To get back the washing we lost of course!———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

When Mom turned 21, freshly graduated, she got her first physio job at a hospital in South Africa. It was a politically turbulent time and a bit scary too, but this job shaped my Mom into the person she is today.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

Family vacations are always a little bit crazy and this one is no different. Listen to Lia's snow woes and holiday 'events' that made this one so memorable for the whole family. It includes chairs with handcuffs, cute dogs, the tooth fairy and the best hot chocolate we've ever had!———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

You're stressed, you're anxious, you're on a time crunch and you cannot get that twist cap off your cold drink- crisis! So what would you do? Listen and find out what Lia did in this exact scenario (with a few tangents and side stories along the way because we can't help ourselves).———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

We’re going back down familiar roads and discussing Lia’s previous car troubles- from broken mirrors to faulty window wipers and even Tarzan is involved…. It’s a wheelie good time you won’t want to miss!———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

After multiple cancellations and rain-checks, the long-awaited and dreaded first date finally happened. Did George impress Lia? Has dating etiquette changed over the years? Listen along to find out!———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

To celebrate the month of love and Valentine's day, this episode is all about what happened after the quiz evening. Will George ask Lia on a date? Or is he just not that into her? This week we talk about my Mom's dating life after her divorce and lessons in love.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

Following my mom, Lia's encounter with Colin last episode, this week's story features another unexpected encounter that followed soon after. The story of how Lia met George (my stepdad) is not a conventional love story but it is one worth sharing.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

We’ve all experienced car trouble.While navigating a tough divorce, caring for two young kids, and generally feeling done-in by life, my mom was rear-ended multiple times while stopped at red lights, with one accident leaving her car in need of serious repairs. That’s when an angel appeared… not with wings, but very much in disguise.
———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

It’s the start of a new week and that means a new episode, although this one is a bit different because it’s actually Jo-less! My mom recorded this with my sister Tina while visiter her in London last year and what resulted was a lot of Jo slander and some very funny stories about what makes Tina and I so different- our varying athletic ability (I mean Tina outran, out swam and outsports-ed me in every way and that’s no longer a secret 🤣) Special thanks to Tina for being a great stand-in co-host. 
———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

This week we're talking about how my mom chose to study physiotherapy and I bet you've never heard of this degree-picking method before! It definitely takes colour-analysis to a higher (education) level. Thankfully,although the method was questionable my mom found a career she was passionate about and which suited her well.___Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

When a stranger asks you for your car keys, what do you do? Well, if you’re my mom…. You give them the keys of course! Now before you go accusing us of having a faulty moral engine, pump the brakes. These stories might just shift your gears and remind you not to judge a book by its cover, or not to judge a car by its wheels (okay, I may have just made that one up). In any case, this week’s theme is all about not being so quick to judge others because there is actually a lot of good out there if you’ve got the right outlook. This week’s episode is all about slowing down on snap judgements and realising there’s a lot of good out there in the world than we often expect— and often times that good will find you if you’re willing to change your perspective and enjoy the ride.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

Happy New Year! We’re kicking off 2026 with a bang— with the story about a very good boy 🐾.With the adopt-aversary of my mom’s favorite "grandson" (aka my sister’s dog, Miki) right around the corner, we’re sharing his story and how mom unexpectedly bonded with the little boy despite some resistance on her part. As anyone knows, it's always the ones who swore they'd never get attached that seem to love our pets the hardest. This episode is extra special because my sister Tina joins us too, so you get all sides of the story.
———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

Since it’s still officially the season of giving, mom decided to tell me a story of how she received a very special gift from a friend at a time when she was going through a divorce, trying to pay her bills and look after me and my sister. We also talk about how we talk to God and how he makes his presence known not only through signs but through the people in our lives as well.
———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! So it only felt right that in this episode we get extra jolly and talk about some of our favourite Christmas memories; our ultra-girly Christmas tree that my mom put together as a single mom and how she created the ultimate Christmas memories for me and my sister (and maybe the other neighbourhood kids too), along with the magic of the Christmas spirit. Of course, we also chat about my mom’s annoyance with Father Christmas, Santa Claus, or Saint Basil (the man goes by a lot of names) over a meerkat! So make yourself some hot chocolate, get cozy and settle in for a fun episode about some of our holiday memories.Happy holidays from Jo & Lia <3———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

This week on Mondays with Mom, we’re joined by a very special guest (our first ever guest)— Aliki, my stepsister and my mom’s stepdaughter! Mom shares stories of meeting Aliki for the first time, her attempts to get on her good side, and the extra mischief Aliki brought into our lives (as well as the trouble all us sisters caused together). Somewhere along the way, Aliki may have also saved Mom’s life once… or twice… or maybe more. Our stepfamily life is a little bit chaotic, but it’s also full of gratitude, laughter, and the kind of stories that make it all worthwhile.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

This week, things get a little more real. My mom opens up about losing my γιαγιά (grandmother) (A.K.A her mom) and the honest, messy, sometimes funny search she went on to find a sign that γιαγιά was okay. That search ended up taking her places she didn’t expect… including a visit to a psychic. It wasn’t all straightforward— there were weird moments, a whole lot of sign searching, and even a few laughs.It’s a conversation about grief, faith, and the strange things we do to find out if the people we love are at peace. ———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise Pro
Cover Art by Jo Piagalis

Passengers, this is your podcast co-host speaking.We’d like to inform you that we have a lineup of thrilling and hilarious airplane stories ready for your in-pod entertainment. Please keep your seatbelts fastened at all times as we take off into a turbulent sky of outrageous, unbelievable, and yet real airplane stories; sudden bursts of laughter may cause unexpected mid-air snorting. In the unlikely event that you don’t enjoy yourself… well, that’s unlikely.Thank you for choosing to listen to the chaotic tales of Mondays with Mom. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

This week’s episode builds on last week’s theme of lost and found but with a whole new embarrassing twist… it’s about a time I messed up- badly. And the lengths my mom went to to undo the damage! As usual, when it comes to my mom, hilarity ensues and it’s something luckily that we can laugh about now (doesn’t stop me from cringing whenever I think about it though!)We learn that mistakes happen, and maybe it’s always best to double check things before you leave the hotel. ———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

In this episode, we go back to 2009! My mom talks about the time she lost my sister at the airport, and then how she rescued her Hollywood–style by hijacking the announcement intercom! We also get into why we were at the airport in the first place, including the small detail of my mom sabotaging my Greece camp application (spoiler: I still went). This story really sounds like the plot of an action movie blockbuster in the making!———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProCover Art by Jo Piagalis

They say the spa is all about relaxation… unless you’re my mom! In this episode, she shares her laugh-out-loud stories of massages gone wrong, awkward encounters, and her not-so-soothing attempts at self-care. Grab your gown/ robe, settle in, and get ready to laugh through every hilarious mishap.
———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise Pro

Mom’s back with another unforgettable story — this time about standing up to bullies, finding her strength, and laughing through it all. I’ve always said my mom, Lia, is one of the strongest, most independent women I know, and this week’s story proves exactly why. In this episode, my mom tells us about when she had to stand up to some neighborhood bullies while raising two kids on her own, with a few unexpected (but technically related) side stories thrown in (because with my mom, there always are!).———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise Pro

In this episode of Mondays with Mom, we dive into a hilarious and memorable story from my mom's past. She shares how she got her perfect date-night outfit sorted (without breaking the bank) complete with a DIY fix for moth-eaten heels using a permanent marker! But things take a wild turn when a wardrobe malfunction leads to a laugh-out-loud moment involving her pantyhose and a dance floor mishap with another woman's husband! Join us as we celebrate the charm of fashion on a budget, and laugh together over wardrobe malfunctions that lead to unforgettable memories.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise Pro

Happy Monday everyone! You ever plan something out so meticulously and yet still things go off the rails? Maybe a friend predicted your future but it went against your life plan so you got rid of any and all evidence before you could verify whether the predictions were correct.... Or maybe that last one is just my mom!For our second episode, my mom delves into the story of how the life she planned for herself, specifically her love life, did NOT go entirely according to plan, despite all her best efforts. We also chat about her 'ideal partner' checklist and why things aren't so black and white when planning your future.___Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise ProEpisode Cover Art by Jo Piagalis

Welcome to the very first episode of Mondays with Mom! I’m your host, Jo, and I’m so excited to introduce you to my amazing mom, Lia.In our podcast debut, we cover a bit of everything! My mom tells me how her parents (my grandparents) ended up in South Africa, shares a few childhood memories growing up there with a big Greek family, and talks about her early dreams of motherhood.We also talk about her faith, what it’s meant to her over the years, and how she helped guide us (her kids) in building a relationship with God too.My mom has always dreamed of sharing her life story and I’m so happy to finally share it with you. We hope you’ll stick around for the journey because there’s so much more to come.———Intro/ Outro Music by Roads- “Moments I Have With You” licensed from Tribe of Noise Pro