Good Moms

I'm joined by friend of the pod, Zara Hanawalt to talk all things motherhood, pop culture, and social media. We talk about how hard it is to fit motherhood into one extreme or another, despite what social media often wants moms to do. We talk about 4am mommy influencers vs the rest of us,  finding time for a social life, and dive into the millennial mom group drama, wondering if there is a place for friendship amid differing political opinions. Zara is a mom of twins and a freelance journalist covering motherhood, women's health, and culture. She has written for outlets like the New York Times for Kids, Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Parents, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, and many others. She's passionate about leading conversations about the state of motherhood in the United States. Zara has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Connect with Zara on Instagram and TikTokIf you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

What happens when the generation that was told we could “have it all” becomes mothers? In this episode of The Good Moms Podcast, I sit down with Allie McQuaid, a licensed professional counselor and certified perinatal mental health specialist, known on Instagram as @millennialmomtherapist.Allie has spent over a decade helping children and families and now focuses on supporting moms through the emotional weight of modern motherhood. Together, we talk about millennial mom rage, gentle parenting vs. FAFO Gen X styles, and the gap between the adulthood we were promised and the reality of raising kids today.Allie opens up about her own experience starting her business through pregnancy and postpartum during the pandemic, and shares how therapy, community, and self-compassion can help moms navigate this messy, beautiful season.We talk about our favorite comfort movies and tv shows, music and all things nostalgia. If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

As a surprise to no one, moms are leaving the workforce. A recent article by The Washington Post details how working moms, who helped get the economy back on its feet after the pandemic, are now leaving the workforce because, essentially, they haven’t been given any options to stay by their employers.Return to work policies, layoffs, and the good ol' motherhood penalty all play systematic roles in a mother's decision to leave the workforce. But what happens when the cards are stacked against you and you can't leave?  In this episode of Good Moms, I sit down with Kaleana Quibell, Founder of Both & Co., a platform dedicated to helping parents navigate career transitions and advocating for more flexible, supportive workplaces. We talk about her bold pivot from Corporate America into consulting, how moms can find more freedom, balance, and fulfillment in their careers, and the steps to take along the way.Previously the VP of Wellbeing at Sequoia, Kaleana built and scaled employer wellbeing programs for some of the most innovative companies in the world. Today, she works as a go-to-market strategist for companies selling into the employer channel, leveraging her decade of experience in benefits, wellbeing, and HR strategy.Together, we explore the realities of leaving corporate life, starting a consulting business, and the benefits of schedule flexibility. If you’ve ever wondered how moms successfully transition from office jobs to consulting, create flexible careers, or build businesses that work for both family and professional growth, this episode is for you.Follow Kaleana on Instagram @bothand.coIf you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

Today is a solo episode, moms, and I'm dying on some hills today. I saw a post the other day about someone who quote "felt sorry for moms who make motherhood their entire identity" and frankly, I'm tired of the judgment. Because a mom's identity IS questioned the minute we become moms, so yes, we know we are battling this. We frankly don't have the time it takes to pursue interests and passions RIGHT NOW, but that honestly does not mean we don't have any. Not to mention that when we do pursue something (which GOD FORBID we do), we get shamed for it. It's a lose-lose situation that is unfair to generalize. I talk about how straight up FOGGY my mom brain has been lately, and, as a surprise to literally no one, get on my soap box once again about why return-to-office mandates feel like a direct hit to working moms everywhere.And honestly, if there every was a villain origin story, this might be mine.If you’ve ever felt unseen, shamed, or just plain exhausted by the expectations of modern motherhood, this one’s for you. And if you're not following along on Instagram, may I humbly suggest joining in on these convos? We talk about all these things and more in real time. So follow along and join the party. If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

If only I could clone myself…how many times have we all wished that? Enter Kelly Hubbell…Kelly helps moms find relief from the mental load through home systems and household support. Because don’t we all deserve that?Kelly is a mom of three and house manager expert. She helps families reclaim their time and energy by building their village and outsourcing the mental load.On today’s episode, I chat with Kelly about her company Sage Haus and how she’s helping families lighten the load at home and finally find a productive solution to the very things that are leading to overwhelm and burnout at home. We talk about Kelly’s journey to entrepreneurship, which includes her version of Eve Rodsky's “Shit I Do” list, how mom guilt played a role in the creation of Sage Haus, identity shifts in motherhood, and of course, how she reclaimed her time with household support. Find the support you need at sagehaus.com. Follow Kelly on Instagram at @mysagehaus and on LinkedIn as Kelly HubellIf you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

If you’ve ever wanted to feel validated in your motherhood this episode is for you!In today’s episode, I'm baring it all with the creator of the “Type C Mom” Ashleigh Surratt. Ashleigh’s “Type C Mom” reels have gone viral on TikTok and Instagram, and have appealed specifically to us fellow Type C moms who (finally!) feel like someone gets us.During our conversation, Ashleigh breaks down what being a Type C mom really looks like, and the guilt that comes along with it. She candidly shares how therapy has helped her reframe her mindset when mom guilt starts to set in, and together we talk about the value in altering your outlook and perspective.We get really real about screen time, how we use it and how (gasp!) it can sometimes be a positive tool. Buckle up, ladies, because this is the most unfiltered episode yet!Ashleigh Surratt is a writer, speaker & content creator behind the viral Type C Mom series. With a gift for blending humor, faith, and honest glimpses of motherhood, she helps overwhelmed moms feel seen, laugh more, and loosen the grip of perfection. When she’s not wrangling her three young kids, Ashleigh is encouraging women to embrace the chaos, live deeply, and find God in the everyday mess. You can follow her @AshleighSurrattFollow Ashleigh on social media @AshleighSurrattIf you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

In today’s episode, Dr. Lawren Honken and I talk about our experiences with postpartum anxiety, including fear, intrusive thoughts, and loss of control as new moms. Dr. Honken candidly shares what postpartum anxiety looked like for her when she first became a mom and her journey into motherhood. She also shares what postpartum depression can look like for many women, outlining options and resources for moms to advocate for themselves and take care of their mental health. In addition to being a mom of 3 and an OBGYN, Dr. Honken has also amassed a following on social media with her platform Your Friend the OBGYN. We talk about her what her days look like creating content for her platforms, as well as what she likes to do during her off time. Dr. Lawren Honken is a wife, mom of 3, and a board certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist currently practicing in the Southeastern US. She is also a Certified Menopause Practitioner and is completing a fellowship in Integrative Health. She serves her patients as a trusted resource, providing medical education online while advocating for patient autonomy and informed consent. Her goal is to simplify difficult concepts in women’s health and for those interacting with her online to feel they have a friend who is also an Ob/Gyn.You can follow Dr. Honken on social media at @yourfriendtheobgynIf you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

In an effort to shed light on vital issues affecting moms, today’s episode focuses on pregnancy loss and miscarriage. According to the National Institutes of Health, miscarriage is the most common complication of pregnancy in the United States, occurring in 15–20% of clinically-recognized pregnancies.This is a heartbreaking and highly sensitive topic, and one that is extremely triggering for many. I would like to recognize the emotional impact that that this episode may have, and if you or someone you know have suffered from pregnancy loss, please know that my heart is with you.My guest today is Dr. Fatima Daoud Yilmaz. Dr. Daoud Yilmaz is a board-certified OB/GYN practicing full-scope obstetrics and gynecology in New York. When she’s not seeing patients or teaching medical trainees, she enjoys medical myth-busting on social media as well as spending time with her family. In this episode, Dr. Daoud explains what miscarriage is and provides information from a medical professional's perspective on pregnancy loss. She answers questions that Good Moms listeners have written in about, shares her journey into motherhood, and talks about medical optimization and the importance of patient advocacy.You can follow Dr. Daoud on social media @doctordaoud.If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

1 in 100,000 people are affected by listeria. But did you know that pregnant persons are 10x more likely to contract the food-borne illness?In this first episode of this month’s Maternal Health Month series, I speak with Dr. Caledonia Buckheit about her very personal experience contracting listeria at 27 weeks pregnant. In a candid conversation about listeria and birth trauma, Dr. Buckheit walks us through what those days in the hospital felt like for her, her traumatic birth via C-section at 27 weeks, her daughter's subsequent stay in the NICU, and her return to residency.Dr. Buckheit shares her advice on how to approach conversations regarding birth trauma, and we talk about the value of "potato time" during a mom's sacred hour after bedtime. Dr. Caledonia Buckheit is a board-certified OB/GYN and Fellow of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a full-time generalist and partner physician at Kamm McKenzie OB/GYN, the busiest private OB/GYN practice in Raleigh, North Carolina. Originally from Maine, she earned her medical degree from Dartmouth and completed her residency at Duke University, where she received the award for excellence in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery—twice.Dr. Buckheit is passionate about supporting women through all stages of life. She is especially committed to promoting safe, healthy birth and takes pride in maintaining a low cesarean section rate. Her clinical interests also include menopause care, pain management for in-office procedures, and minimally invasive surgery.Outside of work, she enjoys life in Raleigh with her husband and two daughters, along with a lively backyard full of chickens and garden beds.Follow Dr. Caledonia Buckheit on Instagram and TikTok at @calibmd If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

Raise your hand if you have ever felt like a shell of a person after becoming a mom 🙋‍♀️I know I have.Motherhood can be lonely. With childcare, work, and general life responsibilities, it can be too easy to get lost in motherhood and forget who we are. So how do we start to find ourselves? Or rather, are our former versions of ourselves still to be found? Today I talk with Leadership Coach Jen Gagnon about burnout, how easy it is to lose yourself in motherhood, and how she helps moms reclaim their identity to find purpose and passion.Jen is a certified leadership coach dedicated to helping women confidently navigate career and motherhood without burning out.As a corporate working mom herself, she understand the unique challenges that come with juggling both professional and personal responsibilities.She believes that women don’t have to choose between being a great mom and having a fulfilling career, and they can do so without sacrificing their well-being.You can follow Jen on social media @leadwithjen.If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

There is nothing that I love more than a conversation about my two favorite topics: pop culture and motherhood. Today I'm sitting down with freelance journalist Zara Hanawalt to talk about her journey into women's journalism and writing about issues central to motherhood.We talk about Ellen Pompeo's episode on the Call Her Daddy Podcast and some takeaways that we got from listening in, such as a mother’s evolution after motherhood and identity reconciliation. Zara shares what evolving in motherhood looks like for her and why she believes the superhero narrative is flawed.We also talk about the motherhood penalty, the importance of self-autonomy and workplace flexibility. Zara discusses her non-negotiables when it comes to work schedules, and what she stands firm on at home to prioritize herself.Finally, Zara shares the ways in which celebrities positively contribute to conversations about motherhood. We talk about our love for reality tv and why we are #sorrynotsorry about indulging in guilty pleasures.Zara is a mom of twins and a freelance journalist covering motherhood, women's health, and culture. She has written for outlets like the New York Times for Kids, Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Parents, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, and many others. She's passionate about leading conversations about the state of motherhood in the United States. Zara has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. You can follow Zara on Instagram and TikTokIf you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

It’s a solo podcast episode today and I’m indulging in a little vent session about how difficult return to work has been for our family. I know I am probably repeating this ad nauseam, but my experience solo parenting only continues to underscore the greater need for more flexible work schedules for parents. I talk about how often I replay every single conversation I have in my head after talking to other adults (does anybody else do this too?) I also talk about birthday planning for my two kids, as well as chat about what I love to do most: eat junk food and watch Bravo. This is an easy listen, don’t forget to like, subscribe and share if you like this episode :)If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

How are working parents handling return-to-work mandates? Not well. Today on episode 5 of The Good Moms Podcast, I talk to Content Creator and Mom of 4 Paige Connell about how return-to-work mandates are setting moms back.In a viral LinkedIn post that later turned into an article for Motherly, Paige Connell shared how return to work mandates were detrimental to working parents.With a demand for more “workplace efficiency,” companies and organizations have now started calling former remote workers back into the office. This has come at a significant cost for working families, specifically moms. As Paige notes, moms are disproportionately affected by these policies, and are being left to face the brunt of household labor. We talk about systemic inequities that contribute to a mom’s mental load and why it’s important to have conversations about the mental load with your partner or spouse.Paige also shares her journey into content creation, and her advocacy for childcare, paid leave and mental load. About Paige: Paige is a working mother of four who shares relatable content on TikTok and Instagram, highlighting the everyday experiences of women balancing motherhood, careers, and relationships. Known for her candid insights on the mental load of motherhood and the challenges of creating equity at home and work, Paige’s content resonates with millions. She also advocates for affordable childcare, paid leave, and reproductive rights, sparking important conversations about what families need to thrive. Her impactful voice and relatable storytelling have led to features in Scary Mommy, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and more.If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Emma Smith, PhD and Licensed Therapist today to talk about the personal connection in marriage and “the roommate phase.” You know, that phase where you and your spouse are knee-deep in parenting and it feels like you’re just two ships passing in the night?We talk about how common it is to go through seasons of “roommates” despite what social media says, and how you can still maintain connection throughout this phase.We also talk about intimacy during those early baby & toddler years. We reference Dr. Emily Oster's survey on sex frequency, and talk about quality over quantity when it comes to partner intimacy.Huge thanks to Dr. Emma for sitting down to chat with me!About Dr. Emma:Emma Smith, PhD, LPC, CST, CCTP (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor in private practice in Nashville, TN, and serves clients in TN, TX, VA, MD, & DC. Dr. Emma is certified in trauma and transgender healthcare, as well as an AASECT-certified sex therapist. In her private practice, she provides individual and relationship therapy and consultation focusing on sexual and religious trauma, sex therapy, and LGBTQ+ healthcare. Before entering private practice, Dr. Emma worked for the United States Marine Corps in several embedded-civilian positions, served on advisory boards for military families, and was an early advocate of LGBTQIA competency for sexual assault response teams and open transgender military service. She works from an existential-feminist and trauma-informed lens and is committed to supporting survivors of sexual assault, as well as queer, trans, and nonbinary individuals and couples. She also runs the blog “The Intimate Philosopher” on Substack.com. Dr. Emma is a graduate of the University of Scranton and Walden University. In her free time, Dr. Emma is an avid reader, runner, sparkle enthusiast and wishes she could commit to becoming a dedicated yogi. She can be contacted through email ([email protected]) or Instagram (@emmasmithphd).If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

I am finally back among the living and boy, did we go through it. After a 24 hour stomach bug for my daughter, I was hit with this season’s flu and let me tell you, it was no joke. In this episode, I’m talking about how it’s nearly impossible to parent while you’re sick, the mental load that comes with your spouse getting sick and why that triggers us moms. Plus, Valentine’s Day card exchanges at preschool and why I felt like an absolute BOOMER. I talk about the competitive nature of holiday treat bags and the huge amount pressure put on moms to outperform one another during holidays.I cap it off with a little bit of a life change for us due to the federal return-to-work mandate, plus some things that are helping me take a load off.Enjoy!If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

It’s Galentine’s Day and around here, we get deep. Today I’m celebrating in true fashion and have invited my two high school bffs to the pod. We're bringing our group chat to real life, talking about everything from having VERY small villages, to what time to ourselves look like, to feeling resentment and setting personal boundaries, and pink eye on our first day back from maternity leave.Listen in and like, subscribe and share if you enjoyed!Music by Dana Music from PixabayIf you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

Welcome to Good Moms! A podcast for moms by a mom. Let's face it, motherhood is tough. It can be overwhelming, isolating, guilt-inducing, and so much more. And guess what? Saying all of this doesn't make you a bad mom. Moms shouldn't feel shamed or guilty about doing what we need to do to survive our motherhoods.So join me, Vianey, as we navigate motherhood together in all of its messy ups and downs. Because by acknowledging this is hard, we are one step closer to overcoming mom guilt.I hope you'll stick around!Music by Dana Music from PixabayIf you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod

Hello and welcome to episode #1 of Good Moms! My name is Vianey and I am excited and a little terrified, if I’m being honest, to premiere this very first episode. I'm kicking things off today talking about how a bout of postpartum anxiety led the way to starting Good Moms. In this episode, I talk about how feeding my kids played a key role in my personal experience dealing with guilt & shame in motherhood. I talk a little about my culture, screentime and add my thoughts on mom guilt in general. Motherhood is unique, just like every child is unique. That's why it's important for us moms to stick together. I hope you enjoy!Music by Dana Music from PixabayIf you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review! Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @goodmomspod