Good Moms

The Truth About Making Time for your Ambition with Lina Forrestal

I’m joined today by creator Lina Forrestal. Lina is a fellow work-from-home mom of two, digital creator, and host of The New Mamas Podcast. Today we talk about what work from home motherhood really looks like- the actual breakdown of time in our days, getting work done while making snacks and prepping for dropoff, and the tradeoffs associated with having a full time job. We also talk about the longing that comes with having long-distance family, and the villages, both paid and unpaid, that we create to support us along our journey.  Lina shares her hyperfixations, including her most recent hyperfixation with vibe-coding, and how she divides her day to create her content. Follow Lina on social media @linaforrestal, Substack @linaforrestal, and listen to The New Mamas Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-mamas-podcast/id1547382418] wherever you get your podcasts. If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review!  Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @weregoodmoms

Motherhood isn’t one size fits all with Zara Hanawalt

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 [https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/]and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt] If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review!  Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @weregoodmoms

Millenial Momhood: Rage, Therapy, and FAFO Parenting with Allie McQuaid

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 [https://www.instagram.com/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 @weregoodmoms

Dropping the 9-5: A Working Mom’s Career Pivot with Kaleana Quibell

As a surprise to no one, moms are leaving the workforce.  A recent article [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/08/11/mothers-leaving-workforce-large-numbers/] 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 [https://www.bothand.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.co If you liked this episode or previous episodes, like, rate, or leave a review!  Let's be friends! Follow Good Moms on Instagram at @weregoodmoms

Solo Talk: Mom-Shaming Motherhood as an Identity, Mom Brain, and Why Return-to-Office Mandates Are My Villain Origin Story

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 @weregoodmoms