Raising the "Spicy Ones": Parenting Strong-Willed, Deeply Feeling Kids

Elisa Marshall, Founder of Maman

In this episode of the Miracle Mama podcast, Whitney sits down with Elisa Marshall, co-founder of Maman, [https://mamannyc.com/] the beloved café and lifestyle brand that started as one tiny shop in SoHo and has now grown to 54 locations across North America. Elisa shares the origin story of Maman, born out of a deeply personal desire to create a space that felt like home in the middle of New York City. Raised by a stay-at-home mom who was also a private chef and an entrepreneurial father in the suburbs of Toronto, Elisa always knew she wanted to build something of her own. After quitting her corporate jobs alongside her now-husband Ben — and spending a formative season running a restaurant in Ibiza — the two opened Maman in SoHo in 2014 with family heirlooms, free labor from loved ones, and a whole lot of heart. The name "Maman" came naturally. In every conversation about the concept, they kept coming back to one thing: their moms. The recipes, the warmth, the feeling of being at your grandmother's kitchen table, that was the experience they wanted to recreate for New Yorkers far from home. Elisa opens up about what it truly took to build the brand, bootstrapping through the first five locations, sleeping at the restaurant to rent out their apartment, and learning from every mistake along the way. When it was time to scale, she found a private equity partner who shared her vision and protected the soul of the brand. She also talks about how becoming a mom herself unlocked an entirely new understanding of her customer, shaping everything from the Lalo play kitchens in her cafes to top-of-the-line high chairs and changing tables. Looking ahead, Elisa is excited about Maman's continued Dallas expansion, including a gorgeous new Lakewood/Hillside Village location, plus her growing lifestyle vision: a kids clothing line called Mon Petit Chou by Maman. [https://shop.mamannyc.com/collections/mon-petit-chou] Find Maman: Visit mamannyc.com [https://mamannyc.com/] to explore locations near you, and follow along on Instagram @mamannyc [https://www.instagram.com/_mamannyc_/] for daily doses of that cozy, café magic.

Raising the "Spicy Ones": Parenting Strong-Willed, Deeply Feeling Kids

Parenting doesn't always look the way we imagined. Some kids feel everything bigger, react louder, and require more from us as parents. In this episode of the Miracle Mama Podcast, Whitney sits down with parenting coach Mary Van Geffen [https://www.maryvangeffen.com], who specializes in helping moms raise deeply feeling, strong-willed children, what she lovingly calls "the spicy ones." Together they talk about: * Why some kids need more from us than others * How parenting a strong-willed child often requires emotional growth from us as parents * How to stay calm during big emotional moments * Setting boundaries without crushing your child's spirit * Why feeling overwhelmed doesn't mean you're failing If you've ever wondered "Is this normal?" or felt embarrassed, exhausted, or unsure if you're doing motherhood "right," this conversation will make you feel seen. Because sometimes the kids who challenge us the most are also the ones who will change the world. Connect with Mary Website: https://www.maryvangeffen.com [https://www.maryvangeffen.com/] Book: Parenting a Spicy One: A Compassionate Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid Order here: https://www.maryvangeffen.com/parentingaspicyonebook [https://www.maryvangeffen.com/parentingaspicyonebook] Mary is an international parenting coach who helps families navigate life with strong-willed children using practical tools, calm leadership, and compassionate boundaries.

Real Life Motherhood: Organization, Low-Tox Living & Letting Go of Perfection

In this episode of the Miracle Mama Podcast, Whitney sits down with Hila Bahari, founder of Mama Guide [https://www.instagram.com/mamaguide/], for an honest, practical conversation about navigating early motherhood with more ease and confidence. Hila shares her journey from organized professional to overwhelmed new mom and how those early days inspired her to create Mama Guide as a supportive resource for moms who may not have community nearby. Together, Whitney and Hila talk about the emotional shock of becoming a mother, the power of community, and why moms don't need more information, they need real-life systems and wisdom. Hila offers simple, game-changing routines, including her "don't put it down, put it back" philosophy, closet systems that teach kids independence, and fridge organization that helps children grab healthy snacks on their own. She also shares approachable meal strategies, themed dinner nights, and rhythms that reduce daily decision fatigue. They dive into low-toxic living, with Hila explaining how to transition slowly by replacing products over time, following an 80/20 balance, and using ingredient-scanning apps to make informed choices. The conversation also touches on social media comparison, hormones, and the pressure moms feel online, reminding listeners that what we see on screens isn't real life. You can find Hila on Instagram @mamaguide [https://www.instagram.com/mamaguide/] or discover her motherhood guides at Mamaguide.co. [https://www.mamaguide.co/]

Beyond the Bounce Back: Postpartum Healing, Hormones & GLP-1 Conversations with Dr. Sarah Oreck

In this episode of The Miracle Mama Podcast, Whitney sits down with Dr. Sarah Oreck [https://www.instagram.com/sarahoreckmd/?hl=en], a reproductive psychiatrist, mother of three, and Co-Founder & CEO of Mavida Health [https://www.mavidahealth.com/], for a thoughtful conversation on what it really means to support women through hormonally intense seasons of life. Together, they explore Dr. Oreck's personal journey through fertility and postpartum mental health, and how those experiences shaped the way she now cares for women. They also unpack the gaps in traditional healthcare for moms, especially how often mental, hormonal, and metabolic health are treated separately, when in reality they're deeply connected. Whitney and Dr. Oreck discuss the rising cultural pressure to "bounce back," and why postpartum healing requires nourishment, patience, and true whole-woman care. They also touch on GLP-1 medications and the trend of "microdosing," addressing what moms are hearing, what we know (and don't know), and why breastfeeding is a unique physiological season that deserves extra caution and compassion. This is an empowering, grounding episode for any mom navigating postpartum recovery, identity shifts, and the desire to feel like herself again. Be sure to follow Dr. Sarah Oreck on Instagram @sarahoreckmd [https://www.instagram.com/sarahoreckmd/?hl=en] and you can learn more about getting support from Mavida Health on their site at mavidahealth.com [https://www.mavidahealth.com/].

Ancestral Nourishment for the Modern Mother with Yondje Choi of OMA

In this episode of the Miracle Mama Podcast, Whitney sits down with Yondje Choi, founder of OMA Natural Food, to explore the powerful intersection of ancestral nourishment and modern motherhood. Yondje shares her personal journey into creating OMA, a brand rooted in traditional postpartum foods and healing practices, and how it was born from her desire to support women through recovery, restoration, and resilience after birth. Together, they dive into what it really means to care for a woman in her most hormonally intense seasons of life, why our culture has drifted away from true postpartum healing, and how ancestral wisdom can guide us back to a more nourished, supported version of motherhood. This isn't just a conversation about food, it's about reframing healing, recovery, and self-care for women who are pouring themselves out daily, yet still deserve deep restoration. If you've ever wondered how to better support your body through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond… this episode is for you. Learn more about OMA at omanaturalfood.com [https://omanaturalfood.com/] Follow their journey on Instagram at @oma.naturalfood [https://www.instagram.com/oma.naturalfood]