the Mommy Pod's Podcast

The Guilt Trap: with Pauliana Lara Author of MOTHER-ING: WHO’S RIGHT, WHO’S WRONG, WHO CARES”

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/fan_mail/new] In this powerful episode of The Mommy Pod, I sit down with attorney and speaker Pauliana Lara for an honest conversation about the guilt, shame, and pressure so many working moms carry every single day. Society often tells moms to give everything to everyone else — but what happens when constantly putting yourself last starts affecting your health, happiness, and identity? Pauliana opens up about her personal journey, including a frightening season of stress that became so severe it caused a mysterious rash no one could diagnose. We talk about the emotional and physical toll motherhood can take, learning to recognize burnout before it breaks us, and why choosing yourself isn't selfish — it’s necessary. We’re discussing: • Mom guilt and unrealistic expectations • The pressure working mothers face daily • Stress and the hidden ways it impacts our bodies • Why putting yourself first is not a bad thing • Healing, boundaries, and reclaiming your identity beyond motherhood If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting, overwhelmed by trying to do it all, or like you’ve lost pieces of yourself while caring for everyone else — this conversation is for you. Because mamas, taking care of you matters too. 💛 Follow Pauliana Lara on Instagram: @PaulianaLara https://paulianalara.com/ [https://paulianalara.com/] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLTRVRYB [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLTRVRYB] Step into a world of magic, colors, and wonder with The Royal Adventures of Princess Liliana: The Rainbow Castle — the first enchanting book in a brand-new toddler series made for curious little minds and big imaginations! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/themommypod] @themommypod

Strong & Overwhelmed: Motherhood, Mental Health, and Breaking Generational Cycles- Jessica Sanchez

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/fan_mail/new] This episode reminded me that being strong does not mean carrying everything alone. Sometimes healing looks like: ✨ resting ✨ asking for help ✨ setting boundaries ✨ and finally believing you deserve support too. Thank you to Jessica Sanchez for showing up honestly and vulnerably in this conversation. You can learn more about her work through Daughters of Both Suns [https://www.daughtersofbothsuns.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] and follow her on: * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/daughtersofbothsuns?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/daughtersofbothsuns?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@daughters_of_both_suns?utm_source=chatgpt.com] And mamas… remember: You do not have to earn rest. You do not have to break to deserve support. We don’t break… we bend. I’ll see you in the next episode of The Mommy Pod.” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLTRVRYB [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLTRVRYB] Step into a world of magic, colors, and wonder with The Royal Adventures of Princess Liliana: The Rainbow Castle — the first enchanting book in a brand-new toddler series made for curious little minds and big imaginations! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ86RF9S [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ86RF9S] Living with ADHD: Getting Clean and Organized is not another rigid “how-to” guide that demands perfection—it’s a compassionate roadmap designed for real people with real ADHD challenges.  Living with ADHD will help you take back control—one small step at a time. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/themommypod] @themommypod

When Bad Decisions Snowball: Quick Chat with Matthew Melvin author of "Bullied Behind Bars..."

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Mommy Pod, we sit down with Matthew Melvin for a raw and honest conversation about mistakes, consequences, mental health, and rebuilding your life after one life-changing decision. Matthew shares how frustration, impulsive choices, and feeling unheard led him down a path that resulted in prison time — and how that experience forced him to reflect on accountability, personal growth, and the importance of support systems. Together, we discuss autism awareness, mental health, fairness within the justice system, and how moments of pressure can impact the course of someone’s life forever. But this conversation goes deeper than one mistake. This episode is about: ✨ Learning from poor decisions ✨ Understanding impulse control ✨ Mental health and neurodivergence ✨ Accountability and second chances ✨ Raising children with emotional awareness ✨ Teaching our kids to pause before reacting For parents, this episode is also a reminder that our children need guidance, emotional support, and safe spaces to process frustration before it turns into destructive choices. Matthew speaks openly about the lessons he learned, the consequences he faced, and the message he hopes others take away from his story. Because one moment can change everything — but growth and healing are still possible afterward. 🎧 Listen now on The Mommy Pod. https://www.bulliedbehindbars.com/ [https://www.bulliedbehindbars.com/] @bulliedbehindbars Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/themommypod] @themommypod

A Mediator’s Advice for Better Co-Parenting with Jessica Dolin

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/fan_mail/new] Co-parenting isn’t easy — especially when emotions, past hurt, and constant communication challenges are involved. In this episode of The Mommy Pod, I sit down with certified mediator Jessica to talk about creating healthier co-parenting dynamics, protecting your peace, and making decisions centered around your children instead of conflict. Jessica shares powerful insight from her work helping co-parents navigate communication, parenting plans, and boundaries — while also opening up about the emotional shift that changed her own perspective on co-parenting. We also discuss her new app designed specifically for co-parents, helping reduce tension in everyday conversations while offering built-in mediation support directly inside the platform. If you’ve ever struggled with: ✨ communicating with your co-parent ✨ setting boundaries without guilt ✨ parenting plans and structure ✨ separating emotions from decisions ✨ or simply trying to co-parent with more peace… this episode is for you. 💛 Because co-parenting doesn’t have to feel like constant survival mode. https://pathwaysolutionsmn.com/speaking [https://pathwaysolutionsmn.com/speaking]#TheMommyPod https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLTRVRYB [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLTRVRYB] Step into a world of magic, colors, and wonder with The Royal Adventures of Princess Liliana: The Rainbow Castle — the first enchanting book in a brand-new toddler series made for curious little minds and big imaginations! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/themommypod] @themommypod

My Chat with Danielle Frank Author of A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The Mommy Pod, we sit down with Danielle Frank, author of A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting and a woman who built a powerful career across industries—from Hollywood publicity at Miramax to leadership roles in the wine and spirits world with Bacardi and Moët Hennessy. But this conversation goes deeper than titles. We talk honestly about: 💛 What it really takes to build your life from the ground up 💛 Navigating career pivots, and stepping into new spaces 💛 Redefining motherhood when it doesn’t look traditional 💛 The emotional reality of being a bonus mom, aunt, and nurturer 💛 Letting go of perfection and finding what actually works for YOU Danielle opens up about her journey—what people didn’t see behind the success, how she found her footing, and what she’s learned about parenting, identity, and showing up in a messy, real way. This episode is for anyone who is: ✨ trying to rebuild ✨ feeling overwhelmed ✨ questioning their path ✨ or learning to define parenthood on her own terms Because there is no perfect parent—just real people figuring it out. 🎧 Tune in, take what you need, and remember… you’re doing better than you think. Danielle Frank traded red carpets for red wine—and never looked back. After starting her career in Hollywood publicity at Miramax International, she pivoted into the wine and spirits world, where she’s spent more than 21 years building luxury brands at Bacardi and Moët Hennessy, working with legendary champagne and wine houses including Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon, and Veuve Clicquot. In 2025, she uncorked her debut humor book, A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting, a witty take on family life inspired by her role as a proud aunt and professional observer of chaos. With a background spanning entertainment, luxury hospitality, and publishing, Danielle brings humor, heart, and a sharp point of view to everything she does—always reminding us to savor the moment.Instagram: @createagreatstory.  Website: www.daniellefrankauthor.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390177/themommypod] @themommypod