The Birthday Party Playbook + My Pettiest Rant Yet

The Birthday Party Playbook + My Pettiest Rant Yet

There comes a point where you realize women are expected to do everything perfectly. Throw the magical birthday. Build the successful business. Look effortlessly put together. Be environmentally conscious. Take care of yourself, but don't spend too much time (or money) doing it. Share your life, but don't share too much. It's exhausting. This week, I'm sharing the emotional reality of Lola turning six, the nostalgic birthday party I planned for her, and the practical tips I'd absolutely use again if you're planning a kid's party of your own. As always, we're getting into this week's recommendations, including the retro camcorder I'm officially obsessed with, the hair tools Roberto and I genuinely can't live without, and the beauty products that have become staples in my routine. Recommendations: * Camp Snap Camcorder [https://go.shopmy.us/p-66510309] – the coolest footage for that AI could never, retro feel that easily downloads onto your phone * L’ange hair tools [https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/6348386] – we can’t live without these in my household (hairstylist husband approved and then some!) * Party planning template [https://erinsousa.substack.com/p/free-party-planner-template] * Rhode Glazing Milk [https://go.shopmy.us/p-71252037] * Makeup by Mario Skin Enhancer [https://go.shopmy.us/p-71252288] Then the episode turns into a listener Q&A, and we cover everything. I'm answering how we chose Lola's school, the biggest lessons I've learned building my marketing business, what Office Hours actually are, my easiest bronzy summer makeup routine, and the home products that have officially earned their place in our house. Of course, we also go down a few rabbit holes. Why wooden cutlery should never be served with dessert. Why I think we've become far too comfortable criticizing other women online. Why I refuse to believe individual women should carry the weight of fixing the planet while corporations escape the same scrutiny. And why it feels like no matter what women do, someone is waiting to tell us we're doing it wrong. In this episode: * The emotions of Lola turning six * My splash park birthday party playbook * This week's recommendations * How we chose Lola's school * My easiest bronzy summer beauty routine * What my marketing business actually does * My latest petty rant * The impossible standards women are expected to live up to online If you've ever found yourself wondering whether you're doing enough, as a mom, a business owner, or just a woman trying to navigate modern life, I think you'll see yourself in this conversation. Don’t forget to like, comment and leave a review. Follow me on Instagram @erincsousa [https://www.instagram.com/erincsousa] and subscribe to my Substack [https://erinsousa.substack.com/] See you next week! xx, Erin

The Truth About Social Media, Perimenopause + My Fertility Journey

This week, I'm sharing some of the conversations that have been taking up space in my head lately - from navigating perimenopause and finally moving forward with hormone testing to the pressure of showing up online when it feels like the loudest voices are rewarded the most. If you've ever wondered how to stay true to yourself in a world that constantly pushes you to be more, this one's for you. I'm also sharing this week's recommendations (including a few recent finds I'm loving), my thoughts on The Valley (because we need to discuss), and opening up about one of the most personal chapters of my life: my fertility journey. From IUIs and miscarriage to IVF and everything in between, I'm answering your questions and sharing the story of how we finally became parents. Recommendations: * Quince leather purse [https://go.shopmy.us/p-68878457] – the quality, genuine leather, and value (so many brands have cheapened their materials while raising prices; this is the opposite!) * MIFA Body Brush [https://mifaandco.com/products/detox-body-brush] – I use it every night, replace it every three months, and credit it for keeping my skin smooth (for real). ERIN15 for 15% off. In this episode: * My latest perimenopause and HRT update * This week's recommendations * My hot takes on The Valley * Why I'm struggling with the state of social media (and refusing to become sensational for clicks) * Your fertility questions, answered * What I wish every woman knew about fertility - and how to support someone going through it As always, thank you for listening, sharing, rating, and sending this podcast to a friend. It helps more than you know.

America’s Sweethearts, Summer Chaos + Crying in Public

This week, I’m coming in hot with some thoughts you’ve probably had too. Lola graduated kindy (wtf!), summer break is officially here, and I have a lot to say about the things we don’t always talk about enough: women being underpaid, the myth of effortless motherhood, only-child emotions, and why being vulnerable in front of people shouldn’t be something we’re embarrassed by. Recommendations mentioned in this episode: • America’s Sweethearts on Netflix - I have MANY thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the way women’s bodies are used, why these athletes should be paid properly, and why “you should just be grateful to be here” is such a tired, gendered narrative but I’m watching it • A quick couples’ trip - even one night away can feel like a reset, and I am officially recommending taking the small trip even if it feels like ummm how?! In this episode, I talk about the emotional chaos of kindergarten graduation and why I finally understand why moms make such a big deal about it. I also get into the transition from school-year structure into summer, what it feels like planning camps and childcare while working for yourself, and the very specific nostalgia of knowing this is the only summer Lola will be this age. My first summer navigating school break as a working mom and wow, there is a lot to figure out! I also share some honest thoughts about having one child, the grief that can come with milestones when you know you won’t do them again, and the pep talk I had to give myself about not missing the moment while I’m still inside it. Then we get into a listener question that really stayed with me: how do you get comfortable showing emotion and crying in front of people? I talk about why I no longer rush to say “I’m fine,” why I think crying can create deeper connection, and why our emotions are not something other people need to fix. This episode is honest, opinionated, soft, and a little fired up - exactly how I like it. Don’t forget to like, comment and leave a review. Follow me on Instagram @erincsousa [https://www.instagram.com/erincsousa] and subscribe to my Substack [https://erinsousa.substack.com/] See you next week! xx, Erin

June is my Super Bowl

I sat down without much of a plan, but maybe that’s exactly what this episode needed to be: a behind-the-scenes look at what life has felt like lately, beyond the little moments you might see on Instagram. Recommendations mentioned in this episode: • L’ange hot styling tool [https://go.shopmy.us/p-66044784] - the hair tool I’m obsessed with for smoothing, blowout-style hair without having to do a full blowout (husband stylist reco!) • H&M brown long skirt [https://go.shopmy.us/p-64504786] - proof that short girls can absolutely wear long skirts • Similar blue eyelet dress from H&M [https://go.shopmy.us/p-65732611] - the one I wore for Lola’s kindergarten graduation • Yesteryear - the trad wife influencer book I’ve just started and already have thoughts about • Anderson Cooper’s grief podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/amanda-peet-theres-no-algorithm-for-grief/id1643163707?i=1000772290393], All There Is - specifically the episode I mentioned that really captured the complexity of losing a parent • My birthday party planning template [https://canva.link/qv3cke3jsoaqz6u] - for anyone also trying to stay organized through kid birthday chaos In this episode, I’m coming to you with a very real catch-up. I’m talking about why June now feels like the Super Bowl when you have a school-aged child, the emotional weight of kindergarten graduation, planning end-of-year events, trying to pull off client work, content shoots, travel, sickness, birthday party planning, and all the invisible details that go into making everything happen. I also get into the parts of this season that feel much more tender: grief, missing my mom, learning to let myself cry, the importance of having a village, and what it means to have people in your life who are truly a soft place to land. This episode is part recommendations, part mom-life logistics, part emotional spiral, part gratitude, and part “how are we all doing this?” Join me for a real-life episode about motherhood, grief, school-year chaos, getting it all done, and realizing that sometimes the things people don’t see are the things that take the most out of us. Don’t forget to like, comment and leave a review. Follow me on Instagram @erincsousa [https://www.instagram.com/erincsousa] and subscribe to my Substack [https://erinsousa.substack.com/] See you next week! xx, Erin

Yapping About How I Make Money + Current Faves for a Soft Life Summer

In this solo episode, I'm getting into a little bit of everything: soft life summer, end-of-kindergarten emotions, the rise of “yapping” content, why authenticity online works, and how I make money. Yup, all of the details. From my thoughts on the current yapping trend, the online grift of selling success stories, and why real connection - both online and in real life - still matters. Then, I open up about how I actually make money in this season I'm loving so much. I've termed it my "stay-at-home working mom" era. Creating my own life that's based on what makes me content is chef's kiss and exactly what I've always dreamed of. If you want it too, this convo will inspire you. It’s a candid yap about building multiple income streams, protecting your values, choosing work that aligns, and designing a business around the life you actually want - not the version of success everyone else thinks you should be chasing. It's ok to talk about making money and being an ambitious, six-figure mom who also wants to be there for school pick up, drop off, while coaching the t-ball team, too. Recommendations: Hiya Kids Vitamins [https://go.shopmy.us/p-53287933] (50% off your first order!) ShopMy [https://shopmy.us/join/erinsousa] Affiliate platform that is really the best (and anyone can join to make money from commission) Four Seasons on Netflix Every Summer After on Prime (read the book so excited to watch) NYT digital subscription (soft life summer/analog-life vibe!) Don’t forget to like, comment and leave a review. Follow me on Instagram @erincsousa [https://www.instagram.com/erincsousa] and subscribe to my Substack [https://erinsousa.substack.com/] See you next week! xx, Erin