Understanding Autism: A Parent's Perspective With Lisa Catton Ep 21

Pennsylvania's First Lady , Lori Shapiro, on Motherhood, Service & Community- Ep 26

MomsWork Podcast Show Notes Pennsylvania's First Lady , Lori Shapiro, on Motherhood, Service & Community In this very special episode of MomsWork Podcast, host Kristin Weinrich sits down with Lori Shapiro, First Lady of Pennsylvania, mom of four, former parenting coach, and lifelong advocate for community service and connection. From the halls of the The White House to raising a family in the public eye alongside her husband, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Lori shares an honest, grounded conversation about motherhood, identity, and what it means to live a life of service. This episode explores the real intersections of parenting, purpose, and public life — and how mothers can find meaning in every season, whether at home, in community work, or in leadership roles. In This Episode, We Cover: *  Lori’s journey from working at the White House to becoming a full-time mom  *  The intentional decision to step away from her career to raise her children  *  What stay-at-home motherhood taught her about identity and purpose  *  Marriage, partnership, and growing up alongside a high school sweetheart  *  Raising four children across very different life stages  *  The reality of parenting while living in the public eye in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania *  How community service became a lifelong calling  *  What it means to define “helping others” in everyday life  *  Lessons learned as a parenting coach  *  Staying grounded while balancing family, service, and public responsibility  *  The importance of kindness, community, and showing up for others  Episode Highlights: Kristin and Lori also share a few lighter and more personal moments, including: *  Parenting wins (and challenges!) from the week  *  Reflections on friendship, support systems, and motherhood advice  *  A humorous revisit of a well-known early relationship story involving Governor Shapiro  *  Rapid-fire fun questions to close out the conversation  About the Guest Lori Shapiro is the First Lady of Pennsylvania, a mother of four, and a passionate advocate for community engagement and service. Her work centers around strengthening families, supporting children, and encouraging acts of kindness that build stronger communities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She is married to Governor Josh Shapiro, and together they are raising their family while navigating public life with intention, humor, and heart. Closing Reflection This conversation is a reminder that there is no single path through motherhood — only the one that aligns with your values, your family, and your evolving purpose. Whether you are working outside the home, at home full-time, or somewhere in between, your impact matters. Mentioned in the Episode  The God of the Woods by Liz Moore https://www.lizmoore.net/  Follow & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Follow MomsWork Podcast on Instagram and Facebook: @momsworkpodcast Follow the First Lady on Instagram: @fllorishapiro Facebook: Office of the First Lady of Pennsylvania Follow Governor Shapiro on Facebook: Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania and/or Josh Shapiro Follow Governor Shapiro on Instagram: @governorshapiro and/or @joshshapiropa

Frequent Flyers and Family Drivers -Travel Tips for Families with Krista Rogic aka @thesportsptmama Ep25

MomsWork Podcast Episode Show Notes Frequent Flyers and Family Drivers: Family Travel Tips for Families with Krista Rogic Traveling with kids can feel overwhelming before you even zip the suitcase — whether you're road tripping in a packed minivan or sprinting through an airport with snacks, strollers, and tired kids in tow. In this episode of MomsWork Podcast, Kristin sits down with Krista Rogic (@thesportsptmama), physical therapist, mom of four, and experienced family traveler, to talk all things traveling with kids. Together, Kristin and Krista share practical, realistic, and mom-tested tips for making family travel smoother — from navigating airports and flights to surviving long car rides with siblings in close quarters. They also talk honestly about the mental load of traveling as parents, what happens when trips don’t go according to plan, and why the memories made along the way are still worth it. In this episode, we discuss: * How to mentally prepare for traveling with kids * Packing tips for family travel * Airport strategies, boarding, strollers, and security * Keeping kids entertained on flights and road trips * Snack systems that actually work * Managing naps, sleep schedules, and delays * Road trip organization and “just in case” essentials * Sibling dynamics during travel * The balance between being prepared and overpacking * What kids gain from travel experiences * Why family travel is meaningful — even when it’s messy Krista also shares some of her favorite airplane travel must-haves, while Kristin offers her best road trip survival strategies from years of family car travel. Whether you’re boarding a plane this summer or loading up the car for vacation, this episode will leave you feeling more prepared, more confident, and reminded that family travel doesn’t have to be perfect to be memorable. Follow Krista on Instagram: @thesportsptmama Boys and Girls Club: www.bgca.org [http://www.bgca.org]  Be sure to follow MomsWork Podcast on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Holding it all Together (Mostly!) with Mom Therapist Brittany Gallagher Ep 24

MomsWork Podcast Show Notes Episode Title: Holding it All Together (Mostly!) with Mom Therapist Brittany Gallagher Episode Summary: This episode is a special one — created as a reminder (and a bit of a gift) for moms everywhere. In the days following Mother’s Day, Kristin sits down with therapist and mom Brittany Gallagher, founder of Mom Chat Therapy, to talk honestly about the emotional weight so many mothers carry. From the invisible “mental load” to anxiety, burnout, and even “mom rage,” this conversation sheds light on what’s really going on beneath the surface — and why so many moms feel like they can never fully turn their brains off. Brittany shares both professional insight and personal experience, helping moms better understand their thoughts, emotions, and triggers — while also offering practical, realistic tools for navigating hard moments and caring for themselves along the way. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, overstimulated, or like you’re constantly falling short, this episode will remind you: you are not alone — and you are doing more than enough. What We Talk About: *  What the mental load of motherhood really is — and why it feels so heavy  *  How anxiety commonly shows up in motherhood  *  The difference between a hard day and true burnout  *  What’s happening mentally and physically when you’re burned out  *  Understanding “mom rage” and what’s underneath those intense moments  *  Tools to use when you feel triggered or overwhelmed  *  How to repair after tough parenting moments (with your kids and yourself)  *  Whether moms have always felt this way — or if modern motherhood is different  *  Why prioritizing yourself feels so hard  *  What realistic self-care actually looks like for busy moms  *  Where to start if you’re feeling constantly overwhelmed  About Our Guest: Brittany Gallagher is a therapist, mom, and the founder of Mom Chat Therapy in New Jersey. She specializes in supporting mothers navigating the mental load, burnout, and emotional challenges of motherhood. Connect with Brittany: *  Website: themomchattherapy.com  *  Instagram: @the.momchat  *  Facebook: The Mom Chat Therapy and Wellness  Mentioned in the episode: Mom Rage: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood by Minna Dubin https://www.minnadubin.com/book  A Reminder for Moms Listening: You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to do it perfectly. And you are not alone. Love This Episode? Be sure to follow, rate, and review MomsWork Podcast on your favorite platform, and share this episode with a fellow mom who might need it. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook: @momsworkpodcast

The Great Sea Ahead: Overcoming Challenges and Living the Life You Didn't Expect with author Marc Cappelletti Ep 23

Episode 23: Finding Your Way Through Setbacks, Fatherhood & The Great Sea Ahead with Marc Cappelletti What happens when life doesn’t go according to plan? In this episode of MomsWork, Kristin sits down with Marc Cappelletti — former college athlete, world traveler, author, and dad of two — to talk about resilience, identity, and the unexpected paths that shape us into the parents we become. Marc opens up about his experience as a college baseball player facing the “yips,” injuries, and mental health challenges that ultimately led him to step away from the game he loved. From there, his journey took an unexpected turn — working on a cruise ship in Alaska, traveling the world, and eventually working with National Geographic — experiences that now inspire his upcoming book, The Great Sea Ahead. Together, Kristin and Marc explore how life’s setbacks can become powerful teachers — not just for ourselves, but for how we show up as parents. In this episode, we talk about: How setbacks and identity shifts shape us as parents Raising daughters with openness around mental health and emotions The lasting impact of family legacy, loss, and storytelling Lessons from sports and how they translate into parenting What resilience looks like in everyday family life How travel and adventure can shape your children’s perspective Encouraging curiosity and connection across generations The process of reflecting, growing, and writing your story Marc shares: Meaningful ways he brings adventure into his daughters’ lives What writing The Great Sea Ahead has taught him about his younger self The message he hopes his daughters — and readers — take from his journey For parents who feel like life didn’t go as planned… This episode is a reminder that there is no “perfect” path — and sometimes the detours are what shape us most. Where to find Marc: You can follow Marc’s writing and read/listen to chapters of The Great Sea Ahead on Substack: https://marccappelletti.substack.com/ [https://marccappelletti.substack.com/]   Positive Coaching Alliance: https://positivecoach.org/ [https://positivecoach.org/]  John Cappelletti, Heisman Award Acceptance Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfyz81vKUCk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfyz81vKUCk]   Something for Joey Made for TV Movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076738/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076738/]  Something for Joey novel: https://www.amazon.com/Something-Joey-Richard-Peck/dp/0553271997 [https://www.amazon.com/Something-Joey-Richard-Peck/dp/0553271997]   If you enjoyed this episode: Share it with a friend who could use this reminder today. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review MomsWork Podcast wherever you listen — it helps more parents find these conversations. Follow along on Instagram & Facebook: @momsworkpodcast

Dirt Don't Hurt! Teaching Children About Gardening, Composting and Living More Green with Colleen Falicki and Cara Rash Ep 22

Dirt Don't Hurt! Teaching Children About Gardening, Composting and Living More Green with Colleen Falicki and Cara Rash Ep 22 Episode Description: In this episode of MomsWork Podcast, Kristin sits down with Cara Rash and Colleen Falicki — moms, business owners, and passionate advocates for simple, earth-friendly living. Together, they break down what sustainable living actually looks like in real life and how families can make small, meaningful changes that add up over time. From composting basics to beginner-friendly gardening tips, Cara and Colleen share practical, approachable ideas that make caring for the planet feel doable — even in the middle of carpools, school lunches, and everyday chaos. In this episode, we cover: Easy, realistic ways families can start living more sustainably Composting 101 — how to get started (even without a yard!) Common misconceptions about composting Beginner-friendly gardening tips for families The benefits of gardening and outdoor time for kids Simple ways to reduce waste in your kitchen Affordable eco-friendly swaps for everyday life How to raise kids who appreciate nature Why small actions truly do make a difference About Our Guests: Cara Rash and Colleen Falicki are moms, entrepreneurs, and advocates for sustainable living. Through their businesses  Back to Earth Compost Crew (Colleen)— they help families reconnect with the earth through gardening, composting, and practical, planet-friendly habits. Cara Rash Purposeful Plantings: www.purposefulplantings.com   purposeful_plantingspa (instagram)/ Purposeful Plantings (Facebook) Mosquito Dunks and the Mosquito Dunk Challenge that author, Dr. Doug Tallamy put together: https://homegrownnationalpark.org [https://homegrownnationalpark.org/], https://homegrownnationalpark.org/mosquito-bucket-challenge/ [https://homegrownnationalpark.org/mosquito-bucket-challenge/] Extended Recycling options at MOM's Organic Market: https://momsorganicmarket.com/recycle-center/ [https://momsorganicmarket.com/recycle-center/], also check out your local municipality for TREX plastic recycling, and seasonal recycling like pumpkins/fall decor and holiday lights.  All of the spring clean ups I'm familiar with have just passed. Darby Creek Valley Association typically runs a bunch throughout the spring and fall. Our Township (Easttown Township, PA) will be holding two in September and November. I just haven't firmed up the dates yet.  Repair Cafes offer a place for free fixes of your broken items.  Repair Cafe Easttown, Phoenixville and Downingtown (all in Pennsylvania) hold events every 6 weeks-quarterly. Follow them on Social Media for more information.  Seed Libraries offer gardeners new and old a place to donate/share seeds and an opportunity to try growing something new! Check out a Seed Library near you! Local Seed Libraries include: Easttown Library, Chester Springs, Media Borough, various locations throughout Philadelphia.  Colleen Falicki  Back to Earth Compost Crew  www.backtoearthcompost.com [http://www.backtoearthcompost.com/] Back to Earth Compost Crew- Suburban Philadelphia (Facebook and instagram) The Resource Exchange https://share.google/YgvMKUQCOh8rdpat7 [https://share.google/YgvMKUQCOh8rdpat7] Home - Keep PA Beautiful https://share.google/DmThOVpW6zdjfggCY [https://share.google/DmThOVpW6zdjfggCY] Litter Lifters of West Vincent - West Vincent Township https://share.google/67tqttlKAo078YL2M [https://share.google/67tqttlKAo078YL2M] Follow along on Instagram & Facebook: @momsworkpodcast