Summer Side Quests + Being a Mom to a SIX Year Old

Summer Side Quests + Being a Mom to a SIX Year Old

Why not focus on the small things? From those small things bringing me joy right now like from summer bags and brand partnerships to planning a summer at home that still feels full, fun, and intentional. I have a new Summer Side Quest series I’m going to start over on IG, a low-pressure way to romanticize summer without needing big plans, big budgets, or a Euro vacation. Think spray parks, new books, Slurpees, beach days, family traditions, and finding tiny ways to make regular life feel a little more alive. Creating my daughters childhood like we did it in the 80’s and 90’s is my vibe! I’m also gets into a more personal parenting reflection: what it means to meet your child where they are, get interested in the things they love, take their feelings seriously, and raise a girl who knows her voice matters (and that she is believed!). It’s an episode about slowing down, zooming out, building the kind of life and memories you actually want, and remembering that fun counts - even when it’s small. Recommendations: Euphoria (one of my top 5 shows - minus season 3) The summer bag [https://go.shopmy.us/p-63086398] I’m obsessed with (I have the x-large in blue) and I also got the pouch [https://www.llbean.ca/llb/shop/123918.html] and the medium size (in natural) 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 One Where I Tell You Everything

In this episode, I’m taking it all the way back and sharing my origin story. After getting so many questions about where I’m from, how I grew up, my family, my dad, school, moving to Vancouver, meeting Roberto, IVF, and becoming a mom, I thought it was time for a proper “get to know me” episode. It feels a little self-indulgent, but I love listening to how people (women, let's be honest!) became who they are today. I’m talking about where I was born, growing up with a fiercely loving single mom, navigating a complicated family dynamic, becoming independent young, moving to Vancouver with almost no money, finding my way through makeup school, work, friendship, love, marriage, fertility struggles, and motherhood. Phew. This episode is part personal history, part reflection, and part love letter to the experiences that shape who we become. I went full horizontal, eyes closed, just let it flow vibes for this one. I also share a few current recommendations, thoughts on motherhood without martyrdom, what it feels like raising an almost six-year-old at 44, and why I’m trying to soak up this season of life while I’m in it. Recommendations: Couples Therapy [https://www.crave.ca/en/series/couples-therapy-45772] (as in, the show) Cute little $30 bag [https://amzn.to/4uIKE5a] Braided flats [https://go.shopmy.us/p-59498441] Don’t forget to like, comment and leave a review. Follow me on Instagram @erincsousa and subscribe to my Substack See you next week! xx, Erin

The Cheat Code to Building the Life You Actually Want ft. Karly de Lange

This episode is a full voice note catch-up, recommendation spiral, life reflection… and then a really powerful conversation with my sister Karly de Lange [https://www.instagram.com/influencemediaco/] about finally giving yourself permission to go after the life you actually want. I give this one a solo start talking about: – Why I almost didn’t start this podcast – The pressure women put on themselves to not be “too much” – The emotional Mother’s Day moment that really stayed with me – My current recommendations, including: The Emma Grede/Bethenny Frankel podcast episode [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bethenny-frankel-the-business-model-nobody-else-will-share/id1811878340?i=1000768520445] New H&M shoes [https://go.shopmy.us/p-59498441] Sunglasses [https://go.shopmy.us/p-59307198] The suede clogs I am convinced everyone needs [https://go.shopmy.us/p-60031791] (you won't believe the brand) Fave sunscreen that is 30% off right now and free shipping [https://go.shopmy.us/p-59721489] Then Karly joins me for part two of our sister series, and we get into a much bigger conversation about fear, reinvention, and making massive life changes later in life and the steps you can take to make your own big secret dream happen. We talk about: – Moving across the world in your 20s vs. your 40s – The fear that comes with getting older and becoming more “settled” – Why so many women stay stuck in lives that no longer fit them – The difference between being happy and actually feeling fulfilled – Starting over, taking risks, and building a life that feels aligned – Why confidence usually comes AFTER action – The mindset shifts that helped us stop playing small – The “worst case scenario” thinking that actually helped make big decisions easier This episode feels like sitting in the car with your friends while the conversation somehow spirals from motherhood… to identity… to business… to fear… to chasing bigger dreams for yourself. If there’s something in your life that you keep talking yourself out of because it feels too scary, too late, or too unrealistic… this one is for you. Because maybe the people doing the scary thing aren’t actually more special than you. Maybe they just started. Check out my sister at @influencemediaco [https://www.instagram.com/influencemediaco/] and follow along. 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

Sisters First, Best Friends Later ft. My Sister Karly de Lange

This episode is chaotic, emotional, funny, healing, and honestly… exactly what I hoped my first guest episode would feel like. My sister Karly [https://www.instagram.com/influencemediaco/] joins me for a very real conversation about growing up 14 months apart, becoming best friends as adults, motherhood, marriage, business, personality differences, and the very specific bond sisters have that nobody else really understands. We recorded this in a parked car at 10:30pm which honestly feels very on brand for two moms trying to make something happen. In this episode, we get into: – What we were REALLY like growing up together – The fights, the chaos, the competitiveness, and why sisters can somehow be best friends despite the frenemies phase – Our completely opposite personalities (Scorpio vs. Leo energy fully exposed) – Entrepreneurship, marketing careers, and how we both ended up building businesses – Motherhood, being one-and-done vs having two kids, and the reality of parenting in your late 30s/40s – The funniest rapid-fire sister questions including: who mom’s favourite was, who’s smarter, who’s more patient, and who is most likely to rear-end someone while sneezing And then the conversation takes a deeper turn as we talk about losing our mom four months ago, witnessing death firsthand, grief, hospitals, trauma, sisterhood, and the things nobody really prepares you for when a parent dies. This episode feels like sitting in the kitchen with sisters (but the car, because it really is a mom's 3rd place, isn't it?!) who are giggling one minute, trauma bonding the next, and somehow still closer than ever through it all. If you have a sister, lost a parent, love honest conversations, or just want to feel like you’re sitting in on a very real late-night catch-up… this one’s for you. Check out my sister at @influencemediaco [https://www.instagram.com/influencemediaco/] and follow along. 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

Q&A: The Reality of Making a Hard Business Decision

This episode is a full blown catch-up, Q&A, voice note spiral… hi, we are besties now. We’re covering SO much in this one - from Mother’s Day and modern motherhood, to skincare, ambition, beauty culture, burnout, parenting advice, fitness routines, business pivots, and trying to figure out what actually matters as women in this phase of life. Recommendations: This outfit [https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/5185190] broke my DM's and I highly recommend! Dr. Siggie [https://www.instagram.com/dr.siggie?igsh=czU1Y3J6OXhhcDI5] In this episode, we get into: – My real thoughts on parenting 'experts' – Thoughts on networking events and conferences like WNORTH – My full skincare + beauty routine in my 40s (Botox, microneedling, lasers, retinol, vitamin C, all of it) – Why I think consistency matters more than doing the most – My complicated relationship with workout routines, motivation, and movement – What being a “multi-passionate woman” actually feels like when your brain wants to do everything at once – Why shutting down a business (which I recently did!) can sometimes be the right decision This episode feels like sitting in the school pick up line with your friend while the conversation somehow goes from Quince outfits… to business… to Botox… to mom talk… in under 30 minutes. Basically: very on brand. Don’t forget to like, comment, and leave a review. Follow me on Instagram @erincsousa and subscribe to my Substack. See you next week! xx, Erin