40. What French Parents Do Differently: Sleep, School, Food & Independence

42. Her Baby's Diagnosis Sparked a Movement

When Nasha Fitter’s third daughter was diagnosed with a devastating rare genetic condition, her entire world changed overnight.In this inspiring episode of Trust Me Mom (Season 2, episode 42), Nasha shares how she went from ambitious entrepreneur and Harvard MBA to full-time caregiver, advocate, and founder of organizations helping thousands of families navigate rare diseases.We talk about:• motherhood and ambition• burnout and unpaid labor• marriage under pressure• grief and resilience• raising a child with severe disabilities• building support systems• why moms need help, rest, and communityNasha also shares practical advice for exhausted moms, parents navigating diagnoses, and couples trying to survive difficult seasons together.00:00 Intro01:03 Meet Nasha Fitter02:06 Growing up ambitious as an immigrant daughter03:42 Marriage, motherhood & unequal labor05:22 Life before her daughter’s diagnosis06:05 The devastating FOXG1 diagnosis07:44 Surviving with 3 kids under 410:22 Grief, acceptance & emotional healing13:40 Why moms need help and rest18:35 Building therapies and rare disease organizations20:40 Advice for parents after a diagnosis22:13 What daily life looks like now26:13 Marriage struggles and staying together31:25 Fairness, communication & parenting roles33:11 Her daughter’s incredible progress34:41 Gene therapy and hope for the future35:38 Advice for exhausted moms38:27 Building deep friendships and community39:40 Final thoughts#TrustMeMom #SpecialNeedsParenting #RareDisease #Motherhood #WorkingMom #Caregiver #FOXG1 #ParentingPodcast #WomenInBusiness #MentalLoad #MarriageAndParenting #MomLife #DisabilityAwareness #ParentingJourney

41. The Self-Abandonment Epidemic: How Women Can Reclaim Their Power, Relationships, and Lives

In this episode of Trust Me Mom (Season 2, Episode 41), Ekaterina talks with women’s relationship coach Ada Gore about self-abandonment, people-pleasing, resentment, dating, marriage, divorce, motherhood, and learning how to stop disappearing inside your own life.Ada shares her personal story of being fired as a single mom, rebuilding her identity, healing generational patterns, and helping women reconnect with their needs, intuition, and power. This conversation is for women who feel depleted, stuck, resentful, or unsure how to reclaim themselves in relationships.00:00 Introduction00:51 Ada’s awakening after being fired06:34 Financial fear, scarcity, and safety15:44 Childhood conditioning and learned helplessness17:20 Turning trauma into growth23:55 Why journaling can change your life27:30 Resentment as a sign of self-abandonment33:55 The martyr complex and generational trauma41:36 Self-abandonment in dating and relationships42:32 Red flags, dating standards, and feminine energy52:16 Why women should not lower their standards55:07 Marriage, over-functioning, and emotional leadership1:06:47 When grace is not enough1:16:38 Self-honesty, divorce, and walk-away power1:23:02 Dating after divorce and finding the right partner1:27:48 Closing thoughts#TrustMeMom #SelfAbandonment #WomenHealing #RelationshipAdvice #PeoplePleasing #Motherhood #DatingAdvice #MarriageAdvice #DivorceHealing #WomenEmpowerment #AdaGore #SelfWorth #EmotionalHealing #GenerationalTrauma #HealthyRelationships

40. What French Parents Do Differently: Sleep, School, Food & Independence

What is it really like raising children in France?In this episode of Trust Me Mom (season 2, Episode 40), I sit down with parenting coach Sasha Romary, an American mom who has lived in France for more than 20 years and is raising two multi-lingual children in Paris.We discuss the biggest differences between French and American parenting, the French education system, bilingual kids, ADHD accommodations, school lunches, independence, potty training struggles, and why French culture expects children to adapt to the system early.Sasha also shares practical parenting advice from her work as a sleep and potty training consultant, including common mistakes parents make during potty training and why so many toddlers struggle with pooping on the potty.If you are curious about parenting in Europe, raising bilingual children, or navigating modern motherhood, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical takeaways.✨ Topics we cover:• Raising bilingual and trilingual children• Why French kids become independent early• French schools vs American schools• ADHD and neurodivergent children in France• French school lunches and food culture• Parenting pressure in French culture• Potty training mistakes parents make• Fear of pooping on the potty explained• Working parent life in Paris• How French parenting shapes resilience📍Follow Sasha Romary:Instagram: @SashaRomaryParentingWebsite: SashaRomary.com00:00 Introduction01:02 How Sasha Moved From America to France03:17 Raising Bilingual and Trilingual Children05:56 Do Multiple Languages Cause Speech Delays?08:33 French Education System Explained12:53 ADHD and Learning Differences in French Schools15:27 School Breaks and How Working Parents Cope20:35 Do French Kids Play Outside Independently?22:56 When Children Start Using Public Transportation Alone24:03 Why French Parenting Prioritizes Independence26:32 Homework Expectations for French Kids29:21 The French Grading System30:29 Teacher Feedback and Parenting Pressure34:31 French School Lunches and Food Culture36:59 Biggest Potty Training Mistakes Parents Make39:56 Why Toddlers Fear Pooping on the Potty44:15 Sasha’s Parenting Coaching Services44:51 Final Thoughts#FrenchParenting #ParentingPodcast #BilingualKids #ParentingTips #ADHDParenting #PottyTraining #RaisingKids #TrustMeMom #Motherhood #ExpatLife #FrenchSchools #WorkingMom #ParentingAdvice #SleepTraining #ToddlerParenting

39. The Brutal Truth About Being a Working Mom and How 3% Bias Turns Into Massive Inequality

Why does the gender gap still exist, even when women are more educated, ambitious, and hardworking than ever?In this episode of Trust Me Mom (Season 2, Episode 39), journalist and author Stefanie O’Connell breaks down the hidden systems behind workplace inequality, the myth of “work-life balance,” and why individual effort alone isn’t enough to fix it.From the motherhood penalty to the fatherhood bonus, and the shocking truth about bias compounding over time, this conversation will change how you see work, power, and equality.00:00 Introduction & Stefanie’s Background01:50 From Theater to Financial Journalism05:52 What Actually Helps People Earn More08:02 Why the Gender Pay Gap Still Exists12:04 Hidden Bias in Hiring & Promotions16:12 Global Perspective on Gender Inequality18:48 Why Inequality Is So Persistent24:48 The Myth of Individual Empowerment28:51 The Truth About Work-Life Balance32:40 The “Free Time Gap” Explained34:49 Debunking Traditional Gender Roles36:06 The Reality of Working Motherhood38:00 Double Standards Women Face at Work43:08 Can Working Moms “Win”?#WorkingMoms #GenderGap #WomenAtWork #CareerAndMotherhood #PayGap #Feminism #WorkLifeBalance #MentalLoad #Leadership #TrustMeMom #WomenEmpowerment #MotherhoodPenalty

38. Why Working Moms Are Set Up to Struggle

What happens when motherhood collides with a system that wasn’t built to support it?In this powerful conversation with Alexa Starks, founder of Executive Moms and Mothered Magazine, we unpacked the reality of modern motherhood, workplace inequities, and the systems that shape women’s lives. From navigating toxic return-to-work experiences to redefining ambition, Alexa shared her journey from corporate leader to outspoken advocate for systemic change. Together, they explored concepts like matrescence, the hidden struggles of postpartum life, and why so many moms feel like they’re failing—when in reality, the system is failing them.00:00 – Introduction & Meet Alexa Starks01:30 – From Corporate Career to Motherhood Reality03:30 – Why Alexa Started Executive Moms05:30 – “Motherhood Made Me Feral”06:45 – The Truth About Resilience in Mothers09:00 – What is Matrescence?11:50 – Identity Shift: Becoming “Mom”13:40 – The Reality of Breastfeeding15:20 – Motherhood Then vs Now17:00 – Patriarchy Explained20:50 – What is Matriarchy (Really)?24:00 – Women, Power & Society28:40 – Dealing with Criticism & Online Hate31:20 – Why Haters Mean You’re Doing Something Right33:20 – How to Create Real Change36:40 – Masculinity, Femininity & Balance42:30 – U.S. vs Netherlands: Parenting & Culture45:30 – Final Thoughts: It’s Not You, It’s the System#WorkingMoms #Motherhood #Matrescence #ParentingPodcast #WomenInLeadership #CareerAndMotherhood #Feminism #ModernMotherhood #WorkLifeBalance #TrustMeMom #MomLife #ParentingTruths #WomenEmpowerment #GenderEquality #PostpartumJourney