Mommywood

Farah Merani [https://farahmerani.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZf3OuwBIM8rytNw86LIqcjB5TcrCuoclW67vWVGCPoY3Pqy8l12yLVFiA_aem_MF9hfilL9VmYYmdk-OkDsg] Actress known for See, Quantum Leap, Station 19 Farah's background and journey to LA @ 0:00 Farah shares her background - she is Canadian of East African and Indian origin, grew up in a small town in Northern Ontario, went to university in Toronto, and then moved to London, England for drama school. After being "booted" from the UK, she decided to move to the US, specifically LA, and got a green card just before Trump was elected. Farah discusses the challenges and uncertainties of that decision, but a conversation with a friend encouraged her to stay and invest in her career in the US. Navigating healthcare and social services in the US @ 11:19 Farah discusses the significant differences between the healthcare systems in Canada and the US, and how she navigated getting coverage during her pregnancy. She qualified for Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, which covered her prenatal care and delivery. Farah emphasizes the importance of being aware of and utilizing available social services and resources, rather than feeling ashamed about needing support. Balancing career, motherhood, and self-care @ 24:47 Farah talks about the challenges of balancing her acting career, writing, and other professional pursuits with being a new mom. She emphasizes the importance of carving out time for herself, having a supportive partner, and utilizing childcare help when needed in order to maintain her own well-being and continue developing her career. Farah also discusses the value of not feeling guilty about asking for and accepting help. Parenting philosophy and approach @ 50:01 Farah shares her parenting philosophy, which is grounded in curiosity, trust, and observation of her child's needs and cues. She discusses the importance of open communication with her partner, modeling affection, and creating family rituals like regular mealtimes. Farah also emphasizes the value of her child developing relationships with other caregivers and the benefits of multilingualism. Recap and next steps @ 57:04 Emily and Farah wrap up the conversation, expressing gratitude for the discussion.

Listen as we chat about what we've both been up to over the break...oh boy, it's already quite a wild start to 2025. But season 5 is coming to bring you so much needed joy and community.

Tracey Wigfield Emily and Tracey catch up on their recent moves and family life. Tracey shares details about her three children - Celine (6), Beatrice (4), and William (5 months). Emily mentions having previously taught Tracey's daughters. Tracey's career journey @ 4:49 Tracey discusses her path to becoming a writer, starting in New York on 30 Rock and then moving to LA to work on The Mindy Project, where she met her husband. She reflects on the rapid career progression she experienced early on. Navigating pregnancy and motherhood as a showrunner @ 7:35 Tracey opens up about the anxiety and challenges she has faced telling employers about her pregnancies, even as an established showrunner. She shares insights on managing work-life balance, dealing with guilt, and the differences in her experiences with each pregnancy. Raising kids with family support @ 33:53 Tracey discusses the benefits and challenges of having a multi-generational household, with her parents and other family members helping to care for the children. She reflects on how this has impacted her parenting approach and the kids' development. Maintaining self-care and hobbies @ 42:03 When asked about self-care, Tracey humorously admits to hiding in the bathroom to play a mobile game, acknowledging the difficulty of finding time for personal interests as a working mom.

Alexandra's Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/glow-up-and-speak-out/id1529711040] Reconnecting and Catching Up @ 0:00 Emily and Alexandra reconnect, sharing how their lives have evolved since their early 20s when they knew each other through a mutual ex-boyfriend. They discuss their transitions to New York and Los Angeles, getting married, and starting families. Navigating Pregnancy and Postpartum Challenges @ 2:55 Alexandra describes her difficult pregnancy with severe morning sickness, and how she and her husband navigated the uncertainty of the pandemic. Emily shares her relatively smooth pregnancy, and they discuss the challenges of postpartum recovery, body image, and balancing work and family. The Value of Doulas and Support Systems @ 19:01 Alexandra explains why she chose to have a doula for her hospital birth, and the importance of having a supportive partner and community, especially when living far from family. Emily reflects on not having a doula and the benefits they can provide. Rebuilding Confidence and Creativity @ 37:50 Alexandra opens up about the struggles of rebuilding her confidence and sense of self after pregnancy and childbirth, and how she is navigating the transition back to performing and creative work. Emily shares her own experiences and insights on this journey. Embracing the Joys and Quirks of Motherhood @ 53:36 Alexandra and Emily discuss the delights of watching their children develop their unique personalities and interests, from a love of piano to unusual music preferences. They reflect on the rapid changes and milestones at this stage. Balancing Life in Big Cities @ 58:36 The conversation turns to the challenges and benefits of raising children in major cities like Los Angeles and New York, from navigating transportation to building community without family nearby. They share their perspectives on making it work. Recap and Closing @ 1:03:58 Emily and Alexandra express their appreciation for reconnecting and the insights they've gained from their discussion. They agree to stay in touch and Emily promises to provide updates on the podcast episode.

Maria's background and move to LA @ 1:42 Maria shares that she has a 5-year-old son named Declan and a 2-year-old daughter named Lennox. She discusses her background growing up on the East Coast as a dancer and musical theater performer, and her decision to move to LA after college internships there. Maria's husband's career transition @ 5:47 Maria's husband Patrick was a professional soccer player who retired in 2020 due to injury. He then decided to pursue acting and writing, and he and Maria now co-own a production company together. Navigating career changes and the pandemic @ 8:25 The couple faced significant changes and challenges during the pandemic, including Patrick's injury, career transition, and the births of their two children. Maria reflects on the positives they were able to find during that difficult time. Balancing work, family, and postpartum challenges @ 10:43 Maria discusses the challenges of balancing work, including acting and producing, with raising her young children. She also opens up about her experiences with postpartum depression and the importance of support from her husband and family. Involving the kids in work and creative projects @ 13:21 Maria and her husband have involved their children in some of their acting and commercial work, which has provided opportunities for the family to work together. They are thoughtful about protecting their kids' privacy and ensuring the work remains fun for the children. Reflections on body image and self-acceptance @ 27:43 Maria shares her ongoing journey with body image and self-acceptance, acknowledging the societal pressures and her own internal critic, while also striving to model self-love and confidence for her children. Recap and closing @ 1:09:34 The conversation concludes with Maria and Emily discussing the importance of having a supportive partner, maintaining spiritual practices, and doing the best they can as mothers, even when it's not perfect.