Karen shares that the podcast will be on a summer break and why! We can't wait to be back in the Fall with new episodes, stories, and support. Wishing our podcast family a great summer!

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Families with one child are far more common in the United States today than ever before, outnumbering two-child families for several decades. Yet, stereotypes and pressure still persist. 

On the podcast to talk with Karen about their families' decision to have one child is Cara Purgason and Snow Lau. Cara and Snow attended the same Parent & Me group with their sons years ago and have stayed really good friends.  While Cara and Snow both have one child, their feelings and experiences around the decision are very different!

Cara and Snow share: 

-       If they discussed how many children they wanted to have before getting married and if that changed after having their sons. 

-       The pressure (or not) they feel from family or friends to have other children.

-       If either has wavered in the decision to have one child.

-       What they think about only child stereotypes and if it affects their parenting. 

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Mommy wine culture is pervasive and drinking while parenting has been normalized in recent years.  For many people, having a drink at night can feel like a reward for a hard day of parenting. Some parents find their alcohol consumption actually increases after kids as a way to not only reward themselves, but to reconnect with their relaxed and carefree past. There is a debate about how mom wine culture could be a troubling trend and is proof that the pressures of modern parenting are simply too much.

On the podcast to share her story is Vanessa Garcia. Karen got to know Vanessa at The Family Room in Toluca Lake. She took Parent & Me with her daughter Scarlett, graduated and just recently aged-out of Toddler & Me. Vanessa has always been very open about her sobriety and shares  her story and what being alcohol- free in motherhood looks like for her.

Vanessa specifically discusses: 

·       How long she has you been sober and what caused her to make a change.

·       How she navigates social events centered around drinking. 

·       Advice she would you give someone who feels like their drinking may be problematic. 

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

We do want to share a trigger warning, as the content of the episode may be emotionally challenging. We always encourage listeners to check in with themselves and listen to how you are feeling.

Birth trauma is described as any physical or emotional distress you may experience during childbirth. According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 45% of new mothers experience birth trauma—and the repercussions of the experience can continue long after the birth itself affecting the postpartum period.

Back on the podcast with me today is Marielle Skouras. You may remember Marielle from Episode 78 on Infertility and IVF. Marielle is a mom in our community, a licensed marriage and family therapist and facilitates our weekly online Postpartum Support Group. She is here today to discuss birth trauma—her own story and advice for healing from the emotional toll.

 Marielle discusses:

- her hopes and expectations for childbirth 

- the birth story of her daughter

- how it affected her postpartum experience

- how she healed emotionally and physically

- advice she would give others navigating birth trauma

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Karen often talks about her husband James on the show, so she decided to bring him for a special episode! Karen was a single mom when she met James and they discuss the early days of dating, who said I love you first, what it is like parenting three girls, what he thought when Karen told him she wanted to open The Family Room, and so much more. 

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Today on the podcast we are talking all about acupuncture and herbal medicine with Dr. Beck Hoehn.  Acupuncture can help with things from pain management to illness and infertility.  Living in Los Angeles, acupuncture feels very accessible and prevalent in our communities, yet there are somethings you may still be surprised to learn!

Dr. Hoehn is a neighbor of ours in Toluca Lake and specializes in women’s health. She is board certified in both acupuncture and herbal medicine and creates tailored wellness plans, setting achievable weekly milestones alongside her patients. 

With a master’s from Emperor’s College of Oriental Medicine and a doctorate from the Pacific College of Health Sciences, Beck’s educational background speaks to her dedication and expertise. 

Dr Hoehn shares:

- what drew her to acupuncture and Chinese medicine
- the basic principles of both
- three things people are surprised to learn about the practice
- some common myths
- her favorite part of her job 

Dr. Hoehn is a true joy and we are lucky to have her in our community!

Links:
Website: mightyriverwellness.com
Instagram: drbeckhoehn

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Nature can be restorative and healing. On this episode, Karen chats with her friend Daniela Ray about her decision to move out of Los Angeles to connect with nature and where that decision has led her -- from homeschooling her two children, to running a nature school, becoming an herbalist, and starting her own business, Growing Up Rooted. 

Daniela shares:

- why her family decided to move from Pasadena to Wrightwood and how the transition has gone
- how the move changed her relationship with nature and her surroundings
- her passion for herbs and how it has grown into a new business
- advice for anyone looking to connect more with nature 

Daniela's life has been transformed by her move and reconnection to nature.  We hope you find this episode inspiring and a reminder to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us however you can. 

Links:
Instagram: growinguprooted
Website: growinguprooted.com

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Where we decide to raise our children is a fascinating topic, as many families today are raising their children in different places than their own childhood. 

Karen explores this topic with Bill Sy, a dad in our community and team member at The Family Room.  Karen met Bill almost ten years ago at playgroup in San Marino. Through chatting, she learned that Bill attended a boarding school not far from where she grew up.  Bill is now on The Family Room team and Karen later learned that while his parents are from the Philippines, his childhood was spent in Saudi Arabia, before he went to boarding school outside of Philadelphia, college in Michigan and now is raising his son in Pasadena.

Childhood is shaped by the place or places where we are raised. Karen and Bill discuss how the different countries impacted Bill and how it affects his parenting today, too.  

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Cancer is not common in kids, but when it happens to your family it can be the most terrifying experience of your life. The good news is that many childhood cancers are highly treatable. Here today to share her daughter’s story is Elsa Saldana. Many of you may know Elsa from our Toddler & Me program where she supports Gia or from playgroup in San Marino. 

It’s a story of an unbelievably scary diagnosis, but also one of hope. We are so grateful to Elsa for sharing. 

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Brandi Andrews reached a point in her life when she was ready to have a baby. She was not in a romantic relationship and knew her path would be a bit less traditional as a lesbian woman. Her gay best friend Lawrence was  also ready to have a baby, too.  So after a lot of talking and a parental contract laying the foundation for a co-parenting framework, they decided to start the journey as parents together.  Their journey was filmed and shared on 9 Months by Courtney Cox. 

Brandi shares her story from meeting Lawrence to co-parenting with him today, including:

• how she and Lawrence met and went from best friends to parents
• how friends and family reacted 
• the process of getting pregnant
• the details of their parenting contract 
• what parenthood has been like 
• how parenthood has affected  or changed her relationship with Lawrence
• what has surprised her the most

Brandi's story is unique, but many of the challenges are very relatable.  Her honesty, vulnerability,  and courage in parenting is refreshing and brave. 

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Many parents consider a career change after having a baby and going back to school can be the stepping stone to a new professional path.  While it can feel daunting to return to school as a parent, it does not mean it's impossible. 

On the podcast to share her story is Jaci Dial, a mom of two and former Family Room employee. Jaci always considered nursing school and decided to make the leap and start taking classes online during Covid. 

Jaci discusses the timing of going back to school and her path, how she balances school and parenting, what she has found helpful during this time, and advice for anyone considering making a change. 

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

In this episode, Karen talks with Jen McLellan, founder of Plus Size Birth and host of the Plus Mommy Podcast about plus size pregnancy, weight bias, body love, and so much more. 

Jen is a certified childbirth educator, published author, advocate and mother. Her work has been featured everywhere from Good Morning America and the Today Show, to People and Glamour magazines and publications like The Bump and the National Institute of Health. 

Jen shares her insights, experience and knowledge, including: 

• her story and why she created Plus Size Birth and then the Plus Mommy Podcast
• the effect of weight bias in healthcare and specifically during pregnancy 
• the biggest misconceptions about a plus size pregnancy and birth
• tips on how to connect with a size-friendly care provider
• recommendations for raising body positive kids

Parents of all sizes will benefit from this conversation as Jen's perspectives and messages are not only insightful and impactful , but empowering. 

Links:
plussizebirth.com
Plus Mommy Podcast

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Family traditions are something Karen loves to talk about! She has done  solo episodes touching on her own family traditions including special times of the year like Christmas  and why she loves the Rose Parade.  From old traditions that are passed down through generations and connect us to relatives to fun and silly ones you create new with your own family, Denise and Karen chat about why they are important and ones they love.  

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Talking about dying and death with our children is something we will all eventually have to do, from a loved one to a pet, it is the natural course of life. What is overwhelming for parents is often confusing to kids and navigating how to manage grief with our children can be hard.  

On the podcast to talk about this very topic is Lacey Holmquist. Lacey has a masters in Child Life and has been a Certified Child Life Specialist for almost 20 years. Child life specialists work closely with children and families in medical settings, serving as emotional support and helping families develop coping strategies. 

Lacey shares: 

• what exactly a child life specialist does
• how parents should approach the topic of death and dying
• what are some terms to avoid and what language she recommends instead 
• advice on how to manage your own grief around your kids
• how to think about and navigate funerals 
• resources that could be helpful

Links:
The Dougy Center
Children's Bereavement Center
When Dinosaurs Die
Camp Good Grief

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

About 1 and 5 women struggle with infertility. If you haven’t personally struggled with infertility yourself, you likely know someone who has. Infertility can feel all consuming, stressful, and lonely.  

Joining Karen on the podcast to talk about her story of infertility and IVF is Marielle Skouras.  Marielle is a mom in our community, a licensed marriage and family therapist and we are so excited to announce will be leading our virtual Postpartum Support Group  every Wednesday from 3 to 4 pm.

One of the reasons Marielle decided to specialize in working with people struggling with infertility, pregnancy, and the postpartum period was because of her own journey walking a similar path.

Marielle shares details of her IVF journey, including:

-      how long her and her husband tried  before seeking fertility help
-      why she shared her journey with friends and family
-      the physical and emotional toll of IVF
-      what the biggest surprise was in this whole journey
-      what advice she would give to someone going through IVF right now
-      how did the experience affect her work as a MFT

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Preparing to leave your job for maternity leave can feel daunting with so many loose ends to tie up for a smooth transition.  But what happens when you are let go from your job when you are 39 weeks pregnant?  That is exactly what happened to our guest  Erin Walnut.  

Erin shares:
- what was available to her through state benefits and how she navigated the complicated system
- managing the emotional rollercoster of job uncertainity during the transition into motherhood
- applying for jobs just week after her daughter was born
- what she has learned through the process

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Mom influencers are part of a multibillion dollar industry. Many of us have complicated feelings about social media, yet we can’t look away. Most of us follow influencers and learn about new products and tools to help win at motherhood. Making money on Instagram is a way for many moms to make money working flexible hours while still spending time with their young children.  

In this episode, we are going behind the scenes and having a candid conversation about what it is really like to be a mom influencer with Celeste Wright.  Karen has known Celeste for about nine years since she started coming to playgroup at The Family Room with her daughter Lila. They became friends and Karen got to know her, Jake and Lila through various adventures. 

Celeste shares the ups and downs of being an influencer with us, including: 

• how she  got introduced to the idea of being an influencer and eventually got her start
• how people react to her job as an influencer
• how much time does it generally take for a post
• resources and tools she has used to learn the business aspect
• what the coolest partnership she has been a part of
•  what are  the biggest misconception about being a mom influencer

You can find Celeste on Instagram @celeste_wright 

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Self-care has become a buzzword that is often associated with two things many new parents don’t have a lot of right now: time and money. It is relentlessly marketed to parents, especially moms as the answer for burnout, yet can often feel like yet another burden mothers are failing at. 

An article in Motherly described the double edge sword of self-care like this:

“At its best, self-care reminds mothers that they matter, too. It tells them that prioritizing their own wellbeing doesn’t mean they’re neglecting their families. It gives mothers permission to put themselves first, if only some of the time. 

At its worst, self-care culture, guilt trips us for being unable to add ourselves to the massive workload of modern motherhood.” 

That in fact, we don’t need self-care, we need society to care. 

On the podcast with Karen to unpack self-care, what true self-care looks like and discuss if self-care is enough to fix parent burn out is Kim-Lan Dovan. Kim-Lan is a licensed marriage and family therapist and lead Parent & Me educator at The Family Room. 

Karen and Kim-Lan discuss: 

- what self care is and isn't
- examples of self-care from treats to boundaries
- why self-care is important and should be a practice
- how self-care can be a double-edge sword

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

An article in the Washington Post in October 2023 described homeschooling as America’s fastest-growing form of education-- by a wide margin. There is no doubt, that more and more families are embarking on non-traditional learning options. On the podcast to discuss her homeschooling journey with her three children is Damore Jensen. 

Karen met Damore when they were both new mothers in Boston and instantly became close friends.  Damore was a big part of Karen's village in the early days of motherhood and continues to be a dear friend today. 

She was an obvious choice for this episode in particular, as she is a veteran homeschooler with well over a decade of homeschooling experience. 

Damore discusses:

- why homeschooling was right for her family
- basics like how to comply with state regulations and tools she finds helpful
- how she manages teaching three children in different academic stages
- the importance of finding community
- what she enjoys most about homeschooling
- the biggest challenges and how she is navigated them
- advice she would give someone considering homeschooling

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Los Angeles is the epicenter of the movie and entertainment world. Right in our backyard we have movie studios, production companies, actors, and various industries that support Hollywood. 

Being a parent in the entertainment industry brings with it its own unique challenges and that is exactly what we are talking about in this episode. 

Joining Karen is Emily Bolt, an LA based Actor, Teacher, Improviser and Mom.  She is the creator/host of the Mommywood Podcast which provides a behind the scenes look into the realities motherhood and life in the entertainment industry.  She is also the co-creator/cohost of What's Your Movie podcast with her husband, Preston Geer.  

Emily discusses  how her career affected the timing of having a baby, how her and her husband juggle their unpredictable schedules, and advice she would give to a new mom in the industry. 

Links:
Instagram: @mommywoodpodcast

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

In this year-end bonus episode, Karen shares the story behind why she loves the Rose Parade so much!  From childhood memories of the Mummer's Parade in Philadelphia to a promise she made to herself years later, the Rose Parade feels like magic to her every year.  Learn why. 

A giant thank you for listening and sharing the podcast with others. We hope you have learned, smiled or laughed and felt supported. We are really looking forward to next season!

We will be off for the holidays, but back with new episodes starting on January 10th. 

We wish you and your family all a very happy and safe holiday. See you in 2024!

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Ever wonder what exactly a postpartum doula does, what it is like being a postpartum doula, or interested in learning helpful postpartum tips from a doula today? 

We know feeling cared for and supported after birth and during the early weeks of parenthood can drastically improve the overall postpartum experience, which is exactly what a postpartum doula does.

In this episode, Karen chats with Maria Pasqurelli, a postpartum doula here in Los Angeles about what it is like supporting families and what she has learned supporting so many. 

Karen and Maria specifically discuss: 

• what inspired her to go into this work
• how postpartum doulas support families and for generally how long
• factors parents should take into consideration when looking to hire a doula to make sure it's the right fit
• what most parents are most surprised to learn once they are home with the baby
• a few go-to tools for new parents (spoiler, many are for you, not the baby!)
• advice for new parents as they prepare for postpartum

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

With over 20 years of experience supporting thousands of families as a parenting educator, Gia Gambaro Blount has a front row seat to parenting and has seen many changes in parenting trends and philosophies over the years. 

Today on the podcast she shares some insights on what has changed since she started working with families and some common themes of what hasn't. 

While parenting is a process that constantly changes and evolves, Gia also shares some important tenets of parenting that we feel confident won't ever go off-trend.

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Juggling a career and motherhood and all the implications to both your professional life and your parenting is often a hot topic at The Family Room. The day to day struggles of trying to balance conflicting priorities can feel overwhelming and often put us in a position where we feel like we are regularly letting someone down, being forced to make difficult decisions, and often comes with a lot of guilt.  

Joining Karen on this episode to discuss this topic is Jen Carfagno, on-air meteorologist at The Weather Channel, and co-host of America's Morning Headquarters. During her 20- year career with The Weather Channel, she has worked various schedules, covered severe weather from hurricanes to snow storms and tornadoes across the country, all while raising her two daughters with her husband, Neil.

 She also happens to be Karen's best friend from high school. This episode is about working moms, a successful career in science and television, sacrifices, and so much more. It is also a story about friendship and a reminder that your choices don't have to look like your friend's choices.  

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/

Experiences parenting multiracial children are unique and as diverse as the families are themselves, including different perspectives among parents within the same family.   In this Part 2 episode, Karen speaks with Kwamina Amonoo-Neizer, Melissa's husband from Episode 62.  If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, you should go back and listen as it was a really interesting discussion! 

Not only are Melissa and Kwamina different races, but there are many cultural differences, too, as Melissa is White and grew up in California, while Kwamina is Black and grew up in Ghana. 

From racism to Ghanian culture and parenting differences, this episode covers a lot, and is important follow-up to the discussion with Melissa. 

Love the show? Subscribe, Rate, & Review!

https://www.familyroomcenter.com/podcast/