Freckled Foodie & Friends

In this episode, I sit down with my sister Sarah Louise (aka Lucy) to unpack both of our recent trips, whether I’ve become a grandparent on vacation, and our differences as “beach people” vs. “non-beach people”. We discuss Lucy’s birth name, the humiliation of applying sunscreen in public, and whether you’re a no-pee person or a multiple bathroom trips person on planes. We also debate airplane etiquette, from asking people to switch seats to jumping boarding zones, share the hell of our airport customs experiences, and reminisce on the time Lucy was on the no-fly list.Key Takeaway / Points:Lucy gives a quick bio on herself for new listenersWe reveal Lucy’s birth name and discuss her future options for changing her nameLucy updates us on her trip to AntiguaQuestioning if I’ve become a grandparent on vacationThe humiliation of applying sunscreen in publicOn never peeing on the airplane vs. making multiple bathroom tripsOn airplane etiquette, from asking people to switch seats to jumping boarding zonesOn the hel

In this solo episode, I discuss our upcoming quick getaway and much-needed alone time with my husband, updates on our current nanny search and how we’re going about the process, how crucial Facebook groups in general have been since moving to the suburbs, matresance and my experience with the 1-2 kid transition, and more. Key Takeaway / Points:On our upcoming vacation and needing alone time with my husbandOn our current nanny search and how we’re going about the processOn the magic that is Facebook Marketplace and Facebook groupsAnswering listener questionsUnpacking “matrescence”On experiencing the 1-to-2-children transition alongside my husbandBeing nostalgic for the presentWhat I miss about living in New YorkRead the NPR article on matrescence hereCheck out the Freckled Foodie Mamas group hereThis episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episo

In this episode, I sit down with my two friends and fellow mothers, Mandi and Lindsey, to discuss how we’re all doing in postpartum, how we became friends in the first place, and how we’ve supported each other through pregnancy, breastfeeding, and everything in between. We share why our husbands had to force us to be friends at first, how we are each others’ champions vs. cheerleaders, and how our second postpartum experiences have differed from our firsts – from our bodies, to our work, to our mental health. We also talk about why Lindsey decided to stop breastfeeding and how she went about it, what we love about having two children and what’s been the most challenging, how we’ve been working through the “roommates” phase with our husbands, and so much more.Key Takeaway / Points:Why our husbands had to force us to be friendsWhy Lindsey and Mandi were not excited about making new friends at firstOn all of us being pregnant at the same timeOn being each others’ champions vs. cheerleaders with parentingHow our

In this episode, I sit down with my sister and recurring guest, Lucy, to discuss everything from experimenting with heatless curls to debating a recent fashion choice of mine. We chat new potential desires for a third child, the confusion of knowing what you authentically like with the pervasiveness of social media, our family’s vacation competitions growing up, and how wanting people to like you and standing up for yourself can feel like conflicting forces. Key Takeaway / Points:On my experiment with heatless curlsOur recent stay at Cedar LakesOn my newfound feelings about wanting a third childOn the confusion of knowing what you authentically like with the pervasiveness of social mediaOn Lucy’s relationship with working outOn our family’s vacation sporting event, the Linville InvitationalWhether we use the term “girlfriend” for friendsReviewing a dress I wore to a wedding recently and why Lucy hates itOn wanting people to like you and picking your battles with standing up for yourselfOn struggling with

In this solo episode, I celebrate my two year anniversary of being alcohol-free with a deep dive into my decision to stop drinking, my background with alcohol growing up, and where I stand now on this decision that started out as a temporary experiment. I share how I suspected I didn’t enjoy drinking in college and post-college years like other people, how the effects of alcohol changed after my concussion, and why I felt angry and disempowered when I couldn’t drink after my accident. I also talk about how I moved from a disempowered choice to an empowered choice, why being hungover as a parent was a game changer for my decision, and how I have discovered an inner confidence and self-trust I didn’t have before. Finally, I answer listener questions like whether I ever miss drinking, how alcohol affects my mental health versus other substances, how I navigate events with friends and being around people who are drinking, and much more.Key Takeaway / Points:My upbringing with alcohol and experience drinking in co

In this episode, I sit down with my pseudo sister, Carly King, to discuss everything from grief; to our childhood experiences together; to how Carly came to music and honed her craft as a professional recording artist. Carly and I discuss the unique relationship between our mothers, and we unpack the tragedy Carly and her family experienced when they lost her father in 9/11. Carly shares how she has grown up with grief and how that grief has changed over time, how she feels connected to the world through her grief, and how music was the outlet that she didn’t see coming. She also talks about her path to becoming a recording artist, the creative process and personal meaning behind her song “Trust Me, Honey,” and the concept of being “a curse and a lifeboat,” a set of lyrics from her music. Finally, she shares what it’s been like releasing new EP, “From A to B,” and plays a live rendition of “Trust Me, Honey.”Key Takeaway / Points:On losing her father in 9/11On growing up with grief and having grief change over

In this solo episode, I answer listener questions on non-parenting topics, from mouth taping; to career advice I wish I’d been given at twenty-five. I share what my journey has been with anxiety medication, advice on managing friendships with someone struggling to conceive, when and why I quit the corporate world and started Freckled Foodie, and where I would start for anyone interested in exploring marijuana. Plus, of course, what my dream day of eating would look like.Key Takeaway / Points:On mouth taping - when I started, what it is, and how it’s helped meOn my journey with anxiety medicationMy thoughts on books “Iron Flame” and “Fourth Wing”How we entertain and exercise our dog, CharlieHow to manage friendships with someone struggling to conceiveOn being self conscious about introducing myself as a creatorWhen and why I quit my corporate job and how it led to Freckled FoodieCareer advice I wish I’d been given at 25Tips on where to start if interested in exploring marijuanaMy dream day of eatingOn what I l

In this episode, I sit down with my sister, Lucy, to talk about everything from listener poll results on serial killer tendencies; to getting the “ick” from our past content; to whether Lucy experiences imposter syndrome and anxiety. We read an old letter we found from our mom to Lucy in high school, discuss how Lucy felt always being compared to me when we were growing up, and unpack a recent fight I picked with my husband. We also talk about how we both feel comfortable fighting, how families can put you in a box and hold onto old beliefs, and how I feel like I’m failing at everything right now. Finally, we discuss how high strung I was before having kids, my recent experience going to an event, and how the internet can bring people together in strange ways.Key Takeaway / Points:Listener poll results from our previous episode (serial killer tendencies, brushing teeth with cold vs. hot water, and shower etiquette)On getting the “ick” from our past contentA recent experience I had with my therapistOn whether

In this episode, I sit down with old friend, creator, and food writer Caroline Chambers to talk about all things food, tackling dinner time with kids running around, and how we can make cooking satisfying despite it also being the bane of our existence. Caroline and I talk about our New Jersey connection and how she grew up with my older sister Maddie, what her boarding school experience was like, and how we truly bonded years ago when I taught her to “boot and rally.” We unpack the concept of “raising your first child like your third,” how we tackle nights with multiple kids, and how she developed her Substack, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking. Finally, she shares how she developed her career in food, what her go-to ten minute meals are today, and which necessary white lies we tell our toddlers to get them to eat and brush their teeth.Key Takeaway / Points:On our New Jersey connectionOn Caroline’s boarding school experienceOn our relationships with our siblingsThe time I taught Caroline how to “

In this solo episode, I answer listener questions on all things postpartum parenting, from the hardest part about transitioning from one to two kids; to how we try to manage toddler tantrums. I share how our current childcare looks, how we tackle division of labor and how that has evolved, and how I deal with “Mom jealousy” rather than Mom guilt. I also discuss prioritizing alone time, navigating not being able to give my first child undivided attention anymore, and how my mental health is right now postpartum. Finally, I share how to set boundaries during postpartum, how we have navigated sex and intimacy postpartum, and what my “fuck, marry, kill: postpartum edition” looks like between postpartum doula, toddler childcare, and meal trains.Key Takeaway / Points:The hardest part about transitioning from one to two kidsHow to manage toddler tantrums, from riding the wave to going outsideHow our current childcare looksHow we tackle division of labor now, and how it has evolvedOn feeling Mom jealousy vs. Mom guil

In this episode, I sit down with my sister and recurring guest on the podcast, Lucy, to unpack where we’re both at in our lives right now, and to catch up on everyday life. We chat about Lucy’s future presence on the show, her time in Florida with our family, farting in front of partners, and more. We also talk about the latest TikTok trends including front-to-back showering, the mob wife aesthetic, and how generally jumping from trend to trend can feel exhausting in this day and age. Finally, we share what we feel our serial killer tendencies are, how we felt about Saltburn, and how I’m currently feeling overwhelmed with two kids and how Lucy doesn’t feel ready to have children at this point in her life.Key Takeaway / Points:On Lucy’s future presence on the podcastOn Lucy’s time in Florida with our familyOn farting and pooping in front of your partnerOn front-to-back showering, the mob wife aesthetic, and the exhaustion of jumping from trend to trendOn feeling lost with fashion right nowOn our serial killer

In this episode, I sit down with Chloe Sappern, my creative right hand for my brand and a close friend, to talk about Chloe’s role as a social media strategist, how she grew to build Sappern Creative, and how she navigates creativity and collaboration in her work. Chloe shares her trajectory from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration to creating her own business, what her day-to-day looks like working with multiple clients, and how we started working together off of Chloe’s cold-email. She also discusses how she tries to implement work boundaries as a self-titled people-pleaser, what she finds the most challenging about social media today, and why she thrives in unfamiliar environments. Finally, we talk about why she stopped drinking early on in college and how she navigated dating, and she answers listener questions on how she organizes her day as someone who’s self-employed and how one can get involved in social media strategy.Key Takeaway / Points:Chloe’s role as a social media strategist, and how we

In this solo episode, I dive into how I’ve been feeling so far in postpartum, how our holiday and New Year went as a family of four, and what I’m hoping for moving into 2024. I discuss how our current sleep/feeding schedule is going with our newborn and where I’m at mentally right now, what I’m excited to explore on the podcast this year, and how it’s still impossible for me to wrap my head around being an adult. I also share why I’ve decided to stop breastfeeding and how freeing that decision has been, and how I’m digesting feelings of resentment, disconnect, and protectiveness as a mother. I also share why the newborn phase has not been a favorite of mine this time around, why comparing baby experiences is so unhelpful, and how I’m moving into this year at my own pace and not succumbing to social media pressure.Key Takeaway / Points:On my recent social media break and how I feel afterwardsMy current sleep/feed schedule with our newbornThe future of the podcast and my goals for 2024On traveling with our newb

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Elizabeth to discuss all things pregnancy and the emotional rollercoaster of preparing for your child to enter the world. Lauren talks about her first trimester experience and struggling to navigate medications, feeling shameful and lazy when battling pregnancy fatigue, and not always being able to connect to the baby in your womb. She also shares what she’s most anxious about for postpartum and how she’s proactively preparing, how being raised by a single mother and having an absent father affected her relationship with her partner and how she worked through her resentment, and why she’s most excited about discovering her inner child once her baby is born.Key Takeaway / Points:On Lauren’s rough first trimester and struggling to navigate medicationsOn the shame of feeling “lazy” and battling pregnancy fatigueOn confusing feelings over pregnancy and not always feeling connected to the baby in your wombOn protecting your peace during pregnancyWhat Lauren is anxious about

In this episode, I sit down with Superhuman App creator Mimi Bouchard to discuss all things visualization and the power of intentional thinking. Mimi shares her trajectory over the past ten years and how she became passionate about personal development, how what she calls the “what if” pull guided her towards her true potential, and why perfection is a fallacy and your bounce-back rate is much more important. She talks about how she started practicing self-guided visualization which ultimately led to creating the Superhuman App, how your beliefs about yourself and the world around you create your life, and how you can tap into your future self frequency to embody the person you’ve always wanted to be.Key Takeaway / Points:On being a sharer and how that intersects with Mimi’s contentMimi’s ten year journey towards personal development On feeling the “what if” pull and sensing your true potentialOn the fallacy of perfection and the importance of the bounce back rateOn the numbing aspects of social media&nb

In this episode, I sit down with financial therapist Aja Evans to discuss all things money and our complex emotions around finances. Aja shares how she came to financial therapy, how we perceive wealth as children and how that shapes us as adults, and how the “more” mentality can be a recipe for disaster. She talks about the necessity for women to empower themselves with financial awareness, how to talk about money with your partner and how it can bring about positive opportunities, and how to start getting curious about your root causes of financial anxiety or fear. Finally, she answers listener questions on managing the mental load of student debt, deciding how much you can spend on yourself, and why we spend money when we’re stressed.Key Takeaway / Points:On what a financial therapist doesHow Aja came to be a financial therapist and the awakening she had about money in her twentiesHow we perceive wealth as children and how that shapes us as adultsOn how the “more” mentality can be a recipe for disasterOn s

In this solo episode, I share how maternity leave has been so far with a toddler and a newborn, and how we’re adjusting as a family of four. I discuss what it’s like being immersed back into a newborn’s schedule and the anticipatory anxiety I’ve been feeling around time, how I feel more prepared and confident as a mother this time around, and why we’re resisting the urge to compare the two newborn experiences. I talk about the difficulties I’ve had with not being able to give both children my full attention at once, why we’re starting the weaning process with our newborn now, and how prioritizing rest has been huge recently. Finally, I share what it’s been like to navigate work and comparison anxiety during maternity leave, and how different my mental health is now versus postpartum in 2021.Key Takeaway / Points:On being immersed back into a newborn’s scheduleOn anticipatory anxiety and being hyper aware of time right nowRecapping my first child’s newborn experienceOn feeling prepared and confident about the

In this episode, I sit down with FF Fam member Chelsey Korhonen to discuss her incredible story of having two babies five weeks apart: one through gestational carrier, and one through a surprise pregnancy. Chelsey shares the long fertility journey she went on that led to considering a gestational carrier, the emotional toll of struggling to conceive, and what it was like having her friend Brittany offer to be their carrier. She talks about how the gestational carrier process works, the complex emotions she felt around gestational carrying, and what led to the shocking discovery that she was pregnant several weeks behind Brittany. She also shares what it was like caring for a newborn while pregnant, the guilt she felt trying to care for two babies at once, how her postpartum anxiety developed, and much more.Key Takeaway / Points:Chelsey’s fertility journey that led to considering a gestational carrierOn the emotional toll of struggling to conceiveOn her friend offering to be her gestational carrierHow the gest

In this episode, I sit down with Paris McLean – Assistant Head of School for Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism at Montclair Kimberley Academy, and my old friend – to discuss navigating conversations on race, how we can talk to our children about race, diversity, and equity, and how parents can be mindful about raising their children in diverse and inclusive environments. Paris speaks about his role in education and the foundational themes of his work, his experience growing up biracial, and how parents can use children’s literature as a powerful tool to start conversations. He also discusses the many different facets of diversity, how families can navigate raising children in a predominantly white community, and answers listener questions on explaining privilege, raising biracial children, and more.Key Takeaway / Points:How we know each other and how Paris has played a role in my and my husband’s livesParis’s role in education and the themes of his workOn how diversity and equity work will never be “

In this episode, I sit down with my new friend and neighbor, Ashley, as part of another installment in the Freckled Foodie Friendship Series. Ashley and I share how we first met and connected after moving to the suburbs, why it’s essential to prioritize adult friendships, and how we’ve both navigated having playdates with other moms present. We discuss what it’s like in the adult friendship dating world, the necessity of putting yourself out there when you want to make friends, and how grateful we are to live in such a connected neighborhood. We also give advice on choosing the right neighborhood, and how you can honor all the different types of friendships in your life.Key Takeaway / Points:How Ashley and I met in the suburbsOn the necessity of prioritizing adult friendshipsOn navigating playdates with other momsOn experiencing a progression of adult friendshipsOn navigating the friendship dating worldAdvice for choosing the right neighborhood to live inOn the necessity of putting yourself out thereOn the jo