Freckled Foodie & Friends

In this episode, I return from maternity leave to conclude my labor and delivery recap. I share the long journey it was to finally get induced, what it was like going through the induction, from admittance to postpartum recovery, and how this experience came full circle from a terrible labor to a wonderful delivery. I also discuss why it’s so essential – and often difficult –  to advocate for yourself during labor and delivery, what it felt like to learn we had a boy, why making the delivery room a positive environment is a gamechanger, and more.Key Takeaway / Points:The long journey to finally getting inducedWhat it was like going through an inductionOn speaking up and advocating for yourself during labor and deliveryOn making the delivery room the environment you want it to beOn being surprised that we had a boyMy immediate postpartum experience in the hospitalOn breastfeeding contraction crampsOn the immediate emotions of having a second childThis episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisemen

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Nicole Landry, aka “The Birds Papaya,” to discuss how motherhood has shaped her; from the wide-ranging birthing and postpartum experiences she had with each of her four children; to the identity crisis that came in her late twenties; to the importance of setting up systems in your life so you don’t lose yourself in motherhood. Sarah shares how she moved through her divorce and felt the impulse to “fall on the sword” for her children, how she chooses to show up for her life throughout body changes and confidence waxing and waning, and much more.Key Takeaway / Points:On having four children of all age ranges and how her postpartum experiences differed with each, from birth trauma to prenatal depressionOn the identity crisis that came in her late twenties and hitting “rock bottom” at thirtyOn setting up systems so you don’t lose yourself in motherhoodHow men are seen as providers and women as nurturersOn moving through her divorce and the impulse to “fall on the sword” for

In this episode, I sit down with Sam Previte, Intuitive Eating Dietician, to discuss all things intuitive eating and cultivating a freeing relationship with food. Sam explains what exactly intuitive eating means and what the biggest misconceptions are about it, what the “rebellion” phase in intuitive eating means and how we can examine our food behaviors and patterns, and how you can blend intuitive eating with making nutrient-dense choices. She also shares why our bodies crave food variety, how we can observe our links between extreme emotions and food, how parents can create a positive food environment for children, and more.Key Takeaway / Points:What exactly is intuitive eating and what are the biggest misconceptions about it?On the “rebellion” phase of intuitive eating and examining food behaviors and patternsOn blending intuitive eating with making nutrient-dense choicesWhy our bodies crave food varietyOn coping with extreme emotions and eatingThe many different ways intuitive eating can take formOn cult

In this solo episode, I make a brief comeback from maternity leave to give a full update on the craziness that has happened in the last week and a half of this pregnancy. I share a timeline of my prodromal labor experience, from the multiple hospital visits; to having ongoing contractions and being several centimeters dilated; to finally getting a scheduled induction. I unpack the confusion of feeling like I don’t know my own body, the anxiety of not knowing how to interpret my labor signals, how frustrating it has been not having any answers from the medical community, and more. Finally, I sign off for maternity leave for the last time (fingers crossed), and hope that this third visit to the hospital is the charm.Key Takeaway / Points:On taking a brief pause from maternity leaveOn taking meticulous notes throughout pregnancy (and life)On the importance of not comparing pregnancies with othersA timeline and update on my prodromal labor experience, from my multiple hospital visits to scheduling an inductionOn

In this episode, I sit down with Ayana Lage to discuss her experience with postpartum psychosis, from how her symptoms began to develop after giving birth; to what led to her commitment to a psychiatric ward; to how she made a full recovery and emerged empowered about her story. Ayana shares what her relationship with her mental health was before and during her pregnancy, why the line between postpartum exhaustion and postpartum depression is so confusing, and what it felt like in the throes of her psychosis. She talks about what it was like within the psychiatric ward, how she experienced PTSD after her experience, what she hopes others take away from her experience and own about their postpartum stories, and much more. Thank you to Ayana for being so vulnerable and brave and reminding us that we are never alone, whatever our mental health experiences have been. Key Takeaway / Points:On the process of choosing to publicly share her experience with postpartum psychosisAyana’s relationship with her mental

In this episode, I sit down with Cindy Linville – my mother and three-peat guest – to discuss all things being a grandparent, from the experience of watching your own children raise children; to the act of meeting children where they are; to witnessing your children mirror your own traits. We talk about what it means to Cindy to not care about what people think, how she and I have experienced setting and respecting boundaries around parenting and the grandparent-child relationship, and how we’ve navigated body talk discussions in our family. She shares the generational differences in parenting she has observed, what it means to find your unique “thing” as a grandparent, and gives her best advice to grandparents who want to be in their grandchildrens’ lives while respecting boundaries.Key Takeaway / Points:On being a grandparent and watching your children raise childrenOn meeting your children where they areOn your children mirroring youUnpacking not caring what people think about youWatching the grandparent r

In this episode, I share how I’m feeling two and a half weeks out from my due date, what I’m doing for my body right now, and how my maternity leave will look personally and work-wise in the coming months. I discuss the question of sharing content during postpartum, what I want to prioritize during postpartum and do differently this time around, and why a recent experience with early labor pains brought up some deep-seated anxieties. Finally, I unpack the intense emotions I’ve been feeling around going from one child to two, the conflicting urge I have to share a final moment with my son before the new baby comes, and the recent Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift gossip that has everybody talking.Key Takeaway / Points:How I’m feeling two and a half weeks out from my due dateWhat I’m doing for my body right nowOn the question of sharing content during postpartumOn what my maternity leave will look likeWhat I want to prioritize in postpartum and do differently this timeOn the mind fuck that is the end of pregnancyOn my

In this episode, I sit down with friend and content creator Olivia Noceda to talk about priorities, boundaries, and understanding what we want versus what we think we want. We reflect on a time Olivia was there for me during a postpartum breakdown, and Olivia shares how she has developed her journey with boundaries over time. She also discusses why regularly establishing your priorities in life is essential, how the impulse of comparison on social media is inevitable, and why fiction and escapism can be so freeing. She also talks about her path to sober curiosity, how we can become addicted to routine, and why in a culture of “more,” “less” is actually the key to finding freedom and release.Key Takeaway / Points:Remembering a time when Olivia was there for me during a postpartum breakdownHow Olivia has developed her journey with boundariesWhy regularly establishing your priorities is essentialOn the impulse of comparison with social mediaOn the concept of being addicted to romance and escapismThe importance o

In this episode, I give a life update and share my recent experience being eight months pregnant at my cousin’s wedding, and how I’m generally feeling physically and mentally. I unpack the confusion of feeling anxious over daily life things but not “bigger” events, why anxiety sparks when I’m not able to show up as my truest self, and why I’m choosing to ignore the “more is better” mentality right now and lean into “less.” I share all the things I’m excited for postpartum (hello, soft belly), and what I plan to do differently in my second postpartum experience versus my first. Key Takeaway / Points:On the confusion of feeling anxious over daily life things, but not “bigger” eventsOn feeling anxious when I’m not able to show up as my truest selfOn being eight months pregnant at my cousin’s weddingWhat people don’t tell you about parenthoodThings I’m excited for postpartumOn choosing to ignore the “more is better” mentality and leaning into “less”What I plan to do differently in my second postpartum experi

In this episode, I sit down with one of my closest friends, Jess Nash, to discuss friendship, motherhood, and how the two intersect. We talk about our friendship “breakup” and how we reconnected after several years of not staying in touch, how having children has bonded us even further, and how essential it is for mothers not to judge each other for their parenting choices. We also discuss why it’s so important for mothers to find a postpartum community and we answer listener questions on preparing for motherhood, making space for conversation not centered around our children, and supporting a friend who is struggling with infertility or has miscarried.Key Takeaway / Points:On our friendship “breakup” and how we reconnectedHow having children bonded us furtherOn friends disagreeing with how they mother their childrenOn the importance of mothers not judging each otherOn finding community during postpartumAnswering listener questions on friendship and motherhood, including:Why friends “go quiet” after they have

In this episode, I sit down with Lizzy Mathis, Founder of The Cool Mom Co. and Co-host of Honest Renovations, to discuss the transition from non-motherhood to motherhood and how mothers can lose themselves when caring for others; to the importance of finding yourself again after having children; to how filling our cups as mothers should be a joyful process. Lizzy also shares her experiences as a black woman in society, the complexities of raising black children in today’s world, and how we can all have conversations about race at home. Finally, we talk about Lizzy’s new home renovation project with Jessica Alba, Honest Renovations, and why everyone can connect to home renovation shows.Key Takeaway / Points:On the transition from not having children to motherhoodOn finding yourself again after becoming a motherHow Lizzy fills her cup and practices self love nowLizzy’s experience as a black woman in societyOn what inspired Lizzy to create The Cool Mom Co. On raising black children in today’s worldHow we ca

In this solo episode, I reflect on what turning thirty-two means to me, and how I’ve been feeling more like myself lately. I also share the top things I learned and wish I knew in my twenties, from letting go of comparison and instead celebrating that we all are on different timelines; to learning how to be kinder to yourself in every way; to putting the energy out into the world that you’d like to receive. Finally, I share some lessons that FF Fam Members have submitted, like following your intuition and investing in your relationship with yourself.Key Takeaway / Points:On feeling more like myself latelyTop lessons learned in my twenties, including:On cultivating purpose and perspectiveEverything is temporaryComparison is uselessTrying things is invaluableNo one else knows what they’re doing eitherAdmit it when you don’t know somethingLearn how to be kinder to yourselfPut the energy out into the world that you’d like to receiveLessons shared from FF Fam MembersThis episode may contain paid endorsements and a

In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Ben-Ishay, founder of Baked by Melissa, to discuss everything from how the famed cupcake company got its name to how Melissa still finds joy in what she does, over ten years later. Melissa shares how being fired in her early twenties kick started Baked by Melissa, how she developed her business from scratch, and why she believes attitude above all else shapes your trajectory. She also discusses the differences between her first maternity leave as a founder and her second, how she conceptualizes social media for her business, and how she remains authentic to her voice while continuing to build a brand.Key Takeaway / Points:The origin story of the “Baked by Melissa” nameHow being fired kick started Melissa’s baking businessHow the bite-sized cupcake developedOn how attitude shapes your trajectoryOn being the founder of a business and taking maternity leaveOn the difference between your first maternity leave and secondHow Melissa conceptualizes social media for her busine

In this solo episode, I share how I’ve been feeling depressed and lonely lately, why I just haven’t had the energy or motivation to socialize at this stage of my pregnancy, and the ways in which I’ve experienced loneliness in the past. I unpack my recent impulse to share my emotions with strangers, feeling jealous of my husband’s ease with socializing right now, and missing the “old” version of myself. Finally, I share how having my son attend summer camp has been going so far, how I haven’t quite processed that we’re having a second child yet, and what my vision board for business and life looks like right now.Key Takeaway / Points:A pregnancy mental health updateOn feeling lonely right nowMy past experiences with lonelinessOn having nothing left in the tank for socializing right nowOn the impulse to share and process emotions with strangersOn feeling jealous of my husband right nowOn missing the old version of meOn having my son attend summer camp and how that’s been goingOn processing that we’re having a s

In this episode, I sit down with one of my best friends, Deanna DiCroce, to talk about all things adult friendships and how she and I have stayed close through the years. We compare communication styles, how we have navigated staying in touch despite being in different places in our lives, and why it’s useful to think of friendships as seesaws. She also shares how open and honest communication is most helpful when trying to support a friend in postpartum, why pressure and expectations can sink a friendship, and why letting friendships go is also okay. Finally, we discuss the importance of checking our egos and needs for external validation, and why working through conflict benefits all relationships.Key Takeaway / Points:How we have stayed close over the past twelve years despite being in very different places in our livesOn knowing your friend’s communication styles and navigating around those to keep in touchOn thinking of friendships as seesaws with ebbs and flowsOn being open about how friends can support

In this episode, I sit down with Kion founder, Angelo Keely, to discuss all things amino acids and how his passion for wellness and personal development unfolded over the years. Angelo shares how his unconventional upbringing and several traumatic events at young ages shaped him, how his trauma recovery inspired an exploration into wellness, and how he continues to develop his health knowledge today. We also discuss what amino acids are and why they’re essential for our bodies, how amino acids affect focus and brain health, and the difference between amino acids and protein. Finally, Angelo shares how he built Kion and why he chooses people over ideas, and what his experience has been like as a working father.Key Takeaway / Points:On pivotal life moments and “chapters”Angelo’s upbringing and how his childhood shaped himHow Angelo’s traumatic experience at sixteen kickstarted his journey into personal developmentHow a secondary traumatic event furthered his searchOn the “suffering Olympics” and the notion of g

In this episode, I sit down with Shira Barlow, registered dietician, food therapist, and host of the Good Instincts podcast, to discuss all things nutrition and creating a healthy relationship with food in today’s world. Shira shares how her relationship with food has evolved from childhood to present day, how she became a food therapist, and what she has consistently observed that her clients struggle with across the board. We talk about the issue with moral licensing and labeling food, why self-compassion is essential for overcoming food obsession and restriction, how understanding willpower and taking out decision fatigue can set you up for success with making healthy, positive food choices, and much more.Key Takeaway / Points:How Shira’s relationship with food has evolved from childhood to present dayShira’s path to becoming a food therapist, from her first job in the entertainment industry to her current nutrition practiceWhat balancing blood sugar actually meansOn the issue with moral licensing and labe

In this solo episode, I share how my body is feeling at 25 weeks pregnant, and how I’m doing mentally and physically. I discuss my morning routine as it looks right now, from waking up and meditating to reading a few pages of nonfiction. I also dive into what our days as predominantly work-from-home parens look like, how we manage childcare and implement schedules into our lives, and why I operate so well on routines. Finally, I discuss how we pivot with last-minute scheduling changes and childcare, and how I’m planning for maternity leave and baby number two in the future.Key Takeaway / Points:How my body feels at 25 weeks pregnantOn the fulfillment of morning timeBreaking down my morning routine, from meditation to readingWhat our days as work-from-home parents look likeOn observing different parenting styles than your ownOn implementing routines and schedules with a young childWhy I thrive on routinesOn managing last-minute changes with schedules and childcareWhat our childcare looks like right now, and pl

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aliza Pressman, developmental psychologist, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center and the Seedlings Group, professor, and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast. We discuss how Dr. Aliza came to developmental psychology, how her work influences her parenting and vice versa, and her thoughts on parenting “best practices” versus what is actually realistic. She shares the “orchid and dandelion” theory about children, her top four pieces of advice for first-time parents, and the value of process over outcome. Finally, we discuss growth mindsets versus fixed mindsets in children, how to start potty training with your child, and what she finds both difficult and great about parenting teenagers right now.Key Takeaway / Points:What drew Dr. Aliza to developmental psychologyOn how her work shifted after becoming a parentOn “best practices” for parenting vs. what is actually realisticHow children can be “dandelions” or ”orchids” Dr. Aliza’s top four pieces of advice f

TW: This episode includes in-depth examples of intrusive thoughtsIn this solo episode, I discuss all things intrusive thoughts, from when my intrusive thoughts first began; to how intrusive thoughts contributed to my postpartum anxiety and depression; to how I have been experiencing them lately during this second pregnancy. I share specific examples of my intrusive thoughts and how certain events have triggered them in the past, the challenge of not wanting to be a helicopter parent during intense bouts of anxiety, things I’m currently trying to do to help, and more.Key Takeaway / Points:A recent overstimulating experience I had at the vetHow overstimulation sometimes feels like intrusive thoughtsWhen my intrusive thoughts beganIntrusive thoughts vs. impulsive thoughtsHow intrusive thoughts contributed to my postpartum anxiety and depressionExperiencing an uptick of intrusive thoughts during this second pregnancyOn not wanting to be a helicopter parent despite experiencing intense anxietyOn linking PTSD to my