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The Truth About: Career Pauses with Neha Ruch Aug 11, 2025

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Neha Ruch—founder and author of The Power Pause, formerly known as Mother Untitled and recent guest on The Drew Barrymore Show—joins Sam and Zara to talk about one of the biggest third-rail topics in motherhood today: what happens when ambitious women choose to pause their careers.
They cover everything from postnups and financial planning to the emotional rollercoaster of second babies, postpartum anxiety, and why the “trad wife” narrative is a distraction from what really matters. Neha doesn’t sugarcoat anything—she reclaims stay-at-home motherhood as a powerful, intentional choice, not a fallback plan.
Whether you’re burnt out, balancing it all, or secretly wondering "Is it okay to shift my priorities?"—this conversation will meet you where you are.
In this episode, we talk about:
How Neha decided to pause her career

The myth of “giving up” your ambition when you pause your career
Practical advice for planning a career pause with your partner (think: postnups, budgets, shared goals)
Why modern feminism must include more than one path for women
How her second baby changed everything—including her views on help, guilt, and mental health
Raising kids in NYC vs. the suburbs
Why having a village isn't just nice—it's necessary
Her experience on The Drew Barrymore Show and the cultural shift happening around motherhood today
Resources & Links:
The Power Pause
Follow Neha on Instagram

Buy The Power Pause

Tovah Klein’s work on parenting psychology

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

The Truth About: Pop Culture, Postpartum Depression and Doing the Most with @iam_kjmiller Aug 04, 2025

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"Pick a niche." "Stay in your lane." For women entrepreneurs, this limiting advice seems inescapable—unless you're KJ Miller, who's built an impressive career by doing precisely the opposite.
KJ joins us for a fascinating conversation about her refusal to be confined to a single identity. As co-founder of multimillion-dollar beauty brand Mented Cosmetics, lecturer, angel investor, content creator with hundreds of thousands of followers, and mother to a four-year-old daughter, KJ embodies what it means to embrace multiple passions simultaneously.

What happens when the dream career, the big funding round, and the perfect Instagram life still don’t feel right?
KJ Miller—Harvard MBA grad, Yale lecturer, co-founder of Mented Cosmetics, and certified member of both the Beyhive and Swiftie nation—joins us for a conversation that’s equal parts honest, inspiring, and overdue.
After building Mented into a multimillion-dollar brand and leading it through a successful exit, KJ hit a wall. Burnout, postpartum anxiety, and the crushing pressure to “do it all” forced her to pause—and ask what she really wanted next.
In this episode, KJ shares:
What it’s really like to raise millions in venture funding as a Black woman
How she navigated burnout while running a high-growth brand
Why leaving the company she built was the most radical act of self-preservation
Her transition into a slower, more sustainable life as a Yale lecturer, content creator, and mom
And yes—we talk about Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and the soundtracks that got her through it all
This isn’t a girlboss story. It’s a story about ambition, honesty, motherhood, and the courage it takes to choose yourself—even after “making it.”
ABOUT KJKJ lives in New Jersey with her husband of 10 years and their two daughters, ages 3 and 1.
Resources & Links:
Follow KJ on TikTok and Instagram
Mented Cosmetics
Postpartum Support International

"I am addicted to doing the most," she laughs, explaining how she thrives with a full plate rather than a narrow focus. This perspective has served her well, from Harvard to Yale to her current teaching position at Ohio State, from building a beauty brand that's now available in CVS stores to creating viral content about everything from Taylor Swift to reality TV.
The conversation takes a vulnerable turn when KJ shares her difficult pregnancy and traumatic birth experience, including an emergency C-section where she wasn't given enough anesthesia. Her candid discussion about postpartum depression, medication, and her experiences with GLP-1s offers a refreshing counterpoint to the sanitized narratives often presented about motherhood and body image.
Perhaps most striking is KJ's reflection on raising a Black daughter in America, contrasting her parenting approach with that of her white friends. "I know when my child goes out into the world, the world will try to knock her down a peg," she explains, highlighting why she deliberately builds up her daughter's confidence daily. This insight into the additional emotional labor required of parents raising Black children is both moving and thought-provoking.
KJ credits her success in juggling multiple roles to her husband's equal partnership in parenting—a refreshing deviation from typical heterosexual dynamics. Their approach challenges gender norms and demonstrates how equitable partnerships enable both parents to thrive professionally while raising children.
Listen now for an honest, unfiltered conversation about defying expectations, embracing authenticity, and creating success on your own terms. What lane will you refuse to stay in?

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

The Truth About: The C-Section Experience featuring @cxpodcast Jul 28, 2025

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Do you want the truth about c-sections? Because this week, you’re getting it.
Jen and Beth — the brilliant, brutally honest minds behind The C-Section Experience podcast — join us for a conversation that’s part group therapy, part birth trauma confessional, and part roast of the word “birth plan.” Between them, they’ve had more abdominal surgeries than a Grey’s Anatomy cast member and are here to share about some really personal things like: stillbirth, VBACs, unmedicated guilt spirals, body betrayal, hospital shakes, and the deep weirdness of bonding with a newborn when you’ve got a toddler at home who still calls the shots.
They’re smart. They’re funny. And they’re not here for the sugarcoating.
Whether you had a magical unmedicated birth or felt like your uterus got mugged in an OR, this episode is for you.
Content note: This episode includes a deeply personal story of stillbirth.
At 28 weeks pregnant, Beth knew something was wrong — but no one listened. What followed changed everything about how she approached birth, medicine, and motherhood. She shares her story with vulnerability and strength, offering insight into how trauma shapes our decisions and how healing isn’t linear.
Together we unpack:
What it’s like to schedule a C-section after stillbirth
The guilt spiral of “failed” birth plans and emergency deliveries
Why three is the hardest age (scientific consensus among moms)
Medical gaslighting and why your gut always knows
Birth prep advice that actually helps
Scar tissue, diastasis recti, and whether a strong core helps or hurts
The postpartum recovery no one preps you for (including scar itch and the shakes)
How to stop apologizing for your birth story
They also get real about what it’s like to fall in love with your kid — sometimes not right away — and why being a “good mom” has nothing to do with how your baby entered the world.
Resources Mentioned:
The C-Section Experience Podcast
Every Mother: Diastasis Recti Program
Postpartum Support International
VBAC info via ACOG

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

The Truth About: Reselling with @commonthreads The Reseller Making $26K in a Month on Whatnot—While Raising 4 Kids Jul 21, 2025

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Amanda Anderson @commonthreads is a stay-at-home mom of four, a former boutique owner, and a full-time reseller who’s grown a thriving Whatnot business—pulling in up to $3,000 in a single show and $26k in just one month on Whatnot and $15k on TikTok Shop. In this episode, she talks candidly about the mental load of motherhood, religious deconstruction, parenting on one income, and how she clawed her way out of financial fear by finding something for herself.
Whether you’re a mom trying to make ends meet, someone burned out from corporate life, or just curious about how reselling really works, this conversation is equal parts validating and motivating.
We cover:

What it’s really like to raise 4 kids on a single income
The shame spiral of not “contributing financially”
Reselling as financial empowerment—and why Amanda says it saved her
Growing up Mormon and figuring out your own beliefs
The myth of “having it all” and why everything feels like a no-win scenario
Making money on Whatnot, TikTok, and how she hit $26K in one month

Follow Amanda:
TikTok: @amanda.comandthreads
Instagram: @commonthreadsLLC
Whatnot: commonthreadsLLC
Resources:
Postpartum Support International
Mothers for Mothers
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (U.S.): 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

The Truth About: Postpartum Psychosis with @ayanagabriellelage Jul 14, 2025

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After giving birth to her daughter, Ayana Lage felt euphoric—until everything unraveled. Ten days postpartum, she was hospitalized with postpartum psychosis, experiencing delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations. In this unfiltered conversation, Ayana joins us to share what really happened, how she got help, and why she’s choosing to speak out.
We talk about the terrifying reality of postpartum psychosis, the cultural stigma that surrounds maternal mental health, and the systems that fail too many moms. Ayana opens up about being a Black woman navigating psychiatric care, how her husband and family carried her through, and what she did differently with her second baby to protect her mental health.
If you're a parent, if you've ever had scary thoughts after giving birth, or if you want to know what real support looks like—this episode is for you.
In this episode, we discuss:
What postpartum psychosis really looks like and why it’s often missed
How Ayana knew something was wrong—even as everyone else dismissed it
Why she felt safer in the hospital than at home
The truth about intrusive thoughts, rage, and the postpartum spectrum
Cultural and racial stigma around mental health for Black mothers
What Ayana did differently after her second baby to safeguard her mental health
How postpartum care needs a serious overhaul
Resources
Pre-order Ayana's Book
Follow Ayana on Instagram
Ayana’s personal essay in Cosmopolitan: "I Had Postpartum Psychosis and Didn’t Know What Was Real"
Postpartum Support International
The Blue Dot Project
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS)

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

Navigating a Traumatic Birth Experience with Valerie Oresko [ENCORE] Jul 07, 2025

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What do you do when your birth plan starts to fall apart, and how do you advocate for yourself?

In today’s episode, we dive into the often unspoken realities of childbirth and maternal mental health with our guest, Valerie. She shares her raw and powerful story of a traumatic birth experience, lack of paid leave and her journey of resilience and healing. Together, we explore the impact of childbirth trauma, the urgent need for better maternity leave policies, and how therapy and open conversations can be transformative.

Tune in to hear:

The importance of preparing for every possible birth scenario, advocating for oneself, and being well-informed about different childbirth methods, including vaginal birth, c-sections, and induction
The benefits of EMDR therapy and time in coping with PTSD and the crucial role of mental health support during the postpartum period
An exploration of the gaps in maternity leave policies and support for expecting mothers and calling for better resources and flexibility to balance work and family life
The importance of normalizing discussions around traumatic birth experiences and the mental health challenges associated with childbirth to provide comfort and help break the isolation many new mothers feel

Learn more about Valerie here: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com/our-guests/valerie

Connect with Valerie:

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valerieoresko

Instagram: www.instagram.com/valerieoresko

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

Jiu-Jitsu, Parenting, and Punk Rock with Blake Kasemeier (@blakeoftoday) [ENCORE] Jul 07, 2025

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In this episode, we’re sitting down with Blake, a Meta copywriter and creative director and TikTok sensation, best known for his "This Week in Fatherhood" series. We'll explore the nuances of sober parenting, the impact of COVID-19 on family dynamics, and the hidden challenges and joys of raising children. Blake opens up about losing his mother to cancer, career instability, and transitioning to fatherhood amid a global pandemic. We'll also touch on the double standards in parental recognition, the significance of martial arts in Blake's life, and the bittersweet realities of balancing a social media presence with family privacy.

Tune in to hear:

The complex feelings parents have about screen time for both themselves and their kids and how it often leads to unnecessary guilt.
Reflections on parenting during the pandemic and how isolation and fear impacted Blake’s early fatherhood journey and heightened anxiety as a parent.
How the profound grief from losing his mom prepared Blake in unexpected ways for fatherhood
Blake’s journey with sobriety and how it has significantly impacted his ability to be more present and engaged as a father.
They key advice Blake would give to new parents: lower your expectations—for your kids and yourself—and embrace the surprises and imperfections of parenthood.

Learn more about Blake here: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com/our-guests/blake

Connect with Blake:

Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@blakeoftoday

Instagram: instagram.com/@blakeoftoday

Parenting Keywords:
parenting advice, fatherhood journey, raising kids, parenthood struggles, parenting during the pandemic, new parent tips, fatherhood content creator

Jiu-Jitsu & Wellness Keywords:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, jiu-jitsu life lessons, black belt wisdom, mental discipline, wellness and parenting

Punk Rock & Personal Story Keywords:
from punk rock to parenthood, touring musician turned dad, life after hardcore punk, Blake Kasemeier podcast, creative parenting stories

Emotional & Personal Growth Keywords:
grief and parenting, loss of a parent, Good Grief podcast, overcoming challenges, mental health for parents, personal growth journey

Social Media-Specific Hashtags:
#ParentingPodcast, #FatherhoodStories, #JiuJitsuParenting, #PunkRockDad, #ParentingLifeLessons, #CreativeParenting, #FatherhoodUnplugged

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

En Pointe: The Dance of Parenting in a Dual-Income Household with @brouyang [ENCORE] Jul 07, 2025

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In this episode, Brittany Ouyang shares her story of parenting a toddler while navigating the mental load of a dual-income household. As a brand marketing manager at Cruise and former ballet dancer, Brittany reflects on the coordination, effort, and unexpected joys of raising a family while balancing career ambitions. Her relatable insights and practical advice will resonate with parents and professionals alike.
Keywords: parenting, dual-income household, working moms, mental load, toddler life, brand marketing, Mill Valley moms, ballet, self-care for moms, motherhood challenges, ballet, dance, bay area parenting, parenthood
Learn more about Brittany on our website
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brouyang/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/brouyang/

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

The Truth About: Navigating Layoffs and Parenthood: A Panel Discussion Jul 01, 2025

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Laid Off, Logged On: Parenting Through the Unpredictable Job Market
In this episode, I’m joined by an incredible panel—Valerie Oresko, Blake Kasemeier, and Brittany—to talk about the curveballs life throws at working parents, especially when job security takes a nosedive. We dive into the raw and real experiences of being laid off, navigating identity and stability, and balancing parenting amid uncertainty. Whether you're a parent or not, this conversation offers insight into resilience, reinvention, and how to find meaning (and even a bit of humor) in chaos.
From being the breadwinner while facing maternity leave with no income, to pivoting from corporate jobs to creative careers, to learning how to survive virality on TikTok—this is not your average career advice episode. We’re telling the truths behind the polished résumés and LinkedIn updates. Trust me, you’ll want to hear this one.parenting and layoffs, getting laid off with kids, working parents and job loss, millennial job insecurity, layoff stories from parents, career changes after layoffs, parenting through unemployment, balancing work and family, breadwinner mom challenges, male vs female parenting expectations, mental health after job loss, stay-at-home parent stigma, corporate layoffs in tech, maternity leave and career setbacks, freelancing after layoffs, mom guilt and career, TikTok parenting controversy, navigating layoffs in California, real stories of working parents, career identity after kids

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

The Truth About: A Brain-Based Approach to Parenting Without Punishment with @WholeParent Jun 23, 2025

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This week, we chat with Jon Fogel—known to many as @wholeparent on social media—to challenge everything we think we know about parenting, discipline, and the role of punishment. Jon brings a unique blend of lived experience as a pastor, foster parent, and neuroscience-informed educator. Together, we dive into how authoritarian parenting patterns mirror broader societal dynamics and why shifting from punishment to connection could be the most transformative change we make as parents.
We also get deeply personal—sharing stories of tantrums, triggers, and those hard moments that test every parent's resolve. If you've ever wondered whether there's a more effective, more human way to raise your kids—especially when they're screaming "F-you" at you—you’re going to want to hear this. Jon’s insights on brain-based, compassionate parenting are nothing short of game-changing.
⭐️ If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to rate, review, and follow the show. And don’t forget to share it with a fellow parent who might need a reminder that punishment isn’t the only path. Let’s raise kids who feel safe, seen, and supported.
Links & Resources:
Jon Fogel’s Book: Punishment-Free Parenting: The Brain-Based Way to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Voice
Follow Jon on Instagram and TikTok: @wholeparent
Jon’s Substack (with bonus parenting resources): wholeparent.substack.com
Book Mentioned: The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson and Dr. Dan Siegel
Children’s Book Mentioned: The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
Book Mentioned: Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn
Emotional Regulation Guide from Jon (included in Substack subscription)

Primary Keywords:
gentle parenting, punishment-free parenting, parenting without punishment, conscious parenting, discipline vs punishment, emotional regulation for kids, neuroscience-based parenting, raising emotionally intelligent children, parenting, punishment-free parenting, emotional regulation, child development, neuroscience, parenting advice, John Fogel, Whole Parent, discipline, Bible, authoritarianism

Supporting Keywords:
Jon Fogel Whole Parent, Whole Brain Child, parenting expert interview, foster parenting, parenting and religion, parenting and politics, authoritarian parenting, ICE raids and parenting

Long-Tail Keywords:
how to discipline without yelling, what to do instead of timeouts, how punishment affects child brain development, alternatives to authoritarian parenting, what is conscious parenting really about, parenting advice for strong-willed children

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/