Moms of the Lou

Latest Episodes:

Episode #11: Halloween Fun in STL with Kristi Denner Oct 24, 2024

Get ready for Halloween! In this episode, Trina sits down with Kristi Denner, the sales director of St. Louis Mom and they chat about all the fun Halloween activities in St. Louis. Kristi talks about her family’s low-key Halloween traditions, such as making chili, s'mores, and doing fun Halloween STEM activities. Trina and Kristi mention local Halloween events like Boo at the Zoo and Union Station's Halloween activities. Kristi explains the local tradition of telling a joke to get candy while trick-or-treating. Trina and Kristi both share their favorite jokes to get ready for Halloween. Check out St. Louis Mom’s Fall Season Guide for all the fun Halloween activities!

Kristi, a small-town IL farm girl, finally feels she can call St. Louis “home” after 12 years. She and her husband Dan have four boys – Carson, Harrison (who happens to be rocking an extra chromosome), Nelson, and Dawson. A former Parkway teacher, Kristi now stays home with her boys and leads a local MOPS group. A ripple of life changes quickly taught her that adapting and pivoting is the name of the game: starting over in a new state, full-time working mom to stay-at-home mom, battling PPD, navigating Down syndrome and Autism diagnoses, and most recently walking the painful road of grief after the loss of her brother. Her faith roots have been her lifeline, and she always seeks to be a voice of truth, compassion and hope, especially in the messy.

We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in!

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #10: Get to Know Your Neighbors with Anna Beck Oct 10, 2024

Trina Harger, podcast manager of the Moms of the Lou Podcast, sits down with Anna Beck to discuss the importance of getting to know neighbors. Anna, a part-time attorney and blogger, shares her experiences of connecting with her neighborhood through casual conversations, spontaneous gatherings, and creating a private Facebook group for local women to connect. She emphasizes the value of involving children in neighborhood activities and the significance of intergenerational connections. Anna also highlights the challenges of busyness and the importance of making time for neighborly interactions, which can foster a sense of community and support. Check out Anna’s blog post on How to Form a Mom Community in Your Own Neighborhood for more ways to get connected.

Anna Beck lives in University City with her three young children and husband. She is an attorney and journalist and maintains the blog, urbanapronblog.com. Anna loves visiting kid-friendly spots around the city and can also be found baking in her kitchen with her toddlers. She loves connecting with other moms around St. Louis and talking about motherhood, work-life balance, and healthy living.

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #9: STL Autumn Adventures with Candice Meyer Sep 26, 2024

In this episode of the Moms of the Lou podcast, Rebekah talks about all the fun fall activities in St. Louis with contributing writer and content creator, Candice Meyer. Candice, a mom of two, shares her journey with St. Louis Mom and her family life, highlighting the challenges and joys of parenting children in the “middle” season of childhood. She recommends top fall activities in St. Louis, such as visiting Art Hill, City Garden, and Castlewood State Park for the best autumn leaves, and mentions her favorite apple and pumpkin picking spots like Eckert’s Family Farms and Braeutigam's Orchards. Candice also suggests fall festivals like Legends & Lanterns and Ghouls in the Garden, and recommends day trips to Shawnee National Forest and Elephant Rocks State Park. Want to follow more adventures Candice recommends? Go give her a follow over on Instagram. And don’t forget to check out our St. Louis Mom Fall Season Guide for more fall fun.

Candice is a St. Louis native and loves exploring the amazing parks, museums, and restaurants that the city has to offer. She is married to her college sweetheart, and they have two children, Olivia and Ryan. Her passions include all things arts and crafts, planning special events, hiking trails sprinkled throughout the area, and documenting the beauty of everyday adventures with her family. In between shuffling her kids to school and various activities, you will likely find her drinking a cup of coffee, gathering ideas on Pinterest, researching destinations for their next family trip, listening to parenting podcasts, or dreaming up her next design project!

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #8: Navigating IEPs with Danielle Sawyer Sep 12, 2024

Rebekah sits down with Danielle Sawyer as they discuss IEPs (Individual Education Plans) for students in St. Louis. Danielle, a special education teacher for 14 years, emphasizes the importance of open communication between parents and teachers and the role of advocates in IEP meetings. Danielle shares her personal experience with her son, who has hearing aids and other medical concerns, and highlights the importance of celebrating all the progress a child makes in their IEP journey. To learn more about IEPs, check out Danielle’s blog post IEP 101: How to Prepare and Be Ready to Advocate.

Here are local resources for families in the St. Louis area: Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, State of Missouri Disability Portal, Missouri Department of Mental Health, Easterseals, and VarietySTL. You can also go to your local school district for further resources.

Danielle resides in O’Fallon with her husband Devon, two boys, Harrison and Nolan, and three dogs! Danielle is a local Autism Teacher, who advocates for all abilities. Danielle and her son are both deaf/ hard of hearing— they’re a hearing aid/ cochlear implant household. Danielle’s hobbies include baking, riding four wheelers, exploring their property, sitting around a campfire, board games, and pinteresting crafts she most likely will never do! You can find The Sawyers at some of their favorite spots: Magic House, Big Joel’s Safari, and Indian Camp Creek!

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #7: Momming in the Social Media Era with Jen Cowan Aug 29, 2024

In today’s episode, Rebekah chats with Jen Cowan, writer of the blog And Hattie Makes Three! They discuss the joys and challenges of motherhood in the digital age and the exciting evolution of the blogging scene in St. Louis. Both share their experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of striking a balance between technology use and spending quality time as a family, staying up-to-date with digital trends, while also prioritizing health and emotional well-being.

We are so grateful to Siteman Cancer Center for sponsoring this episode. Listen to the stories of cancer survivors in season 3 of their "This is Cancer" podcast, available on all platforms. It will be sure to inform, uplift, and inspire you!

Jen Cowan is the owner and founder of And Hattie Makes Three. It has always been her vision as a mom to help make long-lasting memories. She grew up in St. Louis and graduated from St. Louis University with a degree in Marketing. After graduating in ’04, she spent her time around the St. Louis Metro area in a recruitment capacity for a few Fortune 500 Companies. In 2012, she was recruited away to her dream job, to manage the Internship Program for MasterCard. She had so much fun building a strong program and becoming an employer of choice at Universities. So now, instead of lunch meetings and quick flights out to colleges, she spends her time as a part-time Girl Scout Leader, PTO Parent, Cheer Mom and focusing on Miss H. Her family has a pretty action-packed social calendar so she created this blog to document life and what they do, where they go, new things they try and what they love.

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #6: Ways to Support Your Child's Mental Health with Yasmine Fehr Aug 15, 2024

Yasmine Fehr joins Rebekah on this episode of Moms of the Lou as they discuss the significance of mental health in children, particularly as they return to school. They also talk about the significant mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents today, including the impact of technology and social media, and how to recognize signs of distress in early intervention. Both highlight the need for creating an open and non-judgmental environment to reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Yasmine Fehr is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who is board certified for the whole lifespan, but she specializes in pediatric and adolescent psychiatry. Check out Yasmine’s blog post about Back to School Stress: How Can We Navigate This? Wondering about your child’s mental health? Check out Yasmine’s blog post about How Do I Know if My Child or Teen Needs Help with Mental Health. The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery is a great resource for keeping children safe and building stronger families.

Originally from Memphis, TN, but St. Louis has been home since 2002 when she attended college at Washington University. She currently lives in Ellisville with her husband, Chris, son, Samuel, and their dog, Whitney B. She loves watching and streaming shows (favorites include “The Golden Girls,” “Seinfeld,” “Bob Hearts Abishola,” and “Only Murders in the Building), reading, walking, and spending time with friends and family. She is excited to continue to learn from other St. Louis moms as a new mother and is equally excited to share insights that can benefit children and adolescents.

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #5: Summer Boredom Busters with Haley Strebler Aug 01, 2024

Rebekah and Haley discuss ways to combat summer boredom before the back-to-school season starts. Haley shares her favorite St. Louis hidden gems, events, and festivals to enjoy with the family. She also gives us some creative ideas for getting out of the house by visiting cat cafes and trying some boba tea! Want ideas for a date night or looking for a night out with your girlfriends? Check out Haley’s blog post Eating Through the STL Top 100 - 2024 Edition. Are you feeling adventurous and wanting to take a weekend trip to Chicago before school starts? Get some ideas from our Chicago Family Summer Destination Guide. Don’t forget to join the St. Louis PBS Facebook Group now so you can join their activities for next summer!

Haley was born and raised in small town Kansas. She moved to St. Louis after graduating from the University of Kansas to attend graduate school at Lindenwood. Her 2 year plan to live in St. Louis turned into 12 when she met her husband. They were married on home plate at Busch Stadium in 2015 and are parents to two girls, Presley and Piper, Haley started her career as a Certified Athletic Trainer working at high schools all throughout St. Louis. After returning to nursing school she was a Trauma ICU nurse for 5 years before taking on her current role as the Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator at a Level 1 Trauma Center. Outside of work Haley blogs about local food and businesses as part of the Yelp Elite Squad, volunteers for Make-A-Wish MoKan, and loves strength training and self care. Haley considers herself a “wrangler of tiny females”. She loves raising a strong willed preschooler who both challenges and amazes her. Haley loves living in St. Louis and feels it has so much to offer to inspire children and foster creativity. You can follow her at @mamastrebs.

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #4: Youth Sports - Finding the Right Balance with Amy Sanders & Jessica Hendricks Jul 18, 2024

In this episode of “Moms of the Lou,” Amy and Jessica sit down with Rebekah to discuss their children's involvement in youth sports. They talk about their experiences with busy schedules, financial costs, and the importance of balance between youth sports and other aspects of life. Amy & Jessica also have spouses who coach and encourage us all to break the ice to start a carpool with other families! Rebekah chats with Amy and Jessica about finding the right balance between family life and managing extracurricular activities for their children. Interested in signing up and getting your child on the team? Check out our Youth Sports Guide, and read our blog posts about Choosing Kids Activities Wisely and Sportsmanship: Reclaiming the Love of the Game.
Amy Sanders is in her thirties with three kids, so her kitchen is always stocked with coffee, wine, and goldfish. She works part-time, tries to keep up with her book club, and is fluent in sarcasm. She loves raising her family in St. Louis and couldn’t get by without her tribe (or Netflix).
Jessica Hendricks lives in Glendale, Missouri, with her husband Josh, and three kids Stella (2010), Graham (2012), and Mia (2015). She is originally from Louisville, Kentucky but was raised mostly in Irmo, South Carolina. After earning a BS Degree in Sociology at The University of Kansas she moved to Phoenix, Arizona and during her 15 years there she met her husband and started their family. In 2014, they moved back to her husband’s hometown of St. Louis and have loved exploring all the city has to offer for families.
We hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! To learn more about Moms of the Lou you can go to stlouismom.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in!
This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #3: The Car Mom - Building a Side Hustle That Works for You Jul 03, 2024

In today’s episode, Rebekah chats with Kelly Stumpe, also known as The Car Mom! Kelly shares her motherhood journey with us and how she has grown The Car Mom business into a national brand while raising kids. Kelly gives advice to moms pursuing a side hustle and emphasizes the importance of building an online presence and connecting with other moms. Get tickets for The Car Mom Auto Show, happening right here in St. Louis on July 20th at Queeny Park!

Kelly is a mom of three (& pregnant with her fourth!), car salesperson, Child Safety Passenger Technician (CPST) and of course, The Car Mom. With over 1 million views since the launch of her YouTube channel in November 2020, Kelly’s informative and fun reviews have captured the attention of women across the country looking to upgrade their vehicle needs. Her reviews focus on what mothers really care about - everything from the car seat set up to the cup holders. All of her unique content is shared weekly across multiple media channels. Kelly graduated from William Woods University with a degree in Communications & Equestrian Studies. Kelly hosts The Carpool Podcast with her sister, Lizz, every Tuesday & Thursday available wherever podcasts can be found.

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #2: Transplant Culture - How to Break In with Lauren Cappell Jun 20, 2024

In this episode, Lauren Cappell shares her experience as a transplant mom in St. Louis, and she emphasizes the importance of building a supportive village beyond immediate family members. Lauren & Rebekah talk about the challenges of finding time and energy to build relationships while managing parenting demands. They encourage us all to “just say ‘hi’ to the mom you see at the park.”Lauren & Rebekah also share their favorite places in St. Louis, including restaurants, coffee shops, outdoor attractions, and other fun spots to visit! You can read Lauren’s blog post “A Village to Call My Own” here.

Lauren lives in Kirkwood with her husband, Eric, and their two daughters, Claire (8) and Frances (6). Both she and her husband are transplants, Lauren originally from San Diego and her husband, Charleston, SC. They’ve called St. Louis their home since 2013. Lauren taught both first and third grade for 10 years before becoming a full-time stay at home mom. Moving to a new city without friends or family forced her to get outside her comfort zone and establish friendships and discover all that St. Louis has to offer families (you can find her sharing her adventures on her Instagram account @littleloupstl). She understands the immense value of community which is what brought her to St. Louis Mom.

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom Collective. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Episode #1: What High School Did You Go To? Cracking the STL Code with Jennedy Lombard Jun 05, 2024

In this episode, Rebekah & Jennedy talk about their shared experiences as St. Louis natives. They address the challenges of motherhood and working full-time while also emphasizing the importance of connecting with other moms through St. Louis Mom. Both express gratitude for the support they've received from their villages, which has given them the confidence to reach out to other moms in the greater St. Louis area.

Jennedy Lombard grew up in West County, attended Mizzou, and now works as a full-time School Counselor. At home, her life moves along at a quick pace to a lovely soundtrack of music provided by her husband, Kyle, who is a classical musician and her two young sons. When time allows, Jennedy loves a project- whether it be tiling a bathroom, decorating, gardening, meal planning, learning to sew, or finding new and efficient ways to manage her household. Jennedy is hoping to figure out the magic formula of work, life, and self-care balance. She’ll be sure to write a blog for St. Louis Mom Collective when she does.

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom Collective. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

Intro: Welcome to the Moms of the Lou Podcast! Jun 05, 2024

Join Rebekah Coste as she introduces the Moms of the Lou podcast! This podcast will be a space for St. Louis moms to share their experiences of motherhood, emphasizing the importance of community while fostering a sense of belonging, and learning from each other's perspectives. We are excited to embrace authentic narratives in uniting and creating a supportive community for St. Louis moms.

Rebekah Coste is the founder and owner of St. Louis Mom. Born and raised in St. Louis, she loves the city for its rich history and small-town feel, Cardinals baseball, and toasted ravioli! Rebekah has a bachelor’s degree in Magazine Journalism and a minor degree in French from the University of Missouri-Columbia. During her time at Mizzou, she completed internships with Associated Press Television News in Brussels, Belgium, Standard & Poors in New York, New York, and Alive Magazine in St. Louis. She returned to St. Louis where she worked in corporate communications for five years. She then moved to Paris, France to teach English in a French high school, where she remained for three years. She is thrilled to be home in St. Louis. She is a full-time stay at home mom to two beautiful daughters and a son (one born in France, and two born in STL!) She is married to Jean-Christophe and is currently outnumbered as the only non-French citizen in her household! They reside in Rock Hill.

This episode was produced by the St. Louis Mom Collective. It was recorded and edited by Half Coast Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. Music composed by Trina Harger.

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