The Mom Room

Latest Episodes:

Esther Hallam on Starting an Organic Baby Formula Company Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Ep541. Renee sits down with Esther Hallam, founder of Nara Organics, to talk about what inspired her to launch a baby formula company from the ground up in a space usually dominated by big pharma. Esther shares the challenges she faced after her daughter was born, when breastfeeding became painful, and how that experience led her to create a cleaner, whole-milk–based formula. They also dive into the postpartum phase of new mom life — from the guilt that so often surrounds feeding decisions to the reality of balancing motherhood while starting a business (no small feat!).

Find Esther:

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

Website: https://nara.com

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RENEE REINA

Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina

TikTok: @thereneereina

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Gaining 15 lbs and Wanting to Lose Weight: An Honest Chat Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

EP540. In this vulnerable solo episode, I open up about my history with weight and body fluctuations, and how it’s showing up for me right now. After seeing a photo of myself recently and not even recognizing the person in it, I did something I’ve never done before: I bought a scale. I’ve gained about 15 pounds in the past year, and I’m sharing honestly about my decision to make some changes!

I talk about how it feels almost taboo to admit that you want to lose weight these days (am I going to be cancelled?), and the mindset shifts I’m working through as I focus on my health and wanting to feel my best. I also break down the simple dietary changes I’m making and yes, I get specific with numbers, including how much I used to weigh, what I weight now, and what my goals are.

If you’ve ever felt conflicted about your relationship with your body or guilty for wanting to make a change, this conversation is for you!

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Stephanie O’Dea on Slow Living, Family Life & Breaking Free from Hustle Culture Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Ep539. This week, Renee chats with Stephanie O’Dea, bestselling cookbook author and host of The Slow Living Podcast, about what happens when you swap hustle culture for a slower, more intentional way of life. Stephanie shares how a New Year’s resolution to use her slow cooker every day for a year turned into viral fame, cookbook deals, and a career she never saw coming — all while raising three kids.

They dig into why “fast” doesn’t always mean better, how to push back against hustle culture, and the simple systems that make everyday life calmer and more sustainable. Stephanie also opens up about parenting in the age of social media, money lessons she’s passed on to her kids, and the daily habits that keep her grounded. It’s part inspiration, part real talk — and encouragement to choose presence over perfection.

Find Stephanie:

Website: https://www.ayearofslowcooking.com/

Podcast: Slow Living Podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieODea.author

Sponsors:

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RENEE REINA

Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina

TikTok: @thereneereina

Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community
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Solo: Sinus Infections, Solo Parenting, and Surgery Gone Wrong Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

EP538. In this episode, I’m showing up real and raw to talk about the not-so-glamorous side of mom life. From navigating the chaos of solo parenting while sick, to my ongoing battle with chronic sinus infections, I’m sharing it all. I also open up about those moments when your child says something that stings... only to remind myself that their little prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed yet. And for a wild twist, I tell the story of my sinus surgery in 2015 that went horribly wrong (yes, it’s as bad as it sounds).

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Carla Ondrasik on Music, Motherhood & Letting Go of Perfection Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Ep 537. This week, Renee chats with Carla Ondrasik, former music publishing executive turned mentor and author, about success, identity, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop trying. Carla shares stories from her career developing chart-topping artists like Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera — and what walking away from the industry taught her about worth, balance, and family.

They dive into the pressure so many women feel to prove themselves, the danger of tying identity to achievement, and the freedom that comes from redefining success on your own terms. Carla’s upcoming book Stop Trying! is both her story and a guide for anyone ready to let go of constant striving and finally start living.

Find Carla:

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

Website: https://www.carlaondrasik.com/book

Sponsors:

Wayfair — Cozify your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. Find it all for way less at https://www.Wayfair.com.

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RENEE REINA

Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina

TikTok: @thereneereina

Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community
YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room Podcast

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St. Francis Herb Farm on Back-to-School Bugs, Herbal Remedies & Real-Life Immune Support Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Ep535. Renee welcomes back the experts from St. Francis Herb Farm to talk about simple, everyday ways herbs can support the whole family’s health. From back-to-school bugs and immune boosters like Deep Immune, echinacea, and elderberry, to daily vitamin D habits, calming supports for busy minds, and adaptogens like ashwagandha for stress, sleep, and hormonal balance, they break down how to bring plant-based remedies into real life. It’s a practical, family-focused conversation on finding balance and feeling your best at every age and stage.

Find St. Francis Herb Farm:

Website: https://stfrancisherbfarm.com/

Sponsors:

Wayfair — Cozify your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. Find it all for way less at https://www.Wayfair.com.

Name Bubbles - Visit namebubbles.com and use code MOMROOM15 for 15% off your first

order.

RENEE REINA

Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina

TikTok: @thereneereina

Facebook Community: The Mom Room Community
YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room Podcast

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Five Things I've Started Doing For My Mental Health/Nervous System Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

EP534. After a lovely little catch up about the first day of school, Milo's upcoming birthday party and weekend plans, Renee dives into five things she has started doing in her day to day that have made a massive impact on her mental health, mood, and energy levels. Take notes!

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Pinkie, Inc. on First Periods, Empowering Girls & Normalizing Menstruation Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Ep533. This week, Renee is joined by Fiona Simmonds and Sana Clegg, cofounders of Pinkie, Inc. (and moms to four daughters between them), to talk about making the first period experience more comfortable, empowering, and less intimidating. Everything is on the table — from helping kids feel prepared, to normalizing conversations around menstruation, to building products (and a community) that put comfort and sustainability first. Whether you’re raising a daughter who’s about to get her first period, or you just want to make these conversations easier, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and empowerment.

Sponsors:

Wayfair — Cozify your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. Find it all for way less at https://www.Wayfair.com.

Name Bubbles - Visit namebubbles.com and use code MOMROOM15 for 15% off your first

order.

RENEE REINA

Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina

TikTok: @thereneereina

Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community

YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room Podcast

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Why You're EXHAUSTED When You Finally Get To Relax Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

EP532. Have you ever noticed that the second you finally get a break, on vacation, or even just a quiet afternoon... you crash? That’s the let-down effect: when your body finally feels safe enough to relax, all the exhaustion you’ve been holding back shows up.

In this solo episode, Renee talks about what the let-down effect really is, why so many moms experience it, and three simple practices she is looking into that can help regulate your nervous system day-to-day:

1. Breath work to calm your body in the moment
2. Journaling to process emotions and release mental clutter
3. Cutting back on social media/phone use to give your brain real rest

If you feel like you’re constantly running on fumes, stuck in fight-or-flight, or crashing the second you get a break... this one’s for you.

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Vanessa Bennett on Telling Ourselves the Truth Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Ep531. This week, Renee is joined by psychotherapist and author Vanessa Bennett to unpack her new book The Motherhood Myth and push back against the pressure to be a “perfect” parent. They dive into breaking generational patterns, why honesty is the antidote to mom guilt, and how to give yourself permission to parent differently than the models you grew up with. This conversation is raw, validating, and a powerful reminder that you’re not doing it wrong — it’s the myth that is.

Vanessa’s new book “The Motherhood Myth” is available wherever books are sold.

Find Vanessa:

Instagram: @vanessasbennett

Website: www.vanessabennett.com

Podcast: Cheaper Than Therapy

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Name Bubbles - Visit namebubbles.com and use code MOMROOM15 for 15% off your first

order.

RENEE REINA

Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina

TikTok: @thereneereina

Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community
YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room Podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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