The Motherly Podcast

Website: Mother.ly

Produced by Danielle Roth Productions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"It's Not You, It's Too Much": Deena Margolin on Mom Guilt and Brain-Based Parenting Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Endless patience? Throw it out the window. Big Little Feelings co-founder Deena Margolin joins host Liz Tenety to explain why 91 percent of moms feel guilty, even though they're doing the most. She shares where that guilt comes from, how to hold a boundary while your toddler melts down at the park, and why taking time for yourself makes you a better mom. And she's going out with a girlfriend this weekend without an ounce of guilt, at least for now.

In this episode:

(00:00) Deena’s mom guilt moment

(04:32) How Big Little Feelings started

(13:16) Rethinking the "terrible twos"

(18:13) The gentle parenting backlash

(22:54) 91% of moms feel mom guilt

(24:21) Deena’s own mom guilt (and why dads don't feel it)

(29:38) Perfectionism and "good girl syndrome"

(35:18) Where to start if you're struggling

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Website: Mother.ly

Produced by Danielle Roth Productions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author and Illustrator Loryn Brantz on Finding Inner Peace While Raising “Spicy Nuggets” Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

The author and illustrator Loryn Brantz grew up thinking she’d be like Walt Disney, bringing joy to billions of children around the world. Instead, she’s given kids and parents laughter, and lots of it. The author and illustrator of several bestselling books, including Feminist Baby and Poems of Parenting, Loryn is constantly inspired by the relatable antics of her own two young kids. In this week’s episode of The Motherly Podcast, she talks to Motherly cofounder Liz Tenety about her latest book “I am a Spicy Nugget” and how she found inner peace amidst the chaos. Plus, she shares how her experience with OCD shapes her parenting style.

In this episode:

00:00:00 – "This Is It, Baby"

00:04:51 – The story behind I Am a Spicy Nugget

00:08:09 – Living with OCD as a parent

00:17:03 – Meditation, therapy, and taking Zoloft

00:25:08 – Sesame Street, Ms. Rachel and making for kids

00:27:37 – Being an artist in the age of AI

00:29:48 – Rapid Fire

Subscribe to The Motherly Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Like the show? Leave us a rating or review.

Stay connected:

Website: Mother.ly

Produced by Danielle Roth Productions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I Realized I'm Way More Capable Than I Ever Thought." Laura Clery on Life After Divorce Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

Laura Clery had been married to her best friend for a decade when his mental health deteriorated and he relapsed back into addiction, forcing her to separate for her kids' safety — all while the fallout played out publicly online. This week on The Motherly Podcast, the comedian and author talks with Motherly Co-founder Liz Tenety about the frightening night she finally called the police, rebuilding her finances and identity as a solo parent, and finding joy with her neurodivergent son. She opens up about the guilt of staying and the guilt of leaving, and how she found humor in the hardest chapter of her life.

In this episode:

(00:00) Cougar Town & Turning 40

(02:55) What Makes Her Kids Laugh

(06:59) When the Marriage Fell Apart

(11:45) Recovery in Crisis

(17:46) Taking Back Financial Agency

(19:37) What She Learned About Herself

Subscribe to The Motherly Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Like the show? Leave us a rating or review.

Stay connected:

Website: Mother.ly

Produced by Danielle Roth Productions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tara Clark and Paige Connell on Pickleball, the Upsides of Having Older Kids, and How the Family Car Can Be a Safe Haven Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Tara Clark, the founder of the parenting podcast Modern Mom Probs, chats with host Paige Connell as they head to brunch in the Jeep® Grand Cherokee L. Together, they reflect on their ever-evolving roles as mothers while unpacking the perks of having older kids, why it’s important to find time for Pilates and pickleball, and how the family car can serve as a safe space for meaningful conversations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer Tori Kelly on Ditching Perfectionism and Playing Stadiums While Pregnant Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Tori Kelly wrote the bulk of her sixth album, God Must Really Love Me, after her son was 10 days old. This week on The Motherly Podcast, the three-time Grammy winner opens up about playing stadiums with Ed Sheeran throughout her entire pregnancy, hiding her bump under oversized jerseys, and the wave of inspiration that hit her almost immediately after giving birth. She talks with Motherly Co-founder Liz Tenety about learning to trade perfectionism for surrender, the spiritual meaning behind her album title, and what it's really like raising an eight-month-old on a tour bus.

In this episode:

(00:00) Postpartum Inspiration

(06:44) Pregnancy On Tour

(16:43) Album Title Origin

(25:40) From Perfectionism To Surrender

(31:22) Marriage As Teammates

(33:54) Mom Life On Tour Bus

(36:16) Rapid Fire And Wrap

Subscribe to The Motherly Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

Like the show? Leave us a rating or review.

Stay connected:

Website: Mother.ly

Produced by Danielle Roth Productions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IVF Girl Math: Astronaut Kellie Gerardi Timing Space Flight Around Fertility Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Kellie Gerardi was the first person to pump breast milk in zero gravity. But she almost didn’t have her baby. This week on The Motherly Podcast, Kellie opens up about the nine-year journey between her two daughters: multiple IVF cycles, pregnancy losses, and the "girl math" of timing a spaceflight around fertility treatment. She talks with Motherly Co-founder Liz Tenety about destigmatizing infertility, pumping breast milk in microgravity, and the surreal moment when she wasn’t on the same planet as her baby.

In this episode:

(00:00) Functional Hope

(2:10) Kellie Gerardi Interview Begins

(04:08) Becoming an Astronaut

(08:36) Two Dreams: Motherhood and Space Travel

(09:28) Secondary Infertility Journey

(12:59) Sharing to Break Stigma

(16:57) Finding Support and Resources

(20:29) Workplace Fertility Benefits

(24:35) Spaceflight Timing vs IVF

(28:58) How Infertility Changed Me

(31:51) Cosmic Perspective on Life

(35:12) Pumping in Microgravity

(38:34) Risk and Talking to Kids

(44:42) Rapid Fire Questions

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