John Kanell of Preppy Kitchen’s Journey to Fatherhood
John Kanell of Preppy Kitchen joined us a few years back for this episode all about fatherhood. John shares his and his husband’s journey to fatherhood, and how they chose surrogacy. John and his husband eventually welcomed twins, and we walk through all the highs and lows that come along with parenting twin toddlers. We also get into how John balances work and family, and the joy of baking with kids! He tells us that getting kids involved in the kitchen is a great way to bond while teaching them important skills at the same time.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!
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Redefining the Role of a Stepparent with Tanya Rad
Radio and TV personality, author, and podcast host Tanya Rad joins for a deeply personal and refreshingly honest conversation about step-parenting—a role both of us have stepped into and are still learning to navigate.
Known for co-hosting On Air with Ryan Seacrest on KIIS FM and podcast Scrubbing In, Tanya opens up about her journey as a stepmom to two boys after marrying her husband. She shares how she built her own support system, found her rhythm in a role with no clear blueprint, and learned to embrace both the beauty and the challenges that come with it.
Together, we dive into the emotional complexity of blending families, the lack of resources and representation for stepparents, the power of communication, respecting parental boundaries, working through insecurities, and why it’s time to change the narrative around stepmothers. Whether you’re a stepparent yourself, co-parenting with one, or curious about what this role really looks like, this episode offers a heartfelt, honest look at what it means to show up for a child who isn’t biologically your own.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!
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Soraya Sutherland and Simon Huck on the Importance of Disaster Preparedness
Simon Huck and Soraya Sutherland joined us in this episode to talk all about disaster preparedness. Be prepared for the worst is so important, especially with young children. However, it can be hard to find ways to talk through preparedness with our kids without feeling like we’re scaring them. Soraya’s book A Kids Book About Safety addresses this issue and helps parents have kid friendly conversations about emergency preparedness. Simon and Soraya also stress the importance of creating a go bag, and how to include your children in the process. This episode is full of great tips, and Simon and Soraya hope they can help get more families to start the conversation about their emergency plans.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!
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All Things Step-Parenting with My Coach and Therapist Ashley Graber
Like parenting, step-parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but unlike parenting, your role is much less defined. You’re not a parent, nanny, or assistant, but you might share responsibilities in those areas. At the end of the day, though, you’re none of those roles.
I feel very lucky that I get to experience both step-parenting and parenting. One of the best decisions I’ve made was seeking out the help and guidance of a step-parenting therapist, whom I sit down with in this episode: Ashley Graber, LMFT. Together, we talk about a role that so many of us are navigating and one that often comes with more questions than answers.
Six and a half years into this journey, I’ve learned that being a step-parent can feel like parenting, assisting, supporting, and sometimes stepping back all at the same time. I’ve also learned that there just aren’t enough resources or real conversations out there for those of us in this role. That’s why I opened up the conversation to all of you and I’ve never received more questions for a single topic.
Ashley and I dive into the big and most commonly asked topics: discipline, defining your role, communicating with co-parents, and the emotional gymnastics of blending families. We talk about the importance of putting the child first, but also how to honor your own experience and feelings along the way.
This is a conversation I wish I could have listened to years ago, and I hope it offers support, perspective, and maybe even a little peace for anyone walking this path.
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!
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Carrying the Mental Load with Mama Psychologists Chelsea Bodie and Caitlin Slavens
Caitlin Slavens and Chelsea Bodie of Mama Psychologists joined us in this episode and shared great insights into balancing mental health with being a mom. Caitlin and Chelsea explain that mothers often carry a huge mental load, and it is important to emphasize self-care and open communication. We also get into managing mom guild, and how we can manage the complex emotions that come up around being a busy mom. Chelsea and Catilin encourage all moms to practice self-compassion and self-care. Even small steps can make a big difference!
Please join us on YouTube for our full conversation and many more on video!
BDA Baby™ (Before, During & After Baby) is an interview-based series hosted by New York Times bestselling author, mother, wife and advocate, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt. Each week, Katherine has meaningful conversations with experts, notable specialists, and friends, covering topics that resonate with the BDA Baby community surrounding pregnancy, sex, partner relationships, birth experiences, fertility challenges, health and wellness, and so much more.
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