Modern Mom Probs

In this episode, Tara sits down with former WWE superstar, entrepreneur and podcaster Leah Van Dale for an honest conversation about identity, motherhood, and stepping into a new creative era. Leah opens up about her journey from professional dancer to wrestling royalty as Carmella, including winning the first Women’s “Money in the Bank," sharing the emotional shifts that came with leaving her high-profile WWE career behind.  As a mom navigating the real-world pressures of parenthood, she reflects on how becoming a mother reshaped her priorities, forced her to confront social media comparison culture, and stripped away the pressure to "do it all" without burning out.

Together, Tara and Leah dive into the messy beauty of holding multiple truths, proving that ambition and devotion to family can coexist, even when life feels completely chaotic. Leah discusses her drive to build genuine connection through Snatch, a platform crafted to facilitate conversations around pregnancy and postpartum, as well as her new podcast Hot Mom Sh*t. Exploring everything from body image struggles to book recommendations like The Power Pause and When Life Happens, this empowering conversation is a reassuring reminder that motherhood doesn't mean sidelining your ambition, but discovering an exciting new way to thrive.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/theleahvandale
https://www.instagram.com/hotmomshitpod/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/@theleahvandale

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In this episode, Tara sits down with author, artist, and Emmy-winning animator Loryn Brantz for an honest conversation on creativity, modern parenting, and what’s really going on behind the scenes in children’s media.

Loryn opens up about shifting from traditional animation on classic shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sesame Street to writing children’s books, sharing how a very relatable toddler meltdown inspired her new book, I Am a Spicy Nugget. She and Tara unpack practical strategies for co-regulation and handling big emotions, explaining why doing the inner self-work and reparenting ourselves beats relying on cookie-cutter parenting scripts every time.

They also tackle the changing landscape of creative content, diving into Loryn’s advocacy for artist protection against AI after her public battle over The Good Advice Cupcake. From the rise of AI-generated slop in children’s shows to her behind-the-scenes work with powerhouses like Ms. Rachel and PBS, Loryn reminds us that human connection is at the heart of storytelling. This conversation is a candid look at the emotional work of raising good humans while fighting to protect genuine creative integrity for the next generation.

Links:

https://lorynbrantz.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lorynbrantz/

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In this episode, Tara sits down with New York Times bestselling author Nir Eyal for an eye-opening conversation on mastering focus, shifting limiting mindsets, and reclaiming control over daily attention. Nir pulls back the curtain on the real root causes of distraction, debunking the common myth that technology alone is to blame. Instead, he reveals that an astonishing 90% of phone checks happen without a single notification, driven instead by "internal triggers," fleeting moments of emotional discomfort, boredom, or anxiety. Nir shares an actionable four-step framework to manage these internal feelings, break the cycle of procrastination, and rewrite the internal narratives that hold them back from living intentionally.

The discussion also dives deep into the incredible power of the mind, highlighting the research behind his work in his new book Beyond Belief: The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Extraordinary Results, including the mind-bending story of a patient undergoing surgery without anesthesia through the power of hypnotic belief. Nir unpacks how beliefs function as tools rather than absolute truths, introducing powerful reframing techniques like Byron Katie’s four questions to dismantle self-sabotaging thoughts. Nir emphasizes the importance of moving past parental hypocrisy, modeling healthy device habits, and leading with purpose and love to build a deeply connected, resilient family.

For parents or anyone feeling stuck, the episode offers crucial, practical strategies to stop limiting beliefs from holding them back.

Links:

www.NirAndFar.com

https://amzn.to/4bjYEL6

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal/

https://www.youtube.com/user/nirandfar

https://twitter.com/nireyal

https://www.facebook.com/nirandfar/

http://instagram.com/neyal99

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In this eye-opening episode, clinical psychologist and sex therapist Dr. Piper Grant joins the podcast to unpack the complex evolution of intimacy in relationships after parenthood. Dr. Grant sheds light on how the profound hormonal, neurobiological, and identity shifts of motherhood fundamentally alter couple dynamics, often creating subtle rifts driven by the mental load, loneliness, and miscommunication. Redefining intimacy through the lens of "into me you see," she emphasizes that true connection is built on a foundation of vulnerability and emotional safety. The conversation explores how couples can navigate these shifts across various life stages, from the immediate challenges of the postpartum period to the later transitions of perimenopause and menopause.

Dr. Grant advocates for the power of open communication, patience, and simple practices like non-sexual touch to gently rebuild emotional and physical bonds without performance anxiety. Infused with humor and refreshing honesty, Dr. Grant and Tara aim to break the stigma around relationship struggles in survival mode and offer a roadmap for maintaining intimacy resilience.

This is an essential listen for any couple looking to reconnect and cultivate a deeper understanding of one another amidst the busyness of family life.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/dr.pipergrant

https://www.instagram.com/born.into.motherhood

www.NumiWellness.com

www.BornIntoMotherhood.com

https://www.youtube.com/@dr.pipergrant

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In this episode, Tara sits down with New York Times bestselling author, award-winning podcast host, professor, and "ray of human sunshine" Kate Bowler to explore the profound idea that joy is not a luxury reserved for perfect circumstances, but a vital force that can be discovered even in life's darkest moments. The conversation dives deep into how modern societal pressures, the American prosperity gospel, and self-improvement culture shape our often unrealistic expectations around happiness. Kate and Tara dismantle the idea that life must be flawless to be fulfilling, explaining instead how genuine moments of joy frequently emerge in the midst of adversity, illness, and crisis.

They offer actionable insights into reclaiming a sense of lightness amid daily chaos. In her new book Joyful, Anyway, Kate highlights the transformative role of collective effervescence, the shared energy and connection fostered through community celebrations and mutual support. The episode provides practical strategies for  moms to intentionally weave playfulness and service into their daily routines. This conversation serves as a beautiful reminder that while joy may be fleeting, actively cultivating it through community and shared experiences is essential for building true resilience.

If you are looking for that glimmer of joy, tune in to this episode, and subscribe to Modern Mom Probs today.

Links:

https://katebowler.com/

https://amzn.to/4pUqqE4

https://www.instagram.com/katecbowler/

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