MomCast

Moms, which chapter of motherhood are you in?
Wherever you are, let it change you and teach you because it’s all going to change anyway.
Zibby Owens is the author of the new book “Between Chapters,” a celebration of how we evolve. And she knows this journey well! Ten years ago she was a stay at home mom of four, and now she’s a bestselling author, a book store owner, and host of the podcast Totally Booked.
In this episode of MomCast she shares why saying “yes!” to opportunities that felt right for her changed everything. In our hilarious conversation she shares
*the lack of playbook that has moms searching for answers at any stage…and why she keeps rewriting her own
*what it was really like sending her twins off to college this year (plus the mourning that followed)
* why the adage of “it’s never too late” is truly what set her career on fire in her 40’s
*how she finds harmony between feeling blessed and overwhelmed all at the same time–just like we do
*that time when “the talk” went comically wrong with her boy/girl twins and why laughing at yourself is a must!
You can find Zibby @zibbyowens on IG and find all her books at zibbyowens.com
Follow MomCast on IG @momcast.podcast and @thelocalmomsnetwork

It's our Season 3 Premiere!
Moms, if you worry you’re not doing enough for your kids, it’s more likely you’re doing too much!
Today we chat with renowned parenting expert and psychologist Dr. Shefali. She throws out our “fixing” instincts: rescuing kids from discomfort, over-managing emotions, and shielding them from the exact struggles that build resilience.
Together, we unpack what "conscious parenting" actually means and why it’s the foundation of Dr. Shefali’s parenting empire.
And it turns out raising capable sons and emotionally grounded daughters calls for two very different playbooks, so she wrote them! “Raising Conscious Sons” and “Raising Conscious Daughters” offer strategies you can try with your kids today, at any age.
For sons:
create real-world challenges that trigger natural dopamine
connect emotionally through shared activities instead of questioning
find male mentors to model healthy masculinity and confidence
For daughters:
respond to “drama” with empathy instead of judgement
buffer girls from the perfectionism and anxiety built by social media
learn how to adjust your parenting by deeply knowing your daughter
Find Dr. Shefali on IG @doctorshefali and learn more at drshefali.com
Follow MomCast on IG @momcast.podcast and @thelocalmomsnetwork

Moms, we have so many partners in raising our kids and one of the most trusted should be our pediatrician.
Today, we sit down with Dr. Mona Amin, the pediatrician millions of parents turn to on social media for clear, credible answers about our children’s health. Known for her no-nonsense, science-backed approach, Dr. Mona cuts through the headlines on her platform PedsDocTalk and as host of The PedsDocTalk Podcast.
She’s relatable rather than rigid, empowering parents to be curious and confident without feeling confined by “rules.”
We cover the biggest hot-button topics in pediatrics, and you will definitely be surprised by what you hear:
* real talk about vaccine schedules, plus what Dr. Mona says you can skip and what’s a must!
* her expert take on possible link between vaccines and autism and why we need more research in this debate
* the true causes of precocious puberty and what parents can realistically control to support their kids
* when it’s safe to travel with a newborn and why a mom’s mental health should guide decision-making from day one
* why multiple opinions might come into play for a neurodivergent diagnosis
Make sure to follow Dr. Mona on IG @pedsdoctalk and catch her on The PedsDocTalk Podcast

Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.com
IG: @thelocalmomsnetwork
Email: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.com
Podcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

Moms, it’s so fun to meet a celebrity and find she’s as warm and relatable as we’d hoped. We know you’ll think so too!
In today’s episode, we sit down with the incredible Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt. A New York Times bestselling author, Katherine gave birth to her third baby and children’s book, “Kat and Brandy,” all in the same year.
Katherine shares her inspiration for this heartwarming story, plus she opens us about the joys and challenges of motherhood in such a vulnerable way. She also shares a glimpse into her marriage to Chris Pratt and some gems of wisdom that will stay with you long after you listen:

- her focus on spending quality time with each of her kids in light of this busy season of life
- her “family first” philosophy and her mission to recreate the incredible childhood she enjoyed
- why communication is the key to success in her marriage (and why a program called Imago has been a gamechanger!)
- how transcendental meditation (TM) changed her mental health during the stress of parenting
- how she approached becoming a step parent and the village that helps her succeed in the role

You can learn more about Katherine and her books on her website, and don’t forget to check out her podcast “BDA Baby” and follow her on IG @katherineschwarzenegger

Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.com
IG: @thelocalmomsnetwork
Email: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.com
Podcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

Moms, only you know when your family is complete. Deciding how many children to have is a deeply personal decision, and frankly, one that requires no approval from family and friends. Yet, judgement abounds…
That’s why Shannon Eng, a California-based mom, created the platform Only, Not Lonely Kids. She and her husband have one child, by choice, and she celebrates other families who make the same decision.

Shannon spoke so honestly about her feelings and, truthfully, even moms of multiple kids will agree with much of the realities of motherhood we struggle with. Listen in to hear:

* the common misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding only children—and why most of them aren’t true

* how Shannon and her husband decided together on having one child and how they navigated outside pressure

* the inspiration behind creating Only, Not Lonely Kids and how the community supports one-child families

* sharing the emotional and practical factors that went into their decision to stop at one child…and yes, mental health and finances both matter!
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* encouragement for other parents to trust themselves, honor their limits, and define family size on their own terms.

Learn more about Shannon on IG @onlynotlonelykids - give her a follow!

Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.com
IG: @thelocalmomsnetwork
Email: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.com
Podcast facilities provided by the Digital Factory of NBCUniversal at Stamford Studios.