Trust Me Mom

What if a strand of hair could reveal a timeline of environmental exposures?In this episode of Trust Me Mom (Season 2, episode 45), Dr. Manish Arora, environmental epidemiologist, exposure biologist, founder and CEO of LinusBio, professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and father of triplet daughters, shares the personal and scientific journey behind his groundbreaking research.Dr. Arora explains how growing up during a civil war and malaria epidemic sparked his interest in environmental health. He later discovered that the growth rings inside baby teeth and hair can preserve biological information about nutrients, chemicals, and environmental exposures over time.We discuss the exposome, why the timing of an exposure can be as important as the amount, and how Dr. Arora’s experience with his neurodivergent daughter inspired his search for more objective ways to help families find answers earlier.Dr. Arora also explains the science behind ClearStrand-ASD, a hair-based laboratory test intended to help health care providers rule out autism, and Traced, a consumer wellness test that maps patterns involving essential and toxic elements.You will also learn about potential sources of lead, arsenic, cadmium, pesticides, PFAS, and other environmental chemicals, along with practical ways families can reduce exposure without becoming overwhelmed.Learn more:ClearStrand-ASD: https://www.clearstrandasd.comTraced: https://traced.lifeTo get a 30% Discount code for Traced, use the code "TRUSTMEMOM" at the checkout Disclaimer: ClearStrand-ASD is not a standalone autism diagnostic test and has not been cleared or approved by the FDA yet. Traced is a wellness test, not a medical diagnostic test. Always speak with a qualified health care professional about developmental concerns or possible environmental exposure.00:00 Introduction00:56 Meet Dr. Manish Arora01:52 Life as a father of triplet daughters02:15 From dentistry to environmental health05:56 How baby teeth preserve exposure history10:55 Why Dr. Arora began studying hair16:01 Hair analysis and early autism research18:46 ClearStrand-ASD and its regulatory status20:20 Eligible ages and test accuracy21:54 How families can order the test23:11 Hidden environmental exposures in the home27:45 Pesticides, microplastics, and PFAS29:51 Reducing exposure without creating anxiety31:07 What to do if elevated exposure is detected33:02 Why environmental toxins affect people differently35:43 Traced and environmental exposure monitoring37:35 Dr. Arora’s mission and final thoughts#TrustMeMom #EnvironmentalHealth #DrManishArora #Exposome #AutismResearch #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #ChildDevelopment #HealthyHome #ParentingPodcast #ParentingTips #LinusBio

In this episode of Trust Me Mom (Season 2, Episode 44), Ekaterina sits down with Makena Sage and Gigi Sage, a mother-daughter coaching duo, authors of The Wisdom That Raised Me, and co-founders of Way of the Muse.Makena shared her transition from a successful marketing career into coaching, the concept of a “shadow career,” and how motherhood changed her identity, marriage, work, and sense of self. She opened up about postpartum anxiety, the early strain on her relationship, and the importance of honest communication, support, and intentional connection with a partner.Gigi, a mother of five and longtime coach, shared wisdom from raising children across different decades, living an unconventional life, homeschooling, traveling with kids, and creating family systems rooted in communication, acknowledgement, teamwork, and respect.Together, Makena and Gigi offer practical and deeply honest advice for new moms, working moms, couples navigating the transition into parenthood, and women who feel stuck between who they used to be and who they are becoming.To learn more about Makena and Gigi, check their website: https://wayofthemuse.com/00:00 Intro00:38 Welcome to Trust Me Mom01:05 Meet Makena and Gigi Sage01:41 Makena’s journey from marketing to coaching02:59 The idea of a “shadow career”04:32 How motherhood changed Makena05:54 The hardest parts of early motherhood07:28 How having a baby challenged Makena’s marriage09:21 Gigi’s coaching support for Makena and her husband11:51 Marriage, money, and honest conversations14:19 Why couples need to talk before the baby arrives16:26 Gigi’s life as a mother of five18:30 Raising children through an unconventional life21:49 Why every parent will “mess up”24:08 Homeschooling, travel, and learning through experience26:13 Building strong family relationships28:39 How to create family team meetings29:22 The power of acknowledgement32:06 How to avoid turning family meetings into criticism36:04 Why appreciation changes relationships37:22 Two simple practices for couples after having a baby39:49 Boundaries, big families, and different communication styles43:28 Asking for what you want without blaming or criticizing45:10 Advice for exhausted new moms46:09 Motherhood as a season48:24 Rediscovering yourself after motherhood49:10 Matrescence and the butterfly metaphor50:12 Closing thoughts#TrustMeMom #Motherhood #ModernMotherhood #Matrescence #NewMomLife #WorkingMoms #MomLife #MotherhoodJourney #Postpartum #MarriageAfterBaby #ParentingAdvice #FamilyCommunication #MotherDaughterDuo #WomenSupportingWomen #WayOfTheMuse

From an Iranian refugee camp to becoming a Hollywood and Disney executive, Maryam Mehrtash’s story is one of resilience, courage, reinvention, and the power of storytelling.In this episode of Trust Me Mom, Ekaterina speaks with Maryam Mehrtash, a mother of two, writer, and former Disney leader who most recently led global promotions and partnerships at Marvel Studios (theatrical & Disney+). Maryam shares her incredible journey of fleeing Iran as a child, growing up in Canada as the daughter of immigrant entrepreneurs, building a career in entertainment, and balancing motherhood with ambition, creativity, and personal growth.Maryam opens up about her family’s sacrifices, her grandmother’s life as a Kurdish Iranian actress and singer, the impact of Disney storytelling on her childhood, and the full-circle moment of eventually working at Disney. She also shares practical advice for working mothers, including how she manages demanding work, young children, invisible labor, partnership, self-care, and the courage to keep building the life you want.This conversation is for every mother, immigrant, dreamer, creative, and woman who is trying to honor her past while building a bold future.Find Maryam’s Substack: This Is Not a Memo at https://thisisnotamemo.substack.com/00:00 Introduction00:50 Meet Maryam Mehrtash01:30 Fleeing Iran as a child03:00 Storytelling, Disney, and family legacy04:30 The sacrifices of immigrant parents06:35 Growing up in Canada08:00 From theater kid to business school09:00 Moving to Los Angeles and building a Hollywood career10:11 Landing the first job in LA11:47 Motherhood, career, and the pandemic16:30 Relentless prioritization as a working mom18:39 What happens when kids get sick?20:34 Managing the invisible load at home23:30 Communication, calendars, and partnership25:00 The mid-year check-in that changed her life26:21 Self-care, rest, and staying energized27:03 Friendship and community after kids29:30 Knowing your limits as a mother31:51 The full-circle Disney moment33:22 Advice to her younger self37:05 Showing children what is possible38:00 Maryam’s first business at age six40:00 Family teamwork and immigrant resilience43:50 Encouragement for tired working moms44:35 Courage as a muscle46:00 Reinvention after being laid off47:00 Writing, Substack, and becoming an author48:38 Closing thoughts48:51 Where to find Maryam#TrustMeMom #MaryamMehrtash #WorkingMoms #Motherhood #ImmigrantStory #IranianWomen #DisneyExecutive #HollywoodExecutive #WomenInLeadership #CareerAndMotherhood #MomLife #Storytelling #Resilience #Courage #Reinvention #WomenSupportingWomen #ThisIsNotAMemo

When Nasha Fitter’s third daughter was diagnosed with a devastating rare genetic condition, her entire world changed overnight.In this inspiring episode of Trust Me Mom (Season 2, episode 42), Nasha shares how she went from ambitious entrepreneur and Harvard MBA to full-time caregiver, advocate, and founder of organizations helping thousands of families navigate rare diseases.We talk about:• motherhood and ambition• burnout and unpaid labor• marriage under pressure• grief and resilience• raising a child with severe disabilities• building support systems• why moms need help, rest, and communityNasha also shares practical advice for exhausted moms, parents navigating diagnoses, and couples trying to survive difficult seasons together.00:00 Intro01:03 Meet Nasha Fitter02:06 Growing up ambitious as an immigrant daughter03:42 Marriage, motherhood & unequal labor05:22 Life before her daughter’s diagnosis06:05 The devastating FOXG1 diagnosis07:44 Surviving with 3 kids under 410:22 Grief, acceptance & emotional healing13:40 Why moms need help and rest18:35 Building therapies and rare disease organizations20:40 Advice for parents after a diagnosis22:13 What daily life looks like now26:13 Marriage struggles and staying together31:25 Fairness, communication & parenting roles33:11 Her daughter’s incredible progress34:41 Gene therapy and hope for the future35:38 Advice for exhausted moms38:27 Building deep friendships and community39:40 Final thoughts#TrustMeMom #SpecialNeedsParenting #RareDisease #Motherhood #WorkingMom #Caregiver #FOXG1 #ParentingPodcast #WomenInBusiness #MentalLoad #MarriageAndParenting #MomLife #DisabilityAwareness #ParentingJourney

In this episode of Trust Me Mom (Season 2, Episode 41), Ekaterina talks with women’s relationship coach Ada Gore about self-abandonment, people-pleasing, resentment, dating, marriage, divorce, motherhood, and learning how to stop disappearing inside your own life.Ada shares her personal story of being fired as a single mom, rebuilding her identity, healing generational patterns, and helping women reconnect with their needs, intuition, and power. This conversation is for women who feel depleted, stuck, resentful, or unsure how to reclaim themselves in relationships.00:00 Introduction00:51 Ada’s awakening after being fired06:34 Financial fear, scarcity, and safety15:44 Childhood conditioning and learned helplessness17:20 Turning trauma into growth23:55 Why journaling can change your life27:30 Resentment as a sign of self-abandonment33:55 The martyr complex and generational trauma41:36 Self-abandonment in dating and relationships42:32 Red flags, dating standards, and feminine energy52:16 Why women should not lower their standards55:07 Marriage, over-functioning, and emotional leadership1:06:47 When grace is not enough1:16:38 Self-honesty, divorce, and walk-away power1:23:02 Dating after divorce and finding the right partner1:27:48 Closing thoughts#TrustMeMom #SelfAbandonment #WomenHealing #RelationshipAdvice #PeoplePleasing #Motherhood #DatingAdvice #MarriageAdvice #DivorceHealing #WomenEmpowerment #AdaGore #SelfWorth #EmotionalHealing #GenerationalTrauma #HealthyRelationships