In this episode, we’re missing Felicia - one-fourth of our quartet. We miss you Fee! So Codie, Melanie, and Ashley get real about when they disagree with their husbands on parenting decisions - from routines and discipline to visions for their kids’ futures. The Mamas share the importance of self-awareness, how they compromise with their partners, and how so ... Show More
Apr 27
How We Pulled Off Our First Live Show (Even When It Felt Impossible) — Updated
Right after our very first live show, we sat down and told the truth about what it actually took to make it happen — the pressure, the fear, the behind-the-scenes chaos… and the moments we weren’t sure we could pull it off at all. We went back and tightened this episode because t ... Show More
30m 47s
Apr 20
What Midwives Actually Do (And Why It Changes Everything)
When our guest was born, her mom’s labor was candles, olive oil, and vibes… Unfortunately, we didn’t have the same experience. In this episode of The Mama’s Den, we’re getting real about childbirth — because between us, we’ve experienced a little bit of everything. The beautiful ... Show More
48m 51s
Apr 13
Doulas, Medi-Cal & Black Maternal Health: What You Need to Know
Black mamas deserve support — not just during birth, but before, during, and long after. It's Black Maternal Health Week and, in this powerful episode of The Mama’s Den, we’re joined by doula leaders Khefri Riley and Dr. Sayida Peprah-Wilson to talk about what it really means to ... Show More
47m 46s
Nov 2024
Do Parents Really Love All Their Kids The Same?
<p>In this episode, Jess and Scott dive into the challenges of parenting multiple children and giving each child the love and attention they need.</p><p>Inspired by a viral social media post, they explore topics like balancing attention between babies and older kids, feelings of ... Show More
24m 27s
Aug 2024
2294: 4 Ways Parents Can Balance Couple Time & Family Time by Terry Gaspard of Gottman on Parenting Advice
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2294: Parents often struggle to balance couple time and family time, sometimes neglecting their relationship as they focus ... Show More
9m 4s
Aug 2025
Being at Your Best When Your Kids are at Their Worst with Kim Payne,Episode 143
In this heartfelt and practical episode, we sit down with Kim John Payne—renowned author, family counselor, and pioneer of the Simplicity Parenting movement—to explore what it really means to stay grounded when our children are falling apart. Drawing from his book Being at Your B ... Show More
1 h
Aug 2024
Is Holding Your Child Accountable Truly Necessary?
Imagine this: Your child has just knocked over their sibling's Lego creation, and you’re torn between wanting to gently correct their behavior and wondering if there’s a better way. Is it really about making them say, "I'm sorry," or is there a deeper lesson to be learned?In this ... Show More
20m 46s
Aug 2024
All Things Parenting, Episode 3: Taking Lessons from Our Own Upbringing with Zander Merle-Smith
On this episode of All Things Parenting, Zander is back to share his observations about entering a new phase of fatherhood. We discuss the hardship of watching your child get hurt, how to regulate our own emotions, and the beauty of the process. We touch on discipline and how we ... Show More
52m 13s
Apr 2024
232: My Husband Speaks To Me So Disrespectfully: 3 Simple Fixes
<p dir="ltr">If your husband speaks to you disrespectfully, it feels really hurtful and embarrassing, especially if anyone else hears it, even if it's just your kids. It's not the role modeling you want them to have. If he's yelling, swearing, calling you names, or telling you yo ... Show More
59m 47s
Jan 2025
Tips for Handling In-Law Conflicts
<p>Dealing with in-laws who don't respect your parenting choices can be a huge source of stress and conflict in your family. If you've ever felt like your boundaries are being ignored, especially when it comes to your kids, you know how frustrating it can be. In this episode, I a ... Show More
26m 11s