Modern Mom Probs

In this episode, Tara sits down with Keesha Scott, mother of three, podcaster, certified parenting coach, and author of the new memoir Cake for Dinner, for a refreshingly honest conversation about dismantling the pressure to be a perfect mother. Drawing from her own experiences with addiction recovery, high-achieving environments, and raising teenagers, Keesha opens up about why modern mom culture often feels impossibly harsh. Together, they tackle the competitive nature of modern childhood and the pitfalls of overparenting, highlighting how stepping back from the "must do everything" mindset can actually build greater resilience, confidence, and independence in our kids.

Beyond the daily logistics of raising children, their discussion explores the challenge of maintaining an individual identity outside of motherhood and adapting to the emotional complexities that arise as kids grow older. Keesha shares the touching origin of her memoir's title, a playful reminder from her father that sometimes you just have to say "forget it" and eat cake for dinner, reinforcing the message that mothers can make mistakes, survive hard things, and still be phenomenal parents. Packed with actionable insights on letting kids answer for themselves and stepping out of the comparison trap, this episode is a powerful reminder that "perfection is dumb" and you don't have to get it all right to be a great mom.

Links:

https://keeshascott.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cake-for-dinner/id1836443936

https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0757325653

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

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In this conversation, Tara chats with Emily Feret, the self-proclaimed "anti-mommy influencer," for a refreshingly candid conversation about stripping away the pressure of perfection in motherhood. Emily shares the story of how her "normalizing normal" movement was accidentally born out of pandemic boredom on TikTok, quickly growing into a massive community built on unfiltered honesty, messy homes, and finding humor in the chaos of everyday life. They discuss the profound impact of seeing real, uncurated lives online, and how sharing the unvarnished truth, from dealing with mom guilt over toddler cavities to embracing the actual bodies we have, can instantly make motherhood feel less isolating.

They deep dive into the very real challenges modern mothers face, particularly the lack of a physical village and the dangerous trap of social media comparison in an era of AI-generated perfection. Emily opens up about writing her new book, Normalizing Normal, without experiencing a vulnerability hangover, and why it's so crucial to let go of the idealized parent you thought you'd be to embrace the child you actually have. Ultimately, this episode is a powerful reminder that two things can be true at once, and by saying the hard stuff out loud and focusing on our parenting strengths instead of our perceived failures, we can build the virtual village we all desperately need.

Links:

https://normalizebeingnormal.com/

https://www.instagram.com/emilyjeanneferet

https://www.facebook.com/share/192uDgX6zf/

https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyjeanne333

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In this enlightening episode, Tara welcomes back author and podcast host Cory Allen to discuss his new book The Quiet Age: Creating a Calm Life in a Chaotic World, and explore why slowing down feels more urgent now than ever. Their conversation dives into how digital overload, reactive living, and a culture of constant urgency can disconnect individuals from their own bodies and inner sense of direction. Tailored especially for busy parents feeling stretched thin by the demands of modern life, Tara and Cory examine how to step off the "freight train" of the mental load, noting that while cell phones often carry the effects of our disconnection, they are not the entire root of the problem.

This episode highlights practical strategies for moving through daily chaos with profound intention. Cory shares how incorporating micro-moments and a simple stillness practice, such as taking just five to ten minutes a day to sit and breathe without distraction, can help overwhelmed parents reconnect with their values. Tara and Cory tackle a major modern parenting challenge: stepping back to allow children to problem-solve and think for themselves.

Tune in to discover how to use curiosity as an antidote to urgency and reduce physical tension while staying highly effective. Listen now to find out why moving slowly is truly an act of rebellion!

Links:

https://www.cory-allen.com/

https://link.amazon/B0h2EJrbs

https://www.cory-allen.com/andthenithitme

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In this hilarious episode, Tara sits down with Stephanie Drake and Arthur Meyer, the creative minds and co-hosts behind the hit satire series ABC Parenting. The trio dives deep into how the show brilliantly parodies the overwhelming, contradictory flood of online parenting advice that leaves so many parents feeling like they are failing. Stephanie (an actress and writer, known for her role as Meredith in Mad Men) and Arthur (a veteran comedy writer whose credits include The Tonight Show) share how their own real-life anxieties shape their sharpest sketches. The conversation highlights how ABC Parenting turns the fear-based messaging of modern parenting into comedy gold.

Beyond the laughs, the conversation unpacks the very real pressures driving the satire, touching on everything from the intense stress of kindergarten "redshirting" to navigating comment sections when audiences mistake parody for actual advice, a struggle Tara knows all too well. The group also reflects on broader cultural shifts, contrasting the hands-off independence of 1980s childhoods with today's hyper-monitored, information-overloaded landscape.

Be sure to hit subscribe, share this episode with a mom friend who needs a laugh today, and come join the conversation over in the Modern Mom Probs Patreon community for even more unfiltered (dare we say, unhinged) fun.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/abcparentingadvice/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7JqpCGJj1LuVu_DkODF6LA

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/abcs-of-parenting-adult-children/id1693026736

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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, 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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