Modern Mom Probs

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

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

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

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/

In this enlightening episode, Tara sits down with Dr. Shefali to dive into her two new books, Raising Conscious Sons and Raising Conscious Daughters. Dr. Shefali shares what called her to shift her focus toward adolescence and address the intense, unique pressures reshaping modern childhood. Together, they explore the profound differences in what kids are up against today, from rescuing boys from the isolation and dopamine fixation of the digital age to helping girls break free from the anxiety-inducing "perception prison" of social media. Dr. Shefali explains how the "algorithmic abduction of childhood" is feeding children vastly different, yet equally damaging, narratives, and why honoring their natural biological wiring while fostering real-life connection is more critical than ever. Beyond just sounding the alarm, Dr. Shefali provides a practical blueprint for parents at every developmental stage. The conversation highlights how conscious parenting must adapt as children grow, why parents need to stop over-comforting them, and how "engineering healthy friction" actually builds resilience and self-reliance. By learning to loosen the reins, embrace the messiness, and allow kids to solve their own small problems, parents can step out of their own anxiety and raise grounded, capable adults. Tune in to the full episode for a grounding conversation on letting go of parenting perfectionism, and discover how a little healthy friction can help both you and your children thrive. Links: https://www.drshefali.com/ https://www.drshefali.com/raisingconscious-daughters-sons/ https://www.instagram.com/doctorshefali