We Didn't Turn Out OK with Jennie Monness

In this episode, I sat down with my friend Brooke Parker, someone who started as an Instagram connection and quickly became one of those rare, deeply trusted mom friends. We met in the most “New York mom” way possible - sitting across the hallway from each other after having our second babies. Fast forward four years, our kids ended up in the same preschool class and became incredibly close… and so did we. Brooke is an early childhood educator turned consultant, helping families navigate the often overwhelming (and very imperfect) private school admissions process in NYC. Through her work, she not only guides parents toward the right fit for their child, but also works directly with kids to help them feel confident, capable, and prepared. But beyond her professional lens, Brooke is that mom friend - the one everyone texts about everything. From products to transitions to “what do I do in this moment?” - she somehow always has an answer. It’s what led her to create her platform, @justaskbrooke, where she shares practical, thoughtful guidance for every stage of childhood. In this conversation, we get into: - Why she believes preparation (not perfection) is the foundation for confidence - Her biggest “no’s” (including no wipe warmers, skipping sippy cups, and ditching the stroller earlier than you think) - How to introduce a new sibling in a way that actually supports both children - The small, intentional choices that build real-life skills over time We also talk about something I find so compelling about Brooke, how she approaches parenting and life with a level of thoughtfulness and organization that feels grounding, not overwhelming, making sure to share the imperfections with her children as teachable moments. This episode is full of tangible takeaways, but also something deeper: a reminder that when we prepare our children (and ourselves), we give them something much more lasting than ease - we give them confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode started with a simple story I shared on Instagram: “the way my soul just does not believe in homework.” That sparked a conversation with my friend and longtime follower, Caitlin Greer Meister, who reached out to say she’s actually done extensive research on this topic. So of course… we had to sit down and talk. Caitlin is a specialist in strengths-based learning, neurodiversity-affirming practices, giftedness, and executive functioning. She’s a parent educator, instructional leader, and mom of two, with training from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and in Orton-Gillingham. She’s also the founder of Joyfully Learning, a NYC-based tutoring and educational consulting practice, where she supports families and schools in raising confident, capable kids. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Parents, and more, and you’ll feel why the second you hear her speak. In this episode, we explore my instinctual, emotional reaction to homework alongside Caitlin’s research-backed perspective and her real-life experience advocating for less (and in some cases, no) homework for her own children. This isn’t about dismissing school or structure, it’s about questioning what actually supports our kids: their learning, their nervous systems, and their connection at home. Rather than summarizing it all here, I want you to listen, reflect, and decide where you land. And maybe… consider this with me: Less homework. More connection. Less pressure. More presence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I used to roll my eyes at the word “woo.” You know the kind of things I mean — energy healing, psychics, plant medicine, spiritual practices that some people swear by and others dismiss immediately. I probably would have dismissed them too… until I didn’t. About a year ago, a guest on this podcast shared how she used psychedelics to rewire her brain. What struck me wasn’t the mysticism — it was the science behind it. That conversation opened a door for me that eventually led to four of my own plant medicine journeys, a lot of meditation, and a growing curiosity about what we label as “woo.” Then I met Ariana Cleo — someone who didn’t discover the woo world later in life, but was raised in it. Her childhood included psychic parties and energy healing from her grandmother whenever she was sick. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to grow up surrounded by those practices, the fine line between magical family traditions and things that can feel embarrassing as a kid, and how she decided what parts of that world she wanted to carry forward. Ariana shares how these spiritual practices became a refuge that helped her navigate deep trauma — and how, after experiencing pregnancy loss, they ultimately led her to create her own podcast, Into The Woo, where she explores the mystical and spiritual with curiosity and openness. At one point Ariana was seeing seven healers a week, so if you’re even a little curious about what people mean when they talk about “woo”… this episode is a fascinating place to start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and hilarious Jill Kargman, someone I’ve long admired for her authenticity and ability to make me laugh out loud. Jill started writing in small pockets of time while she was a stay-at-home mom raising young kids in a Brooklyn walk-up. That writing eventually led her to become a bestselling author, screenwriter, and actress. Her work has been adapted into television, and now film, with her directorial debut Influenced coming soon. What fascinated me most was hearing how Jill built a creative career as a mom in her 40s with young children—and how she now shows up as a parent to teenagers. I had a feeling she would bring the kind of refreshing honesty and perspective we all need, and she absolutely delivered. Jill describes herself as having had a “perfect upbringing,” so this wasn’t a typical “breaking cycles” conversation. But as we talked, it became clear how certain parts of her childhood quietly shaped who she is today - as a creator, a person, and a mom. We also talk about raising kids in New York City without getting swept up in the intensity of what the city can become. Jill is deeply intentional about keeping her family grounded and grateful in an environment that can easily pull you in the opposite direction. At one point I told her she’s basically a parenting expert, not because she claims to be one, but because of the calm confidence and clarity she brings to raising thoughtful, grounded kids. The steadiness she speaks with throughout this conversation feels like a window into the way she shows up as a mom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if you could understand your child — and yourself — on a deeper level? To truly meet them where they are. In this episode, I’m joined by Ipek Gray, founder of The Born Method — a numbers-based system that uses birthdates and meaningful numerical patterns to create a personalized 20-digit code. Through a blend of data, ancient wisdom, and research, Ipek helps people uncover how they’re wired: how they communicate, where their natural strengths lie, where they may carry wounds or shadows, and what their “zone of genius” might be. I had a private session with Ipek the day before we recorded this — and it moved me so much that I asked her to come on and walk through my children’s numbers so you could hear the process in real time. What unfolded wasn’t about prediction or perfection. It was about awareness. About timing. About understanding how each person in a family might experience the world differently. We talk about how tools like this shouldn’t create pressure to “get it right,” but instead offer a roadmap for deeper connection — helping us see our partners, our children, and ourselves more clearly. Because when we understand how someone is built, we stop trying to change them — and start learning how to support who they already authentically are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices