Shows
I Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpThe Year I Got Laid Off and Found Myself (Sorta)Send us a textWhat happens when your career hits pause… but the rest of your life keeps going?In this honest (and sometimes funny) solo episode, Elissa reflects on the past year since getting laid off after 26 years in the workforce. From job loss grief and imposter syndrome to the weird freedom of unscheduled days and a happy dog who thinks she now lives at home forever, this is a candid look at identity, parenting, and reinvention in midlife.Along the way, Elissa shares what surprised her most: how her daughters didn’t fl...2025-07-1511 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpWhy Moms Are Always Exhausted: The Mental Load of Raising TeensSend us a textEver wonder why moms always seem exhausted, even when their kids are older? In this solo episode, Elissa dives deep into the invisible weight moms carry, known as the mental load. From packing for summer camp with military precision to managing every social twist, school assignment, and forgotten hair appointment—this episode explores what it means to be the default parent, emotional first-responder, and household CEO all at once.Elissa shares honest stories about her own experience parenting teens, the never-ending to-do list running in her brain, and why letting go of...2025-07-0913 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpDear Dads: This One’s for You (Love, Your Teenagers)Send us a text🎧 Dear Dads: This One's For You (Love, Your Teenagers)This Father’s Day, we’re turning the mic toward the men who made us—and made us laugh. In this heartfelt episode, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie reflect on the dads and grandfathers who shaped their lives, from delivery room heroics to softball sidelines, Broadway nights to backyard BBQs.You’ll hear funny stories, sweet memories, and a top-10 list of why their dad, David, is a true MVP—from concert planner and gift-giving king to grill master and family sa...2025-06-1718 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpSummer Camp Talk: What to Pack, What to Expect, and How to Enjoy the Summer Without KidsSend us a textEpisode Title: Summer Camp Talk: What to Pack, What to Expect, and When Kids Are ReadyEpisode Summary:Is your child camp-ready, or are you just ready for a little peace and quiet? In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie dive into the world of summer camp - day camp, sleepaway, and everything in between.We talk about how to know if your kid is ready, how to choose the right camp (arts vs. sports, co-ed...2025-06-1038 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpPads, PMS & Period Panic: A Teen Survival Guide (With Mom)Send us a textPads, PMS & Period Panic: A Teen Survival Guide (With Mom)Episode Summary: Periods are natural—but the awkwardness, confusion, and panic that come with them? Totally avoidable. In this no-shame, no-secrets episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa and her daughters Ava (19) and Maggie (16) get real about all things menstruation.From early signs of puberty to that first OMG moment, to cramps, culture, and the best products out there—this is the real talk every tween, teen, and parent needs to hear. The...2025-06-0322 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpCelebrating Ava at 19: A Firstborn's Journey and the Parenting Lessons Along the WaySend us a textJoin us for a very special birthday episode celebrating Ava turning 19! In this heartfelt journey through nearly two decades, Elissa shares the real story of raising Ava, her and David's firstborn—and how she taught them to be parents.Ava's Journey Highlights:Dramatic birth story and "juiciest baby" phase with reflux strugglesThe legendary three-day potty training standoff that showed her determinationFinding her passion in softball, including a grand slam home run on her 15th birthdayNavigating multiple school changes and learning to advocate for herselfHealth challenges, injuries, an...2025-05-2821 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpSweet Dreams: Sleep Habits and the Importance of Sleep from Cradle to CollegeSend us a textSweet Dreams: Sleep Habits and the Importance of Sleep from Cradle to CollegeFrom sleepless newborn nights to college all-nighters, sleep—or the lack of it—is a shared thread through every parenting and growing-up journey. In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa and Ava (minus Maggie this time!) dive deep into sleep: how it changes as kids grow, why teens fight it, and how parents never really rest again.You’ll hear:Honest stories from the baby and toddler years (including night...2025-05-2025 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpTeen School Stress: How to Support (Not Smother) Your Kids Through Studying and Academic PressureSend us a textFrom kindergarten applications to college essays, academic pressure starts early and only gets more intense. In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie get real about the emotional roller coaster of school stress. From NYC’s test-in school system to AP classes, SAT anxiety, and "study hacks" that don’t always hack it, they break down what students are really dealing with and how parents can help without hovering.🎓 What you’ll learn: ✔️ How early academic pressure is impacting kids’ mental health ✔️ Study strategies that actua...2025-05-1329 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpLikes, Filters & FOMO: What Social Media Is Really Doing to Our KidsSend us a textLikes, Filters & FOMO: What Social Media Is Really Doing to Our KidsEpisode Summary: Social media has become more than just apps and scrolling—it's where kids form their identities, build friendships, and (sometimes) lose their sense of self. In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie dig into the real impact platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and even Threads have on tweens and teens.Inspired by the Netflix documentary Adolescence, this candid conversation covers: ✅ When kids shou...2025-05-0638 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpMaggie's Sweet 16: Navigating Babyhood, Childhood, Teen Years, and What’s NextSend us a textEpisode 8: Maggie's Sweet 16: Navigating Babyhood, Childhood, Teen Years, and What’s NextIn this very special episode of I Get It From My Mom, we’re celebrating Maggie’s Sweet 16—with lots of laughs and memories.Elissa, Ava, and Maggie take a heartfelt (and hilarious) walk down memory lane, from Maggie’s early baby years, through the middle school challenges of COVID, to the confident, independent young woman she is today. We talk about:✅ What Maggie was like as a baby, toddler, and little kid2025-04-2922 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpFamily Vacations: Traveling with Children - The Chaos & ConnectionsSend us a text🎙 Episode 7: Family Vacations: Traveling with Children - The Chaos & ConnectionsWhat do vacations look like when you add strollers, snack bags, teen moods, and group chat chaos? In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie unpack what it really means to “get away” as a family: from the early days of packing baby wipes in every bag to navigating teen schedules, solo travel, and why sometimes a staycation hits just right.They explore:✅ Why traveling with kids at every age has i...2025-04-2325 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpMoney Talks (and Sometimes Argues): How We Spend, Save & See It DifferentlySend us a text🎙 Episode 6: Money Talks (and Sometimes Argues): How We Spend, Save & See It Differently From allowance debates to the pull of online shopping hauls, this episode of I Get It From My Mom dives deep into how families talk (and sometimes clash) about money.Elissa and her teenage daughter Maggie get candid about growing up with financial privilege—but also learning to appreciate what they have. They cover everything from budgeting, chores, and the pressure to keep up with social media, to grandparents’ generosity, the reality of working teens, and wha...2025-04-1522 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpFriendship Advice for Teens (And Their Parents): How to Deal, Heal, & Know When to Let GoSend us a text🎙 Episode 5: Friendship Advice for Teens (And Their Parents): How to Deal, Heal, & Know When to Let GoFriendship can be one of the most joyful—and complicated—parts of growing up. In this episode, Elissa and Maggie (15) dive into the highs, lows, and drama that come with being a friend (and having them) at every age.They break down:✅ How we make friends as kids, teens, and adults✅ What makes a friendship worth keeping—and when it’s time to walk away✅ Why some friendships...2025-04-0824 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpNature Vs Nurture - How Much Of Who We Are Is Because of Mom (and Dad)Send us a text🎙 Nature vs. Nurture – How Much of Who We Are is Because of Mom (and Dad)🔹 Episode Summary: Are we born this way… or did our parents make us this way? In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie dive into the age-old debate of Nature vs. Nurture. From emotional habits to sense of humor, salty vs. sweet preferences to zodiac signs and birth order—they break down:✅ What traits are definitely genetic vs. totally learned ✅ What are the debatable qualities that are possibly a co...2025-04-0120 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpRules Are Made To Be...Questioned?Send us a text🎧 Episode 3: Rules Are Made To Be...Questioned?Rules—they’re everywhere. From what time you get home to whether or not you really need to wear a jacket. In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie sit down for a spirited and funny conversation about the rules that shape our homes, our choices, and our sanity.They dig into:✅ The real reason parents make safety rules (hint: it’s not just to ruin your night)✅ Why some rules fe...2025-03-2511 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpTalk Less, Listen MoreSend us a text🎙 Talk Less, Listen More🔹 Episode Summary:Listening—it sounds simple, but it’s one of the hardest things to do, especially between parents and kids. In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie get real about why truly listening (without interrupting or rushing to fix things) is so important in their relationships. They break down:✅ Why parents sometimes give advice when kids just want to vent✅ How kids can do a better job of actually hearing their parents out2025-03-1812 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpWorking Moms & Mom GuiltSend us a text🎙 Working Moms & Mom Guilt🔹 Episode Summary: Working moms, we see you—and we get it. The constant juggling act, the guilt trips (both self-imposed and from others), and the worry about whether we’re doing enough for our kids. In this first episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie take a deep dive into the realities of growing up with a working mom.They explore: ✅ The early days of maternity leave ending and the struggle of returning to work ✅ H...2025-03-1815 minI Get It From My Mom: Authentic Conversations Between a Mother and Her Daughters on Parenting and Growing UpTalk Less, Listen More🎙 Talk Less, Listen More🔹 Episode Summary: Listening—it sounds simple, but it’s one of the hardest things to do, especially between parents and kids. In this episode of I Get It From My Mom, Elissa, Ava, and Maggie get real about why truly listening (without interrupting or rushing to fix things) is so important in their relationships. They break down:✅ Why parents sometimes give advice when kids just want to vent✅ How kids can do a better job of actually hearing their parents out✅ The little signs that show when s...2025-03-1813 min
The Book Club ReviewBest of 2021 Part 2: Our books of the yearIt's part 2 of our end-of-year special, in which we look back over the books we read outside of book club, the ones we chose for ourselves, and pick out our favourites. And so listen in for more book recommendations than you can shake a stick a, plus recommendations from our book clubs and friends of the pod. We also look ahead to some new releases coming out in 2022. Booklist Kate's top three favourites from 2021 Don't Touch My Hair, Emma Dabiri A Ghost in the Throat, Doireann ní Ghríofa Lea...2021-12-271h 05