Full Circle Motherhood: A Conversation with My Daughter
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
Release Date: 04/29/2025
Enter the Chat: Less Guilt, More Play with Myriam Sandler of @mothercould
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
She’s back! In this special return episode, Vanessa catches up with Myriam Sandler of @mothercould, who first joined The MomForce Podcast three years ago, and a lot has changed since then. Myriam is now a published author, and her new book, Playful By Design, is a tool for parents everywhere to rethink how they approach play at home. From her viral take—“I hardly play with my kids”—to her genius strategies for cultivating independent play, Myriam shares how creating the right environment (not more Pinterest crafts) is the secret to raising curious, confident kids. As she puts...
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Full Circle Motherhood: A Conversation with My Daughter
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
Today’s episode is extra special—it’s our Mother’s Day episode, and I’ve got my oldest daughter, Laken, in the studio with me! I’ve been wanting to have her on the podcast for a long time, and since she was in town this past week, I finally convinced her to sit down and chat about motherhood. If you don’t already know her, you’re going to love her. She’s the most amazing mom to my granddaughter, Mauve, and she’s been a huge part of this podcast since the very beginning—six seasons ago! She actually wrote and recorded our theme song and has been our audio engineer ever...
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Enter the Chat: Misconceptions of Mental Health with Capacity Expert RaQuel Hopkins
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
If you haven’t come across RaQuel yet—aka The Capacity Expert—that’s about to change. With bold, truth-telling videos that are equal parts empowering and uncomfortable, RaQuel is shaking up the mental health conversation in all the best ways. Instead of prescribing prevalent self care solutions like bubble baths and spa days, RaQuel invites us into deeper work—work that involves honesty, self-responsibility, and a better understanding of what we’re actually capable of. I brought questions straight from our MomForce community to this conversation, and RaQuel delivered. You're...
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Dare to Dream: From Choir Girl to Chatbooker in Chief
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
Today's episode is a special one that is close to my heart. I am sharing my unexpected journey from dreaming of Broadway to becoming the co-founder of Chatbooks. Growing up in a family of 12, I learned the power of big dreams and resilience, I was especially inspired by strong women in her life. I pursued vocal performance in college, but after getting married young and starting a family, my path shifted. Years later, overwhelmed with mom life, a simple moment with my youngest child sparked the idea for Chatbooks—proving that sometimes, our biggest opportunities come from unexpected places....
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Tamron Hall on Motherhood at Any Stage & the Power of Curiosity
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
Tamron Hall is a two-time Emmy Award-winning TV host, executive producer of her own syndicated talk show Tamron Hall, veteran journalist, and bestselling author. She’s spent decades honing her interviewing skills—from breaking news to deep, heartfelt conversations on the Today show. And today, we’re diving into something that is the driving force of everything she does– curiosity. Curiosity has shaped her ability to connect deeply with people and has influenced the way she approaches motherhood. It’s also the inspiration behind her latest book, Harlem Honey: The Adventures of a...
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Boosting Your Baseline: Julie Taylor’s Experience With Grief and Connection
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
Moms, let’s be real—parenting is a wild ride, full of ups and downs, curveballs, and unexpected turns. But what if there was a way to make those ups and downs a little easier to handle? That’s where your mental health baseline comes in. Today, I’m talking with my friend Julie Taylor, a writer, mom, and someone who just gets it. We’re breaking down what a mental health baseline is, how to boost it, and why taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. And trust me, Julie is the perfect person for this conversation—not only does she have a way of making deep topics...
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Enter the Chat: The Power of Healthy Boundaries in Parenting with Dr. Siggie
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
Welcome to another Enter the Chat episode of the MomForce Podcast—where we break down the parenting topics that matter most. Today, we’re diving deep into the balance of emotional validation and setting boundaries with child development specialist, Dr. Siggie Cohen. If you’ve ever struggled with being both the ‘safe space’ and the authority figure in your child’s life, this conversation is for you. Seriously, if your child has ever said "Your the meantest mom ever" –don't fret. Dr Siggie gives us some tools to help us keep our cool. Dr. Siggie Cohen is a Child Development...
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MomForce Heroes: The Power of Small Wins with Emily O'Loughlin
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
Emily O'Laughlin started Doing Great Clothing Co when she saw her son Nathan beginning a new chapter: post-high school and ready to work. She noticed that jobs that fit his abilities were few and far between. So she decided to create the solution, even though Emily and her husband both have full-time jobs. The mission of Doing Great Clothing Co says, "We're passionate about our chance to make concrete changes in the world of special needs. Our mission is to pave the way for those with disabilities to reach those crucial developmental milestones and score meaningful employment." If...
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From Burnout to Balance: Jillian Harris on Mental Health and Self-Care
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
Prepare yourself folks for so much wisdom from Jillian Harris. If you follow Jilian you know she is an absolute dynamo. A true powerhouse—She's an entrepreneur, cookbook author, interior designer, and the creator of The Jilly Box. I love her Jilly box, it's a quarterly subscription box that showcases women entrepreneurs and small businesses. It sold out now but I'm on the Insider wait list! Jillian is based in Canada and she first captured hearts as a contestant on The Bachelor and later made history as the first Canadian Bachelorette. But Jillian’s story goes far beyond her TV...
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New Year, Same Amazing You: Becs Gentry of Peloton on Self-Love and Embracing Growth
The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks
Becs Gentry is a beloved Peloton instructor, elite runner, and inspiring new mom. Known for her motivational energy and infectious positivity, she’s built a global community of fitness enthusiasts who turn to her for more than just workouts—they come for her life lessons. Recently, Becs completed an extraordinary feat: The Great World Race—7 marathons, in 7 days, on 7 continents, starting with a marathon in Antarctica! In this conversation, we dive into what that incredible adventure was like, as well as the day-to-day realities of balancing motherhood, a demanding career, and a rigorous...
info_outlineToday’s episode is extra special—it’s our Mother’s Day episode, and I’ve got my oldest daughter, Laken, in the studio with me! I’ve been wanting to have her on the podcast for a long time, and since she was in town this past week, I finally convinced her to sit down and chat about motherhood.
If you don’t already know her, you’re going to love her. She’s the most amazing mom to my granddaughter, Mauve, and she’s been a huge part of this podcast since the very beginning—six seasons ago! She actually wrote and recorded our theme song and has been our audio engineer ever since. I’m seriously so lucky to work alongside her... and even luckier to be her mom.
In this episode, we swap stories, laugh a lot, and share a few lessons we’ve learned along the way as a mother and daughter. It's a little peek into the beautiful (and sometimes messy) reality of family life—from both sides of the generation gap. Think of it as a celebration of the little moments that make it all worth it—and a reminder of why we do what we do at Chatbooks.
We also know that Mother’s Day can bring up all kinds of emotions. For some, it’s a day full of joy. For others, it might feel bittersweet or even heavy. However you’re feeling this year, please know we see you, we’re thinking of you, and we’re sending you so much love.
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4:30 Expectations on your first Mother's Day as a new mom
8:30 What it is like to see your daughter become a mother
15:00 "Family Fandangos!"
21:15 Moments in your parenting journey when you have to step into the role of mother
23:20 The drawbacks of parenting in the age of social media
29:01 Why Monthbooks are the greatest gift for a grandma
33:00 Behind the Scenes of the newest top secret project at Chatbooks
40:00 The ups and downs of parenting through the teen years
44:00 The different seasons of life and motherhood that you can lean into as an artist
47:08 Mom as a camp counselor/daughter as a camper dilemma
50:00 "I hope you will do better than we did"