Kelsey started her career on the Food Network and went on to host her own show called Kelsey’s Essentials. As a busy mom raising kids, she realized the pressure that all parents have to get dinner on the table and wanted to provide a solution. Kelsey simplified meal-planning with her 5-ingredient dinners and Recipe Club subscription. On this episode, Kelsey answers questions from the MomForce community about everything from how to rein in all-day snacking with kids to eating dinner in the car! Along with her career as a chef and author, Kelsey has bravely shared her journey of becoming a mother. She opens up about infant loss and the path she took to grow her family. Kelsey tells Vanessa how she found strength during some of her darkest times. Listen in to be inspired!  Use code: CHATBOOKS to get 20% off a monthly or annual subscription to Kelsey's Recipe Club!    Follow @kelseynixon Follow @vanessaquigley  Download the Chatbooks app 

How to Simplify Dinnertime with Kelsey Nixon

I love a fresh start and January is a natural time to do just that. But so many of us can get overwhelmed by the all-or-nothing mentality of resolutions, especially when it comes to diet and physical fitness. Why do we do that to ourselves? This is why I wanted to chat with my friend Erika Peterson of Clean Simple Eats, she knows that when it comes to our bodies it is all about the long game! For more than a decade, and through lots of grit and hard work, she has built a health and fitness empire. In this episode, Erika shares what that's been like – including her experience with healing her postpartum depression. She also shares what healthy eating actually looks like at her house with her 4 kids. Blend up a protein shake and listen in to Erika's expert advice!  Here is the  Chattymonial video we mention in the episode  Follow @cleansimpleeats Follow @vanessaquigley  Download the Chatbooks app and use code: CELEBRATE for 15% off a Yearbook! 

How to Make Healthy Habits That Will Last with Erika Peterson of Clean Simple Eats

We first released this conversation with actress and singer Lea Michele in November 2021. At the time, she was a new mom and bravely shared her pregnancy and postpartum experience, including her struggles with PCOS and infertility. Since the release of this episode, Lea’s baby boy is now a toddler and she has taken on one of the biggest roles of her career - Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Broadway! The critics love her and fans can’t help but give a standing ovation to the entire cast after every performance. Listen to this episode to hear Lea share her real and honest experiences with motherhood and a high-stakes career.  Follow @vanessaquigley  Download the Chatbooks app and take advantage of our Yearbook sale! 

How Motherhood Changed Lea Michele’s Life

Artist Morgan Harper Nichols has inspired millions of people with her poetry, music, artwork, and affirmations. In this conversation, Morgan shares what it was like to find out that she is on the autism spectrum at the age of 31. In addition to that, Vanessa shares her experience getting an ADHD diagnosis last year. They both share their journeys of self-discovery since those diagnoses. Listen to this episode to hear why Morgan chose to write a book about finding peace and her practical tips for everyday life.  Morgan shares daily affirmations and encouragement on Instagram @thestorytellerco and @morganharpernichols Peace is a Practice  Follow @vanessaquigley  Download the Chatbooks app

Ways to Practice Peace with Artist, Poet, and Musician Morgan Harper Nichols

The sisters are back! Chatbooks co-founder Vanessa Quigley is joined by her 4 sisters for a special holiday episode. They dig into dozens of questions from our MomForce community about the holidays and how to navigate tricky family situations. They cover everything from healthy boundaries, relationships with inlaws, and how to make kids feel special. Listen in to be inspired to choose your own way this year!   Download the Chatbooks app and use code POD20 for 20% off. Happy Chatbooking! Follow @vanessaquigley  Join our MomForce Facebook group  Listen to more episodes with the sisters:  Mini Holiday ep and the  Gifting ep Brooke Romney’s  Modern Manners For Teens

Enter the Chat: Doing the Holidays Your Way with Vanessa Quigley and Her Sisters

Joy Cho is the founder of the Oh Joy! design studio and lifestyle brand. She launched the studio in 2005 and has since designed hundreds of products and collections with brands like Target and Keds. Joy recently wrote a book about kids and confidence. The book details her struggle to fit in and find confidence as a kid. Joy chats with Vanessa about the book and why she wrote it for parents and kids to read together. Listen in on their candid conversation about feeling guilt in motherhood, finding adult friendships, and being an entrepreneur.  Joy has two daughters and lives in Los Angeles, California. She is a second-degree black belt, an avid tennis player, and a fashion icon. Joy also happens to be the most followed person on Pinterest! We know her advice and wisdom on confidence will inspire you.  Use code POD20 for 20% off. Happy Chatbooking!  Check out Oh Joy!  Follow Joy on Instagram and Pinterest  Confidence in Kids

Raising Confident Kids with Artist and Designer Joy Cho of Oh Joy!

Tiny but mighty, toddlers can be a rollercoaster of emotions! Ali Maffucci of @inspiralized shares her tips and tricks for creating teachable moments instead of tantrums in everyday life. She answers questions from our MomForce community on everything from how to enjoy mealtime with little ones to outsourcing the household chores you dislike. Ali just released her fourth cookbook, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. She is a mom to four kids – including one-year-old twins! Ali tells Vanessa what has helped her the most in her motherhood journey, especially when it comes to picky eaters!  Check out her recipes here   Follow Ali on Instagram

Enter the Chat: Tips for Toddlers with Ali Maffucci of Inspiralized

Myriam Sandler discovered the power of sensory play when, at the age of 1, her oldest daughter would not eat any solid foods. As an in-tune first-time mom, she guessed that there might be a sensory issue and made taste-safe play dough, kinetic sand, and sensory rice bins. Myriam began working with her baby in this sensory-friendly way and witnessed her daughter start to eat all of the solids that were presented to her – even broccoli! Now she is the creator behind the brand, Mother Could, where she shares kid-friendly recipes and affordable parenting hacks (that regularly go viral!). Not only that, Myriam shares all of her projects in Spanish and English. Myriam tells Vanessa Quigley, Chatbooks co-founder, all about raising bilingual kids and clears up common misconceptions.  Check out her videos at mothercould.com  Follow @mothercould   

Mom Hacks for Sensory Play with Myriam Sandler of Mother Could

Motherhood is a rollercoaster, some days you see incredible moments, and other days you can’t wait for bedtime! Vanessa Quigley, co-founder of Chatbooks, invited some of her favorite women to share how they break free from the monotony of everyday life and see the magic. Come laugh and cry as you find strength in the experiences of these incredible women!  In this episode you will hear from: Si Foster, A Bountiful Kitchen Alexis and Chante, Let's Talk Sis Courtney Rich, Cake By Courtney Olivia Gochnour, Utah Grubs  Emily Frame, Small Fry  Julie Taylor, Motherhood Revolution Jenica Parcell, Fearless Infertility  Ashley Rose Reeves, Ashley Rose Reeves 

Enter The Chat: Seeing Your Everyday Magic in Motherhood

Ginny Yurich, a mom of 5 in Michigan, is the creator of a global movement known as 1,000 Hours Outside. The goal is to balance the average 1,000+ hours a child spends in front of a screen per year with 1,000 hours of unstructured outdoor play. After a tricky start to motherhood, Ginny decided she wanted to try something new with her young kids. A friend invited her to take part in “nature days”. After a year of gathering together with friends and letting their kids play outside, Ginny realized they had spent more than 1,000 hours together. After looking back on the year and the changes she had seen not only in her kids but also in herself, she knew she was onto something. She coined the slogan, “1,000 Hours Outside: A movement for those who want a slower childhood and a fuller life”. Now her outdoor curriculum has been used around the globe and she is sent personal success stories on a daily basis. In this episode, Ginny tells Vanessa what life is like right now for her family, and what to do about video games!  Free 1,000 Hours Outside trackers Follow @1000hoursoutside 

How Spending 1,000 Hours Outside Can Change Your Life with Ginny Yurich

LaNesha Tabb is the founder of @apron_education and author of Unpack Your Impact. She has more than 16 years of teaching experience and is trailblazing a new curriculum for teachers, parents, and students to learn about diversity and inclusion. She shares with Vanessa the responsibility parents have to “disrupt the default” and consciously teach their children how to be anti-racist. In LaNesha’s words she tells us all how we can, “Stop being weird about race”.    Vanessa’s home school episode:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-momforce-podcast-hosted-by-chatbooks/id1464755075?i=1000468947702 LaNesha’s guide for talking about racism:  https://laneshatabb.com/home/store28348178-company-site/ Unpack your impact: https://laneshatabb.com/unpack-your-impact/ Read like a rockstar: https://readlikearockstarteaching.com/  

How To Unpack Your Impact with LaNesha of Apron Education  (Encore)

Vanessa is joined by her sisters for this special throwback episode. We take a walk down memory lane and share the best tips and tricks from Season 1 with the sisters. Between the 5 of them, they have 31 children! Each sister brings a different parenting style to the table and shares what has worked best for them. In this episode, they cover family campouts, allowance, kid's birthday parties, babysitting, and hygiene.  If you want to hear more from the sisters in Season 4 join our MomForce Facebook Group and weigh in on the discussion! We are so happy you are here! Download the Chatbooks app and use PODCAST20 for 20%. Happy Chatbooking!  Babysitting episode 1 & episode 2  FREE babysitting printable 

Vanessa Quigley and Her Sisters Share Their Best Parenting Secrets On Hygiene, School Lunches, Babysitters, and More!

Lisa is the mother of 5 and a talented actress, radio and podcast host, author, and comedian and I'm so grateful that we've become good friends over the years because she can always make me laugh. But I've also learned so many important life lessons from her. In this episode we chat about lots of good stuff including the important role humor has played in her family especially as they faced difficult times, including her husband Christopher's 4 year battle with ALS. Christopher passed away in June of 2020 just a few months before we recorded this interview. I was so impressed with her perspective and strength then, but as I've watched her over the past 2 years I continue to be amazed at how she's able to find joy and purpose and even humor while still working through grief and healing with her family. Lisa is one of my heroes and I'm so excited for you to learn from her.   Watch the viral Real Mom video  Follow Lisa on Instagram 

How Humor Can Heal Us with Actress Lisa Clark (Encore)

Since recording this episode with Jessica Gee in November of 2019 a lot has changed for The Bucket List Family – and the world. As professional travelers things slowed down in a major way when the coronavirus restrictions were put in place. The Gee family settled into their family home in Hawaii and have since developed The Bucket List Family Cartoon and a line of merch - debuting their famous backpack.  Currently, the family is back to traveling and creating YouTube videos – as of now - they have visited 86 countries! In this interview, Jessica Gee shares how they handle the long flights with kids, the best snacks to travel with, and some of the best places to visit as a family! One thing I appreciate about The Bucket List Family is their dedication to documenting their experiences together. Whether they are swimming with whales or just hanging out in the kitchen at home they have videos and photos to show for it! You're going to love this chat about why that is so important and what made them decide to sell everything and travel the world in the first place! Follow The Bucket List Family on Instagram and YouTube  Use MOMFORCE20 for 20% off your next Chatbooks purchase!

How To Find Travel Deals with Jessica Gee of The Bucket List Family (Encore)

Venus Morris Griffin bravely shares her harrowing life story and experiences for this last episode of season 3 of the podcast. I want to offer a trigger warning for all listeners – we will be discussing the abuse that Venus endured throughout her 20-year marriage to her first husband. Today she is the mother of 7 and a very successful realtor in Georgia. While facing betrayal, abuse, infertility, addiction, mental health crises, and so much more Venus was able to create a beautiful life.  I first heard Venus' story when Instagram creator and author, Brandon Stanton, of Humans of New York, shared a 13-post feature about her. Venus worked two jobs and got herself to college after growing up in a violent home with a mom who was an addict. While at college she dated and married Tripp Morris and started their family together. Although there were signs of abuse during their engagement, things really began to unravel 20-years later when she received a phone call from a prostitute. Her husband's double life was uncovered and he was sentenced to 45-years in prison, leaving Venus in tremendous amounts of debt and with a nursing baby. In our conversation, Venus shares what she felt in that moment of betrayal and how her faith and determination helped her to not only survive but thrive!   Follow Venus on Instagram  Subscribe to the podcast  here 

How Venus Morris Griffin Created a Beautiful Life Amid Unthinkable Betrayal and Heartache

Psychologist and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Lisa Damour is joining Vanessa and her sister Shelly on The MomForce Podcast to talk about stress and anxiety. To begin the episode she outlines when anxiety is at normal levels in our kids and when it is time to step in and get help. Dr. Damour gives practical tips and tricks on how we can help our kids and ourselves cope with strong feelings. She also explains what negative coping strategies look like and what to replace them with. Give it a listen and check out her award-winning books Untangled and Under Pressure  

How to Use Anxiety To Your Advantage with Dr. Lisa Damour (Encore)

Since recording this episode for Season 1 of The MomForce Podcast, Ralphie Jacobs of Simply on Purpose has grown her following to more than 400k on Instagram and continues to teach live workshops and courses for parents. In today’s episode, Ralphie and Vanessa tackle tough parenting questions about disciplining toddlers (and teenagers) and how modeling good behavior for our children helps them better understand expectations. Ralphie reminds us that it’s never too late to make positive changes and that sleep can do wonders for toddlers and teenagers alike! 

How To Bring Joy Into Parenting with Ralphie Jacobs of Simply of Purpose  (Encore)

Since the original release of this episode in 2020, Shea McGee has released her second book, had her design series on Netflix renewed for a third season, and had a sweet baby girl join the McGee family. So how did a girl who went to school in Public Relations end up creating Studio McGee? Shea joins Vanessa Quigley to talk about how she built her brand, alongside her husband Syd, while trying to balance life with two small kids. Use code PODCAST20 for 20% off your next purchase from Chatbooks!  

Creating a Timeless Home with Shea McGee of Studio McGee (Encore)

Camila McConaughey is an entrepreneur, model, designer, and philanthropist. She came to the United States from Brazil at 15-years-old and found work as a house cleaner and waitress. Years later she was able to break into the modeling industry. Today she is married to Matthew McConaughey and living in Austin, Texas where they are raising their three children. In this episode of The MomForce Podcast, Camila and Vanessa Quigley talk about family dynamics and what it really takes to make a marriage work. Camila shares insights into her parenting style and if she and Matthew will be going for baby #4!   Follow Camila McConaughey on Instagram and check out her online community at WomenofToday.com  

The Secret Sauce to Family Relationships with Camila McConaughey

Sharon McMahon of the @sharonsaysso Instagram account is a former high school government and law teacher that has been called “America’s Government Teacher”. She began building her "Governerds" community while sharing bipartisan facts about how the U.S. government works in preparation for the 2020 presidential election. In this episode of The MomForce Podcast, Sharon and Vanessa Quigley talk about the current events in Ukraine and how to discuss them with our kids. Listen to this episode for Sharon’s tips on how to raise kids to be critical thinkers in the fast-paced world of 24/7 news and technology. Plus, what action she is taking with her own children to make sure that they are good citizens and leaders.   Follow Sharon Says so on Instagram and check out SharonMcMahon.com

The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks

The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks

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