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Hey mamas. This episode is an important conversation, and we’re honoured to have advocate and activist Amanda Faun (@arborandwood) as our guest. This is a must-listen for white parents especially, who may be curious about navigating those first conversations about anti-racism and ally ship.  Amanda talks to us about how teaching our children through experiential learning and exposing our kids to diversity is more important than worrying about saying the right or wrong things. We also discuss how the perception of law enforcement is shaped by racial make-up, how decolonized education is a way to reclaim a BIPOC-centred experience in a lacking standard curriculum, and how homophobia and racism go hand in hand and need to be rooted out together.  Let’s get to it. xo And of course make sure you're following both of us on the 'gram:  @cheesecakeandcrying @arborandwood

Hey mamas! With Father’s Day right around the corner, we thought who better to give us the dad perspective then our very own babies daddies.  That’s right, they’re back…again. Uncensored and um, as riveting as always.  We pick their brains about parenting in a pandemic, the surprising things they’ve learned about themselves since becoming fathers, and the number one thing all new dads need. But you’re definitely going to want to listen for the “not-so newlywed” speed round questions where we discover some pretty interesting new facts about each other, including just who the town hoore really is among the four of us. Let’s get to it! xo Join our virtual village on Instagram @cheesecakeandcrying

Hey mamas! On this episode, our guest Monica Jones (@bymonicajones) gives us her fresh take on the *sometimes* generic and unattainable self-care that’s saturating our social media feeds.  She tells us what led her to become a cheerleader for millennial moms and how figuring out your identity as a mom and learning to show up for yourself can enable you to better show up for your family.  We also talk about realistic self-care during every season of motherhood (including pregnancy), creative ways to get alone time, and how sharing our stories helps to feel less alone on this wild motherhood journey.   Monica also shares the motivation behind Melanated Mamas, her community aimed at amplifying the unseen joy in BIPOC mothers.  Let’s get to it! xo And of course make sure you're following both of us  on the 'gram: @cheesecakeandcrying  @bymonicajones // @melanated.mamas 

Hey mamas! On today’s episode we talk to Lavinia Brown (@laviniabrowncoaching), an inner child healing expert and psychodynamic coach for mothers. Yes, she is absolutely every bit as interesting as that sounds. We talk to Lavinia about healing your inner child through re-parenting, mothering in a patriarchal society, and how tracking your menstrual cycles can be so much more than just predicting your period. AND how tracking your menstrual cycles can actually be beneficial to your spouse or partner. We also break down those woman are “hormonal” stereotypes and why we’re conditioned to think of our periods as something to be embarrassed about. Get ready to embrace your femininity and step into that power, Mama. Let’s get to it! xo Connect with us on the 'gram: @cheesecakandcrying

Hey mamas! If you’re in need of some motivation or inspiration today, we got you. On this episode we’re chatting with Kari Russell (@karirussellcoaching), an energetic business coach, unapologetic entrepreneur, Human Design aficionado and of course, mom. Join us as we dive into HD, including how understanding children at their energetic core allows us as parents to better hold space for them and allow them to be who they truly are. We also talk about desire-led doing, surrendering to divine feminine energy, and what the heck gifts of shit are and how they can help you grow.  Let’s get to it! xo Connect with us on the 'gram: @cheesecakandcrying

Hey mamas! On today’s episode we talk to Cheyenne Scarlett: mother, entrepreneur, birth educator and currently pregnant person herself.  Listen in as Cheyenne chats about shifting from pursuing her once dream government job to following her passion to advocate for the health, wellness and education of pregnant people.   She shares with us some of her research on the birthing experience of black families, including how a lack of data here in Canada leaves a large gap in creating an equitable birthing experience for all pregnant people.  She also tells us what it was like to have COVID early on in her pregnancy and explains how the process of learning to drive a car can actually be a great analogy for the birthing experience. Let’s get to it! xo Connect with us on the 'gram: @cheesecakandcrying

Hey mamas! If you have a baby or toddler and sleep has become some elusive mythical unicorn, you’re definitely going to want to stick around for this. Because today we’re talking to the creator of baby-led sleep, the leader of the sleep without sleep training movement, and the reason why Jenny is now a sleep coach: Lauren Heffernan, the founder of @islagracesleep Listen in as we chat about the concept of “broken” or “bad” babies, the theory behind the real reason parents sleep train, and why this is such a polarizing and triggering topic.  And obviously we get into some of the most common sleep challenges and debunk some of those pesky unhelpful myths we keep hearing.  Let's get to it!  xo Connect with us on the 'gram: @cheesecakandcrying

Hey mamas! On today’s episode we talk to Dr. Vivian Chen, also known as @platefulhealth.  As a UK-trained MD turned low-tox living expert, Dr. Vivian shares with us how the birth of her daughter lead her to end that coffee, wine and brain fog life that we moms often know all too well, and how making small changes in your lifestyle can have big impacts on your health and the health of your family.  She shares with us some great tips for making low-tox living manageable and also some of the most common culprits that can cause toxin overload in your family’s home.  Let’s get to it! xo  Connect with us on the 'gram: @cheesecakandcrying

Hey mamas! Today we are talking to the one and only Dr. Jackie Schoemaker Holmes, who you might also recognize as @eatingheryoung (sidenote: if you’re not already following her, you must immediately start). Join us as we chat about Jackie’s postpartum and early motherhood journey and how it helped inspire the work she does, why we need to start trusting ourselves more as mothers, and how Jackie makes us all want to be problems for mediocre white men.  Let's get to it!  xo Connect with us on the 'gram: @cheesecakandcrying

Hey mamas!   Remember us? We wouldn't blame ya if you've forgotten. It's been a year.   For us, our year included a new house for one of us. A new baby for the other. 4823 lockdowns. 🤪   Our boys started JK and we also got to experience the fresh hell that is virtual school.   But! We survived 2020, if just barely.   We also have to acknowledge the heaviness of 2020, with the US election and BLM movement.   A LOT has happened since our last season.   But we're happy to be back and we have an exciting season of guests lined up.   However, this episode will just be us gracing y'all with our virtual presence. We're also going to be doing a little q & a with Christy, who can now add pandemic pregnancy and birth to her mom resume.    Let's get to it!    Connect with us on the 'gram: @cheesecakandcrying

Hey mamas! Here it is, the quarantine edition of cheesecake & crying…although, we were recording via Zoom long before this pandemic so we’re clearly ahead of the curve on that one. Anyhoo, today we’re chatting about our current self-isolated situations and how we’re coping while staying home. And as usual, we bring two unique perspectives. You’re not going to want to miss this one as we have BIG news to reveal: and it isn’t about Jenny’s successful foray into artisanal bread baking …although she does make a kickass sourdough. We also discuss our biggest fears for a post-pandemic world, along with some vital lessons we’ve learned while in lockdown. We hope all our listeners are staying home and staying safe. Let’s get to it! xo To listen, click the link in our bio or find us on iTunes, Spotify and all major platforms/apps. To connect with the podcast: @cheesecakeandcrying

Hey mamas! On today’s episode we’re chatting with Tara Filteau from the social enterprise Mother Daughter Empower. Tara is a busy mom of three who – alongside her daughter – is the cofounder of this movement that empowers young girls to be who they are and to become anything they want to be. Join us as we talk about Tara’s formula for raising confident girls, some of the more common challenges of parenting girls in a world run by social media, and how we can work on maintaining that crucial mother-daughter bond through the infamous teenage years…dun dun dun. We also discuss the National Mother Daughter Conference and Empower Girl Awards, plus the overnight retreats that Tara and her daughter have created through Mother Daughter Empower. And of course we get her favourite cheesecake flavour! Let’s get to it! xo To listen, click the link in our bio or find us on iTunes, Spotify and all major platforms/apps. To connect with the podcast: @cheesecakeandcrying To connect with Tara and Mother Daughter Empower: @motherdaughterempower To learn more about the upcoming conference or retreats, vote for this year’s Empower Girl or join their online community, visit www.motherdaughterempower.ca

Hey mamas! On today’s episode we’re talking to Danielle Binns, a certified nutritionist and picky eating expert. We KNOW you guys are going to love this one, because who hasn’t battled it out with their toddler at mealtime or got stuck in a rut making the same foods for their kids over and over (peanut butter toast, anyone?) Danielle has a refreshing take on how to approach feeding your kids. She explains “food jags” to us and why rotation is so important to prevent food obsessions, and also food intolerances. She tells us the role control plays at the dinner table and the right way to offer it to your kids to avoid the dinner table power struggle. Danielle also talks about how letting kids play with their food might be the key to getting them to eat it and shares her game-changing tool to do exactly that. Finally, we talk about how kid’s menus are working against us and what Danielle’s #kidsmenumovement is doing about it - including her appetizer hack that you will definitely want to try next time you eat out (you know, once the pandemic is over). Let’s get to it! xo   To connect with the podcast: @cheesecakeandcrying To connect with Danielle: @daniellebinnsnutrition For the Superpower Foods Placemat: daniellebinns.com/placemat For a free training on turning your picky eater into a healthy eater: daniellebinns.com/webinar

Hey mamas! On today’s episode, we’re chatting all about marriage…after babies. Dun dun dun. We discuss some hard data we collected from our Instagram community on how their relationships changed after babies, whether they feel closer or less connected to their spouse after kids, and if their household dynamic has a default parent. And of course we share our own thoughts on all of this as well. As always, you can expect us to keep it real as we talk about the honest challenges relationships face after babies, like emotional labour overload, resentment, hormones, and yes we even touch a little on S-E-X. But not like too much because guys, our parents listen to this and that’s just awkward.  But we do share some personal stories that show how adding new little humans to your home can also enhance your marriage and the love you have for your partner in wonderful and unexpected ways. Finally, as a special little treat we bring back our baby daddies for what can only be described as an um, “raw and uncut” perspective into the minds of our no-filter hubbies. The even answer some of your questions, including the one we all really want to know... does it actually take men that long to use the washroom?! Let’s get to it! xo

Hey mamas! Well, it’s the end of an era: we are both officially off maternity leave and “back” to work. Like paid work, I mean. Not just the 24/7 mom life grind. But I digress. The point is, all good mat leaves must come to an end. And that’s what we’re talking about today in this follow-up to our all moms are working moms series. We’re bringing you two perspectives: Christy going back to working outside the home in her full-time corporate 9-5 role, with both kids in daycare, and Jenny working from the home as a mompreneur, with both kids home. Listen in as we quiz each other about what we’re most looking forward to in this new phase, what we’re most afraid of, and what we hope our kids take away from each of our very different careers. We also discuss how the working mom role has changed in the past few generations, and how the more domesticated dad role has evolved  – plus the surprising things they have to deal with now. And also how it’s ultimately up to US to make the changes we want to see in our future job market, especially if we ever hope to create that elusive work/life balance. So, however you’re working today mama, it’s time to take a much-needed break. Let’s get to it! xo

Hey mamas, On today’s episode we hope to spread some awareness on a serious issue that, until recently, was something most of us didn’t realize was happening in our very own community. An issue so important, that once we learned more about it, we knew we wanted to do what we could to ensure that parents and community members stay informed. We’re referring to the issue of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation – happening right here in Durham Region. Today, we talk to Kate Moore from Safe Hope Home, a local long-term recovery program to help support survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation. Kate shares with us some of the incredible work that Safe Hope Home is doing and gives us the facts about the occurrence  of sex trafficking here in Durham Region. This is an underground issue but a very prevalent one. Kate talks about the misconceptions of what sex trafficking really looks like, points out a few local and well-known spots that are a common target area for recruitment into sex trafficking, as well as shares ways you can talk to your kids and teens to keep them informed – and most of all safe. We also discuss ways to get involved in Safe Hope Home initiatives and fundraisers, and how we as a community can contribute to the solutions. 🤝 Let’s get to it.

Hey mamas! Today on the podcast, Jenny is talking to Joanne Brathwaite, a writer, editor, strategist, all-around badass mompreneur, and also single mom to a daughter who has what she likes to call, “a little something extra.” Joanne shares what she wishes more people understood about Down syndrome – including how outdated the medical community can be toward the diagnosis. But also how anyone who has a child with Down syndrome will tell you it was the best thing that ever happened to them. We get deep, discussing Joanne’s biggest fear (it might surprise you), how she copes with her daughter being bullied (yes, it still happens, even in 2020), and how she managed to turn it around to raise awareness and change perceptions. Joanne shares her important message for other parents with children of different abilities: don’t hide your story. There will always be someone who will find inspiration in it, and always eyes that will be opened from it. She also has a message for everyone else: don’t be afraid to ask questions! Because someone will always be happy to share the right information. Jenny and Joanne also get super real about motherhood, in true cheesecake & crying fashion. They chat about why it’s so important to have honest mom friends who keep it real – and who will be there if you just need to scream into the phone. Friends like Joanne herself. Let’s get to it! xo

Hey mamas...and happy ho ho! That’s right, it’s our special holiday episode (sorry, no Michael Buble). But we are talking about all things Christmas – with a mom life twist, of course. We chat about the different types of moms at Christmastime, reveal our opinions on hot topics like whether Santa’s suit is hot (it’s not) and whether to elf or not to elf (on the shelf, that is). Be sure to stay tuned for our merry mom moments and find out which holiday classic Jenny watched while in labour last Christmas Eve. Disclaimer: we will be discussing some of Santa’s secrets, so this episode is best listened to away from little ears! Let’s get to it!  xo

Hey mamas! On today’s episode we’re chatting with Dr. Lindsay Weisner from Long Island, New York. She is a wife, mom, psychologist, author and fellow podcaster. Phew. Listen in as we get Lindsay’s expert opinion on maternal mental health, including an interesting take on baby blues, why happiness shouldn’t be our default, and how we can support fellow moms who may be suffering from postpartum mood disorders. We also talk about Lindsay’s upcoming book, Ten Steps to Finding Happy, which features stories from 24 inspiring women and mothers to help raise mental health awareness and smash the stigmas surrounding depression and anxiety. And while we may be talking to a shrink, this conversation is anything but stuffy. We talk feminism, drop f-bombs, are wowed by Christy’s HR math and hear what Lindsay really thinks about Christy’s idea to join the 5 a.m. club. But we hope by now you wouldn’t expect anything less than real talk from us. So…let’s get to it! xo

Hey mamas! Today we’re talking about toddlers. And how they can be jerks sometimes. But that it’s really not their fault. They are just misunderstood little creatures who go from raising your temper to melting your heart in a matter of seconds. Being in between toddlerhood with our kids right now, we have learned a thing or two in the toddler trenches, mainly how easy it was to judge meltdowns from afar back when we were perfect parents…you know, before we actually had children. We chat about life with toddlers,  share our parenting styles and even discuss toddler brain growth and development from a psychological perspective. But like, really high level, because neuroscientists we are not. Perhaps we’ll get into that more in a future episode. Oh and be sure to stick around until the end. There may be a cute little twist on our usual mom moments and cheesecake review that involves a couple cameos from our favourite preschoolers. Let’s get to it! xo links: https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/ https://neufeldinstitute.org/   books: Rest, Play, Grow The Whole-Brain Child