We Didn't Turn Out OK with Jennie Monness - podcast cover

We Didn't Turn Out OK with Jennie Monness

Jennie Monness
For the last two decades, I've worked closely with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents—listening, guiding and supporting families and their young children. I've connected with so many parents through my social media account, texts, calls, and leading moms' groups. When we have open, honest and vulnerable conversations—no matter who you are as a parent—that's how we connect, learn and grow. We also discover so much about ourselves and how that plays into our parenting. That's why I created We Didn't Turn Out Ok—a podcast where you'll hear real conversations about challenges we face in parenting, hear how we uncover the roadblocks, often from our own stuff, and listen to how we work through what's often keeping us stuck. There will be professionals in the field, noteworthy guests and everyone in between. Using my own parenting journey and approach—combined with research-backed best practices—I am determined to help us all move forward from our areas of where we "didn't turn out ok." Every guest will be sharing openly and honestly knowing that it will help them grow as a parent but will also help all of you listening. Welcome to We Didn't Turn Out Ok.
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Episodes

Episode 26: From Guarded to Grounded with Whitney Port

When I tell you that this may be one of the most moving conversations on We Didn’t Turn Out Ok so far, I’m still not doing it justice. Having Whitney Port on brought me back to growing up what felt like with her—from watching The Hills, where she seemed to live in an alternate world from my "Varsity Blues" suburbs in NJ to following her journey as she began filming for The City, where she carved her space in fashion and seemed to have everything fall into place. She met her now-husband Timmy (th...

Jul 01, 20251 hr 3 min

Episode 25: Beyond the Comparison Trap - Identity After Motherhood with Dale Stabler and Annabel Lawee

In this episode, I sit down with Dale and Annabel - the funny, real and deeply honest voices behind We Are More Than Moms, a community and podcast that supports moms in navigating identity, ambition, and the messy in-between moments of modern motherhood. We talk about the many layers that shift when we become moms - from how we see ourselves to how we compare (to other moms, our pre-mom selves, even our own kids). We dig into the power of recognizing when we’re not OK, and how those moments can ...

Jun 24, 202559 min

Episode 24: Parenting without Panic, Emily Oster on Tech, Routines and more

This episode is really special to me. I got to sit down with Emily Oster — someone whose work has been a constant companion in my parenting journey. Emily is an economist, bestselling author, and professor at Brown University who has become a trusted voice for parents looking to make informed, grounded decisions. You might know her from her books Expecting Better, Cribsheet, The Family Firm, and The Unexpected. Her work takes complicated data and turns it into something we can actually use — not...

Jun 23, 202550 min

Episode 23: Chipping Away to Your True Self: Conscious Parenting with Erin Morrison

The Conscious Mom, where do I start? Back in 2020, when I was supporting other moms through virtual groups—craving a bit of that support for myself—I stumbled upon Erin Morrison, a.k.a. The Conscious Mom, on Instagram. What started as a digital connection during COVID quickly became a real friendship, even though we had never met in person. Fast forward five years, countless DMs, and near-misses in Florida (where Erin lives with her two kids, Ellie, 9, and Jonah, 11), and we finally made it happ...

Jun 10, 20251 hr 8 min

Episode 22: Movement as Medicine with Katia Pryce, Founder of DanceBody

In this episode, I’m joined by Katia Pryce, the powerhouse founder and CEO of DanceBody, a dance-based fitness brand built on the belief that movement is medicine—something I deeply resonate with. What struck me most in our conversation was learning how DanceBody was born from Katia’s rock bottom moment. After moving to New York in her early twenties with dreams of being on Broadway, Katia landed a job at the iconic Tracy Anderson Studios—only to have it taken from her without warning. From that...

Jun 03, 20251 hr

Episode 21: Siblings, Sisters and Psychedelics with Cameron Rogers

In this episode, I sit down with Cameron Rogers - longtime content creator, podcast host of Conversations with Cam, and mom of two boys. Cameron is as real as they come - unapologetically honest, refreshingly open, and someone who always has a way of making you think, “Wow, I feel the same way, but I never knew how to say it!” We dive into so many topics - starting with how Cameron has learned not to internalize negativity from others, and whether anything from her upbringing helped her build th...

May 27, 202558 min

Episode 20: How Childhood Shapes Parenthood a Conversation with Alexa Leigh Mufson

Alexa Mufson is the founder and CEO of Alexa Leigh Jewelry and a mom of three - ages 9, 6, and 3. Before this episode, Alexa and I actually recorded one that got lost (I know!) - so this is our second take. Honestly, I welcomed the redo because I can get totally lost in conversation with Alexa. She’s so open to diving deep into parenting, exploring her own childhood, and coming up with tools that work for her - and that’s exactly what I hope this podcast inspires more parents to do. Before we re...

May 20, 202538 min

Episode 19: From Dating Doubts to Mom Confidence with Lindsey Metselaar

In this episode, I sit down with OG podcast host Lindsey Metselaar of We Met at Acme a a show where singles turn for unfiltered dating advice. Lindsey started her podcast at 27 after being dumped on her birthday, and now she’s married, a mom, and still telling it like it is. What struck me most about Lindsey is how grounded and confident she is, even just 15 months into motherhood. She’s figuring it out in real time and learning more about herself along the way.. Key Takeaways: The Butterfly Eff...

May 13, 20251 hr 6 min

Episode 18 Combining Tools and Understanding with Behavioral Analyst

What happens when an empath and a behavioral analyst sit down for a conversation? An honest, and incredibly helpful discussion about the realities of parenting. In this episode, I talk with Mandy Grass - known as The Family Behaviorist -about the tools, tactics, and truths of raising children, especially when things don’t go as planned. We recorded this after a rough morning on my end, and I found myself genuinely needing Mandy’s grounded perspective. Her insights were not only validating but al...

May 08, 20251 hr

Episode 17 Fitting In with Jyoti Chand: Identity, Motherhood and Mental Health

I’m really excited about this episode — not just because I got to talk (and laugh a lot) with this amazing human, but because she’s about to release a book that is so important. Jyoti Chand, also known as Mamajotes, is a mom of three, a beloved social media personality, and now the author of the upcoming book Fitting Indian, releasing May 13. Order it now. Jyoti advocates for self-love, self-care, and maternal mental health - all of which are wrapped beautifully into her book, a teen graphic nov...

Apr 29, 202554 min

Episode 16: From Yes Girl to Sure Girl - Katie Sands on Motherhood, Boundaries, and Being Real Online

In this episode, I’m joined by Katie Sands - content creator, style expert, lifestyle influencers, and now, a mom. It’s such a real and honest conversation about how motherhood reshaped her identity both online and off. Katie opens up about her IVF journey, the spiral of postpartum anxiety and OCD, and how even well-meaning messages from followers sent her into overwhelm during those early days. We also talk about something we both initially planned to do: not share our kids online. Spoiler: It’...

Apr 22, 20251 hr 5 min

Episode 15 Built to Solve with Julie Cole: Lessons in Leadership, Motherhood and Letting Go

In this episode, I sat down with the magnetic and insightful Julie Cole - Co-founder of Mabel’s Labels (a company I genuinely cannot live without), author, media personality, and mom of six. We covered everything from what it was like mothering six kids while pivoting from a career in law to starting her own business, to the messy, not-so-glamorous truth behind entrepreneurship. Julie shared how, long before “authenticity” became a buzzword, it was her willingness to write openly about the hard ...

Apr 15, 20251 hr 3 min

Episode 14: From Overwhelmed to Grounded - Rethinking Balance in Motherhood with Elizabeth Baron

Does balance in motherhood really exist? Are there enough hours in the day to get everything done without feeling like we’re constantly preoccupied? And what happens when the “ball” we drop is our child? Can we shift the reflexive “one second!” away from our kids and toward everything else instead? Is that even possible? These are just some of the questions I explored with Elizabeth Baron, a psychotherapist specializing in supporting women at every stage of motherhood—from preconception and preg...

Apr 08, 202547 min

Episode 13: The Reality of "Respectful Parenting" with Daniella Rabbani

Have you ever wondered, Does this gentle parenting thing actually work? Am I being too passive? Is this really preparing my child for the real world? If so, you’re not alone. This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned what it means to parent “respectfully” in today’s world. Daniella Rabbani is a dear friend I met in the world of respectful parenting. We were both deeply inspired by the RIE Educaring Approach to early childhood, but fast forward to now - Daniella shared that she’s wrestle...

Apr 01, 20251 hr 2 min

Episode 12: Beyond the Glam with Stephanie and Brett Gottlieb

The first First couple on We Didn’t Turn Out Ok and I learned so much! In this episode I sit down with my close friends Stephanie and Brett Gottlieb. Stephanie is a jewelry designer and entrepreneur known for her jewelry brand, Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry which she founded and is now the Creative Director of. You may know Stephanie for her social media presence, where she showcases her designs and gives a behind-the-scenes look at her business and personal life all while balancing it all wit...

Mar 25, 20251 hr 5 min

Episode 11: From Strollers to Social Media - Parenting Teens and Pre Teens with Brianne Manz

In this episode, I sit down with Brianne Manz, founder of the mom and lifestyle blog, Stroller in the City, to discuss the nuances of parenting three children in their pre-teen and teenage years. Brianne, a former fashion showroom owner turned full-time mom and content creator, shares her insights on navigating the emotional and mental challenges that come with raising kids as they get older.. I was particularly interested in finding out from Brianne her thoughts on “bigger kids, bigger problems...

Mar 18, 202537 min

Episode 10: Breaking the Silence: Postpartum Depression, Psychedelic Healing, and the Future of Mental Health with Melissa Lavasani

In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Melissa Lavasani to hear her powerful journey through severe postpartum depression (PPD)—a journey that nearly ended her own life. Struggling with relentless despair and thoughts of ending her life, Melissa discovered something that not only saved her but changed the course of her life: psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in mushrooms. Through her own healing, Melissa went on to found the Psychedelic Medicine Coalition, advo...

Mar 11, 20251 hr 4 min

Episode 9: Go With Your Gut with Robyn Youkilis

In this episode, I sit down with Robyn Youkilis—speaker, bestselling author, and wellness expert for 16 years. Robyn is the founder and CEO of Your Healthiest You, a mom to two daughters (Navy, 9, and Dover, 3.5), and a new puppy. We dive into some of the less spoken about topics—like purposely waiting until her early 40s to have a second child (creating a 5+ year age gap), making herself a priority always, and fully embracing what lights her up. Robyn calls these her “Big F” experiences (referr...

Mar 04, 202552 min

Episode 8: Rethinking Mealtimes: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Food with Ali Bandier

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Ali Bandier, a child and family dietitian and founder of Senta Health. Ali and I first connected during COVID in a virtual moms’ group, bonding over our shared philosophies on working with children. With an extensive background in pediatric nutrition, Ali has worked at some of the world’s most renowned clinics, including the feeding clinic at LA Children’s Hospital. Her firsthand experience has given her deep insight into how we can support childre...

Feb 25, 202541 min

Episode 7: Raising Kids on Real Food: Non-Toxic Living Without the Guilt with Sabrina Rudin

In this episode, I sit down with Sabrina Rudin—founder of Spring Cafe, mom to three boys, and a true expert in clean eating and healthy living. She’s the mom everyone thinks of when it comes to non-toxic living, but what sets her apart is how she makes it work for her family without making her kids feel deprived. I was especially curious about how she approaches this lifestyle in a way that feels sustainable and positive for her children. We dive into the balance of sharing our passions with our...

Feb 18, 202539 minSeason 1Ep. 7

Episode 6: Parenting Without People-Pleasing: Boundaries, Confidence & Tough Conversations with Kristin McGee

In this episode, I sit down with fitness and mindfulness expert Kristin McGee—single mom of three boys and an endless source of inspiration. Kristin shares how single motherhood has reignited her passions, allowing her to focus on them in a new and meaningful way. We dive deep into breaking the cycle of people-pleasing, exploring how we can support our kids in confidently saying no—even to friends—without unintentionally passing down our own struggles with setting boundaries. We also discuss the...

Feb 11, 202535 minSeason 1Ep. 6

5: Raising Resilience with Tovah Klein

In this episode, I sit down with one of the most respected experts in early childhood, Tovah Klein. I’ve admired Tovah since I first read How Toddlers Thrive at the start of my career, and I’ve had the privilege of knowing her firsthand over the years. Now, with her latest book, Raising Resilience, I knew I had to have her on to discuss a topic that has been central to both my work and my parenting: resilience. While I’ve studied and shared insights about resilience for years, I still struggle t...

Feb 04, 20251 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 5

4: Sore Loser Energy, Triggers and Growing Through Discomfort with My Husband Matty Mo

In this episode, I sat down (okay, maybe dragged) my husband, Matt Monness—aka Matty Mo—to chat about the things in our kids that remind us of ourselves, and where those traits might come from. Unlike me, Matt isn’t exactly a talker when it comes to himself, so this episode is short but full of "gems." Here’s what we uncovered: Matt doesn’t like losing—and he’s here to remind us that being competitive isn’t a bad thing, as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of good sportsmanship. Letting our...

Jan 28, 202530 minSeason 1Ep. 4

3: Discussing Bodies, Boundaries and Bedtimes with My Close Mom Friend

This was the very first episode I recorded! In this episode, I sit down with my friend Blake Dembling, a close mom friend, to tackle the topics that many of us find daunting—or even cringe-worthy—when it comes to discussing them with our kids. Blake and I each have two daughters around the same age, and she’s one of the few people I know who can talk openly and honestly about everything. That’s why I invited her to join me for this conversation. We dive into setting boundaries around nudity in t...

Jan 21, 202532 minSeason 1Ep. 3

2: Rethinking Expectations, Extracurricular Resistance, Talking About Death and Hiring a Caregiver with Neeti Narula.

In this episode, I sit down with Neeti Narula, a yoga and meditation teacher and creator at Melissa Wood Health. Neeti is also a mom to son Lokan (5) and daughter Rooni (2). Together, we explore the common struggles parents face when their expectations for their children clash with where their kids are emotionally or developmentally—especially around topics like separation and trying new things. For example, how do we respond when we’re eager to see our child join friends in an activity, but the...

Jan 14, 202544 minSeason 1Ep. 2

1: Getting Stuck on the "Little Things" and Raising a "Slow to Warm Up" Child with Neha Ruch

In this episode I sit down with Neha Ruch, the founder of Mother Untitled, the first platform dedicated to discussing women taking career pauses and leaning into family life. Neha has two kids: Lyla, age 6 and Bodie age 9. Neha and I talk about getting stuck on the "little things" that don’t feel so little in the moment—like when our kids insist on wearing certain clothing—and how we can project our own feelings around their self expression. For example, the thought “People will judge me as a pa...

Jan 06, 202553 minSeason 1Ep. 1

We Didn't Turn Out Ok Trailer

For the last two decades, I've worked closely with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents—listening, guiding and supporting families and their young children. I've connected with so many parents through my social media account, texts, calls, and leading moms' groups. When we have open, honest and vulnerable conversations—no matter who you are as a parent—that's how we connect, learn and grow. We also discover so much about ourselves and how that plays into our parenting. That's why I ...

Jan 06, 20251 min
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