In this bonus episode, I’m sitting down with my lactation consultant, Lauren Horowitz, APRN, IBCLC to dive deep into my feeding journey with baby Coco and how it compares to my experience with Milo. I’ll walk you through everything—from triple feeding with my firstborn to developing a strategy I call "breastfeeding light" the second time around. I’m sharing the challenges, lessons learned, and how I achieved my goal of nursing just twice a day with baby Coco. Throughout the episode, Lauren share...
Dec 03, 2024•55 min
In this special bonus episode, I’m diving into my unforgettable experience attending Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Toronto with my dad, Jimmy Fink. From navigating the ticket madness to choosing our best Swiftie outfits, the entire journey felt like being part of something larger than life. I reflect on the emotional rollercoaster of seeing Taylor live, the chants and rituals that make the tour a cultural phenomenon, and the overwhelming joy of sharing it with my dad. Tune in for all the details—y...
Nov 26, 2024•54 min
As we gear up for season 2, I wanted to hop on the mic to share some thoughts that come to mind with Milo’s 3rd birthday coming up! In this bonus episode, I reflect on three transformative lessons I’ve learned in my first three years as a mom. From discovering the resilience and adaptability of parenthood to embracing the beautiful messiness of life with little ones, I’m sharing candid insights into how motherhood has shaped my perspective. Whether you're a new parent or years into the journey, ...
Nov 19, 2024•29 min
This episode contains a reference to suicide that some listeners may find upsetting. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. In the first audience caller episode of The Real Stuff podcast, join us for a heartfelt journey into the complex world of parenthood and relationships. We're breaking new ground by bringing our audience into the conversation, featuring p...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 25 min
In this solo episode, I open up about my (chaotic) life as a mom of two and the unique challenges and joys that come with it. From the initial transition period to navigating postpartum recovery, I reflect on the mental and physical differences between my first and second experiences. I discuss my unexpected breastfeeding journey, managing overstimulation with a full house, and how my approach to parenthood has evolved over time. Tune in as I share the beautiful chaos of these early days, the le...
Nov 05, 2024•48 min
Emily DiDonato is a supermodel and influencer who has captivated millions with her stunning looks and down-to-earth personality. In this episode, Emily opens up about her journey from a modest upbringing to financial independence, sharing the pressures and unexpected blessings that shaped her modeling and influencer career. She delves into the challenges of balancing motherhood and professional ambitions, the personal impact of a recent miscarriage, and her evolving perspectives on body image, s...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 46
In part 2 of my birth story episode, I start from the moment Michael and I arrived at the hospital. I had an incredibly positive and enjoyable labor & delivery experience with only a *touch* of trauma. 😵💫🥲 Other than one scary moment after getting my epidural, giving birth to baby Coco was fun, easy, and hilarious. One of the highlights was when Michael, coached by my doctor, helped “catch” baby Coco and guide her out. Another was when I literally *coughed* and her head came out. This wa...
Oct 23, 2024•41 min
This week, I’m sharing my full *positive* birth story for baby number 2…our daughter Colette (aka baby Coco). In part 1, I take you through the final weeks of pregnancy, my efforts to naturally induce labor, and the emotional rollercoaster leading up to her arrival. From the pelvic pain that had me convinced she’d be here early, to the decision to go to the hospital on the night she was born, this episode covers it all - including a few unexpected twists and turns along the way. Stay tuned for p...
Oct 22, 2024•35 min
Join us for a compelling and heartfelt conversation with Jordan Younger, also known as the Balanced Blonde and host of the Soul on Fire podcast. In this episode, Jordan opens up in detail about her extraordinary experiences during her second pregnancy for the first time outside of her paid Substack. Jordan reflects on her first pregnancy with her son Atticus, which was impacted by her health struggles of autoimmune conditions, Lyme disease, and mast cell activation syndrome, and how it compared ...
Oct 15, 2024•56 min•Ep. 57
This week we tackle the often-overlooked topic of gender disappointment. This emotional and candid episode unpacks the feelings of sadness some parents experience when the sex of their baby is not what they had hoped for. In today's episode, we clarify the distinction between sex and gender, and then through listener stories, we reveal the diverse reasons behind these feelings and acknowledge the sensitivity of this subject for those struggling with infertility. By examining these emotional land...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 40
After watching a YouTube video by Suzanne Vanker titled "30-Something Women Are Having an Identity Crisis," I had so many thoughts I wanted to share on the challenges women face in balancing careers and motherhood. Suzanne's views, which advocate for women stepping back from work while their children are young, sparked some deep conversations with Michael and led me to explore the importance of choice and the varied experiences of modern working parents, especially mothers. In this episode, I ge...
Oct 01, 2024•43 min
What if you could turn your passion project into a thriving career? Join us as we chat with Carly Riordan (aka @carly), one of the earliest fashion bloggers. Carly started her blog (“Carly the Prepster") as a creative outlet during her freshman year of college and has built a thriving business for herself as a full-time fashion and lifestyle influencer ever since. Her story is not just about financial success but also about the resilience and authenticity it takes to continue to share her life o...
Sep 24, 2024•56 min•Ep. 53
When Michael and I tied the knot, we made a conscious decision to skip the prenup and combine our finances fully, viewing everything as a collective "ours." This episode of The Real Stuff podcast delves into our personal journey with shared finances and offers a peek into the intricate dance of handling expenses and investments as a united front. We also open the floor to our audience, inviting callers to share their unique financial setups with their partners. From prenuptial agreements and sep...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 50
What if the biggest adventure of your life was just beginning? Join us for a heartfelt and candid conversation as my husband Michael and I open up about our journey to parenthood. After more than 30 episodes, Michael is finally here with me to share the real emotions, challenges, and joys that came with expecting our first child. We discuss everything from the excitement and naivety of pregnancy to the mental preparations, including his insightful decision to see a therapist before Milo's arriva...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Baby #2 is almost here! I’m currently in that weird stage where I could go into labor in two hours, two days, or two weeks (or more!)! In today's episode, I talk about how I'm feeling physically, what I've been doing to try to bring on labor naturally, and how I'm winding down as I prepare for maternity leave. Keep an eye on my Instagram to see when our baby girl makes her big arrival! Sponsors: Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/realstuffclass for 50% off your first box + 50 FREE Credits with Clas...
Sep 03, 2024•26 min
What happens when a content creator decides to redefine the influencer space with an innovative approach? Today on the pod we have Valeria Lipovetsky, the trailblazing content creator behind Valeria Inc., who joins us for a captivating discussion on how she’s transforming the influencer landscape. From her busy summer balancing trendy baking hobbies with the demands of motherhood and entrepreneurship, to revisiting her early years in Russia and Israel, Valeria's journey is one of resilience and ...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 47
Today’s guest is someone who I instantly gravitated towards as soon as I found her online. April Lockhart is a fashion and lifestyle content creator and a disability advocate. In today’s episode, April opens up about her journey of embracing her limb difference in her late 20s and how it has shaped her online persona. We also discuss April's transition from a corporate career to becoming a full-time content creator, the financial leap involved, and her decision to join Digital Brand Architects. ...
Aug 20, 2024•59 min
Heartbreak isn't just reserved for romantic relationships—friendship breakups can be just as devastating. Join us as we unravel the poignant story of our audience caller, "Izzie," whose former best friend published a novel based on their friendship that included intimate details of Izzie's childhood, family, and past trauma. We’ll tackle the invasion of privacy, the blending of real and fictional events, and the deep scars left behind. From dissecting accurate childhood memories to confronting h...
Aug 13, 2024•48 min
When I first received Chiara's email, I had no idea how profoundly her story would affect me – in so many ways. The emotional rollercoaster of uncovering the layers of this particular fan interaction brought to light the complexities of online interactions and the importance of setting boundaries. This experience has taught me so much, and I hope sharing this journey will resonate with other creators and audiences alike. Sponsors: Green Chef: Go to greenchef.com/realstuffclass for 50% off your f...
Aug 06, 2024•48 min
Today on the pod we have creator and host of the very successful We Met at Acme podcast, Lindsey Metselaar. We discuss her family's financial situation and how people on the internet have made incorrect assumptions about how she grew up. Lindsey candidly shares about how she's overcome addiction and how that has impacted her recent journey into motherhood. From finances to fertility, Lindsey’s story is a testament to resilience and growth, offering heartfelt insights and practical advice along t...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 48
When Jess approached me in the elevator of our New York City apartment building nearly a decade ago, neither of us could have imagined the beautiful friendship that would blossom from that moment. Over the years, I've seen Jess transform as a person and a mother, especially when her second daughter was born with Down syndrome. This diagnosis came as a surprise at birth after genetic testing gave no indication of chromosomal abnormalities and it completely changed the course of Jess's life. She h...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 45
It's time for a second trimester pregnancy update! When I was pregnant with Milo, I was overwhelmed by constant symptom-checking and dietary worries. This time around, my second trimester has brought some new challenges, but also a surprising sense of ease and acceptance. Join me as I share the latest on how this pregnancy is going, what has changed since the first trimester, and how things feel different compared to my first pregnancy. Sponsors: Dreamland Baby: New and existing customers can go...
Jul 16, 2024•51 min
Mari Llewellyn is a content creator, podcast host, and the founder of Bloom Nutrition, one of the most successful supplement companies . In today's insightful discussion, Mari shares her remarkable journey from a challenging childhood marked by emotional turmoil and mental health struggles to her transformative 90 pound weight loss journey. We explore the delicate balance of discussing weight loss in the context of the body positivity movement and how Mari's past experiences have shaped her curr...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 43
Jessamyn Stanley is one of a kind. For starters, she’s our first Real Stuff guest with an OnlyFans profile. And as we peel back the layers, you’ll learn how creating bold content within body-positive communities isn't just about pushing boundaries—it's about fostering essential dialogues. While Jessamyn and I may seem like polar opposites from the outside, through our conversation we found that we are incredibly similar when it comes to the way we think and the values we align ourselves with. Je...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Today we have an unforgettable episode of the show as we sit down with two of my favorite people in the world — my brother Robbie and my twin sister Allie, to explore the unique dynamics of our sibling bond. I took to my Instagram stories to gather questions that you wanted answered and we even snuck in a game of "who's most likely to" before signing off. In this episode, we reflect on our special individual connections, highlighting the mutual admiration, creativity, and shared experiences that...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 55
Living life child-free by choice in her 40s. Join us as we sit down with the remarkable Nitika Chopra—an advocate for those living with chronic illnesses, a podcast host, and the founder of Chronicon. In today’s episode, Nitika and I have an engaging and heartfelt discussion about her chronic illnesses and her decision to live a child-free lifestyle. Nitika shares the personal impact of her chronic illnesses on this choice and not only do we unpack the challenges of living with severe skin issue...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 41
As I prepare to bring my second child into the world, I can't help but ask everyone I know who has more than one kid what their experience was like and how it compares to the journey of becoming first-time parents. I put a call out to my audience about their experiences navigating this transition and in today's episode, you'll hear intimate stories and insights from six listeners who reveal their personal journeys navigating these significant life changes. Just about half of our listeners found ...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 52
I'm so excited to be joined by social media star, Alexia Delarosa (@lex.delarosa), on this week's episode of the podcast. Lex considers herself a full-time stay-at-home mom but she has also found incredible success cultivating a following online as she shares glimpses into the beauty of motherhood and homemaking. Her journey from a simple bread-making video to becoming a viral sensation is a testament to the power of authenticity and humor in the content creation space. This isn't your average t...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Jordy Glassner, a 31-year-old wife and mother who is living with terminal brain cancer. When Jordy first decided that she wanted to share her story publicly on social media, a mutual friend put us in touch so that I could show her the ropes. I’m so honored to have her joining me on our show to share her story with all of you. In this conversation, Jordy courageously opens up about her unexpected battle with glioblastoma. Her story begins with a chilling nu...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 56
Now that I’m in my second trimester, it's time for another audience Q&A episode! I'm answering all of the questions that you sent through my IG stories box recently. Join me as I discuss the rollercoaster of our 20-week anatomy scan which unveiled that my baby's umbilical cord has one artery instead of two. Single umbilical artery (SUA) is, as I've learned, not as uncommon as they made it sound. While this discovery was scary at first, I offer comfort and insights for those facing similar pr...
May 21, 2024•52 min
