MomCast

Local Moms Network

Hey moms, have you ever wanted to feel more seen and supported? This is MomCast, powered by the Local Moms Network. I'm Demetra Ganias, a host, a writer, a mom of three...and I am in it, just like you. I'm comfortable having the uncomfortable conversations about motherhood, so I'll ask the questions you're already thinking. Together, we'll talk to the best experts and most relatable moms for their take on this incredible, yet sometimes impossible, role. We'll raise questions, find some answers, share a lot of laughs, and likely even some tears. And we'll do it together. The good news, nothing's out of bounds here. We'll build a safe space to discover, share, and grow. Because when we know better, we do better. Let's throw perfect aside for the sake of good enough, because all our kids really need is us - to do the best we can. Come join our community, follow us now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your shows.

  1. Ep. 84 - Finding Me Again: Reflections on Wellness, Divorce & Alcohol with Amanda Vlastas

    4d ago

    Ep. 84 - Finding Me Again: Reflections on Wellness, Divorce & Alcohol with Amanda Vlastas

    Moms, we all get swallowed up by motherhood sometimes, right? It takes practice and intention to create space for both of our identities: woman and mother.Today, we sit down with one of our own moms, Amanda Vlastas, who curates the site West University Moms, in Houston, Texas. Amanda has been part of The Local Moms Network for nearly a decade, building the site and raising her two boys all at the same time.Amanda’s sons are tweens now, and she’s grown a lot, too. She’s an open book about years spent getting back to herself following divorce, sobriety, and a shocking health scare. Hear her reflections about:* how diving into work helped save her during her divorce* rediscovering herself in the quiet of not having kids around all the time* mold poisoning in her home and the long process to detoxifying* how a single Dry January kicked off an alcohol-free future–and why’s she’s never going back* the mentors and self-help books that boosted her journey of reflection and changeTo learn more about Amanda follow @westuniversitymoms and check out westuniversitymoms.com Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory

    28 min
  2. Ep. 83 - Solving Secondary Infertility at ESSE Care with Dr. Karli Provost Goldstein and Dr. Leigh Goldstein

    Jun 16

    Ep. 83 - Solving Secondary Infertility at ESSE Care with Dr. Karli Provost Goldstein and Dr. Leigh Goldstein

    Moms, there’s something so frustrating and scary about secondary infertility. If you’ve had a baby once, it’s easy to spiral about all the reasons you’re not getting pregnant again.Before you panic, it’s time to learn more about your body.Joining us once again are two experts in gynecologic care: Dr. Karlie Provost Goldstein and Dr. Leigh Rosen of ESSE Care. They diagnose and surgically treat some causes of infertility, including endometriosis, polyps, and fibroids.Most importantly, they act as detectives to give patients the answers they’re desperate to learn. We hear details of their process, plus:* why you should trust your body when something feels wrong or “off”* why it’s helpful to keep track of your periods and symptoms to expose a pattern in your body* stop assuming what is normal and not (common and normal are two different things!)* why they offer immediate surgery to keep women on their ideal timeline for conceivingESSE Care specializes in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and has private practices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Fairfield County, CT. Learn more on their website and on their Instagram account @essecaresurgerywellness. Make sure to follow Dr. Goldstein at @patientsurgeonmama and Dr. Rosen @leighrosenmd Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

    28 min
  3. Ep. 82 - Big Ambition, Bold Motherhood & Courageous Kids with Gloria Harrison-Hall

    Jun 9

    Ep. 82 - Big Ambition, Bold Motherhood & Courageous Kids with Gloria Harrison-Hall

    Moms, we don’t need anyone to greenlight our dreams. It’s a message that’s just as powerful for us as it is for our children and our guest will make you believe it!Gloria Harrison-Hall is an Emmy-nominated producer who has spent two decades in television. Today, she serves as Executive Producer of “The Karamo Show” at NBCUniversal. She’s also the author of the children’s book “Glow: My Childhood in Two Worlds” that encourages young readers to feel seen, valued, and confident in who they are.Gloria shares candidly about building an incredible career while raising three children, doing both on her own terms. She offers encouragement for moms navigating the demands of career and family, plus:• building meaningful relationships with her children’s teachers at the start of the school year, despite not being very visible at events• her unique childhood experience of being bused from a predominantly Black inner-city neighborhood in Boston to a predominantly white suburban school• learning whose opinions deserve a response…and when it’s wiser to ignore the noise and move forward• the distinction between leadership and likability as she stepped into her role as an executive producer• striking the balance between giving children opportunities while still fostering ambition and resilienceBe sure to follow Gloria on Instagram @saysglo and learn more about her book at BooksbyGlo.com. Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

    31 min
  4. Ep. 81 - Safety & Freedom from Little Bird: A Wearable that Works! With Founder Monica Plath

    Jun 2

    Ep. 81 - Safety & Freedom from Little Bird: A Wearable that Works! With Founder Monica Plath

    Moms, imagine knowing exactly where your child is all the time but still allowing them freedom to roam and play without restriction. It’s possible with Little Bird! Little Bird is a wearable that offers on-demand location alerts and so much more.Joining us on MomCast is founder and mom of two Monica Plath.  As she explains, Little Bird is smarter than an AirTag because you know when your child is actually wearing it. And it’s more capable than a GPS tracker because it tells you when your child is near a parent or caretaker (which is called your child’s Flock!). Plus, it tracks steps so you know exactly how much activity your kid is getting. No screen, lots of information, and infinite peace of mind!Monica digs into the possibilities and the technology, plus:* the terrifying parenting moment that drove Monica to create Little Bird* how Little Bird is helping parents of neurodivergent kids catch elopement as soon as it happens* why Little Bird solves the dilemma of tracking your child despite schoolwide bans on phones and smart watches* how Little Bird erases the distraction of a screen and the temptation of games and messages* why parents are using Little Bird to track their aging parentsYou can learn more about Little Bird at LittleBird.care and it’s now also available for purchase on Walmart.comBe sure to use code LMN50 for $50 off your purchase! This code can be layered with additional sales you might find. Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

    34 min
  5. Ep. 80 - Calm Your Nervous System & Beat Burnout with Dr. Jennifer Okwerekwu

    May 19

    Ep. 80 - Calm Your Nervous System & Beat Burnout with Dr. Jennifer Okwerekwu

    Moms, feeling frazzled is not mandatory in motherhood. It’s true!If your body and brain are screaming “burnout” but you don’t know how to break free, Dr. Jennifer Okwerekwu is your saving grace. Dr. O, as we affectionately call her, is a reproductive psychiatrist who supports women from before we conceive to long after we become moms.Dr. O walks us through how to get unstuck from survival mode and regulate our nervous system so we actually feel joyful. We start by being honest about our values and then auditing our schedule to truly align with our goals.Just because overwhelm is common, it doesn’t mean it’s the right way to do motherhood.  Dr. O breaks down:* why fight-or-flight is dangerous for our bodies and why we need to create change* how to evaluate if you have family-centric or work-centric values (and why neither is right or wrong!)*the steps to boost your nervous system regulation daily, weekly, and beyond*how hobbies help us to slow down and (actually!) smell the roses to spark happiness* when medication might be useful if lifestyle changes aren’t enough to manage stressYou can learn more about Dr. Jennifer Okwerekwu at her website www.coralpsych.com and make sure to follow her on IG @drjennifer_o Find us at thelocalmomsnetwork.comFollow us on IG @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

    34 min
  6. Ep. 79 - Finding Calm, Clarity & Confidence with Kelly Rutherford

    May 12

    Ep. 79 - Finding Calm, Clarity & Confidence with Kelly Rutherford

    Moms, today we sit down with an iconic mom-both in real life and in fiction. Actress Kelly Rutherford, best known for her role as Lily van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, opens up about raising her own two teens and creating space for independence, trust, and meaningful connection with them.Kelly is also a fashion enthusiast and entrepreneur, recently creating a fragrance, Rose Premiere, during a very hands-on partnership with Veronique Gabai.As you’ll hear, Kelly is honest and warm, taking us into her mindset, habits, and strategies for wellness:*how using positive affirmations with her kids allowed them develop a strong inner voice*the origins of her personal style and the family members who inspired her timeless aesthetic*the role of journaling and meditation in understanding feelings and helping to manifest what she really wants*why leading with love was the hallmark of moving past a public custody battle*the two questions she asks her kids to find out how they’re really feeling You can follow Kelly on IG @kellyrutherford Find us at thelocalmomsnetwork.comFollow us on IG @thelocalmomsnetworkSend us your ideas for our next podcast!Email demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by the Digital Factory of NBCUniversal at Stamford Studios.

    32 min
  7. Ep. 78 - Sobriety, Showing Up & a Strong Marriage with Jon Gustin, The Tired Dad

    May 5

    Ep. 78 - Sobriety, Showing Up & a Strong Marriage with Jon Gustin, The Tired Dad

    Moms, if there’s one word that describes all of us, it’s tired.Dads are tired too. Our guest on MomCast this week is Jon Gustin, aka the Tired Dad. He’s the guy on Instagram who pours coffee and shares his journey through sobriety with more than a million followers.Now, he’s an author of The Tired Dad, a book of encouragement written to parents who are doing it differently than our parents a generation ago.No pretense, no preaching…Jon is, quite literally, an open book who speaks humbly about taking one day at a time, and encouraging us to do the same. Our conversation includes:* exactly why parenting is hard for good parents, and why that struggle is a gift* how becoming a father forced him to face addiction and choose differently for the sake of his kids* how the coffee pour and stare became his social media signature and why it helps him connect with followers* the path to getting out of the "roommate" phase of marriage* the incredible relationship with his wife that allows him to be vulnerable and shed the “superman” personaMake sure to follow Jon on IG @thetireddad and catch more conversation on the podcast he hosts with his wife, Jessica, called The Tired Dad and Tired Mom Podcast. Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

    30 min
  8. Ep. 77 - Financial Planning for Children with a Disability: Two J.P. Morgan Moms Share their Personal Experience

    Apr 28

    Ep. 77 - Financial Planning for Children with a Disability: Two J.P. Morgan Moms Share their Personal Experience

    Moms, so much of parenthood is planning…from what to feed our children, to where they should go to school, and ultimately, how to prepare them to leave home and start their own lives.For parents of a child with a disability, these layers are more complex because they include decisions about long-term care. And this requires a unique approach to financial planning.On MomCast today, two incredible moms and private bankers with J.P. Morgan join us to share the support network they’ve built and the financial considerations they’re managing. Meghan Thornton and Kristine Augenthaler are based in Fairfield County, CT but are passionate about helping parents across the country. They introduce us to their families and take us behind their own financial strategies, plus:*why having a special needs child requires planning for two lifetimes: their own and that of their child*the challenge of finding a diagnosis and then accepting the nuances of education and healthcare that follow*finding strength through one another, then helping other families navigate the unknown*how to build a team of trusted professionals, including education advocates, financial planners, attorneys, and more*the launch of a new program within J.P. Morgan to share to the tools Meghan and Kristine have built If you’re interested in attending the June event in Fairfield County, CT, or want to learn more about planning strategies for your child, please email meghan.e.thornton@jpmorgan.com or kristine.augenthaler@jpmorgan.com. You can also find Kristine and Meghan on LinkedIn. Find us at www.thelocalmomsnetwork.comIG: @thelocalmomsnetworkEmail: demetra@thelocalmomsnetwork.comPodcast facilities provided by Stamford Studios Digital Factory.

    25 min
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About

Hey moms, have you ever wanted to feel more seen and supported? This is MomCast, powered by the Local Moms Network. I'm Demetra Ganias, a host, a writer, a mom of three...and I am in it, just like you. I'm comfortable having the uncomfortable conversations about motherhood, so I'll ask the questions you're already thinking. Together, we'll talk to the best experts and most relatable moms for their take on this incredible, yet sometimes impossible, role. We'll raise questions, find some answers, share a lot of laughs, and likely even some tears. And we'll do it together. The good news, nothing's out of bounds here. We'll build a safe space to discover, share, and grow. Because when we know better, we do better. Let's throw perfect aside for the sake of good enough, because all our kids really need is us - to do the best we can. Come join our community, follow us now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your shows.

Information

  • Creator
    Local Moms Network
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026, The Local Moms Network, All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    MomCast

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