the Mommy Pod

Shanta' Robinson

A place where single parents come together to share their stories, find support, and never feel alone. I'm your host, a full-time working mom navigating the highs and lows of co-parenting two toddlers in a bustling city. 

  1. 6d ago

    Let’s Hear From a Dad: Parenting Through Grief & Finding Hope with Robert

    Send us Fan Mail Who do you turn to when you’re raising children—and you wish your own parents were here to guide you? This week on The Mommy Pod, Shanta’ welcomes grief coach, author, father, and Unparented podcast host Robert DelFave for an honest conversation about parent loss, fatherhood, and finding support. Robert lost his father at 14 and his mother at 26. He shares how becoming a dad brought new questions about his own father, why learning to apologize matters in parenting, and how writing and storytelling became outlets for his grief. Shanta’ also shares her experience of losing her mother at six and keeping her memory present for her children. For single moms, single dads, and anyone parenting through loss, this conversation makes space for the feelings that can exist alongside loving your family. We talk about: • Repairing your connection with your children after a difficult moment. • Asking for help when you’re afraid of being a burden. • Supporting grieving children without making them responsible for your feelings. • Keeping loved ones’ memories alive through stories and honest conversations. • A five-minute exercise to recognize how much you’re carrying. • Robert’s book for grieving teens and the personal healing behind it. Missing your parents in a new stage of life doesn’t mean you’re moving backward. Sometimes, you’re experiencing grief from a place you’ve never stood before. Connect with Robert and learn about his book and grief coaching: https://robertdelfave.com Instagram & Threads: @robertdelfave Listen to Unparented on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. If this episode helps you feel less alone, share it with another parent. Subscribe and support The Mommy Pod at https://themommypod.net. Because we bend—but we do not break. Support the show @themommypod

    Let’s Hear From a Dad: Parenting Through Grief & Finding Hope with Robert
  2. Oct 26

    You Shouldn’t Have to Organize Your Own Village with Venus

    Send us Fan Mail “Let me know if you need anything.” But what if you’re too exhausted to figure out what you need, ask for it, and coordinate the help? In this episode of The Mommy Pod, Shanta’ Robinson welcomes Venus Fatani, a mom and founder working to raise the standard of postpartum support. Venus shares how she felt overwhelmed and alone despite having people who loved her—and how that experience inspired her to build a better way for support to reach mothers. We talk about the invisible mental load of asking for help, the pressure to say “I’m fine,” and practical ways partners, friends, and family can make a new mom’s day easier. Venus also introduces the app she’s developing, with a mother’s permission, its personal assistant is designed to turn her needs into specific requests, coordinate help with trusted people through text messages, and send calendar reminders. Helpers can participate without downloading the app. The platform also aims to make finding professional postpartum support easier, including doulas, lactation consultants, and mental health professionals. Want to help shape it? Venus is inviting new and postpartum moms to express interest in the founding mothers pilot. 💗 Visit https://supportstartswithmom.com and select Early Access to learn more and express interest. Venus explains that sign-ups will move to a waitlist once the pilot fills. 💗 Find Venus Fatani on LinkedIn. You can be deeply grateful for your baby and still need help. You deserve support before you reach a breaking point. Listen, follow, and share The Mommy Pod with someone in your village. Explore more at https://themommypod.net. Because we bend—we do not break. Support the show @themommypod

    You Shouldn’t Have to Organize Your Own Village with Venus
  3. Oct 23

    Starting Over After Divorce: Money, Motherhood & Confidence with Jennifer Freeman

    Send us Fan Mail Starting over after divorce can mean learning to manage money while raising children and rebuilding your life. Jennifer Freeman knows that experience firsthand. In this episode of The Mommy Pod, Jennifer shares how she navigated divorce at 28 with three young daughters, returned to school, and earned her accounting degree while juggling motherhood, childcare, and late-night studying. Now the founder of JL Freeman Financial Empowerment Coaching, Jennifer helps people organize their finances, understand their financial picture, and take steps toward their goals. She explains what working with her looks like, why education is central to her approach, and how her free consultation gives prospective clients room to connect without committing. We talk about: Facing financial paperwork when you don’t know where to begin.Building confidence without shame about what you haven’t learned.Returning to school while raising children.Finding small wins when the bigger picture feels overwhelming.Creating a new chapter at any age.Connect with Jennifer: sunjflower@aol.com Ask about her free introductory consultation. A special thank-you: Jennifer was the very first donor to The Mommy Pod’s Go MAMA fund, one of the donation options available to support our work. Jennifer also participated in our promotional offerings, and this episode features her coaching service. Her generosity means so much to me. Jennifer is studying toward becoming a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. This conversation offers general information, not individualized financial or legal advice. Because we bend—we do not break. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ86RF9S Living with ADHD: Getting Clean and Organized is not another rigid “how-to” guide that demands perfection—it’s a compassionate roadmap designed for real people with real ADHD challenges.  Living with ADHD will help you take back control—one small step at a time. Support the show @themommypod

  4. Oct 21

    Grief, Gratitude & Redefining Motherhood: Infertility, Adoption & Finding Hope with Michelle Savage

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when motherhood doesn't look the way you always imagined? On this heartfelt episode of The Mommy Pod, Shanta’ sits down with Michelle Savage, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Perinatal Mental Health Provider, and founder of Resilient Corazones Counseling. Michelle shares her deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with lupus, navigating the effects of treatment on her fertility, and ultimately building her family through adoption. Together, we explore the emotional side of motherhood that often goes unspoken: infertility, invisible grief, changing identities, relationship struggles, and the pressure moms feel to do everything while putting themselves last. Michelle reminds us that grief and gratitude can coexist. You can love the family you have while still grieving the experience you once imagined. In this episode, we discuss: Michelle's journey from a lupus diagnosis to motherhood through adoptionThe grief that can accompany infertilityWhy becoming a parent doesn't automatically erase past lossRediscovering yourself after becoming a momHow parenthood changes marriages and relationshipsThe importance of communication, support systems, and asking for helpWhy small moments of self-care matterFinding hope when life takes an unexpected turnWhether you're navigating infertility, raising children, struggling with your identity, or simply feeling overwhelmed by motherhood, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone. Connect with Michelle Savage Resilient Corazones Counseling Instagram: @resilient_corazones_counseling https://www.instagram.com/resilient_corazones_counseling/ Michelle offers virtual therapy for individuals and couples throughout Florida, including services in English and Spanish. Connect with The Mommy Pod 🌐 www.themommypod.net 🎙️ Listen, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a mom who needs encouragement. Because we bend — we do not break. ❤️ Support the show @themommypod

  5. Oct 19

    Raising Children Who Belong to More Than One World with Preethi Balasubramanian

    Send us Fan Mail How do we raise children who are proud of their heritage while embracing the culture they call home? In this episode, we welcome Preethi Balasubramanian — founder of Wonder EA, author, speaker, and curator of the Voices Across Borders anthology. Preethi shares her experiences as an immigrant mother raising children between Indian and Canadian cultures, navigating questions of identity, bullying, and belonging, and creating meaningful ways to pass cultural traditions and family stories to the next generation. We also discuss her Mystic India for Kids & Everyday Superpowers children's book series, the importance of immigrant representation, and how storytelling can help children develop confidence and a stronger sense of self. Whether you're a mother raising multicultural children, an immigrant finding your sense of belonging, or a parent who wants to preserve your family's stories, this conversation is for you. In this episode: Raising children between culturesHelping kids navigate bullying and feeling differentPreserving heritage through storytellingThe inspiration behind Preethi's booksWhy immigrant stories deserve to be heardFinding balance between motherhood, business, and creativityConnect with Preethi through Wonder EA and Wondering Pages.    Instagram: @wandering_pages  LinkedIn: Search Preethi and Wonder EA Remember: Our children can belong to more than one world. They don't have to choose. Support the show @themommypod

  6. Oct 16

    Mama, It's Not Just Stress! Understanding Perimenopause, Hormones & Feeling Like Yourself Again with Nicole Bentivegna

    Send us Fan Mail In This Episode, We Discuss: The difference between postpartum hormonal changes, perimenopause, and menopauseWhy perimenopause can begin earlier than many women expectSigns of hormonal changes, including anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, night sweats, weight gain, and low libidoWhy mothers often dismiss their symptoms as everyday stressHow hormones can affect your mood, relationships, energy, and overall well-beingUnderstanding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and individualized treatment optionsHow functional medicine approaches women's health by looking at potential underlying causesQuestions to ask your healthcare provider when you don't feel like yourselfWhy prioritizing your health isn't selfish — it's necessary!Meet Nicole Bentivegna | Signature Wellness Are you tired of hearing that your symptoms are simply a normal part of aging? At Signature Wellness, Nicole specializes in helping women understand hormonal changes and explore personalized approaches to feeling their best during midlife and beyond. Her work focuses on perimenopause, menopause, hormone optimization, and comprehensive functional medicine evaluations. Rather than focusing on individual symptoms alone, Nicole emphasizes understanding the whole person, exploring potential contributing factors, and developing individualized care plans. Interested in working with Nicole? 📍 Signature Wellness — Charlotte, North Carolina 🌐 Website: https://signaturewellness.org 📱 Instagram: @charlottemenopausenp Signature Wellness serves patients in North Carolina and South Carolina. Contact the practice to learn about appointments and available services. 💜 A Message to Every Mama You do not have to wait until you're completely burned out to start taking care of yourself. You deserve to feel heard. You deserve answers. And you deserve to make your health a priority. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with another mom who needs to hear it! 🎧 Listen, subscribe, rate, and share The Mommy Pod! 🌐 https://themommypod.net Because at The Mommy Pod, we believe: We bend. We do not break. 💜 This episode is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Symptoms can have multiple causes, and treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare professional. Support the show @themommypod

  7. Oct 14

    Talking to Your Teen About Mental Health with Michele Pilon of Washington Wellness with Michele

    Send us Fan Mail Your teenager says, “I’m fine,” but you’ve noticed something feels different. How do you open the conversation without making them feel judged, pressured, or misunderstood? In this episode of The Mommy Pod, Shanta’ Robinson sits down with Michelle, a Mental Health First Aid national trainer, homeschooling mom of three, and founder of Washington Wellness with Michelle. Together, they explore why talking about mental health can feel difficult for parents, how to begin with “I’ve noticed,” and the difference between listening and jumping straight into advice. Michelle also shares her experience living with social anxiety and how it has shaped her work. We discuss: • Changes in behavior that may prompt a conversation. • Creating space for teens to talk about their feelings. • Offering reassurance and options. • Knowing when to connect with professional support. • Parenting without expecting yourself to have every answer. For single parents and anyone raising teens, this conversation offers a starting point for more thoughtful check-ins. Find Michelle and information about her Mental Health First Aid classes on Facebook at Washington Wellness with Michelle. Listen, share, and explore more at themommypod.net. Because we bend—we do not break. Content note: This episode discusses mental health challenges and suicide. Direct listeners to: Washington Wellness with Michele https://wawellnessmichele.wixsite.com/westernwashingtonwel Facebook: Washington Wellness with Michele https://www.facebook.com/wawellnesswmichele And encourage listeners to explore Mental Health First Aid training and additional mental-health education. Support the show @themommypod

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A place where single parents come together to share their stories, find support, and never feel alone. I'm your host, a full-time working mom navigating the highs and lows of co-parenting two toddlers in a bustling city.