Momtalk Maryland

Claire Duarte
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Society & Culture

The go-to podcast for Maryland moms looking to stay connected, inspired, and in the know about everything happening in their community—from must-visit spots to real conversations on motherhood, business, and local life. 🔹 A mix of local insights, business spotlights, foodie finds, and honest mom-life convos 🔹 Fun, engaging, and community-driven,  for moms — who love Maryland, parenting, and local businesses 🔹 Short, digestible episodes (20-40 mins) so busy moms can listen on-the-go

  1. Jun 10

    Inside Travel Family: How to Get the Vacation You Actually Imagined

    Vacation shouldn’t leave you whispering, “I need a vacation from that vacation.” Claire Duarte, founder of The Columbia Mom, sits down with Tara from Travel Family Explores, a Frederick County, Maryland mom of three who helps families plan trips that feel calmer, more memorable, and actually doable with kids in tow. We talk about Tara’s path from DC life and the stress of childcare logistics to a pandemic-era move to Middletown and the moment career uncertainty pushed her into Plan Z: building a family travel planning business. Tara shares what a modern family travel advisor really does, from destination counseling that cuts through decision fatigue to itinerary “reality checks” that save you from overbooking tours, ignoring age minimums, or forgetting the basics like laundry, walkability, and groceries. You’ll also hear the practical systems that make traveling with kids smoother, including setting a consistent daily schedule, planning downtime, and using kid-friendly experiences like food tours and cooking classes to keep everyone engaged. We dig into the budget side too: why your dates, destination, and price form a triangle you can’t ignore, and how flexibility can open up better, cheaper options without giving up the vibe you want. If you’re craving family travel that includes good food, real rest, and fewer spirals on your phone by the pool, press play.  Connect with Tara ✈️  Mom of 3 + founder of Travel Family Explores 🌍 helping families travel with less stress and more joy. 📱 TikTok: @travel_family_explores 📸 Instagram: @travel_family_explores 🌐 Website: Travel Family Planning family travel that actually feels good starts here 💛 Support the show 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!  💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com  📧 Join our newsletter for episode updates, exclusive content, and local happenings: Subscribe!  📲 Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom 🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know! 🎬 Watch behind the scenes of the podcast on YouTube: Subscribe to the MomTalk Maryland Podcast Playlist  🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!

  2. May 20

    Behind the Scenes: From Mom Life to Content Creator

    “It must be nice to get free food and fun trips.” We hear that all the time, and it misses the point. Content creation is real work, and when it’s done well it’s also real marketing. We sit down with Lisa Summers, the creator behind It's Summers Somewhere and It’s Somewhere Local, to pull back the curtain on how a Maryland mom builds a multi-platform media brand that actually drives action for local businesses and families looking for things to do. Lisa shares her origin story, from a long career in sales to a painful house-flipping experience that forced a reset. What starts as a love of travel and local events turns into a consistent social media strategy once she invests in coaching, learns the framework, and makes the hard shift from posting “flyers” to showing the experience. That’s where FOMO comes from, and it’s also how audiences decide if something is worth leaving the house for. We also get specific about the behind-the-scenes costs of “free” invites: gas, babysitters, filming instead of relaxing, then hours of editing, captions, and cross-posting. Lisa breaks down her workflow, why she edits on her phone with CapCut, how she plans content like a story before she even arrives, and how tools like Repurpose.io help her show up across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube Shorts without doing everything twice. We talk platform risk, why you funnel followers to a website and email list, and how a weekly newsletter can turn scrolling into real weekend plans. If you care about influencer marketing, creator economy strategy, Maryland travel, local events, or building a sustainable digital advertising engine, you’ll walk away with a clearer playbook and a lot more respect for the work.  To see Lisa’s work in action and get inspired for your next outing: 🌞 It’s Summers Somewhere 🗺️ It’s Somewhere Local 📸 Instagram 👥 Facebook 🎥 TikTok  ▶️ YouTube Lisa blends 20+ years in corporate sales with content creation, speaking, and consulting—helping brands and communities turn content into real-world experiences that actually get people showing up. Support the show 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!  💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com  📧 Join our newsletter for episode updates, exclusive content, and local happenings: Subscribe!  📲 Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom 🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know! 🎬 Watch behind the scenes of the podcast on YouTube: Subscribe to the MomTalk Maryland Podcast Playlist  🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!

  3. Apr 22

    Fresh at the Curb: Clean Bins Without the Effort

    Your trash bin isn’t just “a little gross” it can be the dirtiest thing you touch all week. I’m sitting down with Josh Levy from MD Clean to talk about what really happens inside trash and recycling bins during a Maryland summer, why the smell spikes, and how germs can travel from a lid handle to your car door to your kitchen faster than you think. If you’ve ever dragged a sticky can into the garage and tried not to breathe, this one hits home. Josh shares the real origin story behind his Howard County small business: a COVID-era TikTok, a leap into the service world, and a specialized curbside bin cleaning truck built to do what a garden hose can’t. We get specific about the process people always ask about, including 200-degree water, high-pressure 360-degree cleaning, deodorizing, and the key detail that matters for eco-minded families: the dirty wastewater is captured and disposed of properly, not dumped into storm drains that feed the Chesapeake Bay. We also zoom out into exterior cleaning and pressure washing, from house washing and fence cleaning to slippery algae on steps and the headaches of power washing a deck the wrong way. Along the way, we talk about neighborhood routes, HOA partnerships, community events like parades and touch-a-truck, and why maintaining what you already own can help bins last longer and reduce plastic waste. If you’re in Columbia, Ellicott City, or nearby Maryland communities, you’ll also hear exactly how booking works at MD Clean. What’s the one thing around your house you wish you never had to clean yourself? If you’re tired of holding your breath every trash day 🤢, you can check out MD Clean and book directly here: https://mdclean.us/home You can also follow along for oddly satisfying before-and-afters and tips on keeping things fresh ✨🧼:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MDCLEANBINS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdcleanbins TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdcleanbin?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc And if this episode made you look at your trash bin a little differently 👀, share it with a neighbor—you might just save someone from their next summer stink surprise 🌞🗑️ Support the show 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!  💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com  📧 Join our newsletter for episode updates, exclusive content, and local happenings: Subscribe!  📲 Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom 🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know! 🎬 Watch behind the scenes of the podcast on YouTube: Subscribe to the MomTalk Maryland Podcast Playlist  🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!

  4. Apr 15

    Columbia Community Care: The Heart Behind the Mission

    A mile-long line for groceries can change how you see your own town. After COVID shut down schools, Erika watched fear ripple through students and families in Howard County, Maryland and she decided to act. What begins as a quick Facebook call for donations turns into Columbia Community Care, a volunteer-powered network built on trust, logistics, and neighbors who refuse to let families go hungry. We talk through Erika’s origin story, from growing up in Columbia’s “bubble” to learning civic engagement the hard way at Wild Lake, where student protests and an ACLU-supported case cemented the power of young people using their voices. That same mix of conviction and community building shows up years later as she juggles virtual teaching with setting up food distribution sites, coordinating deliveries, and figuring out nonprofit systems in real time. You’ll also hear why food insecurity is not only about unemployment. Erika breaks down the ALICE population (asset limited, income-constrained, employed) and why working families often do not qualify for SNAP or other services. We dig into how Columbia Community Care fills that gap with low-barrier support, partnerships across the county, and programs that now include youth mentorship and wellness for moms and those who mother. Then we look ahead to The Source, a 65,000-square-foot community center planned for the former Columbia Flier building, designed to bring youth spaces, a gym, a food hall, and health connections under one roof. If this story moved you, there are so many ways to get involved 💛 Whether it’s volunteering your time, donating resources, or simply spreading the word, every small action helps strengthen the network that Columbia Community Care has built. ✨ 🌐 https://columbiacommunitycare.org 📘 https://bit.ly/CCC-Facebook  📸 https://instagram.com/columbiacommunitycare  💼 https://linkedin.com/company/columbia-community-care Support the show 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!  💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com  📧 Join our newsletter for episode updates, exclusive content, and local happenings: Subscribe!  📲 Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom 🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know! 🎬 Watch behind the scenes of the podcast on YouTube: Subscribe to the MomTalk Maryland Podcast Playlist  🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!

  5. Apr 8

    Massage Meets Community: The Tocar Spa Story

    A brutal winter, nonstop school pivots, and the kind of stress that sneaks into your shoulders and never leaves, that’s where this conversation starts. Then it opens into something bigger: what it really takes to build a wellness business that lasts in Columbia, Maryland, and why massage therapy is shifting from “nice-to-have” to part of a real health routine. I’m joined by Stephen Conti, owner of Tocar Spa in Howard County, and his origin story is the definition of a zigzag. He takes us from growing up in PG County to UMD, from early career twists to going all-in on massage, and finally to opening his own brick-and-mortar spa. We talk about what clients can expect at Tocar Spa, why he intentionally avoids a sterile franchise vibe, and how his team customizes massage, facials, waxing, and specialty services like four-hand massage, Lomi Lomi, and couples massage lessons. Stephen also shares a side of the industry most people never see: he serves as chair of the Maryland State Board of Massage Therapy. We get into how licensing and regulation work, why small business owners suddenly start paying attention to policy, and how accessible local delegates and county leaders can be when you actually pick up the phone. We also address the hard topic of illicit massage establishments and how that connects to human trafficking prevention work right here in our community. If you care about wellness, small business in Howard County, or how local policy shapes your daily life, hit play.  Don’t just listen—go experience it. 💆‍♀️✨  Head to https://tocarspa.com/experience/ to book your session. 🌿💫 Follow Tocar Spa to stay connected and see what real, community-driven wellness looks like:  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tocarspa/ 📲  👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TocarSpa 💙  ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Y9huGLlnwAbFOSbqBm-OA 🎥 Support the show 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!  💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com  📧 Join our newsletter for episode updates, exclusive content, and local happenings: Subscribe!  📲 Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom 🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know! 🎬 Watch behind the scenes of the podcast on YouTube: Subscribe to the MomTalk Maryland Podcast Playlist  🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!

  6. Mar 25

    Why Not Me: Turning Hand Sanitizer into a Moment Just for You

    An art degree. The Peace Corps. Tech sales. Google AI. Then a luxury refillable hand sanitizer brand designed for moms who want a tiny daily escape. Livia’s story is the kind of career pivot that makes you rethink what “qualified” even means and it’s rooted right here in Maryland. We talk about what creativity really is (hint: it’s not just painting or crafts) and how it becomes a serious advantage in corporate life, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Livia shares what it’s like to work in Google Cloud AI serving the state of Maryland and higher education, plus the imposter syndrome that can creep in even when you’ve earned your seat. We also get honest about rejection: hearing no, giving no, and why women are taught to justify themselves when “no is a full sentence.” Then we get into Andiamo, her new small business: clean ingredients, perfume-level scent, beautiful packaging, and a refillable design that supports sustainability without sacrificing style. We break down her phased launch strategy, why keeping things simple wins early, and how using AI for research and validation can help founders move faster with more confidence. If you’re building a business, changing careers, or just trying to show up with more courage, you’ll leave with practical mindset tools and a reminder that fear can be a sign you’re on the right track.  Ready for your own tiny daily escape? ✨ 🌍 Globally Inspired: Elevate your daily ritual with Andiamo’s premium hand sanitizer—sophisticated, world-inspired scents that whisk you away with every use. Explore Andiamo here: 🌐 https://www.andiamoclub.com/ Follow along for behind-the-scenes, launches, and more: 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok Support the show 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!  💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com  📧 Join our newsletter for episode updates, exclusive content, and local happenings: Subscribe!  📲 Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom 🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know! 🎬 Watch behind the scenes of the podcast on YouTube: Subscribe to the MomTalk Maryland Podcast Playlist  🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!

  7. Mar 18

    Type B Plus: Done Beats Perfect

    Perfection is expensive and most moms are already paying too much. I’m Claire Duarte, founder of The Columbia Mom, and I’m pulling back the curtain on a personality mix I call “type B plus”: I’m go-with-the-flow at heart, I love a little spontaneity, and I still need structure to keep family life from turning into total chaos. We talk about how growing up with a tidy, hardworking, type A influence can shape you even if you’re not wired for perfectionism. I share why “done is better than perfect” has become my anchor, how I use systems like spreadsheets without letting them control me, and why visual clutter can quickly become mental clutter when you’re in a creative rut. If you’ve ever felt guilty for not doing things the “right” way, this is your permission slip to aim for progress and peace. I also get real about marriage and the tiny daily flashpoints that happen when a type A partner and a type B partner share a home: the dishwasher, the drying rack, making reservations, and the constant push-pull between planning and fun. The deeper point isn’t who wins. It’s how we balance each other, build a home that functions, and still leave room for rest, humor, and being fully human. Follow along for more behind-the-scenes tips, laughs, and real-life mom moments—because nobody should have to choose between doing it all and enjoying it all 😅💖. Connect with me on Instagram @the.columbiamom  📸 or dive deeper at thecolumbiamdmom.com 🌿—your permission slip to progress, peace, and a little bit of perfectly imperfect living ✨🛋️. Support the show 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!  💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com  📧 Join our newsletter for episode updates, exclusive content, and local happenings: Subscribe!  📲 Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom 🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know! 🎬 Watch behind the scenes of the podcast on YouTube: Subscribe to the MomTalk Maryland Podcast Playlist  🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!

  8. Mar 11

    From Military Spouse To Pro Organizer: Building Tidy Milso And Systems That Stick

    Ever feel like your home is working against you? We bring in Katherine of Tidy Milso to show how smart, simple systems can turn chaos into calm without chasing a Pinterest-perfect aesthetic. Her story begins during her husband’s basic training, when a self-help book, a major declutter, and one honest Facebook post revealed a gift for organizing that friends and family already saw. That spark became Tidy Milso, a thriving professional organizing business serving Howard County, Baltimore, DC, and New York. We dig into what actually moves the needle: whole-home edits, custom closets that reflect personality, and move management that makes a new house feel like home on day one. Katherine explains how she coordinates packing, vendors, and space planning so you’re not hunting for mugs at midnight. We tackle Columbia’s quirkiest design challenges too, from deep, narrow pantries to missing drawers, and share affordable fixes like adhesive pull-out shelves, long bins, and risers that create order without a renovation. The conversation shifts from products to psychology. Decision fatigue is real, and the cure is capacity-led maintenance—small, repeatable edits that keep systems alive. Sort school papers into a set bin, refold one drawer instead of four, donate through the easiest path so bags don’t linger for months. Katherine shares why organization is less about color-matched containers and more about permission: letting go of what no longer fits and making space for what does. We also spotlight Pro Organizers Weekend, a wellness-meets-strategy retreat for experienced founders, and tease Katherine’s upcoming book on the emotional side of organizing. If you’re ready to breathe easier at home, this episode offers clear steps, a kinder mindset, and proof that systems can stick as your life evolves.  Ready to create systems that actually work for your life? Connect with Katherine at Tidy Milso and learn more about her organizing services, move management, and practical home systems. 🏡✨ 🌐 Website: https://www.tidymilso.com/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tidymilso/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidymilso/ ✍️ Substack: https://substack.com/@katherinepicott?utm_source=about-page 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXiEAvBcj_hSA2X8Fyn9R5A If you’re ready to breathe a little easier at home, Katherine shows that organization doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to work for you. 💛📦 Support the show 🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!  💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com  📧 Join our newsletter for episode updates, exclusive content, and local happenings: Subscribe!  📲 Follow along on Instagram: @the.columbiamom 🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know! 🎬 Watch behind the scenes of the podcast on YouTube: Subscribe to the MomTalk Maryland Podcast Playlist  🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The go-to podcast for Maryland moms looking to stay connected, inspired, and in the know about everything happening in their community—from must-visit spots to real conversations on motherhood, business, and local life. 🔹 A mix of local insights, business spotlights, foodie finds, and honest mom-life convos 🔹 Fun, engaging, and community-driven,  for moms — who love Maryland, parenting, and local businesses 🔹 Short, digestible episodes (20-40 mins) so busy moms can listen on-the-go

Information

  • Creator
    Claire Duarte
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Momtalk Maryland
  • Show Website
    Momtalk Maryland