Between Us Mother Daughter UNFILTERED

Zeynep & Tara Khaleesi

Hosted by Zeynep and Tara Khaleesi, Between Us Mother Daughter UNFILTERED is not a picture-perfect parenting podcast. It is bold, brutally honest, emotionally intelligent, and refreshingly funny. Together, this mother-daughter duo pulls back the curtain on the chaos, comedy, pressure, and emotional landmines of growing up, and parenting, in today’s world. For the past seven-plus years, Zeynep has done deep personal work and self-study in psychology, child and adolescent development, emotional patterns, family dynamics, and breaking generational cycles. That work became the foundation for the way she parents Tara Khaleesi, and eventually, the heart of this podcast. From toxic friendships to first crushes, from setting boundaries to breaking cycles, Zeynep and Tara Khaleesi call it like it is; no sugar-coating, no shame, and definitely no filters. Whether it is PMS, peer pressure, rage baiting, social media, red flags, or that one “friend” who only texts when she needs something, they name it, decode it, and hand you the tools to deal with it. Red flags? Exposed.Green flags? Celebrated.Generational cycles? We are breaking them together. On and Off Air.  Listeners walk away laughing, thinking, and a little more emotionally fluent than when they came in. This is parenting redefined. Girlhood unfiltered. Growing up, but with receipts, reflection, and a really good microphone. And the best part? They are doing it together while staying UNFILTERED. About Zeynep Zeynep (Yurderi) Marasheski is an award-winning designer, entrepreneur, and founder of the luxury custom boot and accessories brand Zeyzani, worn by icons including Dolly Parton, Whoopi Goldberg, Kesha, Addison Rae, and many others. Her work has been featured across television, fashion, and pop culture, and she has earned multiple honors including Business Woman of the Year, NJ Under 40 Top CEOs, the Business Excellence Award, and a Congressional Proclamation from the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey recognizing her excellence in business, innovation, leadership, and impact in fashion. After building a career around creativity, resilience, reinvention, and female empowerment, Zeynep’s next chapter is deeply personal. Through years of intense self-work, emotional healing, and study in psychology, child development, adolescence, family patterns, and generational cycles, she became passionate about helping families have the conversations most people avoid. As a mother, she is fiercely protective, emotionally direct, and committed to raising Tara Khaleesi with honesty, self-awareness, boundaries, and strength. As a co-host, she brings the fire, the life experience, the pattern recognition, and the “let’s not pretend this is normal” energy with her unfiltered and brutally honest style. About Tara Khaleesi Tara Khaleesi is the fiercely authentic Gen Alpha daughter of Zeynep and Tom Marasheski, and the co-host of Between Us Mother Daughter UNFILTERED since age 12. Sharp, funny, socially aware, and refreshingly honest, Tara Khaleesi brings her generation’s perspective to the table without trying to sound older than she is or smaller than she is. She says what many girls are thinking, but may not always know how to explain yet. Her voice brings humor, honesty, curiosity, and emotional clarity to conversations about friendship, social pressure, crushes, hormones, boundaries, and growing up in a digital world that moves way too fast.

Episodes

  1. May 17

    New School, Conformity, Snap Streaks, Dopamine Hits, Being "Tuff," The Line Between Fitting In and Losing Yourself. And Yes, There's Also Bad Bunny in Madrid.

    New school, new dynamics, middle vs side hair, snapchat streaks, dopamine hits, wanting to fit in and trying not to lose yourself in the process. In this episode, Zeynep and Tara Khaleesi dive into the real psychology behind why people conform, especially during the middle school and teen years when fitting in can feel like survival. Zeynep also opens up about how fear of Tara Khaleesi "losing" herself during the 6th grade transition to her new school made her initially misread conformity as something dangerous, instead of a normal part of identity development. Together they unpack: Dopamine and social validation  Snapchat streak culture and digital pressure  Why trends feel emotionally powerful  The difference between healthy conformity and losing your identityPuberty, self-image, and the pressure to belongWhy “just be yourself” is not always that simple  The positive and dangerous sides of conformityParenting through identity changes without panic  From middle parts to social media obsession to the need for acceptance, and being "tuff," this episode becomes a raw, funny, emotionally intelligent conversation about growing up in a world where fitting in is rewarded constantly. And yes… there’s also Bad Bunny. In Madrid. Stay UNFILTERED. Click Here to Send Us a Text Support the show STAY CONNECTED: Instagram:@betweenus_unfilteredTikTok: @betweenus_unfilteredYouTube: @betweenus_unfilteredFacebook: @betweenusmdunfilteredLinkedIn: @betwenusunfiltered

    23 min
  2. May 4

    Untreated Perimenopause Almost Cost Me My Life... So We Talk About It Now, Together.

    We talk about periods. We talk about puberty. But no one really talks about what happens next. In this episode of Between Us Mother Daughter UNFILTERED, Zeynep shares her experience with untreated perimenopause; what it actually felt like, what was missed, and how quickly things spiraled without answers. What started as irregular cycles turned into constant bleeding for 10+ months straight which then led to extreme issues and a body that no longer felt like her own. After months of being dismissed and told everything was “normal,” the reality turned out to be far more serious. Tara Khaleesi shares what it was like watching it unfold as a daughter; the confusion, the fear, and what she understands now that she didn’t then. Tom joins back to give the male perspective this time on perimenopause; what it looks like from the outside when you don’t understand what’s happening, and why awareness and communication matter more than ever. This is not about fear. This is about awareness. Because untreated perimenopause doesn’t have to become a crisis; but without understanding, it can. And that’s exactly why we talk about it now… together. KEY TAKEAWAYS Perimenopause is the hormonal transition before menopause and can last for years. Symptoms go beyond physical; they affect mood, sleep, and mental clarity: Hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably, not in a straight lineMany women are dismissed or misdiagnosed during this phaseSevere symptoms can escalate when left untreatedAwareness, early recognition, and support can change everythingIf this episode helped you understand something you’ve been feeling, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Stay UNFILTERED. Click Here to Send Us a Text Support the show STAY CONNECTED: Instagram:@betweenus_unfilteredTikTok: @betweenus_unfilteredYouTube: @betweenus_unfilteredFacebook: @betweenusmdunfilteredLinkedIn: @betwenusunfiltered

    27 min
  3. Apr 18

    "Boys Have Pee-Pees...Girls Bleed!?" From Accidental Discovery at 5, To Intentional Talks on Teen Hormones

    Tara Khaleesi at only 5, in one single day, learned that "boys have different parts than girls, and girls bleed from their parts!?" Lucky Mom, who got to explain both to her 5 year old, all on the same day!  What started as a completely accidental discovery turned into a much more intentional conversation... And honestly, we are glad it did. In this episode, Zeynep and Tara Khaleesi dive into teen hormones, periods, PMS, mood swings, and that moment most every girl has where she thinks: "What is wrong with me?" Here is the truth: "Nothing is wrong with you!" Zeynep and Tara Khaleesi break it all down in a way that actually makes sense, without making it awkward or clinical, including the four phases of women's cycle they named themselves: The Red Phase (Period) = Day 1-5The Let's Go Phase (After Period) = Day 6-13The Superwoman Phase (Ovulation) = Day 14-17The Stay Away From Me Phase (PMS) = Day 18-28They also talk about why your mood, energy and confidence can change from week to week, why you can feel hormonal even if your periods have not started yet, and how to recognize what's happening instead of fighting yourself or with others during certain phases.  And for a little balance, Tom, Zeynep's husband and Tara Khaleesi's dad, joins the conversation to bring in the male perspective... Because let's be honest, we need this too.  This is a part one of a two part series. Next up: perimenopause and that is a whole different level... Click Here to Send Us a Text Support the show STAY CONNECTED: Instagram:@betweenus_unfilteredTikTok: @betweenus_unfilteredYouTube: @betweenus_unfilteredFacebook: @betweenusmdunfilteredLinkedIn: @betwenusunfiltered

    20 min
  4. Feb 23

    Morgan's Life Was Taken; Now Her Light Leads The Way.

    This powerful round-table episode of Between Us, Mother-Daughter Unfiltered, honors the life and legacy of Morgan McCaffery, an extraordinary young woman whose life was taken by teen dating violence, and whose light now leads in spreading awareness about abusive relationships. In this historic episode, we sit down with the leadership team of Morgan’s Light, the organization founded in Morgan’s memory to educate, empower, and save lives: • Deneen McCaffery, CEO of Morgan’s Light; Morgan’s aunt and godmother • Joann Brown, COO of Morgan’s Light • Angelina Eidson, Miss Florida Delegate, National Ambassador for Morgan’s Light; and a future human rights attorney Deneen shares who Morgan was: loving, loyal, vibrant, brave, generous, and deeply adored. She walks us through the gradual shifts in Morgan’s behavior, the early shifts no one saw as danger, the threats uncovered afterward, the critical risk of the breakup period, and the devastating sequence of that morning. Deneen's testimony is raw, courageous, and essential; a truth families must hear so they can recognize red flags long before it’s too late. Zeynep shares her own lived experience as a teen dating violence survivor, offering insight into how early emotional shifts often go unnoticed, both by the teen and by the family watching from outside. Her perspective connects the emotional reality of abuse to the urgent need for early, honest conversations at home about boundaries, instincts, and the difference between love and control.  Angelina breaks down modern digital red flags that didn't exist a generation ago. Snap Map, Life360 monitoring, message-time tracking, and patterns of digital surveillance that are quietly normalized as "caring."  Through her work with Morgan's Light and the Miss American Organization, she explains how today's abusers weaponize technology in ways most parents don't even know to look for.  Tara Khaleesi expands the conversation with real Gen Alpha perspective, how these dynamics actually show up among teens today; from Snapstreak pressure to Snapscore surveillance to the expectation of constant availability. Her insight offers parents a rare, honest window into how her generation interprets these signals long before a relationship turns visibly unhealthy. Joann brings the parental and community lens into focus, sharing the deeply concerning reality that many families still believe: “Not my kid.” She recounts the school parent night where only one parent showed up and the boys’ school that refused to host Morgan’s Light because they claimed their students “would never do that.” Joann is the voice urging parents to show up, listen, and engage long before a crisis happens and reminding them that silence is its own form of risk. Morgan didn’t get the chance to share her story. But through her family, through this mission, and through conversations like this one, her light leads the way for others. Awareness saves lives. Please share this episode. RESOURCES & LINKS Morgan’s Light:  https://morgans-light.org/ National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7):   1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Text START to 88788 https://www.thehotline.org/ Click Here to Send Us a Text Support the show STAY CONNECTED: Instagram:@betweenus_unfilteredTikTok: @betweenus_unfilteredYouTube: @betweenus_unfilteredFacebook: @betweenusmdunfilteredLinkedIn: @betwenusunfiltered

    29 min
  5. 10/29/2025

    Did We Just Announce Our "Huzz" On Air? Boundaries, Manipulation; Gen Alpha Is So Over "They're Just Jealous"

    In this episode of Between Us Mother Daughter Unfiltered, Zeynep and Tara Khaleesi go from laughter to life lessons in their signature unfiltered style. The mother daughter duo dives into how to spot emotional manipulation, protect your peace, and set boundaries that actually work. Introducing "Boundary Firewall" Zeynep's ongoing segment on boundaries, Zeynep covers five rules that teach how to recognize manipulation and guard your emotional safety. Tara Khaleesi brings the Gen Alpha perspective, breaking down down why the phrase "They're just jealous" misses the mark and what kids really need to hear from adults instead.  They also reveal how hormones, emotions, and self awareness intertwine, ADHD brain moments included, and still manage to make it funny, relatable, and valuable at the same time.  Highlights: The four month mural transformation that taught as much about persistence, patience, and awareness as it did about art.Boundary Firewall, Zeynep's new ongoing segment begins here, with 5 rules for spotting manipulation and protecting your peace."Just because somebody says they love me, doesn't mean I have to keep giving them access to me." "Watch actions, not words" The question every adult should start asking "Do you want help processing this, or do you just need me to listen?"Gen Alpha Word Of The Week: HUZZ and did we just announce ours on air?It's part humor, part hard truth, and all real talk; the way only Between Us Mother Daughter Unfiltered can do it. Click Here to Send Us a Text Support the show STAY CONNECTED: Instagram:@betweenus_unfilteredTikTok: @betweenus_unfilteredYouTube: @betweenus_unfilteredFacebook: @betweenusmdunfilteredLinkedIn: @betwenusunfiltered

    24 min
4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Hosted by Zeynep and Tara Khaleesi, Between Us Mother Daughter UNFILTERED is not a picture-perfect parenting podcast. It is bold, brutally honest, emotionally intelligent, and refreshingly funny. Together, this mother-daughter duo pulls back the curtain on the chaos, comedy, pressure, and emotional landmines of growing up, and parenting, in today’s world. For the past seven-plus years, Zeynep has done deep personal work and self-study in psychology, child and adolescent development, emotional patterns, family dynamics, and breaking generational cycles. That work became the foundation for the way she parents Tara Khaleesi, and eventually, the heart of this podcast. From toxic friendships to first crushes, from setting boundaries to breaking cycles, Zeynep and Tara Khaleesi call it like it is; no sugar-coating, no shame, and definitely no filters. Whether it is PMS, peer pressure, rage baiting, social media, red flags, or that one “friend” who only texts when she needs something, they name it, decode it, and hand you the tools to deal with it. Red flags? Exposed.Green flags? Celebrated.Generational cycles? We are breaking them together. On and Off Air.  Listeners walk away laughing, thinking, and a little more emotionally fluent than when they came in. This is parenting redefined. Girlhood unfiltered. Growing up, but with receipts, reflection, and a really good microphone. And the best part? They are doing it together while staying UNFILTERED. About Zeynep Zeynep (Yurderi) Marasheski is an award-winning designer, entrepreneur, and founder of the luxury custom boot and accessories brand Zeyzani, worn by icons including Dolly Parton, Whoopi Goldberg, Kesha, Addison Rae, and many others. Her work has been featured across television, fashion, and pop culture, and she has earned multiple honors including Business Woman of the Year, NJ Under 40 Top CEOs, the Business Excellence Award, and a Congressional Proclamation from the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey recognizing her excellence in business, innovation, leadership, and impact in fashion. After building a career around creativity, resilience, reinvention, and female empowerment, Zeynep’s next chapter is deeply personal. Through years of intense self-work, emotional healing, and study in psychology, child development, adolescence, family patterns, and generational cycles, she became passionate about helping families have the conversations most people avoid. As a mother, she is fiercely protective, emotionally direct, and committed to raising Tara Khaleesi with honesty, self-awareness, boundaries, and strength. As a co-host, she brings the fire, the life experience, the pattern recognition, and the “let’s not pretend this is normal” energy with her unfiltered and brutally honest style. About Tara Khaleesi Tara Khaleesi is the fiercely authentic Gen Alpha daughter of Zeynep and Tom Marasheski, and the co-host of Between Us Mother Daughter UNFILTERED since age 12. Sharp, funny, socially aware, and refreshingly honest, Tara Khaleesi brings her generation’s perspective to the table without trying to sound older than she is or smaller than she is. She says what many girls are thinking, but may not always know how to explain yet. Her voice brings humor, honesty, curiosity, and emotional clarity to conversations about friendship, social pressure, crushes, hormones, boundaries, and growing up in a digital world that moves way too fast.

You Might Also Like