The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks

Vanessa chats with "Spicy Ones" coach Mary Van Geffen for a conversation about what it really takes to parent strong-willed, defiant kids. Mary shares how her own journey—from being a spicy child herself to raising one—led her to become a gentle parenting coach. 

They swap tips on how to stay calm, kind, and firm even on the days your child pushes all your buttons. You'll hear why separating your worth from your child’s behavior is one of the most important things you can do as a mom, and how choosing to love your child unconditionally—even when they are hard to love—is actually a spiritual discipline.

If you’re raising a spicy one this is your reminder that you’re not broken, your kid’s not broken, and you’re not alone!

Mary has opened her Moms of Spicy Ones®️ group program back up. This 8 week course is the guide to building a beautiful (and durable) relationship with your strong-willed, intense powerhouse - no matter their age. Only listeners of this podcast get access to one of five exclusive $50 off coupons. The code is MOMFORCE. Registration is at https://www.maryvangeffen.com/moso

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1:00 "Very good moms can have wildly defiant children."

2:00 "A spicy one is loyal to their own soul more than to your agenda."

3:05 "We’re in charge—but we’re not always in control of them."

6:59 "Sometimes, it’s not the child that’s spicy—it’s the parent’s level of support and need for control."

10:02 "I want to reduce the number of children who grow up feeling like they’re wrong or broken."

17:01 "Parenting is a spiritual discipline, practicing unconditional love for someone who isn’t always lovable."

What if we treated friendship with the more intentionality? In this encore episode of the MomForce Podcast, Vanessa Quigley welcomes author and podcaster Laura Tremaine, whose bestselling book The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs has helped women everywhere rethink what meaningful connection truly looks like.

Laura shares her wisdom on how to build your personal "life council"—a diverse circle of friends who each offer something unique, from the "fun friend" to the "mentor" to the "battle buddy." Together, Vanessa and Laura explore the real work of friendship, navigating social anxiety, giving ourselves grace for unmet expectations, and even surviving friendship breakups. They talk candidly about how modern life has made connection more difficult—and more vital than ever.

Whether you're deep in friendships or longing for them, this episode is a reminder that we were never meant to do this life alone! 

Since this episode went live Laura has wrapped up her podcast of six years, 10 Things To Tell You, and has launched her new substack where she shares her musings and conversations. 

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8:45 Why you might not have a best friend that covers all your needs 

15:50 Your spouse is not your best friend 

23:20 Using a to-do list to uplevel your relationships 

30:02 How to make friends as an introvert 

33:50 Tips for managing social anxiety 

40:39 Where to make new friends as an adult 

43:15 Do something that is already on the calendar 

47:23 What to navigate friendship breakups 

Do you ever worry that you are too strict or too lenient? Questioning all your parenting choices? In this heartfelt and hilariously honest encore episode, Vanessa Quigley is joined by her sister Leah (fellow mom of seven!) for a deep dive into the chaos, comedy, and total emotional overload of motherhood. From rage-cleaning the car to crying in the pantry, they open up about the moments that push moms to the edge—and how to find your way back.

Together, they share vulnerable confessions, real tips that actually work (yes, even sex gets a moment), and crowd-sourced wisdom from the incredible MomForce community. Whether you're overwhelmed by toddlers, teens, or just the dinner dishes, this episode will make you feel seen, laugh, and remember: you're doing better than you think.

Use code CB15 for 15% off a Monthbooks subscription. 

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7:30 We are all human. It's normal to reach a breaking point. 

9:05 Words from the MomForce community about bad days as a mom. 

11:30 When Meghan Markle admitted that she's not okay. 

14:00 How to institute a "room of tranquility". 

16:15 The mental load and how to identify your needs. 

21:00 Ask for attention and time with your husband when you are feeling stressed. 

26:00 Smiling is science! 

28:00 The magic of an 8 second hug.  

In this heartfelt season finale of the MomForce Podcast, Vanessa Quigley is joined by Chatbooks CMO, and fellow mom, Karen Peterson for a conversation that every parent will feel in their bones. Together, they open up about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting milestones, from preschool graduations and big-kid beds to the life-shifting moment of sending a child off to college.

They reflect on the beauty of “lasts and firsts,” the myth of control in motherhood, and the power of reframing painful transitions as sacred moments. Karen shares her personal journey raising her son Gavin, a sought after D1-bound wheelchair basketball athlete who defied the odds after being born with spina bifida. She recounts the early years, where simple, difficult moments like coaxing Gavin through tears with a walker at the back of Costco laid the foundation for the independence and strength he now carries into adulthood.

They also talk candidly about the grief and growth that comes with change, the emotional whiplash of summer parenting, and how moms so often hold themselves to impossible standards. Whether you’re deep in toddler chaos or navigating an emptying nest, this episode is a reminder that you're doing better than you think. 

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5:15 Reframing lasts into firsts 

5:45 We are supporting characters in our children's lives 

7:20 Realizing you have a lot less control than you think you actually do 

9:45 The reality of being a parent of a D1 athlete 

10:56 Our kids are our greatest teachers 

14:00 Every stage of motherhood has hard moments 

15:29 Photos help remind us of all of the hard things we've made it through 

18:48 Life transitions are all about the "and" to process all the feelings 

22:40 You are the perfect parent for your child. You know what your child needs even if other parents judge you. 

25:40 Live in the moment this summer. Chatbooks will be there for you when school is back in session! 

When Neha Ruch left her high-powered career to become a stay-at-home mom, she didn’t see it as stepping back—she saw it as stepping into something deeper. In this episode, Neha, founder of The Power Pause and author of the book by the same name, shares how embracing a career pause led her to a more grounded, intentional version of ambition. She talks candidly about identity shifts in motherhood, the surprising ways her family has grown from her presence at home, and how we can all challenge hustle culture in favor of something more meaningful. This is a conversation for anyone navigating the messy, beautiful in-between of motherhood and self. As Neha says, "it doesn't have to be an identity crisis, it can be an identity evolution". 

5:00 Choosing to leave a career in the height of the girl boss era. 

8:07 Look at the vast gray area between full-time working or full-time staying at home. 

11:30 What language you can use to convey that you are spending your time with your kids instead of "stay at home mom". 

23:30 Goals dignify time. A career pause is not a life pause. 

26:45 The importance of personal development while parenting. 

29:40 A woman's career is a long game. 

33:43 "I resist the culturally induced urge to dream bigger. What if this is my big dream?"

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She’s back! In this special return episode, Vanessa catches up with Myriam Sandler of @mothercould, who first joined The MomForce Podcast three years ago, and a lot has changed since then. Myriam is now a published author, and her new book, Playful By Design, is a tool for parents everywhere to rethink how they approach play at home.

From her viral take—“I hardly play with my kids”—to her genius strategies for cultivating independent play, Myriam shares how creating the right environment (not more Pinterest crafts) is the secret to raising curious, confident kids. As she puts it:

“Yes, I engage and connect with them… but I’ve built a space where they can play on their own and that’s the goal.”

Vanessa and Myriam also dive into:

• The unexpected power of Play Dough  

• Why chia seed goop is a sensory win and a parental cautionary tale

• How to turn “no” moments into easy yeses

• And how Chatbooks photo books are actually made for kids to relive their own stories

This conversation is full of real talk, practical tips, and plenty of laughs—especially if you’ve ever found slime in your carpet! I know you are going to love it. 

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5:35 Why Myriam "doesn't play with her kids" 

9:36 The weirdest thing Myriam has made for her kids. 

10:47 Why Myriam is not afraid of messes at her house 

15:20 How Myriam organizes her family memories 

22:17 What is the balance between sensory play and your sanity as a mom?

29:28 Connection is at the heart of everything 

32:39 How to approach alone time and self care -- without guilt! 

Today’s episode is extra special—it’s our Mother’s Day episode, and I’ve got my oldest daughter, Laken, in the studio with me! I’ve been wanting to have her on the podcast for a long time, and since she was in town this past week, I finally convinced her to sit down and chat about motherhood.

If you don’t already know her, you’re going to love her. She’s the most amazing mom to my granddaughter, Mauve, and she’s been a huge part of this podcast since the very beginning—six seasons ago! She actually wrote and recorded our theme song and has been our audio engineer ever since. I’m seriously so lucky to work alongside her... and even luckier to be her mom.

In this episode, we swap stories, laugh a lot, and share a few lessons we’ve learned along the way as a mother and daughter. It's a little peek into the beautiful (and sometimes messy) reality of family life—from both sides of the generation gap. Think of it as a celebration of the little moments that make it all worth it—and a reminder of why we do what we do at Chatbooks.

We also know that Mother’s Day can bring up all kinds of emotions. For some, it’s a day full of joy. For others, it might feel bittersweet or even heavy. However you’re feeling this year, please know we see you, we’re thinking of you, and we’re sending you so much love. 

Listen to my podcast episode featuring my mom 

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I Am My Mother! 

4:30 Expectations on your first Mother's Day as a new mom 

8:30 What it is like to see your daughter become a mother 

15:00 "Family Fandangos!"

21:15 Moments in your parenting journey when you have to step into the role of mother 

23:20 The drawbacks of parenting in the age of social media

29:01 Why Monthbooks are the greatest gift for a grandma 

33:00 Behind the Scenes of the newest top secret project at Chatbooks

40:00 The ups and downs of parenting through the teen years 

44:00 The different seasons of life and motherhood that you can lean into as an artist

47:08 Mom as a camp counselor/daughter as a camper dilemma 

50:00 "I hope you will do better than we did" 

If you haven’t come across RaQuel yet—aka The Capacity Expert—that’s about to change. With bold, truth-telling videos that are equal parts empowering and uncomfortable, RaQuel is shaking up the mental health conversation in all the best ways. 

Instead of prescribing prevalent self care solutions like bubble baths and spa days, RaQuel invites us into deeper work—work that involves honesty, self-responsibility, and a better understanding of what we’re actually capable of.

I brought questions straight from our MomForce community to this conversation, and RaQuel delivered. You're going to be challenged, in the best way, and inspired to think differently about your own capacity.

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5:00 Why RaQuel is disrupting the mental health space. 

6:05 Capacity is strength 

7:15 Why don't the self care practices society prescribes work?

9:43 The power of choice and how to avoid playing a victim 

11:00 Does a diagnosis limit your capacity? 

14:51 What to do about volatile emotions during pregnancy

17:49 When do you know it's time to get professional help? 

21:45 How to explore your relationship with responsibility 

22:30 How to find low cost therapy 

27:50 Feeling discomfort is an opportunity to grow 

34:40 Why we pathologized struggle 

Today's episode is a special one that is close to my heart. I am sharing my unexpected journey from dreaming of Broadway to becoming the co-founder of Chatbooks. Growing up in a family of 12, I learned the power of big dreams and resilience, I was especially inspired by strong women in her life.

I pursued vocal performance in college, but after getting married young and starting a family, my path shifted. Years later, overwhelmed with mom life, a simple moment with my youngest child sparked the idea for Chatbooks—proving that sometimes, our biggest opportunities come from unexpected places.

In this episode I share the early struggles of entrepreneurship—running out of money, making mistakes, and launching ideas that flopped. But a viral video changed everything, reinforcing that fear and failure are just part of the process.

I encourage you to embrace discomfort, take action even when it’s messy, and recognize the value of your own stories. The dream you start with may not be the one you end up chasing, but what matters is having the courage to pursue something. I hope a part of my journey can inspire yours. 

Let's connect! Find me on Instagram @vanessaquigley