MARSHA SMITH: The Rhythm of Raising Kids: The Importance of Music in Lifelong Learning

I’m joined by Alicin Reidy Williamson, Chief Diversity and Culture Officer at Yahoo Inc. and President of MAKERS, to explore the transformative power of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in corporate success and everyday life. With over 25 years of experience leading DEI and culture at top companies like Endeavor, MTV Networks, and Viacom, Alicin shares why DEI should never be just a checkbox, the importance of EQ in leadership, and the critical role of amplifying female leaders. We also discuss how parents can teach their children to value diverse backgrounds and perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding for a thriving future. To learn more about the upcoming MAKERS conference in Los Angeles from February 24 - 26, visit www.makers.com/conference.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2006, Raegan co-founded aden + anais, the baby lifestyle brand globally recognized for its high-quality design driven muslin swaddles and baby products. Raegan continued to work full-time in her sales role at The Economist Group until May 2009 when she left to run aden + anais in a full-time capacity as the brand’s sole owner eventually selling the company in 2013 and continuing on as CEO until 2017.  In 2014 Raegan was named as one of EY’s Entrepreneurs of the Year, considered one of the most prestigious business awards in the world. Raegan now serves as one of the judges on the program. aden + anais was named to SmartCEO’s 2015 Future 50 list, as well as by Crain’s New York Business for three consecutive years on their Fast 50 list. The Fast 50 feature highlights New York’s most successful and innovative companies for their growth, strategies and success. aden + anais was also recognized for a 338% growth rate and a reported revenue of $41.7 million in 2013. Raegan has most recently co-founded Saint Luna, a premium moonshine brand that was released in the United States in March 2019. Raegan sits on the board of directors for Hopeland, a nonprofit created to pioneer innovative solutions and build new partnerships to prevent family separation, reunify children who are separated from their families, and mobilize a movement of families to support children who are growing up outside of family care.  Raegan is the author of What It Takes – the story of her entrepreneurial journey from the kitchen table to a 100 million dollar global business—being published by Portfolio – Penguin Random House in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, May 7th, 2019. Currently, Raegan resides in DUMBO Brooklyn, with her husband and four daughters. LINKS: INSTAGRAM: @raeganmoyajones BOOK: What It Takes: How I Built a $100 Million Business Against the Odds WEBSITE: RaeganMoyaJones.com WEBSITE: Saint Luna WEBSITE: aden + anais Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabby Reece, legendary volleyball player, fitness icon, and entrepreneur joins Kanika to talk about relationships, parenting, wellness, and balance. Gabby shares her insights on raising her three daughters to be confident and resilient, fostering discipline through fitness and nutrition, and creating a life of intention. The episode has been brought to you by Laird Superfood, which features clean plant-based creamers & prebiotic daily greens, which was founded by Gabby and her husband pro-surfer Laird Hamilton. Log on to www.lairdsuperfood.com and use code MOMSENSE20 to receive 20% off your order. Don’t miss this empowering conversation with a true role model! WEBSITE: LairdSuperfood.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world of rising living standards but declining quality of life, how can we achieve true inner peace and clarity? Vedanta, an ancient Indian philosophy, offers a transformative approach to address stress, dissatisfaction, and fractured relationships by cultivating the intellect—the mind’s guiding force. In this episode, Kanika sits down with Sunanda Leelaram, disciple and daughter of renowned philosopher Swami Parthasarathy. With nearly four decades of Vedanta study, Sunandaji shares profound insights on strengthening the intellect to overcome life’s challenges and live with purpose and harmony. This conversation is a beacon for navigating modern life, from parenthood and caregiving to career advancement and feeling truly fulfilled, with ancient wisdom. Meet My Guest: WEBSITE: https://www.vedantaworld.org/about/sunandaji  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daphne Oz, Emmy-winning host, bestselling author, and mom of four, shares her journey in food, wellness, and parenting. We discuss family traditions (including her elaborate Thanksgiving feasts), clean eating, and raising kids to feel confident with cooking early on. Tune in for an inspiring and deliciously inspiring and relatable conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sheila Lirio Marcelo, the founder of Care.com and visionary behind Ohai.ai, joins Kanika to discuss how technology can ease the mental load of modern-day caregiving. Sheila opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of creating accessible family care solutions, and how her latest venture uses AI to streamline household management. Whether you’re a parent juggling it all or someone interested in innovation in family care, Sheila’s insights are a must-listen! Meet My Guest: WEBSITE: https://www.care.com/ WEBSITE: https://www.ohai.ai/ INSTAGRAM: @sheilaliriomarcelo FACEBOOK: Sheila Lirio Marcelo LINKEDIN: Sheila Lirio Marcelo PRESS: MOUNT HOLYOKE: Sheila Lirio Marcelo HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL: Sheila Lirio Marcelo STARTUPS.COM: Timing isn’t everything Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that studies show children exposed to music are 20% more likely to excel in reading and math? Music not only enhances cognitive development but also boosts social skills and emotional intelligence. In this episode of "That's Total Mom Sense," we explore how music can shape our children's lives with Marsha Smith, CEO of Minibop. Meet My Guest: WEBSITE: minibopmusic.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/azebmarsha INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/minibopmusic FACEBOOK: facebook.com/minibopmusic LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsha-minibop PRESS: SHOUTOUT LA: Meet Marsha Smith | Mom and Entrepreneur MODERNARROYO.COM: Local Business Spotlight: Marsha Smith with Minibop Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Kanika interviews Samreen Arshad, the visionary behind Samreen's Vanity, an all-inclusive makeup line. We delved into her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, discussed the importance of creating makeup shades for women of color, and explored her personal experiences with motherhood and postpartum depression. Samreen shared valuable insights and candidly spoke about carving time for her business and her family life, offering inspiration and practical advice to listeners. Use my promo code MOMSENSE20 to receive 20% off at samreensvanity.com. Meet My Guest: WEBSITE: samreensvanity.com INSTAGRAM: @samreensvanity LinkedIn: Samreen Arshad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Kanika interviews fellow podcaster on the Evergreen Network, Haven Weits. Her show Haven! is a safe space for curiosity and conversation especially when it comes to relationships. Together they dive into various dynamics, particularly those between mothers and daughters. Haven shares how she cultivated a strong bond with her mom, Lisa Whelchel, 80s sensation on the hit show “Facts of Life.” If you’re looking to reminisce and recreate simpler times for your children, this episode will surely resonate.  Meet My Guest: WEBSITE: www.havenpod.com INSTAGRAM: @haventhepodcast LINKEDIN: Haven Weits PRESS: CONVERGE PODCAST: Haven! Podcast EFFICIENTAIDE: About EfficientAide MOM HAUL: Ritual Synbiotics for gut health! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2019, women earn .79 cents for every dollar a man makes. Though we can attribute the gender pay gap to several factors including occupational segregation, bias against working mothers, and circumstances like racial bias, disability, and access to education, there’s no denying numbers and that we still have a lot of work to do to create an even playing field. On today’s episode, I am thrilled to have a woman and mother who has been an advocate for closing the gender gap throughout her career. Reshma Saujani is the Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, the international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in tech and change the image of what a computer programmer looks like and does. It has reached 185,000 girls in all 50 states, Canada, and the UK. In 2019, Girls Who Code was awarded Most Innovative Non-Profit by Fast Company. Reshma is the author of the international bestseller Brave, Not Perfect and has a podcast with the same name and the New York Times bestseller Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World. Reshma’s TED talk, “Teach girls, bravery not perfection,” has more than four million views and has sparked a worldwide conversation about how we’re raising our girls. She began her career as an attorney and activist. In 2010, she surged onto the political scene as the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress. During the race, she visited local schools and saw the gender gap in computing classes firsthand, which led her to start Girls Who Code. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and Yale Law. Her work on behalf of young women has earned her broad recognition on lists including: Fortune World’s Greatest Leaders; Fortune 40 Under 40; WSJ Magazine Innovator of the Year; Forbes Most Powerful Women Changing the World; and Fast Company 100 Most Creative People, among others. She lives in New York City with her husband, Nihal, their son, Shaan, and bulldog, Stanley. Meet My Guest: WEBSITE: ReshmaSaujani.com WEBSITE: GirlsWhoCode.com INSTAGRAM: @reshmasaujani INSTAGRAM: @girlswhocode FACEBOOK: /reshma.saujani FACEBOOK: /GirlsWhoCode LINKEDIN: @reshma-saujani Press: TED: Reshma Saujani: Education Activist FORTUNE: Girls Who Code’s Reshma Saujani: The First Time I Did Something Brave NEW YORK TIMES: Why Is Beauty So Important to Us THEWIESUITE: Prioritizing Yourself and Your Mission THESCIENCERUNWAY: Reshma Saujani Mom Haul: RENT THE RUNWAY: The Premier Designer Rental Destination Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices