Angela Santomero on How to Positively Use Child Psychology in Kids Media

July 23, 2026: Welcome back to The Living Better Project! This week we're talking about one of the hardest, but most freeing, skills to practice: saying no.So many of us automatically say yes to invitations, commitments, and opportunities without stopping to think about what they actually require. We don't just commit to the event, we commit to the preparation, the travel, the mental energy, the recovery afterward, and everything else that comes with it.Lately, I've been fully embracing my "saying no" era, and it's been one of the biggest contributors to feeling happier, calmer, and more like myself. Because every time we say yes to something we don't genuinely want to do, we're often saying no to the things that actually fill us up.For me, that has meant more family walks, cozy evenings watching Big Brother (I can't believe I stopped watching it!), finally tackling projects around the house I've been putting off for years, and, my newest obsession, painting.Yes... I officially caught the painting bug.I share how I randomly discovered this new hobby, why it's become one of the most relaxing parts of my week, how my social media algorithm has transformed into a peaceful stream of artists instead of endless noise, and why I think every adult deserves a hobby that makes them completely lose track of time.In this episode we discuss:Why we overcommit ourselves without realizing itThe hidden cost of saying yes to everythingWhy every "yes" is also a "no" to something elseHow protecting your time creates more space for joyThe surprising benefits of finding a hobby as an adultWhy painting has quickly become one of my favorite ways to unwindIf you're trying to build a life that feels calmer, more intentional, and more like you, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the biggest life upgrade isn't adding something new, it's giving yourself permission to say no.THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Bellesa - EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE Viral ROSE suction toy with your order!  https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-podQuince - Refresh your summer wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Nine to Kind - Use promo code MOMROOM at ninetokind.com to get 20% of your order.SENOKOT - Trust your gut and try the new SENOKOT Laxative Gummies.Fatty15 - Fatty15 is on a mission to support Healthy Aging for All, including all ages and stages of life. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/MOMROOM and using code MOMROOM at checkout.Wayfair - Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.Skims - Shop Everyday Cotton, and all of my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/momroom#skimspartnerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nina Spears, aka The Baby Chick, joins The Mom Room this week to share her wealth of knowledge about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Nina, a child birth and newborn care educator, shares the things she thinks first time moms misunderstand about labor and delivery, and what's often overlooked. As someone who has attended more than 350 child births, Nina knows that planning for birth extends to so much more than what's packed in the hospital bag. Expecting mothers need to prepare their minds, bodies, and partners for this new chapter in life. She stresses more than anything the importance of having healthy and happy moms. Focusing on holding the mother makes for a better world because when mothers are good, households are good, and when households are good, communities are good. This episode is for any new moms, expecting moms, and partners who want to learn about the journey of matrescence. Give yourself grace, you are going to make mistakes, but the most important thing is to be confident in your decisions and boundaries.Check out Nina's new book Positive Pregnancy down below!FOLLOW NINA@thebabychickPositive PregnancyTHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Bellesa - EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE Viral ROSE suction toy with your order!  https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-podQuince - Refresh your summer wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Nine to Kind - Use promo code MOMROOM at ninetokind.com to get 20% of your order.SENOKOT - Trust your gut and try the new SENOKOT Laxative Gummies.Fatty15 - Fatty15 is on a mission to support Healthy Aging for All, including all ages and stages of life. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/MOMROOM and using code MOMROOM at checkout.Wayfair - Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.Skims - Shop Everyday Cotton, and all of my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/momroom #skimspartnerFOLLOW RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

July 16, 2026: Welcome back to The Living Better Project! In episode three, we're talking about one of the biggest mindset shifts that's helped me feel more consistent, less overwhelmed, and actually make progress: choosing just 1–3 non-negotiables for the day or week.Instead of trying to improve every area of your life all at once (and inevitably feeling like you're failing), I'm sharing why narrowing your focus has been a complete game changer. Whether your priorities are going for a walk, making a high-protein breakfast, reading before bed, or getting to bed earlier, keeping small promises to yourself builds confidence and creates lasting change.I also dive into something I think we don't talk about enough: removing bad habits. We spend so much time trying to stack new habits onto already full lives, but sometimes the fastest way to feel better is to stop doing the things that are quietly draining your energy. We'll chat about why eliminating one unhelpful habit can have an even bigger impact than adding another "healthy" one.If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you're constantly trying to optimize everything at once, this episode is your reminder that living better doesn't require doing more, it often starts by doing less, with intention.In this episode we discuss:Why choosing 1–3 non-negotiables is more effective than endless to-do listsHow keeping promises to yourself builds confidenceWhy focusing on one priority at a time creates better long-term resultsThe surprising power of removing bad habitsSimple ways to make meaningful lifestyle changes without burning yourself outIf you're enjoying The Living Better Project, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share the series with someone who needs a little reminder that small changes really do add up.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melissa Janzso, home, fashion, and lifestyle content creator, joins The Mom Room this week! From having a 9-5 to then having kids, Melissa started her online brand after being pushed by her husband to take an interior design course when she decided that she would not be fulfilled by just being a mom. Now, Melissa has an audience that looks to her for furnishing their homes and building their wardrobes on a budget, as well as home improvement ideas and raising children. This honest, relatable conversation is filled with discussions from hormone testing to reality TV, to whether or not psychics, horoscopes, and mediums are real or not. Renee and Melissa connect on their own individual struggles when it comes to content creation, and how they both believe that it's okay to not have a niche because they are sharing real life moments. They also laugh about where they are more opposite than alike. Check out Melissa's page below!FOLLOW MELISSA@melissajanzsoTHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Bellesa - EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE Viral ROSE suction toy with your order!  https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-podQuince - Refresh your summer wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Nine to Kind - Use promo code MOMROOM at ninetokind.com to get 20% of your order.SENOKOT - Trust your gut and try the new SENOKOT Laxative Gummies.Fatty15 - Fatty15 is on a mission to support Healthy Aging for All, including all ages and stages of life. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/MOMROOM and using code MOMROOM at checkout.Wayfair - Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.Skims - Shop Everyday Cotton, and all of my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/momroom #skimspartnerFOLLOW RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome back to Part 2 of my Living Better series! 🌿This week, we're picking up where we left off after last week's conversation about decluttering and creating a calmer home. I share some new realizations I've had over the past week, including how shifting your focus away from yourself and toward other people can have a surprisingly positive impact on your mindset. I also take you through the simple morning routine I've been loving lately and why it's been helping me start my days feeling calmer, more intentional, and more energized.Then we dive into Living Better Tip #2: making two simple lists. One list is everything that gives you energy, and the other is everything that quietly drains it. I walk you through some of the things on my own lists and how they've completely changed the way I think about my time, my schedule, and the choices I make every day.If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or like you're constantly running on empty, I hope this episode gives you a practical place to start, without adding more to your plate.And stay tuned for Part 3 next week, where we'll talk about giving your to-do list a makeover, choosing a few meaningful non-negotiables, and re-prioritizing your life so you can feel more like yourself again.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laura Clery, content creator and author, joins The Mom Room this week to talk about her new book What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter. After dealing with a traumatic separation and divorce from her children's father, Laura has found the shift to single motherhood liberating and empowering, despite challenging at times. Going through divorce when you have children is hard, and Laura shares what it was like having her personal life on display for the public to weigh in before she even had time to process everything. Laura had been making content online long before she had children, but being a mom opened her up to a new audience with all the comedy gold that comes with the job. We dive into her career journey, as well as the incredibly terrifying near death experience she recently went through where she was stuck under a refrigerator! Laura also gives insight on what it's like raising a child on the spectrum, and why it's important to stay positive even when psychologists and doctors are evoking fear. Check out her book below!FOLLOW LAURA@lauracleryWhat Doesn't Kill You Makes You HotterTHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Bellesa - EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE Viral ROSE suction toy with your order!  https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-podQuince - Refresh your summer wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Nine to Kind - Use promo code MOMROOM at ninetokind.com to get 20% of your order.SENOKOT - Trust your gut and try the new SENOKOT Laxative Gummies.Fatty15 - Fatty15 is on a mission to support Healthy Aging for All, including all ages and stages of life. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/MOMROOM and using code MOMROOM at checkout.Wayfair - Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.Skims - Shop Everyday Cotton, and all of my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/momroom #skimspartnerFOLLOW RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

July 2, 2026: This week on The Mom Room, I’m kicking off a new series all about the small changes that have completely shifted how I feel day to day. A few months ago, I made a list of simple things I wanted to focus on to help me "live better", feel calmer, more energized, less overwhelmed, and more present in my everyday life. And honestly? The changes have been bigger than I ever expected.In this episode, we’re starting with one of the most impactful changes: decluttering and organizing your spaces (including digital!) one small area at a time. I share why tackling tiny spaces instead of attempting a massive overhaul has been so much more sustainable, how I’m maintaining these changes, and why our physical environment has such a huge impact on our mental well-being.I also dive into some of the ideas that really resonated with me from Ali Abdaal's book, Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You, and how I’ve been applying them to my own life in a way that feels realistic and doable.This is just the beginning. In future solo episodes, I’ll continue working through my "live better" list, sharing the habits I’m implementing, the challenges I’m running into, and the surprising ways these small shifts have completely changed my energy, mindset, and overall quality of life.If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stuck in survival mode, or like you need a reset but don't know where to start, this episode is for you.THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Bellesa - EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE Viral ROSE suction toy with your order!  https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-podQuince - Refresh your summer wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Nine to Kind - Use promo code MOMROOM at ninetokind.com to get 20% of your order.SENOKOT - Trust your gut and try the new SENOKOT Laxative Gummies.Fatty15 - Fatty15 is on a mission to support Healthy Aging for All, including all ages and stages of life. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/MOMROOM and using code MOMROOM at checkout.Wayfair - Ready to upgrade your home for way less? Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home and get your space ready for less.Skims - Shop Everyday Cotton, and all of my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/momroom #skimspartnerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephanie Venn-Watson, founder of Fatty15 and veterinary epidemiologist, joins us on The Mom Room this week to discuss the supplement that supports healthy aging for all. From working with the Navy to study dolphin populations in California and Florida, to creating a c15 supplement based upon her research, Stephanie brings us a wealth of knowledge on why fats are so important in every stage of life, especially during pregnancy and childhood. The awareness of how important c15 levels are in humans is growing. On average, one new peer-reviewed paper on c15 is being published a week through the world. As a leader in forcing the conversation around fats, Stephanie shares with us how you can get your c15 levels checked, which foods contain the best sources of c15, and why the discovery she made in dolphins 10 years ago allowed her to gain a completely different perspective.@fatty15https://fatty15.com/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Quince - Refresh your summer wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Wayfair - Get prepped for patio season for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.BioOptimizers - If you’re ready to feel more rested, head to https://bioptimizers.com/momroom and use my exclusive code MOMROOM to get 15% off any order. Perelel - New customers can use code MOMROOM and get 20% off your first order at perelelhealth.com/momroom. Merit Beauty - Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com.Skims - Shop Everyday Cotton, and all of my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/momroom #skimspartnerFOLLOW RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thursday, June 25th: Today I'm covering a truly thrilling topic: dust. Specifically, why there seems to be an endless amount of it in my house, why I recently found myself cleaning blinds and washing curtains, and how home maintenance somehow feels like a full-time job.I also share my latest food prep obsession, a ridiculously simple high-protein chicken bowl recipe I found on Pinterest that has completely transformed my lunches. It's easy, delicious, and somehow even got my husband's approval (which is saying something).Then we get into Milo's newest YouTube obsession and the boundaries we've recently put in place around screen time and content. I explain why I don't automatically view regular YouTube as the enemy, the difference between Kids YouTube and creator-led content, and how we're starting conversations about media literacy much earlier than I ever expected. We chat about creators, sponsorships, clickbait, algorithms, and helping kids think critically about what they're watching online.And finally, I share a new fitness goal that's got me excited: running. Yes, running. I talk about what I'm working toward, why I'm adding it into my routine, and whether any of you want to join me.Dust, meal prep, YouTube parenting, and running, an absolutely chaotic combination of topics that somehow makes perfect sense around here.Enjoy!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Angela Santomero, co-creator of Blues Blues, creator of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Super Why!, and the new Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things, joins us on The Mom Room this week to talk all about kids media. With a masters in child development, Angela has been a key player in bringing child psychology to kids shows by asking herself the question, 'what if you could put the very best curriculum on TV?' She has applied her "view and do" method to create some of the most highly regarded kids shows, where every moment has something in it that can help influence, inspire, and add to a child's curiosity. Despite the dangers that come with unsupervised media, including misinformation, Angela explains how to approach media so that kids will be intrinsically motivated to watch content that holds valuable learning lessons. Hopefully this episode can help show parents that screen time can be beneficial to a child's understanding of kindness, empathy, self-esteem, and motivate and inspire them to create in the real world. Check out more about Angela down below, including her books and YouTube series!FOLLOW ANGELA@angelascluesPrincess PenelopeTHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Quince - Refresh your summer wardrobe with Quince. Go to Quince.com/MOMROOM for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Wayfair - Get prepped for patio season for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.BioOptimizers - If you’re ready to feel more rested, head to https://bioptimizers.com/momroom and use my exclusive code MOMROOM to get 15% off any order. Perelel - New customers can use code MOMROOM and get 20% off your first order at perelelhealth.com/momroom. Merit Beauty - Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com.Skims - Shop Everyday Cotton, and all of my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/momroom #skimspartnerFOLLOW RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.