Mary Catherine Starr on Art, Activism, and The Mental Load of Motherhood

EP515. In this episode, Renee dives into the chaos, joy, and reality of traveling with kids. Whether you're gearing up for a long-haul flight or just a weekend road trip, she’s sharing her go-to tips for making family vacations less stressful and more enjoyable. From her carry-on packing hacks to the mental prep needed to just let it goooo, this episode is your mom-to-mom pep talk for family travel season. ✨ And don’t miss Thursday’s episode where Renee recaps her recent trip to Antigua and dishes out even more family travel tips! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP514. We’re bringing back one of the most popular episodes (and topics) of The Mom Room... and for good reason! In this replay, I’m diving into the topic of sleep divorce, aka why my husband and I sleep in separate rooms and why it’s the best thing ever. I share when it started, what led to the decision, and how it’s completely changed the way I sleep (spoiler: it’s amazing). Let’s be real, once you have kids, sleep becomes gold, and I’ll do whatever I can to protect it. If you’ve ever wondered if separate sleeping arrangements could work for your relationship, this one’s for you. Hit play, and let’s normalize doing what works for rest, sanity, and the sake of your REM cycles. Sweet dreams! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep513. Renee is joined again by her pod-pal bestie Ariana Christie for an honest convo about parenting through big feelings, behavioral challenges, and the pressure to keep it all together—especially when the world expects our kids to always appear “happy and well-adjusted.” Ariana shares her experience raising twins with totally different temperaments, what led her to seek outside support, and how tools like emotional “toolboxes” have helped—not as perfect fixes, but as a way to meet her kids (and herself) with more patience and grace. Find Ariana Christie:  Instagram: @ArianaJoyChristie TikTok: @ArianaChristie Podcast: Your Cup of Joy Podcast: Friend of (w/ Renee!) Sponsors: Wayfair — Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to wayfair.com right now! HelloFresh - Go to HelloFresh.com/MOMROOM10FM now to get 10 Free Meals with a free item for life. Bzigo - Don’t wait until the next bite—protect your home with Bzigo. Go to bzigo.com/discount/MOMROOM to save 10% off. Thrive - Go to thrivecausemetics.com/MOMROOM for 20% off. RENEE REINA   Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina   TikTok: @thereneereina   Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community  YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Renee introduces a special interview conducted by Friend Of co-host and bestie, Ariana — and it’s with none other than Real Housewives of Miami star, Lisa Hochstein. From jaw-dropping fashion to headline-making drama, Lisa has lived it all in front of the cameras — including a very public divorce while raising two young kids. They talk motherhood in the spotlight, Miami style, and what we can expect from this upcoming season. Stream The Real Housewives of Miami Season 7 every Wednesday at 10 PM ET on Hayu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week’s solo episode, I am being interviewed by Ariana Joy! We recorded this episode for Your Cup Of Joy and it was so good that I want you all to hear it! We talk about what it means to be the “default parent”, the silent weight of being constantly “on,” the overstimulation that comes with never being alone, and the subtle dynamics that fall into place when no one is looking. I share my own evolution, from early postpartum to now raising a school-aged child, and how my marriage shifted along the way. Ariana also shares the raw realities of parenting twins, trying to “do it all,” and realizing she had taken on roles she never meant to keep! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep511. Renee sits down with illustrator and writer Mary Catherine Starr, the creative force behind @momlife_comics, to talk about how the chaos of early motherhood—and a global pandemic—sparked a viral career that resonated with millions. From her first comic to landing a book deal, Mary Catherine shares how she uses humor, art, and personal storytelling to make sense of the emotional labor, invisible work, and double standards baked into motherhood. They also dig into the behind-the-scenes reality of being a creative mom online: the pressure to do it all, the fear of burnout, and dealing with the backlash that sometimes comes from posting content. This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like the default parent, wondered how it all fell on their shoulders, or found comfort in seeing their experience reflected back with honesty and heart. Find Mary Catherine’s comics at: https://www.instagram.com/momlife_comics/ RENEE REINA   Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina   TikTok: @thereneereina   Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community  YouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP510. In this episode, Renee is catching you up on all the things! She’s getting ready for her upcoming family trip to Antigua (send packing vibes), shares how she fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a mascot (yes, really), but also how that moment of glory cost her a chance to meet her hall pass - the ultimate plot twist. She also confesses her hatred for cooking (ready-made meals for the win) and chats about her vacation beach read pick and the exciting launch of The Mom Room Shop - your new go-to spot for mom-approved products! Grab your coffee and let’s catch up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep509. The Mom Room favourite guest, Dr. Tanya Cotler is back to talk with Renee about raising emotionally resilient kids—especially boys—in a world that often discourages vulnerability. They unpack the impact of media like the Netflix series Adolescence, how to know when something’s “off” with your child, and why kids don’t need us to be perfect—they need us to be present, intuitive, and willing to set loving boundaries. Renee also opens up about parenting through grief after the loss of her dad and the emotional layers that surfaced in her son’s quiet reaction. Together, they explore nervous system regulation, the role of play and connection, and how to teach kids that emotional expression is a strength that needs mindful nurturing from us parents.  Read more about Dr. Cotler and her work here: https://drtanyacotler.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP506. It’s time for another Ask Me Anything—but this time, it’s anonymous. In today’s episode, Renee dives into your unfiltered questions. Nothing is off-limits—from thoughts on having another baby, to navigating religion and spirituality, to the behind-the-scenes reality of being an influencer. Whether you’re here for the real talk, the hot takes, or just to feel less alone, this episode has something for everyone. Buckle up—Renee’s answering it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ep505. This week, Renee is joined by Shannon Wood, mom of two and mother of Summer House star Lexi Wood, for a heartfelt chat about parenting, family dynamics, and what it’s like to navigate the modeling world and reality TV as a mom. Shannon reflects on raising two girls with confidence and compassion, what it meant to foster open communication from an early age, and how parenting looks different when you lead with respect, honesty, and humility. From surviving sleepless newborn nights to running a successful business with her daughters, Shannon shares how her parenting style helped shape Lexi’s resilience, confidence, and grounded presence in the spotlight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices