The Live Better Project: Redefining Productivity, Summer Chaos & My Social Media Pet Peeve

Thursday, August 20th: Is seven the new two?! Lately, it feels like everything I say is met with “NO,” an argument, or a negotiation, even when I’m suggesting something my 7-year-old actually wants to do. I mentioned this on Instagram and was flooded with messages from parents of 7- and 8-year-olds saying: SAME.So, what is going on at this age?In this solo episode of The Mom Room, I’m talking about why kids around 7-8 can suddenly seem more argumentative, oppositional, and determined to challenge everything we say. I get into what’s happening developmentally as kids become more independent, develop stronger reasoning skills, form their own opinions about rules and fairness, and start wanting more control over their lives.I also share what I’m learning about navigating this stage without turning every interaction into a power struggle: giving kids autonomy where we can, distinguishing between choices and non-negotiables, not over-explaining every boundary, looking underneath the behaviour, and perhaps most importantly, remembering that we don’t have to attend every argument we’re invited to.Because raising an independent kid is exactly what we want… but apparently the road to independence involves debating why they need to put their shoes on every single morning. 😂If you’re parenting a 7- or 8-year-old and wondering why EVERYTHING has suddenly become an argument, this episode is for you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After months of living in fight-or-flight that no doctor could explain, Beth, aka The Garbage Mom, figured out the cause herself... She was on the wrong dose of progesterone!She joins The Mom Room this week to talk perimenopause, hormones, and how much of women's health women are still left to research on their own. Beth also shares how she was diagnosed with celiac disease a year ago, after five years of iron infusions and a hematologist who told her that as long as she was getting her period, she'd keep needing them.Renee and Beth get into the symptoms nobody warns you about: the sudden food aversions, the phase where everything smells like onions, cereal for dinner three times a week, and the 3AM wake-ups where one small worry suddenly feels like life or death. Both started making content in 2020, so they also compare notes on what six years of it has done to their lives — the pull to turn every moment into a post, the boundaries Beth set after hitting a rock bottom a few months ago, and her decision to keep her 10-year-old daughter offline entirely.Beth is an actor and sketch comedian, and she's currently building something special... A music and comedy festival for women over 40 that started out under the name Perimenopausal Palooza. Follow along with her below!FOLLOW BETH: Instagram: @thegarbagemomhttps://linktr.ee/garbagemomTHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!AquaOmega - For your daily dose of Omega-3's, go to myaquaomega.com/MOMROOM and use code MOMROOM for 20% off.Bellesa - Today's episode is sponsored by Bellesa Boutique! Sign up to win a free WhisperVibe™ or free Rose toy with any Whisper™ order! https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-pod #bbpartnerFatty15 - 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.Nine to Kind - Use promo code MOMROOM at ninetokind.com to get 20% of your order.Quince - Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/MOMROOM. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.SENOKOT - Trust your gut and try the new SENOKOT Laxative Gummies. Learn more at senokot.ca.Skims - Shop Everyday Cotton, and all of my favorite bras and underwear at http://www.skims.com/momroomWayfair - Join Wayfair Rewards today to get 5% back on every purchase and start saving on your next home upgrade. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home.FOLLOW RENEE REINA: Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereinaTikTok: @thereneereinaFacebook Community - The Mom Room CommunityYouTube: 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.

August 13th, 2026: What does being "productive" actually mean when you stop comparing your life to hundreds of other people's lives online?In this solo episode of The Mom Room, I'm chatting about a few things that have been on my mind lately, starting with the fact that I've somehow fallen back into my old habit of making MASSIVE to-do lists. Summer has been amazing, but being out of our normal routine, constantly changing schedules, and trying to fit work into unpredictable weeks has definitely made staying organized a little harder. I'm already looking ahead to September and some new work habits I want to try, including time blocking and being much more intentional about what actually needs to get done.I also share my ridiculously quick and easy morning makeup routine with our friends at MERIT Beauty. Getting ready has never been easier, and it fits perfectly with this season of wanting things to feel simpler, not more complicated.Then we get into another major change I've noticed since I stopped mindlessly scrolling social media: I've completely changed the way I think about productivity.When you're constantly consuming other people's routines, workouts, meals, businesses, homes, parenting, habits and endless "productive day in my life" content, it's very easy to feel like you're never doing enough. Since I stopped watching what everyone else is doing, I'm much more relaxed about my own days. I'm focusing on what I actually want to prioritize instead of subconsciously adopting everyone else's priorities.And finally... I clarify what I meant when I said on Instagram Stories this week that I cannot stand the "woe is me" content people post for engagement. Because apparently I had some thoughts. 😂We talk about productivity culture, comparison, social media, massive to-do lists, time blocking, getting back into a routine, intentional living, mindless scrolling, and why living better might require caring a whole lot less about what everyone else is doing.THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!AquaOmega: For your daily dose of Omega-3’s, go to myaquaomega.com/MOMROOM and use code MOMROOM for 20% offBellesa: Today’s episode is sponsored by Bellesa Boutique! Sign up to win a free WhisperVibe™ or free Rose toy with any Whisper™ order!🌹🤫 https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-pod #bbpartnerMERIT Beauty: Signature Makeup Bag FREE with your first order at www.meritbeauty.com + FREE shipping on orders over $50.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.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.Skims: Shop SKIMS Cotton, and all of my favorite pieces, at https://skims.com/momroom.Quince: Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/MOMROOM. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Wayfair: Join Wayfair Rewards today to get 5% back on every purchase and start saving on your next home upgrade. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At 13, Shenae Grimes-Beech booked her first commercial in Toronto. By 18, her life had completely changed. She'd moved out of her mom's house for the first time to film 90210 in Los Angeles. Now a mom of two building a career as a content creator, Shenae joins The Mom Room to talk about that whirlwind path from Degrassi to 90210 to motherhood, and to bring up a major AI concern most of us have never even heard of.Shenae unpacks what it was like growing up on camera before social media existed, and how her approach to sharing her daughter online has changed as she's gotten older. Then they get into the scary side of the internet, and the reason Shenae wanted to have this conversation: Grok, the AI chatbot built into X (formerly Twitter), and a feature nicknamed "Spicy Grok" that lets anyone "undress" or "nudify" a photo to generate sexually explicit images without the subject's consent. In the two weeks after it launched, over 3 million non-consensual explicit images were generated, a significant number of them involving minors. Shenae and Renee talk through the legal gray area (this should be illegal, right?), why victims are afraid to come forward, and how to start age-appropriate conversations with your kids about it before something happens rather than after.If you loved today's episode, tune into Shenae's new podcast, Lost the Plot, where she gets to go deeper with women in her generation than a 30-second clip ever allows.FOLLOW SHENAE: Instagram: @shanaegrimesbeach | @shenaelosttheplotYouTube: Lost the Plot with Shenae Grimes-BeechFOLLOW RENEE REINA: Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereinaTikTok: @thereneereinaFacebook Community - The Mom Room CommunityYouTube: Renee Reina - The Mom Room PodcastTHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!AquaOmega: For your daily dose of Omega-3’s, go to myaquaomega.com/MOMROOM and use code MOMROOM for 20% offBellesa: Today’s episode is sponsored by Bellesa Boutique! Sign up to win a free WhisperVibe™ or free Rose toy with any Whisper™ order!🌹🤫 https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-pod #bbpartnerFatty15: 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.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.Skims: Shop SKIMS Cotton, and all of my favorite pieces, at https://skims.com/momroom.Quince: Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/MOMROOM. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Wayfair: Join Wayfair Rewards today to get 5% back on every purchase and start saving on your next home upgrade. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

August 6th, 2026: In this episode of The Live Better Project, I'm sharing one of the biggest changes I've noticed since I stopped mindlessly scrolling social media: my attention span is coming back.For years, I couldn't watch a TV show without checking my phone, read a book during the day without getting distracted, or simply enjoy a moment without wondering if I should be filming it for social media. Even conversations were constantly interrupted by notifications or the urge to check my phone.But after just a few weeks of intentionally putting my phone down for longer periods of time, something surprising happened.I can sit through an entire episode of Big Brother without reaching for my phone. I can read in the middle of the day. I can have uninterrupted conversations. I can enjoy experiences without feeling like every moment needs to become content.It's not perfect, but the difference has been shocking.In this episode, we discuss:How mindless scrolling changed my ability to focusWhy every moment doesn't need to become contentThe surprising speed at which attention can recoverWhy being present feels so much more fulfilling than documenting everythingSmall habits that helped me spend less time on my phoneIf you've ever wondered where your attention span went, this episode is for you.THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Bellesa - Today’s episode is sponsored by Bellesa Boutique! Sign up to win a free WhisperVibe™ or free Rose toy with any Whisper™ order!🌹🤫 https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-pod #bbpartnerNine 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: Join Wayfair Rewards today to get 5% back on every purchase and start saving on your next home upgrade. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home.Quince: Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/MOMROOM. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. AquaOmega: For your daily dose of Omega-3’s, go to myaquaomega.com/MOMROOM and use code MOMROOM for 20% off.FOLLOW RENEE REINA  Instagram: @themomroom | @thereneereina  TikTok: @thereneereina  Facebook Community - The Mom Room Community See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From not wanting kids, to loving being a mother to one, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes joins The Mom Room this week to talk about motherhood and her new standup comedy special Ugly Baby. She shares her experience going through IVF, getting pregnant at 41, and how her purpose has shifted after having her child. Renee and Anjelah discuss the early stages of motherhood, intrusive thoughts, and share their theories on why postpartum rage towards the father happens. They also relate on wishing that they had done a better job being a support system for their friends and family who have gone through childbirth, now knowing how hard that postpartum stage really is. In addition to touring her standup comedy and recording her new special, Anjelah has her own podcast called Funjelah where she dives deep with her guests, creating a safe space for them to open up about the things they are grateful for in their life. Check out her podcast and special down below!FOLLOW [email protected] YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Bellesa - Today’s episode is sponsored by Bellesa Boutique! Sign up to win a free WhisperVibe™ or free Rose toy with any Whisper™ order!🌹🤫 https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/themomroom-pod #bbpartnerNine 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: Join Wayfair Rewards today to get 5% back on every purchase and start saving on your next home upgrade. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home.Quince: Upgrade your everyday. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com/MOMROOM. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. AquaOmega: For your daily dose of Omega-3’s, go to myaquaomega.com/MOMROOM and use code MOMROOM for 20% off.FOLLOW 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 30th, 2026: What happens when you stop mindlessly scrolling social media? In this episode of The Live Better Project, I'm sharing one (of five) of the biggest changes I've noticed since stepping away from scrolling and consuming content mindlessly... and it has nothing to do with screen time.I've stopped caring about what I look like!I'm wearing less makeup, throwing my hair in a messy bun, leaving the house without worrying about looking "put together," and feeling more like myself than I have in years. We talk about why constantly consuming curated images changes the way we see ourselves, how comparison quietly becomes our baseline, and why removing that constant input has been one of the most freeing changes I've made.In this episode, we discuss:Why I care so much less about my appearance nowHow social media quietly changes what we think is "normal"Why comparison happens even when we don't realize itThe freedom that comes from being your regular, authentic selfTHANK 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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marlie cohen, aka Kale and Krunches, joins The Mom Room this week to talk all about fitness and nutrition! This episode is for anyone who feels overwhelmed with all the weight loss, diet, and exercise advice online. Marlie stresses why strength training is so important for women, and speaks to those who have grown up in the "shrink yourself" era. As someone who fell in love with fitness later in life, Marlie knows the struggle of balancing it all - working out, sleeping well, being a mom, etc. To help other busy working moms out there, she created an app called Bounce Forward that provides several different programs for getting on the right track and staying consistent with your goals. Also, you may have seen Marlie on your feed when her reel of taking a chicken breast to brunch went viral. Listen to this episode to hear what she has to say to the people hating on that video, and what moderation looks like in practice. Check out Marlie down below!FOLLOW MARLIE@kale_and_krunches@bounceforwardcoTHANK 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 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.