NIRO FELICIANO: All is Calm(ish): Managing Holiday Stress & Finding Peace

In this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, Kanika sits down with psychotherapist and TODAY Show contributor Niro Feliciano — a mom of four and author of All is Calm(ish) — to talk about finding calm in the chaos. They dive into why we over-schedule our kids, how to redefine success in family life, and why peace isn’t about perfection. Niro shares her personal story, lessons from therapy, and practical tools for resilience — especially during the holidays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, host Kanika Chadda Gupta sits down with Erica Komisar, a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, and author of Being There and Chicken Little the Sky Isn’t Falling. Together, they unpack the science of secure attachment and why a parent’s emotional availability is the most important gift we can give our children. Erica shares her SECURE framework — a practical roadmap for nurturing resilience and emotional intelligence in kids — and explores how both mothers and fathers play essential roles in building strong, secure bonds. From balancing career and family to understanding the long-term impact of early childhood connection, this conversation will inspire every parent to show up with presence, empathy, and grace. 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a mother and artist dares to reimagine the entire canon of Western art through a new lens—one that centers Black womanhood, power, and divinity? In this inspiring episode, host Kanika Chadda Gupta sits down with Harmonia Rosales, the Afro-Cuban American artist redefining beauty and rewriting history with every brushstroke. From her reimagined Renaissance masterpieces to her breathtaking debut book Chronicles of Ori, Harmonia shares how motherhood, myth, and heritage shape her creative vision. Tune in for a soul-stirring conversation on reclaiming representation, teaching our children the true breadth of beauty, and trusting your intuition as both an artist and a parent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Struggling with bedtime battles? Sleep consultant Courtney Zentz, founder of Tiny Transitions, shares proven tips to help babies, toddlers, and parents finally rest easy. Sponsored by Naturepedic, the leading organic mattress brand for families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the cleaning products in your home helping or harming your family? On this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, I sit down with Kristi Lord and Lindsay Droz, co-founders of L’Avant Collective, a luxury plant-based cleaning brand that’s changing the way we clean. We dive into the toxic chemicals in everyday products, why parents need to pay attention, and their journey of building a wellness-driven brand rooted in style, sustainability, and science. 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

What happens when you mix a stargazer’s heart with a scientist’s mind? Meet Dr. Emma Louden — astrophysicist, President of Slooh, and author of Mia and the Martians. In this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, host Kanika Chadda-Gupta sits down with Emma to talk about her journey into space science, why girls belong in STEM, and how we can encourage curiosity and wonder in our children. From decoding the obliquity of planets to simplifying the night sky for classrooms, Emma is a force of nature who's bringing the stars within reach — one telescope and story at a time.In this special episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, Kanika Chadda-Gupta interviews Dr. Emma Louden, a real-life rocket woman and President of Slooh. With a Yale Ph.D. in Astronomy and a passion for mentoring the next generation of scientists, Emma shares her story — from a curious kid to an internationally recognized astrophysicist. She opens up about challenges in a male-dominated field, writing her children’s book Mia and the Martians, and why access to the universe should be a birthright, not a privilege. Get ready to be inspired by Emma’s brilliance, warmth, and message of “practical hope.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it truly mean to be happy—and how do we make time for it amidst the chaos of daily life? On this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, I sit down with one of the most influential observers of human nature, Gretchen Rubin. She’s a five-time New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, and The Four Tendencies and host of the beloved Happier podcast. We explore her childhood, family influences, and how she turned her curiosity into a career that's transforming how millions approach habits, relationships, and self-understanding. From practical happiness hacks to the surprising psychology behind everyday choices, this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to reclaim your joy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cutting the apron strings is never easy — but it’s exactly what Ellen Marie Bennett did to grow a $300 idea into a multimillion-dollar apron & kitchen essentials company, Hedley & Bennett. In this episode, we talk about her Mexican and English heritage, taking imperfect first steps, scaling without outside funding, staying scrappy, and balancing the roles of founder, chef, TV personality, and mom of two. You’ll also hear her top chef hacks for busy parents and how motherhood shaped her leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices