Enter the Chat: Less Guilt, More Play with Myriam Sandler of @mothercould

She’s back! In this special return episode, Vanessa catches up with Myriam Sandler of @mothercould, who first joined The MomForce Podcast three years ago, and a lot has changed since then. Myriam is now a published author, and her new book, Playful By Design, is a tool for parents everywhere to rethink how they approach play at home. From her viral take—“I hardly play with my kids”—to her genius strategies for cultivating independent play, Myriam shares how creating the right environment (not more Pinterest crafts) is the secret to raising curious, confident kids. As she puts it: “Yes, I engage and connect with them… but I’ve built a space where they can play on their own and that’s the goal.” Vanessa and Myriam also dive into: The unexpected power of Play Dough   Why chia seed goop is a sensory win and a parental cautionary tale How to turn “no” moments into easy yeses And how Chatbooks photo books are actually made for kids to relive their own stories This conversation is full of real talk, practical tips, and plenty of laughs—especially if you’ve ever found slime in your carpet! I know you are going to love it.  Follow Vanessa  Follow Chatbooks  Follow Myriam  Order Playful By Design 5:35 Why Myriam "doesn't play with her kids"  9:36 The weirdest thing Myriam has made for her kids.  10:47 Why Myriam is not afraid of messes at her house  15:20 How Myriam organizes her family memories  22:17 What is the balance between sensory play and your sanity as a mom? 29:28 Connection is at the heart of everything  32:39 How to approach alone time and self care -- without guilt! 

Today’s episode is extra special—it’s our Mother’s Day episode, and I’ve got my oldest daughter, Laken, in the studio with me! I’ve been wanting to have her on the podcast for a long time, and since she was in town this past week, I finally convinced her to sit down and chat about motherhood. If you don’t already know her, you’re going to love her. She’s the most amazing mom to my granddaughter, Mauve, and she’s been a huge part of this podcast since the very beginning—six seasons ago! She actually wrote and recorded our theme song and has been our audio engineer ever since. I’m seriously so lucky to work alongside her... and even luckier to be her mom. In this episode, we swap stories, laugh a lot, and share a few lessons we’ve learned along the way as a mother and daughter. It's a little peek into the beautiful (and sometimes messy) reality of family life—from both sides of the generation gap. Think of it as a celebration of the little moments that make it all worth it—and a reminder of why we do what we do at Chatbooks. We also know that Mother’s Day can bring up all kinds of emotions. For some, it’s a day full of joy. For others, it might feel bittersweet or even heavy. However you’re feeling this year, please know we see you, we’re thinking of you, and we’re sending you so much love.  Listen to my podcast episode featuring my mom  Follow Chatbooks  Follow Vanessa  I Am My Mother!  4:30 Expectations on your first Mother's Day as a new mom  8:30 What it is like to see your daughter become a mother  15:00 "Family Fandangos!" 21:15 Moments in your parenting journey when you have to step into the role of mother  23:20 The drawbacks of parenting in the age of social media 29:01 Why Monthbooks are the greatest gift for a grandma  33:00 Behind the Scenes of the newest top secret project at Chatbooks 40:00 The ups and downs of parenting through the teen years  44:00 The different seasons of life and motherhood that you can lean into as an artist 47:08 Mom as a camp counselor/daughter as a camper dilemma  50:00 "I hope you will do better than we did"     

If you haven’t come across RaQuel yet—aka The Capacity Expert—that’s about to change. With bold, truth-telling videos that are equal parts empowering and uncomfortable, RaQuel is shaking up the mental health conversation in all the best ways.  Instead of prescribing prevalent self care solutions like bubble baths and spa days, RaQuel invites us into deeper work—work that involves honesty, self-responsibility, and a better understanding of what we’re actually capable of. I brought questions straight from our MomForce community to this conversation, and RaQuel delivered. You're going to be challenged, in the best way, and inspired to think differently about your own capacity. Follow Vanessa  Follow RaQuel (and find her e-book at the link in bio)  Follow Chatbooks  5:00 Why RaQuel is disrupting the mental health space.  6:05 Capacity is strength  7:15 Why don't the self care practices society prescribes work? 9:43 The power of choice and how to avoid playing a victim  11:00 Does a diagnosis limit your capacity?  14:51 What to do about volatile emotions during pregnancy 17:49 When do you know it's time to get professional help?  21:45 How to explore your relationship with responsibility  22:30 How to find low cost therapy  27:50 Feeling discomfort is an opportunity to grow  34:40 Why we pathologized struggle   

Today's episode is a special one that is close to my heart. I am sharing my unexpected journey from dreaming of Broadway to becoming the co-founder of Chatbooks. Growing up in a family of 12, I learned the power of big dreams and resilience, I was especially inspired by strong women in her life. I pursued vocal performance in college, but after getting married young and starting a family, my path shifted. Years later, overwhelmed with mom life, a simple moment with my youngest child sparked the idea for Chatbooks—proving that sometimes, our biggest opportunities come from unexpected places. In this episode I share the early struggles of entrepreneurship—running out of money, making mistakes, and launching ideas that flopped. But a viral video changed everything, reinforcing that fear and failure are just part of the process. I encourage you to embrace discomfort, take action even when it’s messy, and recognize the value of your own stories. The dream you start with may not be the one you end up chasing, but what matters is having the courage to pursue something. I hope a part of my journey can inspire yours.  Let's connect! Find me on Instagram @vanessaquigley

Tamron Hall is a two-time Emmy Award-winning TV host, executive producer of her own syndicated talk show Tamron Hall, veteran journalist, and bestselling author. She’s spent decades honing her interviewing skills—from breaking news to deep, heartfelt conversations on the Today show. And today, we’re diving into something that is the driving force of everything she does– curiosity.  Curiosity has shaped her ability to connect deeply with people and has influenced the way she approaches motherhood. It’s also the inspiration behind her latest book, Harlem Honey: The Adventures of a Curious Kid, a beautiful celebration of wonder, exploration, and the power of asking questions. In this conversation, we’ll explore why curiosity is more than just a skill—it’s a superpower. One that opens doors, deepens relationships, and sparks lifelong learning. We’ll talk about how curiosity has shaped Tamron’s journey, how we can cultivate it in ourselves and our kids, and why asking the right questions can change everything. Follow Tamron  Follow Vanessa Follow Chatbooks  3:24 How Tamron became Grand Marshal for Black History Month at Disney World  5:52 Tamron's story of IVF and becoming a mother at 48 7:01 Tamron's experience with fear after the pandemic  9:11 Why curiousity is an opportunity to combat fear in all of our relationships  18:41 Taking community for granted  22:55 Trying to save your child from feeling uncomfortable and learning why that is harmful 29:36 What one thing we can do to bring more curiousity into our lives  

Moms, let’s be real—parenting is a wild ride, full of ups and downs, curveballs, and unexpected turns. But what if there was a way to make those ups and downs a little easier to handle? That’s where your mental health baseline comes in. Today, I’m talking with my friend Julie Taylor, a writer, mom, and someone who just gets it. We’re breaking down what a mental health baseline is, how to boost it, and why taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. And trust me, Julie is the perfect person for this conversation—not only does she have a way of making deep topics feel so relatable, but she also speaks from raw, personal experience. A little over a year ago, Julie lost her infant son at birth—a loss that completely changed her understanding of resilience, grief, and what it truly means to rebuild your emotional baseline. Her wisdom comes from lived experience, and I know her perspective will resonate with so many of you. Follow Chatbooks  Follow Vanessa  Follow Julie  8:30 How to determine your baseline in mental health  14:45 Julie's experience with grief  21:00 Do what you say you're going to do for a mental health boost  23:15 Trust the times and seasons  24:10 Try something new, or return to a past hobby  26:15 Not meant to stay in survival mode  29:00 What helped Julie the most going through grief  32:30 How to choose connection with your kids that makes a difference  44:00 You're doing better than you think you are  45:30 Tell your friends the good in them  47:00 Our limitations are invitations for collaborations   

Welcome to another Enter the Chat episode of the MomForce Podcast—where we break down the parenting topics that matter most. Today, we’re diving deep into the balance of emotional validation and setting boundaries with child development specialist, Dr. Siggie Cohen. If you’ve ever struggled with being both the ‘safe space’ and the authority figure in your child’s life, this conversation is for you. Seriously, if your child has ever said "Your the meantest mom ever" –don't fret. Dr Siggie gives us some tools to help us keep our cool.  Dr. Siggie Cohen is a Child Development Specialist with more than 30 years of experience and 1.6 million people following her advice and guidance online. She empowers parents to be calm and confident, with real life examples to learn from.  I know you will enjoy hearing from Dr. Siggie, she has so much wisdom to share! Check out her parenting courses here  Follow Dr Siggie  Follow Chatbooks  Follow Vanessa  6:50 Has Dr. Siggie ever made a parenting mistake?  14:15 Big decisions that require life experience are yours  23:00 No one likes to feel misunderstood  25:05 The chaos of parenting  31:45 The do over  36:15 All of your kids percieve experiences differently  40:00 Why is parenting so stressful?  43:30 What are healthy risks that your kids can take?  47:20 Don't close the door, keep the conversation going   

Emily O'Laughlin started Doing Great Clothing Co when she saw her son Nathan beginning a new chapter: post-high school and ready to work. She noticed that jobs that fit his abilities were few and far between. So she decided to create the solution, even though Emily and her husband both have full-time jobs.  The mission of Doing Great Clothing Co says, "We're passionate about our chance to make concrete changes in the world of special needs. Our mission is to pave the way for those with disabilities to reach those crucial developmental milestones and score meaningful employment." If you are in the early days of a diagnosis with your child, or want to be a better ally and support to those you know with disabilities, or anywhere in between -- listen to this episode! Emily shares some tough experiences and challenges that have helped her and her family get to the point they are at today.  Check out Doing Great Clothing Co.  Doing Great Jobs: A Guide to Creating a Small Business for People with Disabilities  Follow Vanessa Follow Chatbooks 2:05 How Doing Great Clothing Co was born 5:35 Emily's experience raising a child with special needs  7:30 Learning empathy  10:15 A poignant experience in Emily's early motherhood  14:00 Education experiences with Nathan  17:30 You are the CEO of your family  19:55 Concentrate on the joy of your child   

Prepare yourself folks for so much wisdom from Jillian Harris. If you follow Jilian you know she is an absolute dynamo. A true powerhouse—She's an entrepreneur, cookbook author, interior designer, and the creator of The Jilly Box. I love her Jilly box, it's a quarterly subscription box that showcases women entrepreneurs and small businesses. It sold out now but I'm on the Insider wait list!  Jillian is based in Canada and she first captured hearts as a contestant on The Bachelor and later made history as the first Canadian Bachelorette. But Jillian’s story goes far beyond her TV beginnings. While building an inspiring career and raising a beautiful family, she battled burnout and sought to regain balance all while supporting a loved one through mental illness. She's raw, she's real, (she even swears a little) and. I know you’re going to love her.  Follow Vanessa Follow Chatbooks Follow Jillian and The Jilly Box  6:00 How Jillian organizes her family memories  8:40 How to remember the daily magical moments  10:35 Growing up with a mother that has a bipolar diagnosis  19:30 What caused Jillian to hit major burnout and how she has dug herself out of it 25:00 How to create rituals that spark joy like "turndown service" 27:00 What it was like when Jillian experienced a wildfire in Canada and her property burned to the ground. Plus, the amazing opportunity that came out of it.  31:00 The relationship advice she wishes she had during her younger years on The Bachelor franchise  33:45 How to keep the overwhelm away and not get stressed out.  35:00 What is next for Jillian 

Becs Gentry is a beloved Peloton instructor, elite runner, and inspiring new mom. Known for her motivational energy and infectious positivity, she’s built a global community of fitness enthusiasts who turn to her for more than just workouts—they come for her life lessons. Recently, Becs completed an extraordinary feat: The Great World Race—7 marathons, in 7 days, on 7 continents, starting with a marathon in Antarctica! In this conversation, we dive into what that incredible adventure was like, as well as the day-to-day realities of balancing motherhood, a demanding career, and a rigorous training schedule. Becs offers a fresh take on resilience, self-care, and finding joy in every step of the journey. Get ready to be inspired and step into the new year with a mindset that’s energized, guilt-free, and full of possibility!  Follow Vanessa Follow Chatbooks 3:00 A photo with a fun backstory, spoiler alert: pregnancy announcement!  5:00 Why Becs approaches goals with the "brush up" mentality  7:20 Put your sparkle back in January  9:45 Has Becs always been a runner?  12:40 How the Great World Race experience was mentally for Becs  13:50 The strength of mothers  16:15 Things in parenting that push you to your limits  19:00 Forward is a pace  25:50 Getting more movement in as a family  30:35 Chatting while looking at photos = elaborative reminiscing