From 9 to Mom

Maternity leave shouldn't feel like a second full-time job, but here we are. This week Catie and Danielle sit down with Akiko Thayer, founder of Maternity Leave 411 and certified leave management specialist, to break down what nobody tells you about FMLA, state leave laws, and getting paid while you're out. Akiko got into this work after her own employer botched her leave by eight weeks, and she's...

This week Catie and Danielle are catching up after a whirlwind stretch of guest episodes — trading summer camp chaos, girls' trip stories, and real talk on the friendships that carry you through motherhood. Danielle recaps her 20-years-strong girls' trip to Islamorada with her "LST" crew — boat days, a stray dog named Murph, and the now-infamous "Dick Pick David." The two dig into what it actually...

Everyone panics about the ABCs. Brittany Brady — school social worker turned founder of Bright Starts Co. — is here to tell you to put the Target workbook down. This week we get into what kindergarten readiness actually means (spoiler: it's emotional regulation, independence, and grit, not reading at five), why preschool doesn't automatically guarantee a smooth transition, and how to survive the d...

No guest, no agenda — just us yapping. This week Catie and Danielle are back for a pure catch-up episode and honestly? We had a lot to say. Danielle is mid-travel chaos, running on zero clean clothes and a dream, while Catie is trying to figure out how to top the Yeti Camino her husband got her for Mother's Day without buying another golf club set. We get into Father's Day gift ideas that actually...

You've got the nursery done, the registry checked off, and the hospital bag packed — but are you actually ready? This week, Catie and Danielle sit down with Nina Spears, founder and CEO of Baby Chick, certified baby planner, birth and postpartum doula, and author of the brand-new The Baby Chick Guide to Positive Pregnancy . With 15+ years of experience supporting 800+ families and attending over 3...

Come catch up on life with us. For those of you that are new here, welcome. We're 2 working moms who have full time 9-5 jobs. We work remote, mostly. We also run this full time and are business partners. Catie's kids are 3 & 4 Danielle's kids are 3 & 7 Let's get into this weeks therapy session. Catie's three-year-old is basically blind (fine, astigmatisms, but same energy), Calvin showed u...

Motherhood changes everything — including how you get dressed. But here's the thing: your style didn't disappear, it just evolved. And that might actually be a good thing. In this episode, we're joined by personal brand stylist Nina Piccini to talk all things mom fashion — from building a wardrobe that works across every version of your life, to navigating trends without losing yourself, to finall...

In this episode of From 9 to Mom , we’re diving into a topic that’s suddenly everywhere: plastics, microplastics, “clean living,” and the overwhelming pressure moms feel to somehow detox their entire homes overnight. 😵‍💫 We’re joined by Jessica Franklin, busy mom, health coach, and host of The Live Lightly Podcast , to break down what actually matters when it comes to plastics, toxins, and low-t...

Everyone has an opinion… especially once you become a mom. 😅 In this episode, Catie and Danielle dive into the overwhelming world of advice, from parenting tips and social media “experts” to professional feedback and personal growth. They talk about how to filter the noise, trust credible sources, and take advice with grace without losing confidence in yourself along the way. The conversation cov...

This week on From 9 to Mom , we’re diving into the beautiful, chaotic, emotionally loaded glitter tornado that is Mother’s Day. 🌷 From the pressure of making the day “perfect” to the reality of May-sember schedules, sports, school events, and trying to enjoy one uninterrupted hot coffee, we’re talking about what moms actually want for Mother’s Day. We get honest about expectations vs. reality, gi...

Spoiler: you're probably not actually taking one. Catie and Danielle are getting real about what happened to the lunch break. Remember when it meant leaving the office, grabbing food, maybe sneaking a 5-minute nap in your car? Yeah... those days are gone. Now it's "let me quickly sign the kids up for soccer, reschedule that dentist appointment, and throw in a load of laundry" — and somehow that co...

Outsourcing isn’t lazy… it’s survival with a strategy 😅 In this episode, we’re getting real about what it actually looks like to “do it all” and why more moms are deciding… yeah, no thanks. From the evolution of online grocery shopping (because dragging kids through a store deserves hazard pay) to hiring help and reclaiming your time, we’re breaking down the mental load of motherhood and what hap...

What happens when your kid suddenly decides… he’s a vegetarian? 😅 In this episode of From 9 to Mom , we’re talking all things picky eaters, kids nutrition, and the daily chaos of family mealtime. From navigating sudden food preferences to dealing with food allergies and school lunches, we’re sharing our real-life experiences trying to keep our kids fed without turning dinner into a full-blown bat...

Post-bedtime, slightly delirious, and joined by a special guest (hi Ryan 👋), this episode of From 9 to Mom is all about the things we really wish someone had told us before kids. From the sensory overload of unsolicited advice during pregnancy to the survival mode of newborn life, we’re diving into the moments that caught us off guard, the mistakes we definitely made, and the lessons we only lear...

In this episode of From 9 to Mom , we’re diving into the world of sports moms —aka the unpaid Uber drivers, sideline snack coordinators, and professional schedule jugglers of childhood. From practices smack in the middle of your workday to somehow managing multiple kids with completely different interests, we’re talking through what it actually looks like to keep it all together (or at least prete...

In this episode, Catie and Danielle dive into the world of millennial mom hobbies —aka the things we swear we’ll make time for and then somehow end up doing in our car, at 6am, or while hiding from our kids in the pantry. From pickleball leagues that feel like a social club disguised as cardio, to marathon training that started as “just a few walks,” to the unexpected rise of weighted vests (becau...

Missy from Slumber & Bloom is back on From 9 to Mom and this time we’re tackling one of the biggest parenting debates out there: sleep training. If you heard her first episode with us about potty training, you already know she brings practical advice without the judgment… and we were excited to have her back. In this episode, Missy breaks down what sleep training actually is (and what it isn’t...

Your gut is doing way more behind the scenes than just digesting lunch. It’s basically the control center for your energy, sleep, mood, hormones… and honestly, how you survive motherhood without running entirely on coffee. ☕️ In this episode of From 9 to Mom , Catie and Danielle sit down with health optimization expert Kyle Napier to talk about the surprisingly powerful role gut health plays in h...

Catie and Danielle are fresh off their Florida adventures and reporting back from the front lines of family vacation life. This week we’re recapping beach days, Disney strategy, and what really happens when you try to “relax” with kids in tow. From sandy chaos and overpacked suitcases to stroller negotiations and snack bribes at Disney, we’re sharing what worked, what absolutely did not, and how t...

In this episode of From 9 to Mom , Catie and Danielle dive into one of motherhood’s most delicate negotiations: leaving your children with… someone else. 😅 They’re unpacking the modern babysitter saga, from “How much are we paying per hour now?!” to the emotional gymnastics of asking your parents for help without feeling like you owe them your firstborn. Is it cheaper to stay home? Sometimes. Is...

This week on From 9 to Mom , Catie and Danielle are getting real about the whole “can we have it all?” conversation… and whether we even want to. They talk about how our generation looks at age way differently than our parents did, the weird (and sometimes unspoken) tension between stay-at-home moms and working moms, and how COVID basically flipped family life upside down. Careers, kids, ambition,...

Snow days sound magical… until you’re juggling Slack messages, snacks, Zoom calls, and surprise e-learning before your first sip of coffee. In this episode, Catie and Danielle dive into the real-life chaos winter throws at working moms. From last-minute school closures to the mental gymnastics of working while parenting at home, they share candid stories, frustrations, and laughs from the trenches...

In this episode of From 9 to Mom , we’re serving up a little bit of everything: parenting questions, current events, and our current favorite things . From the chaos of mom life to what’s happening in the world (and why we somehow still know all the drama), we’re catching up like only two working moms can. Expect laughs, hot takes, and a few “wait… do you do this too?!” moments.

In this episode, Catie and Danielle discuss their goals and intentions for 2026, focusing on self-care, letting go of what no longer serves them, and embracing a more authentic and fulfilling life. They explore the importance of setting boundaries, the value of freedom, and the need to prioritize health and wellness. The conversation is filled with humor and relatable anecdotes about motherhood, p...

In this episode, Catie and Danielle engage with Dr. Ashley Hedge, a board-certified OB-GYN, to discuss the complexities of motherhood, labor, and postpartum recovery. They explore the realities of delivery, the use of induction and pain management strategies, and the importance of support systems during labor. The conversation also delves into postpartum recovery timelines, hormonal changes, pelvi...