Little Ones and Messy Buns

As we continue highlight some of our most popular guest episodes, we are SO excited to highlight our interview with Tara (OkieMomof5)! In this episode we dive into a candid conversation about building a supportive family environment, overcoming personal challenges, and the joys and struggles of motherhood. Tara shares her journey from her own challenging childhood to creating a loving home for her...

Another one of our most popular guest episodes was with an amazing mom and influencer, Shanna. On this previously recorded episode Darcy and Sarah chat with Shanna about how her blog and IG started, finding time for yourself as a mom, making time for your marriage after kids, becoming a medical mom, and more. You're not going to want to miss this discussion with one of our favorite people to...

We were all devastated by the news of the Ponch and Nikki Show ending. But we wanted to celebrate Nikki and keep her voice alive when this episode first released in March of 2025. Join us for our heartfelt interview with Nikki, where we played "Get to Know Nikki", and discussed the Friday Flex. We were also able to find out some of her favorite spots in Kansas City to visit. Nikki, we lo...

We are taking the next few weeks to revisit some of our most listened to guests episodes. We are kicking this series off with our first ever guest, Kelsey from KelseWhatElse! Darcy and Emily sit down to talk about how Kelsey go her platform started and her transition from the classroom to stay-at-home mom. Kelsey shares some of her educational games that teacher her sons about body language, conve...

The mental load isn’t just a to-do list. It’s the constant invisible labor of anticipating, organizing, and worrying that falls disproportionately on mothers. In this episode, Sarah and Darcy get honest about what this actually looks like in our lives.  Send us Fan Mail

Finding balance as a working mom isn’t easy. In this episode, Alyx and Emily talk about the pressure of juggling work, motherhood, and everyday life. From mom guilt to trying to do it all, they share their honest experiences and remind listeners they’re not alone in the struggle. Send us Fan Mail

We’re back with another Hot Takes episode! Jess and Sarah are sharing some of their boldest opinions and a few that might spark some debate. Do you agree or disagree? Listen in and let us know! Send us Fan Mail

Are you a book lover? Emily and Kara dive into some of their favorite reads in this fun episode! Whether you're already an avid reader, setting a goal to read more, or just looking for new book suggestions, there’s something here for you. Tune in and discover some great titles to add to your reading list! Send us Fan Mail

On this week’s episode, Sarah and Alyx share fun, simple ideas to make indoor play easy and enjoyable. Let’s be honest—winter isn’t quite over, and rainy days are just around the corner. Tune in for creative activity ideas, our favorite family board games, and even a few kid-friendly screen brain breaks to help parents get through those long, challenging days. Send us Fan Mail

Do you struggle with screen time at home?  How can we parent children in this digital age?  This week Emily and Shelby dive into the topic of screen time with research from Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation .  Whether you have young children or teenagers, this episode has great information on how we have to parent differently in a digital age. Send us Fan Mail

The term default parent is taking social media by storm and this week Jess and Emily talk about their roles as the default parents in their own families, what it looks like in their homes, and how they advocate for themselves in their home when the pressures get to be too much. Send us Fan Mail

On this week’s episode, Darcy and Alyx are serving hot takes on life right now. From go-to Swig orders and the never-ending laundry cycle to favorite binge-worthy shows—and a very strong dislike for a certain extremely well-known play—nothing is off the table. Tune in for real-life rants, laughs, and opinions you didn’t ask for but might secretly agree with. Send us Fan Mail

Join Kara and Alyx this week as they talk about a big emotion many kids face: anxiety. Kara shares her personal experience navigating childhood anxiety as a parent, and what she’s learning along the way. If your child worries a lot—about school, friendships, bedtime, or things that may seem small to others—you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Send us Fan Mail

In this week’s episode, Alyx, Sarah, and Emily each step onto a motherhood soapbox they’re passionate about, sharing their honest thoughts, personal experiences, and unfiltered feelings. Send us Fan Mail

Why do tiny humans have such BIG opinions about food? In this episode, Darcy and Jess dive into the stressful, sometimes funny, totally relatable world of picky eaters. We are breaking down the picky eating experiences we've dealt with with our children, sharing tips for how to survive picky eating, some of our go-to meals and more. We are sharing real stories and practical strategies that he...

In this week’s episode, our Disney “experts” Emily and Shelby dive into all the must-know tips and tricks for planning your next Disney vacation. They compare Disney World to Disney Cruises, share their top strategies for traveling with little ones, and break down what every Disney-loving family should know before they go. If you’re a Disney fan or planning a trip with your kids, this is an episod...

Join Alyx and Sarah as they spill their all-time favorite mom hacks! From getting kids out the door without the morning meltdown marathon to clever storage solutions that save your sanity, they’re sharing the small daily tweaks that make a big difference. If you've ever wished for an extra hour, an extra hand, or just a little extra patience, this episode is basically your new best friend. So...

Join Alyx and Darcy this week as they break down this listener-requested topic: boundary setting. They explore it across three areas where boundaries are most needed—and most tested—work-life balance, extended family, and the holiday hustle! Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Little Ones and Messy Buns podcast, Kara and Sarah share their experiences and insights on potty training their children. They discuss the unique challenges and strategies they encountered while potty training their boys, emphasizing the importance of preparation, techniques, and the emotional aspects of the process. The conversation covers various tips, tricks, and supplies...

This week, Emily and Darcy are diving into a big transition — going back to work after maternity leave. We’re getting real about what our maternity leave actually looked like (length, pay, and all the logistics), whether we ever thought about staying home, and what that emotional first day back was really like. We’re sharing the highs, lows, and everything in between. Plus, we’ve got some honest t...

In this episode of the Little Ones and Messy Buns podcast, Alyx and Shelby chat with Leanne and Scott Cruce, the founders of Love Letters, a local Kansas City brand. They discuss the journey of starting Love Letters, the challenges of running a business while being parents, and the importance of community and support. The conversation highlights the brand's unique approach to fashion, their m...

In this heartfelt episode, Emily and Alyx sit down with Joee—one of the beloved daughters of TikTok’s @Okiemomof5—for a candid conversation about growing up in the spotlight of social media. Joee opens up about: What it’s really like growing up online The challenges that come with social media and how she navigates them Her dreams and goals for the future The important role her parents play in sup...

Welcome to the emotional rollercoaster that is life with a threenager ! In this episode, Alyx and Sarah dive into the chaos, comedy, and cuddles that come with raising a 3-year-old who thinks they're 13. From sudden meltdowns over the wrong color cup to surprisingly deep conversations about life, we explore the daily drama and unexpected joys of this wild stage. Grab your coffee (and maybe yo...

Do you ever wish you could go back to your "glory days" in college?  Join Emily and Shelby this week as they do just that!  This listener-requested episode covers all of our favorite college memories: joining a sorority, enjoying meals at the campus cafeteria, recruitment, education classes and more.  Grab a drink and enjoy reliving a simpler time! Send us Fan Mail

Ever wonder what it would be like to raise kids in a different country? Today we are chatting with one of our sorority sisters, Leslie, who moved to Australia to study abroad and never looked back! Tune in to hear Leslie's home birth story and differences between maternity leave and postnatal support. (Can you imagine what it would be like to have a mom-support group handed to you post birth?...