Pearls of Motherhood

What happens when you can’t hold everything together anymore? In this deeply personal Season 4 finale of Pearls of Motherhood , Diana opens up about postpartum anxiety after her C-section, the pressure moms feel to “do it all,” and the hidden emotional toll of constantly trying to stay in control during uncertain seasons of motherhood. From obsessing over laundry and routines while recovering post...

Ever looked at your child in a moment and thought… “why don’t they care?” When your kid ignores someone crying, grabs a toy without a second thought, or says “I don’t care” with full eye contact—it can feel personal. Like you’re failing. Like something’s off. But what if the truth is simpler… and a whole lot more relieving? In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , we’re saying something out loud...

You’re not getting an apology. And waiting for one is keeping you stuck. They moved on. They’re not thinking about it. And you’re still carrying the weight. That’s the part no one says out loud. In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , we talk about the kind of forgiveness that feels unfair— the kind where they never say sorry. Because forgiveness isn’t about them. It doesn’t mean – it was okay –...

Ever feel like you're losing at motherhood… just by being around other moms? In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , we’re unpacking the silent competition no one talks about— mom comparison —and how it quietly steals your joy. That thought— “Why can’t I do it like she does?” — It’s not truth. It’s pressure. Because here’s what no one tells you: Most moms aren’t judging you… they’re questio...

Ever felt like you love your kid… but don’t actually like them right now? That feeling almost no mom talks about? We're talking about it today. It’s one of the most taboo feelings in motherhood—and one almost no one talks about out loud. In this honest and compassionate episode of Pearls of Motherhood , we break the silence around those moments when your child pushes every button you have. Th...

Somewhere between raising kids, supporting our parents, and holding everything together, many moms start asking the same question: where did I go? In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , Diana and Tessie explore one of the biggest emotional shifts of motherhood: how to stay connected to yourself while caring for everyone else. We talk about matrescence , the developmental transition into motherh...

Why do moms experience rage? And why does no one talk about it? If you’ve ever snapped at your kids and immediately felt crushing guilt… this episode is for you. In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , Tessie and Diana unpack the very real (and very common) experience of mom rage —those moments when the overwhelm, exhaustion, and constant demands of motherhood boil over. Instead of shaming the a...

Unpopular truth: your kid might not be the problem. Your routine might be. If mornings feel chaotic, transitions trigger meltdowns, and bedtime turns into a long negotiation, the issue may not be your child’s behavior — it might be the rhythm of the day. In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , Tessie and Diana break down the science behind why kids thrive on predictable routines and how small sh...

Feeling emotionally exhausted, irritable, or disconnected from yourself? You’re not failing — you might be burned out. In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , Tessie and Diana unpack the real signs of mom burnout, why it happens, and how to recover without guilt. We talk emotional exhaustion, mental load, overstimulation, and the myth that “good moms just push through.” You’ll walk away with pra...

The problem isn’t your toddler’s tantrum. It’s how exhausted you are. In this Season Four premiere of Pearls of Motherhood , hosts Tessie and Diana get real about patience, presence, and grace in modern parenting. They unpack why patience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a muscle built through repetition, repair, and a whole lot of trial and error. From toddler meltdowns to emotional overload...

What happens when parents stop guessing — and actually listen to kids? In this special episode of Pearls of Motherhood , we welcome our first-ever kid guest. Thirteen-year-old Luke Keen joins us as a Junior Correspondent to deliver a field report on three popular family water parks: Camelback, Kalahari, and Aquatopia. From rides and attractions to food, fun, and overall experience, Luke shares an...

Motherhood isn’t a race—it’s a season, and you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. In this season finale, we unpack comparison, mom guilt, everyday growth, and the small moments that anchor you when life feels chaotic. If you need a breath of hope, perspective, and real talk—you’ll love this one. 💌 Got something to say? We’d love to hear it! Drop us some Fan Mail here—tell us what you’re loving,...

In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , Diana and Tessie get real about mom guilt, comparison culture, and the crushing mental load so many moms carry in silence. They break down why motherhood feels so heavy, how community and empathy can lighten the load, and why every mom deserves space to be honest about her struggles. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, judged, or just tired , this conversatio...

Who decided moms have to be beige? In this episode, we’re calling B.S. on the myth that motherhood makes you boring. From bold hair and side hustles to pole fitness and marathon goals, moms everywhere are rewriting what it means to “settle down.” Tune in as we talk identity, hobbies, style, and ambition—proof that motherhood didn’t make you basic, it made you limitless. 💌 Got something to say? We...

Diana grew up first-generation Chinese American in a tiny NYC apartment, surrounded by family, ambition, and big expectations. Career-driven and navigating cultural traditions, she faced failures like not passing her U.S. Medical Licensing Examination and became the first among her siblings to marry outside her culture. In this episode, Diana shares how she pivoted, embraced motherhood in unexpect...

In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , host Diana flips the mic to co-host Tessie—who went from a free-range childhood in rural Arizona to raising (soon-to-be) five kids with heart, humor, and grit.  Tessie shares how growing up with brothers, helping in her family’s business, and working in a homeless shelter shaped her confidence, compassion, and perspective as a mom. She opens up about her j...

Everyone says “it takes a village.” Cool. So… where is it? We’re calling out the loneliness of modern motherhood and talking about how to find your people in a world that glorifies doing it all alone. Listen in as we trade guilt for grace and isolation for real connection—because your village might be closer than you think. 💌 Got something to say? We’d love to hear it! Drop us some Fan Mail here—...

Think your degree disappeared the day you became “Mom”? Think again. From biology majors decoding toddler rashes to English grads narrating Goodnight Moon like Broadway pros, this episode proves your education is alive and thriving in motherhood. We’ll laugh, reframe “wasted potential,” and celebrate every mom using her skills in unexpected ways. 💌 Got something to say? We’d love to hear it! Drop...

Tired of pretending to be the “always patient” mom? Tessie and Diana call out the myth that good moms never lose their cool. From gentle parenting guilt to real-life meltdowns, this episode gets honest, funny, and freeing. Patience is human—not perfect. 💌 Got something to say? We’d love to hear it! Drop us some Fan Mail here—tell us what you’re loving, share a mama moment, or just say hi! 🎧 Your...

Ever eaten a cookie in the bathroom just to get a minute of peace? Same. In this wildly relatable episode, Tessie and Diana confess the hilarious lengths moms go to for alone time—and why we shouldn’t have to hide to get it. From the “17 minutes of free time” stat to secret mom hideouts, we’re calling it what it is: survival. Tune in, laugh hard, and send us your best mom hiding spots! 💌 Got some...

What does it really mean when a mom says “I don’t work”? In this spicy and heartfelt Season 3 kickoff, Tessie and Diana unpack the assumptions, guilt, and hidden power behind stay-at-home motherhood. From identity crises to invisible labor, this episode reframes what ambition and purpose look like when your office is your living room. Featuring insights from Neha Ruch’s The Power Pause , this one...

Home Birth vs. Hospital Birth — The Unexpected, Hilarious, and Totally Unfiltered Truth In this episode of Pearls of Motherhood , Diana’s hospital birth took such a turn that the entire unit shut down, while Tessie’s home birth came with a clean-up scene straight out of a crime drama. We swap stories, compare pain scales, debate safety vs. comfort, and confess the moments no one puts in the glossy...

One of us was told she was miscarrying—without test results. The other became a mom through IVF. From false alarms to fertility clinics, we're sharing real birth stories, motherhood journeys, and how there's no one way to become a mom. Perfect for listeners navigating TTC, IVF, or pregnancy curveballs. 💌 Got something to say? We’d love to hear it! Drop us some Fan Mail here—tell us what...

Perfect moms don’t listen to this podcast—and we like it that way. We’re laughing through the mess, reframing the fails, and calling it growth. Forgot snack day? Lost the permission slip? Us too! Motherhood’s not a performance—it’s a beautifully chaotic ride. If you’ve ever felt like you’re messing it all up… you’re in the right place. 💌 Got something to say? We’d love to hear it! Drop us some Fa...

She’s a mom of two, an Army vet, and works in HR at Amazon—but her story is anything but ordinary. With Nigerian, Caribbean, and UK roots, now a U.S. citizen, she opens up about identity, grit, and raising kids across cultures and continents. This episode is packed with real talk, laughs, and major inspo for any mom chasing purpose on her own terms. 💌 Got something to say? We’d love to hear it! D...