Rebuild

Getting kids to eat healthy foods can be challenging, especially when you're dealing with picky eating, busy schedules, and little ones who want nothing to do with vegetables! In this episode, we're joined by Chef Katie, founder of Katie's Kitchen Classroom, to discuss how involving kids in grocery shopping, meal preparation, and cooking can help expand their palates, build independence, and devel...

Finding time to exercise after kids can feel impossible, but it doesn't have to be all or nothing. In this episode, we share how we've adapted our fitness routines through motherhood, postpartum recovery, and challenging seasons of life. Chauntae also shares how she's prioritizing strength training and nutrition while navigating life with a baby in the NICU, and how these habits have become an imp...

Can women really have it all—motherhood, a career, a strong marriage, and a life of their own? In this episode, we unpack the complicated reality of work and motherhood, from the importance of the early years and parental leave to childcare costs, changing family dynamics, and the pressure women feel to do everything. We also explore entrepreneurship as a flexible alternative for moms and discuss...

What does taking care of yourself look like when life feels completely overwhelming? In this episode, Chauntae shares an update on Elijah’s NICU journey and what she’s learning about navigating the emotional ups and downs of having a critically ill baby while recovering postpartum. We talk about lowering the bar during difficult seasons, identifying your “bare minimum” health habits, simplifying m...

We’re back with Episode 2 with a long-overdue life update. Alyssa shares what she’s been building with her new Home Operating System Playbook, and Chauntae shares the emotional story of the last few months—from Elijah’s hydrops diagnosis and fetal procedure to unexpectedly going into labor at 32 weeks and navigating life in the NICU. We talk about his recent health challenges, the emotional roller...

We’re back for Season 3 and we’re finally continuing our conversation with Dalia! In Part 1, Dalia shared her experience as an autism mom and the non-traditional approaches her family explored while trying to understand and support her son, Cairo. In Part 2, we continue that conversation with one of the more controversial pieces of her story: vaccines. Dalia shares her personal experience followin...

Receiving an autism diagnosis can leave parents feeling overwhelmed, scared, and desperate for answers. In Part 1 of this conversation, we sit down with Dalia Cline Arellano—a holistic health practitioner, nature school founder, and mother of two—to hear the story behind her son's autism diagnosis and the path that completely changed the direction of her family's life. After being told her son wou...

Motherhood has a way of teaching you lessons that no book, podcast, or parenting expert ever could. In this episode, we're sharing six of the biggest parenting lessons we've learned during these early years of raising little ones. We're not claiming to have parenting all figured out—we're simply sharing what's worked in our own homes and the mindset shifts that have made motherhood more enjoyable,...

Chauntae and Alyssa discuss the viral story of a YouTube couple who chose to terminate their pregnancy after receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis. As mothers, health professionals, and women who once identified as pro-choice, they share how their perspectives on abortion have evolved over time especially after Chauntae's own recent experience receiving a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis for her son...

In this episode, Alyssa dives into one of the most influential parenting books she's ever read: Hunt, Gather, Parent. Inspired by traditional cultures around the world, the book challenges many of the assumptions modern parents have about raising children and offers a refreshing alternative that can make family life calmer, more cooperative, and less exhausting. From getting kids involved in house...

In this episode of the REBUILD Podcast, hosts Chauntae and Alyssa open up about the emotional response to last week’s Down syndrome diagnosis episode, the overwhelming support from listeners, and how they’re navigating this season of life. The second half of the episode dives deep into Alyssa’s recent 16-week fat loss phase where she lost 15 pounds postpartum while maintaining muscle and strength....

In this deeply personal episode of the ReBuild Podcast, Chauntae opens up about one of the hardest seasons of her life after receiving the news that her unborn baby has Down syndrome. Alongside co-host Alyssa Vargas, the conversation explores grief, fear, motherhood, faith, marriage, and the powerful role of family support during life’s most vulnerable moments. Chauntae shares the emotional journe...

In this episode, Chauntae and Alyssa dive into the real-life challenges of motherhood, from surviving the first trimester with a toddler to navigating sleep regressions and shifting family routines. They unpack a powerful conversation around boundaries, family values, and modern parenting pressures especially when it comes to kids’ activities, social life, and screen time. If you’ve ever felt over...

In this episode, Chauntae and Alyssa pivot from a powerful conversation on motherhood and cultural narratives into a candid, informative discussion on pregnancy specifically the first trimester. From real-life experiences with fatigue, food aversions, and training struggles to evidence-based guidance on nutrition and exercise, this episode breaks down what women actually need to know. Whether you'...

In this episode, Chauntae and Alyssa dive the challenges boys are facing in today’s world and what it means for families, relationships, and the next generation. From education gaps and rising mental health concerns to fatherlessness and cultural messaging, Chauntae shares key insights from The Boy Crisis and breaks down why boys need different support, structure, and environments to thrive. Wheth...

Creating a functional and decluttered home environment is essential for supporting healthy habits and reducing stress. It involves setting up systems that make daily tasks effortless and creating a space that works for you, not against you. This approach leads to a lighter, easier, and more enjoyable life. Takeaways Functional home environments support healthy habits and reduce friction. Declutter...

Today we’re unpacking a question so many moms quietly carry: why does this feel harder than it should? Motherhood doesn’t just change your schedule. It changes your brain, your hormones, your nervous system, your identity, and how consistency actually works. 👉🏽Why does your old routine suddenly stop working? 👉🏽Why does the “what’s for dinner” question feel overwhelming at 4PM? 👉🏽Why can you...

Today we’re unpacking a topic that hits close to home for a lot of women: why someone else’s routine, success, or lifestyle can feel like a personal attack even when it isn’t. 👉🏽What does privilege actually mean? 👉🏽Where is the line between structural access and personal responsibility? 👉🏽And why do certain posts or routines trigger shame, comparison, or defensiveness? In this episode, we di...

In this episode, we sit down with Maria Alba, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and ADHD coach, to talk about how parents can stop relying on motivation and start building systems that actually work. Maria shares strategies for creating routines that reduce burnout, make daily life manageable, and help both parents and kids thrive. We dive into practical tips for modeling healthy behaviors, manag...

In this episode, we sit down with Maria Alba, a busy mom and private practice owner, to talk about her year-long transformation that goes far beyond weight loss. Maria shares how she rebuilt her strength, energy, and confidence after having a baby while balancing a toddler, running her business, and managing the ups and downs of motherhood. We explore the early mindset shifts, the role of habit bu...

This episode is for moms who take their health seriously but still feel overstimulated, reactive, and mentally exhausted at home. We explore how constant phone use affects your nervous system, patience, and connection with your kids, and why scrolling is not a discipline problem but a dopamine-driven habit. You’ll learn how small changes to your environment can lower stress, improve presence, and...

As we head into 2026, this isn’t about new goals, new diets, or another reset. It’s about letting go of the habits and beliefs that keep pulling you back to the same place every year. In this episode, Chauntae and Alyssa break down eight patterns that quietly sabotage progress, from dieting with an end date and chasing quick fixes to people-pleasing with food, calling your body broken, and obsessi...

This episode explains how simple, repeatable meal prep systems can save moms hours each week and significantly reduce stress. Rather than relying on motivation or willpower, it shows how consistent routines around food eliminate decision fatigue and make feeding a family feel easier and more sustainable. You’ll hear practical, high impact strategies like scheduling prep time, planning before cooki...

If you’re a mom feeling more emotional, anxious, or reactive than you want to be, this episode offers a powerful reframe: it might not be you- it might be your sleep. Alyssa and Chauntae explain how sleep deprivation impacts postpartum mood, hormones, weight loss, and immunity, and why so many moms feel stuck despite “doing everything right.” They break down the biology behind under-sleeping and s...

In this episode we break down Ikigai, your reason for being, and how it can guide you to a more intentional and fulfilling life. We walk through the four circles of Ikigai: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for and show you how to use them as a practical tool to uncover your unique strengths and purpose. We talk about spotting patterns across your...