That's Total Mom Sense

In this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, Kanika sits down with psychotherapist and TODAY Show contributor Niro Feliciano — a mom of four and author of All is Calm(ish) — to talk about finding calm in the chaos. They dive into why we over-schedule our kids, how to redefine success in family life, and why peace isn’t about perfection. Niro shares her personal story, lessons from therapy, and pract...

In this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, host Kanika Chadda Gupta sits down with Erica Komisar, a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, and author of Being There and Chicken Little the Sky Isn’t Falling. Together, they unpack the science of secure attachment and why a parent’s emotional availability is the most important gift we can give our children. Erica shares her SECURE framework — a pract...

On this episode, Kanika interviews fellow podcaster on the Evergreen Network, Haven Weits. Her show Haven! is a safe space for curiosity and conversation especially when it comes to relationships. Together they dive into various dynamics, particularly those between mothers and daughters. Haven shares how she cultivated a strong bond with her mom, Lisa Whelchel, 80s sensation on the hit show “Facts...

What happens when a mother and artist dares to reimagine the entire canon of Western art through a new lens—one that centers Black womanhood, power, and divinity? In this inspiring episode, host Kanika Chadda Gupta sits down with Harmonia Rosales, the Afro-Cuban American artist redefining beauty and rewriting history with every brushstroke. From her reimagined Renaissance masterpieces to her breat...

Struggling with bedtime battles? Sleep consultant Courtney Zentz, founder of Tiny Transitions, shares proven tips to help babies, toddlers, and parents finally rest easy. Sponsored by Naturepedic, the leading organic mattress brand for families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the cleaning products in your home helping or harming your family? On this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, I sit down with Kristi Lord and Lindsay Droz, co-founders of L’Avant Collective, a luxury plant-based cleaning brand that’s changing the way we clean. We dive into the toxic chemicals in everyday products, why parents need to pay attention, and their journey of building a wellness-driv...

Sheila Lirio Marcelo, the founder of Care.com and visionary behind Ohai.ai, joins Kanika to discuss how technology can ease the mental load of modern-day caregiving. Sheila opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of creating accessible family care solutions, and how her latest venture uses AI to streamline household management. Whether you’re a parent juggling it all or someone...

What happens when you mix a stargazer’s heart with a scientist’s mind? Meet Dr. Emma Louden — astrophysicist, President of Slooh, and author of Mia and the Martians. In this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, host Kanika Chadda-Gupta sits down with Emma to talk about her journey into space science, why girls belong in STEM, and how we can encourage curiosity and wonder in our children. From decodi...

What does it truly mean to be happy—and how do we make time for it amidst the chaos of daily life? On this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, I sit down with one of the most influential observers of human nature, Gretchen Rubin. She’s a five-time New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, and The Four Tendencies and host of the beloved Happier podcast. We explo...

Cutting the apron strings is never easy — but it’s exactly what Ellen Marie Bennett did to grow a $300 idea into a multimillion-dollar apron & kitchen essentials company, Hedley & Bennett. In this episode, we talk about her Mexican and English heritage, taking imperfect first steps, scaling without outside funding, staying scrappy, and balancing the roles of founder, chef, TV personality, and mom...

In this second installment of Kanika’s interview with Anuradha Nehru, we hear from the team behind Kalanidhi Dance - Executive Director & Artistic Director Daniel Singh, Managing Director Lavanya Thamire, and Assistant Artistic Director Pragnya Thamire. They share how they’re keeping the ancient art form alive with younger generations on why they have devoted their lives to dance. WEBSITE: ⁠Kalani...

In this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, host Kanika Chadda-Gupta—herself a trained Kuchipudi dancer—sits down with her revered teacher, Anuradha Nehru, founder and artistic director of Kuchipudi Kalanidhi along with the team. Together, they explore the sacred art of Kuchipudi, the journey of preserving ancient Indian traditions in the modern world, and how the discipline of dance intertwines wi...

In this very special live recording of That’s Total Mom Sense, host Kanika Chadda Gupta brings together community, culture, and conversation at OASES House in NYC. Joined by Sonam Sangmo (Partner and Creative Director of OASES) and Radhika Batra Shah (Founder of Radhika’s Fine Teas & Whatnots), the panel explores what it means to be authentically South Asian living abroad, while honoring the origi...

How do we eat healthy when we’re constantly on the go — juggling kids, work, and travel? In this Food for Thought episode, registered dietitian and media personality Brigitte Zeitlin shares realistic, no-BS nutrition strategies for women who want to feel good in their bodies without restriction. Brought to you by 1st Water by Akvile, this conversation is your roadmap to guilt-free, on-the-go welln...

Women's health is often overlooked — but nature offers powerful tools to support it. Kanchan Koya, molecular biologist and founder of Spicewell, shares how everyday spices can balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and fuel families. Plus, practical tips for cooking with kids and building a healing kitchen. MEET MY GUEST: WEBSITE: https://www.spicespicebaby.com Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

Childhood obesity and eating disorders are on the rise — but there’s a better way forward. Dr. Erika Siegel shares her holistic wellness philosophy, gut-healing food tips, and what every family should know. Plus: the Clean 15, Dirty Dozen, and her favorite remedies from her herbal medicinary. MEET MY GUEST: WEBSITE: https://www.nourishme.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

EMBED AUDIO HERE Danielle spent over a decade crafting brands behind the scenes. What came next? Saying yes to her own vision—and learning how to juggle businesses, babies, and boundaries in the realest way possible. Danielle is a designer, creative director, strategist, educator, brand mentor and founder of award winning, California-based branding and packaging studio, Designsake. She started her...

What does it take to lead a global restaurant empire — and raise two daughters with intention and grace? In this episode of That’s Total Mom Sense, Kanika sits down with powerhouse attorney and CEO of Tony Roma’s, Mohaimina “Mina” Haque, who shares her remarkable journey from the White House and DOJ to scaling a global franchise in the UAE and Malaysia. Mina opens up about how AI is transforming t...

As a child of immigrants, do you feel conflicted about your cultural values and your modern day beliefs? Are you navigating what you want to pass on to your kids and what you want to end with you? Today I’m joined by Sahaj Kaur Kohli, my family friend and a celebrated author, therapist, #WashingtonPost columnist, and founder of @browngirltherapy, the first and largest mental health and wellness co...

In this episode of That's Total Mom Sense, Kanika Chadda Gupta sits down with Sunaina Sinha Haldea, a trailblazing leader in private equity, to discuss her journey from a cosmopolitan childhood to becoming a mindfulness advocate and a devoted mother. Sunaina shares life-changing lessons in emotional resilience, the importance of meditation, and how to trust your intuition in both business and pare...

What does it take to lead a company—and your family—with clarity and conviction? In this episode, I sit down with powerhouse executive and mom Garima Shah, who shares her inspiring journey in fintech leadership, lessons from the startup grind, and how she redefines success at work and at home. From handling imposter syndrome to building strong company culture while raising kids, this conversation...

When Deb Looney left her high-powered career in advertising, she wasn’t running away — she was coming home to herself. As the founder of Loopwell, a women's wellness community in Montclair, NJ, Deb is reimagining what it means to gather, reflect, and heal in a chaotic world. In this fireside chat recorded live at our women’s retreat, Deb shares her journey from burnout to bold reinvention — and ho...

If we sleep for one third of our lives, wouldn’t it be ideal to sleep on an organic mattress where we’re not breathing unnecessary toxins? In this episode, Kanika Chadda Gupta interviews Arin Shultz, Chief Growth Officer of Naturepedic. Discover why organic mattresses are crucial for families looking to create a healthier sleep environment. With alarming statistics showing that conventional mattre...

Join Kanika Chadda-Gupta on That's Total Mom’s Sense for a dynamic panel discussion on Moms, Media, and Marketers in 2025: Redefining Parenthood in the Digital Era. Hear from Meredith Steele, Gabrielle Blair, Tina Cartwright, and Shannon Doherty as they explore the future of parenting content, digital community-building, the role of AI, and the evolving landscape of parenting media. Tune in for an...

Parenting today means guiding our families through a fast-changing digital world. As leaders in this space, we help parents feel informed and confident about raising kids with technology. Join journalist Kanika Chadda-Gupta, Meta’s Head of Global Safety Antigone Davis, and psychologist Dr. Aliza Pressman for a candid conversation on digital parenting. They’ll share expert insights and practical ti...