The MomForce Podcast Hosted by Chatbooks

Vanessa just spent two and a half weeks in the Dominican Republic building a school with her son Declan, taking cold showers out of a garden hose, and coming home fearing permanently swollen ankles and asking herself a big question: "who am I now?" We talk about the weird whiplash of walking straight from that into an air-conditioned house and a "well-stocked Costco" — plus what happened when she...

In this episode, we chat about what it actually feels like to come home after time abroad (hint: air conditioning has never felt so good), a wild pickpocketing incident in Rome that took an unexpected turn, and why a cold Diet Coke is genuinely one of America's greatest gifts to the world. We also get into why World Cup social media has been one of the most surprisingly feel-good corners of the in...

In this episode, Julie and Sarah are joined by podcaster OG and sister to Vanessa, Erika Anderson. They discuss why we should all have vices and why motherhood especially requires us to sometimes just simply chill. They discuss the trend of "health maxxing" and why that isn't sustainable over a lifetime. And sometimes it's okay to just endulge every once in a while.   Get started on your Chatbooks...

In this episode, Julie and Sarah discuss the topic of women in the workplace. They share how attitudes have changed over time, what having female bosses looks like and how we can do better. It's an exciting episode that we can't wait to hear your thoughts on!

In this episode, the ladies share their feelings on Timothee Chalamet, riverdance, why nostalgia sometimes makes us sad, and how we can still find ways to embrace and be gracious to our old selves. You'll want to share this one with friends!   Father's Day Sale ends today! Start Chatbooking now!

On The MomForce Podcast this week, the ladies talk about how family fun sometimes has to be orchestrated and it's not always fun. Sometimes we simply have to do things out of obligation. And sometimes we have to keep fighting for it, because as Julie says, "when my kids are having fun, I'm having fun." Plus, Sarah shares her life's motto: if it isn't a good time, it's a good story.

We are SO GLAD if you've been around with us since the beginning! Happy 200! In this episode, Vanessa, Sarah, and Julie discuss how they'll reward themselves after making it through May. They also romanticize a simple summer. One where you don't have to do too much to still have a good time. It's the little moments like jumping on the trampoline, going out with the kids to the gas station, and fin...

Not to bring the mood down, but we can't always be positive! This week, Sarah and Vanessa start the podcast off with just a little wallowing, because what's motherhood and womanhood without a little time to complain about it? And in a crazy twist, Julie is there to bring up the mood! She gives some hard, but helpful advice: sometimes you actually might need to be doing more. We know, sounds crazy....

Julie and Sarah, who are the two youngest daughters, are coming into the episode today to sing the praises of their older sisters, while also picking a few bones because, hey, they're still the babies. Vanessa, the eldest of TWELVE children and FIVE sisters shares in her wisdom, and in true eldest daughter fashion claims that it was a "privilege" to be an older sister to younger sisters. Sarah and...

In this episode, the ladies celebrate how learning Mahjong has become an intentional ritual that has helped them log off and put their phones away. The intentional, forced slow down has reminded us that we're all craving community and connectedness, and that we have to be disciplined in order to achieve this.

Vanessa opens the episode with a story about Rudy—the dog she was watching for her son—and the unexpected lesson he taught her: sometimes we misjudge others until we take the time to truly understand them. From there, the conversation explores the shame many women carry around emotional regulation, especially in early motherhood, and what it looks like to grow through it with more awareness and co...

This week on the podcast, we're talking about the characteristics of confident people. We share how the way we were raised helps us understand and find an internal confidence. We also discuss some of the vulnerabilities that come with insecurities.   On this episode, Julie shares, "as a mom and a boss, something I always try to prioritize is to leave people more confident than you found them."

In this episode, we share how we were inspired by the Artemis II mission and what those astronauts learned while traveling to the dark side of the moon. One of the quotes that got us thinking was from Astronaut Jeremy Hansen. He said, "We're not always on the joy train, this crew, there are many times we're not on the joy train, but we are committed to getting back on the joy train as soon as we c...

This week's episode is all about coming home. Vanessa was in Paris last week and when she got back she was reminded that despite coming back to Utah where the inversion had settled in and the weather wasn't nearly as lovely as the beautiful Parisian spring, it was the excitement of being surrounded by her people that helped her to realize that the cliche, "home is where the heart is," truly made s...

When your child calls from school because they forgot their lunch or homework, do you rush to save the day, or let them face the consequences? In this episode, Vanessa and her sisters are tackling the tough question of when saying "no" is actually the more loving choice. They reflect on their own family experience with "parallel work" — being available to help, but only when asked — and explore ho...

In this episode, Vanessa is joined by her sisters as they tackle a question many parents quietly wrestle with: are we spoiling our kids, or simply loving them well? From sharing their own "Cinderella story" childhood memories and the differences between oldest and youngest siblings, to reflecting on modern pressures like TikTok unboxings and overindulgence culture, they explore where generosity ca...

If you grew up in the '90s or early 2000s, chances are The Care and Keeping of You played a starring role in your introduction to puberty—especially if no one at home was talking about it. For so many families, those conversations were awkward, avoided, or skipped altogether. But what if they didn't have to be? In this episode, Vanessa is joined by Julie Taylor as they ask the question: how can we...

Vanessa is joined in this episode by her four sisters! They chat about real scenarios that have happened both when they were in school as children, and to their own 30+ children that they have amongst them. The discuss how they react as moms when they get a call from the school about a child's behavior and how to not immediately jump into protective mode while still making room for discipline. The...

In this episode, Vanessa is joined by writer, author, content creator, and host of the Be There in Five podcast, Kate Kennedy. Together, they explore how the things we love, like pop culture and trends to hobbies and nostalgia, can help us better understand ourselves and connect with others. Together, they talk about curiosity, empathy, and why certain interests that are often dismissed as "silly"...

In this episode, Vanessa is joined by her daughters, Laken and Claire, for an honest, thoughtful conversation about Christmas: what makes it magical, and what so often turns it into work. Together, they reflect on childhood memories, evolving traditions, and the pressure to make everything "just right." They talk openly about perfectionism, anxiety, and OCD, and how the holidays can intensify spir...

The teenage years bring big emotions, shifting boundaries, and a new kind of loneliness for moms. With kids' stories becoming more private, we explore the big question: how do we find support without oversharing?  Ashley Reeves joins Vanessa in this episode as they dive into vulnerability, safe friendships, resilience research, and why a strong community isn't just good for moms—it's protective fo...

Vanessa is joined by her sisters in another episode where they discuss the sneaking out hijinks they all got up to in a family of 12 kids as well as how they deal with their own families' stories of teens sneaking around. They wrestle with the big question: how do you trust your kids and let them have their own freedom while also protecting and doing your duty as a parent when it comes to curfews,...

Growing up, Vanessa's family was basically two animals away from running a full-on zoo—but parenting with pets? That's a whole different story. In this episode, she sits down with  Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt —New York Times bestselling author, animal advocate, and mom—to ask the big question: Are pets really worth it? They talk about the beauty and chaos of raising kids (and animals), how pets...

Have you ever felt lonely—even when your life is full of people? Vanessa has too. In this solo episode, she opens up about the sneaky kind of loneliness that shows up when you're busy doing everything for everyone else and the friendships that fill your soul get pushed aside. From comparing yourself online to craving real connection, she's getting honest about what it feels like and what she's doi...

Few things are scarier for a mom than handing over the car keys—and then getting that phone call. In this sister episode, Vanessa and her sisters swap stories about teen drivers, fender benders, and what really happens after the crash. From how their parents handled it back in the day to what they're doing now with their own kids, the sisters get real about fear, forgiveness, and finding the funny...