The Real Family Eats: Dishing on real parenting struggles and favorite recipes

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this compelling episode, Sara Hall—Spanish teacher, mom of two, and author/podcaster—joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to discuss the complexities of raising mixed-race children. Drawing from her own experiences growing up in a mixed-race household, Sara shares how she navigates parenting challenges, especially when her children face situations she can’t personal...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this insightful episode, Jessica Good, LPC, EMDR Certified Therapist™, and mom of one, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to explore the journey of reparenting while raising a child. Jessica opens up about her recovery from an emotionally immature upbringing, sharing the grief, yearning, and determination to break generational cycles and create a healthier family...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this heartfelt episode, Kelly Parker, mom of one and Marriage and Family Therapist, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to share her emotional journey through pre-eclampsia and having a NICU baby. Kelly opens up about the fear, frustration, and challenges of coping with a pregnancy complication and the struggle of feeling like her body “failed” her during this crit...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Celeste Hamilton, mom of two and Co-Owner of Hamilton Homes and Loans, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to discuss the complexities of disciplining children and navigating parenting without a handbook. Celeste shares how she and her partner worked through outside pressures to balance discipline with mindfulness for their kids' health and well-...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Rachel, mom of two, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to share her journey of navigating life as a single parent to a child diagnosed with Type I diabetes. Rachel discusses the fear and challenges that come with managing serious medical needs, including some scary close calls, and how she worked to establish a “new normal” for her family. As they ex...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Melissa Donald, doula and mom of two, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to explore the challenges of parenting when reality doesn’t match expectations. Melissa shares how the birth of her second child, with a completely different temperament from her first, reshaped her understanding of parenting. She opens up about the toll isolation and unexpected...

Send us a text with your feedback here! Join Reesa Morala, LMFT, mom of two and owner of Embrace Renewal Therapy & Wellness Collective, as she shares parenting struggles, tips, and insights alongside guest host Amanda. In this episode, Reesa opens up about the challenges of parenting a high medical needs child, including when her first baby stopped eating at three months old. She dives into ho...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Ignacio Corona, dad of two and Director of Merchandising at Adobe Maison, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to share his parenting journey and lessons learned. Ignacio opens up about modeling flexibility in gender roles for his daughters, taking on traditionally female-presenting roles to support his wife’s career, and breaking cultural and generati...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Dommie Shaun, mom of two and owner of Dommie Shaun Health and Wellness Coach, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to discuss the challenges and emotions of parenting adult children as they transition into independence. Dommie shares her experience navigating the grief of children moving out, redefining her role as a parent, and supporting her kids as...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Doctora Amanda Corona, mom of two and Director of Corporate Partners at UCSD, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to discuss the challenges of balancing a full-time career and full-time parenting. Amanda shares her experience navigating parent guilt, societal pressures to become a stay-at-home parent, and the sacrifices she made to honor her professio...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Sarina Chan, LMFT (she/her), and mom of one, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to discuss the challenges of navigating early parenthood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sarina shares her experience of facing unexpected changes to her birth plan, managing the isolation and loneliness of new motherhood, and dealing with the compounded fears brought on by...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Tanya Reinhofer, teacher and mom of three adult children, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to share her journey of navigating single motherhood. Tanya opens up about her experience going through a divorce while raising young children, balancing the demands of full-time work, and managing the feelings of loneliness and isolation as she carried the w...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Andy Pollock, dad of one and Culinary Marketing Chef at Mezzetta, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to share his journey of parenting through the challenges of rejection. Andy opens up about his struggles with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and learning to navigate his child’s moments of rejection while maintaining connection and support. As they exp...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Jamie Lauren, mom of two and middle school teacher, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to share her powerful story of resilience as a parent. Jamie opens up about receiving a breast cancer diagnosis while raising young children, navigating a divorce, and becoming a single mother. She discusses the toll of treatment, the struggle to balance self-care...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Andrea Knox, LMFT, mom of two, and author of You'll Bounce Right Back: The Motherhood Myths That Fail Us and the Tools We Need Instead , joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to discuss the realities of transitioning into parenthood. Andrea shares her journey of confronting the gap between her expectations of parenting and the reality she experienc...

Send us a text with your feedback here! In this episode, Samantha Alloway, mom of three and Executive Director of the Arc of Illinois, joins Reesa Morala, LMFT, to share her heartfelt journey of parenting an autistic child. Samantha discusses her experiences advocating for her child’s rights, even in the face of resistance from medical professionals, and the resources and strategies she found alon...