We Didn't Turn Out OK with Jennie Monness

In this episode, I sit down with Cameron Rogers - longtime content creator, podcast host of Conversations with Cam, and mom of two boys. Cameron is as real as they come - unapologetically honest, refreshingly open, and someone who always has a way of making you think, “Wow, I feel the same way, but I never knew how to say it!” We dive into so many topics - starting with how Cameron has learned not...

Alexa Mufson is the founder and CEO of Alexa Leigh Jewelry and a mom of three - ages 9, 6, and 3. Before this episode, Alexa and I actually recorded one that got lost (I know!) - so this is our second take. Honestly, I welcomed the redo because I can get totally lost in conversation with Alexa. She’s so open to diving deep into parenting, exploring her own childhood, and coming up with tools that...

In this episode, I sit down with OG podcast host Lindsey Metselaar of We Met at Acme a a show where singles turn for unfiltered dating advice. Lindsey started her podcast at 27 after being dumped on her birthday, and now she’s married, a mom, and still telling it like it is. What struck me most about Lindsey is how grounded and confident she is, even just 15 months into motherhood. She’s figuring...

What happens when an empath and a behavioral analyst sit down for a conversation? An honest, and incredibly helpful discussion about the realities of parenting. In this episode, I talk with Mandy Grass - known as The Family Behaviorist -about the tools, tactics, and truths of raising children, especially when things don’t go as planned. We recorded this after a rough morning on my end, and I found...

I’m really excited about this episode — not just because I got to talk (and laugh a lot) with this amazing human, but because she’s about to release a book that is so important. Jyoti Chand, also known as Mamajotes, is a mom of three, a beloved social media personality, and now the author of the upcoming book Fitting Indian, releasing May 13. Order it now. Jyoti advocates for self-love, self-care,...

In this episode, I’m joined by Katie Sands - content creator, style expert, lifestyle influencers, and now, a mom.  It’s such a real and honest conversation about how motherhood reshaped her identity both online and off. Katie opens up about her IVF journey, the spiral of postpartum anxiety and OCD, and how even well-meaning messages from followers sent her into overwhelm during those early days....

In this episode, I sat down with the magnetic and insightful Julie Cole - Co-founder of Mabel’s Labels (a company I genuinely cannot live without), author, media personality, and mom of six. We covered everything from what it was like mothering six kids while pivoting from a career in law to starting her own business, to the messy, not-so-glamorous truth behind entrepreneurship. Julie shared how,...

Does balance in motherhood really exist? Are there enough hours in the day to get everything done without feeling like we’re constantly preoccupied? And what happens when the “ball” we drop is our child? Can we shift the reflexive “one second!” away from our kids and toward everything else instead? Is that even possible?  These are just some of the questions I explored with Elizabeth Baron, a psyc...

Have you ever wondered, Does this gentle parenting thing actually work? Am I being too passive? Is this really preparing my child for the real world? If so, you’re not alone. This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned what it means to parent “respectfully” in today’s world. Daniella Rabbani is a dear friend I met in the world of respectful parenting. We were both deeply inspired by the RIE...

The first First couple on We Didn’t Turn Out Ok and I learned so much! In this episode I sit down with my close friends Stephanie and Brett Gottlieb. Stephanie is a jewelry designer and entrepreneur known for her jewelry brand, Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry which she founded and is now the Creative Director of. You may know Stephanie for her social media presence, where she showcases her designs...

In this episode, I sit down with Brianne Manz, founder of the mom and lifestyle blog, Stroller in the City, to discuss the nuances of parenting three children in their pre-teen and teenage years. Brianne, a former fashion showroom owner turned full-time mom and content creator, shares her insights on navigating the emotional and mental challenges that come with raising kids as they get older.. I w...

In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Melissa Lavasani to hear her powerful journey through severe postpartum depression (PPD)—a journey that nearly ended her own life. Struggling with relentless despair and thoughts of ending her life, Melissa discovered something that not only saved her but changed the course of her life: psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in m...

In this episode, I sit down with Robyn Youkilis—speaker, bestselling author, and wellness expert for 16 years. Robyn is the founder and CEO of Your Healthiest You, a mom to two daughters (Navy, 9, and Dover, 3.5), and a new puppy. We dive into some of the less spoken about topics—like purposely waiting until her early 40s to have a second child (creating a 5+ year age gap), making herself a priori...

In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend Ali Bandier, a child and family dietitian and founder of Senta Health. Ali and I first connected during COVID in a virtual moms’ group, bonding over our shared philosophies on working with children. With an extensive background in pediatric nutrition, Ali has worked at some of the world’s most renowned clinics, including the feeding clinic at LA Chil...

In this episode, I sit down with Sabrina Rudin—founder of Spring Cafe, mom to three boys, and a true expert in clean eating and healthy living. She’s the mom everyone thinks of when it comes to non-toxic living, but what sets her apart is how she makes it work for her family without making her kids feel deprived. I was especially curious about how she approaches this lifestyle in a way that feels...

In this episode, I sit down with fitness and mindfulness expert Kristin McGee—single mom of three boys and an endless source of inspiration. Kristin shares how single motherhood has reignited her passions, allowing her to focus on them in a new and meaningful way. We dive deep into breaking the cycle of people-pleasing, exploring how we can support our kids in confidently saying no—even to friends...

In this episode, I sit down with one of the most respected experts in early childhood, Tovah Klein. I’ve admired Tovah since I first read How Toddlers Thrive at the start of my career, and I’ve had the privilege of knowing her firsthand over the years. Now, with her latest book, Raising Resilience, I knew I had to have her on to discuss a topic that has been central to both my work and my parentin...

In this episode, I sat down (okay, maybe dragged) my husband, Matt Monness—aka Matty Mo—to chat about the things in our kids that remind us of ourselves, and where those traits might come from. Unlike me, Matt isn’t exactly a talker when it comes to himself, so this episode is short but full of "gems." Here’s what we uncovered: Matt doesn’t like losing—and he’s here to remind us that being competi...

This was the very first episode I recorded! In this episode, I sit down with my friend Blake Dembling, a close mom friend, to tackle the topics that many of us find daunting—or even cringe-worthy—when it comes to discussing them with our kids. Blake and I each have two daughters around the same age, and she’s one of the few people I know who can talk openly and honestly about everything. That’s wh...

In this episode, I sit down with Neeti Narula, a yoga and meditation teacher and creator at Melissa Wood Health. Neeti is also a mom to son Lokan (5) and daughter Rooni (2). Together, we explore the common struggles parents face when their expectations for their children clash with where their kids are emotionally or developmentally—especially around topics like separation and trying new things. F...

In this episode I sit down with Neha Ruch, the founder of Mother Untitled, the first platform dedicated to discussing women taking career pauses and leaning into family life. Neha has two kids: Lyla, age 6 and Bodie age 9.  Neha and I talk about getting stuck on the "little things" that don’t feel so little in the moment—like when our kids insist on wearing certain clothing—and how we can project...

For the last two decades, I've worked closely with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents—listening, guiding and supporting families and their young children. I've connected with so many parents through my social media account, texts, calls, and leading moms' groups. When we have open, honest and vulnerable conversations—no matter who you are as a parent—that's how we connect, learn and...