COOL MOMS

"I didn't have role models of mothers who pursued their dreams..." shares Céline Semaan in our latest episode of COOL MOMS. The mother and founder of non-profit Slow Factory is no stranger to creating a life that aligns with joy and purpose for herself, her children, and global family. Listen in as we bond over scorpio energy, Céline's practices in progress through stillness, and her dedication to building a world decentralized from money and with accessible education for all.

"If I could daydream it, I could make it happen," shares Ryan Norville on our zoom call that felt like two old friends reconnecting. The artist and owner of floral design studio, Oat Cinnamon, never thought she would be working with florals for a living. The Harlem born mom of two spent the beginning of her career being challenged with balancing corporate life and her personal, spiritual practices. Norville chose taking the path of integrity and intentional growth when she decided to bootstrap her business. Listen in as Ryan and I spend much of the call giggling, discovering parallels between our life philosophies and professional trajectories, and what it means to dream in order to create.

Samantha Duenas aka SOSUPERSAM can easily be described as limitless. The LA based, multi-hyphenate started her entertainment career as a professional dancer supporting artists like Miley Cyrus, Kelly Rowland, and touring with The Cheetah Girls. SOSUPERSAM, who pulled her name from her previous time spent in the days of blogging, has over 10 years of international DJing experience. Sam, paving the way for the modern female DJ, has built a bridge between the DJ booth, red carpet, and major ad campaigns. Listen in as we discuss co-parenting as both step and bio moms, navigating nightlife in motherhood, and the power of the pivot.

If you don't know Alejandra LaPilusa, then you absolutely know her work. Her aesthetic genius and talent as a wardrobe stylist and designer has been the driving force behind many famous faces. Most notably, Alejandra styled SZA's SOS album cover and tour looks along with countless magazine covers, music videos, and much more. As if that isn't enough, LaPilusa is also the co-founder and designer for Year of Ours, a women's activewear brand. In the midst of all of that, the LA native is raising her son, loving her husband, not cutting corners, and finding ways to honor herself and her Latina heritage. Tap in to this LIVE episode full of emotions, laughs, and anecdotes on iconic fashion moments!

Some people you just know you will connect with. That has always been my inclination about Founder and Executive Director of Hike Clerb, Evelynn Escobar. In our LIVE recording, Evelynn and I dive into prioritizing and recognizing life's theme and purpose, rebelling against a daily routine, and honoring her younger self by committing to the liberation of Black, brown, and indigenous women. Get comfortable and listen in, because talking to Evelynn is like meeting an old friend for the first time. Stay tuned until the end for an intimate "Ask A Cool Mom" segment.

We are back at Soho Warehouse in Los Angeles for an exciting LIVE recording with the magnetic Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli. Not only does Brooke innovate marketing at Instagram, she has created and hosts a top 1% globally shared podcast, Naked Beauty. Tune in as we share stories around the restorative nature of beauty, what it takes to build a successful platform, and her innate freedom to post without monitoring the perceptions of others. Listen to the end for an insightful round of questions from our live audience for "Ask A COOL MOM". 

Laura Stylez always knew from a young age she wanted to work in hip hop, however she never desired to be a mother. It was always about her career. Tune in as Laura shares the iconic story of leaving LA for New York where she would find herself answering phones at a radio station and eventually sit at the helm of one of the most successful morning shows in the country. Stylez shares how she navigated a high risk pregnancy and postpartum in the midst of a pandemic. Laura also speaks to how with a supportive partner, unexpected friendships, her co-hosts at HOT 97, and under the tutelage of wildly talented titans of the radio: Monie Love, Steph Lova, and Angie Martinez, her community supports her success on and off the air. 

Excited to be rounding out the year with the innovative, multi-hyphenate Founder of TooD Beauty and single mother of three, Shari Siadat. After a pandemic, a baby, a divorce, and blooming into several new business ventures between the two of us, Shari and I pick up right where we left off pre-pandemic friendship. We get intimate and, of course, kooky talking all things spiritual wellness, shedding old versions of self, fears of starting a business in an oversaturated market, and why Shari and her TooD Beauty team developed the first biodegradable glitter makeup. Tap in and make sure to listen to the end for our "Ask A Cool Mom" segment with a question from our Cool Moms community! 

We are kicking off Season 3 with the visionary Beth Birkett. Beth is what many would call your fave's fave. As the Co-Owner of the lauded Union Los Angeles and Founder of Bephie Beauty Supply, she has been a fixture in the fashion and creative industries for decades. Stepping into the spotlight, Beth is adding "Co-Signer" to her accomplishments as a judge for HBO Max's The Hype. For Episode 31, Beth and I get personal talking about starting over when transitioning careers, success vs. the optics of success, raising teenage boys, and the conscious choice to move from behind the scenes to a star in the forefront. Tap in, because we are talking sh*t and gifting wisdom. 

We are kicking things off with our first episode of 2021 featuring the Co-Founder and CEO of Circumference, Jina Kim. Circumference is the future forward sustainable skincare line that utilizes root to leaf and back again. (They also have the most luscious moisturizer!) Listen in as Jina and I talk growing up honoring the daily ritual of Korean beauty, the value in implementing sustainable business practices, and her best takeaway from working with other brands.

There's so much to love about Carla Lalli Music. The mother of two, published cookbook author, chef, and Food Editor at Large of Bon Appétit has brought tremendous joy cooking on the screens of viewers globally. Tune in as we chat about how being Italian American informs how she parents, her upcoming cookbook, and her perspective on the public workplace changes at BA.

Tatianna Tarot is magnetic. Previously a professional dancer, the now Diviner, Iyanifa, educator and mama has deeply rooted herself in her spiritual practice. I came across her years ago on instagram where, among other things, she gives incredibly insightful daily tarot forecasts. Listen in as we discuss her modalities of spiritual practice, living in your purpose, and raising an attune child. Dive in as we laugh a lot! 

We welcomed US Congresswoman, Katherine Clark, for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district to COOL MOMS. Join in as Congresswoman Clark and I get honest about the lack accessibility to affordable childcare, the necessity to support women and mothers, and the legacy she is building toward everyday.

Jenné Claiborne is even more than meets the eye. The lauded vegan chef, mother, and author of Sweet Potato Soul Cookbook is a self made entrepreneur with an affinity for her southern roots. Jenné shares much of her world via her successful Youtube channel which she started as a fun way to share recipes with friends. Tune in as Jenné and I discuss how her family laid the foundation for her relationship with food, dissecting elitism within the vegan community, and how she continues to push herself to strive beyond her own expectations.  

LaTonya Yvette is a trailblazer. The writer, published author, mother of two, and advocate was one of the first Black women to make waves in the world of lifestyle blogging. Her passion for writing and inherent ability to galvanize community led the Brooklyn native to publishing her first book, Woman of Color: part memoir, part lifestyle guide.  We discuss what it means to be an open book with boundaries, restructuring family, and bond over the importance Black maternal health while getting candid about our own birth stories. Tune in, laugh and go deep with LaTonya and I. 

Hope Smith is enigmatic. Departing from a very successful modeling career, the beauty entrepreneur led a fairly private life before wedding her husband, billionaire philanthropist Robert Smith. It was in Hope's first pregnancy, the idea sparked to use modeling industry knowledge coupled with her formal background in cosmetic dermatology to formulate the answer to stretch marks. The brand MUTHA was born. Join us as Hope and I discuss the power in investing in yourself while still giving back, dismantling shame around surrogacy, what it means to be a white woman raising Black children, and inadvertently carving out her own identity in founding her skincare line MUTHA.

Jodie Patterson is an anomaly. The mother of five has co-owned New York's iconic, Joe's Pub; served as PR director for fashion designer Zac Posen; founded her own PR agency, and has launched two beauty brands. Everything changed when Jodie's then, 3 year old expressed that he was not a girl, but rather a boy. This propelled Jodie on a journey of learning and unlearning much of which she chronicled in her memoir, "The Bold World". Jodie now has dedicated her work to advocacy and educating community on subversive parenting. Listen in as Jodie and I have a refreshingly honest conversation about moving without fear, navigating life after divorce, and our obsession with rap lyrics. 

Atlanta native and multidisciplinary artist, BOSCO, is constantly evolving. From being a signed artist to starting her own record label and creative agency, SLUG GLOBAL, the multi-hyphenate utilizes her DIY tactics to define what success looks like for her. Join in as we talk how to not follow the rules, creating opportunity when one doesn't exist, and empowering her community all while ushering in her third trimester. 

We're back with a special live recording from The Wing SOHO in partnership with our friends at TUMI! Actor, Alysia Reiner, and Journalist, Collier Meyerson, join us to discuss the evolution of motherhood in media, what are societal and self-imposed expectation we place on how millennial motherhood should look and of course catching up on the latest since our last chat. Feel the energy of our live audience and tune in! 

We are kicking off the new year with a special edition episode - Motherhood: A Revolutionary Act recorded live at The Wing. For the first time, we bridged the gap between moms and women without children by inviting Hawa Arsala and Sarah Sophie Flicker to join us in conversation.The aim was the demystify motherhood, discuss how women with and without children can support one another and what does it mean to raise a child in our current political, social and environmental climate. Tune in and take notes!