I Just Have to Say with Laura Max

In the past year, I’ve fallen head over heels into the world of romance novels—and in doing so, I stumbled into an equally addictive universe called Bookstagram. That’s where I discovered Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone, a book that’s landed on countless “must-read” and “best of 2025” lists—and rightfully so. It also just became a USA Today bestseller!

I had never read one of Cara’s books before, but after waking up at 4 AM two mornings in a row just to keep reading Promise Me Sunshine, I knew I had to talk to the woman behind the magic. Getting to interview her felt like sitting down with the author of one of your favorite books and asking all the burning questions.

In this episode, Cara and I dive into:

• Her writing process and how she stays focused

• How she writes spice (I had to ask… what about your mom reading it?!)

• What makes a great romance novel

• Why romance can be deeply healing

• The impact of Bookstagram on modern authors

• And so much more!

Whether you’re a romance reader or just love a behind-the-scenes peek into the life of a bestselling author, this episode is such a treat.

Join me for my second interview with author Matt Brand as we dig into the life-altering moment he experienced that prompted him to transform his health, which he once thought of as "fine."

If you're wanting to transform or improve your own health and are unsure of where to start, this episode is a great place to begin your journey as Matt shares exceedingly practical tips for increasing vitality and making the most of this life we've been given.

You might be used to coming to this podcast for spiritual wisdom and parenting advice (and the occasional book review), but please stop everything because we have to discuss Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively.

On this episode on IJHTS with Laura Max, Attorney Taly Thiessen from Thiessen Law Firm weighs in on the legal drama none of us can stop reading about: what's happening now, and what we can anticipate happening next. Plus, her opinion (and mine) on what really happened behind the scenes.

75% of Americans are overweight or obese. The problem according to Justin Nault? We aren’t eating enough.

With nearly half a million followers on TikTok, nutritional therapist Justin Nault has acquired a massive following by relaying simple, mind-blowing truths about what we’re really putting in our bodies, why we really can’t lose weight and why our collective health is in crisis. If you think you’ve heard it all when it comes to obesity and our health as Americans, listen to this episode. We also discuss:

1. Why Americans eating more than 4000 calories/day in the 1930s weren’t overweight.

2. Why many Americans sticking to 2000 calorie/day diets and overworking themselves at the gym are.

3. How alcohol actually affects your metabolism

4. What Americans don’t know about seed oils

5. How to make meaningful health changes even if your routine doesn’t change

6. The real reason why 75% of Americans are overweight or obese

To learn more about Justin Nault, follow him on instagram @justinnaultofficial.

Why is it so important to have a present father?

What makes a good, present father in the first place?

What is the biggest reason we get into toxic relationships as an adult?

What do we lose control over when it comes to our own children if we don't do this one thing?

How do we learn to embrace our own worth and value if we had broken relationships with one or more parents?

In this conversation with Rabbi Shais Taub, we discuss the connection and difference between spirituality and religion, the reason and destructive nature of addiction, and power and importance of family and the resilience of the human spirit.

Feeling a little anxious? Wondering what's going to happen tomorrow or worried about next month or next year or even life after death? Join me for a conversation with Rabbi Mendel Mintz as we dive into Jewish wisdom that helps us navigate fear of the unknown and abounding complex dynamics within our country. In this episode, we discuss:

Election Day

Life after death according to Judaism

Why what we do here on earth really matters

What we can do every day to lift feelings of depression and anxiety

Jewish wisdom for mourning the loss of a loved one

Navigating antisemitism

This week, I sit down with designer and entrepreneur David Peck, whose story has roots in churches associated with the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) — yes, the same fundamentalist Christian organization made famous by the Duggar family. Known for its rigid beliefs around patriarchy, authority, and gender roles, IBLP shaped a very particular worldview for those who grew up in its teachings. David and I dive deep into our personal journeys, moving beyond the beliefs we were raised with and reflecting on the eye-opening experiences highlighted in Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets. We’ll explore how our political and personal views have shifted and how our evolving perspectives on faith, society, and politics have informed the lives we lead today. Whether you've seen the documentary or are simply curious about how early beliefs can change over time, you’re in for a thought-provoking conversation.

In this solo episode, I lighten things up with a fun comparison between Botox and Dysport before diving into something more profound—Yom Kippur. I share my own miraculous story from last year and unpack the true meaning of atonement for anyone who feels weighed down by guilt or shame. Whether you're Jewish or not, tune in for a fresh perspective on how to approach the year ahead with hope, real possibility, and a plan to make time for what matters most (even if you're juggling kids and a career).

Megan Birkel - a fan-favorite guest of mine and a fan-favorite in general - is used to asking her followers if they have any questions for her throughout the week. There's a reason for that: there's practically nothing this woman can't sell me, and following her has totally eliminated my need to spend hours scrolling through product reviews as Megan has proved herself as one of the most reliable sources for everything homegoods and homemaking (among many, many other things.) Her followers are used to watching her go through her day to day with fierce organization and that sort of magnetism that makes you search her profile just to see what she's up to if her stories aren't coming up first thing in your feed.

Recently, there's been no doubt followers are watching and curious about one major change in Megan's life: she's stopped drinking alcohol. In this highly-anticipated podcast, I'm asking Megan all of the questions about her alcohol-free journey: what prompted her decision to put down the booze, how it's changed her day-to-day and what she wants other moms to know about stress and the way we carry it. We also get into a great conversation about Smut, "Romantasy" and all the books we can't stop reading. Don't miss this hour-plus long candid conversation that you won't want to end!

I've been waiting to see the movie adaptation of "It Ends With Us" starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni for what feels like forever and last night, I finally got to see it on the night it came out! In this episode, I'm sharing my completely candid and detailed review (spoiler alert!) as someone who has read all 24 of Colleen Hoover's books. Watch the movie, then listen to this episode and send me a DM with your thoughts - I would love to hear them!

I met Catalina Gallegos on my first day of freshman year at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. 21 years later (!!!) she's coming on the podcast with her 10+ years of experience in research and the field of psychology to talk about how habit stacking and other happiness and productivity hacks have optimized her joy in life as a mother of three.

In this episode, we discuss:

How to really let go of "bad" habits

How to support ourselves in starting new, positive habits

Giving ourselves "cues" to do the things that are good for us

Miscarriage, pregnancy loss and surrender

Reframing the things we don't enjoy

Finding joy and time for ourselves when life is really, really busy

About a week ago, half of my social media shared the now-viral AI image with text that read "All Eyes on Rafah." The other half shared another viral AI image, "Where were your eyes on October 7th?" This contrast underscored our state of division as we find ourselves injesting more and more conflicting news on the war in Israel each day.

My guest on this podcast, Daniel Farber, lives in Jerusalem, Israel, and was there with his family on October 7th and on each day since. His commentary on how social media effects how we interpret war stems from his own personal experience, as well as a stunning experiment he conducted on instagram. Daniel served in the IDF and has extensive commentary on those videos you might be seeing of Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Tune in e to hear what he wants everyone to understand about what they're seeing unfold on TikTok, one 15-second video at a time.

Do you struggle to make big and small decisions?

Are you wondering if those signs life is giving you are real or imagined?

Have you gone through a major life change and want to hear about what you can look forward to in your next chapter?

In this chat with Julie Lauren, host of Hashtag No Filter, we're talking about signs from above, growth after major change, and how our lives have changed - and changed us - in the last few years.

I spent the month of May really swimming upstream as a parent. That's when I had a realization about parenting advice that I'm sharing with you today.

Smiling, happy siblings are the picture we see often when presented with family snapshots on social media and in holiday cards, but are siblings who get along really imperative to a functioning family? If your kids don't like each other, is there anything you can do about that? Blimie Heller returns to Look Ma' No Hands to give her perspective.

It's human nature to want what we can't have, but what if the influences around you actually make you think want things you don't actually want? This is a phenomenon called mimetic desire, and in his book "Wanting", Luke Burgis explores how mimetic desire can lead us down an unfulfilling path and also help us curate a life that genuinely brings us joy.

Look Ma' No Hands is BACK...and trust me, this conversation is all the proof you'll need to know it's better than ever.

In this first episode of Season Two, I'm welcoming one of your favorite guests, Megan Birkel of Willow Crowns, back to the podcast to discuss:

Zoloft and motherhood

What's really important in parenting (and what's really NOT)

The kind of mothering that really pisses us off

Meghan Markle (you don't want to miss this part)

and more!

Is cancel culture cancelling culture? How can we move forward in the face of hurt caused by another without writing them off entirely? Societally, can we move in a more constructive direction when opinions shock and surprise us? What can we do differently when it comes to strangers, friends, ourselves and our children? Rachel Tuchman, license mental health counselor from Long Island, New York, weighs in.

When it comes to relationships and marriages, kids are a total game changer. Often times, the advice we get about connecting and reconnecting with our partner or spouse once our children are born is unattainable or impractical, but in this episode, psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Miller is sharing practical, real-life and every day ways to strengthen your relationship with kids in tow.

A happy, calm family starts at the top (read: with mom.) If you've ever needed permission to put yourself first, and evidence as to why that actually helps everyone around you, this is the LMNH episode you can't miss.

Sibling rivalry is one of the biggest challenges in parenting, and Blimie Heller of Unconditional Parenting is here to help us navigate these complex dynamics and do what we can to contribute to harmonious relationships between our children.

Author and Washington Post columnist Meghan Leahy is back on the podcast today to give you some straightforward answers to your trickiest parenting conundrums, along with debunking some of what we're told about "getting on the same page" as our spouse and why being on different pages can actually be helpful in raising our children.

If you love hearing from Meghan like I do, check out her book "Parenting Outside the Lines," an Amazon Editor's Pick, here.

You've seen him on TikTok...now you can hear MrChazz on Look Ma' No Hands!

On this episode of LMNH, MrChazz talks all about his experiences teaching young children, what he learned and how and why he seeks to teach adults about all the best ways to interact with and nurture our kids. From letting go of perfectionism and being an "improvenist" to the true journey of changing our parenting ways for the better, I know you'll love what MrChazz has to say.

I had no idea what an "integrity child" was versus a "harmony child" when I first sat down to interview Blimie Heller, but once she started telling me about what each one was and what their differences are, my mind was blown. I can say with confidence that this episode changed the way I look at and parent my children on a daily basis, and so much of what I've learned from Blimie has made me a better mother and a happier person. I know you'll love what she has to say on this very illuminating episode of Look Ma' No Hands.

I had so much fun connecting with Megan Birkel in today’s episode of LMNH! Megan and I BOTH moved at the end of a pandemic year and I couldn’t wait to compare notes on the crazy adventure of relocating with two kids. 

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• Ending up where you least expected to after countless challenges...
• Prepping your kids for change and allowing them to feel their feelings (even when it’s super uncomfortable)
• How Megan found her new house (it’s an amazing story, really.)
• The Hive App and other developments at Willow Crowns
• Letting the good stuff in

To visit Megan's shop, head to willowcrowns.com or follow her on instagram @willowcrowns and @willowcrownsathome.

In this episode of LMNH, my old and dear friend from college, Hannah Therrien, shares about her journey of recovery in the areas of eating, spirituality + more and how that journey has changed her. To learn more about her services, visit her online at https://hannahtherrien.com/.

Today’s episode is a fun solo Q&A in which I answer some of my most-asked questions around moving to a new city, making new friends and settling into a 5000-person town after life in Houston, Texas.

I’m also addressing instagram fatigue (I’m feeling it, are you?), getting present and focusing less on what it all looks like, what I wish I did differently when we packed up our stuff to move here and my totally upside-down skincare routine.

In today's episode of LMNH, I'm interviewing the realtor who sold us our home in Basalt, Colorodo - Lisa Hatem! I am totally fascinated by the way the pandemic has changed where families (and individuals) want to live and what those changes have meant for real estate throughout the country, and Lisa weighs in on why families are choosing the great outdoorsm what her last year has been like and how long these changes might be sticking around for. Additionally, I intro this episode with a 15-minute check-in followed by a mini-meditation for anyone who feels overwhelmed by uncertainty, the "not-knowing" marked by 2020 and 2021, the recent trauma in Texas and parenting in general.

Amanda is an American born, London based Clinical Nutritionist, Mindfulness Expert & Yoga teacher specializing in all three of these areas in children & family units.

She has worked with children clinically for nearly a decade in nutrition and mental health, incorporating wellbeing protocols to help modify behaviour and teaching children and families how to be calmer, happier and stronger in the family home and in the school system.

She teaches social-emotional wellbeing in the UK school system and works as a consultant supporting schools to develop their wellbeing curriculum.  

In 2017, huge changes happened in Amanda's life: she confronted her alcohol issues and got sober, filed for divorce, and established a solid co-parenting relationship with her children’s father. She started a new relationship, this time with a woman.

During this period of transition, of huge change in her life, Amanda's priority was the emotional wellbeing of her two daughters. 

Her work as a child specialist yoga and mindfulness teacher meant that she was well placed to assist her children as they navigated their emotions and the change in family circumstances, and Amanda cites her work in mindfulness as a key way in which the family were able to communicate, manage their feelings and move through huge life changes in a positive way.

I interviewed Anna McKay in March 2020, right before the pandemic hit. It's the only recording of LMNH that I've ever lost, and I often wonder what it would be like to go back and listen to that conversation in light of everything we know now. Anna and I discussed how to change careers when you've become a parent and are realizing you have new priorities upon re-entering the workforce, but neither one of us knew what types of challenges parents would be facing only weeks after we spoke. In this episode, Anna sits down with me for a very different, equally valuable episode in which she outlines why people might be wanting to make a career change right now, how to go about doing it and how pandemic parenting has changed the way we work and live.

Image Consultant Natalie Weakly has taught me more than almost anyone I know about curating an ideal wardrobe, buying more of what you love and less of what you don't, finding the right pieces for your coloring and body shape and how to incorporate color and accessories into your everyday style. I LOVE all of her tips, tricks and recommendations that she shares on her instagram account @natalieweakly, and today on the podcast she's talking about some her favorite pandemic fashion hacks like:

• The one makeup product everyone needs when they're wearing a mask
• How to stand out on a zoom call
• The three people everyone should be following on instagram (a repeat from a previous episode that was SO worth repeating)
• How to use all those clothes you feel like you haven't needed since the pandemic started

and more!

One of my favorite mom-life hacks is having a closet I love to choose from almost every morning, a makeup routine that's approachable and a thorough understanding of what will actually look good on me if I order it online (because who has time for all of those returns?!) I've learned so much of this from Natalie and can't wait to share more of her wisdom with you on today's episode of LMNH!

Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D., is an award-winning author, renowned teacher and internationally recognized expert in childhood education and developmental psychology. She touches thousands of lives each year through live events. Over 2.5M of her top-selling books are in circulation, and Conscious Discipline has impacted an estimated 20M children. A pioneer in social and emotional learning, Dr. Bailey has a proven track record of success spanning more than 30 years.

If you haven't read the book "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up", you've probably heard of the hit netflix series "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" or at least grown familiar with her now-household sayings and questions like "do this spark joy?" In this very special episode of LMNH, I sit down with Houston's first-ever certified KonMari consultant as we discuss organizing your home, your life and your schedule. Plus, why the time it takes to truly organize and tidy a home pays us back exponentially. If you're surrounded in a mess and can't figure out why, or if your house is looking like the inner-contents of your brain on your most frantic day, listen to this conversation and learn more about how we can all effectively pair down our wardrobes, schedules and lives and live more fully and joyfully.