Welcome to Mom Brain, Big City — the podcast where motherhood meets mayhem in a NYC apartment. I’m Morgan: first-time mom, chronic oversharer, and lifelong overthinker surviving on hours-old coffee and vibes. Each week, we unpack the chaos of new motherhood — from postpartum anxiety to pumping, poop debates, and midnight Googling. If you’ve ever cried in the dark with a pump strapped to your chest… this one’s for you. New episodes every Wednesday. 💕
Are We Raising Kids Addicted to Screens? with Megan Kiefer
This week on Mom Brain, Big City, I’m talking with Megan Kiefer — mom of two, media literacy educator, founder of Take Two Media Initiative, and author of the upcoming book The Take Back.
We talk about screen time, dopamine, overstimulation, boredom, and what it actually looks like to raise kids in a world that is literally designed to keep us glued to our phones.
This conversation gets into:
the addictive design of social media and technology
what Megan started noticing in students around 2018
how screen time affects kids (and adults)
why boredom is actually important for children
finding balance without fear-mongering or shame
what “healthy” technology use can realistically look like for families
We also talk honestly about the reality of modern parenting — because sometimes the iPad is survival mode, and sometimes the TV is on so you can unload the dishwasher in peace.
Whether you’re super strict about screens or just trying to figure it out as you go, this episode is such an important and nuanced conversation for parents right now.
🎙️ Follow Megan:
Instagram: @megankief
Take Two Media Initiative: @taketwomediainitiative
And if you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to follow, rate, and share Mom Brain, Big City with another parent who’d love this conversation.
1 May 2026
Motherhood, Military Life, and Raising Kids in Japan with Angela Gilmore
This episode is such a special one.
This week on Mom Brain, Big City, I’m joined by Angela Gilmore — a military spouse, mom of two, and incredibly talented photographer who is currently living in Japan with her family.
We talk about what it actually looks like to raise kids while moving around the world, navigating long stretches of solo parenting during deployments, and building a life (and a business) in the middle of constant change.
Angela shares what surprised her most about military life, what it’s like raising kids overseas — including the parts of Japan’s culture that completely changed her perspective on parenting — and how she’s built and rebuilt her “village” in different seasons of life.
We also talk about:
parenting without a traditional village
the reality of solo parenting during deployments
raising independent kids in a different culture
building a photography business while moving frequently
how motherhood has shaped her identity and priorities
This conversation is honest, eye-opening, and such a good reminder that there’s no one way to do motherhood.
1 Apr 2026
Writing a Children's Book While Raising Two Kids in NYC with Jenn Cruzado
This episode is for every mom who’s ever had an idea and thought, “When would I even have time to do that?”
This week on Mom Brain, Big City, I’m joined by Jenn Cruzado — mom of two, full-time educator, and now children’s book author.
We talk about what it actually looks like to write a book while raising kids, working full-time, and navigating the chaos of everyday life. Jenn shares how the idea for her book Coco! Cherry! Mango! came to life, what surprised her about the self-publishing process, and how motherhood shaped both her creativity and her perspective.
We also get into something I didn’t expect to hit so hard — the stories we tell (and don’t tell) about New York City. From Harlem to Washington Heights, Jenn talks about why it matters to show kids that these neighborhoods are still vibrant, creative, and full of life today — even if that’s not always what they see.
In this episode, we talk about:
Writing a book while raising two kids
Finding time for creativity as a working mom
The realities of self-publishing
Motherhood and identity
The importance of representation in children’s books
Why you should explore your own city more
If you’ve ever felt like your ideas had to take a backseat to everything else — this one’s for you. You can follow Jenn's work on Instagram @authorjenncruzado, and you can find her book in your local bookstores and libraries!
18 Dec 2025
Grieving While Becoming a Mom
In this solo episode of Mom Brain, Big City, I’m sharing a heavier story about grief, postpartum, and learning how to hold joy and loss at the same time.
Two weeks after Mateo was born, I lost my Granjo, my grandma, my confidant, my hype girl. A month later, I also had to say goodbye to my soul dog, Athena, in a way I never expected. All while navigating the physical recovery, hormone crash, sleep deprivation, and emotional whiplash of early postpartum.
This episode is about what it feels like to grieve when the world expects you to be “so happy.” About missing the people and pets you want to call when something big happens and realizing you can’t. About making impossible decisions while freshly postpartum. And about the quiet, complicated ways grief shows up when you’re becoming a mom.
If you’re in a season of loss, if postpartum felt heavier than you expected, or if you’ve ever had to grieve while still showing up for someone else, I see you.
Please take care of yourself while listening, and come back to this episode when it feels right.
As always, thanks for being here. I’ll see you soon, after bedtime.
18 Dec 2025
A Very Overdue Voice Note
It’s been a minute, and today’s episode is basically a long, overdue voice note from me to you.
In this surprise solo ep, I’m catching you up on everything: officially weaning, the emotional whiplash of ending my pumping journey, sleep regressions + separation anxiety kicking my ass, and the very real feelings that came with Mateo turning ONE (tears were shed LOL).
We’re talking identity shifts, hormones, leaking boobs, gentle sleep training still working and still being hard, and the strange pressure of feeling like you need to “perform” on social media just to share something you love. I get honest about why I went quiet, why this podcast is still for me, and why I’m done forcing content that doesn’t feel authentic.
I also touch on the Cardi B x Bobbie formula ad drama, with nuance, because feeding babies is not a one-size-fits-all conversation and privilege plays a bigger role than people want to admit.
If you’ve ever felt proud and heartbroken at the same time, burned out but grateful, or like motherhood cracked you open and rebuilt you into someone new… this one’s for you.
Thanks for being here. More to come — see you after bedtime 🤍
19 Oct 2025
Feeding Babies with a Supportive Breast Friend: Feeding Real Talk with Shelby Nelson
What if we talked about feeding without the pressure, guilt, or judgment?
This week, I’m joined by Shelby Nelson, mom of two, almost-IBCLC, and the creator behind @supportivebreastfriend — the Instagram page that’s helping moms feel seen in their breastfeeding, pumping, and formula-feeding journeys.
We talk about Shelby’s own experiences with feeding, the myths she’s constantly debunking online, and why every feeding story deserves to be celebrated — no matter what it looks like. Plus, she shares more about her new podcast, Supportive Breast Friend, where she interviews moms about their unique feeding challenges and triumphs.
Grab your pump parts or your coffee and listen in — this one’s for every mom doing her best to feed her baby her way. 💕
24 Sept 2025
You’re Not Doing It Wrong: Baby Sleep Edition—What sleep training actually looks like with Samantha from Hello Little Sleeper
If your baby isn’t sleeping through the night and you’ve found yourself wondering, “What am I doing wrong?” — this episode is your reminder that the answer is: nothing.
I’m joined by Samantha from Hello Little Sleeper (https://www.hellolittlesleeper.com), the sleep consultant who helped us after Mateo hit a major regression post-illness. We talk about what sleep training actually looks like when it’s responsive and tailored to your baby — no harsh rules, no cry-it-out pressure, and no mom guilt.
Samantha shares why baby sleep isn’t linear, why regressions are normal (but exhausting), and why you’re not a bad parent if you need help figuring it out.
We also get into:
💤 What it’s like to work with a responsive sleep consultant
🍼 Why every baby (and family) needs something different
🤯 Late-night Google spirals and sleep-anxiety panic
🫠 Why you are not a failure if your baby isn’t sleeping “perfectly”
—
Connect with Samantha:
📲 Instagram: @hellolittlesleeper (https://www.instagram.com/hellolittlesleeper)
🌐 Website: hellolittlesleeper.com (https://www.hellolittlesleeper.com)
—
Follow along @mombrainbigcity for more honest convos about motherhood, sleep, identity, and everything in between — straight from a tired NYC apartment.
17 Sept 2025
Mom Brain Meets PT Brain: Milestones, Mayhem & Motor Development with Kelsey McDonald
What actually matters when it comes to baby milestones? And what can we stop spiraling over?
This week, I’m joined by Kelsey McDonald from Playful Movements, a pediatric physical therapist and mom of two, to talk about all things motor development — what’s normal, when to worry, and how to support your baby without buying another $200 item. We also chat about the wild ride of parenting two kids, what PTs wish more moms knew, and the pressure to hit milestones “on time.”
Also... warning: Mateo had a lot to say this episode — you’ll hear him chiming in — and we get a surprise guest appearance from one of Kelsey’s daughters, because babies make the rules around here.
Let’s get into it 💗
28 Aug 2025
This One's for the Due Date Girls: Finding Your Village Postpartum
They say it takes a village… but sometimes that village is a group chat full of internet strangers who now know more about your boobs and your baby’s poop than your own family.
In this episode, I’m sharing the story of how a random Facebook group turned into a 13-person lifeline of moms who’ve carried me through postpartum — from sleep regressions and pumping panics to late-night voice notes and “is this toast okay?” questions.
We met over due dates. We stayed for the real talk, the emotional support, and the daily chaos of motherhood.
If you’ve ever felt alone in this season, this one’s for you, too. 💗
5 Aug 2025
Getting My Pink Back: Motherhood, Body Image, and Feeling Like Me Again
Postpartum identity crisis? I’m in it.
This week, I’m talking about the weird in-between space of becoming a mom and still trying to feel like me. We’re getting into body image, biker shorts, breastfeeding logistics, and the emotional whiplash of seeing old pics of yourself and thinking, “Damn… she had no idea.”
Plus:
🍼 A Cribside Confession involving rectal thermometers and pee (don’t ask)
🔍 What I Googled: goat milk formula + daycare prep spiral
🎤 And the concert no one asked for: my personalized Bingo remix, performed live from the hallway at work
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and wondered who you are now — you’re not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong.
27 Jul 2025
Motherhood Radicalized Me... More: The world feels heavier now that I have a baby in it
I’ve been quiet the past couple of weeks. Not because I didn’t have stories to share, but because the world has felt too heavy to ignore. This isn’t a regular episode — it’s a pause. A moment to sit with what’s happening in Gaza, across the U.S., and around the world… and how it hits differently now that I’m a mom.
I talk about the emotional whiplash of stressing over my milk supply while watching other mothers have nothing to feed their babies. I read a poem by Rachel Beachy that’s been living in my head rent-free. And I remind myself — and you — that this isn’t political. It’s human.
Mentioned in this episode:
🕊️ Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund – https://www.pcrf.net/
✍️ Poem by @rachelbeachywrites on Instagram
Regular episodes will be back soon. But I couldn’t move forward without first saying this.
11 Jul 2025
Working Mom Brain & the Invisible String: The Identity Shift of Going Back to Work After Baby
This week, I’m unpacking the emotional tug-of-war that is being a working parent — and the identity shift no one prepares you for. I talk about my all-in relationship with work before Mateo, how becoming a mom changed my entire sense of purpose, and the bittersweet reality of loving both my job and my baby so deeply it hurts. Plus: Matt went back to work after paternity leave and I’m not okay, Mateo added a plot twist to diaper changes, and yes — I Googled if Ms. Rachel counts as screen time. Don’t come for me.
Let’s normalize the mess, the love, and the invisible string that connects us to our babies even when we’re away from them.
Follow along on IG: @mombrainbigcity
And TikTok: @mombrain.bigcity 💕
Rate & review if you’ve ever cried on your commute 🫠
2 Jul 2025
Too Big for the Bassinet, Too Small to Let Go: Baby Milestones, Velcro Mom Feels & Outgrowing the Newborn Stage
Host Morgan discusses the emotional challenges of a baby outgrowing the newborn stage, including packing away clothes and transitioning from the bassinet, revealing both the beauty and difficulty.
25 Jun 2025
Planes, Poops, and Pumping at 30,000 Feet
Host discusses the challenges of air travel with a baby, including blowouts and pumping, highlighting the unpredictable nature of traveling with infants.
18 Jun 2025
Boobs, Bottles, & Burnout — My Feeding Journey: Pumping Struggles, Breastfeeding Expectations, and Postpartum Feeding Chaos
The host discusses her breastfeeding and pumping journey, sharing personal struggles, unexpected challenges, and the realities of navigating postpartum feeding expectations.
11 Jun 2025
The Night I Met Mateo: Emergency C-Section, Induction, and a Knotted Cord Plot Twist
Host Hilaria Baldwin recounts the unexpected emergency C-section and dramatic birth of her son Mateo, sharing the intense and surreal experience of a birth plan gone awry.
4 Jun 2025
Pee in My Hair & Other Things I Didn’t See Coming: Postpartum Chaos & Identity Shifts
Morgan, a first-time mom, shares her initial experiences navigating the chaos and identity shifts of postpartum life in New York City, revealing the realities of motherhood.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
14 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
20
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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