Mom Halo

About Mom Halo

You are listening to the Mom Halo podcast. This sweet ear candy will serve up laughs & aha moments as we talk to best-in-class thought leaders-these folks are dropping gems of genius. I am Alana Kayfetz, a fun freckled fearless millennial mom of 3 kiddos. I love to introduce you to your ideas and people that will rock your world while laughing out loud because that is the only way to get through the daily grind of parenting. Plug in your earphones and let’s go get them!

Publisher

alana kayfetz

Category

business · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

2 Mar 2022

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

109 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten? Independence Skills That Matter, with Melissa Markus

   Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten? Independence Skills That Matter, with Melissa Markus Melissa Markus has taught kindergarten in the public school system for over 14 years. She is a mom of three, the creator of The Kindergarten Mom on social media, and the author of the new children's book Confidence in Kindergarten. In this episode she explains how to get kids ready for the big first day, and why self-help skills matter more than knowing letters and shapes. We talk about what parents struggle with most, from toileting to separation anxiety, how Melissa wrote her book in the notes app on her phone and found her illustrator on Fiverr, and what she learned teaching an integrated kindergarten program in a children's hospital. She also shares how she grew her account, why being silly is the best classroom management tool, and the backpacks, markers, and lunch containers she recommends. Key takeaways:- Independence and self-help skills come before academics: shoes, backpack, lunch containers, toileting, sitting through a story.- Practice these skills at home, at a calm time, not while rushing out the door.- Hype up kindergarten: visit the school, talk about friends and the playground, and let your excitement be catching.- Bring learning to life through play, drama, and silliness. That's what kids remember.- Pick gear your child can open and close alone, whatever the price. ──────────────────────────────TIMESTAMPS──────────────────────────────00:00 Introduction to Melissa Markus01:58 From teacher to children's book author04:13 What parents struggle with before kindergarten06:08 Why independence and self-help skills matter07:47 Inclusive classrooms and her hospital teaching years09:55 Growing The Kindergarten Mom on social media13:02 What's next14:54 Favourite classroom activities and experiential learning17:00 The power of silliness and play18:51 Common parent questions and misconceptions about independence21:06 Advice for first-time kindergarten parents23:05 Tools and gear Melissa recommends31:09 Confidence in Kindergarten and where to buy it32:57 Closing thoughts ──────────────────────────────CONNECT WITH MELISSA MARKUS──────────────────────────────Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenmom/TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thekindergartenmom ──────────────────────────────RESOURCES MENTIONED──────────────────────────────Confidence in Kindergarten (book + skills checklist) → https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1067502033Also available at Indigo.ca, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-MillionHer gear picks: Pottery Barn backpack (largest size), Crayola washable markers, Sistema and Bee Box lunch containers, Thermos water bottles ──────────────────────────────ABOUT MOM HALO──────────────────────────────Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood. The messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. #Kindergarten #KindergartenReadiness #ParentingTips #IndependenceSkills #ChildrensBooks #TeacherMom #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

2. 

   13 Jul 2026

   The Art of Decluttering: How to Simplify Your Home and Life

   Professional home organizer Stephanie Haghani has seen inside more overflowing basements and toy closets than she can count — and her diagnosis is refreshingly simple: most of us don't lack systems, we just have too much stuff. In this episode, Stephanie shares practical strategies for decluttering, managing kids' belongings, and building a home where everything has a place. We talk about the consumer culture that keeps our homes overflowing, why minimalism is hard but worth it, how to teach kids organizational skills early, and the emotional work of letting go of sentimental items. Plus: the first small step to take if your house feels out of control (hint — grab a timer and one bag). ────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS ────────────────────────────── 00:00 — Introduction to Stephanie Haghani and Her Expertise 00:36 — Common Household Challenges Faced by Busy Families 02:15 — The Importance of Decluttering and Being Intentional 04:10 — The Cultural Influence of Consumerism and Overbuying 06:12 — The Challenges of Minimalism and How to Approach It 08:43 — Managing Kids' Belongings and Teaching Responsibility 14:00 — Transforming Problem Areas Like Basements 22:11 — The Future of the Home Organization Industry 35:42 — First Steps for Starting Your Decluttering Journey 43:52 — How to Find and Work with a Professional Organizer ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE HAGHANI ────────────────────────────── Website → https://neatandtidywithstephanie.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/neatandtidywithstephanie/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/neatandtidywithstephanie ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. Website → https://momhalo.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/ #HomeOrganization #Decluttering #Minimalism #ProfessionalOrganizer #MomLife #HouseholdSystems #TidyHome #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

3. 

   28 Jun 2026

   From Family Garage To Global Impact: A Leadership Journey with Jay Rosenzsweig

   Jay Rosenzweig has built a life at the intersection of law, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and advocacy — and in this episode, he brings all of it to the table. From growing up inspired by his family's entrepreneurial spirit to leading a global executive search firm and championing women in leadership, Jay shares hard-won insights on risk, purpose, and what it really means to lead. We talk AI breakthroughs, health innovation, the art of balancing a dynamic career with fatherhood, and why — in Jay's words — the real wealth is learning to cherish life itself. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Introduction to Jay Rosenzweig03:47 — Navigating Leadership in Uncertain Times05:29 — The Intersection of Art and Business08:56 — Entrepreneurial Journey and Influences12:22 — Taking Risks in Entrepreneurship17:06 — Supporting Women in Leadership20:24 — The Evolution of Women's Representation24:11 — The Role of AI in Business and Health31:41 — Fatherhood and Parenting Insights40:48 — Outro CONNECT WITH JAY ROSENZWEIG Website → https://www.jayrosenzweig.comInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/rosenzweig_company/ ABOUT MOM HALO Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #WomenInLeadership #AI #HealthInnovation #Philanthropy #Fatherhood #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

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Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.