Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Cake For Dinner

This week on Cake for Dinner, I’m joined by Dr. Jordana Herschthal, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at The Herschthal Practice in Boca Raton, for a fun and fascinating conversation about all things skin.

From lasers and injectables to how expectations around aging have shifted through the years, Jordana breaks it all down in a way that’s approachable, insightful, and easy to understand. We talk about what’s worth your time (and money), the science behind today’s most popular treatments, and why subtlety is the real secret to aging well.

It’s an episode full of practical tips, expert advice, and a fresh perspective on how to care for your skin at every stage — without the overwhelm.

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

Today’s guest is Amanda Marino, founder of Next Level Recovery and one of the fiercest women I know. You might recognize her from A&E’s Intervention, but what I admire most is how she’s turned her own story into a mission to help others heal. She’s a mom of two, an unstoppable entrepreneur, and the definition of grit with heart.

Cake For Dinner is also available on Spotify and YouTube!

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott 

Follow Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/amandamarinoofficial/

Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

Join me for a deeply honest conversation with Braunwyn Windham-Burke — former Real Housewives of Orange County cast member, mother of seven, and a voice of unflinching truth on her journey to sobriety.

From life in the spotlight to the struggle behind closed doors, Braunwyn’s story isn’t one you’ll forget. We talk motherhood, addiction, identity, reinvention, and everything it takes to rise from the ruins of public scrutiny into the clarity of recovery. Whether you know her from Bravo or you’re just here for raw, real storytelling — this is for anyone who’s ever felt broken, misunderstood, or desperate for a second chance.

Tune in. Her journey is your permission to start again.

00:00 – Intro

05:25 – Hitting rock bottom & deciding to quit

10:00 – The accountability of reality TV

13:00 – Seven kids & sobriety during motherhood

15:00 – Sobriety, the pandemic, and sexuality

18:00 – Coming out later in life

20:00 – How kids responded to sobriety & divorce

23:00 – Motherhood, social media, and authenticity

30:00 – Advice for women hiding parts of themselves

31:30 – Confidence, faith, and self-esteem in your 40s

Cake For Dinner is also available on YouTube and Spotify!

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

This week we’re joined by Lisa Danielle Pastrich—single mom, founder of The Accessory Hoarder, and the styling curator behind La Strada Showroom. She makes accessorizing look effortless, but trust me, this episode is anything but polished—we’re digging into the raw, vulnerable conversations about mental health, single parenting, and the real hustle behind building something beautiful.

Cake For Dinner is also available on Spotify and Apple!

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

This week I’m talking with Carly Altier, founder of The Seed Coffee House and mom of five. She does it all and makes it look easy—but in this conversation, we get down to business, literally.

Cake For Dinner is also available on Spotify and YouTube!

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

This week on Cake for Dinner, I’m joined by Deanna Weilbacher, PA-C, from Hybrid Medical Solution. She specializes in hormones—and honestly, she’s the one who saved me from death by loss of estrogen. We’re talking hormones, peptides, sex drive, and all the things women deserve real answers about. Listen up, ladies—this one matters. 🎙️✨

Cake For Dinner is also available on Spotify and YouTube!

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

Dr. Samantha Saltz—affectionately known as Dr. Sam—is a double-board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist based in Boca Raton, FL. In our conversation, we talked about what she sees every day in her practice—the rise in teen anxiety, the pressures kids are under, and just how hard parenting can feel when your child is struggling with mental health. Dr. Sam’s empathy, deep understanding, and care for each patient are incredible, and she’s helped shape my own parenting in countless ways. She also got beautifully vulnerable, opening up about her own difficult journey to motherhood and the lessons she’s still learning as a parent herself.

Dr. Sam is extensively published both in academic journals and local newspapers. She has co-authored a chapter in Kaplan and Sadock, which is one of the most prestigious textbooks of psychiatry. Her expertise has been shared with her community on the radio and on television. She is passionate about psychiatry, mental health and the overall wellness of other people.

Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

Today I sit down with Suzanne Warye, author of The Sober Shift and host of The Sober Mom Life Podcast, to talk about what sobriety really looks like inside motherhood.

Suzanne opens up about the moment that changed everything — waking up from a blackout after unknowingly nursing her baby — and how shame, not alcohol, became the real thing she had to confront. Together, we unpack the truth behind mommy wine culture, the grief that comes with quitting drinking, and why sobriety isn’t about restriction — it’s about presence.

We talk on postpartum mental health, OCD, intrusive thoughts, people-pleasing, and the courage it takes to live authentically when sobriety costs you brand deals, relationships, and approval. Suzanne shares how getting sober didn’t make life easier — but it made it real.

If you’re a mom questioning your relationship with alcohol, feeling overwhelmed, or wondering if sobriety could offer something more, this episode will make you feel seen, validated, and less alone.

Follow Suzanne: https://www.instagram.com/suzannewarye Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Intro 02:10 – “Shame seeped into every inch of my body” 04:40 – The moment that ended moderation 07:10 – “I didn’t think sobriety was for me” 09:20 – Vulnerability, shame & telling the truth publicly 12:30 – Is sobriety about accountability or freedom? 15:40 – Why being sober and being a mom should go together 18:50 – Why people get uncomfortable when you don’t drink 22:20 – Sobriety as a superpower (and why it sounds ridiculous at first) 24:40 – Grief, loss, and learning to feel without numbing 27:45 – The “magically mundane” moments alcohol steals 30:00 – Why quitting drinking feels worse before it feels better 32:10 – Shame, childhood coping, and the root of alcohol use 33:40 – Postpartum OCD & intrusive thoughts explained 36:40 – Why OCD is often misunderstood in mothers 39:00 – Dancing sober, self-expression & freedom 42:00 – Getting out of your head and into your body 44:20 – Inadequacy, motherhood, and comparison culture 46:30 – What actually matters in parenting 49:00 – Modeling emotional health for your children 52:30 – How to talk to your kids about alcohol (without fear)

What happens when purpose matters more than fame?

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Caitlin Crosby — founder of The Giving Keys — shares her journey from growing up in Hollywood and working in acting and music, to building a global pay-it-forward movement that has employed over 150 people transitioning out of homelessness.

Caitlin opens up about body image pressures in the entertainment industry, the moment a homeless couple became her first business partners, and why words like hope, strength, and worthy can literally save lives. She also speaks candidly about single motherhood, resisting victim mentality, navigating trauma, redefining “happy endings,” and why service is often born from struggle.

This episode is a raw, honest exploration of meaning, resilience, faith, and what it truly means to give back — especially when life doesn’t go as planned.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, parent, creative, or someone searching for deeper purpose, this conversation will move you.

Follow Caitlin: https://www.instagram.com/caitlincrosby/ Follow The Giving Keys: https://www.instagram.com/thegivingkeys/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More About Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Who Is Caitlin Crosby? Growing Up in Hollywood 02:30 – The Birth of The Giving Keys & the Pay-It-Forward Model 03:30 – Acting, Music & Why Fame Was Never the Goal 05:45 – Body Image, Photoshop & the “Love Your Flaws” Movement 08:00 – Why Human Connection Matters More Than Performance 10:15 – The Homeless Couple That Changed Everything 12:30 – Employing People Transitioning Out of Homelessness 13:15 – Single Motherhood, Hustle & Resisting Victim Mentality 16:10 – Trauma, Compassion & Being ‘Chosen’ for Hard Things 19:00 – Daily Practices for Breaking Out of Victim Mentality 22:00 – What Is a “Happy Ending,” Really? 25:10 – Gratitude, Perspective & Defining Yourself Beyond Lack 26:10 – Launching The Giving Keys Foundation (501c3) 27:40 – Mental Health, Suicide Prevention & Giving Keys Away 30:40 – What’s Next: Speaking, Coaching, Music & Trauma Counseling 32:25 – Final Reflections on Service, Faith & Legacy

Today I sit down with Allison Walsh — author, entrepreneur, mental-health advocate, and founder of the She Believes She Could movement — sits down to share the raw truth behind her journey. From battling anorexia and bulimia as a teenager, to becoming Miss Florida, to building a career helping women turn their mess into their message, Allison reveals how vulnerability became her greatest strength.

Alongside her own story, Allison opens up about navigating her daughter’s severe eating disorder diagnosis — a mother’s worst fear — and how that chapter forced her to redesign her career, her priorities, and her identity.

This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, motherhood, authenticity, and reclaiming your voice. Whether you’re a parent struggling to support a child, a woman trying to find your purpose, or someone learning to step into your story, this episode will leave you changed.

What You’ll Learn: • Why authenticity is more powerful than perfection • How to turn your lived experiences into impact and purpose • The reality of parenting a child battling mental health issues • The importance of community, mentorship, and sharing your story • How to unlearn perfectionism and build a life that actually supports you

Follow Allison: https://www.instagram.com/allisonwalsh/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

Learn More About Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 Introduction 00:27 Parenting Kids in Recovery 01:02 Turning Your Mess Into a Message 01:31 The Origin of Her Eating Disorder Story 03:15 The Mentor Who Changed Everything 04:12 Accountability Through Storytelling 06:17 What Fueled the Eating Disorder 08:14 “I Was So Alone” 09:20 Outpatient Recovery & Survival 10:36 Finding Community in the Eating Disorder Space 12:05 When Her Daughter Got Sick 14:04 Hospitalization & Six Months of Treatment 15:19 The Hardest Chapter of Her Life 17:20 Redesigning Her Entire Life 18:52 Healing the Drive for Perfection 21:12 “Who Not How” — Building Support 22:37 The Power of Belief 24:42 Helping Women Shape Their Stories 26:17 Unlearning Perfection & Becoming Yourself 29:02 The Truth About Reinvention 30:55 Hard-Earned Wisdom Through Life’s Crises 31:31 Parenting Honestly & Imperfectly 33:15 Teaching Kids It's Okay Not to Be Okay 34:10 How to Turn Your Mess Into a Message 36:04 You Already Have a Personal Brand 37:10 Authenticity Wins Every Time 38:11 How to Work With Allison

Nadine Crocker is an actor turned filmmaker whose life story is nothing short of extraordinary. In this deeply emotional and raw conversation, Nadine opens up about her suicide attempts, her journey into sobriety, the generational trauma she had to break, and the passion behind her film Continue—based on her true story.

She shares: How addiction and suicidal ideation shaped her early life The moment that changed everything What sobriety has meant to her survival Why she had to walk away from toxic family systems How she raises a neurodivergent child with compassion and awareness The behind-the-scenes truth about writing, directing, and funding Continue The healing power of storytelling and vulnerability And how she’s turning her pain into purpose through her nonprofit work

If you or someone you love struggles with mental health, this episode is a lifeline. If you’re a creator, this episode will inspire you to make the work that scares you. If you’re human, this episode will move you.

Trigger Warning: Suicide, addiction, trauma, eating disorders.

Learn more and Continue the FIlm: https://www.continuethefilm.com/aboutus Follow Nadine: https://www.instagram.com/nadinecrocker/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Follow The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/cakefordinnerpod

https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 — Introduction 01:00 — Surviving a suicide attempt & why sobriety saved her life 02:23 — From Fresno to LA: chasing acting dreams 03:30 — Moving to LA alone at 16 05:07 — Landing Hannah Montana & early career struggles 06:45 — Raising money & writing a film no one wanted to fund 07:58 — Why great filmmaking requires risk 08:51 — Stigma, shame & the first film festival Q&A 10:26 — Using film to break the silence around suicide 12:33 — How her real life shaped the script 16:57 — What was fictional and what was real in Continue 17:44 — Her real mental health journey: AA, outpatient, recovery 19:12 — The authentic friendships that helped her heal 21:10 — Her husband’s role in the movie (and real life!) 23:55 — Parenting after trauma & the power of empathy 24:45 — Eating disorders, self-harm & darkness 26:30 — Advice for young girls struggling with depression 27:28 — Finding tools to get through tomorrow 29:18 — PTSD diagnosis & generational trauma 31:32 — How sobriety reshaped her life 33:14 — Boundaries, family separation & inner peace 35:18 — The team she built to stay healthy 36:37 — Emotional sobriety & community 37:30 — Parenting a neurodivergent child 41:22 — Coping with autism diagnosis + therapy journey 42:08 — Marriage, partnership & surviving together 47:00 — Nadine’s creative process: writing films in 5 days 48:09 — Her nonprofit + mission for mental health advocacy 49:02 — Turning pain into purpose

In this weeks episode, Kerry Coyle opens up about her emotional journey through stage 3 breast cancer, parenting as a single mom, the trauma of losing her own mother young, and the courage it took to rebuild her entire life from scratch.

Kerry shares how cancer became a breaking point and a turning point — pushing her to leave a 20-year career, launch two new businesses (The Curative & The Tox Delray), embrace vulnerability, and finally live a life aligned with who she truly is.

This conversation is raw, funny, emotional, inspiring, and deeply relatable for any woman who has faced adversity, motherhood challenges, divorce, or reinvention.

If you’re navigating your own transformation or healing journey… this episode may be exactly what you need. 💗

Follow me on IG : https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

00:00 – Introduction 03:11 – Discovering the Lump & Immediate Fear 05:45 – Double Mastectomy & Lymph Node Concerns 06:49 – Going Through Cancer While Dating Someone New 07:50 – Asking for Help During COVID Restrictions 09:46 – The Hardest Part: Parenting Through Cancer 11:38 – Determined to Not Look “Sick” 13:07 – Fear of Recurrence & Mental Health After Treatment 14:21 – How Cancer Changed Her as a Parent 15:44 – Feeling “The Best” During Treatment Through Lifestyle Changes 17:06 – Why Post-Cancer Was Harder Than Chemo 18:53 – Reinventing Her Life After Cancer 20:07 – Launching The Curative & The Tox 22:23 – What Lymphatic Bodywork Actually Does 25:33 – Finding Fulfillment in Her New Work 26:05 – Co-Parenting With Intention After Divorce 28:06 – Motherhood, Insecurities & Keeping It Real 31:26 – The Car Line Story You Have to Hear 33:52 – Letting Go of Perfection & Being Yourself 36:02 – The Cake Segment: Closing Moments & Laughter

On this weeks episode, we sit down with Amy Liu — founder & CEO of Tower 28 Beauty, mom of three, and one of the most authentic voices in the clean beauty space.

Amy opens up about the real journey behind building one of Sephora’s fastest-growing brands while navigating motherhood, marriage, identity, burnout, and the pressure to be “everything” to everyone.

From launching Tower 28 with a Shopify template and an iPhone… to dealing with imposter syndrome in rooms filled with powerhouse women… to raising kids inside the business…This conversation is a masterclass in founder grit, resilience, mothering while building, and choosing yourself — without losing what matters most.

If you're a mom building a business, a founder searching for purpose, or someone craving a real look behind the highlight reel… this episode will stay with you.

CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction 01:40 — The Eczema Story That Started Tower 28 04:04 — The Loneliness of Building Something From Scratch 05:51 — Why Amy Never Felt “Obsessed” With Makeup 07:59 — Imposter Syndrome at a Room Full of Founders 09:45 — The Unexpected Impact of Tower 28 on Young Girls 12:21 — Hustle, Grit & Building While Mothering 13:56 — Taking Four Years Off & Reinventing Herself 16:04 — The Moment Her Husband Said “Why Don’t You Just Quit?” 18:08 — Finding Her First Investor 20:25 — The Power of Saying Your Dreams Out Loud 23:14 — Launching Tower 28 With a Mood Board & an iPhone 24:38 — The Emotional Story of Her Friend Who Passed Away 26:47 — How Tower 28 Landed in Every Sephora in a Year 27:26 — Walking Into Sephora and No One Knew Her Brand 29:11 — Naming Tower 28 & Its California Roots 30:33 — Raising Kids Inside the Business 31:20 — How Marriage Became the Foundation for Her Success 33:04 — Building a True Partnership at Home 38:31 — Mom Guilt, Parties, Pressure & Perspective 40:06 — What Her Kids Think of Her Work 41:06 — Why Female Friendships Matter More Than Ever 44:23 — The Women Founders Who Inspire Her 45:41 — The Struggle to Be Present with Your Kids 48:04 — Clean Beauty Summer School & Giving Back 52:34 — Why Community Matters More Than Competition

Connect with Amy : https://www.instagram.com/amyliu_t28 Connect with Keesha : https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

Caroline joins Cake For Dinner for an unfiltered conversation about building Shop With Caroline, turning vulnerability into influence, and redefining success at 50. From hacked accounts to viral videos, this is a story of resilience, authenticity, and empowerment for women everywhere.

Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 03:00 – How Shop With Caroline began 10:00 – Building trust through connection 14:00 – Empowering women through social media 20:00 – Going viral and growing the business 28:00 – Family, boundaries, and partnership 33:00 – The cellulite video and self-acceptance 39:00 – Living freely and fully 41:00 – Jewelry, joy, and gratitude

Connect with Caroline: https://www.instagram.com/shop.with.caroline Connect with Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

Today we sit down with Allison Doss, author of The Unbossing, to share an unfiltered story of motherhood, addiction, loss, and redemption.

Allison opens up about losing custody of her two sons during the darkest chapter of her addiction — and the years of healing, faith, and surrender that followed. From her husband’s transition and her struggle with control to the miracle of rebuilding her family, this episode reveals what it truly means to let go and trust God’s plan.

If you’ve ever battled guilt, shame, or the weight of trying to fix everything as a mother — this conversation will move you, inspire you, and remind you that healing is always possible.

00:00 – Introduction 02:55 – Why Allison wrote The Unboxing 04:13 – When her husband came out as transgender 07:34 – Learning to let go as a mother 08:45 – Losing custody and rebuilding her relationship with her sons 10:25 – Finding purpose in recovery and sharing her story publicly 14:50 – Helping other women heal through honesty and humor 21:07 – Practicing grace and surrender as a mother in recovery 23:19 – How her husband’s transition led to spiritual awakening 26:30 – Sobriety, self-awareness, and living without shame 33:05 – Tattoos, symbolism, and the story of transformation 35:03 – Reflections on aging, motherhood, and gratitude 40:00 – Closing thoughts: purpose, surrender, and God’s timing

💬 Key Themes -Motherhood and addiction recovery -Letting go of control and finding faith -Rebuilding relationships after trauma -Shame, surrender, and self-forgiveness -Finding purpose through pain

Connect with Allison:

https://www.instagram.com/therealbossdoss Connect with Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

What if your best body — and your best self — come after motherhood? In this episode, Pamelyn Rocco joins us to break the myths about fitness, aging, and what it really means to be a strong, confident mom.

Pamelyn opens up about her personal transformation, balancing motherhood with self-care, and how women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s can still get into the best shape of their lives. From strength training and nutrition to mindset and self-worth, this conversation reminds every mom that it’s never too late to start — and you deserve to feel amazing in your own skin.

00:00 – Intro 01:15 – The moment she realized her old habits stopped working 04:00 – Losing muscle after 40 and how to rebuild it 06:15 – The mindset shift that changed everything 09:30 – Why strength training is the key to longevity 12:45 – Simplifying nutrition: macros for moms 18:30 – The emotional side of weight gain and self-worth 24:20 – Motherhood and rediscovering yourself 28:10 – What Pamelyn teaches her daughters about health 33:00 – How GLP-1s affect women’s health and muscle 38:00 – Small daily actions that lead to transformation 42:20 – Parenting, business, and balance as a single mom 45:00 – “Cake for Dinner” — self-compassion and motherhood

• Why moms over 40 can still be in peak physical shape

• The power of lifting weights and rebuilding muscle

• How to fuel your body with the right nutrition — not restriction

• Balancing self-care with parenting guilt

• Teaching your kids what healthy really looks like

Connect with Pamelyn : https://www.instagram.com/houseofpamelyn/

Connect with Keesha : https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott 

At just 29 years old — two days before her son’s first birthday — Ashley Catronio was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. What followed was a journey that would change everything: from facing chemo while raising a baby, to navigating marriage and self-worth as her body changed, to choosing not to undergo reconstructive surgery and embracing a new definition of femininity.

Ashley opens up about the raw realities of motherhood, identity, healing, and resilience. She shares the fears and guilt of parenting during treatment, the unexpected challenges of life after cancer, and how choosing joy and authenticity became her superpower.

This conversation is for every woman who’s ever felt like life knocked her down — and needed a reminder that strength isn’t about what we endure, but how we rise.

00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Cake for Dinner

01:00 – Meet Ashley: Mom, business owner, cancer survivor

02:00 – How cancer changed her approach to life and motherhood

04:40 – Diagnosed at 29: The shocking moment that changed everything

06:00 – Chemo with a baby: Motherhood through the hardest season

09:20 – Finding strength in motherhood and purpose in pain

13:05 – Vulnerability in marriage: “I told him he could leave”

14:11 – Why Ashley chose NOT to reconstruct after surgery

17:00 – Redefining femininity and self-worth after cancer

19:00 – Living life fully: Surfing, creativity, and saying yes

21:00 – Building Room Eight: Fashion, expression, and empowerment

27:42 – Life after cancer: The hidden struggles people don’t see

32:01 – Parenting wins: Raising resilient, emotionally strong kids

34:18 – Lessons learned and reflections on contentment

37:37 – Final thoughts: Choosing joy after adversity

Cake For Dinner is also available on Spotify and YouTube!

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott

Keesha Scott is the cofounder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company, where she oversees the Adolescent Program. She’s also a writer, podcast host, and mother of three. With a master’s degree in psychology and certification as a parenting coach, she blends professional expertise with real-life experience to support families and spark honest conversations.

What happens when caregiving, motherhood, and high responsibility push the nervous system past its limits?

In todays episode of Cake for Dinner, internist and addiction medicine physician Dr. Karen Flannery shares her personal journey through severe burnout — not just emotional exhaustion, but real, physical breakdown caused by chronic nervous system overload.

From debilitating migraines, TMJ, gut issues, thyroid dysfunction, and anxiety to the realization that “I didn’t know I had a choice,” Dr. Flannery explains how living in constant fight-or-flight slowly destroys the body — and how learning to regulate the nervous system changed everything.

This episode is essential listening for: -Mothers and caregivers feeling constantly “on” -Women in healthcare or helping professions -Anyone stuck in survival mode without realizing it -People dealing with chronic symptoms with no clear cause

This is not about doing more — it’s about finally learning how to slow down, regulate the nervous system, and heal from the inside out.

Read more about Karen: https://www.palmbeachwellnessinstitute.com/our-team/karen-flannery-m-d/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – A Doctor, Mother, CEO Wearing Too Many Hats 05:40 – Refusing to Practice “Walmart Medicine” 07:45 – Being There but Not Present at Home 09:40 – Caregiver Overwhelm & Motherhood Burnout 12:45 – Parenting a Child with Mental Health Struggles 16:00 – When Chronic Stress Turns Into Physical Illness 21:30 – Fight-or-Flight Isn’t the Problem — Recovery Is 22:50 – “I Didn’t Know I Had a Choice” 25:00 – Bottom-Up Processing & Survival Mode Explained 28:30 – Healing Without Medication or Procedures 29:45 – What Nervous System Regulation Really Means 33:30 – The Science of Caregiver Stress & Slower Healing 36:20 – Neurofeedback, Brain Mapping & Neuroplasticity 41:50 – One Simple Place to Start: Slow Down 44:30 – How to Connect with Dr. Karen Flannery

Divorce is often portrayed as destructive, bitter, and life-ending — but what if it doesn’t have to be?

In this episode of Cake for Dinner, we sit down with family and marital attorney Mara Bernstein to challenge everything you think you know about divorce. With over three decades of experience — and a deeply personal life story shaped by grief, resilience, and rebuilding — Mara shares a radically different, more human approach to separation.

This conversation goes far beyond legal strategy. We talk about why most divorces never need to go to court, why women initiate the majority of divorces, how finances and fear keep people stuck, and how purpose, vision, and self-trust are essential when rebuilding life after marriage.

This episode is for anyone navigating divorce, questioning a relationship, or standing at a crossroads wondering, “Is it too late to choose myself?”

Spoiler: it’s not.

Read more about Mara: https://marabernsteindivorce.com/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction & redefining divorce 01:20 – Why the traditional divorce system fails families 03:25 – Why judges don’t hear your full story 05:20 – 97% of divorces never go to trial — so why fight? 07:20 – Why women initiate most divorces 09:00 – Infidelity, pregnancy, and impossible decisions 11:40 – Why women struggle with finances — even successful ones 14:40 – The danger of being uninformed during marriage 17:25 – Divorce as life reconstruction, not a legal event 18:50 – Purpose, vision, and “reaching” for a new life 22:05 – “Divorce doesn’t have to be devastating” 24:00 – Anger vs. choosing how you live your life 27:00 – Trauma, empathy, and holding space for others 31:15 – Loss, grief, and rebuilding from rock bottom 37:20 – Reinventing life at 49 and starting over 41:00 – Rising for yourself, not just everyone else 44:05 – Prenups redefined as life-planning agreements 48:45 – Why private divorce creates better outcomes 50:05 – Gray divorce, menopause & bold late-life choices 52:20 – Final reflections & choosing yourself

In this episode, Dr. Lauren DeCicco, Doctor of Physical Therapy and holistic practitioner, breaks down one of the most misunderstood systems in the body: the nervous system.

She explains why so many people live chronically in survival mode, how stress shows up as pain, inflammation, gut issues, autoimmune conditions, anxiety, and burnout, and why traditional treatment often misses the root cause.

You’ll learn: -what nervous system dysregulation looks and feels like -how trauma and chronic stress get stored in the body -why moms and high achievers are especially vulnerable -the role of the vagus nerve and how to stimulate it -how hormones, menopause, and stress interact -practical tools you can use daily to regulate and heal

Dr. Lauren also shares her personal story of divorce, illness, and rebuilding her health by learning to shift her system from survival to safety.

If you struggle with anxiety, chronic pain, autoimmune issues, burnout, or you simply feel “wired and tired,” this conversation will make so many things click.

Shop at https://hoolest.com/ DRLAURENDPT- gives 10% off

Follow Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/dr.laurendeciccodpt/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction 02:45 – Dr. Lauren’s story: divorce, illness, and waking up to nervous system health 06:30 – How chronic stress shows up physically in the body 09:50 – Do you need big trauma to have a dysregulated nervous system? 12:30 – Childhood, attachment, and how regulation is (or isn’t) learned 15:00 – What it actually means to be “stuck in survival mode” 16:30 – Physical symptoms: tension, jaw clenching, inflammation, gut issues 19:30 – Parenting stress and living dysregulated for years 21:00 – The vagus nerve explained in simple terms 22:30 – What vagus nerve stimulation does in the body 24:30 – Practical ways to stimulate the vagus nerve at home 28:20 – Triggers, reactivity, and retraining your response patterns 33:00 – How stress contributes to autoimmune disease and illness 35:30 – Morning and nighttime routines to regulate your nervous system 38:30 – Using regulation tools before stressful situations 41:00 – Hormones, menopause, and shrinking stress tolerance windows 45:00 – How safety in the body unlocks deeper trauma healing 47:30 – Where to find Dr. Lauren and how to work with her

In this episode of Cake For Dinner, we talk with Paige Held, founder of Yoga Joint and host of Watch Me Grow. Paige opens up about:

growing up in chaos with addiction in her family creating Yoga Joint from nothing why discipline is her “love language" how yoga rewires the nervous system raising kids through struggle sobriety, motherhood, marriage, business and why most people don’t actually lack ability — they lack willingness

Paige explains why yoga is not just a workout, but a nervous-system reset that helps you think clearer, feel grounded, and stop spiraling.

If you’ve ever said: “I’m exhausted. I’m overwhelmed. I feel stuck.”

…this episode will hit home.

Follow Paige: https://www.instagram.com/paigeheldyogalift/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Introducing Paige Held & Yoga Joint 03:00 – Growing up around addiction and chaos 06:00 – Sobriety, alcohol, and why she stopped drinking 09:00 – Raising kids while breaking generational patterns 12:00 – Finding yoga at 16 and discovering discipline 15:00 – Social media perception vs real life 17:00 – Struggle, grit, and why doing hard things matters 19:00 – The science of yoga & the nervous system 21:00 – “Just show up” — why perfection isn’t required 24:00 – Yoga vs other fitness classes — what makes it different 27:00 – Building the Yoga Joint experience 30:00 – Intimidation, comparison & learning as a beginner 33:00 – Why frustration is part of growth 36:00 – Parenting, cushioning vs letting kids struggle 41:00 – Excuses vs action — tough love moment 44:00 – “Stop complaining — yoga will change your life” 48:00 – Medication, anxiety, overwhelm & the missing puzzle piece 51:00 – Sobriety parallels & simple life changes that work 54:00 – Female friendships, boundaries, and loyalty 57:00 – Marriage, partnership, and entrepreneurship together

What happens when your life unravels in front of millions — and you choose to rebuild anyway?

Gina Kirschenheiter opens up about motherhood, reality TV, divorce, sobriety, and what it really means to stay true to yourself while raising children in the public eye.

From accidentally landing on Real Housewives of Orange County to navigating heartbreak, co-parenting, and blended families, Gina shares how reality TV didn’t break her — it revealed her. She speaks candidly about choosing her kids over image, walking away from alcohol without labels, and raising kind, grounded children in a comfortable world.

No drama here — it’s about resilience, growth, and showing up as a real mom when the cameras are rolling.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to be perfect, stay quiet, or carry pain longer than necessary — this conversation will resonate.

Follow The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/cakefordinnerpod Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Follow Gina: https://www.instagram.com/ginakirschenheiter/ Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction Why this conversation with Gina Kirschenheiter is different 01:05 – Life Before Bravo Who Gina was before reality TV 03:45 – How She Accidentally Got Cast on RHOC Why she never tried to become famous 06:45 – Reality TV Didn’t Ruin Her Marriage How the show exposed what was already there 09:50 – Media, Fame & Clickbait Culture Why modern media narratives are dangerous 12:40 – Mom Before Glam Choosing homework over hair and makeup 14:45 – Parenting on Camera Discipline, boundaries, and real mom moments 15:50 – Letting Her Kids Choose Privacy Why her children are never forced to film 18:25 – Using Her Platform to Give Back Teaching kids empathy and responsibility 20:50 – Raising Kind Kids Without Trauma Why struggle isn’t required to build character 23:30 – Parenting Guilt & Privilege Giving kids what she never had 27:00 – Real Friendships on Reality TV Her bond with Emily Simpson 33:40 – Healthy Co-Parenting After Divorce Creating emotional safety for her children 36:25 – Why She Quit Drinking Sobriety without labels or rock bottom 41:00 – Facing the Pain Alcohol Was Covering Healing instead of numbing 45:15 – Blended Families & New Love What surprised her most about rebuilding 50:55 – Single Motherhood & Finding Support Again Why partnership matters 53:00 – Resilience, Self-Love & Identity Why documenting life is powerful 56:00 – Final Reflections on Motherhood What Gina hopes women take away

What if the thing you believe is protecting your relationship is actually what’s slowly destroying it?

In this episode of Cake for Dinner, couples therapist and author Colette Fehr joins the show to unpack one of the most misunderstood relationship patterns: conflict avoidance. Drawing from attachment science, her own divorce, and years of clinical experience, Colette explains why staying quiet leads to resentment, emotional distance, anxiety, and even physical illness.

This conversation is especially powerful for women who are strong, capable, emotionally intelligent—and still find themselves self-silencing in their most important relationship.

We talk about: -Why avoiding conflict creates disconnection (not peace) -How resentment builds when needs go unspoken -The difference between “being quiet” and being avoidant -Why emotional intimacy requires vulnerability, not perfection -How attachment science explains our fear of hard conversations -Practical tools for communicating clearly without blame or reactivity -What to do when your partner doesn’t respond or meet you halfway

If you’ve ever thought “it’s not worth bringing up”, this episode may change everything.

📘 Colette’s book: The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations That Create Secure, Lasting Love -- https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book 📲 Find Colette on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ColetteJaneFehr

Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Colette’s personal story: divorce, self-silencing & starting over 03:30 – Why conflict avoidance feels safe—but isn’t 05:35 – Early signs you’re avoiding conflict 08:00 – Why strong, outspoken women lose their voice in relationships 11:00 – The cost of “keeping the peace” 13:00 – Self-connected communication explained 15:50 – Attachment science & why conflict feels threatening 18:00 – Where to start if you’ve avoided conflict for years 21:00 – The “negative partner story” & how resentment forms 24:10 – What to do when your partner doesn’t respond 28:00 – Staying vs. leaving: making empowered decisions 30:30 – Why hard conversations strengthen all relationships 33:00 – Where to find Colette & her book

What does it take to rebuild your life after losing everything?

I sat down with Hilary Musser—real estate broker, developer, entrepreneur, and one of the standout personalities from Netflix’s Palm Beach reality scene. From living a $40M lifestyle to starting over from scratch, Hilary shares the raw truth about independence, relationships, and what it really takes to build success on your own terms.

We dive into her journey through five marriages, the lessons she’s learned about love and self-worth, and how she rebuilt her career into a powerhouse brand—now selling $42M luxury homes in one of the hottest real estate markets in the country.

Hilary also reveals why West Palm Beach is becoming a new epicenter for wealth, how reality TV can be used as a strategic business tool, and why more women are choosing to reinvent themselves later in life.

Learn More About Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Follow Hilary: https://www.instagram.com/hilarymusserhomes/

00:00 Introduction 01:34 Hilary’s Upbringing and Family Story 02:01 Working 18 Hours a Day at 60 02:55 Why She Wants to Write a Book 03:35 The Independence Mindset 04:03 Rebuilding After Divorce and Financial Loss 05:24 How She Got Into Real Estate and Development 07:23 Hilary’s Early Career in Museum Sponsorships 10:07 Florida Real Estate Trends and West Palm Beach Growth 12:18 Palm Beach vs West Palm Beach 15:21 Inside Hilary’s $42.5 Million Luxury Home 19:23 What Five Marriages Taught Her 20:09 “Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater” 21:14 The Death of Her Son’s Father 23:18 Marriage, Parenting, and Difficult Endings 25:32 Why European Men Are Different 27:21 Her Relationship With Her Current Husband 28:37 How She Met Her Husband in Europe 30:02 Why Women Are Reinventing Themselves Later in Life 31:15 Why She Refuses to Settle 32:30 Confidence, Dating, and Attraction 35:17 Why She Said Yes to Reality TV 37:20 How Members Only Palm Beach Came Together 38:17 What the Show Really Represents 41:29 Drama, Friendship, and Public Perception 46:54 Will There Be Another Season? 48:15 What Reality TV Gets Right and Wrong 51:26 What Hilary Hopes People See in Her Story 52:42 Building a Brand Without Burning Out 54:00 Growing Her Social Media and Business 55:59 Where to Find Hilary

Former CNN journalist and podcast host Kanika Chadha Gupta joins the show to talk about parenting in today’s world, trusting your intuition, and raising resilient kids.

From her journey as an immigrant growing up in the United States to her career in broadcast journalism and motherhood, Kanika shares the lessons she’s learned about balancing ambition, parenting, and personal growth.

We dive into the biggest challenges parents face today — from over-scheduling childhood and participation trophies to learning how to let kids struggle and develop resilience.

Kanika also explains why parents need to trust their instincts, how guilt shows up for almost every parent, and why unstructured play and boredom may be the most important tools for childhood development.

This conversation explores how modern parenting culture has shifted — and how parents can find the balance between protecting their kids and allowing them to grow through life’s challenges.

Learn More About Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Follow Kanika: https://www.instagram.com/kanikachaddagupta/

00:00 Introduction 00:27 From CNN Journalist to Motherhood and Podcasting 01:50 Working Internationally in Broadcast Journalism 03:10 The Skills Journalism Taught Her About Parenting 05:18 The Art of Interviewing and Being Prepared 07:00 Trusting Your Parenting Intuition 09:00 Experts vs. Knowing Your Own Child 11:09 Different Parenting Styles for Different Kids 14:09 Learning to Let Go of Control as a Parent 16:22 Gentle Parenting vs. Overprotective Parenting 17:33 Growing Up with More Independence 19:50 Lessons From Childhood Independence 21:57 Why Kids Need to Struggle 22:51 Participation Trophies and Competition 25:13 The Parenting Struggle Everyone Shares: Guilt 27:00 Rupture and Repair in Parenting 29:50 Are Parents Over-Optimizing Childhood? 31:17 Letting Kids Quit Activities the Right Way 33:00 Instant Gratification and Its Impact on Kids 34:00 Why Kids Need Boredom and Free Play 37:15 Final Thoughts on Parenting and Community

In this episode I sat down with Alli Webb, founder of the iconic beauty brand Drybar, to talk about the real story behind building one of the most recognizable brands in the beauty industry.

What started as a simple idea — blowouts only — turned into a category-defining company and a billion-dollar business. But behind the success story is a much more human journey.

Alli shares the details that made Drybar explode, the intentional design choices that competitors missed, and the grit required to build a brand before social media existed.

We also dive into the personal side of entrepreneurship — parenting through difficult seasons, addiction recovery within the family, navigating divorce, and finding your identity after selling the company you built.

Now with her new brand Messy, Alli is on a mission to help women embrace authenticity and stop chasing perfection.

Learn more About Keesha and Cake for Dinner: https://keeshascott.com/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Follow Alli: https://www.instagram.com/alliwebb/

00:00 Introduction 01:52 The problem with “perfect” social media 06:06 Why being different matters in business 09:21 How Drybar started 09:43 Building a brand before Instagram 11:26 The customer experience that changed everything 13:14 The tiny details that made Drybar explode 16:04 What entrepreneurs can learn from Drybar 18:34 Parenting, struggle, and personal growth 20:07 Addiction, treatment, and family challenges 22:11 Why parenting never really ends 26:14 Letting your kids learn their own lessons 31:12 Building a business while raising kids 32:41 The pressure women face in entrepreneurship 35:32 Writing The Messy Truth 35:58 Selling Drybar and losing part of her identity 38:54 Loving the grind and designing your life 40:44 Why Alli created Messy 42:08 Embracing natural beauty instead of perfection 44:45 Final thoughts

Hilaria Baldwin joins Cake for Dinner for an honest, vulnerable conversation about motherhood, marriage, media scrutiny, and resilience.

From raising seven children in the public eye to navigating intense criticism and family trauma, Hilaria opens up about what it really takes to stay grounded when the world is watching.

In this episode, she shares: How she protects her children from media attention Parenting through tragedy and legal uncertainty The truth about clickbait culture Living with ADHD and raising neurodivergent kids Why you’re the “CEO” of your child How to stop watering negativity and focus on growth

This is a powerful conversation about strength, vulnerability, and finding peace in chaos.

Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott/ Follow Hilaria: https://www.instagram.com/hilariabaldwin

00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Raising 7 Kids in the Public Eye 04:30 – Paparazzi, Social Media & Protecting Her Family 08:30 – Female Competition vs Female Support 14:00 – Marriage Under Media Scrutiny 16:30 – Parenting Through Tragedy 20:00 – Explaining Hard Truths to Children 27:30 – Dancing with the Stars Experience 35:00 – Handling Public Criticism & Clickbait 40:00 – ADHD, Dyslexia & Neurodivergent Parenting 46:00 – Sobriety, Genetics & Breaking Cycles 52:00 – Advice for Young Moms 56:00 – Why You’re the CEO of Your Kid

Why do we struggle with negative thoughts? Is toxic positivity actually harming us? And why do 91% of people fail their goals every year?

Clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman breaks down Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a way that’s practical, relatable, and immediately usable. We discuss imposter syndrome, hustle culture, body image, self-doubt, and the science behind why your brain jumps to worst-case scenarios.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your thoughts, overwhelmed by comparison, or frustrated with setting goals you never reach — this conversation will change the way you approach your mindset.

You’ll learn: Why “feelings aren’t facts” The difference between toxic positivity and realistic optimism How to use CBT tools in everyday life Why body acceptance is more powerful than body positivity How to set SMART goals that actually work The evolutionary reason for negative thinking How to teach emotional resilience to your kids This is practical psychology for real life.

Get your copy of Dr Rachels Book : https://www.amazon.com/When-Life-Happens-Mindset-Confidence/dp/1394358563

Follow Dr Rachel Goldman: https://www.instagram.com/drrachelnyc/ Read more about the Dr Rachel Goldman: https://www.drrachelnyc.com/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction 02:45 – Feelings Aren’t Facts: Understanding CBT 06:30 – What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? 10:15 – Toxic Positivity vs Realistic Thinking 14:00 – Building a Coping Toolbox That Actually Works 20:10 – Hustle Culture, Comparison & Social Media Pressure 25:00 – Finding Your “Why” & Avoiding Burnout 30:45 – Body Positivity vs Body Acceptance 37:00 – Why Your Brain Defaults to Negative Thoughts 41:30 – Why 91% Fail Their New Year’s Goals 44:00 – SMART Goals & The Staircase Method 47:30 – Using CBT to Overcome Self-Doubt 49:30 – Teaching Emotional Tools to Your Kids 53:00 – Where to Find Dr. Rachel Goldman

What does it actually mean to raise strong, world-ready kids in today’s culture?

Lauren Magers — entrepreneur, mother of four, and creator of the Happy Life System — breaks down her philosophy of radical accountability, self-mastery, and anti-mediocrity parenting.

From overcoming an identity crisis as a former athlete to building a business empire while raising four children, Lauren shares how discipline, gratitude, and value-based leadership inside the home shape resilient, confident adults.

This isn’t soft parenting. This isn’t passive parenting. This is parenting as leadership.

We get into... Why most parents are accidentally raising entitlement The real reason teen mental health is declining Why identity should never be tied to achievement The power of gratitude journaling and daily rituals Why she bans video games in her home How to shift your child from victim mindset to ownership Breaking generational cycles through structure and values Why you’re not correcting behavior — you’re shaping greatness

If you care about raising disciplined, emotionally intelligent, high-character kids — this episode will challenge you and inspire you.

Follow Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenmagers/ Read more about the Happy Life Academy: https://www.instagram.com/thehappylifeacademy/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Identity Wrapped in Achievement 05:00 – The Athlete Identity Crisis 07:30 – Breaking Generational Cycles 10:30 – Maximizing Every Moment 13:00 – Fulfillment vs Success 16:00 – Pain as Opportunity 20:00 – Anti-Mediocrity Parenting 23:00 – Radical Accountability 26:00 – You Can’t Save Your Kids 30:00 – The Happy Life System Explained 33:00 – Master Thyself First 35:00 – The Morning Ritual Framework 38:00 – Gratitude & Affirmations for Kids 41:00 – Gamifying Discipline 45:00 – A Hard No on Video Games 48:00 – Substance Use & Culture 51:00 – Shaping Greatness, Not Correcting Behavior 55:00 – Is It Too Late to Change?

Rachel Johnson looks like she has it all — founder of a successful law firm, creator of a thriving wellness community, wife, mother of three.

But six months after her third baby, everything changed.

Rachel shares her experience with postpartum depression that didn’t show up immediately — and didn’t leave quickly either. What began as stress returning to work turned into a dark cloud she couldn’t shake. She didn’t want to decorate for Christmas. She didn’t want to get out of bed. She didn’t feel like herself.

This episode explores:

The reality of postpartum depression months after birth

What high-functioning depression looks like

Medication, therapy, and the stigma around both

How leadership changes when you’ve been knocked down

The role of friendship, marriage, and vulnerability

Why happiness isn’t something to take for granted

If you are silently struggling — or love someone who is — this conversation is for you.

Depression doesn’t discriminate. And it’s not forever.

Follow Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/rachbjohnson12/ Learn more about Ahmi Health: https://www.instagram.com/ahmi.health/ Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott Learn More: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Building a Law Firm & Launching Ami Health 07:00 – The Accountability Wellness Movement 13:00 – Why Postpartum Depression Doesn’t Discriminate 15:00 – Returning to Work After Baby #3 23:00 – When the “Dark Cloud” Hit 25:00 – What Depression Actually Felt Like 29:00 – The Yacht Trip Realization 30:00 – Success Doesn’t Protect You From Depression 34:00 – Are You Ever “In the Clear”? 36:00 – The Routine That Keeps Her Grounded 41:00 – Marriage, Support & Leadership Through Depression 45:00 – Medication, Therapy & The Rollercoaster 47:00 – “It’s Not Forever” — Mental Tools That Help 48:00 – Why She’s Speaking About This Publicly 50:00 – Final Message to Women Struggling Silently

Today I sit down with Ivey Leidy—integrative health coach and founder of Living With Ivey—to break down the truth behind modern wellness.

From building a multi-location wellness brand to navigating motherhood, eating disorder recovery, and the pressure of social media perfection, Ivey shares what actually matters when it comes to health.

We dive deep into: The connection between gut health and hormones Why most “healthy” products aren’t what they claim The hidden dangers of fragrance, plastics, and protein powders Healing your relationship with food without extremes Building a business rooted in authenticity, not trends

This episode is packed with actionable takeaways for women looking to feel better, live cleaner, and think differently about health.

Learn More About Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Learn More About Ivey: https://livingwithivey.com/

00:00 – Introduction 00:45 – Meet Ivey Leidy (Living With Ivey Founder) 01:23 – Why Authenticity Builds a Loyal Audience 02:03 – Imposter Syndrome & Starting on Social Media 03:00 – Making Wellness Simple & Relatable 03:25 – How Motherhood Sparked Her Health Journey 04:08 – Starting During COVID & Building Momentum 05:02 – Turning Content Into a Physical Retail Brand 06:03 – Why She Refused to “Pick a Niche” 07:07 – Gut Health & Hormones Explained 08:14 – Healing Through Food (Without Extremes) 08:36 – Balancing Healthy Eating & Real Life 10:02 – Eating Disorders & Social Media Pressure 11:20 – Why Women Need to Talk About Food Struggles 13:18 – Body Image, Generational Shifts & Identity 14:41 – Beyond Beauty: Purpose, Legacy & Impact 16:20 – Creating Her Own Product Line 18:12 – Rapid Fire Wellness Tips 18:12 – Best Skincare Ingredient (Vitamin C) 19:14 – Hair Health & Shower Filters 20:02 – Toxic Products to Avoid Immediately 21:05 – Why Fragrance Is a Hidden Danger 21:58 – Daily Non-Negotiable Wellness Habit 22:42 – Minerals, Detox & Energy Explained 23:50 – Easy Healthy Swap (Plastic → Glass) 24:40 – “Healthy” Products That Are Misleading 25:22 – Protein Powders & Food Myths 26:16 – Real Food vs Diet Trends 27:31 – Motherhood, Business & Time Management 28:32 – The Truth About “Balance” 29:45 – Life Pivots & Letting Go of Failure 31:08 – Confidence, Aging & Clarity 33:30 – Where to Find Ivey

This episode marks the FIRST installment of our Cake for Dinner: Dad Edition — a brand new series we are incredibly excited to roll out this summer, featuring powerful conversations with fathers about parenting, identity, and growth.

Tyler Baltierra, best known from MTV’s Teen Mom, joins Cake for Dinner for a raw and powerful conversation about trauma, adoption, and what it really means to break generational cycles.

In this episode, Tyler opens up about growing up in a chaotic environment shaped by addiction, navigating becoming a teen father, and the life-altering decision to place his daughter for adoption. He shares the emotional reality behind that choice, the long-term impact it carries, and how it continues to shape his identity as a husband and father today.

This conversation goes far beyond what was shown on MTV—diving into the psychology of trauma, the truth about adoption, and the intentional work required to raise children differently than how you were raised.

Tyler also speaks on healing, boundaries, and why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools for personal growth.

Follow Tyler: https://www.instagram.com/tylerbaltierramtv/

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

00:00 – Childhood Trauma & Growing Up Alone

02:20 – Life Before Teen Mom (MTV)

04:10 – Parenting Differently & Breaking the Cycle

07:30 – Trauma, Maturity & Identity

10:20 – Raising Kids in a Different Environment

13:59 – The Adoption Decision (Survival vs Love)

16:20 – Acceptance vs Peace

20:50 – Advice for Kids in Tough Homes

24:20 – Looking Back: Growth & Perspective

26:45 – How MTV Changed Everything

30:30 – The Truth About Adoption

36:30 – Relationship With Carly Today

39:30 – Explaining Adoption to His Kids

45:20 – Growing Up on TV (The Reality)

47:50 – Talking to Kids About Sex

53:10 – Intentional Parenting

What if your life isn’t random… but actually follows a pattern?

In this episode, we sit down with Ipek Gray—economist turned life coach and founder of The Born Method—to break down how numbers, patterns, and timing can reveal your true strengths, decision-making style, and life path.

We dive into why so many high-achieving women feel unfulfilled, how to identify your “zone of genius,” and why success on paper doesn’t always translate to alignment in real life.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused, or like something is “off” despite doing everything right—this conversation will change how you see yourself and your future.

This isn’t about motivation. It’s about understanding the system behind your life.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Learn more about Ipek Gray and the Born Method: https://www.ipekgray.com/

00:00 – Meet Ipek Gray & The Born Method 01:12 – Understanding Yourself Through Patterns 03:17 – What The Born Method Actually Is 05:13 – Your “Zone of Genius” Explained 06:18 – How Childhood Shapes Your Patterns 08:34 – Why Life Isn’t Fragmented 10:30 – Using Numbers in Business & Decisions 12:17 – Timing vs Prediction (Big Difference) 21:41 – Why Successful Women Feel Misaligned 25:03 – The Life Cycle That Changes Everything 29:32 – Final Takeaway: Stop Comparing Yourself

If you’ve ever felt like something is “off” in your body—but no one can explain why—this episode is for you.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver breaks down the truth about perimenopause, a phase of life that millions of women experience but few fully understand. From mood swings and anxiety to weight gain, sleep disruption, and loss of libido, many of the symptoms women face in their 40s are often misdiagnosed or dismissed entirely.

We dive into the science behind hormonal changes, why the medical system has lagged in treating women properly, and what you can actually do to take control of your health.

If you’ve ever been told “it’s just stress” or “it’s all in your head,” this episode will completely change the way you see your body.

👉 You’re not crazy. There’s a reason—and a solution.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Follow Dr. Mary Claire Haver: https://www.instagram.com/drmaryclaire/

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Mary Claire Haver

01:35 Why Perimenopause Needed Its Own Conversation

02:40 The Moment Everything Started to Shift

05:15 The “Zone of Chaos” Explained

06:10 Misdiagnosed: Prescribed Prozac Instead of Hormone Support

08:12 Hormones vs Mental Health

09:17 Why This Phase Hits So Hard in Midlife

10:54 The Failure of the Medical System for Women

14:20 Sleep Disruption & Hormones

16:36 Sex, Libido & Hormonal Changes

18:32 Weight Gain, Metabolism & GLP-1

21:20 Skin Aging & Collagen Loss

22:41 Acceptance vs Optimization in Aging

23:12 “You’re Not Crazy” — The Power of Validation

24:08 Why Women Are Finally Speaking Out

27:46 Legacy, Impact & Helping Future Generations

28:09 The Deeper Meaning of Success & Motherhood

What if midlife isn’t a crisis… but the most freeing chapter of your life?

In this episode of Cake for Dinner Live, we sit down with Angela Burke, author of The Real Life: A Real Girl’s Guide to Midlife, to unpack the honest, unfiltered truth about what really happens in your 40s, 50s, and beyond.

From identity shifts and hormone changes to self-acceptance, boundaries, and rediscovering desire—this conversation breaks the silence around topics many women experience but rarely talk about.

Angela shares her personal journey through motherhood, divorce, and reinvention, along with powerful insights from other women navigating midlife. The biggest takeaway? You’re not broken—and you’re definitely not alone.

If you’ve ever felt lost, disconnected, or unsure of who you are becoming… this episode is your permission slip to reclaim yourself.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Grab a copy of Angelas book: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Girls-Guide-Midlife-Fearless-ebook/dp/B0G6XN86R9/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2VTKBOWDNNPG2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xJqDxVbzZA8-eLh3bk_vK55MrUiI1PPoPgHIgeVUUog.L-z293hCR_RxmzfaLwPCv1m1j1sQjjGNHvBPJcLqyKc&dib_tag=se&keywords=author+angela+burk&qid=1775559979&sprefix=author+anggela+burk+%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1

00:00 – Intro: The Truth About Midlife 01:12 – Why Angela Wrote the Book 04:05 – The “Hot Takes” That Challenge Midlife Norms 07:10 – Desire, Libido & Wanting More at Any Age 10:05 – Comparison, Exhaustion & Letting Go 13:20 – Settling Into Yourself in Your 50s 16:05 – Body Acceptance vs Body Appreciation 19:10 – Why Midlife Is Actually Liberating 22:15 – The Myth of “Having It All Together” 25:00 – Small Shifts That Change Everything (Saying No) 28:10 – Choosing Yourself: Yes vs No Seasons 31:20 – Common Threads All Women Share 34:15 – The “Cheat Code” for Younger Women 37:30 – Why These Conversations Were Never Happening 40:20 – Breaking Shame Around Menopause & Aging 43:10 – Is Midlife About Loss… or Transformation? 47:00 – How to Handle Feeling Lost or Unrecognizable 50:10 – Practical First Steps to Reconnect With Yourself 53:00 – You’re Not Alone: The Core Message 55:10 – Angela’s Favorite Parts of the Book 58:00 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find Angela

What happens when life doesn’t go as planned?

Today we sit down with Sarrah Strimel Bentley — founder of Damn Good Yoga, former Broadway performer, and a voice for resilience — to unpack a story filled with unimaginable challenges and incredible strength.

From losing her husband during pregnancy, to battling breast cancer, navigating IVF, and ultimately building her family through surrogacy… Sarah’s journey is a testament to what it means to keep going when everything falls apart.

But this episode isn’t just about survival — it’s about learning how to choose joy, even in the hardest seasons of life.

We dive into:

• Fertility struggles and the emotional reality of IVF
• What cancer taught her about living fully
• The power of support systems and love
• Why “mining for joy” is a daily practice
• How pain can transform into purpose

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Follow Sarrah: https://www.instagram.com/sarrahstrimelbentley/

00:00 Introduction 01:26 Who Is Sarah Bentley? 03:00 The Moment That Changed Her Life 03:10 How Cancer Changed Her Perspective 06:06 What It Really Means to Choose Joy 08:53 Mining for Joy in Hard Seasons 09:20 Losing Her Husband While Pregnant 10:35 Fertility, Family, and Uncertainty 15:13 Cancer Diagnosis and Motherhood Questions 16:04 IVF and the Emotional Toll 17:19 IVF During a Double Mastectomy 20:00 Fear, Love, and Relationship Strength 22:33 Finding Hope Later in Life 23:51 The Surrogacy Journey 26:17 Social Media Judgment and Misunderstanding 27:26 Motherhood Is a Series of Letting Go 29:11 Turning Personal Pain Into Purpose 30:28 When She Was Ready to Share Publicly 32:04 How Her Honesty Helped Other Women 33:50 What She Wants Women in Hard Seasons to Hear 35:19 Daily Habits That Help Her Choose Joy 36:34 Alcohol, Numbing, and Missing the Good 38:20 Sobriety and Choosing a Better Life 39:07 Final Reflections and Where to Find Sarah

Are you helping your kids… or accidentally holding them back?

Psychotherapist, parent coach, and author Nicole Runyon breaks down one of the biggest parenting mistakes today — over-helping our kids to avoid discomfort.

We dive into why so many children today struggle with confidence, anxiety, and independence… and how it often starts at home.

Nicole shares practical strategies to help parents raise resilient, self-sufficient kids — without damaging connection or trust.

If you’ve ever stepped in to “make things easier” for your child, this conversation might completely change how you parent.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: -Why over-parenting creates anxious, dependent kids -The real reason kids lack confidence today -How to let your kids struggle (in a healthy way) -Age-appropriate independence for toddlers, kids, and teens -How your own fear and past experiences affect your parenting -Practical ways to build resilience and self-trust in your child

Learn More About Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Follow Nicole: https://www.instagram.com/igenerationmentalhealth/

00:00 Introduction to Nicole Runyon 03:57 Why Parenting Discomfort Is the Real Challenge 06:07 Is Technology Really the Problem? 06:37 The Premise of Free to Fly 08:34 Are We Robbing Kids of Growth? 09:14 Doing Too Much for Your Kids 11:22 How Overhelping Hurts Confidence 13:03 Parenting Against Independence 18:24 Why Parents Resist Letting Go 19:07 Parenting From Fear, Trauma, and Guilt 21:06 The Most Common Ways Parents Overhelp 25:24 What to Do When Kids Won’t Step Up 28:24 The “Super Mom” Identity Trap 29:29 What Parents Should Stop Doing for Teens 31:30 What Parents Should Stop Doing at Every Age 35:09 When Kids Should Wake Themselves Up 35:42 Nicole Runyon on Phones, Tech, and Video Games 39:01 Handling Phones and Peer Pressure 41:36 How to Get Back on Track as a Parent 43:29 Why Letting Kids Struggle Matters 44:33 Where to Find Nicole Runyon

Today we sit down with Alexia Ferrari, known online as The Millionaire Homemaker, to talk about motherhood, ambition, money, identity, and what it really means to build success on your own terms.

Alexia shares how she went from climbing the corporate ladder in the aerospace and systems engineering world to building a thriving online brand and business from home. After becoming a mother, she found herself questioning how she could keep up the pace of corporate life while also being present for her family. That tension eventually opened the door to a new vision: helping women create wealth from home without having to choose between motherhood and their dreams.

Throughout the conversation, Alexia opens up about the messy middle of entrepreneurship, building a brand with authenticity, learning how to create viral content, using AI and automation, and why women today are craving something deeper than financial freedom alone.

This conversation is for the woman who feels pulled between who she is, who she wants to become, and the life she is trying to build.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Follow Alexia: https://www.instagram.com/themillionairehomemaker/ 

00:00 — Introduction 00:41 — Becoming The Millionaire Homemaker 01:52 — Leaving Corporate Life Behind 04:51 — Discovering the Power of Working From Home 06:22 — Helping Women Build Wealth From Home 08:29 — Motherhood, Guilt, and Giving Back to Yourself 10:37 — The Messy Middle of Building a Business 13:19 — Turning Your Gifts Into a Brand 16:32 — When a Brand Becomes a Movement 20:10 — Why Authenticity Wins Online 21:57 — Building a Business While Raising a Family 24:33 — Funnels, Automation, and Passive Income 29:10 — Why You Have to Fully Commit 32:48 — Why You Don’t Need a Huge Following to Succeed 34:46 — Handling Negative Comments Online 36:35 — Redefining Success on Your Own Terms 39:53 — The Truth About Overnight Success 43:16 — Creating Content That Feels Real 45:50 — Where to Find Alexia Ferrari

In this episode, I sat down with Laura Rubin, writer, speaker, founder of AllSwell Creative, and author of The Big Unlock, for a powerful conversation about journaling, anxiety, fear, gratitude, and how writing can help us get unstuck. Laura breaks down why journaling is so much more than simply writing down your feelings. Through her approach to mindful writing, she explains how intentional prompts can help us recognize patterns, quiet our critical voice, shift our mood, and reconnect with what actually matters. Together, we explore why anxiety is often future-focused imagination, how positive memories can help calm the body, why gratitude works best when connected to the five senses, and how small practices like the “4x4” journaling method and “dopamine push-ups” can create real change in everyday life. This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or curious about how writing can become a simple but powerful tool for mental and emotional well-being.

Learn more about Laura: https://allswellcreative.com/  Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Grab a copy of Laura's book: https://allswellcreative.com/pages/the-big-unlock 

00:00 — Introduction 00:58 — Welcome Laura Rubin to Cake for Dinner 01:40 — Why so many people feel stuck 02:48 — What being “stuck” looks like in real life 04:26 — The fear underneath most blocks 05:30 — Mindful writing vs. traditional journaling 06:28 — Journaling as a tool for embodiment and mood shifts 07:17 — The serotonin bath: using positive memories to calm anxiety 09:04 — Why nature is so powerful for the mind 10:21 — Awe, water, and reconnecting with something bigger 13:10 — Why journaling has a PR problem 14:31 — The stories and patterns that shape our lives 17:04 — Gratitude as a daily practice 19:19 — Using the five senses to make gratitude more powerful 20:13 — Recognizing your “big rocks” and priorities 22:15 — Writing things down to see your patterns clearly 23:20 — Why longhand journaling is so effective 24:52 — Rock stars need roadies: asking for support 27:01 — Externalizing thoughts instead of letting them loop 30:44 — The 4x4 journaling method 33:20 — Perfectionism and the critical voice 35:05 — Giving anxiety a seat, but not control 37:06 — Self-compassion and evolutionary fear 38:43 — Dopamine push-ups and healthy mood shifts 40:56 — Where to find Laura Rubin and The Big Unlock 42:16 — Closing thoughts and Cake for Dinner outro

In this episode of Cake for Dinner, we sit down with Sydney Sadick, media entrepreneur, author, fashion expert, and founder of Spotlight magazine.

Sydney started a fashion blog as a teenager and turned that early passion into a career that has included interviewing some of the biggest names in the world, appearing on major television shows, writing a bestselling book, and building her own luxury lifestyle publication.

In this conversation, Sydney shares how she got her start at just 16 years old, why she has always been motivated by a challenge, and what it really takes to create your own opportunity in a competitive industry. She opens up about growing up in a family with a strong work ethic, learning to hustle early, and building a business in a media world where people often say print is dying.

Sydney also talks about interviewing celebrities, working red carpets, launching Spotlight magazine, mentoring younger women, and why success is never as overnight as it may look from the outside.

This episode is for anyone with a big idea, a dream career, or the desire to build something of their own. Sydney’s story is a reminder that ambition, grit, and consistency still matter — and that sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you create yourself.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1 Follow Sidney Sadick : https://www.instagram.com/sydneysadick/

In this episode of Cake for Dinner, we sit down with Dr. Doris Day, one of the country’s leading dermatologists, scientist, author, and pro-aging advocate, for an honest and eye-opening conversation about what really happens to women’s skin during perimenopause and menopause.

Dr. Day breaks down why so many women feel like their face changes overnight, what collagen loss actually means, and why aging gracefully should never be confused with aging helplessly. From dry skin, breakouts, facial volume loss, and wrinkles to posture, facial expression, inflammation, and hormone changes, this conversation goes far beyond surface-level skincare.

We also get into Sculptra, fillers, lasers, Botox, retinol, sunscreen, collagen supplements, red light therapy, cellulite treatments, and what women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond should actually spend their money on — and what they can skip.

This episode is empowering, educational, and deeply reassuring for any woman who has looked in the mirror during midlife and thought, “What is happening to my face?”

Dr. Day reminds us that it is not too late, 45 or 50 is still young, and there is so much we can do to support our skin, our health, and our confidence as we age.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1 Follow Doris Day: https://www.instagram.com/drdorisday/

Jamie Kolnick, founder of Jam With Jamie, shares the powerful story behind the music, the business, and the joy she brings to families across the country.

What started as a small children’s music party business has grown into a multi-city brand with dozens of performers, classes, events, school programs, and the annual Little Jam Fest. But behind Jamie’s success is a much deeper story of resilience. After losing her brother, father, and mother, Jamie found herself building something joyful during one of the hardest seasons of her life.

Jamie opens up about grief, imposter syndrome, motherhood, music, entrepreneurship, vocal challenges, and what it really means to create joy intentionally — even when life doesn’t go as planned.

This conversation is about more than music. It’s about turning pain into purpose, finding light after loss, and choosing joy again and again.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/  Follow Jamie: https://www.instagram.com/jamwithjamie/  

00:00 — Introduction 00:30 — How Jam With Jamie Began 05:35 — Jamie’s Mom Names the Business 07:27 — From First Party to Word of Mouth 08:12 — Loss, Grief, and Perspective 09:47 — Growing Jam With Jamie Into 9 Cities 10:34 — The Creation of Little Jam Fest 12:02 — Music, Family, and Jamie’s Father 20:32 — How Music Connects With Kids 23:05 — Showing Up With Joy During Hard Seasons 25:57 — Work, Grief, Burnout, and Healing 30:06 — Life Pivots and Vocal Challenges 32:28 — Is Joy Found or Created? 35:33 — Finding Joy in a Hard Season 37:50 — Where to Find Jam With Jamie and Little Jam Fest

What can death teach us about truly living?

Bestselling author and spiritual leader Rabbi Steve Leder joins the conversation to share what he has learned from standing beside hundreds of dying people, officiating more than a thousand funerals and eventually experiencing the devastating loss of his own father.

Rabbi Leder explains why professional experience with grief could not prepare him for the moment he placed his hand on his father’s chest and confronted his own mortality. That experience changed the way he understood death, memory, compassion and the preciousness of time.

Together, they explore why grief is not a linear process, but an ocean of waves that can return without warning. Rabbi Leder shares why we should stop trying to overpower those waves and instead allow them to wash over us until we are ready to stand again.

The conversation also examines parenting through crisis, addiction and recovery, imposter syndrome, mental health, gratitude and the people who leave permanent fingerprints on our lives. Rabbi Leder offers a powerful reminder that suffering is never worth it—but we should not allow it to become worthless.

Most importantly, he reveals what he has learned from holding the hands of dying people: they are often not afraid of death. Their greatest concern is usually whether the people they love will be okay after they are gone.

This is an honest, comforting and unforgettable conversation about grief, purpose and learning to live before our time runs out.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1 

Follow Rabi Steve: https://www.instagram.com/steve_leder/

00:00 Meet Rabbi Steve Leder 00:32 When Grief Became Personal 05:05 Confronting His Own Mortality 08:05 Why Pain Changes Us 10:36 How Loss Changed His Work 13:15 Grief Comes in Waves 16:40 Carrying the People We Lose 20:46 Finding Meaning After Suffering 24:41 From Troubled Teen to Rabbi 31:12 The Power of Gratitude 34:02 What Makes Someone Unforgettable 38:35 Parenting and Imposter Syndrome 43:10 You Only Have 1,000 Sundays 47:17 Why the Dying Aren’t Afraid

OCD is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions in the world—and it's far more than being organized or liking things a certain way.

In this episode, OCD specialist Kristina Orlova shares her own journey of living with undiagnosed OCD for years, believing she was simply "losing her mind" before finally receiving answers. Together, we unpack what OCD actually looks like, why intrusive thoughts become so terrifying, the hidden subtypes most people have never heard of, and why reassurance often makes OCD worse instead of better.

Whether you're living with OCD yourself, supporting a loved one, or trying to understand what someone is experiencing, this conversation offers practical education, hope, and a roadmap toward recovery.

We also dive deep into Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD, and explain how it helps people reclaim their lives one step at a time.

00:00 Introduction

02:05 Meet OCD Specialist Kristina Orlova

02:50 Kristina's Personal OCD Journey

05:20 What Intrusive Thoughts Actually Feel Like

08:03 Why OCD Is So Different From Everyday Thoughts

10:48 Why OCD Is So Misunderstood

11:39 What OCD Really Looks Like

16:03 How Parents Should Respond to OCD

20:40 Why People Get OCD Wrong

23:13 Lesser-Known Types of OCD

25:12 Signs Parents Should Watch For

30:24 Why Traditional Talk Therapy Can Make OCD Worse

32:17 How Exposure Therapy (ERP) Works

38:48 A Real Success Story With ERP

42:00 When Should You See an OCD Specialist?

44:30 Final Thoughts & Resources

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1 

Follow Kristina: https://www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/

For 20 years, Erin struggled with eating disorders and tied her worth to soccer, her body, relationships, and being chosen. In this episode, she opens up about the shame she carried, the story she almost never shared, and how telling the truth became the beginning of her freedom.

Erin also shares how healing changed the way she parents, how she thinks about alcohol and restriction, what divorce taught her about choosing herself, and why women need safe spaces to talk about the things they usually hide.

This is a conversation about self-worth, motherhood, starting over, and the power of saying the thing out loud.

00:00 — Intro

00:47 — Eating Disorders, Identity, and Self-Worth

03:29 — Choosing Herself Through Divorce and Motherhood

07:00 — Alcohol, Restriction, and Redefining Sobriety

13:35 — From Fitness Content to Mental Health and Therapy

17:16 — Feeling Pain Instead of Escaping It

19:39 — Parenting, Body Image, and What Kids Really See

25:26 — Sharing the Story She Almost Hid

27:40 — Turning Pain Into the Blue Butterfly Foundation

33:20 — Moving From Comfortable to Purpose-Driven

42:16 — Dating, Divorce, and Becoming Her Authentic Self

46:13 — How Vulnerability Became Her Purpose

50:06 — Erin’s Podcast, Books, Foundation, and Where to Find Her

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1

Follow Erin: https://www.instagram.com/iamerinwashington/

Gina Zapanta joins Cake for Dinner to talk about empowerment, motherhood, survival, and the moment women stop waiting for permission to become who they were always meant to be.

Gina is an attorney, entrepreneur, founder of Empowered With Gina, and a woman who has built a community around helping women reclaim their agency, trust their intuition, and break free from cultural and societal programming. What began as small virtual meetups during COVID eventually grew into a platform where women could find community, resources, and the reminder that permission was never something they had to earn — it was already within them.

Gina also opens up about one of the most terrifying chapters of her life: being diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer while seven months pregnant. She shares the fear, the survival instinct, the fight to protect her daughter, and how that experience shaped the way she now views resilience, motherhood, and purpose.

This episode is about breaking the mold, rewriting the language we use about ourselves, choosing a powerful mindset, and realizing that life does not end at 40 or 50 — for many women, that’s when launch day begins.

00:00 Introduction 00:04 What Empowered With Gina Really Means 04:08 Growing Up Feeling “Othered” 06:10 Diagnosed With Cancer While Pregnant 07:27 “Who’s Gonna Raise My Daughters?” 08:21 PTSD, Anxiety & Finding Opportunity in Pain 10:13 Why Gina Helps Women Rise 12:13 The Power of Language 14:37 Powerful Mindset vs. Powerless Mindset 16:20 Intuition, Jealousy & Breaking Free 21:21 Letting Go of Ego & People-Pleasing 22:00 Motherhood Without Martyrdom 27:50 Where to Find Gina

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1  Follow Gina: https://www.instagram.com/ginazapanta_/ 

Jennie Garth joins Cake For Dinner for an honest and deeply vulnerable conversation about fame, motherhood, midlife, self-love, and what it really means to choose yourself.

Best known for her iconic role on Beverly Hills, 90210, Jennie opens up about what it was like becoming famous at a young age, how the show changed her life, and what it cost her along the way. But this conversation goes far beyond Hollywood.

Jennie shares the heart behind her book I Choose Me, reflecting on the seasons where she lost sight of herself, struggled through depression, navigated divorce, raised her daughters, examined her relationship with alcohol, and learned how to rebuild from the inside out.

This episode is about the woman behind the fame — the mother, the survivor, the seeker, and the woman who finally learned to say: I choose me.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Book Pre Order CAKE FOR DINNER: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H5CW77FP?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0H5CW77FP&linkCode=xm2&tag=simonsayscom&dplnkId=ca66e48c-1d99-4095-a35e-8d40794ffd1d&nodl=1  Follow Jennie: https://www.instagram.com/jenniegarth/ 

00:00 Introduction 01:00 Welcome Jennie Garth 01:30 Landing Beverly Hills, 90210 02:43 How 90210 Became a Cultural Phenomenon 04:31 The Legacy of 90210 06:33 The 90210 Cast Bond Today 08:03 What Fame Gave Her and Cost Her 09:00 The Wake-Up Call Behind I Choose Me 12:00 Why Women Struggle to Choose Themselves 14:00 Menopause, Midlife & Women’s Health 16:30 Breaking Perfection Culture 18:30 Why She Had to Tell the Truth 21:18 Losing Sight of Herself 22:32 Rediscovering Joy and Self-Care 24:39 Wellness Trends, Parenting & Grace 27:18 “I Was So Depressed” 27:59 Her Daughters Saw Her Rise 31:54 Divorce, Love & Starting Over 34:16 Learning to Love Herself 36:15 Sobriety and Showing Up Fully 41:17 Radical Acceptance and Forgiveness 44:55 What Her Daughters Taught Her 49:18 Finding Yourself Again 51:53 Writing I Choose Me 53:19 Healing, Strength & Letting Go

In this episode of Cake for Dinner, Keesha sits down with Erin Morrison, the voice behind The Conscious Mom and author of Three Minutes for Mom, for a raw and honest conversation about motherhood, conscious parenting, emotional regulation, and the pressure moms feel to get everything right.

Erin shares why parenting is less about controlling your child and more about understanding what is happening inside of you. Together, they talk about mom guilt, gentle parenting, the labels we put on our kids, why parents take behavior personally, and how apologizing to your children can actually build deeper trust and connection.

This conversation is for every mom who has ever yelled, overreacted, questioned herself, or felt like she was failing — only to realize that motherhood is not about perfection. It is about awareness, repair, self-trust, and learning how to show up again.

If you are navigating conscious parenting, gentle parenting, motherhood, tweens, teens, big emotions, or your own healing journey as a mom, this episode will hit home.

00:00 — Introduction

01:04 — Welcome Erin Morrison

01:44 — Why Erin Wrote Three Minutes for Mom

03:05 — The Missing Link in Parenting

04:18 — The Baggage We Bring Into Motherhood

06:19 — How Labels Shape Our Kids

10:40 — Letting Kids Find Their Own Path

13:22 — Are Parents Living Through Their Children?

15:12 — Learning to Pause Before Reacting

18:21 — Why Apologizing to Your Kids Matters

21:55 — Conscious Parenting vs. Gentle Parenting

24:07 — Phones, Sleepovers & Modern Parenting Boundaries

28:21 — It’s Never Too Late to Start Over

31:05 — Trusting Your Gut as a Mom

34:03 — How to Become a More Conscious Parent

37:29 — What Erin Had to Unlearn

43:19 — Breaking Generational Parenting Patterns

45:10 — The Truth About Early Motherhood

52:51 — Where to Find Erin Morrison

53:21 — Closing Thoughts

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/

Get Erins book: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=3+minutes+for+mom&adgrpid=189369634271&hvadid=779579003977&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9012036&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=11163684166959021073--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11163684166959021073&hvtargid=kwd-2393975566028&hydadcr=22536_13730665_8233&mcid=2933b18f25b336578aff6b5ca96e801b&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_3ik3m4oy7r_e

Today Lisa McCarty joins the conversation to talk about the stories women often carry in silence — grief, miscarriage, infertility, caregiving, mental health, motherhood, and the complicated realities of healing.

Lisa is a journalist, writer, and grief educator whose work has been featured in major publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and more. Through her writing, she brings honesty and clarity to topics that many people struggle to talk about openly.

In this conversation, Lisa shares how losing her father while becoming a mother shaped her work, why writing became a way to process grief, and how sharing her personal story helped other people feel less alone. She also opens up about her experience with infertility, four miscarriages in one year, the diagnosis that changed everything, and the emotional toll that continues even after a successful pregnancy.

This episode is a deeply honest conversation about women’s health, loss, resilience, advocacy, and the importance of creating safe spaces where women can tell the truth about what they are going through.

Whether you have experienced grief, pregnancy loss, infertility, caregiving, anxiety, or simply a hard season of life, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone — and that your story matters.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Follow Lisa: https://www.instagram.com/lbmccarty717 

00:00 — Introduction 00:48 — Why Lisa Started Writing About Grief 01:19 — Losing Her Father While Becoming a Mother 03:27 — How Sharing Grief Helped Her Feel Less Alone 04:31 — A Complex Father-Daughter Relationship 06:10 — Writing Personal Essays vs. Reported Stories 08:26 — Four Miscarriages in One Year 09:50 — The Devastating Reality of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss 11:39 — The Diagnosis That Changed Everything 14:42 — Finally Getting Answers and Trying Again 15:14 — The Mental Health Toll of Infertility 16:10 — Being Reminded of Loss at Every Doctor’s Visit 17:52 — Why Sharing Women’s Health Stories Matters 18:24 — Helping Other Women Advocate for Themselves 20:27 — Why Women Need Better Access to Information 21:22 — The Lack of Emotional Support During IVF 23:38 — Social Media, Misinformation & Women’s Health 26:09 — Why Reliable Medical Information Matters 30:15 — Why We Avoid Talking About Loss and Mental Health 31:31 — Breaking the Stigma Around Women’s Emotions 32:37 — Caregiving, Boundaries & Normalizing Hard Conversations 33:58 — The Piece That Changed Lisa the Most 35:27 — Anxiety, Motherhood & Learning Boundaries 37:14 — Advice for Anyone in a Hard Season 39:16 — Where to Find Lisa McCarty 39:38 — Closing Thoughts

In this powerful episode of Cake for Dinner, Greg Schiller joins the podcast for an urgent and eye-opening conversation every parent needs to hear.

Greg is a former assistant U.S. attorney who spent 20 years prosecuting online predators, internet crimes, and crimes against children. He has testified before Congress on online exploitation and now serves as the CEO of Child Rescue Coalition, an organization helping law enforcement identify and stop predators around the world.

This conversation dives into what parents are getting wrong when it comes to kids and technology, why smartphones are not just “phones,” how predators target children online, and why communication at home is the most important safety tool parents have.

Greg breaks down the realities of online exploitation, the dangers hidden inside apps, games, and social platforms, and the simple non-negotiables parents can put in place to better protect their children. From Snapchat and Instagram to hidden apps, screen monitoring, privacy myths, and the importance of starting conversations early, this episode is a must-listen for moms, dads, and anyone raising kids in the digital age.

This is not about fear. It is about awareness, communication, and giving parents the tools to protect their children before something happens.

Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/ Read More About Gregs Work: https://childrescuecoalition.org/  

00:00 — Introduction 00:48 — What parents are getting wrong about kids and technology 02:27 — Why online predators are everywhere children are 04:49 — If your child has a device, they can access everything 06:02 — Why parents need to talk about sex and online safety earlier 08:38 — The best parental control is communication 10:29 — Why devices should not charge in kids’ bedrooms 13:36 — When should parents give their child a phone? 14:52 — “Pause before you post” and teaching kids digital awareness 16:17 — How predators pretend to be someone they are not 17:52 — The reality of online offenders and how they target kids 21:44 — Why parents need better language to explain online danger 23:50 — The shocking number of online child exploitation reports 26:50 — How Child Rescue Coalition helps law enforcement catch predators 28:58 — How Greg’s work affects him as a father 33:29 — Three non-negotiables for kids and devices 34:56 — Why kids should never communicate with strangers online 35:28 — The truth about Snapchat and disappearing messages 38:54 — Why kids feel safe online when they are not 39:11 — Rapid fire: Snapchat, Instagram, privacy, apps, and monitoring 43:55 — The one sentence every kid should hear before getting a phone 44:49 — Greg’s biggest takeaway for parents 46:46 — Where to learn more about Child Rescue Coalition