

Mother Up
Gianna DeMedio Simon and Kacie McDonnell Hosmer
We’re Kacie and Gianna: gal pals, champagne lovers, and two moms who think motherhood is the most rewarding job we’ve ever had. But, man, were we not prepared for some of the fine print in the job description. Specifically, balancing being a mom and being YOU. It seems society only allows women to be sexy OR covered in spit-up. But WE want to be both. We want a connection with our children and partner that doesn’t come at the cost of the relationship with our own selves. We want to feel confident, beautiful, strong, vulnerable, nurturing, and bold.
The connections we’ve made through our careers in media and our propensity to being social butterflies and collecting friends wherever we go means we’ll bring you a wide range of guests that will add value to your physical, mental, and emotional toolbox.
We’re so glad you’re here. Now let’s Mother Up!
The connections we’ve made through our careers in media and our propensity to being social butterflies and collecting friends wherever we go means we’ll bring you a wide range of guests that will add value to your physical, mental, and emotional toolbox.
We’re so glad you’re here. Now let’s Mother Up!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 20, 2024 • 1h 9min
Nervous System Regulation and Closing The Stress Response Cycle with Kaitie Childs
This week K & G are joined by Certified Functional Medicine Coach and Somatic Trauma and Attachment Healing Practitioner, Kaitie Childs. Kaitie helps struggling trauma healers overcome the fear of being seen and the fear of success by closing your stress response to manifest the life and business you crave. She has worked with the nervous system for 13 years and brings a unique blend of science and spirituality to nervous system regulation. She is also the creator of the Manifest Miracles course which is the only step by step system to close your stress response. Kaitie offers a plethora of insights on managing stress responses and shares her journey of self-discovery outside of motherhood.
Topics discussed include:
Understanding Stress Responses: key differences between the flight, fight, freeze, and fawn responses
Ways in which motherhood and relationships can influence nervous system regulation
How external societal expectations and internal pressures can contribute to a person’s sense of lost identity
Grounding techniques to help manage stress responses and improve nervous system regulation
The interplay between the nervous system and chronic health issues
The concept that a mother’s nervous system state can set the groundwork for her child's nervous system development
Parasites and their potential impact on mental health
Stress responses such as dissociation and overconsumption
Connect with Kaitie:
https://www.kaitiechilds.com/regulate
https://www.tiktok.com/@kaitiechilds
https://www.instagram.com/kaitiechilds/
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com

May 13, 2024 • 1h 4min
Creating Your Optimal Life: Spirituality, Entrepreneurship, and Lessons from Kabbalah with David Ghiyam
Kacie and Gianna are joined by entrepreneur, spiritual leader, podcaster, and co-founder of Mary Ruth Organics, David Ghiyam. David's life has encompassed over 20,000 hours of personal, spiritual, and entrepreneurial coaching and 1000 seminars given, utilizing the universal wisdom of Kabbalah. His passion is to help bring value wherever he can to help others achieve a fulfilling life. He is also the co-founder of MaryRuth Organics, a category leader and unicorn in vegan liquid vitamins and gummies and a trusted brand among millions of parents for kids' health nationwide. As Co-founder and President, he works side by side with a team of 150 hard-working, empathetic leaders who are passionate about bringing the mission of good health to the world. David also hosts Weekly Energy Boost, a top 10 Spirituality podcast and hosts a masterclass, Universal Kabbalistic Wisdom on Life.
Topics discussed in this episode:
What Kabbalah is and why it’s meant for everyone
How David overcame personal struggles through the use of Kabbalah principles
The conception of Mary Ruth Organics
The impact of instant gratification culture on spirituality and personal development
How to nurture children’s individual paths without imposing expectations
The importance and necessity of providing value first when it comes to entrepreneurship and offerings
Respect, admiration, and the dynamics within relationships, focusing on masculinity and femininity
The concept of soulmates
Understanding and utilizing love languages to boost relationships and self-esteem
Connect with David:
www.davidghiyam.com
www.instagram.com/davidghiyam
www.kabbalahone.com
https://www.instagram.com/weeklyenergyboost/
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com

May 6, 2024 • 46min
Mother's Day Musings: Experiences, Expectations, and Unwrapping the Best (and Worst) Gifts
Approaching Mother’s Day, Gianna and Kacie dive into the multifaceted experiences of motherhood and the mixed emotions that this hallmark holiday can evoke. They explore the pressures and challenges mothers face as well as share in some light-hearted laughs chatting about gifts gone awry. They also share what they’ve received in the past, what their most ideal day consists of, and the influence of culture and generational wealth on family dynamics and how these factors can shape Mother's Day expectations and experiences.
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com

Apr 28, 2024 • 1h 7min
Empowered Communication with Raele Altano: Navigating Conversations and Relationships with Kindness, Class, and Confidence
Kacie and Gianna are joined by Certified Communication Coach and the Founder of Well With Raele Coaching, Raele Altano. Raele helps women socialize, articulate, and advocate for themselves with kindness, class and confidence through tangible tools and tips they can execute in their everyday lives. Growing up as the only child of divorced, immigrant parents with not much family close by and no siblings of her own to mingle with, Raele became a social butterfly mingling with her peers. She also had to think swiftly and communicate well in order to navigate the sometimes volatile waters between her parents and the custody arrangement they had in place. From this she discovered that hardships can lead to your biggest opportunities. Raele provides her clients with solid communication tools depending on the goals they’re looking to accomplish, and works with them to advocate for themselves and articulate in powerful ways. She helps them build inner confidence as they navigate through their journey of personal development, and become master communicators no matter where they are or who they’re talking to.
Topics Discussed:
How moms can confidently express their needs and draw boundaries while maintaining kindness and class
How she helps couples find common ground and equality as partners and teammates in parenting
How to approach situations where you’ve been given poor service
Self-advocacy and setting boundaries
Ways to make connections and build relationships with other moms
Specific routines that help Raele manage her time effectively
Connect with Raele:
www.wellwithraele.com
www.instagram.com/wellwithraele
www.tiktok.com/@wellwithraele
www.youtube.com/@wellwithraele
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com

Apr 22, 2024 • 52min
The Process of Becoming a Mom: Embracing Matrescence and Navigating the Rollercoaster of Motherhood
Have you heard of matrescence before? Similar to puberty and your body going through a plethora of physical, mental, and emotional changes all at once, matrescence is all about the rollercoaster of changes that come along with becoming a mother. This week Kacie and Gianna are reflecting on the unique dynamics of motherhood and the many unexpected learnings that have come along from it. They share in the things that make up matrescence - from the lack of understanding and empathy for mothers from those who are not mothers themselves to weight gain and body image challenges and the physical, mental and emotional changes that occur during motherhood. Matrescence makes up a large period of a woman's life (arguably the largest) and is still a relatively new phrase. The girls shed light on the overlooked concept and share the importance for women to let go of expectations, set up a support system, and take time to connect with their bodies and minds.
Mentioned in this episode:
The emotional roller coaster of being a new mom
The Process Of Becoming A Mother Has A Name: Matrescence
The Matrescence Membership
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com

Apr 15, 2024 • 57min
Baby’s Best Brain: Rethinking Milestones & Fostering Early Development Through Movement with Heather Mrak
Kacie and Gianna are joined by mom of four with a passion for helping kids learn and grow to their fullest potential, Heather Mrak. Heather shares the importance of movement for your baby's brain development and understanding how our primitive reflexes contribute to the process of maturing the brain. She has over ten years of experience using cutting-edge brain training techniques for children and is trained in Neurodevelopmental Movement Foundations (based on Dr. Mastagova and Dr.Harold Blomerg's work), Dr. Melillo's Brain Balance techniques, and Brain Gym® 101. She helps parents learn strategies and exercises that boost their baby's brain development in order to grow the strongest foundation possible for all learning.
Topics discussed in this episode:
The seven intelligences
The pivotal role that tummy time and crawling play in the early development
Her personal journey through homeschooling and how movement-based interventions like Brain Gym supported her son's reading and writing skills
Prenatal education: where to start before giving birth
Essential connections between movement, attachment, and development,
The impact of environments like playpens versus restrictive containers on infant movement
The importance of play: including risky play and integrating it as part of stimulative development
The significance of recognizing and nurturing children's love languages
Allowing children to face struggles to build self-esteem
Connect with Heather:
www.instagram.com/babysbestbrain
www.babysbestbrain.com
www.tiktok.com/@babysbestbrain101
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com

Apr 8, 2024 • 57min
Love Linguistics: Unwrapping Relationships Through Languages of the Heart
The squirrel gals are back! This time, diving deep into the fabric of relationships and the intricacies of love languages — the crucial conduits through which we give and receive love. Together, Kacie and Gianna explore personal tales of how love languages can bind and challenge us yet also through understanding can help us go even deeper into our relationships (intimately, familial, parental, friendships, etc). They also unpack practical strategies, like using written lists to navigate household help, and discuss the impact of childhood experiences and life stages on our love languages.
Topics discussed include:
How understanding love languages can affect the dynamics of relationships
Personal experiences where recognizing their partner's love language deepen their connection
The language of quality time and why it’s so important for mothers, regardless of their top love language
Understanding our kids love languages and ensuring you're meeting their emotional needs
Healthy versus unhealthy gift-giving practices
Non-sexual physical affection (physical touch)
Confronting mortality and the effect on prioritizing relationships
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com

Apr 1, 2024 • 1h 2min
Narcissism 101: Mental Health, Understanding the Patterns and Breaking Toxic Cycles with Dr. Jaime Zuckerman
Kacie and Gianna are joined by licensed clinical psychologist and national expert in narcissistic abuse, Dr. Jaime Zuckerman. Dr. Zuckerman is a highly sought-after relationship coach for those experiencing narcissistic abuse, as well as the sole owner and founder of The Z Group, a private therapy practice specializing in anxiety, depression, and complex relationship dynamics. She is also the author of two interactive workbooks. Her first workbook, titled “Find Your Calm: A Workbook to Manage Anxiety,” garnered great success, prompting her to pen a second workbook titled, “Find Good Habits: A Workbook for Daily Growth.” She is an accomplished and active media contributor, as well as an influential social media personality in the mental health space.
Topics discussed include:
Her fascination with the brain, behavior, and patterns and her desire to become a psychologist
Distinctions between anxious behavior and narcissistic behavior
Different types of narcissism
Generational views on mental health, therapy and accountability
Ways in which public figures represent or challenge our understanding of narcissistic behavior versus narcissistic personality disorder
How individuals who have suffered in narcissistic relationships can begin the healing process
Strategies that can be used to set effective boundaries with narcissists
The "flying monkey" concept when it comes to narcissism
And more
Connect with Dr. Zuckerman
https://www.drjaimezuckerman.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dr.z_psychologist/
https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.z_psychologist
https://www.zgrouptherapy.com/
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com

Mar 25, 2024 • 49min
The Natural Glow Up: Facercise, Holistic Skin Care and Self-Care Practices with Trinh Georg
K & G are joined by passionate advocate for inner and outer well-being, facercise expert, and natural skin-care connoisseur Trinh Georg. Trinh is fueled by her love for natural beauty and her belief in the transformative power of self-care and shares incredible tips and insights that go beyond skin deep. With a deep understanding of the connection between inner well-being and outer radiance, she encourages individuals to nurture their mind and body to achieve a harmonious and vibrant life. Her mission is to inspire and uplift women around the world.
Topics discussed in this episode:
Transitioning to foreign country with a 5 month old and navigating a new identity
How facial exercises contribute to skin health
Benefits and risks of using Gua sha
Specific techniques for using Gua sha on the face (chin, cheeks, and forehead)
Korean skincare products Trinh loves
Daytime versus nighttime skincare routines
Incorporating facercises into your everyday routine
Maintaining one's identity and self-care while managing the responsibilities of motherhood
Connect with Trinh:
https://www.gloweva.com/
https://www.instagram.com/trinhgeorgg/
https://www.tiktok.com/@trinhgeorg
https://www.youtube.com/@trinhgeorg
https://www.facebook.com/trinhgeorgg/
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com

Mar 18, 2024 • 51min
Tidy Up Your Life: Finding Physical and Mental Clarity Through Spring Cleaning and Organized Living
Coming to you solo this week, Kacie and Gianna are tackling how they organize life amidst the chaos of relationships, parenthood, and self-care. From improving communication and problem-solving in partnerships, and the delicate dance of teaching men to be open and vulnerable. K & G dove into the practicalities of spring cleaning, from decluttering closets to maintaining sentimental items. With Easter around the corner, they chatted about budget-friendly basket ideas and creating cherished family traditions along with exploring the tough conversations around handling grief and appreciating our partners’ love languages.
Connect with Kacie & Gianna:
https://www.motheruppod.com
https://www.instagram.com/motheruppod
https://www.youtube.com/@motheruppod
View full show notes at www.motheruppod.com


