We Didn't Turn Out OK with Jennie Monness

58: I used to roll my eyes at “woo”... until I didn’t.

I used to roll my eyes at the word “woo.” You know the kind of things I mean — energy healing, psychics, plant medicine, spiritual practices that some people swear by and others dismiss immediately. I probably would have dismissed them too… until I didn’t. About a year ago, a guest on this podcast shared how she used psychedelics to rewire her brain. What struck me wasn’t the mysticism — it was the science behind it. That conversation opened a door for me that eventually led to four of my own plant medicine journeys, a lot of meditation, and a growing curiosity about what we label as “woo.” Then I met Ariana Cleo — someone who didn’t discover the woo world later in life, but was raised in it. Her childhood included psychic parties and energy healing from her grandmother whenever she was sick. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to grow up surrounded by those practices, the fine line between magical family traditions and things that can feel embarrassing as a kid, and how she decided what parts of that world she wanted to carry forward. Ariana shares how these spiritual practices became a refuge that helped her navigate deep trauma — and how, after experiencing pregnancy loss, they ultimately led her to create her own podcast, Into The Woo, where she explores the mystical and spiritual with curiosity and openness. At one point Ariana was seeing seven healers a week, so if you’re even a little curious about what people mean when they talk about “woo”… this episode is a fascinating place to start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

57: Raising Grounded Kids with Jill Kargman

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and hilarious Jill Kargman, someone I’ve long admired for her authenticity and ability to make me laugh out loud. Jill started writing in small pockets of time while she was a stay-at-home mom raising young kids in a Brooklyn walk-up. That writing eventually led her to become a bestselling author, screenwriter, and actress. Her work has been adapted into television, and now film, with her directorial debut Influenced coming soon. What fascinated me most was hearing how Jill built a creative career as a mom in her 40s with young children—and how she now shows up as a parent to teenagers. I had a feeling she would bring the kind of refreshing honesty and perspective we all need, and she absolutely delivered. Jill describes herself as having had a “perfect upbringing,” so this wasn’t a typical “breaking cycles” conversation. But as we talked, it became clear how certain parts of her childhood quietly shaped who she is today - as a creator, a person, and a mom. We also talk about raising kids in New York City without getting swept up in the intensity of what the city can become. Jill is deeply intentional about keeping her family grounded and grateful in an environment that can easily pull you in the opposite direction. At one point I told her she’s basically a parenting expert, not because she claims to be one, but because of the calm confidence and clarity she brings to raising thoughtful, grounded kids. The steadiness she speaks with throughout this conversation feels like a window into the way she shows up as a mom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

56: What Your Birth Date Reveals About You and Your Kids

What if you could understand your child — and yourself — on a deeper level? To truly meet them where they are. In this episode, I’m joined by Ipek Gray, founder of The Born Method — a numbers-based system that uses birthdates and meaningful numerical patterns to create a personalized 20-digit code. Through a blend of data, ancient wisdom, and research, Ipek helps people uncover how they’re wired: how they communicate, where their natural strengths lie, where they may carry wounds or shadows, and what their “zone of genius” might be. I had a private session with Ipek the day before we recorded this — and it moved me so much that I asked her to come on and walk through my children’s numbers so you could hear the process in real time. What unfolded wasn’t about prediction or perfection. It was about awareness. About timing. About understanding how each person in a family might experience the world differently. We talk about how tools like this shouldn’t create pressure to “get it right,” but instead offer a roadmap for deeper connection — helping us see our partners, our children, and ourselves more clearly. Because when we understand how someone is built, we stop trying to change them — and start learning how to support who they already authentically are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

55: Giving Our Kids the Voice We Didn't Always Have

In this episode, I talk with Kelly Oriard and Callie Christensen, the founders of Slumberkins, a parenting resource designed to help both parents and children build resilience through meaningful stories, characters, and emotional tools that families truly see themselves in. From transitions and repair to grief, gratitude, emotional courage, and the development of a loving inner voice, what they’ve created reaches far beyond plush dolls and books. At its core, Slumberkins speaks to something universal: the inner child we all carry, and how parenting our own children often reveals the voices we needed but didn’t always receive. We connected deeply over our own seemingly “great” childhoods that still held moments of not feeling fully seen or heard, and how those experiences shaped us into people-pleasing adults who struggled to set boundaries without questioning our lovability. Kelly and Callie share vulnerably about stepping away from marriages where emotional safety wasn’t present, choosing instead to model honesty, courage, and self-respect for their children as single mothers. This one felt really special to record, and I’m so grateful for the work and community they’ve created. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

54: What is Confidence Really?

In this short solo episode I'm sharing what I think confidence really is - not praise, not performance, not getting everything right and not even owning a room. It's a belief in oneself as we are. I introduce the powerful role we play as parents in shaping that belief through our reactions, tone and presence. I also share on how stumbling upon meditation gave me the ability to pause and choose how I react to my kids. It gave me more control over how I respond to them - and I even attempt to guide you through a 60 second meditation practice on how you can start this. TLDR: raising confident kids starts with the work happening inside us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices