In this episode, we chat with Jess about what it’s like parenting three kids in high-level athletics. She shares how their family has cultivated a strong culture of sibling support, encouraged open conversations around body image and nutrition—focusing on strength over appearance—and taught their kids not to quit on the hard days. Jess also opens up about managing her own chronic health challenges while making sure it doesn’t overshadow her children’s experience. It’s a raw, inspiring look at raising resilient, grounded kids in a high-performance world.

In this reflective and energizing episode of Smashed Oranges, co-hosts Maddie and Sarah dive into the messy, magical space between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming. They open up about the transitions they’re both navigating—Sarah prepares for baby number two and a potential relocation, while Maddie feels the magnetic pull of a new career path in Pilates and wellness.Together, they explore the tension between having a vision and not yet seeing the full picture, the bravery of starting something before you’re “ready,” and the emotional rollercoaster that often comes with entrepreneurship, motherhood, and chasing purpose. From overthinking and imposter syndrome to trusting gut instincts and letting go of “perfect timing,” they talk about learning to build a life that aligns—even when it doesn’t follow the traditional path.If you’re in a season of pivoting, stretching, or stepping into the unknown, this episode will feel like a warm hug and a gentle push forward.

In this special Mother’s Day episode of Smashed Oranges, Maddie invites her own mom, Maureen, to reflect on over three decades of motherhood. From the early chaos of parenting three kids with wildly different personalities to the quiet joys of being a grandma, this conversation is filled with honesty, humor, and timeless wisdom. Together, they explore what it means to build a safe, loving home, the power of letting go, and how parenting evolves through generations. It's a tribute to every mom who’s done her best with what she had—and a reminder that love, connection, and dinner around the table matter more than perfection.

The term body positivity didn’t start as an Instagram trend—it began as a movement advocating for marginalized bodies and systemic change. In this conversation, we explore how that origin story often gets lost when we talk about “loving your body” as moms. We contrast it with body neutrality, a gentler approach focused on function over appearance, and reflect on how both frameworks can help—or hurt—depending on the day. If you’ve ever felt pressure to love your stretch marks or felt guilt for not, this one’s for you.

This week on Smashed Oranges, it’s a family affair! We sit down with our husbands to get their perspective on the transition into parenthood — the highs, the lows, and whether dads deserve a little more credit than they get. We also dive into the differences (and surprises) of raising girls versus boys, what our own childhoods taught us about parenting, and how we’re working to build strong relationships with our kids even while balancing busy lives. And because we like to stress ourselves out a little, we even peek ahead at the teenage years. Let's talk parenting with presence, intention, and a whole lot of heart.Whether you’re a new parent, a partner, or someone curious about the unspoken side of fatherhood, this conversation is full of real talk, laughter, vulnerability, and a few comical stories from our own childhoods. Tune in to hear what happens when dads get real — and why supporting each other through parenthood matters more than ever.LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more candid conversations about motherhood. Every subscriber helps us bring fresh content and build this amazing community.🔗 Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content:📸 Instagram: @smashed.oranges🎥 TikTok: @smashed.oranges📹 YouTube Shorts: @smashedoranges

In today’s episode, we sit down for a heartfelt conversation about the unexpected journey into NICU parenthood. Special guest, Whit Carrigan, shares her story of being faced with the possibility of a premature birth—recounting the moment hospital staff prepared her and her partner for what could come, the emotional weight of hearing those words, and the whirlwind that followed.We dive into how the NICU experience impacted her relationship with her partner—how they showed up for each other in exhaustion, in fear, and in those quiet moments where everything felt out of their control. She opens up about the power of support from family and professionals, especially in moments when space and presence meant everything.This conversation also explores the transition that comes after the NICU—the challenges of returning to work as a mother, learning to adapt to a new normal, and the ongoing process of healing, adjusting, and growing stronger in the aftermath.If you've ever faced a detour in your parenting journey or found yourself navigating an entirely different path than the one you planned, this episode is for you.Find Whit on Instagram: @whits🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more real, honest conversations about motherhood, self-development, and anything in between!

What really changes when you go from one kid to two? And how do you juggle motherhood and running a business when no one is sleeping?In this episode of Smashed Oranges, we sit down with Rachel Friesen—also known as @almostffamous on Instagram—for a raw, funny, and deeply relatable conversation about navigating life as a mom of two under three.Rachel is a content copywriter and marketing strategist who turned her passion into a full-blown agency. With over a decade of experience in social media, content creation, and digital marketing, Rachel knows exactly what it takes to stand out online. But behind the scroll-stopping content is a woman managing night wakings, nap schedules, client emails, and toddler meltdowns—all before noon.We talk about:The real difference between baby #1 and baby #2Why the second baby can rock your world (even when you think you're prepared)Letting go of control, asking for help, and surviving by “capacity”How identity shifts when motherhood meets entrepreneurshipAnd how to stop comparing your kids (and yourself) to everyone else on the internetWhether you're expecting your second or just deep in the trenches of mom life, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and maybe even laughing through the chaos.Find Rachel on Instagram: @almostffamous

In this honest and deeply personal episode of Smashed Oranges, we open up about the unexpected and often taboo experience of gender disappointment. When Sarah found out her second baby was boy, she was surprised by a wave of grief—mourning the future she had envisioned of another little girl playing side by side with her older sister.

Today we explore what gender disappointment really is, why it’s more common than people admit, and how to navigate the guilt and grief that sometimes comes with it. We talk through the shame and confusion that can come with those feelings, the societal messages that fuel our expectations, and why it’s important to give ourselves permission to feel it all. From unpacking what we’ve internalized about raising boys vs. girls, to celebrating the joy and magic that come when you let go of the “shoulds,” this conversation is for every parent who’s ever had a reaction they didn’t expect.

Whether you're pregnant, postpartum, or reflecting on your own journey, this is a space to feel seen, validated, and reminded that there’s no one “right” way to feel.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more real, honest conversations about motherhood, self-development, and anything in between!