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A rare, candid arc of modern reinvention: we sit down with Angela to track how a terrifying HELLP diagnosis, an emergency C‑section, and a six‑week NICU stay unraveled one plan and made space for another. The first pivot is survival—reselling from home to stay close to a preemie—and the second is creative: content that starts as sales updates and grows into a slower, long-form voice about craft, home, and the beautiful chaos of raising boys.

From there the story scales. Angela and her husband build in the trades—fencing in a high‑demand Dallas–Fort Worth market, a roofing partnership, and a breakout sport court business fueled by pickleball. The real unlock isn’t a hack; it’s logistics. Scattered storage units fail under bulk deliveries, so they hunt for a warehouse and accidentally find a property with both home and shop. That “Severance” commute from house to office restores boundaries, clarifies roles, and, surprisingly, introduces three miniature donkeys named Pickle, Picket, and Pitch.

We go deep on the body and the mind: secondary infertility, four miscarriages without clear answers, and the calm redemption of a planned C‑section after surrendering a hoped‑for VBAC. We unpack kindergarten cutoffs and readiness, the reality of boys who need to move, and the quiet calculus of family bandwidth that includes aging dogs and travel plans. Angela’s entrepreneurial playbook is refreshingly practical—delegate sooner than feels safe, follow what actually energizes you, and keep going through the bottom of the U when it’s tempting to quit.

Most of all, this conversation re-centers the undersold joy of parenthood: the breath-catching pride in a small solved problem, the Tuesday soup stirred side by side, the tenderness that deserves a seat next to spreadsheets. If this resonates, tap follow, share with a friend who’s mid-pivot, and leave a review with the one insight you’re taking with you.

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In today’s conversation, we sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel (@drrachelnyc) to unpack something so many of us wrestle with but rarely name out loud: food noise—that constant mental chatter about eating that overwhelms our cues, our joy, and our presence. We explore why this noise gets especially loud during postpartum and perimenopause, and why obesity is a complex metabolic disease, not a willpower issue. Dr. Rachel breaks down how GLP-1 medications, paired with cognitive behavioral tools, can quiet the shame spiral, restore choice, and shift our actual health markers in meaningful ways.

We also get into the messy middle of motherhood and womanhood—body comments, shifting hormones, boundary-setting, and the emotional whiplash of not feeling at home in your own body. Dr. Rachel offers quick scripts for shutting down unwanted commentary (perfect for the holidays), guidance for talking to kids about bodies with compassion and clarity, and concrete ways a quieter mind frees up space for strength training, protein-forward meals, hydration, sleep, and simply living with more ease. If you’re navigating postpartum changes, perimenopause, or the heavy mental load around food, this episode brings both science and soul.

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You can learn more about Dr. Rachel on her website and give her a follow on Instagram.

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to rate, follow, share, and leave a review. It helps more listeners find the show—and I always love hearing what resonated most with you. ❤️

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Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/

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A quiet panic at the hospital exit changed everything. Michelle thought she had done everything right—researched the “best” infant seat, checked every box—and still drove away with a major mistake she didn’t catch until a stranger gently intervened. That moment became the blueprint for Safe in the Seat, a judgment-free space that helps parents turn car-seat anxiety into everyday confidence.

We dig into the numbers and the nuance: why over 70% of inspected seats have serious errors, how the same install can be right in one car and wrong in another, and where to actually find certified child passenger safety technicians near you. Michelle explains the biggest transition most families underestimate—moving from a five-point harness to a booster—and why maturity, not just age, drives that decision. If your kid slumps, wiggles, or can’t manage the buckle, you’re not behind; you’re learning the signs that keep the seat belt where it protects best.

Real life shows up in the school pickup line and on the jet bridge. We share simple ways to practice fast, calm buckling, tools for little hands that struggle with release buttons, and the one choice that saves sanity on hectic days: pull over, reset, then roll. We also talk travel truths: the risks of renting car seats, what to consider before trusting cleaning hacks, and why FAA-recommended car seats on planes matter for turbulence, not doomsday. When kids outgrow restraints on board, learn how to check lap belt fit so they stay secure in the cabin.

Threaded through the safety talk is a story about resilience and redefinition. Michelle built a mission-driven business during a divorce and the pandemic, filming courses in her sister’s living room and meeting parents where they actually are—on their phones, in DMs, and on the way out of the hospital. The tone is clear: no shame, just better choices with better information. If you’ve ever wondered whether your setup is truly safe, or how to know when to switch stages, this conversation will leave you with answers you can use today.

If this helped, follow and share with a parent who needs a confidence boost, subscribe for more practical guidance, and leave a review to tell us your biggest car-seat question—we’ll tackle it next.

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/samanthastrom

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthastorms

Connect with Zara:

Zara Hanawalt https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-hanawalt/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@zarahanawalt

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zarahanawalt/