In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, host Samantha Cieslinski sits down with Michele Grasmick, President of Toothpillow, to unpack the connection between airway health, sleep, and our kids’ overall development.

From mouth breathing and picky eating to bedwetting and behavioral issues—Michele reveals how they’re all rooted in jaw development. We also talk about what it really looks like to grow a company while raising two young children (including a powerful adoption story that will stay with you forever).

This isn’t just a conversation about teeth. It’s about changing the way we support children’s health from birth and building a future where moms trust their instincts, have the right tools, and feel empowered—not overwhelmed.

✨ Plus: Toothpillow is offering Running Wine Mom listeners a free $50 assessment with code RUNNINGWINEMOM at toothpillow.com

Topics we cover:

• Why mouth breathing is not just “annoying”—it’s a red flag
• Early signs of underdeveloped jaws in babies and toddlers
• The link between sleep quality, ADHD symptoms, and picky eating
• How to avoid unnecessary surgery by treating the root cause
• Michele’s emotional infertility & adoption journey
• What inspired her to launch Toothpillow as a mom of two
• How working moms can lead with purpose and peace
• Why traditional orthodontics might be making things worse
• Practical tools for airway-friendly parenting (baby bottles, bibs, weaning tips)

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode:

• 🦷 Toothpillow Website & Free Assessment

  Use code RUNNINGWINEMOM at checkout for a free $50 video consultation.

• 🍼 Easy Peasy Products

• 📱Follow Michele’s work at Toothpillow on Instagram

In this unforgettable episode of The Running Wine Mom, host Samantha Cieslinski sits down with John Graham—former U.S. diplomat, mountaineer, author, and Executive Director of the Giraffe Heroes Project.

John’s life is part Indiana Jones, part spiritual guide. From navigating revolutionary Libya and surviving a near-death battle in Vietnam, to climbing the perilous, never-again-attempted North Wall of Denali, his stories are gripping. But it’s the transformation—from thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie to global changemaker—that takes this conversation to another level.

We explore what real courage looks like, how to live a meaningful life, why service matters, and how sharing stories can move people more than lectures ever will. Oh, and yes—he has a TikTok channel called Badass Granddad, and it’s exactly what you think.

Whether you're facing a big life decision or just need a reminder of your own strength, this episode is for you.

🔗 LINKS

John Graham
🌍 Website: https://www.johngraham.org

📘 Book: Quest: Risk, Karma, and the Search for Meaning
🦒 Giraffe Heroes Project: https://www.giraffe.org

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@badassgranddad
📸 Instagram (Giraffe Heroes): https://www.instagram.com/giraffeheroes/

🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/giraffeheroes

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngrahamgiraffe

📧 Email: graham@giraffe.org

The Running Wine Mom – Samantha Cieslinski
🎙️ Website: https://www.therunningwinemom.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningwinemom_

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therunningwinemom

🎧 Subscribe: The Running Wine Mom

What happens when archaeology, passion, and a good pair of running shoes collide in the heart of Rome? In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, host Samantha Cieslinski sits down with the powerhouse behind ArcheoRunning—Isabella Calidonna.

Isabella is an archaeologist, certified tour guide, and running coach who leads unique early-morning running tours through the Eternal City. Together, we talk about how she built a one-of-a-kind experience that blends history, movement, and connection. She shares what it’s like to run alongside ruins, what keeps her grounded in a male-dominated field, and the Roman sites that still give her goosebumps.

We cover everything from the Gladiator myth to quiet mornings at the Colosseum, from sipping tea to embracing joy in the ordinary. Whether you're a runner, a history nerd, or just someone craving a fresh perspective, this episode will leave you inspired—and maybe dreaming of your own Roman run.

Mentioned in the Episode:
🔗 Isabella’s Website: www.archeorunning.com
📸 Isabella on Instagram: @archeorunning
📸 Samantha on Instagram: @therunningwinemom_

In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, host Samantha Cieslinski sits down with the incredible Kristin Revere — founder of Gold Coast Doulas, co-author of Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby, and a fierce advocate for maternal health.

Kristin shares her powerful journey from political fundraising to full-time doula work, building a values-driven business, and navigating the early parenting years with both compassion and grit. From birth plans and NICU surprises to pandemic pivots and postpartum advocacy, this conversation is both eye-opening and heartwarming.

Whether you’re a new mom, a mom-to-be, or just need to hear someone say “you’re doing better than you think,” this one’s for you.

🍷 Wine, Whine, and Win of the Week:

• Wine: Rosé season is here!
• Whine: Sports schedule chaos and last-minute kid logistics
• Win: A new doula joins the Gold Coast team—perfect timing for the overnight care boom!

💬 Topics We Cover:

• The surprising path from politics to doula care
• What a doula really does (and how it’s different from other birth professionals)
• The power of postpartum support and building your “village”
• Becoming a B Corp and supporting women in business
• Navigating parenthood with flexibility and intuition
• Fitness, mental health, and staying strong (literally and emotionally)
• How the pandemic reshaped the way doulas support families
• Writing Supported and launching the Becoming a Mother course
• Preventing burnout in caregiving careers
• Birth preference sheets vs. birth plans
• Hope for the future of accessible doula care

🛠️ Resources & Links:

• 💛 Gold Coast Doulas
• 📚 Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby – Available here
• 🎧 Ask the Doulas Podcast
• 💻 Becoming a Mother Course
• 📱 Follow Kristin: @goldcoastdoulas
• 🏃‍♀️ Follow Samantha: @therunningwinemom_

✨ Favorite Quote from the Episode:

🔔 Don’t Forget:

If this episode resonated with you, leave a review, subscribe to The Running Wine Mom, and share it with a fellow mama who needs to hear it.

Until next time — keep running, keep sipping, and keep embracing the joy of motherhood. Cheers!

This week, Samantha sits down with the powerhouse that is Kerstin Schulze—actor, coach, mom, and founder of Party and Diet. From her role on The Righteous Gemstones to helping everyday women feel strong, confident, and balanced, Kerstin brings her signature no-nonsense, all-heart energy to the mic.

In this honest and eye-opening episode, Kerstin shares:

• Her journey from Germany to Hollywood—and how she ended up training Thor himself (yes, really)
• Why balance matters more than restriction when it comes to food, fitness, and motherhood
• Her go-to approach for managing perimenopause and hormones through nutrition
• How short, intentional workouts can totally change your mood and metabolism
• Her favorite supplements, morning routines, and mindset shifts to support busy women
• Why food shame needs to go—and what Sophia Loren has to do with it

Whether you're deep in your “wine mom” era or trying to find a rhythm that actually feels sustainable, this episode will leave you feeling empowered, grounded, and a little less alone in the middle.

🔗 Connect with Kerstin

Instagram: @kerstin__schulze
Fitness & Nutrition Programs: partyanddiet.com

🎧 Stay Connected with Samantha

Instagram: @therunningwinemom_

Subscribe, share, and don’t forget to leave a review if this episode hit home for you!

In this powerful episode of The Running Wine Mom, host Samantha Cieslinski sits down with Dr. Robynn Mays—a licensed clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, and passionate advocate for maternal mental health. From birthing trauma to postpartum depression, Dr. Mays shares her deeply personal journey and the experiences that led her to create change for mothers everywhere.

We talk about what self-care really looks like when you’re in the thick of parenting, how to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system, and the importance of culturally competent care for women of color. There’s also room for laughter, favorite wines (hello, Stella Rosa Blueberry), mom wins, and the honest struggles we don’t talk about enough.

Whether you’re a new mom, a seasoned parent, or someone who loves a mother—this episode will speak to your soul.

🗣 Topics We Cover:

• Dr. Mays’ personal experience with birth trauma and postpartum mental health
• Common misconceptions about maternal mental health (spoiler: dads experience it too!)
• The difference between “baby blues” and postpartum depression
• Why culturally competent care isn’t optional—especially for Black mothers
• Real-life tips for coping with anxiety, guilt, and burnout
• How structure, love, and Disney characters shape Dr. Mays’ parenting style
• Wine of the week (because of course): Stella Rosa Blueberry + Black Girl Rosé

💬 Memorable Quote:

🔗 Connect With Us:

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Robynn Mays
Instagram:
@doctor.robynn
@lifewith.robynn

🍷 Host: Samantha Cieslinski (The Running Wine Mom)
Instagram:
@therunningwinemom_

If this episode moved you, helped you, or made you feel seen—share it with a mom who needs to hear it. Subscribe, leave a review, and don’t forget: You matter too, mama.

In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, host Samantha Cieslinski chats with Julie Lagaüzère, founder of Brooknit Bonneterie, a Brooklyn-based brand blending French elegance with American practicality—one knitting kit at a time.

Julie shares her powerful journey from the corporate world to creative entrepreneurship, and how knitting became a tool for self-care, emotional growth, and community connection. We explore how crafting supports mental health, why knitting is uniquely portable and accessible, and how it creates timeless bonds across generations.

Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or simply craft-curious, this conversation will inspire you to slow down, get creative, and reconnect—with yourself and others.

💡 Episode Highlights:

• Why knitting is the most portable (and underrated) craft
• How crafting boosts emotional resilience in moms and kids
• Julie’s approach to parenting without perfection
• The connection between creativity and mental wellness
• How Brooknit Bonneterie is redefining modern crafting culture

🧵 Connect with Julie & Brooknit Bonneterie:

🌐 Website: brooknit-bonneterie.com
📲 Instagram: @brooknitbonneterie
🧶 Patterns: Ravelry Page
🎥 Tutorials: YouTube Channel
🔗 All links: Linktree
💼 Julie on LinkedIn: Julie Lagaüzère

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts—and be sure to follow @therunningwinemom_ on Instagram for more mindful motherhood content.

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In this powerful and heartfelt episode, host Samantha Cieslinski sits down with returning guest Anita Mirchandani—registered dietitian, certified fitness professional, and mother of two—as she opens up about the sudden loss of her husband. Together, they explore how grief affects the body physically, emotionally, and hormonally.

From elevated cortisol to disrupted sleep, brain fog, and unexpected weight changes, Anita shares how trauma can show up in our health—and how we can begin to support ourselves through it. This episode is both educational and deeply human, offering practical advice for moms in the thick of stress, grief, or burnout.

🧠What We Cover:

• Anita’s personal story of grief and motherhood
• The physical symptoms of stress and high cortisol
• What grief can look like in the body (and how it lingers)
• Gentle ways to support your hormones during trauma
• Perimenopause and emotional stress
• Real-life tips for lowering cortisol and finding stability again
• How community and communication help with healing

🔗 Connect With Us:

Follow Anita: @fitnutanita
Follow Samantha: @therunningwinemom_

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