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Well, the time has come. You’ve heard her voice, you’ve heard her hot takes, and now you’re getting the whole story. In this episode, I turn the mic toward the other half of this podcast—my co-host, my ride-or-die, and the queen of chaotic calm herself: Paige Turner (@sheisapaigeturner).

We get real real. Paige walks us through the beautiful, messy, emotional tornado that has been her path to motherhood—starting with a teenage AIM love triangle, through pregnancy losses, fostering two toddlers, navigating IVF and surviving a traumatic birth

If you’ve ever wondered how someone goes from "let's not not try" to four kids in five years. (Yes, four kids. In five years. Wild.)—all while staying married, organized, employed and mostly sane—you’re in for a treat. Plus, we talk domestic labor, postpartum absurdities, and more.

🕒 Timeline Summary:

[1:22] - That time Paige's teenage AIM crush ditched her best friend… and became her husband.
[6:11] - The “am I hungover or pregnant?” moment that turned into an ectopic pregnancy.
[11:46] - Fostering toddlers while grieving a pregnancy loss—because why do things the easy way?
[25:54] - IVF with toddlers during lockdown… nothing to see here, totally normal.
[33:35] - That time her placenta overstayed its welcome… by several surgeries.
[41:50] - Choosing a C-section (plus surprise hysterectomy!) with 40 people in the room.
[50:26] - The unexpected joy of watching your kids turn into tiny weird humans.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Follow Paige on Instagram: @sheisapaigeturner
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston) - Website
• Interested in fostering in Massachusetts? Learn more: DCF MA Foster Care

💬 Final Thoughts:
If you’ve ever wanted to hear a woman survive an ectopic pregnancy, foster two kids, endure a pandemic pregnancy, lose a placenta and her uterus—all while staying sarcastic and showing up as the other half of this show—this episode is your moment.

If you laughed, cried, or screamed into a pillow (relatable), don’t forget to rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. We love ya for it.

SUMMARY OF TOPICS WE COVER

• Met husband at age 14, dated at 16, and are going strong 18 years later
• Always planned on having four children, influenced by both coming from larger families
• Began fostering process at age 28, taking nearly a year to become licensed
• Experienced two ectopic pregnancies requiring surgery and removal of both fallopian tubes
• Fostered and later adopted a one-year-old and two-year-old in 2019
• Underwent IVF to conceive two biological daughters
• First birth resulted in severe complications with retained placenta, requiring multiple surgeries
• Second birth required a planned C-section with emergency hysterectomy due to placenta accreta
• Navigated pandemic parenting with daycare closures while working full-time
• Experienced inequitable division of household labor during the pandemic
• Had all four children within five years, with the maximum age gap being 2.5 years

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

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

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

Send us a text

🔗 Follow the Guests:
Chanel Wolf
TikTok: @ChanelWolf
New wellness & healing products dropping soon in the TikTok Shop!

Jaime Fisher
TikTok: @HeyJamieFish
YouTube: JFisher Channel
Long-form content + exciting TikTok Shop updates on the way!

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

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

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

Send us a text

“I moved in with another single mom… and people had so many questions. But the truth is: I needed community more than I needed space.”

What if healing from betrayal meant rewriting everything — including how we mother, how we live, and who we let in?

In this heartfelt and deeply honest episode, host Sam Strom and Jaime Fisher (@heyjaimefish) sit down with Chanel Wolf (@mamachanelwolf) — a single mom, yoga teacher, and plant medicine advocate — to talk about navigating single motherhood, co-living with another single mom, and healing after betrayal.

Chanel opens up about rebuilding her life after a painful breakup, choosing community over isolation, and how plant medicine became a key part of her healing and self-discovery.

🎧 This is a raw, healing, and hopeful conversation about what comes after heartbreak — and how support, sisterhood, and alternative paths can help us redefine what motherhood can look like today.

🎙️ Episode Guests:
Chanel Wolf (@mamachanelwolf) – Single mom, yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and plant medicine guide

Jaime Fisher (@heyjaimefish) – Co-host and return guest, known for sharing her personal experiences with marriage and motherhood

Hosted by Sam Strom

🔹 Topics We Cover:

What is a “mommune”? Real talk on shared living between single moms

Rebuilding your identity after relationship betrayal

Why co-living can be a lifeline for overwhelmed solo parents

How plant medicine can support emotional recovery and resilience

Honest reflections from Jaime on her own path through relational hardship

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

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

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

Send us a text

Meghan Markle, postpartum preeclampsia, maternal health, cultural perceptions, parenting, surrogacy, fertility, celebrity news, public scrutiny, women's health

Summary

In this episode, Sam Strom and Zara Hanawalt discuss various topics surrounding motherhood, health, and societal perceptions. They delve into Meghan Markle's recent revelations about postpartum preeclampsia, the cultural stigma surrounding women's health issues, and the alarming maternal mortality rates in the US compared to other countries. The conversation also touches on the scrutiny faced by public figures like Markle, the challenges of parenting in public spaces, and the controversial nature of children's fashion. They explore the complexities of surrogacy and fertility challenges, emphasizing the need for understanding and compassion in these discussions.

Takeaways & Topics

• Meghan Markle's experience with postpartum preeclampsia highlights the need for awareness.
• Cultural perceptions often undermine women's health issues.
• Maternal mortality rates in the US are alarmingly high, especially for women of color.
• Public figures face intense scrutiny that can overshadow their personal struggles.
• Parenting in public can be challenging, and support is crucial.
• The fashion choices for children can spark controversy and debate.
• Surrogacy raises ethical questions that society must address.
• Fertility challenges are deeply personal and vary for each individual.
• Women often face judgment regardless of their parenting choices.
• Compassion and understanding are essential in discussions about motherhood.

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Confessions of a Female Founder – Meghan Markle’s new podcast
• Reshma Saujani & MomsFirst
• Commonwealth Fund maternal mortality stats
• Abigail Tucker’s book Mom Genes
• Book recommendation: Careless People by Lucy Sante (Congressional drama, Meta secrets, and motherhood)
• Brooke Schofield’s cosmetic surgery updates on TikTok
• Do We Know Them? Podcast recommendation – deep dive into social media commentary

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

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

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

Send us a text

In this episode of Do You Want the Truth? Pop Culture Hour, Zara and Sam dive into Kylie Kelce’s refreshingly honest postpartum podcast episode—and why it should be required listening for anyone interacting with a new parent. We break down some of the most frustrating pieces of advice new moms get (looking at you, “sleep when the baby sleeps”), and reflect on how celebrity culture, hustle culture, and social media have shaped the unrealistic expectations around postpartum recovery.

From night nurses and nannies to bonding delays and breastfeeding struggles, this episode is full of candid conversation around the parts of new parenthood that often get glossed over or left out completely. We also touch on homeschooling trends, daycare guilt, and how different privilege can show up in parenting choices. Plus, a little Miss Rachel update and a preview of our upcoming episode with Power Pause author Neha Ruch!

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

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

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

Send us a text

What does it really take to raise three kids under six while holding down an executive role and managing over 100 employees? In this episode, I’m joined by Annette Kerlew - a 39-year-old mom of three (a 5.5-year-old son and 3.5-year-old boy/girl twins), wife, and Executive Vice President of Finance & Operations at a marketing communications agency living in New Jersey.

Annette opens up about the very real financial and emotional demands of parenting young kids while climbing the corporate ladder. From paying nearly $7,000/month in childcare, to managing a 60/40 split at home with her husband, to learning how to parent through exhaustion and stress without guilt. She shares what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why letting go of perfection has been key. 🔑

This is a great conversation for anyone navigating career, kids, and the never-ending juggle of modern motherhood.

💬 Final Note:
If this episode hit home, please rate, follow, and review the show. And share it with a fellow mom who's in the thick of it—because juggling kids, career, and life is tough, but you're not alone. 💛

⏳ Timeline Summary:
[6:32] - What 60/40 looks like in a two-career household with three kids under six
[9:51] - Paying nearly $7,000/month for daycare and how they made it work
[11:58] - Surprise: why she had twins at 35 and what her doctor said about it
[18:04] - Returning to work at 16 weeks postpartum while managing a large team
[21:41] - Formula feeding without guilt—and why it helped her mental health
[30:00] - Budgeting, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace: how she saved money
[43:08] - Real talk on marriage, mental load, and avoiding resentment
[47:42] - Her biggest advice: how to keep stress from affecting your kids

🔗 Links & Resources

Follow Annette Kerlew on TikTok & Instagram

• Cribsheet by Emily Oster
• The Maids Cleaning Franchise
• KidStrong
• Secondhand style & savings: Poshmark, eBay, Facebook Marketplace

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

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

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

Send us a text

Christine Landis is the founder of Peacock Parent and a former fintech CEO who sold her company for eight figures. After stepping out of the boardroom and into motherhood, Christine quickly realized that parenting came with a whole new kind of pressure—especially when it came to managing time, expectations, and the never-ending mental load. Using the same skills she once used to scale a company, Christine created Peacock Parent to help modern families outsource low-joy tasks, delegate smartly, and reclaim their time without shame.

In this episode, we get into the good stuff such as why moms shouldn’t try to do it all, what “buying back your time” actually looks like, and how hiring support doesn’t have to break the bank. Christine shares how she created a platform to help parents like her find vetted, affordable help—without the shame or stress. If you’re feeling stretched thin or silently screaming into your crockpot, this one’s for you.


⏱️ What We Talk About:
[0:26] – Christine’s “I need to run my house like a company” lightbulb moment
[1:43] – Taking over her mom’s biz, scaling it, selling it (and grieving through it)
[4:10] – From inbox overload to baby bottles: the identity whiplash of new motherhood
[8:11] – Let’s talk about help, guilt, and why you shouldn’t do it all yourself
[12:25] – Hiring support doesn’t have to cost a fortune—really
[16:20] – How Peacock Parent’s Proxy tool makes delegation a no-brainer
[26:25] – What surprised her most about being a mom (spoiler: it’s not the sleep deprivation)
[44:02] – Her go-to advice for new parents that’ll make you exhale immediately

🛠️ Links & Resources:

Find your parenting sidekick: www.peacockparent.com
Use code to get $25 off Proxy: PPTHETRUTH

Take the FREE Proxy Quiz to get matched with vetted support: Start here https://www.peacockparent.com/proxy

Download the “99 Tasks to Delegate Today” cheat sheet: Grab it here https://www.peacockparent.com/resources

Follow Christine for parenting hacks, real talk & delegation inspo: @peacockparent https://www.instagram.com/peacockparent

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

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

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

Send us a text

“Is Parenthood Hellish? Unpacking Chappell Roan’s Viral Comment” | Do You Want the Truth? with Sam Strom & New Cohost Zara Hanawalt

Welcome to the very first episode of Do You Want the Truth? – Pop Culture Hour! I’m Sam Strom, and I’m thrilled to kick off this new weekly series with Zara Hanawalt. You might remember her from a previous episode; Zara is a seasoned journalist, a twin mom, and a total powerhouse. Each week, we’ll be breaking down what’s happening in pop culture through a lens that centers moms, women, and the messy beauty of real life.

In this episode, we dive into the internet firestorm sparked by pop star Chappell Roan’s recent comment: "All the parents I know are in hell." We unpack what she meant (or didn’t mean), how people are reacting, and why it struck such a nerve - especially with moms. Zara and I don’t always agree, and that’s what makes this conversation so juicy. We talk about the nuances of parenting joy vs. burnout, cultural expectations of moms, and how privilege, societal structures, and TikTok trends are all colliding in this moment. If you’ve ever felt judged (or found yourself judging) how someone else does motherhood, this episode is for you.

💬 Join the Conversation

We want to hear from YOU! What do you think about Chappell Roan’s take on parenting? Do you agree, disagree, or land somewhere in the messy middle? Text us your thoughts or tag us on social media.

And don’t forget—if you loved this episode (or even just felt something!), please rate, follow, and leave a review. It helps us grow and keeps the truth-telling alive.

Until next time, —Sam & Zara 🖤

🕰️ Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Meet Zara Hanawalt! Our new cohost joins the pod and shares what to expect from our weekly pop culture breakdowns.

[0:44] – Zara unpacks her first reactions to Chappell Roan’s viral quote—and how it hit differently as a mom.

[2:31] – Why the internet’s reaction to moms responding joyfully is rubbing Zara the wrong way.

[4:42] – Sam shares her journey into motherhood—and how social media painted a misleading picture before she became a parent.

[7:13] – The reality of parenting in America: lack of support, cultural pressures, and why we need to talk policy.

[10:12] – “The light has gone from their eyes…” Is it burnout, depression, or a broken system?

[14:44] – Can we finally stop pretending it’s either #BossBabe or #TradWife? Sam and Zara call out the false binary.

[16:28] – The problem with framing motherhood as “the only path to joy”—and how it weaponizes choice.

[20:35] – We wrap with a call to conversation: Is parenthood hellish for you? Or is the narrative just out of control?

🔗 Links & Resources

• Follow Zara on Instagram: @zarahanawalt
• Follow us on Instagram: @doyouwantthetruthpod
• Listen to our previous episode with Eve Rodsky
• Learn more about the U.S. Surgeon General’s comments on parenting and mental health

Support the show

Website: https://www.doyouwantthetruthpod.com

Connect with Sam:

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

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