The Daily Bloom

When Emily and Antoine's son Leo was diagnosed with Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD), a rare neurodegenerative disease, their lives were turned upside down. Determined to raise awareness and funds for research, they launched the "Bisous for Leo" campaign, bringing together people from around the world to support their fight against INAD and other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Read their story and find out how you can help kiss INAD goodbye.

Jen Luby's journey into motherhood was far from the picture-perfect stories she read about. After her son James Romeo spent 87 days in the NICU, Jen faced the emotional rollercoaster of pre-eclampsia, early birth, and the pressure to match unrealistic standards of motherhood. Read her heartfelt story on embracing imperfection, finding inner strength, and learning to be kind to herself through it all.

After struggling to find the right resources for her breastfeeding journey, Betsy Riley created Swehl, a modern toolkit designed to simplify the experience for new parents. In this interview, she shares the lessons she’s learned, the best advice she’s received, and how she turned a mom-shaming moment into a positive experience.

NCIS actress Emily Wickersham is stepping into motherhood, a chapter she once wasn’t sure was in the cards for her. We caught up with her to talk about leaving the show, embracing change during pregnancy, and what she’s most excited about as a new mom.

Pelvic health specialist Allison Oswald discusses the importance of connecting with the pelvic floor, an often-overlooked area essential to women's overall health. From improving core strength to aiding postpartum recovery, Allison shares her insights on the benefits of pelvic floor exercises and dispels common myths about incontinence and kegels.

Tori Thain Gioia co-founded Perelel after her personal experience during pregnancy highlighted a gap in prenatal nutrition. Learn how her challenges inspired the creation of this OB/GYN-founded wellness company, and discover her thoughts on motherhood, parenting, and what excites her most about raising her children.

Robert Goldfaden, CEO of GOLDFADEN MD, made a bold career shift from investment banking to leading a family-founded skincare brand. In this interview, Robert shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, the joys and surprises of fatherhood, and the values that inspire both his business and personal life.

Tori St. Clair, founder of Malibu Mylk, shares her journey of navigating new motherhood while running a business during the pandemic. From baby snuggles to business calls, she reflects on the challenges and unexpected silver linings of balancing work and family life, and how her little one has become her best source of joy and perspective.

LESET founder Lili Chemla shares her love for matching sets and the inspiration behind launching LESET bebe, a collection of cozy Mommy & Me sets. Learn how this celebrity-loved brand blends comfort and style, why Lili’s go-to gift is tiny sneakers, and what makes the Lori Sets a must-have for versatile wardrobe options.

Lorena Garcia is the Co-Founder of Majka which specializes in supplements and snacks for quality-obsessed moms.

The brand was born out of the challenging and overwhelming experiences of becoming a mother. Lorena and her partner set out to make nutrition the least of a new-mom’s worries. With their wholesome products they are taking the guesswork out of nutrition, ensuring mama and baby are getting only the very best.

We caught up with the mom-preneur to chat about balance, pregnancy, and the resources that helped her during her own pregnancy experience.

What is the self-care practice you do to maintain balance?

I make sure that, despite whatever happens in the AM, I can always do my morning meditation. It helps me start my day with more balance and focus, and not feeling like I’m all over the place.

What is the one lesson you’ve learned that you’ll pass along to your children?

There are no real limits except the ones that you put on yourself.

What excited you the most about being a mother?

Being able to see my boys grow up and be there for them. I am excited to see who they grow up to be and look forward to being there for them every step of the way.

Tell us about your children’s names… is there a special meaning behind them?

My boys are Diego and Andres. I am Mexican and my husband is American so we wanted names that would be pronounced the same in both countries. Diego means teacher and I love that because as my first baby he came to teach me everything!

What was your pregnancy journey like? What has surprised you the most about pregnancy?

My first pregnancy was full of stress. I had a couple losses before so I was always worried. The most surprising thing for me was how sick I was! I had always thought that pregnant women were glowing and I spent the first three months throwing up.

What are your three most helpful parenting resources you’ve come across, and why do you love them?

Hands down, the most helpful parenting resource I’ve found is the Philosophy of Mindful Parenting, and also the books: The Whole-Brain Child and Raising Good Humans.

How has life changed for you since becoming a mother?

It's completely different — everything from how I manage my time to what I prioritize. I went from being super excited about taking risks (like skydiving!) to not wanting to fly on a plane alone because of the fear that something might happen.

What are some examples of how you are different or similar to your own mother?

I always thought my mom was super strict and I never understood why! Now I understand and I find myself trying to raise my kids with the same values she did, just with a little different style. I also love how my mom’s family always came first and that's something she passed on to me as well, and something I’ll pass on to the boys.

What is the best / most useful piece of advice you’ve received about motherhood? How do you incorporate it into your life?

YOU have to prioritize YOU! If you are happy and healthy then you will be able to be the best version of yourself for the people you love the most.

Have you ever been mom-shamed?

YES! One time someone told me I needed to stop breastfeeding because my pumped milk was not fatty enough. She told me I was hurting my baby, and that made me feel so bad. But now I know she had no idea what she was talking about!

Since becoming a mother, what is one product you wish existed that you haven’t been able to find?

A robot to clean the house!

What is a recent parenting experience that made you laugh or cry?

My son Diego trying to understand if Santa Claus is real or not. He has become so curious and asks so many questions. Some of them are too logical and he loves putting me on the spot. His last question about the topic was “You would totally tell me if Santa was not real… right?” I just smiled.

Do you have any mom icons?

I love Sarah Blakely! She is very dedicated to her family, and at the same time has built an incredible business. I love her story and enjoy following her on Instagram.

What are you eating these days?

I am a big fan of easy and healthy meals, so I love smoothies and veggie bowls.

What is your go-to meal for your children?

They love smoothies as well… and I’ll also give them egg muffins full of hidden veggies. #lifehack!

Lastly, what’s your all-time favorite recipe?

Mmmmm… I love this simple salad by Melissa Wood because it only has 5 ingredients and is literally SO easy!

When Tiana Tenet found herself slaving her days away in the New York grind surrounding Wall Street she knew it was time for a career change. Stemmed from a passion for eating healthy (and often not having the time to create nutritious home cooked meals), she teamed up with business partner Jill Donenfeld in 2017 to create The Culinistas, a cooking service whose mission it is to bring people back to the table and make it easier to enjoy home-cooked meals together.

The service pairs families with local chefs who then come to you -- with groceries! -- to cook your meals for the week (they clean up too)! Food is sourced from the local farmers market, with free-range meat and sustainable and organic ingredients.

We caught up with the entrepreneur to ask her to share a little about her life at home (and at the dinner table)...

 

What is the one lesson you’ll teach to your kids?

The importance of gathering around the table to engage in meaningful conversation and enjoy delicious food.

 

What are you eating these days?

Eating? You mean drinking! Between the water, coffee, milkmaid tea, smoothies, and wine, I find myself drinking all day. The water, tea, and smoothies help with milk production. The coffee and wine help with motherhood!

 

What is your all-time favorite recipe?

My mother's sausage bread. It's a family recipe she perfected and passed down to me. I make it during the holidays or on a rainy day.

 

What is your go-to meal for your children?

Whatever my husband and I are eating. We believe strongly in family meals -- it's the best way to introduce new foods to your children and expand their palates.

 

How do you practice self-care?

I love to move. If I can't fit in an intense workout, I'll squeeze in a walk to work or stroll around the neighborhood while taking calls. On the weekends, I'll swap out my workout for a tennis match or dance session. Moving brings out the best in me!