Under the Influence with Jo Piazza

The world loves to tell parents—especially moms—that kids and creativity can’t co-exist. Writer M.M. De Voe thinks that’s B.S. and so do I. M. founded Pen Parentis to help writers keep creating after they have kids. In this conversation, we get into what really happens to creativity when you add a baby to the mix: the productivity spurts, the guilt, the comparisons, the shame. And why community might be the single thing that saves your art. Learn more about Pen Parentis at penparentis.org. Join our newsletter community here. ORDER EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU here. Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Gelles, a New York Times reporter and author of Dirtbag Billionaire, discusses the journey of Yvon Chouinard, the iconic founder of Patagonia. Joined by sustainability expert Nick Astor, they explore how Patagonia transcended its brand identity to become a leader in environmental activism. Topics include Chouinard's commitment to sustainability, the evolution from climbing gear to a billion-dollar brand, and the integration of profit with purpose. Discover how Patagonia's legacy inspires a shift towards mindful consumption and ethical business practices.

Stephen and Bret—aka the Broadway Husbands—have spent their careers lighting up the stage, from The Little Mermaid to Billy Elliot. But their most moving performance is the life they’ve built together as husbands and now as dads. In this episode, they join Committed to share their story: how they met in sobriety, fell in love over Christmas parties and theater trips, and eventually tied the knot with a rooftop proposal at the Empire Hotel. They talk candidly about their four-year surrogacy journey, the emotional rollercoaster of becoming parents, and the ways fatherhood has reshaped their relationship, their boundaries, and their priorities. We also get into how they balance Broadway careers, creative projects, and parenting, while still making space for each other as partners. And yes—there’s singing, laughter, and plenty of joy. Stephen and Brett’s love story is not just a Broadway tale, it’s a human one—about resilience, partnership, and building a family against the odds. Follow the Broadway Husbands here. You can see Bret's Go Fund Me here. Binge all the episodes of Committed here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Danielle Robay, a journalist and author known for her work with Reese's Book Club and her podcast Question Everything, shares her candid journey of freezing her eggs. She highlights the emotional and physical hurdles of the process, emphasizing the need for community support among women. The conversation dives into the clash between career ambitions and fertility, touching on societal pressures and misconceptions. With humor, Danielle also discusses societal beauty standards and the unexpected lessons learned along the way.

We’ve been sold the myth that entertaining means a spotless house, endless cooking, and perfection. Dan Pelosi—aka Grossy Pelosi—believes the opposite. His new cookbook Let’s Party shows why the best gatherings come from embracing imperfection, celebrating the everyday, and keeping food joyful and easy. In this episode, Dan shares why a good menu is really about confidence, why dips are the little black dress of parties, and how to show up as both a great host and a great guest. Let’s Party is out now—your blueprint for gatherings that feel simple, fun, and full of connection. Order Let's Party here. Join our newsletter community here. ORDER EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU here. Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we are sharing my recent interview on the Webby Award-winning daily podcast Totally Booked with Zibby. Hosted by Zibby Owens, Totally Booked delivers interviews with the best, buzziest, and underrated authors to share work that’s truly worth your time. For more episodes, follow Totally Booked with Zibby on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts. New episodes are released daily! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of us don’t know how to put on a duvet cover without swearing, let alone clean a dryer vent before it catches fire. Enter Casey Finn, creator of The DIY Playbook, who has spent over a decade proving that anyone can take control of their home. In this episode, she breaks down the hacks that actually work, the real price tags behind renovations, and why the least sexy chores are the ones that save you the most money. Join our newsletter community here. ORDER EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU here. Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s episode is part back-to-school survival guide, part summer highlight reel, and part investigation of parenting double standards. We reflect on the chaos and joy of crisscrossing the country on book tour with three kids, what we learned about road-tripping as a family, and why hiking with toddlers is best done with candy. Also why do dads traveling with kids get treated like heroes while moms get judged? Plus: the reality of childcare, the myth of “parenting experts,” and what it really takes to keep all the balls in the air as working parents. Join our newsletter community here. ORDER EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU here. Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Five years ago, I was a new mom recording a podcast in my closet, wedged between a toddler and a baby who wouldn’t sleep. For the past few months I had been exhausted, leaking milk, hating my husband and endlessly scrolling Instagram, wondering why my messy, chaotic life didn’t look like the linen-clad perfection of the moms in my feed. So I decided to start reporting on the world of mom influencers. That reporting turned into a revelation. Those “perfect mothers” weren’t just moms, they were marketers. They weren’t just sharing their lives, they were selling them. That was the start of this podcast. At the time, mom influencing was still dismissed as fluff. Now it’s a multi-billion dollar industry shaping how we shop, vote, and even think about gender roles. But the mission of Under the Influence has never changed. It has always been to pull back the curtain on the industries and ideologies that tell women who we should be, and to ask what’s really being sold when we scroll. So in celebration of our five-year anniversary, we’re rerunning the very first episode, A More Perfect Mother, the blueprint for everything we’ve built together. Join our newsletter community here. ORDER EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU here. Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Kate Strickler started Naptime Kitchen in 2015, it was just a way to share the meals she cooked while her baby slept. Now it’s a thriving brand, a sold-out book tour, and a must-follow for anyone who wants real-life motherhood content that’s actually doable. We talk about the evolution of Instagram, reframing how we talk about work with our kids, and the small, practical changes—like showering in the dark—that can change your day. Plus, why “attainable over aspirational” might be your new life motto. Follow @naptimekitchen for everyday cooking inspiration, practical advice, and Kate’s musings on motherhood. Order the book I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen here. Join our newsletter community here. ORDER EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU here. Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices