Under the Influence with Jo Piazza

I’m really excited to introduce you to a new show today. It’s a smart podcast about trashy books: Smart Podcast, Trashy Books, created by my good friend Sarah Wendell. Sarah has been talking about romance novels in a smart, generous, deeply thoughtful way since long before the current romance renaissance. She’s brilliant, she’s an absolute delight, and she has produced more than 700 episodes of this podcast. Typically, Sarah talks with authors, readers, reviewers, and bloggers about romance novels, which happen to be one of the most popular genres in fiction worldwide. But today’s episode is a little different. Her guest is our mutual friend Amanda Matta, best known online as a royal-watcher and pop culture historian, and the host of The Art of History podcast. In this episode, Amanda brings her Art of History treatment to classic old-school romance novel covers. Yes, there is Fabio. And yes, it’s as fun as it sounds. Listen to more Smart Podcast, Trashy Books⁠. Join our newsletter community here. ORDER The Parisian Heist here. Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taylor Wolfe, known as The Daily Tay, is a social media creator and author who shares the messy truths of motherhood. In this conversation, she hilariously dives into her new book, discussing the never-ending 'busy season' of parenting, the struggle with breastfeeding shame, and the harsh reality of online mom-shaming. Taylor reveals her journey from a 2009 blogger to a booming media entrepreneur, how she manages virality and trolls, and the impact of one cruel comment versus a hundred compliments. This episode is a candid exploration of motherhood and societal pressures.

Casey Cheska, author and co-owner of the Sprucedon Inn, shares insights into her debut novel, The Fountain, which features a 214-year-old woman discovering her past in the Catskills. They delve into their friendship forged through manuscript exchanges and discuss writing's personal toll. The duo explores themes of aging, the societal obsession with longevity, and how fiction illuminates real-world stakes. Casey also highlights the creative community at her inn, inviting book clubs for Zoom visits while fostering connections through literature.

Jackie Oña Cascarano, an executive career coach and founder of Juno Women’s Collective, dives into the importance of January as a time for women's rest and recovery. She discusses the exhausting aftermath of December's demands and suggests focusing on joy through micro-pleasures like good coffee and using nice things. Jackie emphasizes planning personal retreats and setting a yearly word to guide intentions. The conversation also touches on the significance of decluttering, childhood joys, and prioritizing in-person relationships to foster lasting happiness.

Tyler Moore, known as Tidy Dad, is a New York City public school teacher and father of three, who excels in practical organizing tips. He discusses the chaos of January and why focusing on small, five-to-ten-minute cleaning tasks is more effective than overwhelming resolutions. Tyler emphasizes tidying only your own belongings, shares personal stories about letting go of sentimental items, and introduces a long-term decluttering calendar. He also advocates for mindful gifting and practical organization of spaces like entryways and kitchens.

Bestselling author Glynnis MacNicol joins the conversation to tackle New Year's resolutions through a refreshing lens. They explore the importance of recognizing what to eliminate in 2026, from toxic relationships to excessive social media. Glynnis introduces the concept of 'relational retirement economics,' emphasizing that friendships act as long-term savings. Tips on curating media consumption and setting boundaries with technology bring practicality to intentional living. It's all about investing in yourself and your community for a richer, more fulfilling life!

In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Florencia Segura shares her personal journey of losing her daughter Rosie to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). She discusses the lack of awareness surrounding SUDC, the role of social media in her grieving process, and how she keeps Rosie's memory alive. Dr. Segura emphasizes the importance of research and community support in understanding and preventing SUDC, while also navigating the complexities of grief within her family and marriage. Ultimately, she encourages listeners to live fully and love deeply, inspired by Rosie's spirit. Learn more about Rosie, SUDC and Florencia's mission 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

Anya Kamenetz, a journalist and author known for her insights on culture and family, dives deep into the complexities of adult friendships. She explores how connections evolve in midlife, dispelling the loneliness narrative while emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and community. Anya shares practical tips like scheduling check-ins to maintain friendships, managing conflicts as part of real community dynamics, and creating intentional networks. With a focus on choosing friends wisely and honoring seasonal shifts in relationships, she offers a refreshing take on nurturing deeper bonds.

Traveling with kids is not a vacation. It’s work. It’s labor. It’s also one of my absolute favorite things to do. In this episode I talk about how we actually make it happen as a family, from taking my “lumpy babies” to Sicily to hauling three kids through London while one of them pukes all over an Uber and then immediately asks for sushi. I’m joined by my family travel guru, writer and travel journalist Regan Stephens, founder of the travel guides Saltete and mom of three girls who spends a month every summer exploring the world with them. We dig into the real mechanics of traveling with kids: choosing one anchor activity a day instead of trying to see everything, letting each kid pick something so they feel invested, and embracing grocery stores, metros, and playgrounds as essential cultural experiences. Subscribe to Regan's newsletter here. Browse the Saltete guides here. Get your free Saltete guides at these links: Where to Eat + Drink in Philadelphia  A Guide to Visiting Philadelphia with Kids Jo Piazza’s Ultimate Guide to Traveling in Sicily Jo Piazza’s Family Guide to the Catskills Visit our lovely sponsors here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I'm dropping an interview that I did with the Love-ly⁠ podcast into our feed. This week on Love-ly, Mehak sits down with bestselling author, journalist, and podcaster Jo Piazza, widely considered one of America’s sharpest observers of women, motherhood, and the influencer economy. Together, they unpack the increasingly visible and controversial world of “trad wives”—women who embrace and promote full-time homemaking on social media. Mehak and Jo explore why the aesthetic is so magnetic, what’s intentionally left out of the picture-perfect narrative, and how domesticity is often repackaged as empowerment. Along the way, Mehak and Jo discuss a viral TikTok from @cortneygetsfit, a stay-at-home mom navigating life post-divorce after years of financial dependence on her husband. Piazza opens up about the realities of feminist choice, financial independence, and how her own views on marriage and partnership have shifted over time. Pulling from her years of reporting and her latest book, Everyone Is Lying to You, the conversation gets into shifting gender roles, the pressure cooker of modern womanhood, and the glossy myths social media keeps feeding us. You can listen to more episode of Love-ly 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