The world needs funny women! A chat with award-winning humorist Wendi Aarons | Spawned Ep 280
Let’s be honest, the world sucks a whole lot these days. So I thought this would be a good week for a light, fun episode of Spawned just to take your mind off the world — something my guest Wendi Aarons happens to be very good at. Which is why I invited...
How our relationship with our mobile phones has changed (and changed us), with Emmy-winning journalist Shawna Ryan | Spawned Episode 279
Since I got my first smartphone back in 2006, my relationship with my phone has certainly changed my life. It’s also changed how I function as a person in this world, for better and for worse. Turns out, I’m not the only one, which is why I was so excited...
How to get into college: Invaluable tips and fascinating insights from Ned Johnson | Spawned Ep 278
Was the college search always this overwhelming or does it just feel that way? Do my kids really need to take the SATs? Does test-optional really mean optional? How did covid impact admissions? When should I be signing up my kid for college tours? Or wait…should...
Helping kids foster positive relationships and learn effective communication, with Catherine Newman | Spawned Episode 277
After two years in a pandemic, I’m sure I’m not the only one with kids who are struggling with various aspects of their social lives. From fostering positive relationships with friends and school peers, to learning effective communication in the many...
Tips for keeping kids safe from online predators, from Roo Powell of Undercover Underage | Spawned 276
This week’s Spawned podcast guest, Roo Powell, is the perfect person to help us with tips and advice for keeping kids safe online. She’s the co-founder of SOSA (Safe from Online Sexual Abuse) and has put her child advocacy skills to use by…disguising...
Are moms going to be okay? Terrific insight from NY Times Parenting Editor Jessica Grose | Spawned 275
Are moms okay right now? I really want to know. So I called on the one guest I knew would have a terrific birds-eye view: Jessica Grose, author and The New York Times Parenting Editor. If you’ve ever had a must-read parenting article sent to you by a friend,...
The best digital photo organization tips with Casey von Stein, aka Miss Freddy
If you’ve got as many photos on your phone as we do, then you know how challenging it can be to find what you need when you need it. Holy smokes. But we are not alone! How do I know this? Well, this week’s Spawned podcast guest, Casey von Stein, aka Miss...
Our favorite skincare products: Let’s talk about a self-care skin routine
If you’re like us, then you’re always quite curious about everyone else’s self-care skin routine. So when author and podcaster Kate Spencer (you know her from Forever 35!) was a guest on Spawned a few weeks ago, we had to ask. Especially since she...
Moms are wondering, “What’s next for me in life?” Here’s one way to figure it out. | Spawned 272
If you’ve hit a point where you’re asking yourself, “what’s next for me? Should I keep this career? Should I dump this side hustle? And where should my efforts go when my kids are getting older?” you’re definitely not alone. And...
How to talk to kids about Ukraine: Expert tips from Melinda Wenner-Moyer | Spawned 271
After science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer published the NY Times article, How to Talk to Your Kids About Ukraine, I knew we had to have her back on Spawned to elaborate on her 5 expert tips. You may remember Melinda from our recent interview on raising...
Why our parenting stories matter, with author Zibby Owens | Spawned Episode 270
Liz and I have a special place in our hearts for storytelling, because that’s how we first met online almost 17 years ago. That can’t be right, can it? We connected through our personal blogs—Mom 101 and Motherhood Uncensored—and the rest is Cool Mom Picks...Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz!
We started Cool Mom Picks in 2006 to help make life cooler, more meaningful, and more fun for parents of all kinds.
Trivia: It was called Cool Mom Sh*t for the first two days. (Yeah, we rethought that.)
We had no idea our site would grow to become a major lifestyle network, that we'd end up sharing our finds with the TODAY Show and Martha Stewart, that we'd be able to make a real difference for so many small businesses and women-run companies, or that we'd end up with an incredible community of the coolest readers on the planet. (If we do say so ourselves).
We still love what we do every single day. And we're so glad you're here.
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