Life in the Hood

This week we're looking back on Q1 and planning for a successful Q2 of 2026.

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This week we're talking about the dreams and ambitions we have as moms and how we're still trying to reach them, despite being needed in many other areas of out lives.

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This week we're talking habit stacking and micro habits to make our life better.

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Warmer weather means spring is right around the corner! This week we're chatting spring cleaning, but not just in our houses but our routines and habits, too!

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This week we're recapping Aunt Sauce Weekend and the impact that aunts and uncles have on our lives.

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This week we're talking about the 8 month reset and all the changes that come with an 8 month old baby. Ericka realized her baby is closer to age 1 than the newborn stage and Kayla realizes what a savage toddler she has. Listen in for a fun chat about baby led weaning, scheduling changing and what Ericka did recently that's saving her sanity!

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This week we're doing a postpartum check in with Ericka to see how she's doing 7 month PP.

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You've officially listened to us yap for 50 episodes! This week we're recapping the weekend we spent together and talking all things Winter Olympics!

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In this week's episode we're reflecting on a few things we would have told our college-selves to help us get ahead.

The influencers we mentioned in the episode:

@itserinconfortini and @gracelemire

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This week we're sharing our sick season must haves! We're also surviving snow-maggedon.

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The girls are back after a week of sickness! We're off and running with our new goals for 2026 and we're ready to share them. If you need some motivation in this new year, this episode is for you!

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The girls are back from Christmas break and give a full recap on the pod today! They also share their favorite things from 2025. 

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This is the last episode of the year and we're sharing our favorite holiday traditions.

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This week we're sharing we ended on our 2025 goals for the year!

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This week we have a Thanksgiving recap and we're diving in to the Christmas holiday! We share some of our favorite non-traditional gift items. If you need some gift giving inspo, this episode is for you!

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This year we're diving into family traditions! We're sharing a few of our own but also some from family and friends. 

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This week Kayla's powering through the solo parenting that fall harvest on the farm brings and Ericka is on the other side of her babies first sickness. We're sharing the top five things you should do when you find out you're pregnant.

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We're fresh off a girls weekend spent seeing the Jonas Brothers in concert! We're sharing our favorite and least favorite parenting tasks.

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This week we are talking about our new November initiative, No Scroll November and wedding anniversaries! 

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It's Halloween week so we're talking all things Halloween! Looking back at our memories and talking about what we're doing with our kids. 

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The girls are back together and catching up after a whirlwind of a week. Kayla shares some new systems she's been trying in her home to keep her family and household more organized. 

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This week Ericka chats with one of the many Castillo cousins, Nick! They share some fun childhood memories and Nick tells us about his travel app, Your Sojourn.

Your Sojourn is available for download for Android and IOS. Search for it in the app store to make your next travel planning session seamless!

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The girls are back! Kayla and Ericka catch up with each other this week and talk about Ericka returning to work after maternity leave.

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This week we're talking financial planning with Elizabeth Herzog Lambertson, Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. She gives us advice on retirement, investment funds for kids, disability coverage and much more!

Get in touch with Elizabeth:

https://www.northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/elizabeth-herzog

Instagram: @thefinancialeducators

elizabeth.herzog@nm.com

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This week we welcome guest Dayna DeLeon, owner of Day Made. Listen to hear about her business, how she balances being an entrepreneur with motherhood and her best advice for someone looking to take the leap into trying something new.  

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This week we're playing catch up! After a week of vacation for Ericka and Kayla's pumpkin patch opening, we haven't had much time to chat so catch up with us!

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This week Kayla and Ericka are sharing some lessons they've learned in motherhood over the past 8 years (or 2 months).

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This week Kayla and Ericka celebrated the last of the weddings in their family after having four in the past year. Ericka shares her favorite/most used baby items from the first month with Baby A.

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This week we're celebrating Ericka's 29th birthday! She shares with us her top lessons and memories from year 28. Kayla is trying out a new evening and morning routine. If you want some tangible takeaways, this episode is for you!

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This week Kayla gives a recap of her family vacation to Hilton Head Island and shares her best tips for traveling with kids. Ericka shares some fun life updates from her past week.

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We have a special guest on the podcast this week! Miss Hayden is about to celebrate her GOLDEN birthday, turning 8 on August 8! So we have a little birthday interview with one of our favorite girls!

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This week we're diving in the real and raw parts of the first four weeks of postpartum. We also welcome a special guest to the pod!

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Since we're into July it's time for a mid-year check in on our goals! Also, @debtfree.mom and @naptimekitchen are the two Instagramers we mention that are on our must follow list!

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This week Ericka spent her first week home alone with Baby A and Kayla prepped for their week at the Ottawa County Fair. Then we take a trip down memory lane sharing about one of the most impactful programs on our lives, 4-H! 

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Big news in Ericka's hood this week....baby Stew has arrived! Listen for all the details! Kayla also made a big accomplishment in Animal Crossing this week...not as big as having a baby but close!

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It's the final count down as we wait for Baby Stewart to make their arrival! Things have really slowed down for Ericka this week but Kayla's family has been busy. Hear about her trip to 4-H camp and the finished chicken coop project! Ericka also shares the 5 things she'll miss most about being pregnant. 

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This week we're recapping the Castillo Family camping trip, sharing some last minute nesting tasks and testing some old wives tales to see if we think Baby Stew will be a boy or girl!

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This week Kayla is prepping for one of our favorite summer traditions, Castillo Family Camping! We take a trip down memory lane and share some of our favorite memories of family camping. We were also inspired by Hayden to come up with summer bucket lists!

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We're creeping closer and closer to baby Stew's due date! Ericka shares some of the last minute tasks she's doing before baby Stew arrives. Plus, a wedding recap, a new mom hack Kayla discovered and a lot of laughs!

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This week's episode features a surprise guest you don't want to miss! Kayla and Ericka share their thoughts on being a big sister vs. a little sister. Join us for a lot of laughs!

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