Episode 325:Are we good moms or bad moms for the choices we make? A real conversation with Erica and Milah from Good Moms Bad Choices

Are we good moms or bad moms for the choice we make? This week’s guests are Erica and Milah, co-hosts of Good Moms, Bad Choices podcast, and they let us know that we’re not alone in feeling this way. They’re sharing the good choices they made that helped create their friendship and their podcast, and the “bad” choices that come with parenting, like mom guilt, being a single parent and actively choosing not to have more kids. These two mamas are honest and transparent about their parenting journey, and it’s the refreshing outlook we needed to remember that we are always good moms, no matter the choices we make.

More about Good Moms Bad Choices; If Oprah and Howard Stern had a baby it would be Good Moms Bad Choices. Meet Erica and Milah, two uncensored and outspoken sex and cannabis-positive parents who are redefining what modern motherhood looks like and breaking life's archaic stereotypes. WARNING:  ​This is not your everyday podcast In fact, this audio diary is not only for parents but women who feel alone in their good and bad choices.

Our conversation with Erica and Milah

Choices & Decisions

How did GMBC start?

Why do we feel so much shame as Moms?

Rediscovering Single Motherhood

Episode 311: Beauty, Business and Good Moms: An Interview with mother-daughter duo Rea Ann Silva and Erica Dickerson of Beautyblender

Whoa, talk about a real GIRL POWER episode! This week we interview not just one, but TWO incredible super mamas: Rea Ann Silva, creator & founder of Beautyblender and her daughter, Erica Dickerson, Global Beauty Director of Beautyblender and podcast host of Good Moms, Bad Choices. The two have worked together basically since the conception of Beautyblender (when Erica started assembling products in the family garage!) and have since grown the business and their personal relationship. We talk to the duo about managing mom guilt, single motherhood, encouraging your children to follow their heart, and so much more. And of course, there is no shortage of beauty tips from these gorgeous ladies. We are obsessed with these two and the relationship they’ve created both at work and at home!

More about Rea Ann: Rea Ann Silva is a professional makeup artist and the creator and founder of Beautyblender. Her experience spans a nearly 30-year journey as one of the most sought-after Hollywood makeup artists in the industry. As the creative force behind Beautyblender, she single-handedly changed the beauty game. The Beautyblender concept came to Rea Ann while she was the Department Head of one of the first TV shows shot in hi-definition. Rea Ann handled the constant touch-ups with her hand-cut, edgeless sponges to mimic the seamless look of airbrushing. Soon, every celebrity that sat in Rea Ann’s chair wanted their own hand-cut sponge; thus creating the original edgeless sponge. Beautyblender quickly became the secret on set that had every pro talking.

Today, the category-creator holds countless beauty awards and is beloved by both makeup aficionados and newbies as the go-to tool for achieving a perfectly blended complexion. As Beautyblender expands, we continue to innovate easy-to-use products that require minimal efforts yet offer maximum results. In November 2020, Rea Ann was honored at the Smithsonian American Museum of Natural History in the “Only One in The Room” exhibit, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.

More about Erica: Erica Dickerson is the Global Beauty Director of Beautyblender, host of the podcast Good Moms, Bad Choices and a content creator. Her history with Beautyblender began at conception...literally. As the daughter of Founder and CEO Rea Ann Silva, Erica was the brand’s “first-ever product assembler” back when Beautyblender began out of her mother’s garage in Los Angeles. Little did she know that her mom’s side project would turn into the most popular makeup tool in the world.

Before becoming Beautyblender’s Global Beauty Director, Erica pursued acting where she landed a handful of national commercials and major roles on shows like “Bones” on Fox and “Insecure” on HBO.

When she turned 18, Erica left Los Angeles to attend college at Marymount in New York City. After completing her first year, an opportunity arose to assist and road manage Grammy-winning artist, Macy Gray. Yearning to travel and get real work experience, she took the job and worked closely with Macy for three years while she toured the globe.

In 2010, as Beautyblender began expanding into consumer retail outlets like Sephora and the ever- growing social media landscape rapidly changing she became heavily involved in growing the digital side of the brand.

Conceptualizing, producing, and creating the brand voice for Instagram, Youtube, and Sephora’s education team, Erica has played a major role in Beautyblenders massive cult following. With the company’s rapid growth, she was tapped to help grow their Broadcast business where she currently appears on the HSN and QVC. She also works closely in product development creating many of the products that grace the shelves of Sephora and Beautyblender’s other global partners.

Aside from her full-time career in beauty, she is also the host of popular podcast, Good Moms Bad Choices. Over the last three years, she has helped develop a platform and safe space for mothers and women to share, listen and learn about all things related to parenthood, sex, culture, and mental health. Good Moms Bad Choices is rated in the top 5% of podcasts globally and continues to change the landscape of what is acceptable for mothers and WOC to seek, accept and discuss.

Through the success of her Podcast, she just signed a major book deal with Harper Collins based on GMBC and her experience navigating single motherhood slated to release in 2022. She has been featured in Vogue, BET, Good Housekeeping, XO Necole, and recently was honored by Create and Cultivate as one of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs of 2021.

Erica currently resides in Los Angeles with her daughter Irie Jane.

Our conversation with Rea Ann and Erica

Who are Rea Ann & Erica?

The Creation of Beautyblender

Erica’s start at Beautyblender

“A lot of our bad choices are actually good choices. It just depends who you ask and who’s listening.” - Erica

Parenting a 7 year old

The differences in their parenting styles

Being a working single mom

Working together as mother & daughter

The concept of time

Does mom guilt ever go away?

The evolution of women supporting women

Building a community

Tips for Flawless Skin

Drink lots of water & apply sunscreen - Rea Ann

WET YOUR BEAUTYBLENDER - Erica

Links

Follow Rea Ann and Erica on Instagram - @reaannsilva and @watcherica

Follow @beautyblender, the original edgeless egg-shaped sponge, on Instagram

Follow @goodmoms_badchoices and listen to their podcast here

Check out some of Beautyblenders’ latest products! Shop the newest Papaya sponge and sign up for the waitlist for the new BOUNCE™ Magic Fit Creamy Bronzer & Highlighter Duo

Episode 262: Walking in Gratitude, Body Positivity, and Prioritizing Happiness with Rosie Mercado

There are only a few new episodes left for the year, and this week is a good one. Our guest, Rosie Mercado, is a podcaster, TV personality, author, plus-size model, mama, and that's just the beginning! Rosie talks about her 240lb. weight loss journey, her growing faith, and what it’s like to be a new mom after a 14 year gap between her kids. Listening to Rosie’s story will motivate you to begin creating your own happiness as soon as the episode is over. There's no better time to start working on you than right now!

Before the episode, Bricia is catching us up on her mini vacation with her husband that she mentioned during last week’s episode. It was their first trip alone since Augustina was born earlier this year!

More about Rosie Mercado: Television star Rosie Mercado is capturing hearts and imaginations across the globe with her compelling story, electric persona and breathtaking beauty. 

A proud, bilingual Latina, Rosie is a true crossover star who also guest-hosts and is a correspondent on leading Spanish-language networks, Telemundo and Univision, as well as on the Emmy-award winning Dr. Phil Show and The Doctors. 

The journey of her 240-pound weight loss and life transformation into a prominent voice for women’s empowerment went viral. In 2019, Rosie was named as one of the “Top 25 Most Powerful Latinas” by People en Espanol. 

In fall 2020, Rosie launched two projects simultaneously. Her shocking story of survival and triumph was released through the publication of her memoir, The Girl with the Self-Esteem Issues, in both English and Spanish. With the same title, she launched her podcast with both video and audio components and is also available in English and Spanish. Each episode features candid discussions between Rosie and influential figures from all walks of life covering topics such as parenting, health and relationships.

Episode Gems from Rosie Mercado & more

“It’s a blessing to be present as a mom.” - Rosie

“Until you know someone’s story, you don’t know who they are.” - Rosie

“No mas. I’m going to work on me.” - Rosie

“Becoming a mother just makes you a different person. You start looking deeper into who you are meant to be.” - Paulina

“Sometimes when people are being mean to you, it’s not a reflection of you. it’s a reflection of them.” - Rosie

“When you change you mind, your body changes in the process.” - Paulina

“Find things that you like, that make you happy and give it an opportunity.” - Rosie

“Self care is essential for transformation.” - Rosie

“I want more peace, I want to find answers, something is guiding me. I know there a presence out there.” - Rosie

Pick or Tip of the Week

Bricia’s pick is the cutest tie dye sweat suit from our amiga, Rachel Gomez’s line, Viva la Bonita. It’s cozy and perfect for hanging out at home during the holidays, so support a small Laguna owned business and buy it for someone you love (or yourself 😉) today!

Paulina’s tip is the movie, War with Grandpa - watch the trailer here. She saw it a few weeks back at a drive-in movie and it’s so funny! It’s family friendly and she highly recommends it for children and grownups alike

Links

Follow Rosie on Instagram @rosiemercado and her podcast @thegirlwithselfesteemissues.

Learn more about Rosie, her book, and more at RosieMercado.com.

Listen to her podcast The Girl with the Self Esteem Issues in english and in Spanish, La Latina con Baja Autoestima.

Episode 260: Turning Podcasting into Art with Mala and Diosa of Locatora Radio

This interview is so overdue! This week we speak to the latest queens of podcasting, Mala and Diosa of Locatora Radio. We admire these ladies so much for what they’re doing in the podcasting world but also in the Latinx community. Have you seen their recent feature in the Los Angeles Times? We talk about a lot in this episode: what a radiophonic novela is, why they talk about taboo subjects, and how they would raise their future children - IF they ever have kids. These mamacitas are not only the next generation of incredible podcasters, they’re leading the way for future brown girls to share their art, voice, and power with the world. This is a feel good, inspirational interview you do not want to miss!

About Locatora Radio: Locatora Radio is an independent multimedia production company committed to archiving and celebrating the brilliance of womxn of color through podcasting, film-making, educational workshops, and live events. Co-founded and produced by Mala Muñoz and Diosa Rodriguez, the podcast blends humor, pop culture analysis, and interviews with artists to engage listeners in nuanced discussions about feminism, sexual wellness, and arts and culture for a modern Latinx audience.

About Mala Muñoz, Co-Founder, Producer, Sound Board Operator: Mala graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. in American Studies in 2014. Between 2014 and 2018 she worked as a State Certified Counselor-Advocate at Peace Over Violence, a local rape and domestic violence crisis center where she provided 24/7 emergency response and advocacy services to English and Spanish speaking survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. She has written about violence against women and the work of women of color artists for the Huffpost Blog, Everyday Feminism, and VIBE. In addition to her podcasting work with Locatora Radio, she was formerly in the role of Human Development Department Chair and Dean of Student Voices at an All-Girls High School is Los Angeles. She also teaches self-defense and empowerment classes for women and children.

About Diosa Rodriguez, Co-Founder, Producer, Audio Editor: Diosa received her B.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from UC Santa Barbara, where she was also heavily involved in the student artivist/activist community. After graduating in 2015, she was a grassroots community organizer, working with Immigrant women to produce educational events and mobilize their community to be politically involved. She currently works in the Assisted Living field, managing services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Diosa is also a freelance writer and has written for Remezcla, Fierce by Mitu, and Hip Latina. Her writing is focused on sexual health & wellness, radical self-care, and feminism.

Our Conversation with Mala & Diosa

2020 - the Year of Redirection

Why they talk about taboo subjects like sexual wellness

Putería

Team Pad or Team Tampon

Favorite Podcast Episodes

Who is Locatora Radio?

How they met

How they would raise their future kids (IF they have kids)

And your favorite segment is back - Fire Questions!

Pick or Tip of the Week

Paulina’s pick this week is a shameless plug. The holidays are coming, so grab your jars of mole from store.ilovemole.com and add them to your holiday meals! Van a quedar muy bien con la suegra. 😉

Bricia’s pick is the MasterClass app. It’s a full library of lessons about cooking, dancing, basketball - really almost anything you can think of. Last year for Thanksgiving, she recreated a Thomas Keller potato puree recipe that her future brother-in-law Lukas is obsessed with! It’s a great investment for yourself or a great Christmas present for someone you love.

LINKS

Follow @locatoraradio @diosafemme and @mala_munoz on Instagram.

Listen to their podcast on Spotify and more.

Mala’s favorite podcast episode - Capítulo 008: Femme Tech

Diosa’s favorite podcast episode - Capítulo 016: Multidimensional Heaux

Diosa’s latest obsession - Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia

Episode 250: Asking For a Friend - Super Mamas Q&A

Back by popular demand, it’s a Super Mamas Q&A! We love answering your questions on Instagram Stories, DM, email, and voicemail, and we were getting so many that we decided to create a new series dedicated to answering them.

This week, we share advice and our personal experiences with anal incontinence, postpartum depression, how to make the most of “mommy and daddy time”, the best tips for online learning, sibling arguments, and starting your own podcast.

Want to ask something else? Email us at hello@supermamas.com or call the hotline at (424) 326-3707. We could feature your question in a future episode!

Pick or Tip of the Week

Paulina was having trouble keeping Krista’s iPad in place during her school time. She found this iPad holder that swivels so she can move it when she’s writing and readjust when she talking to her teacher.

Her second pick is something she loves and hates. 😂 Paulina bought Zixta a bag of kinetic sand, and it’s been great for keeping her occupied for hours while the Krista and Sabina do their schoolwork. And it’s surprisingly not as messy as she thought!

Bricia is sharing Augustina’s night feeding routine. Remember to always consult your doctor, but this is what works for her.

• 4PM: Breastfeeds for about 45 minutes. It’s long, but great bonding with the baby.

• 6:30PM: Bath time for Augustina

• 7PM: Bottle feeds her 6oz. of breastmilk (this is Bricia’s favorite bottle for her) and puts her down for the night. Then Bricia pumps whatever she can and stores it for her midnight feeding.

• Augustina sleeps until 2AM. Bricia keeps this bottle warmer in her room because it doesn’t take much room and uses a skincare fridge to store the milk she pumped earlier for the nighttime bottle (which she’ll repurpose for her skincare when Augustina stops feeding in the middle of the night 😝). She feeds Augustina another 5-6oz. and the baby sleeps until 7AM.

Her best tip is to find your baby a bottle they like! It helps so much with overnight feedings, saves a lot of time. Plus your partner can help too.

Links

This is still #notsponsored, but Bricia and Paulina are both loving the results they are getting from the Every Mother app program. They feel the difference in the back, core, and overall well being.

Catch up on all of Bricia’s Postpartum Essentials, including books and wardrobe essentials for recovering mamas.

This episode was brought to you by our sponsor Target. Head to Target.com and shop Baby Month Deals for the entire month of September!

Episode 248: Throwback to The Power of Words with Liz Hernandez from @Wordaful

Bricia is still on maternity leave with Augustina (one week left!), so Paulina is reflecting after a tough week and found this episode perfect motivation for how she was feeling.

This week we throw it back to one of our favorite episodes! We revisit The Power of Words with Liz Hernandez, an episode from 2018. Liz's passion for connecting people inspired her to create WORDAFUL, which is derived from the phrase "words are powerful" through weekly videos and live experiences, Liz showcases feelings of inspiration and motivation which are so needed right now. We talk career, her purpose in creating WORDAFUL, the importance of the words we choose to identify with, her morning ritual and the value of practicing gratitude and affirmations on a daily basis. She drops absolute GEMS along the way, so be sure to have your notes on hand!

Click here to read the original show notes, including all the gems that Liz dropped. 💎

Before the episode, Paulina talks about some set backs she experienced this week and how she had no choice but to push through the literal pain and figure things out. Even though this is a throwback episode, Liz’s powerful words and message about setting yourself up for success every day and speaking positively about yourself still ring true fo Paulina today, and they will for you too.

This is an episode worth listening more than twice!

Episode 242: Keeping it Real: Summer Vibes, the 4th Trimester and Five Years of Super Mamás!

Five years of the Super Mamas! Can you believe it?!

This week we’re catching up with each other and talking about what we have planned this summer, how Bricia is planning to announce her baby’s gender, and the best tips we have learned over the last few years. We’re also talking about why expecting moms should learn and prepare for the fourth trimester, and Bricia recommend a couple of books that we’ve linked down below.

So much has happened since we launched 5 years ago - our families have grown, we’ve hosted & attended a lot of events, our cookbook launches and so much more. Check out our roundup of what has happened since our first podcast episode in 2015. What has been your favorite Super Mamas memory?

Our First Episode

Bricia and Eduardo’s Birth Story

Our 100th Episode

Super Mamas Social 2017

Paulina and Zixta’s Birth Story

How We Met Our Husbands

Our 200th Episode

Vision Board Posada 2019

Oaxaca Cookbook Launch

Thank you to all the listeners who has been there for us since the beginning, those who just found us during quarantine and everyone in between. We can’t wait fo bring you even more great interviews, events and meet ups (once it’s safe), and more memories in the coming years! 

TIPS WE’VE LEARNED SINCE WE BEGAN THE PODCAST

We have learned that as wives and mothers, it is important to voice your needs. You must take care of yourself in order to take care of your kids and family. Taking care of your mind, body, and over all health makes a big difference in the lives of everyone around you too. Happiness starts with you first.

LINKS

Bricia listens to the New York Times’ podcast The Daily every day.

The two books Bricia recommends are The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother and Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally

Episode 228: Celebrating the Beauty of Womanhood at Every Stage with Super Mamacitas Yarel Ramos & Jessica Molina of Wait, Hold Up Podcast

Hello March! This week we're kicking off Women's History Month & International Women's Day with two special super mamacitas - Yarel Ramos & Jessica Molina, full time journalists and co-hosts of Wait, Hold Up podcast. They spoke on why they are passionate about learning & sharing stories of the local community on their podcast, the difficulties of making & keeping friendships as adults, and how they're helping each other grow in their spiritual journeys. Do you remember your life pre-kids? We miss sleeping in until 7:30AM like Jess!

More about Wait, Hold Up! Podcast: This podcast is for everyone who is out there trying to live their best lives, but need some support, encouragement, and most importantly, dope girlfriends. Jess and Yarel are here to hash out their own real life moments as well as get into those 'wait, hold up!' moments with our guests! Each episode offers something new, whether we're diving into topics around career, spirituality, personal development, wellness, or so much more. We want our listeners to walk away from this podcast feeling validated, supported, and like they can take on the world. 

More about Jessica Molina & Yarel Ramos: By trade, Jessica is a journalist and digital content producer and Yarel is a journalist and news anchor for Univision. On the pod, they're friends who are both obsessed with figuring out ways to live their best lives, stressing if mercury is in retrograde (again!), fighting for justice, and learning as much as possible from their guests. They grew up on different coasts – Jessica in NJ & NY and Yarel in LA, so while these two Latinas may have a lot in common, they definitely see the world in unique ways.This podcast is for everyone who is out there trying to live their best lives, but need some support, encouragement, and most importantly, dope girlfriends. Jess and Yarel are here to hash out their own real life moments as well as get into those 'wait, hold up!' moments with our guests! Each episode offers something new, whether we're diving into topics around career, spirituality, personal development, wellness, or so much more. We want our listeners to walk away from this podcast feeling validated, supported, and like they can take on the world. 

Pick or Tip of the Week

Paulina’s pick is for her four-eyed friends. 🤓She struggles to clean her glasses regularly, but her brother Fernando shared the how good the Up & Up pre-moistened lens wipes from Target are! They clean your glasses really well, are inexpensive, and super easy to throw in your bag or pocket to use throughout the day.

Bricia has a crazy pick and a bunch of tips this week. Her pick is those towel warmers that you see at the nail salon (suggested by Sean Bartholomew, a holistic body healer who will be on the show very soon). Bricia and Eduardo put herbal packs in there to keep them warm to put on you back, legs, arms, etc. You can also put your eye mask in there! Disclosure for the herbal packs - if you’re pregnant like Bricia, you don’t want to use them all the time because the detox your body and when you’re growing a new life, you’ll want to get rid of a lot in your body.

Another tip shared with her by Sean Bartholomew - she shouldn’t massage her feet and ankles (which is counterintuitive because that’s what hurts the most as your pregnancy goes on) during pregnancy because it releases tension in the womb that can cause harm to the baby.

Bricia also has an extra tip for changing your sleep pattern since Daylight Savings is approaching on Sunday morning, 3/8 (spring forward, fall back). She suggests changing your alarm a little earlier three days prior to the time change on Sunday - 15 minutes earlier on Thursday, 30 minutes on Friday, 45 minutes on Saturday and then you’re ready to lose an hour of sleep on Sunday. Disclosure - Bricia isn’t a doctor 🤣 but this is what works for her, and Paulina will try it too!

Links

Follow @waitholduppod @yarel_ramos and @heyjessmolina on Instagram.

Listen to Wait, Hold Up! on iTunes now.

Episode 212: Restoring Your Marriage, Faith and the Power of Words in Your Life with @RosieRivera

This week on the show, we sit down with Rosie Rivera - entrepreneur, international speaker, author and, oh yeah, the youngest of the Rivera Dynasty. This mama never imagined her life turning upside down over night the way it did; we talk about how many factors in life like death, children, and other issues can really put a strain on a marriage. Together with her husband, they started a podcast called “The Power of Us” to share their relationship experiences and show listeners that a successful marriage takes effort and intention on both parts. Rosie’s interview will inspire you to hold on to your faith even in your darkest times.

Pick or Tip of the Week

Bricia’s pick this week are these tweezers for $14.97 from Tweezer Guru! It includes 4 pairs of tweezers, including a super thin pair for ingrown hairs and blackheads (it’s an art that her facialist showed her how to do). She ordered it thinking it wouldn’t be good since it was so cheap, but she ended up falling in love with the set and then got upset when she realized she had been spending over $20 on all the other tweezers she had previously owned.

Paulina has a great tip this week - did you know you can link your Delta SkySmiles to your Lyft rideshare account? Paulina uses Lyft all the time in LA (we’re sure you do too!), and now she gets miles every time she takes a ride in the U.S.. If you travel a lot, you can easily rack up the miles! To learn more, visit deltalyft.com.

Links

Follow Rosie on Instagram at @rosierivera and learn more about her at rosierivera.com.

Watch Abels Worship on YouTube.

Learn more about Rosie’s conference, Dare to Breakthrough It on 11/1, with Miriam Nenninger.

Episode 210: Knowing Your True Identity with @officialTLopez

New episode Tuesday! This week we’re talking to T Lopez, recording artist and entertainer with 20 years of experience. This mama of two gave us one of the most spiritual interviews we have had in awhile. We talk about how T realized she needed time to figure out what her next business venture was, how she exercises her faith, and how she’s helping her daughters shape their identities with the help of her new podcast. Our interview with T came at the right time in our lives, and we hope you feel the same clarity we did!

Pick or Tip of the Week

Bricia is currently in love with Alterna hair products. It’s important to remember that prepping your hair with the right products before styling your hair (curly, straight, waves, whatever) makes a big difference in the final outcome. Alterna sent her a few products to try and she figured out the perfect hair cocktail for her hair. Their CAVIAR Anti-Aging® Replenishing Moisture CC Cream gives such great texture, heat protection and more. When you finish styling, use their CAVIAR Anti-Aging® Working Hairspray. But when you’re a busy mom like Bricia and you only have time to air dry your hair, use Caviar Anti-Aging Smoothing Anti-Frizz Air-Dry Balm. It’s awesome on wet hair - scrunch it into you hair, air dry and go, and your hair will look great.

Paulina’s pick this week is Halloween Time at Disneyland! After spending time with her family there last week, it made her so happy and put her in the holiday mood with all the pumpkins. They also have an altar and Plaza de la Familia at California Adventure from the movie “Coco”, where you can place the name of your loved one. From the parade to fireworks, it made her entire family so happy. Paulina recommends visiting the park anytime from now until the end of the year because the holidays at the park are so magical.

Links

Learn more about T at officialTLopez.com and follow her on Instagram at @officialTLopez.

Listen to her latest podcast, Mama Morsels with T Lopez on iTunes.