The Modern Ancestral Mamas Podcast

Join our newly-launched Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/c/ModernAncestralMamas

 

What if the “clean beauty” aisle is one of the most misleading places in the entire wellness world? In this episode, Corey and Christine sit down with Emilie Toups, founder of Toups & Co., to talk about what is actually hiding in makeup and skincare, why the word “fragrance” is a massive loophole, and how to simplify your routine without sacrificing healthy, glowing skin.

 

Emilie shares her origin story of making tallow skincare at home to help her daughter’s severe eczema, what she learned about healing from the inside out, and the 3 ingredients she believes every family should avoid. They also get into teen skincare trends, pregnancy-safe products, and why stress and perfectionism can be more toxic than the occasional less-than-perfect ingredient.

 

📚 Books Mentioned!

📍 Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride (referenced as part of Emilie's healing journey)

 

✨ Topics Covered in This Episode:

✔️ The “fragrance” loophole and why it can hide thousands of chemicals

✔️ The top ingredients to avoid: fragrance, parabens, and phthalates

\✔️ Why “clean” and “natural” are not regulated terms

✔️ How to read an ingredient label without getting overwhelmed

✔️ EWG ratings: what’s helpful, what isn’t, and how to use it wisely

✔️ Organic ingredients in skincare: when it matters and why

✔️ Seed oils in skincare: the nuance between conventional and organic, cold-pressed

✔️ Pregnancy-safe skincare and essential oils, plus why dilution matters

✔️ A simple skincare routine that actually works for busy moms

✔️ Teen acne, hygiene habits, and how to approach makeup without fear

✔️ Why skin issues can be your body’s “last resort” signal that something needs attention

 

🧠 More About This Episode:

Emilie Toups is the founder of Toups & Co., one of the early non-toxic beauty brands in the US. She started by making tallow skincare in 2013 after her young daughter developed severe eczema, and that journey led her deep into food, gut healing, and ingredient education. In this conversation, Emilie breaks down the greenwashing in modern skincare, explains why ingredient lists are the only thing you can trust, and shares practical ways to clean up your family’s personal care products without spiraling into analysis paralysis. Corey and Christine also talk with Emilie about teens and TikTok skincare culture, what “pregnancy safe” really means, and why a calm, simple approach often wins long-term.

 

✨ Support the Show!

👍 Like & Subscribe for more ancestral motherhood wisdom

⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

💬 Comment below: What product category feels hardest to “clean up” in your home?

 

#CleanBeauty #NonToxicLiving #HormoneHealth #SkincareTruth #FragranceFree #ModernAncestralMamas #AncestralMotherhood #CrunchyMoms #naturalskincare

 

📲 Stay Connected:

Patreon Community | https://www.patreon.com/c/ModernAncestralMamas

@fornutrientssake | https://www.instagram.com/fornutrientssake/

@nourishthelittles | https://www.instagram.com/nourishthelittles/

@modernancestralmamas | https://www.instagram.com/modernancestralmamas/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ModernAncestralMamas

 

🛍️ Find Emilie and Toups & Co.: Website | https://toupsandco.com/  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/toupsandcoorganics/?hl=en

Join our newly-launched Patreon community! https://www.patreon.com/c/ModernAncestralMamas

 

Why does modern parenting feel so overwhelming, exhausting, and lonely, even when we are doing everything “right”? In this episode, Corey and Christine dive deep into what has quietly changed about childhood, parenting, and family life over the last decade. From screen saturation to over-scheduling, they explore why so many kids are struggling today and how a simple return to nature, play, and trust can radically shift family dynamics. This conversation is a hopeful reminder that small, intentional changes can lead to calmer homes, more resilient kids, and a more enjoyable motherhood.

 

📚 Books Mentioned!

📍 1000 Hours Outside: Activities to Match Screen Time with Green Time - https://www.amazon.com/1000-Hours-Outside-Activities-Screen/dp/0744063620

📍 Until the Streetlights Come On: How a Return to Play Brightens Our Present and Prepares Kids for an Uncertain Future - https://www.amazon.com/Until-Streetlights-Come-Brightens-Uncertain/dp/1540903400

📍 Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just by Doing It - https://www.amazon.com/Homeschooling-Youre-Doing-Right-Just/dp/1540903419

📍 How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature - https://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Wild-Child-Science/dp/0544705297

📍 Balanced and Barefoot - https://www.amazon.com/Balanced-Barefoot-How-Unrestricted-Outdoor/dp/1626253730

📍 Free to Learn - https://www.amazon.com/Free-Learn-Unleashing-Instinct-Self-Reliant/dp/0465084990/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

📍 Free to Fly: The Secret to Fostering Independence in the Next Generation - https://www.amazon.com/Free-Fly-Fostering-Independence-Generation/dp/1637633777/

📍 The Self-Driven Child - https://www.amazon.com/Self-Driven-Child-Science-Giving-Control/dp/0735222525/

📍 What Time Is Noon? - https://www.amazon.com/What-Time-Noon-Ridiculous-Not-So-Subtle/dp/1682689247/

📍 Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling - https://www.amazon.com/Dumbing-Us-Down-Curriculum-Compulsory/dp/0865714487

📍 Teach Your Own: The John Holt Book of Homeschooling - https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Own-John-Homeschooling/dp/B0080R3NWW

📍 Ready or Not: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World - https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Not-Preparing-Uncertain-Changing/dp/006265778X

📍 Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) - https://www.amazon.com/Free-Range-Raise-Self-Reliant-Children-Without/dp/0470574755

📍 Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids (and How to Break the Trance) - https://www.amazon.com/Glow-Kids-Screen-Addiction-Hijacking/dp/1250097991

📍 The Comfort Crisis - https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Crisis-Embrace-Discomfort-Reclaim/dp/0593138767

📍 There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather - https://www.amazon.com/Theres-Such-Thing-Bad-Weather/dp/B087NJ5MFK/

📍 Outdoor Kids in an Inside World - https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Kids-Inside-World-Radically/dp/B09P8YJMGJ

📍 There are many more we couldn't fit in the description!

 

✨ Topics Covered in This Episode:

✔️ Why parenting feels harder now than it did a generation ago

✔️ How lack of outdoor play impacts mental, emotional, and physical development

✔️ The science behind nature, movement, and resilient brains

✔️ Why kids need boredom, risk, and free play to thrive

✔️ The long-term effects of screens on childhood and family life

✔️ How time outside supports nervous system regulation for kids and parents

✔️ Trusting your children and fostering independence in a fearful culture

✔️ Simple ways to reclaim calmer days without adding more to your plate

 

🧠 More About This Episode:

This episode weaves together personal stories, developmental science, and cultural insight to help parents better understand what kids actually need in a rapidly changing world. Corey and Christine reflect on how parenting norms shifted after the rise of smartphones and constant connectivity, and why many traditional approaches no longer serve families well. With a strong emphasis on outdoor time, free play, and relational connection, this conversation offers practical encouragement for parents who want to raise capable, grounded kids without burnout.

 

✨ Support the Show!

👍 Like & Subscribe for more ancestral motherhood wisdom
⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

💬 Comment below: What feels hardest about parenting in today’s world? 

 

📲 Stay Connected:

Patreon Community | https://www.patreon.com/c/ModernAncestralMamas

@fornutrientssake | https://www.instagram.com/fornutrientssake/

@nourishthelittles | https://www.instagram.com/nourishthelittles/

@modernancestralmamas | https://www.instagram.com/modernancestralmamas/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ModernAncestralMamas

🧡 Join our newly-launched Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ModernAncestralMamas

 

How are things really going behind the scenes? In this Behind-the-Mic episode, Corey and Christine sit down together (just the two of them!) to share long-awaited updates, a major life announcement, and the future direction of Modern Ancestral Mamas. From homeschooling realities to evolving creative capacity to the surprising story of how the podcast pause happened, this episode is a warm, honest catch-up from two moms navigating a very full season.

 

Christine shares her big news (spoiler: baby #4!), Corey gives an inside look at homeschooling older grades, and together they reflect on what this community means to them, and how they’re restructuring the show so they can continue creating high-quality, meaningful content without burning out.

Plus: holiday traditions, Christmas School ideas, their annual Hot Drinks Party, and the new ways listeners can support the show as it grows into the next chapter.

 

✨ Topics Covered in This Episode:

✔️ Christine’s pregnancy announcement + navigating low-capacity seasons

✔️ Corey’s real-life homeschooling update: older grades, workload & rhythms

✔️ Why the podcast unexpectedly paused — and what’s changing moving forward

✔️ How hiring an editor transformed the show (and why it’s necessary)

✔️ Why the MAM community has meant so much during their break

✔️ The launch of Patreon + what’s coming for members

✔️ How sponsorships actually work and why they’re selective

✔️ Christmas School ideas: books, crafts, traditions & Advent favorites

✔️ Behind the scenes of their annual Hot Drinks Holiday Party

✔️ Upcoming speaking events + plans for 2026 content

 

🧠 More About This Episode:

This heart-to-heart episode gives listeners a warm, honest look at what Corey and Christine have been navigating personally and creatively this year — from pregnancy and homeschooling, to carving out margin, to dreaming bigger for the podcast. They share why this community matters so deeply, how much your messages have kept the show alive, and their plan to build a sustainable, high-quality podcast for the long haul.

 

If you’ve missed that cozy, real-life MAM energy… this one feels like sitting on the couch with friends.

 

📚 Resources & Links Mentioned:

✨ Show Sponsors & Discount Codes

📍 Baja Gold Salt | https://bajagoldsaltco.com – Code MAM10 for 10% off

📍 Masienda (masa, tortilla presses, comal) | https://masienda.com – Code MAM10

📍 Farrow (lard-based skincare) | https://farrow.shop – Code ANCESTRALMAMAS

📍 Wholestix (organ-meat beef sticks) | http://www.wholestix.com – Code MAMA50 for 50% off

 

✨ Upcoming Events

📍 Hack Your Health (Tampa, FL) | https://hackyourhealth.com/

📍 Seeking Whole Health Conference (Ohio, April 16–18, 2026) | https://seekingwholehealth.com/conference/

 

✨ Support the Show!

👍 Like & Subscribe for more ancestral motherhood wisdom

⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

💬 Comment below: What should we add to the Patreon? What would YOU find valuable?

 

🧡 Join our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ModernAncestralMamas 

 

📲 Stay Connected:

@fornutrientssake | https://www.instagram.com/fornutrientssake/

@nourishthelittles | https://www.instagram.com/nourishthelittles/

@modernancestralmamas | https://www.instagram.com/modernancestralmamas/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ModernAncestralMamas

Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/cw/ModernAncestralMamas

How do we raise kids who love real food and understand how it shapes their mood, focus, and resilience? In this episode, Corey and Christine sit down with Ali Miller, registered dietitian and author of Naturally Nourished Kids and The Anti-Anxiety Diet, to explore how food truly acts as medicine for both body and mind. From navigating picky eaters to supporting anxious teens, Ali breaks down how nutrient-dense foods can transform the way our kids think, feel, and grow.

 

✨ Topics Covered in This Episode:

✔️ Practical tips for feeding picky eaters without becoming a short-order cook

✔️ Why early introduction of savory flavors helps prevent “sweet-only” palates

✔️ Baby-led weaning vs. purees, what the science (and real life) says

✔️ The truth about salt, sugar, and snacks in childhood nutrition

✔️ How chewing impacts jaw development, focus, and brain oxygenation

✔️ Using food to prevent anxiety, mood swings, and burnout in kids and teens

✔️ Creating peaceful, screen-free kitchen spaces that inspire connection

✔️ How to model joyful eating and resilience in your home

 

🧠 More About This Episode:

Ali Miller is a registered dietitian, functional medicine expert, and the author of Naturally Nourished Kids and The Anti-Anxiety Diet. With over a decade of clinical experience and a passion for teaching families how to use food as medicine, Ali offers practical, empowering guidance for moms who want to nourish their kids without the overwhelm. From baby-led weaning to balancing teen hormones, this episode dives deep into how whole foods support healthy brains, strong bodies, and calmer homes.

 

📚 Resources & Links Mentioned:

📍 Naturally Nourished Kids – https://a.co/d/iJ4Zv3l

📍 The Anti-Anxiety Diet – https://a.co/d/8pKJIod

📍 Ali Miller RD – https://alimillerrd.com

📍 Serenity Farm Bread – https://serenityfarmbread.com  (use code MAM10 for 10% off)

📍 Seatopia Seafood – https://seatopia.fish  (use code ANCESTRALMAMA for 10% off)

📍 For Nutrient Sake Cookbooks – https://fornutrientsake.com  (use code MAM15 for 15% off)

 

✨ Support the Show!

👍 Like & Subscribe for more ancestral motherhood wisdom

⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

💬 Comment below: What’s been your biggest struggle with feeding your kids real food?

 

#KidsNutrition #PickyEaters #FoodAsMedicine #BabyLedWeaning #AnxietyAndFood #ModernAncestralMamas #AncestralMotherhood

 

📲 Stay Connected: @fornutrientssake | https://www.instagram.com/fornutrientssake/

@nourishthelittles | https://www.instagram.com/nourishthelittles/

@modernancestralmamas | https://www.instagram.com/modernancestralmamas/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ModernAncestralMamas

How can we raise strong, resilient kids who thrive in sports and everyday life? In this episode, Corey and Christine sit down with Jenny McGruther—author of The Nourished Kitchen and longtime voice in the ancestral food space—to talk about fueling young athletes with real food, not packaged snacks and sports drinks. From sideline snack culture to teen appetites that rival grown men, Jenny shares her lived experience raising two kids—one now a college-aged athlete—on nutrient-dense, traditional foods.

 

✨ Topics Covered in This Episode:

✔️ The cultural norm of junky post-game snacks—and how to handle it with grace

✔️ Nourishing breakfasts and game-day meals that actually fuel performance

✔️ How teens’ growing bodies demand huge amounts of nutrient-dense food

✔️ Travel hacks: feeding kids well during hotel stays and tournaments

✔️ Why beets, switchel, and even chocolate milk support recovery and stamina

✔️ The role of family meals in connection, identity, and long-term health

✔️ Injury recovery: nutrients that strengthen bones and speed healing

✔️ What decades of real food taught Jenny about health outcomes in her kids

 

🧠 More About This Episode: Jenny McGruther is the creator of [Nourished Kitchen] (https://nourishedkitchen.com), a blog dedicated to traditional foods and heritage cooking.

She is also the author of three cookbooks: The Nourished Kitchen, Broth & Stock, and Vibrant Botanicals. With two decades of experience feeding her family real food—from toddlers to teen athletes—Jenny offers both wisdom and practical strategies for moms who want to raise healthy kids without losing their sanity. Whether you’re packing snacks for youth soccer or stocking the freezer for a hungry varsity athlete, this conversation is packed with ideas and encouragement.

 

📚 Resources & Links Mentioned:

📍 Nourished Kitchen – https://nourishedkitchen.com

📍 The Nourished Kitchen (book) – https://amzn.to/3Example

📍 Vibrant Botanicals (book) – https://amzn.to/3Example2

📍 Farrow Skincare – (https://farrow.shop/) use code ANCESTRALMAMAS for 15% off

📍 Masienda Heirloom Masa – (https://masienda.com) use code MAM10 for 10% off

 

✨ Support the Show!

👍 Like & Subscribe for more ancestral motherhood insights

⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

💬 Comment below: What’s the hardest part for you about navigating snacks and sports culture?

 

#YouthSports #HealthyKids #ModernAncestralMamas #AncestralNutrition #FuelingAthletes

 

📲 Stay Connected:

@fornutrientssake | https://www.instagram.com/fornutrientssake/

@nourishthelittles | https://www.instagram.com/nourishthelittles/

@modernancestralmamas | https://www.instagram.com/modernancestralmamas/

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ModernAncestralMamas