My very dear, very old friend, Jamie Sigler, whom I love and adore for her openness, honestly, kindness, loyalty, and realness, has joined forces with her great friend Jenna Parris to start her next chapter, a must-listen podcast called Mama Said! What’s better than listening and feeling included in a conversation on the challenges and celebrations of motherhood from moms who really get it!?! I find that women, when embarking on motherhood, feel so isolated, and sometimes guilty for their struggles, but Jenna and Jamie are here to let you know, it’s all normal and it’s all okay. We are in this together, and it ain’t easy! Tune in and join their journey of hot topics that arise along the way- laugh, cry, and get involved. These ladies are here to stay..
How many years have you been in business in Los Angeles?
Launched in January of 2019 in Los Angeles.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
Jamie: Jenna and I were both pregnant with our seconds at the same time, and we started our friendship over Instagram. What began as sharing pregnancy stories and woes with having little ones, as well, to a full blown support system through birth, late night feedings, newborn madness, and poop stories. We both went back into our conversations a few months in, and realized we were a safe place for each of us to admit our fears, mistakes and funny stories and felt like other moms could benefit from an outlet like that.
Jenna: Jamie and I were introduced by way of my husband. I immediately thought she was the sweetest, prettiest mama inside and out. We became Instagram friends (obviously), and realized that we were both pregnant with our second child at the same time! We began to text each other all day and night about the struggles of being pregnant and that eventually turned into texting about our newborns and their siblings! We talked about the pretty and the shitty of being a mom, which lead us to create our podcast “Mama Said with Jamie and Jenna.”
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
Jamie: We feel like we have a voice, and a space. A space not to feel judged, to feel heard, and understood. SO much of motherhood, especially in those early years, can feel isolating and scary. Jenna and I are not the same when it comes to parenting, but we have the same fears, anxieties and stressors. We can ALL relate. We feel like we are just your average moms, who are doing the best they can and aren’t afraid to admit when we fuck up.
Jenna: There are hundreds of parenting podcasts out there. In my opinion, they are all incredible. It takes a lot of courage for any mom to open up to strangers and talk about the not-so-pretty aspects of parenting. I think what sets our podcast apart from the others is our ability to hone in on one specific topic and cover the most pressing questions and concerns that people have pertaining to it. Our goal for this podcast is for listeners to feel like they’re not alone. We want them to know that it’s okay to have terrible days with your kids, and it’s normal to feel lost and scared and it’s not weird to want to just be alone sometimes. Social media paints a very pretty picture of what parenting should look like, and that can really do damage to a new mom or dad. It is very important to me and Jamie that we address the good, the bad and the ugly of parenting.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
Jamie: There are so many mom podcasts out there. We aren’t reinventing the wheel here, and we get that. BUT, we feel like we have a unique voice and approach, and are just looking to create a community of parents that feel supported.
Jenna: I truly think that as long as we speak honestly and candidly on our podcast, our listeners will keep coming back for more. What Jamie and I keep hearing over and over from our listeners, is that they appreciate our rawness and that we don’t sugar coat anything. The best thing about our podcast is that Jamie and I are going through the rough patches of parenting just as much as anyone else is.
How do you positively impact your listeners?
Jamie: We are as honest as you can possibly be, and our Facebook community is SO supportive. We are very active on the page ourselves, so our listeners truly feel like we are one of them.
Jenna: Our listeners have said that they don’t feel alone after listening to our podcast, and that was our number one goal. If we can make a mom or dad feel like they’re killing the parenting game, we’ve done our job.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Jamie: It's like therapy each week.
Jenna: Reading messages from the listeners about how much our podcast relates to them.
What is your favorite secret spot in NYC or LA?
Jamie: Viet Cafe in NYC.
Jenna: Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu for some R+R.
How do you benefit mamas?
Jamie: By constantly admitting how I make mistakes on a daily basis, but still feel like a great mom.
Jenna: We created a Mama Said community, especially on our Facebook group. They can go there and vent about their mommy issues (Dad’s can go on too). Jamie and I both read each and every post! Being a mom, you need a group of other moms to turn to, and that’s our FB page!
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
Jamie: A listener wrote in that she was so alone with her newborn, and so scared and didn’t feel like anyone really understood what she was going through, and after listening to our first show, she finally felt heard! We cried. She is so active in our Facebook community now and to see all these mommies supporting each other and laughing together and celebrating and commiserating…. It's SO rewarding.
Jenna: To stay true to ourselves and be honest.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field.
Jamie: Atomic Moms, I Mom so Hard. Mom Brian.
Jenna: Geri Hirsch is an incredible mama and influencer. She has incredible style and also has amazing non-toxic and healthy cooking tips! I really admire Whitney Port for being open and honest about the woes of parenting, and also being candid about her grieving process after losing her father. I lost mine too and can relate. I fan-girl over Something Navy’s Arielle Charnas. I’ve never met her, but I want to be friends with her. She’s honest, funny and driven! And of course, Jamie - because she’s the one who got me to be a “working mama” again, and I can count on her for anything and everything.
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
Jamie: Always limit your "should of would of could ofs." - My dad
Jenna: THIS TOO SHALL PASS! (I say it every time I’m having a shitty day with the kids)
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
Jamie: I scroll through instagram while I wait for my 5 year old to go potty!
Jenna: Pick out school outfits the night before!