Is beef tallow actually good for your skin? James Giles, founder of True Origin Skincare, breaks down the ingredients, the myths, and how to apply tallow balm for real results.

In this episode of Momtroversial, Alyssa and Leeah talk with James about his journey from searching for relief from an autoimmune condition to building a regenerative tallow skincare line. You'll hear the science behind tallow, why regenerative farming matters, how he balances a full-time job and a small business with family life, and why authentic marketing builds real community.

⚠️ This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor before making changes to your skincare or health routine.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE

- The science and ingredients behind tallow skincare

- Debunking myths about nutrient density in tallow

- Regenerative farming and sourcing quality suet

- Bioactives like castor oil and rose hip

- Application tips (hint: damp skin)

- Using tallow for sunburn and skin healing

- Balancing entrepreneurship, a full-time job, and family

🛍️ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

True Origin Skincare: https://trueoriginskincare.com?ref=momtroversialpodcast

Use code: Momtroversialpodcast

(Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission or referral credit when you shop through this link or use our code, at no extra cost to you.)

🤝 CONNECT WITH JAMES

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueoriginskincare

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trueoriginskincare

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 👋 Meet James Giles & True Origin Skincare

03:04 🩺 James's Autoimmune Journey & the Science Behind His Products

06:58 🐄 Discovering Tallow & Balancing a Full-Time Job with a Small Business

12:02 🧴 Formulation Approach & Authentic Social Media Marketing

15:55 🔬 Debunking Tallow Nutrient-Density Myths & Finding Mentorship

19:55 🌱 Regenerative Farming, Scaling & Manufacturing Challenges

24:00 🌍 How Regenerative Farming Impacts Soil + Family Support

28:00 🥩 Sourcing Quality Suet & the Power of Raw Content

32:02 🌹 Castor Oil, Rose Hip & Bioactives + Where to Find James

36:55 💧 How to Apply Tallow: Damp Skin Tips

42:03 ☀️ Tallow for Sunburn & Skin Healing

46:54 ✨ Future Products & the Passion Behind True Origin

52:00 🎙️ Closing Thoughts & Key Takeaways

📲 FOLLOW MOMTROVERSIAL

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/momtroversial.podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momtroversial_podcast

⚠️ Reminder: This content is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional about your health.

#MomtroversialPodcast #BeefTallow #TallowSkincare #NaturalSkincare #RegenerativeFarming #SmallBusiness #TrueOriginSkincare #MomPodcast #WomenInBusiness

Wondering what a home birth really looks like from the inside? Alyssa shares her home birth story with her husband Ryan, her mom Dianna, and midwife Karen Pope, CNM (Certified Nurse-Midwife).

Hear how trust, communication, and informed consent shaped every decision, from the first signs of labor to the moment baby arrived.

⚠️ This episode shares personal birth experiences and opinions. It is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different, so please talk with your own qualified healthcare provider about your care and birth decisions.

🎙️ In this episode:

- Alyssa's full home birth story, from her last date night to birth at home

- Dianna's honest first reactions to the idea of a home birth

- Karen's perspective on informed consent, trust, and communication with your midwife

- The difference between a pregnancy mindset and a labor mindset

- Supporting women in their birth choices, including elective C-sections

- Postpartum care, placenta delivery, and recovery

- Delayed cord clamping and minimal intervention

- How midwives work in home and hospital settings, and how emergency decisions are handled

Hosted by Alyssa Crone. Featuring Ryan, Dianna, and Karen Pope, CNM.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 🎙️ Introduction: Alyssa's Home Birth Story & Meet Karen Pope, CNM

02:36 🧠 Pregnancy Mindset vs. Labor Mindset

05:07 💬 Supporting Women in Their Birth Choices

07:04 👩‍👧 Dianna's First Thoughts on Home Birth

10:23 🤱 Postpartum Care & Placenta Delivery

15:45 🏡 Midwives in Home & Hospital Births

16:41 🌙 Labor Begins & Last Date Night

18:32 💧 Water Breaks & Early Signs of Labor

19:59 🤝 Karen Arrives & Checking Progress with Permission

23:23 🌸 Normal Birth & Avoiding Unnecessary Exams

25:14 ⏱️ Delayed Cord Clamping

30:04 🫶 Building Trust & the Labor Support Team

35:07 🌿 Supporting Women Through Transition & Recovery

37:30 🛁 Transition & Active Labor in the Pool

41:10 👶 Birth & Family Support

45:33 💪 Labor Pain, Blunt Support & Staying vs. Going to the Hospital

47:17 🤍 Respecting Birth Choices, Emergency Protocols & Final Reflections

👩‍⚕️ Connect with Karen Pope, CNM

🌐 Website: https://tucsonhomebirth.com

✉️ Email: karen@gracefulbeginnings.llc

✅ Karen offers free consultations and lists Tricare coverage.

📅 Karen is not taking clients May–June 2027 (as of September 2026).

🔗 Follow Momtroversial

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/momtroversial.podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momtroversial_podcast

Momtroversial is three military moms keeping it real. It's fine, we're fine, everything is fine!

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode reflects personal experiences and opinions and is not medical advice. Please consult your own qualified healthcare provider about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.

#MomtroversialPodcast #MilitaryMoms #HomeBirthStory #WaterBirth #Midwife #BirthChoices #InformedConsent #MomPodcast #Motherhood #MilitaryFamily #ParentingPodcast #Tricare

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode discusses personal experiences with home birth, mastitis, and postpartum mental health. Alyssa and Leeah are sharing what worked for them — this is not medical advice. Please consult your OB, midwife, or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.

Postpartum with baby #3 hits different — and Alyssa and Leeah are back to talk about exactly how. In this honest, practical conversation, they compare recovery, sleep, mastitis, and postpartum anxiety across multiple births, and share what actually felt easier this time around.

In this episode:

• How postpartum prep changed from baby to baby — packed bags, birth prep, and setting up the baby space early
• Home birth vs. birth center vs. hospital transitions, compared side by side
• Leeah's postpartum experience while PCS-ing from South Korea to Florida
• Why having older kids can make postpartum easier, not harder
• Sleep strategies: swaddles, sleep sacks, co-sleeping for feeds, and protecting a morning sleep block
• Mastitis — how fast it can hit, the symptoms, and what helped avoid antibiotics
• Postpartum anxiety: spiraling thoughts, nervous-system stress, and grounding tools that helped
• Why paternity leave matters more with multiple kids and big life transitions
• Small family rituals that help reconnect with older siblings during the newborn season

Notable Quotes:

• "The third baby is the best baby."
• "We're on zone defense now instead of being like man to man."
• "I would have three more babies with no epidural before I would do mastitis again."

Timestamped Chapters

00:00 🎙️ Why they missed each other and what this episode covers
02:52 👶 Comparing third postpartum experiences across multiple kids
03:49 🎒 Earlier prep for Killian and what stayed the same
05:29 🏠 Home birth prep — physical and mental readiness
07:25 🔄 How the transition home changed postpartum stress
08:12 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bringing a newborn home with older siblings
10:44 💡 Why older kids can make postpartum easier
12:42 🤝 How home birth helped the older kids understand the baby
14:06 🗣️ What postpartum mental health topics they are (and aren't) covering
15:32 😴 Sleep deprivation, pain, and early feeding weeks
16:06 ✈️ Leeah's postpartum during a cross-world move
18:28 💕 Why Cillian felt like the right baby for this season
19:59 🌙 Safe co-sleeping and night feeds without waking dad
22:48 👶 Baby temperament and why baby #3 can feel easier
23:36 ☀️ Split-night support for a real morning sleep block
25:43 🔦 The red-light headlamp trick for night feeds
28:08 🍼 Swaddle transitions and rough sleep nights return
29:19 🚨 Mastitis hits — symptoms, speed, and how fast it changes
30:16 💊 What helped Alyssa avoid antibiotics
31:22 😣 Leeah's mastitis experience — her worst sickness
33:37 ⏳ Why mastitis can still happen later in postpartum
38:32 😰 Postpartum anxiety, fear spirals, and intrusive what-ifs
44:08 🌙 Leeah's anxiety showing up as dreams and nervous-system stress
45:39 🙏 Breathing exercises and prayer as grounding tools
47:34 👨‍👶 Why paternity leave matters so much
49:16 📊 Comparing Ryan's leave across different babies
52:00 🧭 How routine and support ease the postpartum transition
55:56 💬 Momtroversial Moments: snuggle time before bed
58:30 💬 Momtroversial Moments: kids learning games differently

#MomtroversialPodcast #MomtroversialMoments #PostpartumJourney #PostpartumRecovery #ThirdBaby #HomeBirth #MilitaryFamily #PCSLife #PostpartumAnxiety #NewbornSleep #BigSiblings #MotherhoodUnfiltered #MomLife #MilitaryMoms #ParentingJourney #NewbornCare #MomSupport

Becoming a mom for the first time changes everything — and no one can fully prepare you for it.

In this episode of Momtroversial, Alyssa sits down with guest Haddi Jean to talk through her journey into first-time motherhood: pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum season that followed. Haddi Jean opens up about learning to hold her birth plan loosely, the mental health realities of postpartum life, and what it took to build a community around her as a military spouse navigating it all far from her usual support system.

This conversation is honest, encouraging, and full of practical wisdom for any first-time (or expecting) mom — especially those facing pregnancy and postpartum without their usual village nearby.

In this episode:

• Haddi Jean's pregnancy and birth story, and why flexibility mattered more than a rigid plan
• Making informed medical decisions with confidence
• The realities of postpartum mental health as a new mom
• Building community and support as a military spouse
• Practical encouragement for moms navigating motherhood far from home

📚 Mentioned in This Episode:

• The VBAC Link — Paige Lloyd, Doula
• Houm Birth Center
• Natal-K Oral Vitamin K
• Get Out of Your Head Bible Study — Jennie Allen

🔗 More From Momtroversial:

• Momtroversial Linktree
• Momtroversial Instagram

This episode discusses pregnancy, birth, and postpartum mental health. It is not a substitute for medical or mental health advice — please consult your provider for guidance specific to you.

• 00:00 🎙️ Introduction to Momtroversial & Meet Haddi Jean
• 02:30 🤰 Haddi Jean's First Pregnancy Story
• 12:00 📋 Building a Flexible Birth Plan
• 22:00 🏥 Birth Day: What Actually Happened
• 34:00 💊 Informed Choices: Vitamin K & Medical Decisions
• 42:00 🧠 Postpartum Mental Health, Honestly
• 52:00 🪖 Community as a Military Spouse
• 1:02:00 🙏 Faith, Mindset & the Get Out of Your Head Study
• 1:10:00 😂 Momtroversial Moments

#MomtroversialPodcast #MomtroversialMoments #MomPodcast #FirstTimeMom #PregnancyJourney #PostpartumSupport #Postpartumdepreassion #MilitarySpouseLife #BirthStory #NewMomTips #MotherhoodJourney #InformedConsent #ParentalRights #MomCommunity #ChristianMoms #RealMotherhood

Ever wonder what wine tasting and parenting have in common? In this episode of Momtroversial, Alyssa sits down with Danielle Frank, author of A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting, for a hilarious and honest conversation about raising good humans — manners, independence, resilience, and giving kids room to see the world.

From teaching respect and independence to handling setbacks with grace, Danielle brings humor and heart to some of parenting's biggest challenges. This episode is packed with practical wisdom on cultivating a positive, worldly outlook in your kids — without losing your sense of humor (or your wine) along the way.

In this episode:

• The humorous link between wine terminology and parenting
• Teaching manners, respect, and independence
• Exposing kids to diverse cultures and perspectives
• Building positivity, optimism, and resilience in children
• Balancing discipline with autonomy
• Danielle's personal parenting journey and lessons learned
• Modeling good behavior and self-compassion as a parent

If you needed a reminder that parenting can be funny, hard, and worth celebrating all at once — this one's for you.

🔗 Connect with Momtroversial:
Linktree | Instagram

🔗 Connect with Danielle Frank:
Instagram | Author Website | A Wine Lover's Guide to Parenting (Amazon)

00:00 Introduction to Danielle Frank and Her Book
02:08 🍷 Wine Terminology Meets Parenting
04:06 🙏 Teaching Manners & Respect
06:12 🧭 Cultivating Independence in Kids
08:07 🌍 Exposing Kids to Diverse Cultures
09:54 ☀️ Teaching Positivity & Optimism
12:10 💪 Handling Setbacks & Building Resilience
13:57 👂 The Value of Outside Perspectives
15:52 😂 The Role of Humor in Raising Good Humans
17:59 ⚖️ Balancing Discipline with Autonomy
20:03 📖 Lessons from Danielle's Personal Journey
22:04 🌬️ Giving Kids Room to Breathe
23:56 🪞 Modeling Good Behavior
25:58 🌎 Creating a Worldly View for Children
28:12 🗺️ The Impact of Cultural Exposure
29:49 💬 Open Conversations About Taboo Topics
32:03 🎲 Accepting Life's Unpredictability
34:00 💛 Self-Compassion & Parental Authenticity
34:57 🎙️ Momtroversial Moments

#MomtroversialPodcast #Momtroversial #MomtroversialMoments #WineLoversGuideToParenting #DanielleFrank #ParentingWithHumor #RaisingGreatKids #ParentingManners #RaisingResilientKids #ParentingPodcast #MomLife #MotherhoodJourney #ParentingTips #MomsOfInstagram #ParentingHumor

Parental control just got literal. In this episode of Momtroversial, Alyssa sits down with her own parents to unpack how they raised her — and what they'd do differently.

Together they break down the four recognized parenting styles, why authoritarian parenting is rarer than people assume, and how childhood memories can skew our sense of what "discipline" really looked like growing up. The conversation moves into generational trauma, the politically charged debate around spanking, and what a biblical view of discipline actually says — versus what pop culture assumes it says.

From the "hot burner" analogy to natural vs. logical consequences, this episode digs into practical, real-world discipline strategies — plus an honest look at how gentle parenting trends and gender roles shape the way moms and dads approach authority differently at home.

Whether you're raising toddlers or teenagers, this conversation offers grace, perspective, and practical tools for building loving, respectful boundaries at home.

📚 Mentioned in this episode: Parenting With Love and Logic: Magic for Early Childhood

⚠️ Reminder: This episode reflects personal parenting experiences and opinions, not professional medical or psychological guidance. Please consult a qualified provider for advice specific to your family's needs.

⏱️ Episode Chapters

• 00:00 🎙️ Introduction & Meet Alyssa's Parents
• 01:38 📊 The Four Parenting Styles, Defined
• 03:09 🤔 Why Authoritarian Parenting Is Rarer Than You Think
• 05:32 🧠 How Childhood Memory Skews Our View of Discipline
• 08:32 💔 Generational Trauma & Its Impact
• 11:31 ⚖️ Discipline & Political Correctness
• 12:52 ✋ Spanking, Love & Discipline Styles
• 16:32 📖 The Biblical View on Spanking
• 20:17 🔥 The Hot Burner Analogy
• 23:43 🤝 Understanding & Grace in Discipline
• 27:33 ⏳ Discipline's Lifelong Impact
• 32:56 🔄 Natural vs. Logical Consequences
• 35:49 🌱 The Influence of Gentle Parenting
• 36:44 👫 Gender Differences in Parenting
• 41:46 👨‍👧 Men's Role in Discipline & Authority
• 44:21 🚧 Setting Standards & Boundaries
• 50:30 👨‍👩‍👧 Fathers & Family Dynamics
• 1:25:00💬 Momtroversial Moments

🔗 Links & Resources

📚 Mentioned in this Episode

👉 Parenting With Love and Logic: Magic for Early Childhood

🎙️ Follow Momtroversial

👉 Linktree

👉 Instagram

🏷️ Hashtags

#Momtroversial #MomtroversialPodcast #MomtroversialMoments#ParentingStyles #DisciplineAndLove #RaisingResponsibleKids #ParentalControl #FamilyBoundaries #GentleParenting #GenerationalParenting#ParentingTips #MotherhoodJourney #MomLife #ParentingAdvice #FaithBasedParenting #ParentingPodcast

Groceries are getting more expensive every year — but eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank. In this episode of Momtroversial, Alyssa sits down with Carol Ann Kates, a lifelong grocery industry insider turned cookbook author, to break down exactly how to shop smarter, eat healthier, and stop falling for grocery store marketing tricks.

Carol Ann grew up in her family's corner market and later navigated a legal battle with a major supermarket chain before pivoting into cookbooks and social media — and she's bringing decades of behind-the-counter knowledge straight to budget-conscious, health-minded moms.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• 🛒 How to meal plan and grocery shop with a real strategy
• 🥦 Which frozen produce options are just as healthy (and way cheaper)
• 🏷️ How to actually read organic labels and the "Dirty Dozen" list
• 📦 Smart bulk-buying tips at Costco and Sam's Club
• ❄️ How to freeze eggs, milk, and other perishables to cut food waste
• 🍽️ Quick, budget-friendly recipes for busy moms
• 💡 A controversial insider secret about how grocery stores price their products

Whether you're trying to eat "crunchy" on a real-world budget or just want to stop wasting money at the store, this episode is packed with practical, actionable tips you can use on your very next grocery run.

👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment letting us know your best grocery-saving hack!

Show Links

• Momtroversial Podcast Linktree
• Momtroversial on Instagram

Connect with Carol Ann Kates

• Grocery Shopping Secrets Guide
• Carol Ann Kates on Instagram
• Carol Ann's Book on Amazon

Chapters:00:00 🎙️ Introduction to Carol Ann Kates and her background
01:08 🏪 Growing up in a corner market and family business journey
02:02 ⚖️ Challenges faced with a large supermarket and legal battles
04:15 📚 Transition from business to cookbook author and social media
06:12 📈 Impact of inflation and food prices in 2002
07:16 📝 Importance of meal planning and grocery shopping strategies
09:38 🥦 Tips for healthier grocery shopping and frozen produce
12:54 🏷️ Understanding organic labels and the Dirty Dozen list
16:27 📦 Buying in bulk and organic options at Costco and Sam's Club
20:17 🍎 Maximizing produce freshness and quality
23:17 ❄️ Freezing eggs, milk, and other perishable items
27:24 🥫 Essential pantry staples for budget-friendly cooking
30:39 🧊 Organizing your fridge and pantry for efficiency
34:39 🍳 Quick, budget-friendly recipes for busy moms
38:10 💬 A controversial insight about grocery store pricing strategies
39:30 🤰 Personal stories about pregnancy and patience
41:27 🔗 Where to find Carol Ann Kates and her resources

#MomtroversialPodcast #MomtroversialMoments #CrunchyMom #MomBudgetTips #HealthyMomLife #BudgetFriendlyLiving #MomsOfInstagram #ParentingTips #MotherhoodJourney#CrunchyMomOnABudget #GroceryShoppingSecrets #BudgetGroceryShopping #OrganicOnABudget #MealPlanningTips #DirtyDozen #FoodWasteTips

In this episode of Momtroversial, host Alyssa sits down with Lauren Kimber, a certified sonographer, to break down the science behind ultrasounds — how the technology actually works, what's safe, and what every expecting parent should understand before their next scan.

Lauren walks through the physics of ultrasound and tissue heating, the ALARA principle that guides responsible scanning, and what the research really says about ultrasound safety, cavitation myths, and Doppler use — including at-home Doppler devices. The conversation then turns emotional: what it's like to see your baby on screen for the first time, how 2D, 3D, and 4D scans differ, why fetal heartbeat detection matters, and how ultrasound imaging has become one of the most powerful tools in pro-life advocacy.

This is a science-grounded, faith-informed conversation for anyone who's ever stared at a sonogram and wondered what's actually happening on that screen — or why it hits so hard.

Educational content only — not medical advice. Talk to your OB or a licensed sonographer about anything specific to your pregnancy.

🔗 Follow Momtroversial:

• Momtroversial Linktree
• Momtroversial Instagram

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 🎙️ Intro to Sonography & Guest Lauren Kimber02:10 🔬 What Is a Sonogram? Ultrasound vs. Sonogram vs. Doppler05:31 ⚠️ Ultrasound Safety: Tissue Heating & the ALARA Principle08:54 📊 What the Research Says About Ultrasound Safety12:12 🩺 Doppler Ultrasound & Safety Considerations14:47 ❓ Cavitation: Separating Ultrasound Myths from Facts17:52 💗 The Emotional Impact of Seeing Your Baby in the Womb22:03 ✊ Ultrasound as a Tool for Pro-Life Advocacy25:55 📸 2D vs. 3D vs. 4D Ultrasound Explained29:52 💓 Fetal Heartbeat & the Power of Early Detection32:57 🏠 Using At-Home Doppler Devices Safely35:00 👶 Do Babies Have Personalities in the Womb?39:12 ✨ Final Thoughts: Ultrasound & Informed Consent#MomtroversialPodcast

🏷️ HASHTAGS

#MomtroversialS2E5#LaurenKimber #Sonography #UltrasoundSafety #FetalDevelopment #ProLife#Pregnancy #PregnancyPodcast #MomPodcast #ExpectingMom #ModernMotherhood