Two Parents & A Podcast

This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, happy Friday!! We have a special guest: Victoria Thain Gioia, co-founder & CEO of Perelel, Harvard MBA.. and most importantly, a working mom of 4 (ages 9, 7, 6 & 2!!)

We start with the story behind it all: a 20-week scan that didn’t go as expected, and how obsessing over the “why” sent Victoria deep into prenatal nutrition research.. deep enough that she pitched her OB a company idea mid-appointment (from the stirrups!!) The big takeaway: one-size-fits-all doesn’t work for women.

Then we get into the part we know you guys most want to hear: what it actually looks like to run a company with 4 kids at home. The 5am wake-ups, white-knuckling it from 7 to 7:50 every morning, the 2.5 year old who interrupts her work calls for a scheduled cuddle (we’re obsessed), and the mom guilt conversation we think every working parent needs to hear: “I’m a better mom because I work.” Plus why her answer to “is this worth it?” lives in a photo from her daughter’s school project.

We also talk about why there is NOTHING more powerful than the mom group chat (you’re not on an island, we’re all on the island together), the work-life balance advice that makes her laugh, and the realities of working motherhood.

We finish up with the women’s health research gap: women weren’t included in clinical trials until 1993, less than 10% of funding goes to women’s health, and what Perelel is pledging to change that. Then we close with rapid fire: what every TTC couple should know, the wellness trend she wishes would die, and the thing she wishes was talked about more.

Thank you Victoria!! Hope everyone has a great weekend :-) LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:00:38 Meet Victoria: CEO, Harvard MBA & mom of 4

00:03:15 The 20-week scan that started it all

00:13:28 What the prenatal industry gets wrong

00:17:44 Making life easier for moms

00:24:00 A day in the life of a CEO mom of 4

00:28:47 Navigating mom guilt (“I’m a better mom because I work”)

00:32:00 Creating your community of moms

00:33:44 The reality of working motherhood

00:38:09 Why there is NOTHING more powerful than the mom group chat

00:39:17 The work-life balance advice that makes Victoria laugh

00:42:25 The women's health research gap explained…

00:46:49 Rapid fire questions: TTC, wellness trends & pregnancy loss

00:49:27 Thank you for listening!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts or Two Parents & A Podcast. This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or health routine, especially while pregnant, postpartum, or trying to conceive.

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Perelel: New customers can use code TWOPARENTS and get 20% off your first order at https://www.perelelhealth.com/twoparents

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Find our guest:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/vat26

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Key Words:

two parents and a podcast, parenting podcast, mom and dad podcast, working mom podcast, Alex Bennett, Alex Fugman, Harrison Fugman, victoria thain gioia, perelel, perelel health, ceo mom, mom guilt, work life balance, working motherhood, mom of 4, prenatal vitamins, prenatal nutrition, trying to conceive, women's health, womens health research gap, mom group chat, female founder, female entrepreneur, day in the life ceo, wellness trends, mom community, postpartum
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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, happy Wednesday!! Before anything else: we’re doing an audience check-in!! Comment what you want to hear more of (Q&As? guests? news rundown? pop culture?) and we’re picking one comment and sending you to your favorite lunch spot on us ($100!!) So comment!!

By the time you’re listening, we’re in Jackson Hole on a couples trip with the neighbors!! Alex packed a carry-on (brave), Harrison packed “extreme” location-specific outfits, and there are custom t-shirts involved that we legally (lol) cannot spoil yet. But leaving the kids had us in our feelings.. we thought we’d be excited for the getaways and honestly the break from the kids is zero percent of the excitement?? Which leads us to the parenting cliches that are ACTUALLY true: no phase lasts that long, and every chapter is somehow better than the last (meanwhile “sleep when the baby sleeps”.. like who is doing the laundry??? hahaha)

Mid-episode, Harrison needs to vent about the new sales tactic that has to stop: strangers sending UNSOLICITED calendar invites (“hey, I spoke to Alex!!” no. no you did not.) But, in happier news, our whole street is in the Halloween spirit and it’s proof that neighborhood morale starts with ONE house (we got boo’d!! we’re booing back!!) Plus the bike bus: have you seen these?? Whole neighborhoods biking to school together.. there are 200+ of these programs now and we’re obsessed.

THIS WEEK WE LEARNED: positive parenting literally wires kids’ brains for joy. A new study found praise at age 3 shows up in brain scans at 18?! It confirmed what we see every time Tate shows us an outfit she’s proud of (and like honestly with ourselves??? Love being around positive people).

And the big viral debates this week: is it rude to ask to stay at your friend’s place when you travel?? Jules would be OFFENDED if a friend came to Austin and didn’t stay with her, Harrison is a forever hotel guy, so we need your votes. Same with siblings at birthday parties: family invite or just the kid on the card?!

Hope everyone has a great week :-) LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:02:19 Audience check-in: tell us what you want to hear (we'll pick a comment & send you to lunch!!)

00:05:13 Part 29834 of us not being able to pronounce words

00:07:26 Couples trip to Jackson Hole!!

00:11:29 How do you ACTUALLY feel about vacationing without the kids?

00:17:44 The parenting cliches that are ACTUALLY true

00:18:45 The new sales tactic that needs to STOP

00:26:12 Neighborhood morale starts with ONE house

00:33:31 Have you seen the bike bus?!

00:36:51 3 banger movies coming out SOON

00:41:08 Can you make popcorn from corn on the cob?!

00:43:54 THIS WEEK WE LEARNED: parenting & the power of positivity

00:51:21 Is it rude to ask your friend to stay at their place?!
00:59:47 Should siblings be invited to birthday parties?!

01:0319 LOVE YOU GUYS!

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Sources:

*Positive parenting: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-positive-parenting-children-joy-mental.html

*Bike Bus: https://bikebus.world/

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Zenni: Use code PODCAST15 for fifteen percent off your first order at https://www.bit.ly/41onx2O #Zennipartner

*ZipRecruiter: Try it FOR FREE at https://www.ZipRecruiter.com/ALEX

*Hers: Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://www.forhers.com/twoparents to get personalized, affordable care that gets you.

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Follow Alex Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/alexfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexfugman

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Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman
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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, happy Monday!! EURO JULES IS BACK!! The trip recap is lowkey scattered throughout the entire episode (sry), but the highlights: a Tuscany wedding, a “2 hour” drive that was actually 4.5 through scenery Jules swears is Pittsburgh adjacent (it’s a compliment??), and a new barometer for measuring the success of a trip.

But first, Alex gets sent to the mall with a box of Harrison’s returns and gets absolutely humbled at the counter (“ma’am, has this been washed?”).. so we need a ruling: can you return a shirt you already washed?!

The wedding’s pizza night spirals us into the food corner: pizza vs burgers for America’s favorite food (the official ranking has burgers & fries not at #1.. Alex is appealing the decision), mashed potatoes catch a STRAY (“it’s literally a liquid French fry”), and milk is in bags in Canada?!

We get into why traveling at 30 beats traveling at 22, and the real theme of this episode: life gets BETTER with age. Alex keeps meeting 38 year olds doing really cool things, and instead of fearing getting older.. knowing that’s when the hard work pays off.

Football is in FULL swing: Harrison made corn dogs from SCRATCH for the Red River Rivalry (the secret is dipping the dog in a cup of batter), Sooner Magic was sprinkled (BOOMER!), and the question of the week (NOT a new segment): how much football is a dad allowed to watch in a weekend? We landed on zero uninterrupted games at home.. but the better the behavior, the longer the leash hahaha.

Then the parenting corner: Tate is OFFICIALLY in need of her own suitcase (maybe a ride-on one??) and the article claiming child-led potty training is becoming a problem. We did child-led, so we have thoughts (and a Tate update: she’s batting 80-90%!!)

Plus Tobey Maguire officiated his ex-wife’s wedding with their kids in the front row (we’re here for it), the Bicker of the Week: starting a show as a couple.. aka Harrison waited 45 minutes and Alex’s head hit the pillow (point: Harrison), and we close with Harrison’s 3 jet lag tips!!

Hope everyone has a great week :-) LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:01:29 Can you return a shirt after washing it?!

00:03:36 Jules' Euro trip recap (kind of this really continues sporadically throughout the episode lol)

00:07:21 Did you know pizza ranks as the #1 favorite food in the United States?!

00:11:21 Why does Canadian milk come in bags?!

00:15:08 Making friends at a wedding…

00:17:34 Do you prefer traveling to big cities or small towns?!

00:19:30 Life gets better as you get older

00:22:53 Combs vs. hairbrushes for men…

00:25:43 Harrison's from-scratch corn dogs

00:28:15 Red River Rivalry (BOOMER!)

00:32:20 How much football is too much football?!

00:39:08 Austin City Limits

00:40:41 Uber safety features & preferences

00:46:43 Tate OFFICIALLY needs her own suitcase

00:47:44 Jules’ new barometer of a successful trip

00:51:58 Is child-led potty training a problem?!

00:55:58 Tobey Maguire officiated his ex-wife's wedding?!

00:58:30 Bicker of the Week: starting a show as a couple

01:01:49 Harrison's 3 jet lag tips

01:04:23 LOVE YOU GUYS!

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Sources:

*The Problem With Child-Led Potty Training: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/2026/08/potty-training-delay-problem/688299/

*Tobey Maguire officiated ex’s wedding: https://www.tmz.com/2026/10/11/tobey-maguire-officiates-ex-wife-wedding/

*Pizza is officially America’s favorite food: https://www.ajc.com/life/according-to-a-recent-poll-pizza-is-officially-americas-favorite-food/JHGCWVWMQFGERPFL37ID4KB5PI/

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Rula: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/TWOPARENTS #rulapod

*Little Spoon: Give them meals + snacks that are actually right for where kids are developmentally—balanced, intentional and made to support real growth. Go to https://www.littlespoon.com/TWOPARENTS and enter code TWOPARENTS for 30% off your first order.

*Tonies: Visit https://www.tonies.com to learn all about Toniebox Lite.

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

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Follow Alex Fugman:

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TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexfugman

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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, happy FRIDAY!! Anyone else keeping up with Jules’ insta story?? (bc we are and like need to book a Euro trip ASAP?!)

Alex kicks us off with her girls night recap (which apparently she already recapped to Harrison last night) (and this morning) (hahahhaha blame the margaritas). Harrison also has some thoughts on her outfit.. sorry to the audio listeners (you’ll have to use your imagination lol).

The business corner is packed this week: is Starbucks actually buying Chipotle?! Harrison breaks down the CEO shuffle and what it would mean. Nvidia is officially the most valuable company EVER. Plus, SpaceX just made a move that could make it your next cellphone carrier?? Over in AI land, Ben Affleck is suddenly everywhere talking artificial intelligence, and everyone is debating: actual tech savant or cosplay? And the Kardashians’ AI trailer confusion raises the real question of how you can even tell what’s real anymore.

THEN P (our Gen Z rep) quizzes A & H on Gen Z lingo…aura farming, crash out, it’s giving...(spoiler: their millennial-ness was showing ahahaha).

In the parenting corner, Tate is in a full language explosion, Alex is officially rebranding the “terrible twos” as the terrific twos, and we react to 5 controversial parenting takes (sweeping generalizations do NOT go over well).

And finally, the Bicker of the Week: sharing towels with your partner.. yes or HECK NO?!

Hope everyone has a great weekend :-) LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:01:43 Alex's girls night out

00:07:38 Harrison’s thoughts on Alex's outfit (sry to audio listeners)

00:09:31 Is Starbucks buying Chipotle?!

00:14:27 Nvidia is now the most valuable company EVER?!

00:20:27 Starlink is getting into cellphone service?!

00:22:19 Ben Affleck's AI press circuit

00:24:27 The Kardashians' AI trailer confusion

00:29:18 Why you should ask "what keeps you busy?"

00:33:13 Gen Z lingo explained…

00:41:24 Rebranding the “terrible twos”

00:42:15 5 controversial parenting takes

00:51:47 Bicker of the Week: sharing towels?!

00:56:44 LOVE YOU GUYS!

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Sources:

Starbucks is Exploring Buying Chipotle: Is starbucks buying chipolte

Nvidia is now the most valuable company: https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/nvidia-hits-time-high-ai-013502375.html

Starling is Getting Into Cellphone Service: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-starlink-mobile-carrier-radio-airwaves/

BuzzFeed 37 Contraversial Parenting Takes: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/37-controversial-parenting-opinions-spark-233101812.html

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Rocket Money: Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at https://www.RocketMoney.com/TWOPARENTS.

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod

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Follow Alex Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/alexfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexfugman

Follow Harrison Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman
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This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, happy Wednesday!! Wea open with the homework we promised: the Jura vs. Mr. Coffee blind taste test (but also promised this section was 2.5 minutes MAX lol) Results? Closer than you'd think (about a 10% difference.. the Jura wins on ease, Mr. Coffee holds its own).

On the home front: a postpartum update - Alex's first cycle is back, the bloodwork results are in, and the TLDR is she needs iron (P has a rec, but as always its #NotMedicalAdvice). Also Tate's sleep is back to normal, fingers crossed.. she asked to go to her own bed, and we're crediting the block party. Our neighborhood did “Night Out”: street blocked off, everyone brings a dish, the firefighters come by and the kids sit in the fire trucks. Tate played SO hard. When Alex said “night night?" she said "yeah" hahaha

Then the parenting corner: the peak road trip age according to YOU is 7 to 12 (makes sense.. below seven, a park is a park lol), and the tiny habit that builds your kid's confidence: when they say "mama, LOOK".. look. Every time. They need to know they're more important than whatever you're doing.

Then Harrison's conference learnings: where consultants think GLP-1s are headed (25% of adults in the US!!) and a theory on Gen Z drinking that traces it to whoever was in college during COVID.

Plus THINGS WE DMED: the college girl selling ad space on her dorm wall.. we're reaching out to buy a spot, and we may or may not be selling our own backdrop once before the studio move lol.. And continuing rapid fire on topics: AIRBNB-GATE (65% of reviews are five stars?? the internet has questions), Utah becoming the first state to let AI prescribe medication (starting with acne.. low risk, easier access, we're watching), THIS WEEK WE LEARNED kids who walk or bike to school do measurably better in class (a 12 minute walk can last four hours into the school day!!), Lane Johnson retiring for his mental health (no stage too big to take care of yourself.. RESPECT), and the college tour road trip we're officially stealing: our neighbor drove his daughter to 16 schools up the East Coast. We have 16 years to plan ours and we've already started hahaha

Hope everyone has a great week :-) LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:02:33 How does the Jura coffee machine ACTUALLY compare to a Mr. Coffee?!

00:05:02 Postpartum update: first cycle back + bloodwork results

00:06:50 Tate's sleep is back to normal!! (fingers crossed)

00:08:48 Our friend's Pilates studio was robbed the week before opening..

00:12:14 The peak road trip age, according to YOU

00:12:42 Help build your kid's self confidence by doing THIS…

00:14:30 Harrison's conference learnings: GLP-1s & Gen Z drinking

00:25:06 THINGS WE DMED: The college girl selling ad space on her dorm wall

00:27:06 AIRBNB-GATE: are bad reviews disappearing?!

00:32:03 AI NEWS: Utah is now letting AI prescribe medication?!

00:34:57 THIS WEEK WE LEARNED: Kids who walk to school do better in class?!

00:40:20 Lane Johnson retires for his mental health

00:44:47 Anyone else excited for their future college tour road trip?!

LOVE YOU GUYS!!

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Sources:

*Kids who walk to school: https://www.sciencenordic.com/children-and-adolescents-denmark-exercise/children-who-walk-to-school-concentrate-better/1379550

*Utah AI prescriptions: https://news.lavx.hu/article/utah-launches-first-u-s-program-letting-ai-prescribe-medication-without-direct-doctor-oversight

*AIRBNB-GATE: https://x.com/levelsio/status/2107417249216679999?s=20

*Vinyl Pilates: https://www.instagram.com/vinylpilates/

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Thank you to our sponsors this week:

*Quince: Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://www.quince.com/alex for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns

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Follow Two Parents & A Podcast:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/twoparentsandapod

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@twoparentsandapod

Follow Alex Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/alexfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@justalexfugman

Follow Harrison Fugman:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/harrisonfugman

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonfugman
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