Burnt Pancakes: Momversations | Conversations for Imperfect Moms, Chats About Mom Life & Interviews with Real Mamas

Ever wondered what really goes into making a podcast? In this special behind-the-scenes episode, Katie takes you inside the messy, funny, and very real process of creating Burnt Pancakes: Momversations.

She’s sharing how the show started, what inspired the idea, the equipment and editing tools she uses, how she books guests, and yes, how she actually (doesn’t really) get paid. From recording on Zoom with coffee in hand to editing in...

Are kids’ birthday parties getting a little… out of hand? Between balloon arches, themed bounce houses, and the pressure to outdo last year, it can feel like more stress than celebration. But what if the most meaningful childhood memories came not from the presents or the perfect cake but from the wishes we make and the love we share?

In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I sit down with children’s author Nikki McPhetrid...

Are your kids constantly asking for things but complaining every time you ask them to help around the house? 🙋‍♀️ Yep, that was our house too...until we tried something new.

In this week’s Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I’m sharing how we introduced a chore and allowance chart for our three boys and why it’s already making a difference. From teaching gratitude and the value of money to cutting down on the whining (hallelujah!), thi...

College admissions can feel like a stressful, overwhelming, and expensive process, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I’m joined by Shellee Howard, Founder & CEO of College Ready, Certified Independent College Strategist, two-time best-selling author, and host of Parents: Is Your Teen College Ready?

With over 17 years of experience and more than 3,000 students guided to top-tier schools (including 327 Ivy League accepta...

You know that saying, “Don’t have kids if you want to keep your house nice”? Turns out, it’s not a joke. 😂

In this episode, I dive into all the reasons moms simply can’t have nice things. From duct-taped chairs and chewed-up blinds in my own house, to bike scratches on my car, to the never-ending mystery of missing Tupperware lids, motherhood is basically a demolition derby for anything “nice.”

And it’s not just me, I asked you to s...

We all had those picture-perfect ideas of motherhood before kids came along—organic snacks, spotless houses, calm voices, magical family moments. And then… reality showed up with sticky fingers, tantrums in Target, and chicken nuggets on repeat.

In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I take a hilarious and honest look at the gap between how we thought motherhood would be and how it actually is. From Pinterest parties gone...

Every mom has those moments where you just throw your head back and say, “Ugh, that’s the worst.”

From cutting baby fingernails with sweaty hands, to public blowouts in Target bathrooms, to discovering a sippy cup in the backseat that could be used to create new penicillin… motherhood is full of “the worst” moments we’d rather forget—but can’t help laughing about later.

In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I dives into a...

If you’ve ever felt like your kids don’t listen until you’ve asked ten times (or until you’re yelling), this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by parenting and emotional wellness coach Tia Slightham, who has helped over 5,000 families move from chaos and guilt to calm, confident leadership at home through her Parenting With Purpose Method.

In this conversation, Tia shares:

• How to get your kids to listen the first time you ask
• W...

This summer, screen time in our house went from “just a little here and there” to “are my kids secretly training to be professional gamers?” It was rough, there were battles over devices, arguments between my boys, meltdowns when I said no, and more than a few moments where I wanted to chuck every iPad into the nearest lake.

Now that school is starting, we’re pressing the reset button and doing a full-on screen time detox. In this e...

In this solo episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, Katie is throwing it way back—for all the millennial moms out there still rocking their skinny jeans, sipping iced coffee from their Stanley cups, and dodging Gen Z’s side-eye. From peace sign selfies to trapper keepers and AIM away messages, we’re diving into what makes millennial moms hilariously unique and how we’re parenting our Gen Alpha kids in a world that feels part dig...

In this episode, I’m joined by two incredible women who’ve shaped the world of sports media while raising families and breaking barriers, Jenn Hildreth, Emmy-winning ESPN broadcaster, and Aimee Leone, VP of Talent Relations at Fox Sports and a longtime NBC alum.

Together, they co-authored Tough as a Mother, a powerful collection of essays from iconic athletes and broadcasters like Alex Morgan, Becky Lynch, Hannah Storm, and more, sh...

In this  episode, I sit down with Wendy Snyder, a positive parenting educator, family life coach, and founder of the Fresh Start Family program. Wendy shares her journey from feeling stuck in reactive parenting patterns like yelling, threats, and overwhelm, to creating a home rooted in peace, connection, and firm, loving boundaries.

Together, we dive into what it actually looks like to parent with empathy and strength, why ditching ...

This is a throwback to an episode that originally aired on April 28, 2023

Today I am sitting down with Mary Henricks from The Very Mary Life Podcast. We had  a momversation about what it's like when your baby turns 1, what to say when people ask, "When are you going to have another?", how to know when you are done having kids, and why motherhood often feels lonely.

You can follow Mary on social media @thevery...

Parenting teens can feel like navigating an emotional obstacle course—with eye rolls, slammed doors, and the constant question: “Am I doing this right?” In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I’m joined by the creators of Cultivateen Roots, a course designed to help parents understand their teens, build stronger communication, and foster independence without losing connection.

We talk about what’s really going on in the t...

In this episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, I’m joined by Shelby Merrill, mom of two and founder of the Car Seat Scrub Club. Shelby turned a super relatable pain point (hello, sticky, snack-filled car seats!) into a business that helps busy parents breathe easier. She picks up dirty car seats, deep cleans them at her home, and delivers them fresh and spotless the next day.

We chat about how Shelby started her business, the not...

We’re bringing back one of our all-time favorite episodes of The Burnt Pancakes Podcast! If you’re expecting a baby, dreaming up future kid names, or just obsessed with baby name meanings and trends, you’ll love this fun and insightful conversation.

In this re-aired momversation, I chat with Amber—the one and only Name Fairy—a professional baby name consultant who helps families find names that feel just right.

✨ Whether you’re searc...

As a mom, I've watched my kids become seemingly mesmerized by their screens, and it's a struggle I know many parents face today. 

Join me, Katie Fenske, on this magical journey as I welcome Susie Spikol, a naturalist and the author of "Forest Magic for Kids," to the Burnt Pancakes Podcast. 

We share heartfelt stories and practical advice on how to rekindle your child's connection to nature...

In today’s episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, we’re throwing out the overwhelm and getting back to the heart of what your newborn actually needs: you. Host Katie sits down with neonatologist, lactation consultant, and author Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie to talk about The Baby Bonding Book—a science-backed, judgment-free guide to connecting with your baby in the most important ways.

We cover:

Why emotional bond...

School’s out, the kids are home, and moms everywhere are wondering… how are we going to survive summer?

In this fun and honest BONUS episode, I am joined by fellow mom and podcast host Tanya Valentine to talk all things summer break: the excitement, the overwhelm, the snacks, the screen time, and the pressure to make memories (while just trying to stay sane).

We’re sharing what summer feels like in our homes right now, what we’ve lea...