You know how there’s that section in the celebrity magazines that says something like “They’re just like us” and it shows celebrities doing everyday things like walking their dog or having coffee? The whole time I was talking to Katie Lowes… I kept thinking… she’s just like us. She’s just like all the moms out there who are solo parenting this week because their partner has work events and it’s super hard and stressful. She turned her closet into an office so she can get work done away from her kids. She finds it really hard to make time for herself. Because here’s the thing….even when you’re in Hollywood with lots of support in place, being a working mom is still hard as hell, and I absolutely love that Katie shared all of that with us.
Watch + Listen to the whole conversation:
This week, Katie joins us to discuss launching her podcast, Katie’s Crib, navigating pregnancy and postpartum in Hollywood and why access to quality child care matters. Katie keeps it real and connects with the challenges that all moms face, juggling career and family.
What was your inspiration for starting Katie’s Crib?
It was all Shonda Rhimes’ idea. During the last season of Scandal I was pregnant with my son Albee. I had him and took a maternity leave and then came back to shoot. And so Shonda was really on the whole journey with me. I had a miscarriage before my son and she knew all about that too. When you work in showbiz, and you’re fortunate enough to be on a show that’s long running, you get pretty close to your work people because we work like 80 hour weeks. She’d been on the journey with me the whole time and was such an amazing boss and friend. And once I had him, and she saw just how vulnerable, raw, hormonal and funny I think she thought I was. Out of the blue she said to me- you should have a podcast. And it should be called Katie’s Crib. And so we did it!
What do you hope listeners will get out of the episodes?
I hope that they’re able to scroll through the episodes and play the ones that that resonate with them at the moment. And I think what’s cool is that they are recorded sort of evergreen, so you can pick a topic that resonates with you when you’re facing it. We’ve covered topics like breastfeeding, potty training, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, sex therapy, and all sorts of other topics. I also really enjoy listening to podcasts like Armchair Expert, where like people are just talking. So some episodes feature an expert, and other episodes feature another mom. I learn something from every single episode. I trust and believe in my listeners, that they’re gonna take what they need and leave the rest. This isn’t a podcast where I tell you what to do, or how you should parent. I mean, I have literally no idea what I’m doing. Some days I do great, and some days, I’m fucking horrible. But I give you an array of expert opinions, and then moms who’ve been through it themselves. You take what you need and leave the rest.
How has motherhood transformed your career?
It’s transformed my career for the better. I think my acting is so much stronger because I’ve experienced more things in life. And also, it’s not the most important thing in my day. I also work differently than I used to. I have to. Everything is quality over quantity. I’m so impressed at what I can accomplish in 30 minutes. The same task used to take me two hours because I don’t have the luxury of that sort of time anymore.
Bridget Garsh
Co-founder & COO
Bridget is mom to two little boys, Hudson and Brooks, and a champion of working moms everywhere. NeighborSchools itself was borne out of Bridget’s challenge to find high-quality yet affordable child care, and the realization that so many parents struggle with these same issues every day.
Read more from Bridget, follow her on IG, and check out her new series, Work Like a Mother.
