In this episode of Mom to MORE®, Sharon Macey welcomes Caroline Aaron, an award-winning actress whose career spans Broadway, television, and over 100 films. Best known to millions as the unforgettable Shirley Maisel on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Caroline shares what it really looked like to build a creative life while raising a family and making intentional choices along the way.

Caroline reflects on motherhood, partnership, and the power of pausing without losing yourself. From tag-team parenting long before it was common, to turning down roles in order to stay close to home, she opens up about how those decisions shaped her not just as a mother, but as an artist and a woman. She also shares how motherhood deepened her emotional range, strengthened her craft, and gave her a richer understanding of the human experience.

Tune in for a heartfelt and laugh out loud funny conversation about motherhood, creativity, reinvention, and why making yourself happy gives your children permission to do the same.

[00:00] Introduction
[02:36] Early motherhood and family life
[04:07] Partnership and taking turns
[06:57] Adjusting career choices to meet family needs
[08:10] Why happiness matters for both parents and kids
[11:39] Emotional endurance in motherhood
[13:38] How parenting experiences showed up on stage and screen
[17:12] Career pauses and the long arc of motherhood
[22:47] Lessons learned from Caroline's trailblazing mother
[28:22] Becoming Shirley Maisel and redefining how mothers are portrayed
[37:08] Writing Caroline's next chapter

Meet my guest, Caroline Aaron:

Instagram: @therealcarolineaaron

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@Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #56 of the Mom to MORE® podcast where Sharon is joined by Gemma Alster, lifestyle influencer and creator of Stay-at-Home-Baby. Coming soon - you won't want to miss it ♥

In this episode of Mom to MORE®, Sharon Macey welcomes Drew Ann Long, a mom whose love for her daughter sparked a world-changing idea. What began as a stay-at-home mom's frustration inside a grocery store became a patented innovation now found in major retailers across the country, proving that motherhood can be a powerful engine for impact and reinvention.

Drew Ann shares her journey into the special needs community after her daughter Caroline was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, and how navigating daily life challenges led her to imagine a more inclusive way for families to shop together. With no engineering background and countless rejections from corporate America, she relied on grit, intuition, and classic mom skills to bring Caroline's Cart to life.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about motherhood, advocacy, and reinvention rooted in love, necessity, and courage.

[00:00] Introduction
[02:36] Motherhood, career shifts, and becoming a stay-at-home mom
[04:55] Entering the world of special needs and receiving Caroline's diagnosis
[07:23] What most people do not realize about the special needs community
[08:19] The moment Caroline's Cart was born
[10:46] Facing rejection and being dismissed by corporate America
[13:25] The financial risks, sacrifices, and early setbacks of entrepreneurship
[16:03] Mom skills, fearlessness, and building something from nothing
[18:05] Creating demand through social media
[23:14] Mom guilt, sacrifice, and redefining what "having it all" really means
[25:40] Giving back to the special needs community
[29:15] Finding purpose through service and advocacy

Meet my guest, Drew Ann Long:

Website: drewannspeaks.com

Instagram: @carolinescart @drewannlong

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-ann-long-3a22a875/

Drew Ann's nonprofit, Caroline's Cause, reduces the financial burden of a college education for students who have siblings with special-needs: www.carolinescause.com

Looking for More? Join the Mom To MORE® Movement and grab your freebie: 6 Ways To Reinvent Yourself Beyond Motherhood at momtomore.com

Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and now on Pinterest.

@Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #55 of the Mom to MORE® podcast where Sharon is joined by Caroline Aaron, the hilarious Shirley Maisel, on all things motherhood, career and life off-script. Coming soon - you won't want to miss it ♥

Kick off the new year with a dose of inspiration and intention. In this special Mom to MORE® mini episode, Sharon Macey explores why resolutions fade—and how setting meaningful intentions can guide you through 2026 with purpose, courage, and clarity.

She invites you to tune into that quiet nudge calling you toward your next chapter, reminding you that courage isn't about being fearless—it's about beginning anyway. You'll learn why clarity follows action and how even the smallest steps can create unstoppable momentum.

This episode is your gentle reminder that motherhood wasn't the end of your growth—it was your masterclass. The skills you've honed are the foundation for your next reinvention. If you've been feeling pulled toward something new, this is the spark to begin.

Looking for More? Join the Mom To MORE® Community and grab your freebie: 6 Ways To Reinvent Yourself Beyond Motherhood at momtomore.com

Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and now on Pinterest. @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for episode #54 of the Mom to MORE® podcast where Sharon is joined by Drew Ann Long, Founder of Caroline's Cart-a groundbreaking product for special needs individuals. Coming soon - you won't want to miss it ♥