In our very first episode, we’re kicking things off by sharing what our own villages looked like growing up — from tight-knit family support to figuring things out on our own — and how those experiences have shaped the way we parent now. We talk honestly about how villages have changed, why they matter more than ever, and the very real challenges of building one in today’s world.

Whether your village is big, small, chosen, or still in the works, this episode is a reminder that none of us are meant to do this alone. Let’s talk about how we build the kind of support system where families don’t just survive — they thrive.

Kristina Guerrero has spent more than 20 years hosting and reporting on national television — from red carpets to TV sets — and is now a proud Student of the Month mom and reigning Best Mommy of the Year (according to her kids anyway!).

She’s mom to Mateo (on the cusp of teenagerdom… Lord help her!) and Sebastian, 6 (who still thinks Mommy hung the moon), and brings her lived experience as a working mom, cancer survivor, and sober woman into real, honest conversations about parenting in the real world. These days, she’s traded Hollywood glam for baseball practice, 6th grade math, and the beautiful chaos of raising good humans.

Bradley Hasemeyer is an Emmy-Award winning host, father, and lover of coffee. He's spent more than 20 years traveling the world interviewing people, driving supercars, and hosting game shows. He's not new to the podcast space; he has hosted past shows like "Attempting Fatherhood", and "Midlife Crisis", as well as various podcasts for brands like Honda, and Best Buy. With a 12-year-old middle schooler, five-year-old in Kindergarten, and a 30-year-old foster daughter, Bradley's understanding of #Dadlife is ever-evolving and always humbling. He is very excited to be joining his long time friends Donna and Kristina for this new project and hoping to prove to everyone listening that they aren't alone in whatever circumstance they face. His one piece of advice for all parents: more coffee.

Donna Ruko is an Emmy Award–winning TV host and former 90s girl band member who now channels her creativity into motherhood, community, and meaningful conversation. As a proud mother to an energetic 8-year-old boy, a loving wife, and a stepmother to three grown bonus kids, she is passionate about raising healthy, resilient children and knows that parents flourish when they feel supported.

Meditation is her medication, and she believes music heals, food feeds the soul, laughter is the best medicine. Sensitive, playful, and always ready to laugh—and perhaps indulge in her obsession with English Heinz baked beans—Donna brings honesty, heart, and practical wisdom to The Village Thrives.