Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what truly matters most when life throws you a curveball you never saw coming? In this episode of We Got You Mama, we explore that question and more as I, Carly Church, welcome the remarkable Briana Dai, VP of Digital Innovation at eWomenNetwork, to share her transformative story. Briana's journey is a testament to how quickly life can shift—and how much wisdom can grow through adversity, resilience, and reinvention.

We kick off the episode with an introduction to Briana’s impressive background, from her successful pivot from celebrity makeup artist to branding and digital marketing expert, all the way to her leadership role in a community that's dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. But it’s what happened on April 11, 2024—a routine self-care visit turned medical emergency—that becomes the heart of our conversation. Briana Dai bravely takes us through the harrowing details of her near-death experience with lidocaine toxicity, her 1% odds of survival, and the long, uncertain road of relearning how to walk, talk, and live life again.

Together, we dive into how such a profound event can push you to reflect in ways you never expected. Briana talks about facing her own struggles with body image, the pressures of perfectionism, and the lessons she learned about self-acceptance and self-compassion in a society obsessed with "fixing" women after motherhood. Our discussion goes deep into the world of body positivity versus body neutrality, and how giving ourselves and one another grace—and permission to be imperfect—can be truly life-changing.

We also address the invisible load working moms carry, the myth of perfect work-life balance, and the power of setting boundaries to protect the precious moments with our children. Briana offers practical advice for seeking help, delegating, and making peace with the everyday messiness that comes with both motherhood and leadership.

An especially eye-opening part of our conversation deals with the unrelenting cultural and social media pressures on women's bodies after childbirth. Briana shares her strategies for managing what she consumes online, using tools like muting and unfollowing, and how crucial a supportive community of women can be. Her perspective is a breath of fresh air for anyone feeling overwhelmed by unrealistic standards and unsolicited advice.

If you’re looking for an honest, vulnerable, and truly empowering conversation about surviving life’s hardest moments, redefining success, and embracing the chaos of motherhood, this episode is for you. We end on a hopeful note—reminding moms everywhere that you can be present, powerful, and enough, even when life doesn’t feel perfect. Tune in for part one of Briana’s story and walk away with both practical tips and the kind of wisdom that only comes from lived experience.

Did you know that parents in California can actually get six to seven weeks of PAID leave? Not just the 12 weeks you may have thought. On this episode of “We Got You Mama,” I dove into the world of parental leave with special guest Brittney O'Brien, a California parental leave strategist who’s made it her mission to help expecting parents unlock the benefits they’re entitled to. As the host, I introduced Brittney O'Brien as someone you want in your corner: she’s supported over 900 parents since launching her business and comes with two decades of tech startup experience, perfectly positioning her to decode California’s complex leave policies like SDI, PFL, and PDL.

Throughout the episode, we broke down some jaw-dropping facts about U.S. parental leave—or lack thereof—and zeroed in on how California stands out as an exception. Brittney explained what most people get wrong about maternity leave, how the state’s wage replacement program really works, and how you can maximize the time you spend with your newborn. She revealed both the common mistakes parents make when planning their leave and how you can avoid getting shortchanged on those crucial benefits. We also talked about the emotional and financial challenges she sees, the importance of understanding your paystubs, and the power of getting everything in writing with your employer.

Beyond the logistics, Brittney shared her personal path into this advocacy—from her own messy leave experience to her commitment to supporting other families and pushing for much-needed policy change. We also touched on employee rights, advocacy tips, and even the significant impact that extended, supported leave can have on families. If you or someone you know is pregnant, planning to be, or just wants to understand how to get empowered around parental leave, this episode offers actionable steps and real encouragement.

About the Guest:

Brittney O'Brien is a California parental leave strategist who helps expecting parents unlock 6–7 months of paid, job-protected leave without the confusion or overwhelm. After navigating her own messy leave experience, she made it her mission to ensure other families do not have to struggle through the same uncertainty.

With 20 years of experience in tech startups and a deep understanding of California’s SDI, PFL, PDL, and CFRA programs, Brittney turns complex policies into clear, step-by-step plans that actually make sense. Since launching her business last year, she has supported more than 900 expecting parents. She lives in Sacramento, California with her husband and her 3-year-old son, Jackson.

Seeing firsthand how unsupported working parents are in the United States, Brittney views this work as more than a business. It is a grassroots mission. The United States is the only developed country without federally mandated paid leave, and she is committed to helping families navigate a broken system while advocating for long-term change.

Through her signature 1:1 service, The Leave Blueprint, Brittney provides personalized timelines, HR scripts, EDD form reviews, and ongoing support, giving parents everything they need to feel confident, prepared, and financially protected as they welcome their babies.

From Brittney:

Don’t leave months of paid time with your baby on the table.

Book your Leave Blueprint session today and get the exact strategy, forms, and timelines you need to maximize SDI + PFL — stress-free! Feel free to visit her website here to sign up for help: https://stan.store/itsyourleave

You can also follow her on Instagram and TikTok: @itsyourleave

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll figure out money later… once the kids are older” — this episode is your wake-up call (in the most loving We Got You, Mama way 😉).

In today’s episode, I’m talking with my friend Angela Iacobellis, a life insurance and retirement specialist who helps families and business owners make their money work smarter, not harder.

Angela breaks down what most of us were never taught about:

College savings

Retirement income

Life insurance as a living tool (not just a “when you die” thing)

Why so many moms are underinsured and under-prepared

And how to start fixing all of that now — even if you feel late to the game

We cover:

💰 College savings that don’t wreck financial aid

Why traditional 529 plans can hurt your FAFSA, and how using cash-value life insurance can help you:

Grow money tax-free

Keep it off the financial aid radar

Use it for more than college (study abroad, business start-up, home down payment, etc.)

🛡️ Life insurance as a “Swiss Army knife”

Angela explains how modern life insurance can:

Protect your family if the worst happens

Grow tax-free savings you can access in retirement

Provide “living benefits” if you have a serious illness (like cancer, heart attack, stroke)

Act as your own bank so you can fund big goals without begging a lender

👩‍👧 Why moms MUST be in the money conversation

We talk about:

The very real pattern of women who find out too late that they weren’t protected

The massive wealth transfer coming to women as widows and daughters

Why it’s not enough to say “my spouse handles all that”

Simple first steps to get informed and involved (without needing a finance degree)

💸 Common money mistakes moms make

Including:

Being underinsured (especially stay-at-home or lower-earning moms)

Thinking work life insurance is “enough”

Assuming “we’ll deal with retirement later”

Planning as if nothing bad will ever happen (we hope it doesn’t—but planning like it might)

This is not about fear. It’s about options, peace of mind, and generational impact.

You work way too hard for your family for your money not to be working just as hard for you.

🎁 Angela’s Offer for We Got You Mama Listeners

“If you’re listening and thinking, ‘I should really get my money organized,’ this is your sign — reach out, and we’ll make it simple.”

If you follow Angela and mention this podcast, she’ll send you her free book:

📘 “Smart Strategies for College Savings”

🔗 Connect with Angela

Website: www.angelaiacobellis.com

Instagram: @Angela_iacobellis_la

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelaiacobellisla/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaIacobellisLA

🎙️ About We Got You, Mama

We Got You, Mama is a podcast and show dedicated to helping mamas go from surviving to thriving with expert-backed support on motherhood, mental health, money, relationships, and everything in between. Hosted by author and founder Carly Church, it’s your reminder that you are not supposed to do this alone.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a mama who:

Has no idea where to start with money

Is worried about college costs

Or just needs someone to demystify “adult finance” in normal human language

We got you, mama. 🤍