Moms to Know: LOL with the Mom Group Chat Podcast
You know those unfiltered, laugh-out-loud, “I’ve-been-there” conversations you have with your closest mom friends? That’s exactly what Candace Donnelly and Whitney Williams, co-hosts of the Mom Group Chat podcast, bring to the Tampa Bay parenting scene — along with a generous dose of honesty and heart. Their mission is simple: letting moms know they’re not alone on the wild parenting ride.
TBPM: How do your personal journeys shape what you share on the podcast?
MGC: Everything people hear on the podcast comes directly from our real lives — for better or worse. The wins, the messes, the tears at the kitchen sink; anything we’d send to our mom friends ends up in the episodes. That’s how the podcast came to be in the first place. Many moms are tired of the “Pinterest picture-perfect” version of motherhood, so we share the unfiltered stuff to let our listeners know they aren’t alone on this wild ride. Our transparency about life and motherhood is what keeps our conversations — and our community — so strong.
TBPM: Can you share a moment from your life when balancing motherhood and your professional goals felt especially meaningful?
MGC: One of the most meaningful parts of balancing motherhood and Mom Group Chat is the messages we get from listeners — whether they tell us an episode helped them feel less alone, made them feel truly seen in their struggles, or just that it feels like we’re all friends (because we are). I [Candace] will never forget reading one of those messages with my toddler playing at my feet and my baby on my hip, thinking “this is exactly why I do this.” Listeners’ messages give us a sense of purpose and remind us that the messy, beautiful seasons we’re living through are the same ones we’re encouraging other moms in every day.
TBPM: What story or topic from the podcast has resonated most deeply with you?
MGC: The episodes where we’ve opened up about grief in motherhood have stayed with me the most. There are so many kinds of grief — losing a parent or loved one, losing a pregnancy, grieving major life changes. So many moms are quietly carrying invisible heartbreak while bringing love, joy and magic to their children’s lives. It’s a heavy load to carry. Hearing each other’s stories reminds us we’re not the only ones experiencing a challenge and that it’s okay to lean on others, take breaks and ask for help when needed.
TBPM: How has building the Mom Group Chat community influenced your perspective on parenting and what impact do you hope it has on other moms in the Tampa Bay area?
MGC: Building the Mom Group Chat community has reminded us how important real connections with other moms are. A huge goal of the podcast is creating pockets of moms who can get together in real life, lean on each other and share a mix of wisdom, encouragement and friendship. For moms in the Tampa Bay area, we’re creating a space where they feel supported, seen and surrounded by people who understand.
TBPM: Looking back, what’s one piece of wisdom you’d share with your pre-mom selves?
MGC: To know that you’re going to change in unimaginable ways — and that’s a good thing. There will be days so overwhelming you wonder if you’ll ever feel like yourself again, but you will. You just won’t be the exact same version from before. You’ll grow into someone stronger, softer and surer of what really matters. And when that happens, you’ll realize you’ve built a beautiful family that amplifies your life in the best ways.
TBPM: As moms and storytellers, what legacy do you hope to leave for your children and the broader community?
MGC: That the podcast becomes a little time capsule our kids can revisit — a record of us as new moms, working moms, overwhelmed moms and moms absolutely loving their lives. We want them to hear the growth, the messy seasons, the hilarious stories and know we did everything we could to fully show up fully in all of it. For the broader community, we hope it’s a reminder that motherhood doesn’t have to look perfect to be beautiful, and that there’s power in sharing our real stories.
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