This week, we unwind with a little chit chat about celebrities, summer television shows (Yes, Project Runway is back) and share the highlights from our July magazine subscriptions.

We pull back the flap of the Manic Mommies Big Tent group and discuss our favorite topics including favorite things, pocketbooks, money matters and more.

In this Manic Mommies profile, Erin & Kristin interview Rosa Linda from New Mexico, a former on-air television news anchor turned video podcaster who just happens to swing by Manic Mommies HQ during a family vacation to New England. Listen in as three moms try to conduct an interview while three dads and six kids run rampant in the backyard with squirt guns. And watch the video version (coming soon) on Rosa Linda's video podcast.

 How many times has your child asked you to tell him a story? Probably too many to count! But when was the last time you asked her to be the storyteller? In this episode of Manic Mommies, Erin & Kristin interview Sharon Kan, co-founder of the online story publishing tool for kids Tikatok and discover simple ways for inspiring creativity among children.

This episode is sponsored by Word Girl, now five days a week on PBS Kids Go!

After an extended leave, our resident pediatrician Dr. Rob returns to answer our listeners' questions (and a few of our own). We cover everything from summer safety to allergies, to how much milk is the right amount? Dr. Rob also explains the media's recent fascination with a tragic case of "dry drowning." This episode of Manic Mommies sponsored by Word Girl.

This week Erin and Kristin welcome kids' birthday party expert  Lisa Kothari,  founder of Peppers and Pollywogs to the show to talk about the latest trends in kid's parties. We ask Lisa to explain what's expected of parents as party hosts, what's expected of guests, and how to keep the celebration within your planned budget.

Avoidance? Explosive? Sarcastic? Real Simple Deputy Editor Lesley Alderman joins the Manic Mommies to discuss ways we can all better manage our anger (who, me? I'm not angry!). Then we chat about low cost organizing ideas and end up on a rant about the one drawer in the house that makes us crazy: the  junk drawer.

We reconnect after a week off from the podcast and recount our experience seeing Sex and the City The Movie, share more stuff our listeners hate about motherhood, and make our big announcement about Escape 08. Pack your bags, ladies! We're going to the Bahamas!

This episode is sponsored by Word Girl, now five days a week on PBS Kids Go!

Managing work and family is hard enough, but imagine also having to manage a serious medical illness—one you kept hidden from coworkers and acquaintances—at the same time? This week we talk to Hollie, a busy working mom who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her early 20s. Also known as manic-depression, bipolar disorder affects 2.5 million adult Americans each year. Hollie bravely shares her story as well as some tips for how to recognize signs of depression among friends and family and some strategies for explaining the diagnosis to children.

The Manic Mommies chat with Jim, Steven and Kevin from the Barenaked Ladies who released their first children's CD this week, Snack time. Then we turn the tables on Mother's Day and celebrate the not-so-happy stuff about motherhood and our listeners weigh in. Seems none of us likes bodily fluids, a loss of dignity, or mean, perfect mommies.