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.

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.

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.

We talk about the rising cost of kids’ parties, the pressure parents can feel to make them “perfect,” and the cultural birthday traditions from around the world that make celebrations meaningful beyond the decorations. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the party — it’s about the memories we create for our kids (and ourselves). 

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We dive into the challenges of navigating screens as modern parents — from setting realistic boundaries and rules to encouraging creativity, imagination, and even boredom in a tech-filled world. We also have an important conversation about autism and the unique screen time considerations that can come with it, along with practical guidelines to help families find a healthy balance.

And of course, we wrap things up with Bradley’s weekly Dad Joke — because sometimes, you just need a good laugh to log off.    

From kids’ ever-changing obsessions (yes, including a surprising dive into WWE) to the wild phases and stages that take over your household, we’re talking about what we never saw coming. We also dive into the dad perspective — how fatherhood hits differently, and the question we don’t talk about enough: do dads have a village too?

We dive into the real impact of extracurriculars — the good, the overwhelming, and everything in between — and talk about how to balance clubs, school, and the often-forgotten need for rest. We also explore how to navigate kids’ changing interests, handle pressure (from kids and parents), recognize burnout, and know when it’s okay to quit.

Most importantly, we get to the heart of it all: keeping the fun alive and understanding the “why” behind the activities we choose for our kids. Because it’s not just about staying busy — it’s about helping our kids thrive.

Sarah walks us through the Power 9 — including the 80% rule — and shares how simple shifts like slowing down, managing stress, finding purpose, and prioritizing connection can have a lasting impact on our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our families. We also dive into the importance of belonging, how community shapes our health, and answer the question you didn’t know you had: what exactly is a Moai?

Kristina opens up about her breast cancer journey — from the moment of diagnosis to navigating treatment while continuing to show up as a parent, partner, and professional. She shares what it was like to compartmentalize life during illness, how she made decisions about what to share with her children, and the role her village played throughout her experience.

It is an honest conversation about motherhood, vulnerability, and the unexpected ways life can reshape us. Kristina also reflects on why, despite everything, she describes this chapter as one of the best things that has ever happened to her — and what she hopes others can take from her story.

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Listen here:
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-believed-with-kristina-guerrero/id1819072697

We explore how discipline has evolved over time, how our own upbringing shapes the way we parent, and what it looks like to blend different styles in real life. From handling backtalk to managing the everyday stress of parenting, we share the real-life challenges we’re all navigating together.

Most importantly, we talk about the power of repair: owning our mistakes, reconnecting with our kids, and remembering that parenting isn’t about perfection — it’s about intention, growth, and showing up again and again.

And as we wrap up Season 1, it feels only fitting to end on a topic that every parent is still figuring out in real time.

Subscribe and Thrive:

Instagram
The Village Thrives - @thevillagethrives
Donna Ruko - @DonnaRuko 
Kristina Guerrero - @KristinaGuerrero
Bradley Hasemeyer - @BHaz

YouTube
www.youtube.com/@TheVillageThrives

Thank you for joining the village. Keep thriving!