Weekly Roundup: “You’re a Winner, Gracie Wei,” “The Friday Afternoon Club,” and Messy Moms

Weekly Roundup: “You’re a Winner, Gracie Wei,” “The Friday Afternoon Club,” and Messy Moms

Author: Parenting Roundabout March 19, 2026 Duration: 18:07
Here's what we're reading, recommending, and revisiting this week.

Catherine's library find is the first in a new kids' chapter book series. It's called You're a Winner, Gracie Wei, and the author is Kristen Mei Chase. This is another fun case of "Hey, I know that writer!"

Terri's random recommendation is also a book, another in her series of Hollywood and Hollywood-adjacent memoirs: The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne. This one's more about Dunne's early life and family, vs. his acting career, but it was still worth a listen.

In the archives, we checked in on an episode from 2021 about how messy moms are good moms (that's our story and we're sticking to it).

Next week's lineup:
  • Shrinking S3 E8, "Depression Diet," on Tuesday, March 24
  • Lost S5 E6, "316," on Wednesday, March 25
  • Weekly roundup on Thursday, March 26

Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

Every week, Parenting Roundabout brings together the voices and experiences of writers Terri Mauro and Catherine Holecko. Think of it less as a manual and more as a conversation happening across the kitchen table, where the topics flow as freely as the coffee. They dive into the cultural moments, family dynamics, and daily dilemmas that actually fill your news feed and your thoughts, from the latest kids' TV show sparking debate to the subtle shifts in how we think about family and society. This isn't about perfect answers, but about navigating the messy, rewarding loop of raising kids alongside someone who gets it. In each episode of this podcast, you'll hear a natural, often humorous discussion that reflects what's really on parents' minds right now-the small complaints, the genuine obsessions, and the shared wisdom that comes from living it. Tune in for a dose of reality and camaraderie, a break from the noise that still manages to engage with the things that matter most in the whirlwind of family life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Parenting Roundabout
Podcast Episodes
Parenting Tips from “The Lowdown” S1 E3, “Dinosaur Memories” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:05
Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. Per usual, Lee gets himself beaten up and captured by some bad guys, but this time, he charms them with his sto…
Parenting Tips from “Lost” S4 E5, “The Constant” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:24
Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. We've actually discussed this well-known and beloved episode before, in 2017, when Terri challenged Catherine to watch it. She liked i…
Turkey Day Replay: Holiday Foods and Shopping Moods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:27
We're off this week, but not to worry: We have plenty of leftovers to reheat for you. This episode is from November 27, 2015. Enjoy!Was your Thanksgiving happy? Did you eat a lot of traditional family foods? Did many of…
Turkey Day Replay: Force of Habit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:52
We're off this week, but not to worry: We have plenty of leftovers to reheat for you. This episode is from November 27, 2017. Enjoy!​Cyber Monday Shopping: Will we be proactive about replacing things that are about to br…
Turkey Day Replay: Norman Rockwell We Ain’t [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:57
We're off this week, but not to worry: We have plenty of leftovers to reheat for you. This episode is from November 25, 2016. Enjoy!On this week's group chat, we talk about special-occasion pressure, discuss the start of…
Parenting Tips from “The Lowdown” S1 E2, “The Devil’s Mama” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:33
Every Wednesday, we share our thoughts on a newer entertainment property, and currently, that's The Lowdown. The show has great casting and writing, even if the plot is a bit hard to follow (that's why Lee needs a big ol…
Parenting Tips from “Lost” S4 E4, “Eggtown” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:10
Each Tuesday, we discuss an older entertainment property, and currently, that's Lost. This episode was a great big fakeout leading to the reveal of another member of the Oceanic Six. Also, Ben's facial trauma makeup arti…