What actually happens to returned baby gear?

Most parents assume it goes right back on the shelf. But according to Ben Norment, founder and CEO of Stork Exchange, that’s usually not the case.

In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, Samantha sits down with Ben to talk about the hidden world of open-box baby gear, how major brands handle returns, and why recommerce is becoming one of the smartest ways for families to save money without sacrificing quality or safety.

Ben shares how Stork Exchange partners directly with baby gear brands to inspect, grade, and recirculate premium open-box and overstock products — keeping thousands of pounds of perfectly usable gear out of landfills while helping parents access high-end products at lower prices.

The conversation also dives into parenting identity shifts, the mental load of baby gear, building systems that actually work for families, and the emotional reality of raising three kids under five while running a fast-growing company.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What happens to returned strollers, bassinets, and car seats
• The difference between open-box, overstock, and secondhand baby gear
• How Stork Exchange inspects and grades products for safety
• Why baby gear waste is a massive hidden problem
• How recommerce is helping families save money
• The emotional side of parenting and “gear overwhelm”
• Why parents should stop shopping after 9 p.m.
• The reality of raising three kids under five
• The parenting products Ben regrets buying
• The products he would buy again immediately
• Why community and sharing resources may be the future of parenting

Connect with Ben & Stork Exchange

• Website: Stork Exchange
• How It Works: Stork Exchange How It Works
• Instagram: @stork.exchange

Follow Samantha & The Running Wine Mom

• Instagram: The Running Wine Mom Instagram

What if the best restaurant in your area… wasn’t a restaurant at all?

In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, Samantha sits down with identical twin chefs Stephen and Nicolas Servis, founders of Servis Events — a Bucks County-based private chef and farm-to-table dining experience that brings high-end, seasonal meals directly into your home.

Recorded on-site at their family Airbnb, Rocking Horse Acres, this conversation goes beyond food. It’s about community, entrepreneurship, and redefining what a “night out” can look like.

Stephen and Nicolas share how they went from restaurant kitchens to building a thriving private chef business, why sourcing local ingredients matters more than ever, and what people don’t understand about the work behind a premium dining experience.

You’ll also hear:

• How the pandemic unexpectedly launched their business
• The reality of running a business with your identical twin
• Why farm-to-table isn’t just a trend — it’s a lifestyle
• The biggest misconceptions about private chefs and pricing
• What actually goes into a $200/person dining experience
• Their vision for the future of Servis Events
• And a fun rapid-fire segment you don’t want to miss

Whether you’re a parent, entrepreneur, foodie, or just someone who loves a good dinner party — this episode will make you rethink how you gather.

📍 Mentioned in This Episode

• Servis Events
• Rocking Horse Acres

🔗 Connect with Servis Events

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servisevents
Website: https://servis-events.com/

🥂 Connect with Samantha

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.runningwinemom_

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What happens when your life doesn’t look the way you thought it would?

In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, Samantha sits down with author and creator Kendall Mariah to talk about the reality of motherhood, identity shifts, infertility, and what she calls “soul friction”—that tension between the life you expected and the life you’re actually living.

Kendall shares her journey through fertility struggles, adoption, and building a platform rooted in honesty during one of the most uncertain seasons of life. From navigating neurodivergence and ADHD as a mom to redefining success, this conversation is raw, relatable, and deeply validating for women in every season.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t recognize yourself anymore, or like things didn’t go according to plan—this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

What We Talk About:

• What “soul friction” really means in motherhood
• Infertility, adoption, and redefining expectations
• The identity shift no one prepares you for
• ADHD, neurodivergence, and motherhood
• Why social media is shifting from “perfect” to real
• The emotional reality behind building a platform
• How to move forward when life feels off track

Links & Resources:

• Kendall Mariah Website: https://kendallmariah.com
• Kendall’s Book (This Little Fire of Mine): https://www.amazon.com/This-Little-Fire-Mine-Flickers/
• Follow Kendall on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendallmariah
• Follow Samantha: https://www.instagram.com/therunningwinemom_

If this episode resonated with you, send it to a friend who needs to hear it—and don’t forget to follow The Running Wine Mom for more real conversations about motherhood, mindset, and everything in between.