Circle of Mothers: Recent Episodes
Linda Thao
Circle of Mothers is a podcast dedicated to inspiring you to confidently raise your child in a world where parents are bombarded with dos and don'ts. I interview with remarkable mothers from all walks of life who share their parenting experiences, beliefs, practices, struggles and triumphs.
Song Xiong is a mother of three. Song has her Bachelors in Social Work and is a case manager for Adams County in the state of Colorado. Song is also a blogger and has a Youtube/Podcast with her girlfriends called Mamas Lifestyle. The blog was inspired by Song's daughter who is a twinless twin after being diagnosed with Microcephaly and PMG.
In the episode, Song shares her journey as a mother to a two year old and seven month old Everleigh May, who lost her twin Mila, at 17 weeks gestation period. We also talk about:
- Life with a child diagnosed with Microcephaly (small head) and Polymicrogyria (many folds in the brain).
- Challenges as a parent to a child with special needs
- How to support a loved one who is coping with miscarriage
- Grief
As always, I see you, I hear you, and I value you.
Love,
Linda
Tia Yang Ly is blessed with two amazing children who teach her every day to make every moment count. After a 7 year battle with infertility, motherhood is all the more rewarding for a hard won fight against all the odds. Her day job is changing the world for children with Autism as a Behavior Analyst. She is passionate about helping families and their loved ones living with Autism solve their unique puzzle and discovering those “a-ha!” moments. She is inspired by and indebted to all the moms who paved the way before her and enjoys the continual journey to discover motherhood.
In this episode, Tia shares her journey as a mother and expertise as a Behavior Analyst. We dive into what autism is and the support that is available for parents through IEPs and 504s.
As always, I see you, hear you, and value you!
Love,
Linda
In today's top three with Linda, I share my must haves after giving birth. It is natural to prepare for the birth of our babies, but we often forget to prepare for our recovery. It is important to know proper care and have postpartum products that will help us recover comfortably and quickly. I categorized my postpartum must-haves into three groups:
- Must-haves for abdominal care
- Must -haves for perineal care
- Must-haves for breastfeeding/pumping
including a bonus product. If you have other must-haves I did not share in this episode, feel free to share it in the reviews or comment on any of my social media. Below are links to all of the products I mentioned in the episode. As always, I see you, I hear you, and I value you.
Much love,
Linda
Kea Belly 3 in 1 Postpartum Belly Recover Wrap:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y2X86XC/ref=dp_iou_view_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bio Oil:https://www.amazon.com/Bio-Oil-4-2oz-Multiuse-Skincare-Oil/dp/B004AI97MA Peri Bottle:Amazon.com : Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle for Postpartum Care | The Original Fridababy MomWasher for Perineal Recovery and Cleansing After Birth : Baby
Postpartum Cotton Underwear:INNERSY Womens Underwear Cotton Briefs Postpartum High Waisted Panties Multi Pack at Amazon Women’s Clothing store
Postpartum Pads:Amazon.com: Poise Incontinence Pads for Women, Moderate Absorbency, Regular Length, 132 Count (2 Packs of 66) (Packaging May Vary): Health & Personal Care
Tucks:Amazon.com: TUCKS MED. Pads 100 Count (Pack of 2) #150020: Health & Personal Care
Dermaplast:Amazon.com: Dermoplast Pain, Burn & Itch Spray, Pain Relief Spray for Minor Cuts, Burns and Bug Bites, 2.75 oz (Packaging May Vary): Health & Personal Care
Nursing Bra:HOFISH 3 Pack Seamless Clip Down Deep V Neck Push Up Nursing Bra Maternity Bras 3PACK Inlcuding Extenders & Clips at Amazon Women’s Clothing
Breast Pump:https://www.amazon.com/Bellababy-Electric-Feeding-Suction-Definition/dp/B07CZZN1VX
In this episode, I share my top three changes with becoming a mother. I also share personal experiences and testimonies from mothers on how becoming a mother has changed their bodies, self-identity, and relationships.
I hope you find comfort in knowing you are not alone in your journey as a mother, whether it is your first time or your fifth time. Mothers speak a universal language and that is sharing the same sentiments and desires for ourselves and our children.
As always, I see you, hear you, and value your experience.
Love,
Linda
Facebook @ Circle of Mothers
Instagram @ CircleMothers
Yangmee is a mother of two and is married to an adventurous man who likes to spend his time rock climbing. She is a mompreneur, a Life Insurance Agent with Better Future Finances, and wants you to know that she is your new BFF in the life insurance industry. She recently started the BFF podcast where she does life in under 15 minutes. This is where she talks about common life insurance questions and topics in short sessions and has guests form a variety of backgrounds on her show to empower her listeners. She is also a business coach and helps individuals start their own financial services business. So whether you are ready to look for life insurance coverage or a career change, Yangemee is there with you every step of the way.
On the episode Yangmee and I discuss her experience with motherhood and tips for financial independence. Yangmee also shares details on her upcoming FREE workshop on March 27th for anyone who is interested in starting a podcast as well as visionary branding.
As always, I see you, hear you, value you!
Love,
Linda
Ways to connect with Yangmee:
- FB Business Page for Life Insurance: https://www.facebook.com/yangmeeBFF
- FB Business Page for Visionary Branding: https://www.facebook.com/Visionary-Branding-105383284932989
- Podcast Workshop: https://fb.me/e/JOjfNBOY
- Private Group for Hmong Moms with Special Needs Children: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hmongmomswithspecialneedskids
- Private Group for Hmong Moms Overcome: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1522169864643248?modal=false&should_open_composer=false
In today's Top Three with Linda, I share my top three advice for first time mothers including bonus tips from veteran mothers.
- Find and connect with a circle of mothers
- Take care of yourself first
- Begin pelvic floor exercises
As always, I see you, hear you, value you and will appreciate it if you can leave an honest review on the podcast.
Love,
Linda
In this first Top Three with Linda episode, I discuss what mindful parenting is and my top three mindful parenting practices:
- Focusing on the breath
- Removing yourself from the situation
- Journaling or reflecting
As always, I see you, hear you, value you and will appreciate it if you can leave an honest review on the podcast.
Love,
Linda
Julie was born and raised on the occupied Wahekute territory (St. Paul, Minnesota). Julie is a second-generation Hmong American, spiritual writer, community builder, and certified yoga teacher. She has a passion to amplify cultural narratives, hold brave and sacred spaces, decolonize mindsets, and collectively liberate. Her mission is to cultivate healing, equitable and inclusive communities to thrive. She loves sipping on boba tea, meditating, hiking, having heart-to-heart conversations and will serve as our guide for meditation on today’s episode.
Julie and I discussed:
- What meditation is and what it is not
- Misconceptions that are often roadblocks to meditating
- Benefits of meditation
- How she personally struggles with meditation
- How meditation looks like
- Valuable tips to keep in mind when beginning meditation or as a seasoned meditator
- A special guided meditation session focused on self-compassion curated by Julie herself.
and so much more! I hope as you listen to this episode, you feel supported in your journey as a mother and know you are never alone.
As always, I see you, hear you, value you and will appreciate if you can leave an honest review on the podcast.
Love,
Linda
Gao Zoua Vang is a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. At a very young age, she lost both her parents to murder-suicide, and moved in with her aunt and uncle where she was raised in St. Paul, MN. She is a mother of two fearless boys, a Facebook influencer and blogger of the social platform called Bad Modern Woman. Gao shares openly about her childhood trauma, mental health, receiving support through therapy, issues surrounding motherhood and parenting, and self-love to empower and uplift others who are hurting.
In this episode we explore:
- What trauma means
- How trauma affects the decisions and relationships of a person.
- Healing from therapy
- Importance for mothers to model healthy ways to express their emotions.
and so much more! I hope as you listen to this episode, you feel supported in your journey as a mother and know you are never alone.
See Lor was born in Laos and immigrated to the United States at the age of seven. At 16, she married and found herself in an abusive marriage that left her depressed and on the brink of suicide. After her second child, she found the courage to leave her marriage of eight years, courageously fighting battles that followed her as a divorcee.
Several years following her divorce, See found hope and remarried, but another tragedy struck her and her husband. She was a couple months into their second pregnancy when the doctors advised her to get an abortion due to life threatening conditions. See refused to abort the pregnancy, instead she asked to be induced to properly give life to her child. She found herself back in a dark place, but discovered the light once again when they found out she was pregnant with their third child. What seemed like a nightmare, once again haunted their lives and they lost this pregnancy too.
See continued to fight through the storms and has risen to shed light to those who are in need. She now resides in Milwaukee, WI as an accountant with her husband and children. Join us in this episode as we discuss:
- How to overcome being shamed after a divorce
- Finding courage to shed burdens as a divorcee
- Uncertainties after the death of a child
- Turning pain from the past into a source of power
- Seeing children as separate individuals
and so much more! I hope as you listen to this episode, you feel supported in your journey as a mother and know you are never alone.
Annie has worked as a children counselor for 15 years, specifically with foster children who are labeled as “troubled youths”. She believes children who suffer in silence, who act out through violent or harmful behaviors are a result of not now knowing how to verbalize their emotions. Not only is she passionate about helping children to know they are enough, they matter, and their voices matter; Annie is also passionate about helping women to rediscover who they are, to redefine who they want to be and to live intentionally to influence positive changes. Annie is the Co-founder of Hmong Women Today, a “women empowering women community” aiming to cultivate authentic connections, collaborations, and community. As a children counselor for 15 years, she recognizes when children (and adults) feel belonged, safe, and accepted as they are, they thrive. In this episode, we discuss:
- 4 steps to elevate our energy
- Raising children to RISE UP and show up as themselves
- Family rituals to nurture a safe space for children to express their emotions
and so much more! I hope as you listen to this episode, you feel supported in your journey as a mother and know you are never alone.
Mykou is a musician, entrepreneur, and author of the children’s book Ua Si! Ua Si! and Kuv Ua Tau! She is married to her best friend and is a phenomenal mother of three beautiful little girls who have taught her to live life wholeheartedly. Mykou is the co-founder of HmongBaby, an online shop providing flashcards and books both printed in Hmong and English. She started HmongBaby to inspire other parents to share the Hmong language with their children and from there the shop skyrocketed and expanded.
In this episode we dissect:
- The benefits of speaking a second language at home
- Practices for self-care such as journaling and meditating
- The importance of representation in your child’s life
- Gifting your children good values
and so much more. I hope as you listen to this podcast, you feel supported in your journey as a mother and know you are never alone.
Kalia is an advocate for early childhood education and Montessori education. She is an American Montessori Internationale (AMI) Lead Guide at Hmoob Toj Siab Children’s House located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Kalia received both her Masters in Literacy Education from Hamline University and Montessori Primary Diploma from the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota. In 2017, she earned a scholarship to become a Montessori Lead Guide leading her to develop a passion for working with children. Kalia believes in respecting a child’s work, building concentration in children and fostering independence in a child’s environment. In this episode we talked about:
- recovering after an emergency c-section
- how to support a mother after birth
- he non-traditional role of a stay at home dad
- Montessori education
- how to foster independence and motivation in your children
and so much more. I hope you guys enjoy this episode as much as I did and as always, leave us a comment or review to let us know how we are doing. Talk you to all next time! Bye!
Koua Jacklyn Franz was part of the Hmong refugee resettlement in the United States that occurred in the late 70's and came to live in Sacramento in the early 80's. She is a wife, Waldorf parent, and mother to three beautiful girls. Koua currently is the Co-Owner and Innovation and Strategic Planning Consultant at John Gooder LLC. She is a strong facilitator and systems thinker, with 15 years of executive leadership experience in consulting, supporting, and developing strong teams, developing leadership capacities, and designing and creating learning organizations. She is passionate about creating high quality and equitable systems that develops and cultivates the whole community. Listen to hear more about our discussion on:
- Adapting as an essential parenting skill
- Children struggling with self-identity
- Identifying what parenting style works for you
- Discovering what parenting comes down to
- Tackling the challenges of motherhood as a family unit
and so much more. I hope as you listen to this episode, you feel supported in your journey as a mother and know you are never alone.
Yengyee is the founder and CEO of Faithful Consulting LLC, people-centered coaching, and consulting business focused on delivering meaningful organizational impact. Yengyee has over 16 years of experience in leadership, training, team building, group facilitation, strategic planning, coaching, counseling, assessments, and management. Yengyee is an ardent learner with an ABD in Organizational Psychology, MA in Counseling, and a BA in Social Work. Yengyee established the Project Leading Lady, where she helps one woman a year become her best leader. She volunteers her time on many boards and pushing initiatives that are passionate to her. Yengyee loves people.
The most important thing in Yengyee's life is her children, Fayth (8) and Sage (5). Her memories as a kid were around obedience, working hard, and surviving, so she is intentional about making sure her kids have a fun, happy, engaging, loving, and memorable childhood. Yengyee sees herself as a vessel for which she can empower her children to be their most authentic best versions of themselves. She has an open dialogue with her children about emotions, ideas, and plans. She empowers her children to make their own choices and explain how decisions impact their lives. Her parenting style is a combination of Love and Logic, 1-2-3 Magic, and grounding.
Listen to hear more on her take on parenting and what being a mom means to her. We discussed:
- How to find balance between work and being a mother
- How to maintain a healthy relationship with a partner after divorce
- How to foster emotional intelligence in your children
- How to practice self-love
and so much more. I hope as you listen to this episode you feel supported in your journey as a mother and know you are never alone.
In this episode, I will share a little about myself and the inspiration behind the podcast.