A For Effort: Recent Episodes
Amanda & Megan
Hey, it’s us: Amanda and Megan. We’re just two average moms who love their kids so dang much we decided to start a podcast! This is not another mommy podcast, with experts informing you how you can be a better mom/wife/daughter/coworker/best friend in twenty-six sugar-coated steps. What WILL you find in this podcast? Validation? Yes. Laughter? Hopefully. Inspiring advice? Probably not.
Truthfully, no matter how many parenting books we read or conferences we attend, we still find ourselves raising our eyebrows and stifling laughs at our offspring. So, at the end of the day, we just slap each other on the butts (like you did in high school volleyball) and say: “you really tried, and that’s all that matters…”
Today we're talking about the age old topic, the thing we're always complaining about, the thing that no one has, but we all want more of..... TIME!!!!!! Where is it going and how do we get more of it?? Well, my friend, we your (un)certified mentors will coach you on how to become time affluent and be okay with it. If you don't even know what "time affluence" is, you better just listen because we only have 150 characte
We are not a fan of waiting until the last minute to do your holiday shopping. So we've tried to make it easy on you and we asked what ya'll are giving your kids for Christmas and we're back to report on what was said! But it wouldn't be a true AFE episode if we didn't share the blunders of gifting as well. So there might be mentions of slime and recorders, but we promise, we're not going to tell you to put either of those items in any stockings.... unless you're trying to deliver revenge. Then slime is a good option.
If none of those above mentioned "parenting styles" speak to you, fear not, there are probably 50 more animals with their own styles that we haven't even discussed yet! But in this episode, we put on our "wanna be expert" hats, and do a deep dive into an episode of The Happiness Lab that had us talking all week!
From the Macy's Thanksgiving parade to the store bought pumpkin pie, what isn't there to love about turkey day?? Unless of course you don't care for turkey cause it's dry and bland.... you words, not ours, in which case we say, sorry not sorry? This week we're talking about all the things that go into making this particular Thursday special. Except we did leave out the stuffing and gravy.. truly sorry about that.
Switch Witch disclaimer: If you have kids who listen, and participate in the S.W. program, you might want to skip to 7:06 or preview first as to preserve the magic. Otherwise, the season of gratitude is upon us! Although, we are firm believers in celebrating gratitude from November - October. But in this episode we're sharing the good news that KIDS ARE AMAZING. They're funny, they're witty, they're magic. And you've heard enough from others about how exhausting they are, so let's talk about what's on the other side of that!
All things Halloween in this episode! From costumes that are acceptable, to candy that is not. We're covering all the things that make this holiday what it is... for better or for worse.
It starts right away. Those little phrases you feel like you have on repeat all day long. Get your shoes on. Get your backpack. Shut the door. Shut the door. Shut. The. Door. It's a miracle these phrases haven't made it into our dreams yet... cause heavens knows that's all we ever say.
Look, you're a 10. You're awesome. You're one of a kind. You're as good as they come.
But your belt takes me down every time. And those counters look like the streets of a carnival. And I already know how you're "such a boss," so keep it to yourself. Love you, but no ones perfect. In this episode we laid it all out for you, and really, don't be offended, it's not personal. We just want a clean kitchen and quiet car. One can hope.
Lisa Valentine Clark joins us this week as we talk through all the seasons of parenthood. What do you do when the kids heads to school with no shoes? When do you have “the talk” with your kids? We learned so much and also felt so validated after our talk with this seasoned mom! We hope you will, too!
Make sure to find Lisa’s podcast on any platform: The Lisa Show!
This week we compiled all those Tweets that are relatable, almost too relatable…. Chances are high though you’ll leave feeling very seen. We got you! We’re doggy paddling through all this together!
Like you, WE CANNOT BELIEVE IT!! But yes, it really is him. Chris Van Dusen sits down with us in this bonus episode to talk all things, parenting, Maine and Mercy Watson. PLUS, he also shares the origin story of The Circus Ship! How lucky are we?!
These two moms are obsessed with books. We read a lot and our kids read even more! And if your kids don't read, fear not. Chances are they just haven't found a book yet that speaks to them. In this episode we share all our favorite books, for kids, for tweens, for teens and even for moms! We're taking the guess work out of picking entertaining books for your family. Rest assured, these recommendations will leave you wanting more.
And at 41:40 we have story time for kids! Megan reads: Little Mouse, Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. Then Amanda reads: Escargot. Kids might enjoy listening to this part of the episode!
Megan's to-go picture books:
Creepy Series
Little Mouse, Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear.
Other Books by Don and Audrey Wood
See the Cat
The 7 Silly Eaters
Chapter Books:
The Chronicles of Narnia Collection
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Collection
Last Kids on Earth
Kids Guide to Raising Chickens
The Treasure Hunters
Shipwreckers: The Curse of the Cursed Temple of Curses or We Nearly Died. A Lot A Lot.
What Megan is reading:
Anxious People
Just Mercy
Amanda's to-go picture books:
Chester Van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme
Chris Van Dusen Collection
Escargot
Chapter books:
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Roald Dahl Collection
Fablehaven Collection
Wings of Fire Series
What Amanda is reading:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Empire of Pain
Honorable mentions from listeners:
Will Ladybug Hug
Will Bear Share
The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It was None of His Business
Indestructibles
It’s practically a right of passage into parenthood to get embarrassed by your cherubic children. We’ve all been there! Now, we’re here to laugh about (mostly because we’re far enough removed from it). This episode recounts listeners’ embarrassing parenting moments, and we share a few of our own gems, too.
Talked about in this episode, but written down for reference here:
Amanda's pantry staples:
- Bruschetta
- Dill Pickle mini falafel
- Lemon Curd
- Mini Brie
- Hasbrowns
Megan’s pantry staples:
- Hot and Sweet Jalapenos
- Oat non-dairy frozen dessert sandwiches.
- Dark chocolate pb cups
- Chocolate croissants and cream cheese croissants (these don’t have to raise overnight!)
- Face wash with tea tree oil
Things the listeners love:
- Sweet potato gnocchi
- Butter waffle cookies
- Acai bowls
- All the Indian premade stuff
- Pre-made rice
- Frozen pizza dough
Amanda's favorite quick exclusive TJ's meal, is the Sundried Sunshine meal.
- Sundried tomato chicken sausage
- Bag of shaved brussel sprouts
- Bag of cauliflower
- Any other bagged veggies, sometimes I use spinach.
- Jar of sundried tomatoes.
- Parmesan
Sautee all the veggies in a pan with the oil from the tomatoes, until they’re nice, brown and crispy, basically until you salivate. Add the sausage until cooked. Then you add the tomatoes and parmesan. When that’s all yummo, you serve it with a baguette. The end.
Megan's favorite falafel meal:
- Bag of frozen falafel (that dill pickle falafel is insanely good AND the perfect size)
- Yogurt tzatziki sauce
- Jalapeno cilantro hummus (optional but very worth it!)
- Spinach, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- If I’m feeling “extra” I’ll pickle a red onion
Need it REALLY FAST? Easiest one ever, no prep at all:
- Bag of dumplings or bao. Just depends on what I’m in the mood for.
- Bag of fried rice.
- Bag of edamame.
Microwave the edamame. Pan fry everything else. You’ve just used 3 dishes and made and entire dinner.
From Megan: This does NOT count as a recipe, but I always keep, at minimum, 4 bags of frozen orange chicken in the freezer. I have this meal timed out down to the minute, and I can have it on the table in 30 minutes. I preheat the oven while I get the rice out, rinse it, and get it in the pot. While I wait for the rice to start boiling, I line a baking sheet with foil, pour the chicken on it, and pop it into the oven (even if the oven isn’t done preheating - it’s fine, trust me). When the rice begins to boil, I put the lid on and start the timer for 15 minutes. Then I sit back and relax.
Happy eating, friends!
In this episode we share all our thoughts as TJ experts. Indeed we do call ourselves that, while trying to retain some humility. We share all this in the episode, but for quick reference:
Trader Joe items we always have in our pantry:
Amanda Loves:
- Bruschetta
- Dill Pickle mini falafel
- Lemon Curd
- Mini Brie
- Hasbrowns
Megan loves:
- Hot and Sweet Jalapenos
- Oat non-dairy frozen dessert sandwiches.
- Dark chocolate pb cups
- Chocolate croissants and cream cheese croissants (these don’t have to raise overnight!)
- Face wash with tea tree oil
Listeners love:
- Sweet potato gnocchi
- Butter waffle cookies
- Acai bowls
- All the Indian pre-made stuff
- Pre made rice
- Frozen pizza dough
Quick recipes from exclusive items from TJ's:
Sundried Sunshine meal.
- Sundried tomato chicken sausage
- Bag of shaved brussel sprouts
- Bag of cauliflower
- Any other bagged veggies, sometimes I use spinach.
- Jar of sundried tomatoes.
-
Parmesan
-
Sautee the vegetables in the oil from the sundried tomatoes (keep tomatoes to the side). Then add the chicken sausage until warmed/browned. Add sundried tomateos. Top with parmesan and serve with a baguette.
Megan's favorite falafel.
- Bag of frozen falafel (that dill pickle falafel is insanely good AND the perfect size)
- Yogurt tzatziki sauce
- Jalapeno cilantro hummus (optional but very worth it!)
- Spinach, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- If I’m feeling “extra” I’ll pickle a red onion
Under 20 minutes meal:
- Bag of dumplings or bao.
- Bag of fried rice.
- Bag of edamame.
Microwave the edamame. Pan fry everything else. You’ve just used 3 dishes and made and entire dinner.
Street taco knock off:
- Pollo adaso marinated chicken in the refrigerator section.
- Package of butter lettuce
- Container of guac or pico
- Tortillas
Grill that chicken on the grill or skillet, cook it up, dice it up small, serve with everything else.
Favorite healthy snack:
- Fat free cottage cheese
- Pico de gallo
- Tortilla chips
Happy cooking, friends!
xo,
Megan and Amanda
Whether you have all girls or all boys, or a mix of both, this episode is sure to speak to your parent heart. All those potty jokes? All the times your daughter wants to paint your nails? All of it... we will miss it one day. For now though, let's just talk about how these beautiful kids are so different and bring so much joy into our lives! They're intense in their own ways, and those differences make it all the more fun!
Ahhhhh, the sweet smell of brand new, colored wax; a crayon you may call it. A whiff of that can only mean one thing, school is in session. Off they go, and you are feeling all the feels. Let's talk about those feelings, friend.
Honestly, just blame it on the frontal lobe. Its lack of development makes kids do things we scratch our heads at. But let's be real... even when it is fully "developed" we still do perplexing things. And that's where this episode comes from.
Despite what any one will say, if you live with a kid, chances are 100% that at some point in time you've felt guilt for leaving them behind to have a moment "just to yourself." Well today we are saying "NO MORE!" We are your cheerleaders when it comes to going out on dates with your partner, working out WITHOUT the kids, having that girls night, watching a show while also simultaneously watching that pile of laundry sit there.... all of it, it'll be fine. You take that moment to yourself and we'll fold the laundry for you. We got you.
So you're looking to move your family, eh?? No idea where to go?? Fear not, Brave Caregiver. We are about to lay out all the pros and cons of each locale. We may or may not have given way too much love and attention to the city.... but don't let that sway you. The golden fields of wheat of rural lands may also call you... and wherever you land, we'll send you a "house warming" gift.
Thanks social media for reminding us every day that people are funny and we're all in this together! This week we asked you to send in your "most relatable content" from the past week, and you delivered! We're reading the tweets, memes and posts you sent us, and there was no shortage of laughter.
This week Amanda gets a break from the podcast life, while Megan brings on her dad and her brother's best friend. The guys share their unsupervised antics and a few life-lessons learned from growing up in a small town. Cows, hay, and tornadoes... oh, my!
This week Megan is off on a well deserved vacation and Amanda brings on her mom to co-host! Together they explore all the nuances of parenting in each decade, what was cool then, isn't cool now... or is it?? Peg leg pants?? They're back baby!! But bologna.... yeah, still not back.
Make a new friend as an adult?! Are you kidding?! Why not just ask me to try and wash my kids hair? Cause both are nearly impossible!!!!! But wait, is it really? Have you considered a simple smile and paying attention to their name? Give it a try. We dare you.
We know exactly how it went: you were gone for the weekend... oh, no? You were at a girls night... Oh, no? You just ran to the grocery store.... regardless, you were gone and dad was in charge!!! What's happens next? I wish we could say we're surprised, but alas, it's just par for the course. We're grateful dad is willing to be in charge, but we're also grateful for the comedic content those moments give us. Thanks, dad!
HAGS: Have a great summer!! The ole saying in every 14-year-old’s yearbook from the early 2000's.... and we're bringing it back, baby! This week we're pumping you up for the next 10 weeks of summer and introduce you to a summer challenge with big rewards- literally, we're sending you a big prize. So get to it!
Ahhhh the playdate. Do we love them? Do we hate them? Don't know, all we do know is that we do it for the kids. Sometimes us, but almost always just for them. This episode we talk ins and outs of those magical 2 hours and leave you with a few stories to think about as you go into your next playdate. Cheers, mama!
In this episode, we chat with two incredible moms who have a combined total of 15 incredible kids! We asked them all the questions, since in our minds, these moms have achieved super mom status. They dish on all the details about big family life, and share their motherly wisdom along the way. You'll want to take notes on this one!
We have all those experiences that leave us rolling our eyes and shaking our heads, but the reality is, it's not that big of a deal. It's inconvenient, yes, but it's not the end of the world. This week we share all the minor inconveniences shared with us from our listeners, and we think you'll find a few things to relate to.
This episode we recount all the stories left in our care from you listeners from when they were the sitter! Things inevitably happen, and sometimes we have control and sometimes we don't. We share all those stories today and let's just say... they left us wanting to pay our sitters more. Enjoy your date night!
Moms are so impressive in so many ways! And this episode we share just a few- but enough to really make you love the moms in your life that much more. So we take 45 minutes to share all the things we admire and adore about our village mamas. Are you a Naptime Ninja? Or The Silencio Saint? Of course, you are, we're not even surprised, cause you're a MOM!
In this episode we explore the in's and out's of a birthday party? How much should you spend on that random kids gift? Should you drop them off or should you stay? How often should you be celebrating the birthday with an actual party? We don't have any actual answers to those questions... but we do have some thoughts on just the party season in general. Maybe you'll find yourself nodding your head a time or two... HBD!
Spring is here! The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping and we're talking love. Are we qualified to talk love? Absolutely not, but are we going to anyways, oh yes yes yes. Both Megan and Amanda celebrated their respective anniversaries this week and it felt like a good time to walk down memory lane and recount our personal courtships and proposals. We might even dive into some deeply introspective moments of our lives and leave with more questions than answers. In which case we might need your help!
We took our families on a crazy little trip to Southern Utah, and now we're sharing what was amazing, and what really was NOT. If you're looking for an adventure for the whole family, Escalante has it all. This week we share our spring break itinerary, and all the shenanigans that ensued. Buckle up, because it was a wild and bumpy ride!
Well, now that you're a parent, it's your turn to drive the passenger van. How and where you drive that large vehicle is all on you. For better and for worse. And as the driver, you might do things differently! This week we explore the things you (and we) do, as the "driver," that others might see as... different? It may be unpopular, you may be in the minority, but that's okay. Because it works for you and your family. And if that's the case, then we're here to back you up!
Some say that trying to clean with kids around is like brushing your teeth while chewing Oreos. We agree, but we also wonder if there are ways to make it more (?) enjoyable. So we asked, and were sharing what we learned! There is no mention of chore charts, but we do mention "money management" more than 4 times... there is also a reference to a snake stuck in a Roomba. So if you own one of these robot vacuums, this episode might be for you! Cheers!
No matter how much you plan, all you can do is get all your ducks in a row, then hope and pray, and hope and pray, and pray some more, that so does everyone else. Because if one single duck leaves the row, heaven knows what can happen and how it will effect you. So go ahead, book your spring break trips, then hope and pray AGAIN, you wont be able to relate to any of these stories upon your return. Happy Travels!
Spoiler alert! You sent in your foods that bring back all the good memories + some. Then we had some of our own which required a call to our one and only: mother. So join us on this fun food journey to remember all the good things from our childhood. Then at some point lets have one big picnic with all these delicious foods! Can't wait!
This episode is supported by Gabb Wireless! Use promo code: AFOREFFORT to get Gabbz2 and watch for $99- $50 bucks off. gabbwireless.com/promo/AFOREFFORT
THIS WORLD. It seems like it's just one thing after another, and frankly, we just needed some old fashioned "GOOD NEWS!" to share. So we reached out to our listeners, and as expected, we found there are still things to get excited about! So we're sharing all the things (BIG, small, medium, inconspicuous) that are good news to you. And because it's good news to you, it's good news to us!!! So cheers to that!
This episode is proudly dedicated to all the teachers out there and all the shenanigans they put up with every single day! We salute them and as a thank you, we're sharing all their hilarious stories! Think of all the many hats they have to wear, all the questions they have to answer, how many different personalities they have to cater to... we say it takes a village, but really there is one leader of that village and it's the teachers. And we have nothing else to say other than THANK YOU!
You think kids have lots of questions? We adults have just as many! Then kids enter school and we have so many more. Trying to figure out the various phases of raising kids can be exhausting. But fear not, friend, we're going take a whack at trying to address those questions... but don't quote us, remember, we're not the kind of experts you can quote.
It's normal. It's real. It's just part of life! And like a beautiful summer storm, they come and go whether you like them or not - yes, we're talking tantrums. They're big, their irrational and they're epic. So today we're going to share some of the best stories and Tweets we've come across, in hopes that you can relax next time your kid is laying on the floor of a Target. Because remember, Target is German for "tantrum." That's a fact. (don't google it though...")
Episode sponsored by: The Bar Method - Sugarhouse! Pop into the Sugarhouse location for a free class using the code "Effort." Or find a location in your state! You'll go in skeptical and come out a believer!
The moment one becomes a parent, our entire way of thinking changes. How can we streamline this? Is this even necessary?? Because of this new way of thinking, we have the unique ability to create life hacks that will truly bless mankind. Think pizza cutters and scissors. You use those just for pizza and paper? No, no, no… How about pizza cutters for pancakes and waffles and quesadilla? Scissors, also for pizza, as well as for pasta and veggies. Today we will leave you in a state of shock as our listeners’ submissions blow your mind over and over with genius parenting hacks.
What's in a name?! We asked ourselves that many times recording this episode and now we're leaving it here with you, dear listener. We were sent a great list of very unique names and it was just wonderful to speculate with you about such names. If you live near the Rocky Mountains, you may have actually met a Beefa, and if you have, we're curious your thoughts. And maybe, just maybe, we will have mentioned a name you find interesting enough for your next little munchkin. Truly, we're just honored to be part of such a crucial part of the birth process. Cheers to that!
This episode is supported by Gabb Wireless! Get 25% OFF all devices making the Gabb Watch and Phone only $74, using promo code: AFOREFFORT. gabbwireless.com/promo/AFOREFFORT
Episode produced by: Rocket Skates Recording.
In this Mama Trauma episode we'll discuss all those events in parenting that in the moment were horrific and traumatic. But with some time, hopefully now we can look back on and laugh. For those of you who are queezy, there is the mention of poop and puke. Some references to a bidet, road trip and piano keys... will probably leave you squirming in your seat- we definitely were!
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This episode was produced and recorded with the help of Rocket Skates Recording.
Unless your home is in perfect harmony at every moment of the day, you’ll know exactly what we're talking about. The creativity (mixed with a little bit of spite) in your submissions did not disappoint.
This episode has two parts! In the first, we cover popular celebrity couples and vote on who we love the most! It's not a popularity contest, but it kinda is;) In the second part, we asked the listeners who they best relate to OR aspire to be on the silver screen. The submissions are in! And not to spill the beans, but Bluey and his family make a big appearance....
If you live on this planet at any time, in any place and occasionally leave that place, you are the perfect candidate for some free advice. Sorry, we know you didn't ask for it, but you're definitely getting some. And when it leaves you speechless, but you also just need to tell someone about it, we are your ladies. We have received the unsolicited advice, we have digested it for you, and we have reacted. And BONUS, we even give you clear guidelines on things that you should NEVER give advice on. You're welcome;)
This two part episode will put to bed all those random parenting questions you've asked yourself but have never asked anyone else, maybe not even Google. Like, have you wondered if other parents don't use wipes when changing a wet diaper? Or have you wondered whether you should call poison control after your kid ate the entire jar of gummy vitamins, AND you were just too embarrassed to even Google it? Well, we Googled it for you AND we asked 100 other parents, and we hope the results will bring you feelings of comfort and validation. Sweet, sweet validation....
In this episode we come together as a community of caregivers and validate each other in the daily little white lies we tell to get through the day. Or if your one of those people who tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth... the we are here to applaud you (Megan is clapping especially loud)! So let's find out what you are lying about...
Episode sponsor The Bar Method of Salt Lake City: https://barmethod.com/locations/salt-lake-city-sugarhouse/. Book a free class today using the promo code "effort".