Being a Mom is Hard: Recent Episodes
Kelsey McKenna
Being a mom is wonderful, fulfilling, exciting, beautiful and really hard. I'm Kelsey McKenna and I'm just a mom talking to other moms about the the joys and the struggles of motherhood. We don't shy away from the hard stuff. The first episode will launch on February 20, 2023. New episodes will be released every Monday and Wednesday.
In this episode, my mom, Molly Cartmill, and sister, MacKenzie Cartmill, guest host Being a Mom is Hard to interview me about my motherhood story!
Here are a few topics we discuss:
- My pregnancy and birth experiences
- The most challenging and most rewarding parts of motherhood for me so far
- Why I started Being a Mom is Hard, what I've learned, and what the future holds
I hope you enjoy! This will be the final episode of Season 1! I will be taking a short break for some summer vacations and then starting to record for Season 2.
Thank you to every mom who has shared their story, to everyone who has supported, shared, liked, and followed along, and to all of of my close friends and family members who have been so supportive of this endeavor. And a big thank you to my 3 sweet girls - my daughters - who make me love motherhood SO MUCH even though it's hard.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this special episode, you'll meet my amazing mom, Molly Cartmill! She is a mom of two girls, so OF COURSE I couldn't interview her without inviting my sister, MacKenzie Cartmill to join the interview. They are two of my favorite people in the world.
Molly recently retired from a career in corporate America and is now in the process of launching a consulting business. MacKenzie is a real estate agent and interior designer.
Here are a few topics we touch on in our conversation...
- What has changed (and what hasn't) since my mom was a full-time working mama
- My mom's memories of trying to juggle it all and make it seem like it was all easy
- How early motherhood can strain your relationship with your partner and your connection to your hobbies
- The joys of being a grandmother
And so much more!
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find MacKenzie's interior design business, MacKenzie Home Company, here or on IG - @mackenziehomecompany.
I will add Molly's consulting business website once it goes live!
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, you'll meet Laura Hernandez, a mom of 10 living in Texas and the mom behind Mama Systems! Laura specializes in helping moms create and implement systems that bring peace to their homes via coaching and online courses. She also helps moms of children with disabilities navigate their journeys.
Here are a few topics we touch on in this episode:
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- Fostering and adoption
- Dealing with overwhelm in motherhood and creating sustainable systems that actually help!
- Intentional ways to create the family culture you desire
Laura offers a free age-appropriate chores guide and other resources on her website.
Also, check out her YouTube channel, or find her on IG - @mamasystems.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode you'll meet Stacy Canzonieri, a mom of 3 girls from New Jersey! She is also a photographer with her own photography business - Stacy Mae & Co.
Here are a few topics we touch on in this episode:
- What sparked her passion for photography when her oldest was small
- The ebbs and flows of motherhood and entrepreneurship
- How she recommends parents capture photographs that will matter decades from now
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find Stacy on Instagram at @stacymaeandco or at her website: https://stacymaeandco.com/
You can also find enrollment for The Memory Keepers Club here!
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this special episode, my close friend and mom of two, Roseida Cotto, and I have a casual conversation about all of the different types of guilt we experienced after becoming moms.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
Today's guest is Cara Fox. She is a mom of two little boys and the owner of Talk, Eat, Play, Grow, a pediatric speech and feeding therapy practice. It's also an awesome Instagram account to follow (link below)!
Here are a few topics we discuss...
-
Expectations vs. reality in motherhood
-
Her experience coping with her mother's cancer and eventual death shortly before the birth of her first son
-
What she has noticed working with many parents of young kids through her business
You can find Talk, Eat, Play, Grow at https://www.talkeatplaygrow.com/ or on Instagram at @talkeatplaygrow or on Facebook.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
This is the second of two episodes with Sarah Gribben, a mom and stepmom raising her kids in Pennsylvania.
Here are a few topics we touch on in this episode:
- Her separation and divorce from her ex-wife and the changes
- Reconnecting with the old friend who is now her husband
- Her surprise pregnancy and experience giving birth and navigating postpartum during the Covid-19 pandemic
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! Sarah can be reached via email at sarahgribben1226@gmail.com. Sarah also mentions Rise Gatherings Retreats in this episode. Here is a link to the Rise Gatherings website: https://www.risegatherings.com/
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, you’ll meet Sarah Gribben, a mom and stepmom raising her kids in Pennsylvania. This is Part 1 of 2 episodes with Sarah!
Here are a few topics we touch on:
- Becoming a first-time mom as the non-birthing partner
- When her mental health challenges peaked after the birth of her son resulting in hospitalization
- Her experience fostering and adopting her daughter who was a micro-preemie
- How her relationship with her ex-wife deteriorated during a period of rapid change and high stress for their family
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! Sarah can be reached via email at sarahgribben1226@gmail.com.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, you’ll meet Lisa Tschudi, a mom of two adult daughters and the podcaster behind Love Doesn’t Pay the Bills, a podcast that explores the role of family caregivers in the United States.
Here are a few topics we touch on:
- Her experience becoming a first-time mom in the same summer she graduated from college, got married and moved
- How caring for a child with significant disabilities has impacted her family’s finances, her marriage and her motherhood journey
- How she dealt with many moves across states as well as a wildfire that burned down her home
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find Lisa’s podcast here and the link to the podcast’s Facebook page here.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, you’ll meet Laura Straight - one of my best friends! She's a nurse and a mom of 1 living in Nevada.
TW/CW: Postpartum Depression & Anxiety, Pregnancy Loss/Miscarriage
Here are a few topics we discuss:
- How being a nurse to moms and babies prepared her for becoming a mom - and what still took her by surprise
- Her experience coping with endometriosis throughout her life
- Her experience with a debilitating spinal headache for a week after birth
- And more!
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find the endometriosis resources she mentions in this episode at https://nancysnookendo.com.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, you’ll meet Karaleigh Garrison, a mom raising three kids – ages 12, 11 and 8. Karaleigh is a singer/songwriter, podcaster (Seeking Sunshine), and self-help coach – someone who is passionate about helping moms put self-care high on the agenda so they can better help others.
Here are a few topics we touch on with this mom:
· Her experience raising 3 children with autism and ADHD
· How she supported her husband as he struggled with depression and PTSD and how their life changed when he became disabled
· Her various moves to find support, earn her college degree, and find happiness and sunshine even when things seem really (really) hard
· How she prioritizes self-care amidst all the chaos
· How she helps other moms tackle burnout and stress
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find the links to Karaleigh’s podcast and coaching resources at www.karaleighgarrison.com.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this special bonus episode, Kim Norton is back to talk about decluttering and home organization! Kim is a professional home organizer and mom of 2. She shared her story in episode
Here are a few topics we touch on in this conversation:
- the right mindset for decluttering and maintaining a home organization system
- her decluttering approach
- how she helps clients deal with toys
- a trick that can help partners with different standards can resent each other less
If you want to learn more from Kim, she has a blog, a podcast, a course and free resources available at her website: https://www.liferealignedwithkim.com/ and she's also on social! IG: @liferealignedwithkim & FB: Life Realigned with Kim
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, I talk with Jackie Stinsman - photographer, business owner, two (going on three!) living in New Jersey.
TW/CW: Postpartum Depression
Here are a few things we discuss:
- How she felt the pressure to be supermom while dealing with PPD after the birth of her first
- How she balances her desire to hustle and be on-the-go of life with her desire to have quality time with her family
- Why she believes it’s so important to get out of the house during the postpartum period
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find Jackie at her website https://stinsmanphotography.com/ or on IG at @stinsmanphotography. Check her out!
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode you’ll meet Rianna Alvarado, business owner, podcaster and mom of 4 living in Texas.
Here are a few things we discuss:
- How it is to experience multiple phases of motherhood at the same time (her kids are 4, 9, 13 and 18 years old)
- How creativity and her connection with nature has been a driving force in her life and motherhood
- How she felt alone for many years before finding community with people who shared her values and interests
- Homeschooling while starting and running her small business
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find more information about Rianna's business (Artphoria Studio and Garden) and her blog at https://warmhoneytoast.com/.
You can find her podcast, The Creative Living Podcast, here.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, you'll meet Lyss Morton - business owner, author, podcaster and mom of 2 living in New Jersey.
Here are a few things we discuss:
- How she decided to leave her 9-5 job to start her own business
- How she then expanded from one to five businesses
- Why she started a podcast and wrote a book to serve entrepreneurs who are also moms!
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find Lyss and links for everything she mentioned on her website: https://lyssmorton.com/
And here is a link to her book on Amazon!
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode you’ll meet Kathy Hieng, a mom living in California with her husband and two sons - ages 2 and 9 months old.
Here are a few topics we discuss:
- Going through her first pregnancy during Covid lockdowns and restrictions
- C-section delivery and recovery, postpartum and breastfeeding
- Mom rage and how she is learning how to accept her big feelings so she can help her boys do the same
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! I hope you enjoy this episode with Kathy Hieng.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, I talk with Kim Norton, a certified organizing expert and mom of two girls - 8 and 6 years old - in Louisiana.
As Kim shares her story, we discuss:
- How she struggled to maintain her perfectionist identity while dealing with undiagnosed ADHD throughout her childhood and young adulthood
- How becoming a mother changed her vision for her life and career
- How her ADHD diagnosis changed how she thinks of herself and how she manages her home
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find Kim’s services, free resources, podcast and course at https://www.liferealignedwithkim.com/.
You can also find her on social media:
- FB: https://www.facebook.com/liferealignedwithkim/
- IG: @liferealignedwithkim
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode you’ll meet Rachel Troche, a mom of three boys and host of the podcast “Candid Catholic Convos.” Rachel is passionate about sharing her experience and struggles and her ways of coping with others.
CW/TW: Infertility, loss/miscarriage
Here are a few topics we discuss:
- Endometriosis, her infertility journey and how she coped with the loss of her first pregnancy.
- Her pregnancy and birth experiences, and how she dealt with overwhelm, postpartum depression, and anxiety early in her motherhood journey.
- Her decision to quit her paid job to be a stay-at-home mom.
- The loneliness and isolation she experienced during her husband’s deployment, and
- Her return to paid work and what she’s up to today.
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find Rachel Troche’s podcast here or on her website. Rachel also mentions Daddy Dolls and United Through Reading.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, you’ll meet Brynn Boyd, a mom raising three kids – ages 12, 9 and 6 – with her husband of 15 years. I loved recording this conversation with Brynn - she is so funny but also very deep and reflective. We talked about so many things!
Here are a few topics we touch on:
- Moving into an RV to simplify life and change her family’s priorities.
- How the death of her father impacted her differently than her brother, and how it informed how she mothers her kids.
- Facing isolation and self-doubt for the first time in her life during early motherhood.
- Coming up with the courage to find mom friends, and
- How marriage is changed by parenthood and how to handle it when both partners are in stress.
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! Brynn co-hosts a podcast called “That’s Neat!” You can find it here. The handle on IG is @thatsneat.moms.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, you’ll meet Brittni Clarkson, a mom raising three boys – ages 6, 4 and 3. Brittni is a podcaster, author, and motivational speaker – someone who is passionate about helping moms overcome their overwhelm so they can enjoy motherhood.
Brittni's story is so inspiring and she shares it in such an open and vulnerable way – she gave me chills and I was truly speechless a few times during this interview. I’m so honored to be able to share it with you all.
CW/TW: Depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide
Here are a few topics we touch on:
· Her experience being raised by a mom who experienced depression and anxiety.
· Her personal journey and struggle with depression and anxiety.
· The rock-bottom moment that led her to eventually transform her mindset and lifestyle.
· How she manages her day-to-day life and mothers her three boys today, and
· How she helps other moms tackle overwhelm and stress.
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of hard! You can find the links to Brittni Clarkson’s podcast, planners, blog, and other resources at her website: https://brittniclarkson.com/.
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In this episode, you’ll get to know Colleen Donahue, a mom raising four kids – ages 17, 15, 12 and 9 – with her husband Pat. Colleen is currently a preschool director after staying home with her kids for many years. She is also my sister-in-law!
Colleen is such a funny and lighthearted person. She shares how she always wanted to be a mom but her first year of motherhood looked nothing like she expected. She also shares how the events of that year still impact how she mothers her kids today.
CW/TW: Violence/murder, death, eating disorders, body image
Here are a few topics we discuss:
· How she always wanted to have kids and stay home to raise them.
· Her ongoing struggle with an eating disorder throughout her teen and young adult years - and how that struggle impacted her decision-making around beginning her family.
· How she navigated her first year of motherhood on a roller coaster of emotions:
- From incredible joy over the birth of her first daughter …
- To overwhelming grief as she and her husband dealt with the murder of her brother-in-law …
- To a severe health crisis that almost killed her husband.
· What she finds tricky about middle school parenting, the tough and exciting parts of the teenage years -- and her feelings as she now prepares for her first-born to go away to college.
Being a Mom is Hard and there are all kinds of things that make it hard! I hope you enjoy this episode with Colleen Donahue!
If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone you know!
IG: @bamishard
FB: Being a Mom is Hard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, visit my website: https://www.beingamomishard.com/
The views and opinions of guests expressed in this episode do not reflect the views of Kelsey McKenna or the Being a Mom is Hard team.
In the trailer, I share where the idea for Being a Mom is Hard came from and what to expect when you tune in.
Episode 1 will be released on February 20, 2023. New episodes will be released each Monday and Wednesday after that!
IG: @bamishard
If you are interested in being featured as a guest or subscribing to my e-letter, fill out the form on my website: www.beingamomishard.com.