The Mama Needs Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jenn Collins
The Mama Needs Podcast is just for Mamas by Jenn Collins, founder + Chief Self-Care Officer of Mama Needs Subscription Box. You'll hear an inspiring and encouraging interview between Jenn and a fellow Mama. We're in this together! You matter, Mama.
Welcome to the Mama Needs Podcast, where we chat about all the things that ‘mama needs’! On this podcast you’ll hear real stories from Moms that you can relate to and listen in while you do your everyday mom life. I’m your host, Jenn Collins, Mama of 3 kids, wife and founder of Mama Needs Box, a monthly self-care subscription box for Moms.
Can you even believe it’s time to start talking about Christmas and giving gifts?! It is not too early to start thinking about how and what you want to give this year. Can I encourage you to consider our December box as a gift to a special Mama in your life? Our December box is our very last subscription box until we launch our brand new gift box service for Moms in 2023!
It’s not goodbye, it’s “see you soon”. Inside this special 4 year anniversary + farewell box, you’ll find 6 beautiful self-care products from small, women-owned businesses, a custom-made sticker + an exclusive coupon code for our new Mama Needs Box Shop coming in 2023.
Help us celebrate 4 years by gifting the December box to a Mama you love now through November 30 while supplies last (and we are very limited this year)! Shipping the first week of December! Here’s the BEST news: just for listening to this podcast, you can use the code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off your order at mamaneedsbox.com.
Alright let’s get to today’s episode! This one is SUPER FUN and you will absolutely fall in love my guest today. Her name is JJ Campbell and she is the host of a new-to-me podcast that I adore called Along for the Ride Podcast! Her podcast is basically a game show for families to listen to while in the car - it will quickly become a new favorite.
JJ is seriously one of the most fun and joyful people I have ever interviewed and you will hear that right off the bat. You’ll hear why she created her podcast, how she compares herself to the one and only Bob Barker and the really deep and meaningful reasons why connecting with our kids in the car is so important. We laugh our way through this episode and so will you, I guarantee it! So, enjoy my conversation today with JJ.
Find JJ + Relevant Links:
FREE Resource: alongfortheride.info/conversations
Website - http://www.alongfortheride.info
Social media - @aftr_kidspodcast
Podcast - https://www.alongfortheride.info/podcast
Hey Mamas, I’m so glad you’re back with me today for our newest episode with my guest, Mary Carver. First off, I have a question for you: Do you ever start praying and realize you are so overwhelmed with the situation that you’re praying for, that you just don’t know what to say? I know I feel that way, especially when going to pray for my kids. Sometimes I just don’t know how to express how I feel, what I want or how to pray for them.
Well, Mary wrote a book just for us Moms that we can conveniently keep in our car or purse and borrow some prayers to lift up for our kids. “Prayers from the Parking Lot” is a short devotional book written by Mary filled with 50 short reflections for moms on the go. It is the perfect tool in our toolbox to keep in the car while you wait in car line or at the doctor’s office and have a few minutes of quiet to reflect and pray for your kids.
In today’s episode, I know you’ll be encouraged to hear from Mary on why she wrote this book, what’s inside it, what prayer she is clinging to right now and some funny stories in between. Enjoy my episode with Mary.
Find Mary + Relevant Links:
Books she’s reading: “Aunties” book series by Jesse Q. Sutanto and “Anthropocene Reviewed” by John Green
Mary’s book - “Prayers from the Parking Lot: 50 Short Reflections for Moms on the Go”
Website - http://www.marycarver.com
Social media - @marycarver on IG and FB
Podcast - http://www.thecouchpodcast.com
Hey Mamas, welcome back to the mama needs podcast. My guest today is Kristen King Jaiven who is a wife, mother, lawyer and now children’s book author. We’re going to chat about her book today called “Mommy’s Time”, a beautiful story of a mom taking the time to take care of herself so she can take care of her little one. It is the sweetest book and it’s one of those children’s stories that really hits home for the person reading it, too.
You’ll hear why Kristen wrote it, what self-care means to her and her favorite part of the book, too. Plus you guys, we’re doing a giveaway! Go to our instagram post (@mamaneedsbox) to get all the details and enter to win the “Mommy’s Time” book + Mommy’s Time coffee mug. Now, enjoy my episode with Kristen.
Find Kristen + Links:
Mommy’s Time Book: https://www.kristenkingjaiven.com/book
Mommy’s Time Mug + Book Combo: https://www.kristenkingjaiven.com/product-page/mommy-s-time-combo
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067900805202
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mommystime.thebook/
Book she’s reading: https://amzn.to/3CIUZpg
Hey Mamas! Well we are back with episode 101 today! Did you hear episode 100 with my special co-host? I hope you did but if not please go back and listen as me and my husband Joel co-host that episode - he asks me questions about the podcast and then we picked several episodes to recap and shared clips from some of them. We were silly and it was so much fun! I hope you’ll celebrate with us and listen in!
So today we have a return guest with us as we kick off our next season of the podcast! Her name is Ashley Brown! She was on the show back in 2020 episode #47 and then we re-aired her episode because it was that good on episode #81! She is back today because she has a very special project she’s been working on hard for a while now and it’s a gorgeous planner.
You will hear all about what she’s been up to since we had her on the show last time, the products she offers and all about this amazing planner. We all know there are sooooo many planners out there but you’ll hear how this one is different than any other one on the market! Enjoy my conversation with Ashley!
Find Ashley:
Web: http://www.routineandthings.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/routineandthings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/routineandthings/
Happy 100 episodes to me and also happy first day of fall to everyone! If you know me at all, you know I am obsessed with Fall. As a native Floridian who now lives in a place with all 4 seasons and my birthday is in Fall, it is my absolute favorite season and I get into it all. So yeah I couldn’t think of a better day to celebrate 100 episodes and my favorite season than today.
I’m also really excited because I am joined today by my better half, my husband Joel! He’s going to help me host today, ask me some questions and just be here to celebrate with me. Not many people know this but he has edited every single episode of this podcast. He is a behind the scenes kind of guy and the poor man has had to listen to every single episode and make it sound good! He’s a trooper and I am so grateful that the editing is something I don’t have to outsource and I have someone right here with me that I can trust to put the finishing touches on all of our episodes and know his heart is to me succeed and share these stories with the world.
So now the tables get turned a bit as he gets to be on the mic and ask me some questions! Then, we will share some superlatives - some noteworthy episodes and ones that stand out for different reasons and you'll hear short clips from them, too.
I hope you enjoy this episode and thank you so much for celebrating with me! 🥳
Well-known speakers, authors and influencers:
Scarlet Hiltibidal episode #17
Alli Worthington episode #63
Shannon Doherty episode #76
Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston episode #89
Tsh Oxenreider episode #091
The most fun guests:
Molly Grayson episode #30
Shannon Parker episode #41
Dawn Barton episode #62
Alison Storm episode #78
BONUS Friends episode
Anne Smith episode #85
Laura Fooks + my daughter Sadie episode 92 Most practical episodes:
Kristin Petersen episode #49
Jenna Kranz episode #55
Bev Feldman episode #77
Alison Lumbatis episode #83
Krista Lockwood episode #88
Emily Lawson episode #90
Most inspiring episodes:
Bekah Bowman episode #37
Breast Cancer Awareness Interviews: Dawn Barton episode #62, Marsha Lowe episode #61, Heather de Rose episode #60
Alana Dawson episode #69
Amber Housley episode #70
Amanda Cunningham episode #86
Emilee Connell de Umanzor episode #87
Hey Mamas! I know you’ve been waiting on our 100th episode and it is scheduled to release on September 22 - the FIRST day of FALL! If you know me at all, you know I am a sucker for all things Fall and I can’t think of a better day to celebrate our 100th episode with you! More info is coming soon!
We are back for this very special BONUS episode which is just my gift to you in honor of our October theme for our subscription which is “Mama Needs to Pause”. What you are about to hear is a recording of a Breathing Session with Breathe Mama Coach Carol Webb. This was a part of our January box earlier this year and I wanted to offer it here as a BONUS so you can see what kinds of things we offer from time to time that are digital products. So we mostly include physical products in our boxes, usually 6 or 7 things. This was one of the things included in that box as a virtual class and our subscribers loved it, as did I.
Let’s take a moment to slow down and breathe together. Allowing ourselves to relax with a 30 minute simple yet nurturing breathwork experience. We will use our breath to reset our nervous system and allow our body and mind to rest.
Carol Webb is a coach for moms, a Reiki and EFT practitioner as well as a lover of breathwork. She guides moms in navigating the overwhelm to create more joyful and manageable lives. Carol lives in Ontario with her husband and two amazing children. Enjoy this beautiful time, let it be a gift you give to yourself as you slow down, press the pause button on life for just a bit and breathe.
Find Carol:
Web: https://justbreathemamacoach.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justbreathemamacoach
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justbreathemamacoach/
Welcome to the Mama Needs Podcast, where we chat about all the things that ‘mama needs’! On this podcast you’ll hear real stories from Moms that you can relate to and listen in while you do your everyday mom life. I’m your host, Jenn Collins, Mama of 3 kids, wife and founder of Mama Needs Box, a monthly self-care subscription box for Moms.
Do you have a tween or teen daughter? We’re back but just for this shorter bonus episode to feature my friend Deana Hicks. She is a wife, mama of a teen girl and owner of One Girl Inspired, a monthly subscription box filled with fun tools to inspire, empower and motivate teen and tween girls to believe in themselves, aspire to dream big and make their own mark on the world. We collaborated recently and put cards in each other’s boxes to advertise to a new audience and hopefully reach both some Mamas who need some self-care and their tween & teen daughters who need some encouragement! Also, in case you didn’t know, September is self-care awareness month and September 25th is National Daughter’s Day - perfect timing - it’s like we planned it or something!
We talk about Deana’s background, what’s inside these beautiful boxes, and Deana shares some staggering statistics of tween & teen girls and then some encouragement for those of us raising girls in this generation right now. She also gives us the secret of the “Botox Brow” - you will want to know what this is, I promise!
You will love hearing from Deana’s heart and the worthy mission behind these boxes! At the end, she shares a 15% off coupon code that you can use at onegirlinspired.com. And if you received our August box, you saw the card we put inside from One Girl Inspired with the code right there. Enjoy my conversation with Deana!
Relevant Links:
One Girl Inspired box (use coupon code DAUGHTERSROCK for 15% off)
Mama Needs Box (use coupon code SELFCARE for 15% off)
Atomic Habits
Middle School Makeover
Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen
Ok guys, I cannot believe we are about to hit 100 episodes of The Mama Needs Podcast!
Just for some background, before I ever started my business or even dreamed of starting one, I knew I wanted to do a podcast at some point. I started listening to some business-related podcasts in 2014 and I thought, I can do that and I want to do that. But what in the world would I talk about? So I put in a pin in it until I could figure that out. Fast forward to 2018 when I was about to launch Mama Needs Box, our monthly self-care subscription box for Moms and I knew a podcast about self-care and motherhood would be the perfect companion to the box!
Of course I had no idea what I was doing and if you listen to the first year of podcasts, you can hear it! But, podcasting is my literal favorite thing. It fires me up in a way nothing else does, I have learned so much and I get to use my voice to encourage Mamas all over the world!
I have also met so many incredible women in the last almost 4 years and we will be highlighting my favorite and noteworthy episodes in our 100th episode. I just can’t believe I get to do this.
At the heart of this podcast, my goal is to encourage you to take care of yourself. I hope you can listen to any of our episodes and hear something that takes you one step closer to filling up your cup, so you can pour out to your family.
So during this episode before episode 100, I want to highlight some past guests and their choice of self-care - what they like to do to take care of themselves that helps them be the Mama they want to be. Surely you can find something to do after listening to these amazing mamas share!
Enjoy this look back as we hear snippets of conversations from some of our past guests.
LINKS TO THE SHOWS YOU’LL HEAR:
-Episode 2 with My Mama, Selena Rizzo
-Episode 12 with Katrina Fisher
-Episode 23 with Karla Bennett
-Episode 34 with Melissa Elswick
-Episode 47 with Ashley Brown
-Episode 55 with Jenna Kranz
-Episode 62 with Dawn Barton
-Episode 73 with Rachel Cabalse
-Episode 89 with Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston
-Episode 96 with Kimberly Amici
Ok, just WOW. I loved hearing these all over again and if you’re newer to the podcast, you might want to go back and listen to some of these OG episodes. I hope these amazing women inspired you, I know they inspired me all over again and made me laugh and cry as I listened to how they make the time and space to practice self-care. They prioritize it because they realized that they matter.
And that is truly what our podcast and our subscription boxes are all about. We give you the tools and inspiration to practice self-care and help you remember that you matter, Mama. I would love for you to check out our boxes and give one a try for 15% off at mamaneedsbox.com and use the code PODCAST at checkout.
Alright before we go, our 100th episode is coming this Fall and you won’t want to miss it! We will have special guests, we’ll look back at my favorite and noteworthy episodes, the funniest moments, the most poignant moments, the stories of heartache and stories of victory, we’ll do some fun statistics and my husband & kids have even agreed to interview ME for a segment on our 100th episode as well. You’ll hear more on it soon as it gets closer. So don’t worry, we’ll be back in the Fall with our 100th episode and many many more episodes and exciting things to come. Until next time, you matter, Mama.
I don’t know about you, but I am ready to get back out there and make memories with my family! That’s what today’s episode is all about. I’m joined by two of my lifelong friends, Carla and Kristin, to talk all about traveling today!
They’re telling us the trends they’re seeing now that 2020-2021 is behind us, where people are going and what they’re doing. We talk about how to travel with young kids and why it’s important to start making those memories early on and how it really shapes your family’s story.
Carla and Kristin also have some great tips for traveling on a budget! We talk about why booking with a travel agent is a no-brainer for families and you’ll hear their must-haves for their road trips. You will love our chat and I know it will inspire you to get out there and GO! Enjoy my conversation with Carla and Kristin!
GIVEAWAY!! If you book a trip with Carla or Kristin for your vacation this summer, you will be entered to win a free July “Mama Needs a Vacay” box! Using their travel agent services is 100% free and as you’ll hear in this episode, they can help you book any trip, anywhere, anytime! See below for how to contact them and get your dream trip booked this month for a chance to win! P.S. You can book your trip for anytime in the future and it will still count - you just have to book it this month!
Find Carla:
Find Kristin:
Are you weary, burned out, overwhelmed, riddled with Mom guilt? This is the place for you today, Mama. If you listened to episode #93 where I shared my talk to our local MOPs group, you will also love this episode today. This is a space for you to come and rest your weary soul and heart. My guest today is Kristen Wetherell. She is a pastor’s wife, mom and the author of Humble Moms which released in April.
Kristen is our voice of rest, encouraging us to look to Christ for our strength when we feel weak in motherhood. She talks about how developing anxiety in motherhood for the first time really helped her faith and made her aware of how much she needed him to keep moving forward. We talk about what the pandemic has done to us as Moms, the isolation, fears, anxiety has been overwhelming. We talk about how we can combat Mom guilt and overwhelm and Kristen gives us some actual tips for how to fight that off.
Listen, Kristen is full of wisdom and grace and she speaks to us from a heart of love and encouragement. But also? Her voice is so soothing and so kind. There are 2 things she said that have been haunting me since I recorded this interview with her and I will share them here before we even start so things can start ruminating. She said “Jesus has more to give you than you have yet to receive from Him.” And “I wonder if we don’t actually go to Jesus because we don’t actually believe that he has something to give to us”. Like I said, I haven’t been the same since I heard those two sentences and I am still processing through them.
Listen in and enjoy my conversation today with Kristen.
Relevant Links:
Humble Moms by Kristen Wetherell
Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald S. Whitney
Find Kristen:
Website: kristenwetherell.com
Instagram: instagram.com/kristen_wetherell
Have you ever thought about what you want your family to be known for? Or the values that are important to you? Have you ever thought of creating a family mission statement? I know I hadn’t thought about these things much before until I talked to our guest today, Kimberly Amici. Kimberly is a family culture coach, which she will explain about in our episode.
As a wife and Mom of 3 kids, she realized they weren’t doing much to be intentional and she found herself saying yes to everything and no to very little. This led her on a journey to start making changes in her own life and then in the life of her family to create values, a mission statement and what they wanted their family to be about, be known for, how they wanted people to feel when they entered their home and so much more. Kim gives us absolute GOLD today as she describes how she did this and how we can do this too.
The biggest takeaway I got from this episode is that once we set down our family values, those don’t change. What does change is how we accomplish those. During the pandemic or really any big family transition or change, how we work out our family values can keep us rooted and grounded. Kim challenges us to really think about what’s important - what to say yes to and no to. And I loved to hear how Kim and her family lived out their value of playing games during quarantine - I know you’ll love it.
So get ready to get really intentional and really practical with us today - you can also download some free resources in our show notes that come directly from Kim so you can start this process in your own family. Enjoy my conversation today with Kim!
Relevant Links:
Family Culture Discussion Sheet
Sloane Tea
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Find Kim:
Website: www.buildyourbestfamily.com / www.kimberlyamici.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildyourbestfamily/ / https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyamici/
Do you have a business idea, but you’re not sure where to start? Maybe you have a hobby you enjoy doing and so many people have told you that you should start a business from it, but you’re not sure you’re ready for that next step. We’re covering all of this and so much more in today’s episode with my guest, Erin Alexander!
Erin is a married 30-something with 2 kiddos located in Eastern Washington state. She is the owner of an online agency called Product Powerhouse, which helps female shop owners show up online with confidence and grow the visibility and online presence of their store. She also hosts the Product Powerhouse Podcast, which I was a guest on recently. You can find that link in our show notes at mamaneedspodcast.com.
Erin talks about how she balances work life, home life, mom life and how we both think that balance is actually a myth. Erin gently coaches us through how to do what we love while pushing past the roadblocks that hold us back. We talk about the line between doing what you love because you love it and doing what you love and make it a business. Erin gives us some tips about how to make a business plan. Lastly, Erin tells us all about her 6 week DIY Shopify course just for you to build a shop that you can be proud of and she tells us more about what her agency does and how you can work with her! Enjoy my conversation today with Erin.
Thank you so much for listening today! If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you could take 3 minutes and leave a review on Apple podcasts! Help me spread self-care far and wide by sharing this episode as well. Thank you so much for listening and until next time, you matter, Mama.
Relevant Links:
“The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber
U.S. Small Business Administration
Navigating Supply Chain Issues and Entrepreneurship with Jenn Collins on the Product Powerhouse Podcast
“Hang the Moon” by Alexandria Bellefleur
Find Erin:
Website: www.productpowerhouse.co
Instagram: @product.powerhouse
YouTube: Product Powerhouse
If you ever struggled with self-confidence as a tween or teen or you have a tween or teen girl now, this episode is for you. I’m interviewing Laurel Handfield today, author, Mom of 3 and wife. Her story is straight out of a chick flick movie: Her vacation to the islands turned into an unexpected romance when she met and fell in love with her now husband. After two years in a long-distance relationship, she decided to move to the Bahamas permanently. This led to a shift in focus and a rediscovery of her true passion: writing. Today, Laurel creates coloring/activity books for young girls.
Laurel talks about growing up as a minority in her school, developing an eating disorder, lack of self-confidence, moving across the ocean to the Bahamas, starting a family and how all of that helped her want to be part of a bigger solution: to help girls find their worth and self-confidence. Laurel tells us about her books and what she’s working on now. She also gives us some ways to help relate to our tween and teen girls.
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Listen to your daughters.
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Don’t force a conversation. Let her come to you.
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Be approachable.
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Have a natural relationship with your daughter.
Book she mentions:
“The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle
Laurel’s Books:
“President for a Day” by Laurel Handfield
“My Pretty…A coloring and activity book for girls affirming their inner and outer beauty” by Laurel Handfield
“I Imagine: A coloring and activity book for young girls to encourage their wonderful imagination” by Laurel Handfield
Find Laurel:
Website: Happy Island Press
Facebook: Happy Island Press
Instagram: @happyislandpress
Recently, I was invited to speak at our local MOPS group here in Franklin, North Carolina and I was so excited to be asked and to deliver a message that I hope and pray was encouraging and life-changing. I was able to record it so that you all could hear it, too!
So today’s episode features me speaking to a group of Moms and honestly it’s much like I imagine when I am on here with a guest interviewing, too. I imagine you all listening in the car on your way to work or day care drop off. Or maybe you’re at home and you’re listening during nap time while you fold the clothes. Or maybe you’re listening while you’re on a walk or a run. Whatever you’re doing, my prayer is that this message meets you right where you are and encourages you today in a deep way.
In my MOPS talk, I told a little bit about my story of motherhood and how I felt so inadequate and unprepared and terrified to be a Mom, I shared verses from Scripture that have really helped me in my motherhood journey, how God sees us even when no one else does, how much your work matters and how Jesus practiced self-care and is the ultimate example for us!
Relevant Links:
MOPS handout
“Surprised by Motherhood” by Lisa-Jo Baker
Mama Needs Box (use code PODCAST at checkout for 15% off any subscription!)
Ok if you are the Mama of a tween or teen girl, or have a special tween or teen girl in your life, this episode is for you. This episode is very close to my heart because I invited my 13-year-old daughter Sadie to join me today in interviewing our guest! My Mama heart was beaming as she shared her own story and even asked Laura some questions! I can’t wait for you to meet her!
So along with my daughter Sadie, our guest today is Laura Fooks, who is the Cofounder + Chief Encouragement Officer of Light Speaks Loudest. Light Speaks Loudest is a seasonal subscription box for teen girls to help them love themselves, love others and love God. Laura and her husband, Aaron, live in Denver, Colorado, with their goldendoodle pup.
In this episode, Laura tells us about her subscription box for teen girls, you’ll hear from Sadie about the boxes she’s received, what she loves and why, Laura tells us why reaching teen girls is so important to her, we talk about the struggle parents can have to find resources that they trust for their teen girls, Laura tells us what trends she’s seeing right now in what teen girls are struggling with and how to approach these topics with our girls in a way that won’t shut them down (heads up, Mamas, listen in to this part because odds are that your daughter is struggling with one or more of these), and lastly, Laura tells us about an exciting mother/daughter project she’s working on right now! If you stick around toward the end, Laura gave us a coupon code for the Light Speaks Loudest Spring box which is on sale now so make sure you listen all the way through so you don’t miss it. Enjoy my conversation with Laura!
Book she mentions: The Holly: Five Bullets, One Gun, and the Struggle to Save an American Neighborhood by Julian Rubinstein
Find Laura + Light Speaks Loudest online:
Website: http://www.lightspeaksloudest.com
Instagram: @lightspeaksloudest
Know a teen girl who could use some encouragement and hope as she grows in her faith? Listeners can get 15% off your first Light Speaks Loudest subscription box when you use code MAMANEEDS. These quarterly boxes are intentionally filled with things to help your teen girl better love God, herself and others. Just go to lightspeaksloudest.com and enter the code MAMANEEDS during checkout now through March 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Did you grow up observing Lent? I didn’t know it existed until I went away to college, but it’s still always been somewhat of a mystery to me, along with the entire Liturgical Calendar. Our guest today is Tsh Oxenreider, and like me, she didn’t grow up observing Lent either. Now, she’s written a book on the topic filled with daily devotions walking you through the whole season.
In case you aren’t familiar with Tsh, she is the bestselling author of several books, including Bitter and Sweet: A Journey Into Easter and At Home in the World, her memoir about her family’s year traveling around the world and living out of backpacks. She’s also a travel guide, teacher, and podcaster, and she lives in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and three children.
Tsh walks us through Lent, what it means, why we observe it, and how it’s historically been done. There’s so much more to Lent than just fasting and she gives us a breakdown of it all. We talk about how to get started if you’ve decided you want to start observing Lent this year. And Tsh gives us some actual examples that are more outside of the box from her own life, as well as others she knows and how they observe Lent as a family! Enjoy my conversation with Tsh!
Book she mentions: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
Find Tsh online:
Book: bitterandsweetlent.com
Website: https://www.tshoxenreider.com/
Instagram: @tshoxenreider
thecommon.place (tsh.substack.com)
Ok Mamas, do you browse Pinterest to find crafts to do with your kids? Do you search for easy homeschooling ideas? And if you have ever felt like you couldn’t live up to that standard of the “Pinterest Mom”, this episode is for you. My guest today is Emily Lawson, former teacher turned stay-at-home-mom, turned entrepreneur! She created a business called Sandbox Academy where she put her love for teaching to use by creating activities for kids to do at home and Moms to have easy wins!
We talk about her playbook which is filled with ideas to try at home, we talk about the shame that we as Moms feel when we try to live up to that Pinterest-perfect standard, we talk about some really fun Valentine’s Day activities that are so easy and last, she tells us about a project she just started working on that you will love! Enjoy my conversation with Emily!
Book she mentions: The Sweet Magnolias book series
Find Emily + Sandbox Academy
Website: sandboxacademy.com
Pinterest: pinterest.com/sandboxacademy
Instagram: @sandboxacademy
You guys, I am so excited because I have two guests on the show today - best friends, bloggers and Moms, Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston. They just co-wrote a book together called “I’ll Be There (But I’ll Be Wearing Sweatpants)” that just released this week! Currently it is the #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Christian Self-Help and these two ladies appeared on GMA to talk about their book! Wow!
We talk about how they became friends, why friendship means so much to them, starting off their very well-known Facebook page called Sister, I Am With You, and deciding to write a book together.
Then we go a little deeper and talk about what’s happened to friendships since the pandemic started, why you can’t be everyone’s chick-fil-a sauce (trust me, you want to listen to that part), why friendship should feel like pulling on your favorite stretchy pants and what Jess & Amy really want you to take away from this book.
These two are so much fun! Enjoy my conversation with Amy and Jess.
Find Amy & Jess:
Amy’s IG/FB: @amyweatherly / Mrs Amy Weatherly
Jess’ IG/FB: @wonderoakblog / Jess Johnston Wonder Oak
Book website: illbetherebook.com
Sister I Am With You: sisteriamwithyou.com / @sisteriamwithyou / Sister, I Am With You
It’s the New Year and many of us are looking to declutter our homes - I know I am! So today’s episode is super timely. I’m interviewing Krista Lockwood, wife and Mama of 5, who teaches decluttering for moms who don’t want to be a full blown minimalist. In 2013 she and her husband moved from Alaska to Florida with only one suitcase each and while she doesn't believe you need to go that extreme she has been able to master the balance of having enough, but not too much.
We talk about how Moms carry the guilt of decluttering, cleaning and making a lot of these hard decisions of what stays and what goes. We also talk about why decluttering is harder for some Moms than others - maybe it’s because of guilt or a change in mindset or because we feel safe with our stuff. Krista tells us to trust yourself and gently coaches us to take 1 step forward to see how it makes us feel. And lastly, she tells us how we can make our homes work for us instead of our clutter ruling over us.
Book she mentioned:
The Bitcoin Standard: The Decentralized Alternative to Central Banking by Saifedean Ammous
Find Krista + Motherhood Simplified:
Website: motherhoodsimplified.com
Instagram: @motherhood_simplified
Facebook: Motherhood Simplified
My guest today is Emilee Connell de Umanzor. She is the founder of SoloHope, a nonprofit organization that empowers women by creating jobs making jewelry, home goods and more. Emilee, her husband and 2 kids currently live in south Georgia with their hearts heavily invested in the beautiful country of Honduras.
Me and Emilee chat all about SoloHope: how and why she started it, what they do and who it impacts. She talks about meeting her husband in Honduras - you definitely want to hear her tell that story as she giggles her way through, it is the cutest!
We talk about the ornaments that I ordered for our December Mama Needs Boxes and hear stories from Emilee about the artisans who created them and the impact it had - that is my favorite part of this episode.
Lastly she tells us about a project she’s working on now - she and her husband purchased a 1920s building in their town in south Georgia and are turning it into a storefront full of ethically made global goods.
I know you will love Emilee - enjoy our conversation together and make sure you find SoloHope and follow along with the good work she’s doing in Honduras.
Books mentioned:
Mark of the Lion Gift Collection by Francine Rivers
No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler
Find Emilee + SoloHope
Website: solohope.org
Instagram: @solohopeorg
Facebook: SoloHope
Personal Instagram: @emileeconnelldeumanzor
Today I’m chatting with Amanda Cunningham, who is the founder of The Glory Days Co., a company that provides organizational tools for parents and caregivers of special needs children. Amanda’s daughter “Rory” was born with an unexpected diagnosis of Down Syndrome. When looking for tools to support her in this new role as a special needs parent, she found nothing. Desperate, Amanda created an organizational system that is now The Glory Days Daily Planner - the first daily planner for children with special needs.
Amanda talks about this unexpected diagnosis being the shock of her life and how she and her family navigated through all the emotions surrounding it. She also speaks really candidly about of how all of us as Moms have hopes and dreams for our kids and many of us have our worlds rocked as our children naturally are themselves, which may be different from what we hoped. I also ask her to give us some ideas of how to support families whose kids have a medical diagnosis because sometimes we don’t know the right things to say or do. I appreciated her vulnerability in speaking on this subject and I can’t wait for you to listen.
How to support families with a medical diagnose(s):
Engaging your children with people who are different from them
Not saying sorry, saying congratulations at the birth of a child
Always address the child before you address the diagnosis
Links from the show:
“It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” by Lysa TerKeurst
Find Amanda + The Glory Days:
Website: https://theglorydaysco.com
Instagram: @theglorydaysco
Today I’m excited to introduce you to Anne Smith. She is a wife and mother of four based in Greenville, SC. She has a delightful podcast called But Not All At Once, because as she says, we can do it all y’all, but not all at once. She’s also a public relations and social media strategist, freelance writer, and podcast consultant.
We’re chatting today about her podcast, which I have been listening to for the last few months and love it! We also talk mostly about how we can use nostalgia as self-care We talk about the "selfless selfishness" of providing for your own needs as a mom, and rediscovering your own hobbies and preferences as the hands-on baby stage wraps up.
We also touch on procrastination and how actually doing those grown up tasks like writing up a will, calling your insurance company can also be self-care. Sometimes you just need to go back to how you felt when you got home from school as a kid, sat down, opened a snack and watched Saved by the Bell, ya know? You’re gonna love this fun and light conversation with Anne.
Links from the show:“Open Book” by Jessica Simpson
Zack to the Future Podcast
“Eligible: A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice” by Curtis Sittenfeld
“Presumption” by Julia Barrett
Find Anne:Website: butnotallatonce.com
Instagram: @butnotallatonce
Today I’m interviewing Kathryn Wepfer. She is the founder and CEO of Fulcrum Apparel, which just launched this month, and aims to elevate workwear for Moms navigating the pumping process. Kathryn is dedicated to empowering the female workforce through products and services that enable women to be present in both work and motherhood while achieving all their goals. Kathryn lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two daughters.
I can’t wait for you to hear all about Kathryn and her business, but I am also excited for the bigger conversation and dialogue we had surrounding postpartum moms and pumping in the workplace. It was so amazing chatting with her because my very own experiences with this made all the memories come flooding back. I remember the struggle and the beauty of it, finding the balance of being back at work and yet the pain of leaving my baby, the awkwardness of doing something so personal in a professional settling and so much more. We cover it all in this episode and I think whether you breastfed or not, you can relate to the feelings of just going back to work as a new Mom and the tension that’s there.
Book she mentions:
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Find Kathryn:
Website: thefulcrumapparel.com/
Instagram: @fulcrumapparel/
Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Alison Lumbatis for a second time! She was on the show last Fall on episode #65 and spoke to us about body positivity (it’s such a great episode - bookmark it to listen later!). This time, Alison is back because she just wrote an amazing book that we all need right now called “The Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas: A Stylish Solution to What Should I Wear”. This book is full of ideas for outfits for that is body inclusive, meant for all sizes and shapes and is budget-friendly!
Me and Alison spend a lot of time talking about her outfit formulas and how she uses it to get dressed everyday. She gives us practical ideas, tells us the 3 must-have pieces of clothing for Moms, where she shops and a super encouraging word about dressing for the body you have right now.
Alison is giving away a copy of her new book and I am giving away our October “Mama Needs the Basics” box to one lucky winner on instagram! Go check it out over @mamaneedsbox for all the details so you have a chance to win!
Find Alison:
Buy her book (available September 14 wherever books are sold): The Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas
Website: Get Your Pretty On
Instagram: @_getyourprettyon
Facebook: facebook.com/getyourprettyon
Today I’m interviewing Melissa Face. Melissa is a writer, author and teacher who lives in Virginia with her husband and two kids. She just recently published a book called I Love You More Than Coffee, which is a compilation of essays from her first 8 years of motherhood, written in real time.
Melissa is so candid about her experiences in motherhood and we talked about her book and how sharing your stories about being a Mom is so important and encourages other Moms to share their stories, too. She is just a delight and I know you will love both our conversation and her book!
Books she mentions:
The Baddest Girl on the Planet by Heather Frese
Abandon Me by Melissa Febos
Find Melissa:
Buy her book: I Love You More Than Coffee: Essays on Parenthood
Website: melissaface.com
Instagram: @melissafacewrites
Welcome back Mamas! We took a little break this summer from the podcast to recoup and focus on some really BIG things that are coming up for Mama Needs Box in the Fall. You’ll hear more about that soon! But for now, since we’re talking about needing more time and time management, I decided to re-air a couple of past episodes that dove deep into how we as Mamas can get more time!
This first episode is with Ashley Brown, founder of Routine & Things, which is a business that is all about helping women get and stay in their happy place by establishing routines that work for them! This episode originally aired in April of 2020 and I’m so excited to bring our conversation to you again as a refresher or for you to listen for the first time!
You will love Ashley! We’ve also included her masterclass called Rock Your Routines in our May box this year plus some beautiful affirmation post-it notes! We still have a few of those May boxes available in our Shop if you’re interested in using her products! Ashley is a joy and I love how she serves Mamas in encouraging us to set up routines so we can be less stressed and enjoy our motherhood! Enjoy my conversation with Ashley!
Links from this episode:
“More than Enough” by Elaine Welteroth Find Ashley:
Website: routineandthings.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/routineandthings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/routineandthings
Routine and Things Podcast: https://routineandthings.com/podcast/
Hey everyone and welcome back to a new episode of the Mama Needs Podcast. Today I am interviewing Royah Loie. Royah is a certified doula, childbirth educator, lactation counselor and host of The Insider Mom Podcast. I was a guest on her podcast recently too, in May on episode #55.
She’s on a mission to help mamas break through barriers, release perfection, cultural norms and mom guilt. Whether it’s through addressing archaic maternity leave policies, lack of adequate birth or postpartum support, outdated cultural traditions or seemingly modern but flawed working norms, she aims to support and work with moms to create much needed change in the space of maternal rights and care.
We talk all about self-care in this episode - how to figure out what will fill you up so you can pour back into your family, what it looks like for both of us to practice self-care and towards the end we bust a well-known myth that we all have the same hours in the day as Beyonce! You’ll love the freedom it will give you! Enjoy my conversation with Royah.
Links from this episode:
InsiderMom.com
Tea Drops (the affiliate link will get you 20% off anything)
Difficult Conversations
Will Power Doesn’t Work
Find Royah:
Web: InsiderMom.com
Instagram: @insidermom
Hey Mamas! Welcome back to the Mama Needs Podcast! Today I am interviewing my new friend Stephanie Bagley! Stephanie is an enneagram 7, homeschooling mom of 3 who is always ready for a party. She and her family currently live in a small town in Idaho. Stephanie is also a business Coach for creative entrepreneurs and has a business podcast called The Dream Makers Podcast.
Before we get into this episode, I just want to give you a heads up that we will be discussing postpartum depression and PTSD. If this is triggering to you whatsoever, I would suggest listening to it another time when you’re able to. But, if you’re ready to hear a really authentic and real story from someone who has experienced this and is on the other side, listen in!
And just a quick disclaimer that neither Stephanie nor myself are licensed therapists or counselors, just everyday Mamas telling our stories. You know it doesn’t have to be postpartum awareness month to talk about these things; it should be all the time! You will absolutely love Stephanie, she is a blast! Enjoy my conversation with Stephanie.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Enneagram Institute
Believe It by Jamie Kern Lima
Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey
Find Stephanie:
Web: stephanieannbagley.com
Instagram: @stephaniebagleydreammakers
Podcast: The Dream Makers Podcast
Welcome to a special BONUS episode of The Mama Needs Podcast! Today I am chatting with three of my dear friends, Carla, Melissa and Rebekah, all about the FRIENDS Reunion!
What we talk about:
When we started watching FRIENDS!
How FRIENDS has gotten us through various times in our lives.
Which character we most identify with.
What we thought about the reunion!
How we thought the FRIENDS looked at the Reunion.
What we thought about the guests on the Reunion and who we missed that wasn’t there!
The highs and lows of the Reunion.
TRIVIA GAME! Hear us play a rapid fire FRIENDS trivia game
Hello and welcome to the Mama Needs Podcast! Today I am interviewing Alison Storm!
Alison is a midwestern girl, living in the south with her Irish immigrant husband, and two beautiful kids. Get this: She co-hosts the world’s only Chickfila fan podcast, writes for a local women’s magazine, and leads an effort to help kids learn compassion by selling elephants handmade by young women rescued from slavery in India. This year she is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the traveling journal she and her friends started in college.
I have loved the Chickfila podcast for over a year now - it was the perfect thing to listen to during the pandemic - the light hearted podcast we all need. Alison is awesome and we chat all about the podcast she co-hosts, how my family got a puppy all based on an episode from that podcast, we talk about the traveling journal she’s been doing with her college pals for 20 years and more! She is just a breath of fresh air! Enjoy my conversation with Alison!
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Unofficial Chick-fil-A Podcast
All She Wrote Notes
Doodles Making a Difference
Set Free Alliance
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Find Alison:
Web: alisonstorm.com, chickfilapodcast.com
Insta: @alistorm, @chickfilapodcast
Welcome back to The Mama Needs Podcast! Now I know that Earth Day was back in April but today I am interviewing my guest, Bev Feldman about easy ways to ‘go green’.
Bev is a mom of two little girls juggling playdates, a business as a email marketing technology consultant, and her blog about eco-friendly living. Like most moms, Bev's all about convenience and saving money, but she also realizes her girls are inheriting this world.
She believes it’s her obligation to them and future generations to reduce the amount of waste her family creates. Through her blog, Bev Goes Green, she shares tips on creating a greener home that won't break the bank while also involving our kids in the process.
You’ll hear us talk about baby steps you can do with your kids to start changing habits, cleaner ways to clean your house and the difference between recycling and something called “wish cycling”. I really loved this conversation and I think you will, too! Here’s my chat with my friend, Bev.
Links from this episode:
Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes
Angry Mom microwave cleaner
Dropps
Eco-Bingo Challenge
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Find Bev:
www.bevgoesgreen.com
instagram.com/bevgoesgreen
yourpersonaltechfairy.com
instagram.com/your.personaltechfairy
*Remember, when you listen to this podcast, you get a code for FREE SHIPPING on this month's* Mama Needs Box**! 💸
I am SO happy to be back this week with a NEW episode! I’m so excited for you to meet Shannon Doherty!
She is a wife, Mama of 4 kids who lives in Connecticut and I am dubbing her as the Mom Hack Queen! You guys, she makes the best, short and simple videos sharing Mom hacks, recipes and easy craft ideas for you and your kids!
She started this during the pandemic as a way to create community and give her family something to do and it has absolutely exploded - so much in fact that she now has just under 1 Million followers on TikTok.
I loved chatting with her - she’s so much fun and I love the heart behind what she does. I know you’ll enjoy her and want to follow along too so you can learn these amazing hacks! Enjoy my conversation with Shannon!
Find Shannon:
TikTok: @athomewithshannon
Instagram: @athomewith.shannon
YouTube: At Home with Shannon
Hey Mamas, before we get really into this episode with my guest Ashley, I wanted to say a few things. First, this episode is titled “When You Can’t Smile” because we are going to be discussing postpartum anxiety and depression. The goal of this episode is to help other Mamas know that you’re not alone if you struggle with your mental health. I sincerely hope and pray that through hearing mine and Ashley’s stories, it will help get you to a place where you can smile.
This episode could be triggering for anyone who has dealt with depression and anxiety, especially postpartum. If this is hard for you to listen to, please give yourself the freedom to turn it off or listen to it another time. But if you are struggling here with these issues and you’re looking for encouragement and other moms to say “me too I struggle with this too” then you’re in the right place.
Second, I am not a doctor, counselor or mental health professional and neither is my guest. Please please please speak to a professional about anything related to your mental health. As you will hear in our stories, once we spoke with our doctors, we realized just how common this is and how many people struggle who don’t talk about it.
Third, please share this episode with your mom friends and then discuss it with them! I am a huge advocate of normalizing postpartum depression and anxiety and taking medication to help if necessary. Find someone you trust who is a safe place and start a conversation. You never know what is actually going on with someone until you’re both vulnerable.
Alright, now that I’ve introduced our topic, let me introduce our guest! Ashley Carbonatto is a domestically underachieving mom-of-three who juggles all the things. She's a gatherer of people, a welcomer to the outsider, a storyteller to the tired, and an entertainer to the downcast. After leaving a successful career, she re-discovered her voice and renewed purpose in motherhood, but in her own unconventional way. You need homemade frosting? She's not the one you call. But you need a good story and honest reflection? Ashley's your woman. She lives in Washington state with her husband & three minions, and always has a drink in the fridge for anyone who stops by. Enjoy my conversation with Ashley.
Find Ashley:
“More Than a Mom” book
Website:https://designstylepurpose.com/
Instagram: @ashley_carbo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designstylepurpose
Book she mentions: “To Hell with the Hustle” by Jefferson Bethke
Welcome back Mamas! It’s a new month and and we are talking about a brand new topic here on The Mama Needs Podcast. As you know, we’re at the 1 year mark since COVID made our world shut down. Wearing masks used to be illegal and strange; now it is the norm for the foreseeable future. And although we know masks are vital and now part of our life, they hide something far more important; your beautiful face and smile. And we miss it.
Our April Mama Needs to Smile box will be a box full of products and inspiration to keep you grinning from ear to ear.
This box is for sale between March 1 – 31 and will ship on April 4! And here’s the BEST news: listen in to this episode to get a coupon code for free shipping on this box!
My guest today is Allison Carter! Allison is a Seattle mom of two and believes that every occasion, big or small, deserves to be celebrated. As the founder and CEO of Allison Carter Celebrates, she helps make busy mom’s lives easier and way more fun, especially when it comes to celebrating special occasions and holidays. Her Memories in Moments podcast has served thousands of families around the world, helping them turn up the volume on life’s little moments to create beautiful, lasting memories. Her monthly subscription box, Memories in Moments: Unwrapped, brings the celebration straight to your door with holiday themed crafts and activities planned, prepped and done for you. Allison and her business has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Forbes, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart, Buzzfeed, Real Simple, and more!
Find Allison:
https://allisoncartercelebrates.com/
podcast: https://allisoncartercelebrates.com/memories-in-moments-podcast
boxes: https://allisoncartercelebrates.com/unwrapped-subscribe
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisoncartercelebrates/
Welcome back Mamas! It’s a new month and you know what that means! We are talking about a brand new topic here on The Mama Needs Podcast. And it’s for sure one of my favorites! It’s COFFEE time! That’s right! We do a coffee-themed box every year and it’s finally here! Whether you take it black, blonde, non-dairy, sweet, non-sweet: Mama Needs Coffee! As Mamas, it can be a necessity to help compensate for those late night feedings or early morning wake-ups with kids piled up in your bed.
So, we have created a box for March that is all of those things and more. A box full of that amazing aroma of coffee plus other coffee-related products to provide that comfort, warmth and happiness you need! This box is a coffee-lover’s dream!
Our March “coffee” box is for sale between February 1 – 28 and will ship on March 4! And here’s the BEST news: listen to this episode to find out how to get FREE SHIPPING on this box!
To start us off on this glorious coffee theme, today I am interviewing my new friend Rachel Cabalse! Rachel lives in San Jose, California with her 2 kids and husband + a new puppy! Rachel reached out to me on instagram months ago to tell me about her new children’s book called “This Mommy Needs Some Coffee”. She sent me a copy and I absolutely ADORE this book! You will hear all about how Rachel wrote this book in 2020 during quarantine - that’s right you guys, she published a book in 2020. With her kids and her actual life as her inspiration, it was the spark to ignite the light for a new dream to be born. “This Mommy Needs Some Coffee” depicts the struggles of parenting, the beauty of everyday life, and the love of coffee all wrapped into an endearing picture book that littles will actually enjoy as much as their parents!
Find Rachel:
Website: http://www.Mommyneedscoffeebook.com
Instagram: instagram.com/ThisMommyNeedsSomeCoffee
Facebook: facebook.com/ThisMommyNeedsSomeCoffee
Hey there! Welcome back to the Mama Needs Podcast!
Today we are continuing in our series called “Mama Needs Friendship” to go along with our February box theme! All of January we’re doing a BOGO deal where if you buy a box, you can get 15% off another box for yourself or for a friend! Some of the products inside our February box are meant to be experienced with your gal pal - either safely in person or even or Zoom or FaceTime! All you need to do is go to mamaneedsbox.com, purchase a box and then forward your receipt to me at info@mamaneedsbox.com. I’ll email you back with a coupon code and then you can grab a second box at 15% off to unbox with your bestie! How fun is that??
So, let’s keep talking more about friendship! Today I am interviewing Yohonna Smith, who is the creator and host of the Girls Talking Life podcast. On each episode of her podcast, she brings you a girl and her story, plus some fun favorites. She hopes that by listening you'll be inspired to initiate change, to be intentional, to cultivate community and to love others well.
Yohonna lives in central Ohio, along with her husband, two daughters and one bad dog. There she spends her days in the details of family life, trying to find the balance between fun mom and responsible mom. She continuously struggles to find enough time in the day, to be brave enough to take action on the hard things, and to love Jesus more.
We had such a great conversation you guys! We talked about the main reasons why it’s so important to have and keep friendships in our life, we talk about some creative ways to meet up with you friends during this pandemic and Yohonna gives us some really great next steps for making friendships. We share some really fun stories and I know you will love it! Enjoy my conversation with Yohonna.
Find Yohonna:
girlstalkinglife.com
https://www.facebook.com/girlstalkinglife
https://www.instagram.com/girlstalkinglife/
Book she mentions: “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters” by Priya Parker
Hey there! Welcome back to the Mama Needs Podcast! We are beginning a brand new series called “Mama Needs Friendship” to go along with our February box theme!
All of January we’re doing a BOGO deal where if you buy a box, you can get 15% off another box for yourself or for a friend! Some of the products inside our February box are meant to be experienced with your gal pal - either safely in person or even or Zoom or FaceTime! All you need to do is go to mamaneedsbox.com, purchase a box and then forward your receipt to me at info@mamaneedsbox.com. I’ll email you back with a coupon code and then you can grab a second box at 15% off to unbox with your bestie! How fun is that??
So today’s interview is perfect because me and my best friend Carla are chatting it up today all about how to maintain a friendship over long distances. Carla was on episode #5 back when I first started the show and it was one of our most listened to episodes!
Today we’re revealing a lot about ourselves and each other as we share how we’ve both put in the time and effort to keep our friendship going even though she lives in FL and I live in NC. And make sure you listen all the way through because we play a fun game at the end! There’s lots of laughs, ridiculousness but a lot of what I hope will be immensely helpful if you have a friend who moved recently or you are the friend who moved. Or maybe the pandemic has put a strain on your friendships. This episode is for you. Enjoy my conversation with Carla!
Welcome to our final episode in this “Mama Needs to Dream” series! I’m ending this series with a bang and interviewing my business coach Amber Housley! Amber is a marketing strategist and business coach. With her expertise, she's led and consulted for top creatives and influencers, producing hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue with her sales and marketing strategies.
Passionate about raising women to new heights, Amber shares her smart strategies with other women business owners through live and virtual trainings. Amber has a big heart for helping women build thriving businesses and joy-filled lives. Balancing family and business is always going to be hard, but, she says, the trick is to get out of your own way and trust that there are smart strategies to run your business, so you can spend more time creating and being with the people that mean the most to you.
In addition to her business activities, she combines her love of business, creating, gardening, faith and family into one ‘sweet life’ with her husband and two children outside Nashville, Tennessee.
Today Amber is going to be sharing about some topics that she is super passionate about: goal setting and vision boarding! If you hear those topics and start to think they don’t apply to you, think again Mama! We chat about how to set goals no matter what season of life you’re in…even if, like me, your goal is to get a shower everyday! You’ll also hear Amber’s top tips for goal settling and how she coaches thousands of women each year to do it. Then, you’ll hear us dive into vision boarding and what it is, what it looks like and how Amber’s vision board came to life not once, but twice - they are amazing stories you won’t want to miss. Get out a notebook and get ready to take notes! Enjoy my conversation with Amber.
Find Amber:
FREE Vision boarding workshop with Amber: amberhousley.com/visionboard
Web: amberhousley.com
Instgram: @amberhousley
Facebook: facebook.com/amberhousley
Hey and welcome back to the Mama Needs Podcast! We are continuing in our third week of our Mama Needs to Dream series! Week 1 was with Makayla Ervin, talking about when dreaming takes you down the road less traveled. Week 2 was with Monica Swanson, talking about being a Mom AND pursuing your passions!
Today I’m doing things a little bit differently. Instead of a normal, traditional interview, I’m going to be having a conversation with my dear friend Alana Dawson. We are both in a business mastermind group and we call ourselves ‘The Dream Team’, which is so very fitting for today’s conversation. We talk about giving ourselves permission to pivot in our dreams and also thinking back about what we wanted to be when we grew up, what we dreamed of as little girls. And how we can use those things that we’re good at and what we dreamed of later in life. We had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun and I think you will love her! Enjoy my conversation with Alana.
Find Alana:
Website: alanadawson.com
Instagram: instagram.com/alanapdawson
Facebook: facebook.com/podcastcoachalanadawson
Podcast: The Podcasting Party
The book she mentions (but couldn’t remember the name!): “The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany” by Lori Nelson Spielman
Hey Mamas! We are back in week 2 of our Mama Needs to Dream series! Last week we had a great conversation with Makayla Ervin all about how sometimes dreaming takes you down the road less traveled. This week I am interviewing Monica Swanson who is a wife, mom, author, blogger, and podcast host passionate about encouraging moms who are raising boys in today's world. Monica and her doctor-husband, Dave, have one son in college and three more boys at home, dividing their time between homeschooling and surfing. The Swansons make their home in the country on the North Shore of Oahu, HI.
This is such a great episode you guys! Monica shares how during the early years of motherhood that she lost herself and just felt like all she was was a Mom. Haven’t we all felt that same way? Everyday is groundhog day and we can lose sight of what makes us come alive. That was the situation that Monica found herself in. A little later she dabbled in blogging and a dream was born to make it her full-time job! I also chat with Monica about the constant balancing act we do as Moms plus she shares some very practical and doable ways to start dreaming and pursuing what you love right in the middle of motherhood. Enjoy my conversation with Monica.
Books she mentions:
“Everything is Figureoutable” by Marie Forleo
“Experiencing God” bible study by Henry and Richard Blackaby, Claude King
Find Monica:
Website: https://monicaswanson.com/
Boy Mom book: https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Mom-What-Your-Needs/dp/052565271X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Monica+Swanson&qid=1587674754&s=audible&sr=1-2-catcorr
The Boy Mom Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boy-mom-podcast-with-monica-swanson-and-friends/id1468061855
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicaswanson_/
Free resource: In addition, Monica has a companion blog post and printable of "25 Things Mom Needs From Her Family": https://monicaswanson.com/7habits/
Hey there! I am so excited to start this new series with you today on Dreaming! Our upcoming January box is themed “Mama Needs to Dream” and so each week I’ll be interviewing an amazing Mama to tell her story about her dream. The goal is to inform and inspire you to either start dreaming or start taking action on that dream! And our January box will definitely help with that! I’m giving a spoiler for this box! Inside will be the book called “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert. A #1 New York Times Bestseller, it has helped so many get past fear and live their life and pursue their passions!
So first up in this series is Makayla Ervin! Makayla is a Brand Activation Strategist specializing in personal brand development and authentic relationship marketing strategies. As a visionary leader with a knack for bringing ideas to life, her calling is helping women create the business of their dreams without sacrificing their life to the hustle. A retired photographer turned business coach, workshop leader, community builder, and Native Texan - her best days are spent in the sunshine with her 2 blonde headed boys and husband before getting down to business and guiding women to their greatness.
As you listen to our episode together, I think you’re going to hear how passionate we both are about this subject! We cover the first steps to take when you’re ready to start pursuing that dream and taking action, getting past the fears that can paralyze you and the result of actually doing what you love! Sometimes the best road to take is the road less traveled and not the “American Dream” where we’re encouraged to have it all and keep up with the Joneses. We both share our experiences in doing this, how people thought were we crazy but how it’s been the best decisions we’ve ever made. Are you ready? Enjoy my conversation with Makayla.
Find Makayla:
www.makaylaervin.com
www.facebook.com/mrsmakaylaervin
www.instagram.com/mrsmakaylaervin
The book she mentions, “No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame” by Janet Lansbury
*Mama Needs Subscription Box and Podcast is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Hey Mamas, welcome back to the Mama Needs Podcast! We are in our final week of our ‘cozy’ series. We’ve heard from Alli Worthington this month on episode 63, I shared all the ways I love to get cozy using my 5 senses on episode 64 and on episode 65 we heard from Alison Lumbatis about the fall wardrobe staples to have and how to feel confident in our bodies. So go check those out if you haven’t already!
Today I am interviewing my dear friend Maeve, who I actually haven’t met in real actual life but hopefully that will change soon! We are in a business mastermind together which basically means we are part of a group of like-minded women who cheer each other on in our businesses! I asked Maeve to come on the show today because she is the epitome of making spaces feel cozy and like home for people. She shares some really practical ways to get our hearts and homes cozy and also some really beautiful words about how to feel at home in yourself.
Maeve is a mother, writer, kitchen dweller, and people gatherer. She lives in the Shenandoah Valley. Most often you'll find her over the stove (because she loves to eat) or on her porch (because she loves people). She writes on the art of making room for both ourselves and each other. Now, enjoy my conversation with Maeve!
Find Maeve:
Instagram: @maevegerboth
Or her blog: maevegerboth.com
The book she mentions is “The Lazy Genius Way” by Kendra Adachi (affiliate link)
Hey there, Mamas! I am so so excited to introduce you to today’s guest! Alison Lumbatis is the founder and CEO of Get Your Pretty On® and Outfit Formulas® a first-of-its-kind personal styling framework. She’s served over 50,000 women through the Outfit Formulas® program and has attracted an online audience of millions to the GYPO blog.
Her platform democratizes style for every body and budget and is a leading resource to help women rediscover their worthiness through wardrobe. A certified life coach and author, Alison is a thought leader in the personal style and confidence arenas.
She’s been featured in Forbes, Redbook, and Life & Style Magazine. A sought-after speaker and podcast guest, Alison speaks on fighting feelings of unworthiness and the power of ‘prioritizing pretty’. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband Craig, their three children, Devon, Aubrey and Ava and three dogs, three cats, two donkeys and three horses.
If you’ve ever struggled with dressing for the body you have right now or with body confidence or just want to know how to put an outfit together, this episode is for you! Enjoy my conversation with Alison.
Find Alison:
Website: www.getyourprettyon.com
Facebook: facebook.com/getyourprettyon
Instagram: instagram.com/_getyourprettyon or instagram.com/alisonlumbatis
Hey Mamas, thanks for coming back and listening in on The Mama Needs Podcast! I’m doing something a bit different today; it’s just me talking to you today! I am sharing all of my favorite cozy Fall ideas with you. If you know me at all, you know Fall is my favorite season; yes I am basic, I know!
Let's get cozy! Today, I am breaking down all the ways to get cozy using your 5 senses and sharing the coziest soup recipe from our friend Jenna from Uncomplicated Kitchen. Make sure you go to our show notes at mamaneedspodcast.com to reference everything I've mentioned in this episode! I've got lots of links and discounts for you + the recipe for the butternut squash soup!
Ok Mamas, welcome back to the Mama Needs Podcast! Today’s guest was one of the “goals” interviews for me! I had the chance to chat with Alli Worthington! Alli is a top business coach, host of The Alli Worthington Show podcast, founder of Called Creatives and author of the book: Standing Strong: A Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Adversity and Living with Confidence, which just released this week!
She’s also the author of The Year of Living Happy, Fierce Faith, and Breaking Busy, Alli is also a well-known speaker and her no-nonsense, guilt-free take on business, family, and balance have led to appearances on The TODAY Show and Good Morning America. Alli lives with her husband, Mark, and their five sons outside of Nashville with the only golden retriever who refuses to retrieve.
Alli drops some serious nuggets of wisdom for us Moms in this episode and I cannot wait for you to hear it! Enjoy my conversation with Alli.
How to find Alli:
Text the word SUPERPOWER to 55444 to take 2-minute quiz to find out your superpower!
Website: https://alliworthington.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Its.Alli.Worthington/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliworthington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alli
New Book, Standing Strong: https://amzn.to/30fHnyc
The Alli Worthington Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-alli-worthington-show/id1375727741
The Mama Needs Podcast is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Hey Mamas! I’m so glad you’re back for the third and final week of our Breast Cancer Awareness series! Every week you’ve heard from an incredible Mama who has had breast cancer. They are sharing their amazing stories, and helping to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention. You guys have loved this series and I am so thankful that it’s encouraging you because it’s really encouraging me as well!
You guys are in for a treat today! I’m interviewing Dawn Barton who is a wife, Mama and new author. Her book “Laughing Through the Ugly Cry and Finding Unstoppable Joy” released just a few months ago and you guys, it’s extremely rare that I read a book cover to cover in one sitting but with this book, I didn’t want to stop. Dawn has been through a lot of things, as you’ll hear in this episode, and I laughed and cried through the entire book. It’s a beautiful story of both incredible pain and incredible joy that I know you’ll love and I can’t wait for you to hear her talk about it! Enjoy my conversation with Dawn.
Find Dawn:
Her book, “Laughing Through the Ugly Cry”
Instagram: @dawnrbarton
Facebook: facebook.com/dawnrbarton
*The Mama Needs Podcast is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Hey Mamas! I’m so glad you’re back for the second week of our Breast Cancer Awareness series! Every week you are going to hear from an incredible Mama who has had breast cancer. They are sharing their incredible stories, and helping to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention.
I received so many wonderful comments about last week’s episode with my friend Heather de Rose and her beautiful story. This episode is no different.
Today I’m interviewing Marsha Lowe. Marsha is a wife, Mama and works at her church. I’ve known her family for well over a decade and I’m so honored to share our interview with you. Marsha found herself, like so many Americans, facing a breast cancer diagnosis with no health insurance. You’ll get to hear her share behind-the-scenes of what that was like and the miracles that happened.
You will love Marsha and her beautiful, soothing Jamaican accent and even hear some funny stories I have reminiscing with her. Enjoy my conversation with Marsha!
Welcome back to the Mama Needs Podcast! I took a small hiatus for the month of August because our family bought a house and moved in the middle of this pandemic! It was as crazy as it sounds. But we are mostly all settled in and loving it!
I’m really excited about the month of September because every week you are going to hear from an incredible Mama who has had breast cancer. They are sharing their incredible stories, and helping to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention.
All of this is happening because all of September we are promoting our October box which is themed “Mama Needs to Think Pink”! You guys, we are doing a special edition PINK box and every product inside is going to be pink! And for the first time ever, we are donating a portion of the profits to a nonprofit organization called The Pink Fund. The Pink Fund provides 90-day non-medical cost of living expenses to breast cancer patients in active treatment, so they can focus on healing, raising their families and returning to the workplace. I’m so excited to be doing this! You can read more about them at pinkfund.org.
So, if you want to get your hands on our “Mama Needs to Think Pink” box for October, just go to mamaneedsbox.com and use the code PODCAST at checkout for free shipping on your first box!
Now, today’s guest is a friend of mine and breast cancer survivor named Heather de Rose. Heather is a teacher and lives in Florida with her husband and 2 boys. Her story is especially moving to me because when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was also pregnant with her second child. I can’t wait for you to hear her incredible story - she is truly an inspiration. Enjoy my conversation with Heather.
Today I’m interviewing Maranda Bower. Maranda is a Postpartum Bliss Coach who’s supporting mamas in experiencing deep authentic healing, while preventing postpartum depression and anxiety. As an author and speaker, she’s worked with hundreds of mothers, awakening them into the joyful and fulfilling Sacred Window that is postpartum.
She lives on her beautiful homestead in Alaska with her husband and 4 children. I loved chatting with her and I think you will really love the heart behind her story and business, especially if you are struggling in postpartum life! Enjoy my conversation with Maranda. Just a heads up, we recorded this pre-COVID19 but this episode is FULL of great information.
What we talk about:
—Hear about Maranda’s postpartum experience and why it’s led her to what she does today.
—About life in Alaska and what “cold” looks like to her.
—Her mission to learn all things postpartum to help others, which in turn helped heal her.
—How birthing a baby is also birthing a Mother and a little science behind it!
—About how nutrition and gut health plays a huge role in postpartum life.
—I share a little bit of my postpartum depression and anxiety story and my journey to getting help.
—That moment when you realize you don’t recognize who you are anymore and how to help you get through that.
—How we as Moms just “get through it” when it comes to our physical and mental health.
—Moral of the story: go to the doctor, talk to someone, take some time to step away and get some time to yourself.
—How Maranda practices self-care in her own life.
—Creating a meal plan around seasons and postpartum healing.
Find Maranda:
6-week Postpartum Meal Plan: https://www.serenitygrows.com/postpartum-nutrition-plan/
Website: https://marandabower.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/postpartummaranda/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpartummaranda/
You guys, I am super excited to introduce you to my friend and business coach, Julie Ball. She is the founder and Chief Sparkler of Sparkle, Hustle, Grow - a subscription box for female entrepreneurs and she created an online course called Subscription Box Bootcamp. I actually enrolled in her bootcamp in 2018 to launch my own subscription box! Julie is married to her husband Kenny and Mama to McKenna and they live not far from me in Black Mountain, North Carolina. I love how real and just down to earth Julie is and she shared so many helpful things in our episode together. Enjoy my conversation with Julie!
What we talk about:
—About Julie, her family and their subscription boxes!
—From being a corporate ladder climber to becoming a stay-at-home Mama!
—How she used an app called TalkSpace to help her talk through her emotions and heal.
—On being newbie Moms.
—Her best Mom hacks, including realizing she doesn’t have to be the perfect Pinterest Mom.
—How she used food hacks to help her picky eater get veggies in her diet.
—How accepting help changed her entire perspective.
Find Julie:
Website: https://www.sparklehustlegrow.com/
Her husband and daughter’s box: https://www.togetherunplugged.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/sparklehustlegrow, instagram.com/togetherunplugged
Facebook: facebook.com/sparklehustlegrow, facebook.com/togetherunplugged
Today I’m interviewing Kristin White. Kristin lives in Gig Harbor, WA with her 4 year old boy and 1 year old girl, and her husband. When her son was born 5 years ago, she experienced a traumatic birth experience which led her on a new journey to be an advocate for maternal care, and start a new career as a postpartum health coach. Kristin is deeply passionate about maternal health, specifically as it relates to the postpartum years and how our current healthcare system is failing women and families. Kristin shares so much relevant and practical info on postpartum health and how to find a coach that can really meet you where you are to move forward. Enjoy my conversation with Kristin.
What we talk about:
—What “postpartum” actually means.
—Her journey to becoming a postpartum coach and advocate of women’s health care.
—Her traumatic birth story and how she came through on the other side.
—Her Mama hack to get her kids to eat vegetables!
—All about her coaching and how she partners with Moms.
—Ideas for practicing self-care and her encouragement for new moms to figure out how to fill themselves up!
—Her advice for a new Mama and how to connect with other Moms.
Find Kristin:
Website: kristinwhitewellness.com
Instagram: instagram.com/kristinwhitewellness
Facebook: facebook.com/KristinWhiteWellness
Today’s episode is all about marriage and I love what our guests Rachel Ballard has to say about it. Rachel is a Marriage Strategist who helps women come up with a strategy for creating an exceptional marriage. She is married with 4 kids and they live in Missouri. We cover a lot in this episode about her marriage journey and how she got to where she is today, a little about her podcast and how she and her husband make date night the top priority every single week! I think you’re gonna love this one! Enjoy my conversation with Rachel.
What we talk about in this episode:
—Her journey of becoming a marriage strategist - spoiler alert: it was not an easy one!
—About her podcast with the best title ever - “How to Like your Husband”.
—How Rachel works with women to help their marriages work.
—Her Mama hack that is absolutely brilliant and so simple!
—Her hatred of cooking and how she accomplishes cooking and meal planning!
—Her favorite forms of self-care.
—Some really easy, cheap and free date night ideas and how Rachel and her husband make a weekly date night the first priority.
—Her advice to a new Mama
Find Rachel:
Website: mrsrachelballard.com
Instagram: @howtolikeyourhusband
Podcast: How to Like your Husband
Free Download: 50 Texts to send to your husband - 50sexytexts.com
I couldn’t be more thrilled to introduce you to my dear friend Jenna Kranz! I first met Jenna not long after moving to North Carolina. She interviewed me for a job actually to help her bake granola for her granola business! You’ll hear more about that in our episode! We’ve included her delicious granola 3 different times in our boxes. Now Jenna has shifted gears and shut down her granola business to pursue her passion - a nonprofit called Uncomplicated Kitchen. She teaches weekly classes on how to make simple food with simple ingredients - especially using local foods! Because of the coronavirus situation, Jenna has improvised and made a YouTube channel doing what she does best: teaching others to make amazing food.
Jenna is a wife, a mother to a toddler, and a food business owner who knows what it's like to have to to have to get a meal on the table in a half hour, sometimes with no plan and few ingredients. But with a bit of creativity, some basic pantry staples, and self-taught culinary skills, she’s always fed my family. Her goal is to help her students learn to do the same - to feed their families nutritious and delicious meals, even if they just had the basics. She wants to help students break free from the doldrums/inconvenience/intimidation/budget constraints of home cooking and find joy, happiness, and confidence in meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation.
Jenna is a whole bunch of fun and I know you will love her just as much as I do! Enjoy my conversation with Jenna.
What we talked about in this episode:
—How we met when Jenna interviewed me for a job!
—Her story of starting a granola business and moving it with her husband to Sylva, NC.
—The transition of baking granola to her passion for cooking and starting a nonprofit all because a friend wanted to know how to make beets taste delicious!
—All about her amazing cooking classes which are now online due to COVID-19.
—Her best recipe and meal plan tip in one that she calls “emergency food”.
—Why saying “no” is both of our favorite ways to practice self-care.
Book mentioned: “Deceptively Delicious” by Jessica Seinfeld - https://www.amazon.com/Deceptively-Delicious-Simple-Secrets-Eating/dp/006176793X
Find Jenna:
Website: https://www.uncomplicatedkitchen.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncomplicatedkitchen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncomplicated_kitchen/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCadWqdM38ZBlUAVX_lZws4A
Hey Mamas - I am so excited to introduce you to TWO powerhouse ladies today! In this episode I’m interviewing Anne-Renee Gumley and Amanda Bacon. They are the authors of the book “Shiny Things: Mothering on Purpose in a World Full of Distractions.” They also have a podcast together called “All the Mom Things Podcast” and they run a blog called “The Masterpiece Mom”.
These ladies are so full of wisdom and I especially loved their heart behind writing their book. I hope you love them as much as I do. Enjoy my conversation with Anne-Renee and Amanda.
What we talk about in this episode:
—A little about both Amanda and Anne-Renee and their families.
—About their book and writing from a place of struggle.
—Weighing the pull, as Moms, of what is lesser than what is lasting.
—What it looks like to write a book virtually living 4,000 miles apart!
—Their funniest Mama story including a time Amanda accidentally left a kid home alone and Anne-Renee (and myself!) had to call poison control for one of her kids!
—Their best meal planning and laundry hacks, especially for big families!
—How it’s really hard to mother from a place of emptiness and how they both practice self-care.
—Their best advice for new Mamas.
Find Anne-Renee and Amanda:
Website: http://www.themasterpiecemom.com/
Podcast: https://allthemomthingspodcast.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMasterpieceMom
“Shiny Things” book: https://www.shinythingsbook.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_bacon_/ and https://www.instagram.com/anne_reneegumley/
Hey there! I absolutely love interviewing mother-daughter duos and I’m so excited to introduce you to Ellie Kay and Bethany Bayless. They love to chat about personal finance and being entrepreneurs. They have a wonderful podcast together called “The Money Millhouse” a podcast for women who make and manage money! These ladies are hilarious and I know you will love their fun banter! Just a note, this was recorded before COVID-19 so it is not referenced at all in this episode. And we also recorded this interview when Bethany was 6 months pregnant and now she is due with her baby boy literally any minute! Enjoy my conversation with Ellie and Bethany!
What we talk about in this episode:
—How many kids and grandkids Ellie has (spoiler: a lot!
—How Bethany feels about being pregnant with her first child!
—About their podcast “The Money Millhouse”.
—How we feel about TikTok for our kids.
—Ellie’s motherhood story which includes 5 kids, 2 stepdaughters and moving 11 times!
—All about Bethany’s first pregnancy; she’s due anytime!
—We discuss birth plans, birthing big babies and the feelings around when your birth plans don’t go the way you expect.
—Ellie gives us her ‘hardcore hacks’!
—Bethany describes an unforgettable moment when her parents nearly called the National Guard trying to find her!
—Ellie and Bethany’s favorite recipes and cravings they both had while pregnant.
—How they both practice self-care!
Recipes Bethany mentions:
Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup
Rigatoni Meatball Soup
Where to find Ellie and Bethany:
Website: themoneymillhouse.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMoneyMillhouse
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoneymillhouse/
Today I’m excited to introduce you to Rebecca Smith! Rebecca, her husband and 4 kids live in a very small city within Detroit, Michigan called Hamtramck. You will hear more about how unique this city is and why they live there and what they do!
Rebecca also wrote a book that released this week called “A Better Life”, where she shares more of her story and life. You guys are going to love our chat. What struck me the most was the universal bond that motherhood gives us no matter who you are, what language you speak or what you look like. You will hear Rebecca’s beautiful story of friendship and living a life she never thought she would. And I do just want to mention that this conversation was recorded prior to COVID-19 so now more than ever if you can support Rebecca’s business at betterlifebags.com or go ahead and buy her book (which is amazing by the way), please help support the awesome work she’s doing. Enjoy my conversation with Rebecca.
Things we talk about in this episode:
—How her life looks dramatically different than she planned.
—A little about the incredibly diverse city of Hamtramck, Michigan where she lives.
—The beautiful story of friendship and universal bond of motherhood.
—All about her business, Better Life Bags, and the mission behind it.
—How she figured out how to bloom where she was planted in a city that was so foreign to her.
—Her (surprising) motherhood story!
—How she practices self-care.
—How she is basically winning at mom hacks and meal planning - you will want to know her secret!!
Find Rebecca:
Website: https://betterlifebags.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BetterLifeBags
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterlifebags/ & https://www.instagram.com/rebeccasmithonline/
Order her book, releasing May 19, 2020: https://betterlifebags.com/pages/book
Today’s podcast episode is with Kristie McAllister! I’m excited for you to listen to our episode because if you are craving community right now, Kristie has a solution for you! Kristie is a Mama of 2 boys, 4 and 6 years old and stepmom to a 16 year old girl and a 13 year old boy. She’s been married for 7 years and she’s an RN discharge planner and co-founder of Book Club Sisterhood - a monthly subscription box and online book club for women who want more! If you love to read and be in community, you will love Bookclub Sisterhood! Kristie also shares a bunch of book titles they’ve already read which we will have in the show notes for you to reference. Enjoy my conversation with Kristie.
Things we talk about in this episode:
—How Kristie and her sister who never got along now started a business together!
—All about Bookclub Sisterhood, their subscription box for women.
—A fun way Kristie was able to connect with her best friend during quarantine.
—Kristie’s book recommendations.
—Some really great, practical advice for Mamas about how to ask for help.
Books she mentions:
“Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis
“Own Your Everyday” by Jordan-Lee Dooley
“5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman
“The Latte Factor” by David Bach and John David Mann
“You are the Girl for the Job” by Jess Connolly
Exclusive coupon code for our listeners! Use code MAMANEEDS for $5 off!
Bookclub Sisterhood: bookclubsisterhood.com
Instagram: @bookclubsisterhood
I’m excited to introduce you Jeanette Tapley today! Jeanette is wife to Jesse and Mother to Zeke, Titus and Zoe. She loves talking to friends and laughing loudly, advocating for adoption, and a nice cup of coffee. She is the host of the It's Time For Coffee Podcast and the author of It's Time For Jesus a 30 day devotional. You guys, she is hilarious and we are keeping it real in this episode and talking about the hard parts of this time in quarantine. Enjoy my conversation with Jeanette.
Things we talk about in this episode:
—Her new devotional book coming out soon called “It’s Time for Jesus”.
—Her podcast called “It’s Time for Coffee”, why she started it and who it’s for.
—The first podcast she ever listened to - that she’s a little embarrassed to admit!
—How to have difficult conversations with your kids right now.
—Routines that have been working for her family.
—How she’s keeping up and adjusting with her work.
Book that she mentions: “American Royals” by Katharine McGee
Find Jeanette and her podcast:
Website: https://itstimeforcoffeepod.com/
Instagram: @jeanettetapley
Facebook @thejeanettetapley
Hey there! Today we have our first returning guest! This is the first time I’ve had a guest on twice! I’m interviewing my dear friend Kristin Petersen and I think you are really going to enjoy this episode. We’re going to talk about How to Succeed as a Homeschooling Mama. Kristin was a teacher in Florida public schools for 8 years and now homeschool’s her kiddos, just like we’re all having to do. We are going to cover so much in this episode so I encourage you to take notes - she gives so many amazing tips and actual ideas to keep learning fun and light. We were even able to answer questions from our followers on Facebook and instagram. Enjoy my conversation with Kristin!
What we talk about in this episode:
—How to help our kids thrive and fun while learning at home.
—How to equip ourselves as now homeschooling Mamas.
—Kristin’s top 5 tips to help you succeed as a homeschooling Mama.
—When to start your day and how to keep it fresh.
—How to keep learning fun and light.
—How to use Google, Pinterest and Amazon as your best friends.
—Fun ideas to keep your kids engaged!
—Your questions answered!
The book Kristin mentioned “The First Conspiracy” by Brad Meltzer
Find Kristin on instagram @dreamandamouse
You guys are in for a treat because our guest today on the podcast is Shannon Schottler, who is a professional leadership & career coach based in Minneapolis, MN. When she’s not coaching she’s foster mom to a 5-year-old girl who she refers to as “Big Girl T”, wife to Nate, volunteer addressing education equity…and practicing the radical, unapologetic self-care required to fuel her personal pursuit of joy. Shannon is a subscriber to our monthly self-care boxes so you’ll get a chance to hear what she loves most about Mama Needs Box. You’ll also get to hear her story from being a workaholic to foster mom. She is amazing and I can’t wait for you to listen! Enjoy my conversation with Shannon!
What we talk about in this episode:
—Shannon and her husband’s foster care journey
—Going from a workaholic to making space for rest and new life challenges.
—What friendship looks like and how her community has rallied behind her family to support their foster care journey (spoiler alert: it’s a BEAUTIFUL story).
—Her favorite recipe: https://greenhealthycooking.com/instant-pot-chicken-and-rice/
—How using grocery delivery service is more important now than ever. She also mentions the app called Paprika to help meal plan.
—Shannon’s Mom hack to battle too much screen time.
—Shannon’s self-care routine which she calls “the 3 M’s”.
—How Shannon and her husband use a term called “radical self responsibility” to help each other get time alone.
Find Shannon:
Website: https://shannonschottler.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonschottler/
Today I am interviewing Ashley Brown! Ashley is a mom of 2, educator, planning nerd, and founder of Routine and Things, a platform dedicated to helping moms get and stay in their happy place using routines as a roadmap.
Ashley is passionate about supporting moms in their homemaking and motherhood journeys. She strongly believes routines are a springboard for improving your home, yourself, and your life.
Through her binge worthy podcast, the Routine and Things Podcast, she makes it clear it’s her mission to encourage mamas to use routines as a way of consistently achieving peace in their home and life.
Ashley drops some serious GOLD about how to set up routines, especially in this crazy time that we’re in so take notes if you can! I absolutely love her heart and her mission to help Mamas and I know you will love her too! Enjoy my conversation with Ashley!
Book she mentioned: “More than Enough” by Elaine Welteroth
Find Ashley:
Website: routineandthings.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/routineandthings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/routineandthings
Routine and Things Podcast: https://routineandthings.com/podcast/
Current Offer: Free Rock Your Routines Bundle (routineandthings.com/bundle)
Today I'm doing something a little bit different! Instead of the normal format of our podcast; where I interview another Mama, it's just ME and you, sister!
Do you ever do "Mommy dates" with your kids? Some of my most “filled-up” moments have included my kids. Now, you may be thinking, “But isn’t the point of self-care to be alone?” Yes and no. It depends on you, what you need and what your kids need.
I love spending time with my kids but not all day, everyday. No, thank you. They need a break from ME sometimes! Ha!
When we are together, I try to make it count. I love watching them experience new things, seeing them learn and grow and be brave! It doesn’t have to be extravagant trips or vacations, either! I love doing really easy things right in our own house or community.
In today's episode, I'm giving you T W E L V E fun, easy and cheap things to do with your kids that will fill you ALL up!
Let me know which one you're going to try this week!
I’m super excited to introduce you to Jessica Principe today on the podcast! Jessica is the Founder of All Girl Shave Club. A self-taught product & e-commerce entrepreneur, she embodies the quote, "she believed she could, so she did."
Armed with a passion for business, a creative idea, and google - she self-funded and launched All Girl Shave Club, a women's shaving subscription service and online boutique.
She is a relatable and engaging speaker, author and mentor, whose greatest passion is teaching others who want to get started in the subscription box and e-commerce industry.
She lives in beautiful southern NH with her husband TJ and their two boys. In her spare time, you can find her at the beach or hiking with her family!
You’re going to love how fun she is and the energy she brings to this conversation. You’ll also hear about a scary birth experience with her first son and all that she and her husband went through. She is such a joy and I know you will love her! Enjoy my conversation with Jessica!
Find Jessica:
Website: https://jessicaprincipe.com/ and https://allgirlshaveclub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllGirlShaveClub/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica_principe/
Today I’m interviewing Dr. Leesha Eliis-Cox! Dr. Leesha is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who shares a heartfelt message of love, hope, and acceptance for moms. As a practicing physician, dynamic public speaker, wife, mommy, and parenting expert, she skillfully weaves sound medical advice with practical strategy grounded in years of clinical care, current research, and personal experience. A catalyst for continuous and positive change, Dr. Leesha works with moms to bring about a powerful mindset shift. The result is a fresh, uncomplicated approach to balanced living for the mind, body, and soul – one that strengthens moms and their families.
I think you’re really going to love our conversation from not only her perspective as a Mama but also her professional experience as a psychiatrist. We talk a lot about her book called “Ditch the Mommy Guilt” which is a short and helpful read about truly letting go of the mom guilt that we all feel too often.
Enjoy my conversation with Leesha.
Find Leesha:
Website: drleesha.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleeshapsych/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drleesha/
Today I’m interviewing Cindra McCoy! She’s a navy wife turned momprenuer based out of Aiken, SC. Currently she has a 2 yr old and is pregnant with her second child.
She owns a local art school/studio and recently launched an art subscription box for children called Guide Dots. Her goal with Guide Dots is to unlock children's creativity by giving them a map using strategically placed dots and online video instruction. It looks really interesting and I am definitely going to check it out for my kids! You can tell she’s super passionate about getting the arts back into schools and in kids’ lives!
And this is exciting - just for listeners of The Mama Needs Podcast, Cindra has given us a coupon code to get $5 off of her starter kit! Just go to guide-dots.com, sign up for the starter kit and use code “mamaneeds” at checkout for $5 off! Now, enjoy my conversation with Cindra.
Find Cindra:
Website: https://guide-dots.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guidedots/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guidedotart/
I’m excited to introduce you to Lana Nelson. Lana is wife to Dr. Bruce Nelson, mother to 12 adult children and grandmother to 38 and she’s even a great-grandmother! She loves to hike and garden and experiment with food. Her newest book, The Food Codes™ is available on Amazon.
Lana Nelson’s, The Food Codes teaches you how to eat without guilt and shame for the rest of your life! The Food Codes also teaches you what your body needs for food at different times, seasons, and when different stresses affect your life.
Lana is also an Intuitive Nutritionist, Certified Emotion and Body Code consultant, a Licensed Massage Therapist as well as a Reiki Master Teacher. So, in short, this woman does it all.
It was a pleasure to chat with her about her kids, how she met her husband and how she’s changed her life with food. Enjoy my conversation with Lana.
Find Lana:
Website: thefoodcodes.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefoodcodes1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefoodcodes/
Today I am interviewing Kendall Gilbert! Kendall lives in Raleigh, NC and works part-time. She also owns a stationery business where she creates tactical paper tools for the busy mom. She has been married 20 years and has two kids. She believes less is more and is on a mission to help other moms simplify the chaos that comes with motherhood so life doesn’t feel so overwhelming. I loved getting to know Kendall better and we also had some real talk about taking medicine for postpartum depression and anxiety. Enjoy my conversation with Kendall.
Find Kendall:
Website: kendallpgilbert.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendallpgilbert/
Today I am interviewing Shannon Parker. Shannon has been married for 11 years is Mama to her son JJ and daughter Eden. She’s also CFO at Raleigh North Christian Center and founder of Faith Wins LLC.
She is the creator of Nourish, an online signature course to teach women how to eat, heal their bodies and counter inflammation. Shannon was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease after having children that she’ll explain more in this episode.
Shannon is so much fun and we laughed a lot in this episode. Her joy and passion for helping women is contagious. Enjoy my conversation with Shannon!
Find Shannon:
Website: http://shannonparker.rdumedia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foreverfinesse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foreverfinesse/
Hey Mamas and welcome to this very special episode of the Mama Needs Podcast! I am interviewing Rachel Tiemeyer who is one of the creators and editors of ThrivingHome.org, a down-to-earth lifestyle blog that she and her friend, Polly Conner, began in 2012 as a way to encourage and equip moms in the day-to-day challenges that come with raising a family. Thriving Home has risen to the top as a leader in the online freezer cooking space, and these time-strapped moms of three (each!) jokingly refer to themselves as “freezer meal evangelists.” They are the authors of two cookbooks, From Freezer to Table (2017) and From Freezer to Cooker (January 2020), and live with their families in Columbia, Missouri.
I’ve been following their blog for years and actually was a part of a recipe testing team they created to test the recipes in their cookbook that just released this week called From Freezer to Cooker! I can’t recommend their cookbooks enough! I loved chatting with Rachel about meal plan tips, her motherhood story, self-care and so much more! Enjoy my conversation with Rachel.
Find Rachel and Polly:
Website: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivinghomeblog/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivinghome/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/polly827401/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5oVQyW5dhinhStpTsFMy6A
In this first episode of 2020, I am interviewing Amy Gabriel! Amy is a wife, Mama to 2 and entrepreneur! She and her family live in the Orlando, FL area. Amy started a business in 2013 called LippyClip, which combined her love for sewing and dream of creating products people would love! LippyClip is an adorable lip balm holder made from fabric that you can clip onto your keychain, wallet, purse or anywhere you need to find it! I got myself one recently and not only has it made this winter more bearable with dry lips but I’ve gotten so many compliments on it, too!
When I first found LippyClip, I was looking at putting one inside of our subscription boxes and as I dug a little deeper, I realized that not only is Amy a Mama and business owner but we also graduated from the same college AND we both have children who have a severe and rare speech disorder called apraxia. We actually go pretty deep into that sharing our stories to each other and things definitely get emotional in this episode. We joked that you all get to listen to our therapy session! I loved getting to know Amy and I know you will, too. Enjoy my conversation with Amy.
Find Amy:
Website: LippyClip.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lippyclip
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lippyclip/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lippyclip/
Hey guys and welcome to the Mama Needs Podcast! I am so pumped to introduce you to a long-time friend of mine, Liz George. Liz is a military spouse and Mama to a beautiful little girl named Reagan. You guys, don’t you just love catching up with an old friend? That’s what this conversation was. I haven’t seen Liz in like 12 years so it was great to hear more about her life and what she’s been up to!
We chatted about all things motherhood, a lot about her love of instacart, as you’ll hear! And we spent a ton of time talking about how hard it is to find those lasting and meaningful friendships as a Mom and also when you are a military spouse and have to move every 2 years. Please make sure you listen toward the end because we really go deep into boundaries and learning to forgive yourself. I know you will love her as much as I do! Enjoy my conversation with my friend Liz.
Hey Mamas! So this week’s episode is just very special. I had the absolute joy to interview author Bekah Bowman. She’s a mom to two boys, Titus and Ely and wife to Danny. She is a new author and her book released in September of 2019. The story she shares about her family and what they have been through the past 9 years is unbelievably powerful. You will definitely want to listen with tissues nearby. You will hear about her two sweet boys and their challenging and heartbreaking story. You will hear how Bekah and her husband literally held joy and deep sorrow together hand-in-hand. I am so grateful to Bekah for telling me her story and for writing her amazing book called “Can’t Steal My Joy: The Journey to a Different Kind of Brave.”
It is a story that will change you and touch your heart forever. Enjoy my conversation with Bekah.
Find Bekah:
Instagram: @cantstealmyjoy2
Facebook page: facebook.com/Team4TitusEly/
Bekah’s Blog: cantstealmyjoy.com
On Amazon!
You guys! I’m super pumped to share this interview with you today! I interviewed my first mother/daughter duo and it was awesome! Meet Janelle Fuente and Cristina Zamorano! They are the team behind Selah Skin Studio located in Miami Lakes, FL. You will love hearing their inspiring stories of motherhood, entrepreneurship and their favorite must-have skin care tools! I enjoyed our chat so much and I know you will, too! Enjoy my conversation with Janelle and Cristina!
Find them:
insta: @selahskinstudio
Facebook: facebook.com/loveyourskinagain/
Online: selahskinstudio.com
Today I am interviewing Andrea Claassen. She is an Ayurvedic wellness counselor, personal trainer and yoga teacher. She has a 3.5 year old boy and hubby. They live in St. Paul, MN. Andrea loves to help women connect back to their own divine body wisdom and movement and staying active is a major part of her family’s lifestyle. Andrea coaches lots of women every single day and she is very passionate about self-care, so she has a lot of practical tips that I know you are going to love! Enjoy my conversation with Andrea.
Andrea’s website: http://www.andreaclaassen.com
Insta: @andreaclaassen21
Podcast: Peaceful Power Podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreaclaassen21/
Hey Mama, I am so excited to introduce you to a long-time friend of mine, Melissa Elswick! Melissa has been married to her husband Jon for 17 years and they have two boys named Ethan and Joshua! They live in south Florida and pastor a church they started 10 years ago called Crossway Church!
Melissa and I went to high school together but we didn’t know each other at all - in fact, she was a senior and I was a freshman so our paths didn’t really cross. You’ll find out how we met later in life!
Melissa and Jon adopted their two boys from Taiwan and it’s an absolutely incredible story that I cannot wait for you to hear! Melissa is so real and does not sugarcoat their adoption experience in this episode. I think our conversation was so important and I hope it educates and inspires all of us! Enjoy my conversation with my friend Melissa.
Find her on insta: https://www.instagram.com/melissaelswick/
Hi Mamas! Today on the podcast we have Juli Kalbaugh! She is a wife and Mama of 2 girls living in Clemson, SC. She’s also a home stager, designer and Habitutide Coach. She wants to help people create space for the life they love! I really enjoyed our chat, especially when we spoke about friendship in motherhood. Enjoy my conversation with Juli!
Definitely check out her website and membership called Home Habitude! She gives so many simple ways to organize our homes, make changes and get rid of those inevitable piles we all have in our homes!
Find her on insta: https://www.instagram.com/julikalbaugh/
And on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artofthingsdesign/
Today I am interviewing Laura Nickelson. She’s a Tennessee native, living in Alabama with her husband of 10 years and their 2 girls: Ava, age 8 and Sadie, age 4. She’s been a work-at-home mama since her oldest was born, and an entrepreneur for 7.5 of those years. She's the owner of TheTurquoiseHome.com, a DIY & home decor blog. She’s finally hit the time jackpot since both girls are now in school full time, which allows her to get her work done while they are at school, then focus on them when they get home. She loves Jesus, coffee with Califia Farms creamer and the beaches along Hwy 30a. Enjoy my conversation with Laura.
I am excited for you to hear my interview today with Jennifer Ammons! She is the CEO of The Big Fake Wedding and Swaddle & Swoon events based in Atlanta! She is married to her husband Brian of 4 years and Mama to 2 little boys with a girl on the way! This time next year she can say that she has 3 kids, 3 and under! I loved this chat with Jennifer all about motherhood - how she spent her first pregnancy in Tokyo but moved back to Atlanta and had two babies - her son and a new business! I can’t wait till you hear all about what she is doing to celebrate marriage and motherhood all over the country. Enjoy my conversation with Jennifer.
I’m excited to introduce you to Molly Grayson in this episode! She is a Mama of two little girls, wife to Mike and she is a song writer located in Nashville. Wait till you hear some of the musicians she’s worked with! She also hosts a weekly show on insta-stories that she calls Sunday Bakes. I can’t wait for you to hear my very first introduction to her while watching Sunday Bakes! I love how real and unapologetically authentic Molly is. She shares some hilarious stories and we talk a lot about self-care and not forgetting yourself. I know you’re going to love her just like I did! Enjoy my conversation with Molly.
Ok Mamas this is definitely one of our longer podcast episodes but hear me out - it is totally worth your time! Today I am interviewing my friend Megan Ericson. She’s a writer, podcaster and social media marketer based in central Ohio. She’s a Mama to 3 little ones, a chronic purger, keeper of a capsule wardrobe and seeker of ways to simplify life.
In addition, Megan is a certified enneagram coach! She has had a love for the enneagram for a while and she explores how each personality type lives online. Ok so if you’re like, what in the world is the enneagram or if you’ve heard about it before but have been skeptical or even if you love it - you’ve gotta hear what Megan has to say. We dive right into a brief overview of each type, how they might feel as a Mother, how the enneagram can help us practice self-care and then also how we can use it as a tool not only for us but also in our parenting. So buckle up and enjoy this episode with my friend Megan.
Links from this episode:
meganericson.com
enneagraminstitute.com
iancron.com
Suzanne Stabile: lifeinthetrinityministry.com
Beth McCord: yourenneagramcoach.com
EnneaCast podcast: lovethyneighborhood.org/enneacast/
Typology podcast: typologypodcast.com/podcast
Today’s episode was so fun to record because this amazing Mama shares my heart to help Mamas remember to practice self-care! Meet Cathleen Bearse! She’s a wife and Mama to 3 boys. She’s also a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. She has a bachelor of arts in psychology from Miami University and a masters of science in social administration (aka social work) from Case Western Reserve University. She’s been practicing clinical social work in a variety of settings for 11 years, and she’s have been in private practice, specializing with adolescents and women for 6 years. I absolutely loved hearing about her self-care journey and how she helps her clients by being their “self-care bestie”. You will love her! Enjoy my conversation with Cathleen.
On this episode I am chatting with Nicole Redwine, founder of Mothers & Co. Its mission is to help mothers create intentional community and to connect to resources they may need as a new or established mother. She lives in Atlanta with her fiancé and two kids. We really covered a ton of relevant topics in this episode from postpartum issues to how in the world to get enough sleep! I know you will love my conversation with Nicole.
On this episode I am so excited to introduce you to Jen Babakhan who just wrote her very first book called “Detoured, The Messy Grace-Filled Journey from Working Professional to Stay-at-Home Mom” that released in July. We talk about her book, her transition from working full-time to staying home full-time and all the emotions that come with that. She lives in the central valley of CA with her husband and she is also a Homeschooling Mom of 2!
She is a contributor for Reader's Digest, and lover of coffee ice cream and Target! I loved getting to know and I know you will, too. Enjoy my conversation with Jen.
Today’s episode is super exciting because I am interviewing an author whose book released this week! Her name is Maria Furlough. She is a wife and a mother to one amazing 11-year-old daughter, three rambunctious boys and one baby boy who lives in the arms of Jesus. She teaches women's Bible studies and works as the Missions Team leader at Lake Forest Church in Huntersville, North Carolina, and is a former full-time youth pastor. She is the author of Breaking the Fear Cycle: How to Find Peace for Your Anxious Heart and her newest book that just released this week: Confident Moms, Confident Daughters: Helping Your Daughter Live Free from Insecurity and LOVE How She Looks. If you have daughters, are a daughter, know a daughter, this episode is so helpful. Enjoy my conversation with Maria.
On today’s episode I am interviewing Nicole Bernard, podcast host and marketing agency owner! Nicole lives in Hood River, Oregon with her husband, 2 kiddos and rescue dog. We had such a great chat about motherhood and she’s a working Mom so she has a lot of great insights about time management that I loved. Find her at nb.marketing and on instagram at @nb.mktg
On today’s episode I am interviewing Karla Bennett! She’s a full time mom and lives in the Dallas area with her husband and two littles, ages 6 and 3. In her spare time she runs a small, handcrafted lip balm business and a gift giving business. We’re going to talk more about that in the episode! I loved everything she had to say: from a very funny (and terrible) poop story to the time where enough was enough and her counselor told her, “YOU HAVE PERMISSION”, which was a total shift in thinking for her. You’re going to love her! Enjoy my conversation with Karla.
Today I am interviewing Katie Alexander! Katie is releasing a book called “This One's for the Working Mama” in early fall! She’s worked for 13 years in healthcare strategic planning and business development. She lives in Apollo Beach, Florida with her husband of 15 years and their two little girls Ella (11) and Meadow (5). If you work in ANY capacity, this episode is going to encourage you SO MUCH. I found myself wishing I had read her book years ago when I was battling what I call “the mythical balance” of motherhood and working at a job that I loved. I know you will love all that she has to say! Enjoy my episode with Katie.
In this episode I am interviewing my new friend Amber Salhus! She is a writer, fitness coach and podcaster who helps women come home to themselves, uncover their passions and love the body they live in. She lives in the Oregon countryside with her husband of 16 years and their 2 kids, Jax and Bella, and their ever-growing herd of animals. I met Amber just 6 months ago and we’ve become fast friends! She is the half of The Mom Wants More Podcast and I was on their show back in May. Amber cracks me up in this episode a lot and I just love how real and honest she is, especially about motherhood.
On today’s episode I am chatting my friend Hilary Sutton. She is a mom to a 7 month old and a freelance writer, podcast host, and consultant. She lives in the DC metro area with her hubby and daughter. I loved Hilary’s perspective on motherhood as a new Mama. Enjoy my conversation with my friend Hilary and check out her podcast at Hustle & Grace with Hilary Sutton!
Today I’m sharing my conversation with Katelyn Fusco. Katelyn is creator/host of Happy Homebirth Podcast. She studied as a student midwife before her child hit toddlerhood and now she’s 38 weeks pregnant with baby #2 (who has since been born and is a girl!)I really enjoyed getting to know Katelyn and I know you will, too! Enjoy our conversation!
Today I’m chatting with a new friend Leilani Orr. Leilani is a mother of 10 children, the 4th child of 12 and a home-educator to 8 (currently) of her kids. She is also the author of “Simpler by the Dozen” now available on Amazon. Leilani enjoys organizing her home as much as is possible. When she’s not cleaning a toilet or teaching a child how to read, you might find her watching the sunrise or jogging into the sunset. with all the ample time she finds on her schedule, she enjoys, writing, and drinking really good coffee. I loved getting to know her better! Enjoy my conversation with Leilani.
On today’s episode I had the absolute pleasure to interview and talk to Scarlet Hiltibidal. Scarlet is the author of Afraid of All the Things and He Numbered the Pores on My Face. She also writes a regular column for ParentLife Magazine and enjoys speaking to women around the country about the freedom and rest available in Jesus. Scarlet lives in Middle Tennessee, where she loves sign language with her daughters, nachos by herself, writing for her friends, and learning how to raise ducks with her husband for no reason other than cuteness. Scarlet is so relatable and I know you will love our chat. We found out we’re both from the south FL area so it was fun to make that connection. Don’t forget to listen to the end because I will be giving instructions for how to enter for the chance to win a copy of “Afraid of all the Things”! Enjoy my conversation with Scarlet!
On today’s episode I am chatting with a sweet friend of mine named Ashley Klaja. I knew Ashley for a very short time when her family moved to south FL but we have been able to keep in contact and see each other’s journeys on social media which is wonderful! I love Ashley, her Texas southern accent and awesome sense humor. Ashley shares a lot about her unique journey to motherhood and I can’t wait till you hear about the time she showed up to my 18th birthday costume party as an Estee Lauder saleswoman. Make sure to check out her amazing blog at livingbeautahfully.com and follow her instagram @livingbeautahfully. Enjoy my fun chat with my friend Ashley.
On today’s episode I am interviewing my long-time friend Torrey Roberts. Torrey is wife to Adam and Mama to two adorable sons. She also works at a non-profit ministry in south Florida called Sheridan House Family Ministries. You’ll hear more about that in this episode. Torrey was always sort of a “big sister” role model for me and later on we became friends as we found ourselves in similar life situations: living in south FL as wives and moms and people who worked in full-time ministry. I absolutely love her wisdom in this episode and as you’ll hear, she’s “mothered” way more kids than just her own! Enjoy my conversation with my friend Torrey.
On this episode I am talking with my friend Jewel Walywn. She is a wife and Mama to 3 beautiful girls. She is also in full-time ministry doing communications. I love Jewel because she is not afraid to say the hard things. She is really transparent in this episode as we chat about depression and a hilarious “oops” her daughter said a few years ago!
Meet my dear, long-time friend Kristin Petersen! This episode is actually split into 2 parts because, well, we just had a lot to talk about! Kristin is wife to Tim and Mama to 2 boys and 1 girl. They make their home outside of Washington D.C. You’ll hear their infertility journey and all about croup and severe reflux they experienced with one of their kids. We have a lot of fun and there’s a lot of laughing!
Meet my dear, long-time friend Kristin Petersen! This episode is actually split into 2 parts because, well, we just had a lot to talk about! Kristin is wife to Tim and Mama to 2 boys and 1 girl. They make their home outside of Washington D.C. You’ll hear their infertility journey and all about croup and severe reflux they experienced with one of their kids. We have a lot of fun and there’s a lot of laughing!
Meet Katrina, or Kat, as her friends call her! She is a military wife to Rich and Mama to 2 beautiful girls. They make their home outside of Washington D.C. In this episode you’re going to hear all about their journey to being parents - it was not easy and came with lots of heartache. From miscarriage, to infertility treatments, to trying to adopt internationally…we cover it all in this episode! She also talks about how she prioritizes self-care every single night!
In this episode I am chatting with my friend Brooke Johnston! Brooke and her husband live in Brunswick, GA and have two little girls 2 and under! I love Brooke because she has wisdom beyond her years. We go deep pretty fast in our conversation so I hope it resonates with you!
I’m happy to introduce you to my friend Alana Dawson! I met her 3 years ago at a writer’s conference and have stayed in touch and cheered each other on! She is a military wife and Mama to two girls. In this episode she shares how she got a second chance after having a pulmonary embolism that nearly took her life. I loved hearing her motherhood stories from a different perspective. There is so much goodness in this episode - don’t miss it!
I loved this episode with my friend Katie Rogers! She is a brand-new Mama so her perspective is really fresh. You’ll hear all about her story of motherhood so far and a pregnancy scare that strengthened her faith. Katie is a wife and Mama to their daughter Finley.
I’m so happy to introduce you to my friend Liz! She is a wife and Mama of an adorable little boy. In this episode Liz and I discuss the Enneagram (we are both 9s!) and depression in motherhood. This could be a sensitive subject for some but it’s a great story of faith and I know it will encourage you!
Meet Kelsy! She is founder of the Start Loving You conference, Mom of 3 and wife! She shares an incredible story in this podcast about an unknown sickness that her daughter experienced and how they overcame it. We also chat about the Start Loving You conference that’s coming up May 3-4 in ATL! Go check it out and make plans to attend!
In this episode, my friend Melissa shares her family’s story of fostering, adoption and walking through NICU stays. You will love how real and authentic she is! She’s got 5 kids and is wife to Stephen. They live in Charlotte, NC.
Carla is my bestie and I’m so happy to introduce her to you! You will hear a powerful story of faith and funny memories we have shared too. Carla is a wife to a firefighter, mother to 4 and homeschooling Mama!
My friend Holly is a Mama of two girls, wife and author of a book called “Same Here, Sisterfriend”. She is so fun and so full of wit and wisdom. Don’t miss the part where she talks about hiding the pantry from her kids!
I'm so excited to introduce you to my friend, Sarah. She is a Mom of 5, a homeschooling Mama and works part-time from home. I have always admired Sarah and her fun perspective of parenting! She is full of wisdom, too, and I always learn a lot from her.
A fun conversation with my best friend, my Mama! She is the #1 Mama in my book and everything polite and proper that is in me comes directly from her and her southern roots! I hope you enjoy our sweet convo about Mama-hood.