On A Mother Level: Recent Episodes
WQAD
When it comes to parenthood, we can relate.
Your kids have some disgusting habits. We’ll talk about them. Your husband served nachos for breakfast? That sounds good. You cried today? That’s gonna happen.
These are the ups and downs of motherhood, and we are here for them all.
Join WQAD News 8 anchor Denise Hnytka as she explores parenthood on a MOTHER level. She’s opening up about what makes being a mom the best/worst/most amazing/unexpected adventure in life.
You’ll meet unstoppable moms who handle the home life while launching their own businesses. And we’ll teach the men a thing or two about multi-tasking when we explore parenthood through their eyes.
Find the show @onamotherlevel on Instagram and it's host @denisewqad.
Join us every week for new content.
Alyssa Gillund pulled a Kylie Jenner and had a "secret baby". After years of infertility and choosing to adopt her daughter Collins, Alyssa (episode 90) saw her very first positive pregnancy test. She's sharing the happy update, while also juggling postpartum emotions and some guilt over her good news. Plus another happy update as mom Jessica McKearney (episode 67) is back to tell us about the day her son Hudson officially beat cancer!
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One in 8 couples struggles to get pregnant or to sustain a pregnancy. That stat is getting our attention during National Infertility Awareness Week (April 24-30). In this episode, Denise welcomes back previous guest (Episode 116) Ebony Ford. Ebony gave birth to her daughter at 26 weeks and shared how birth trauma and an extended NICU stay influenced her to create her own support community called Miracle Mamas. Ebony also shared she was newly pregnant and vowed to share her experience of pregnancy after loss. This time, there would be more loss after 10 weeks. Ebony is sharing her miscarriage experience in real time, what genetic testing revealed about her baby boy, and her hope that her miracle rainbow baby is still coming.
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Ebony Ford's birth plan didn't go according to plan. Her daughter, Reign Victoria, was born at 26 weeks. She weighed 1 pound, 15 ounces. After 3 months in the NICU, Ebony realized that prematurity doesn't end when you take your baby home. It's been a day to day walk in faith that they continue today, as they celebrate Reign's 4th birthday.
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AMPstigator: An intense person who's bringing about SOMETHING.
News anchor Lauren Lowrey is creating conversations about purpose through her podcast, AMPstigator. In this conversation, she shares how her 3rd baby brought her clarity about what she wanted out of her work life. It led her to build this platform focused on deep, meaningful conversations about how to reclaim your life and chase after the things you really want.
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Doesn't the government know I have a kindergartener? And if so, why aren't they sending me letters? Denise welcomes mom of 2 Kellie Ricke on the podcast to share the confusion around getting your kid into real school. Kellie shares the things you never considered about getting your child ready for this next step. Plus, we dive into hot topics like plastic surgery for teens, shared Netflix accounts and thanking your nanny.
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Katie Thompson made the switch from non-profit work to small business owner a few years back. She's the curator of a shop called The Market: A Journey to Joy - a collection of vendors, crafters and creators. She was shoved in a new direction in a way that showed her how to let things flow into her life rather than forcing them.
She's the mom of a 4-year-old daughter, stepmom to 4 other teens and now, adults, and became a grandmother at 35. Welcome to Katie's "wild, wild world".
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This episode is about the new wave of women getting breast implants removed. Though breast augmentation is still the most popular cosmetic procedure, it's estimated there were 110,000 removals performed in 2020. That's double the number from two years ago. Many women get them removed citing what they believe is breast implant illness - with symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, strange rashes and others. Mom of 2, Megan Lelonek is here to share her story from implant to explant, and how she feels today.
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Women are more complex than a 15 minute appointment. More time, more care, more attention are all things Megan Gross believes her patients need. As a certified nurse-midwife, she specializes in hormone balancing and fertility health. In this conversation, she talks about stress hormones, libido, and why you should never take a pee test that costs more than $1.
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You're 22 years old. You live in an apartment with your mom in a beautiful city. You're going to graduate this summer. You're getting your degree in French-English translation, because you love foreign languages. This summer is full of big plans. You're saving up for trips to Italy and France. You work remotely, so you're free to travel. So you plan a ski trip with your boyfriend to Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine. One morning you wake up to the sound of air raid sirens. The war has started. This is the story of Alina Kobal.
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Mom of 4 Megan Rempel is in sync with her cycle. She explains what that means in this episode using the analogy of the four season - winter, spring, summer and fall. A registered nurse and wellness coach, Megan is explaining how you can use your body's natural rhythms to feel better day to day and show up differently as a parent, employee and partner.
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Henry's life on Earth was short - just 30 precious hours. But he lives on through his mother Courtney and the effort known as Henry's Ripple. A first time mom, Courtney went into labor right on time, on Henry's due date. When a nurse couldn't find his heartbeat, doctors rushed Courtney into emergency surgery. She's been in survival mode ever since. She may never get answers to the acute event that took her baby boy, but Courtney is looking for the light that remains and the meaning in his passing.
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Mary Thormahlen named her crafting business Cows, Kids & Chaos for a reason. A mom of 2 and a farm wife, Mary realized she was struggling with something more serious than postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter. It took trial and error, long drives to see doctors and a panicked visit to the ER to confirm she has bipolar disorder. The diagnosis has given her some clarity on why her brain doesn't always feel right and sometimes she needs to stop and rest. She opens up about suicidal thoughts, her self-awareness and it's toll on her farm family in rural Illinois.
If you or anyone else is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255.
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Jenna Panicucci has some big news to share in this episode. But with her joy, she also carries some fear after having a miscarriage in 2020. She talks about why she named her baby, mourning in her own way and how she learned to drop the guilt surrounding her grief.
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You can have your best year ever! Lori Oberbroeckling from Secrets of Supermom is here with ways to bring your goals for the year within reach. Mom of 4, Lori is a clinical researcher, author, podcaster and overall SUPERMOM. A jam-packed schedule is what gives her happiness, but being a Supermom can mean something different for you. In this episode, we explore ways to find a calmer and more productive way to spend your days whether you work at home, from home or in the office.
Connect with Lori and Secrets of Supermom here.
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Sara Kershaw is a return guest to give her take on how teachers are handling the second year of pandemic rules in the classroom. She says teacher burnout is nothing new, but parents are contributing to the problem. Mom of 3 daughters, Sara talks about how she makes positive role models present in her daughter's lives and questions whether we are doing the same for boys. She also weighs in on "school shooter day" that circulated on TikTok, plus some controversial "And Just Like That" parenting plot points.
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Katie Purcell is ending 2021 on a high note. She is expecting her 3rd baby, but this is her 9th pregnancy. After so much loss, Katie is sharing her perspective on getting by on hope, faith and the occasional "what the F***?!"
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Moms need great mom friends. Tori Tebbitt is here to explain how her mom friends and the strong women in her life have come through, especially since the birth of her daughter Eila. Now 5 years old, Eila has a rare blood sugar disorder called Congenital Hyperinsulinism. Tori looks back on the first year raising a daughter with extra health needs, being raised by two moms in the 90's and navigating single parenthood during the holidays.
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2021 has been a transformative year for Karen Dahlstrom. The mom of a 11-year-old boy, she made some changes this year to make herself more present for her family by leaving her job of 15 years. She talks about the way stress impacted her health, a breakthrough moment in a Subway parking lot, and why life is not a linear path.
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Our 100th episode! Joni Abbott joins Denise to talk about pursuing a life that lights us up from the inside out. Joni shares how she's used the last 18 months for her own healing and to reflect on the choices she's made as the mother of 3 daughters.
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Lindsay Thul was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer at just 28 years old. She died 10 months later. Her mother Diane Koster is sharing her daughter's story on this episode to raise awareness about this rare form of breast cancer. Her book, Lindsay's Legacy: A Mother's Memories combines her perspectives with her daughter's writings.
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Is the corporate world doing enough to support career moms? Yes and no. Jenny Elliott, host of Career Mom podcast, is here to share where it falls short and where we as moms need to give ourselves a break. She also shares why statistics can hurt women dealing with pregnancy loss, and we debate the concept of paternity leave.
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Six years ago, Brittney Ionescu and her husband Dan officially adopted their three boys. A little girl would later follow. Through parenting their family, they have discovered how to walk with children who have experienced trauma very early on in their young lives. Now 11, 10, 9 and 4, Brittney has learned how each of her children needs to be loved and cherished to help them build trust in each other. Brittney also speaks candidly about being a white mom raising black children, reaching out to other supportive women and neighbors and facing real world problems head on.
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There are not enough "sick days" in the world for Jillian Mahen right now. Between her own morning sickness and toddler bugs, it's enough puke and pediatrician visits for two lifetimes. But this episode is not about barf. It's about the very silent struggle of being a pregnant mom, wife and employee, when you feel like there's not enough of you to go around.
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Return guest Regina is back to give us an empty nest update on her family. Five of her 8 kids have now moved out and there's a load of life updates to share with you all. That includes a big childhood secret Regina reveals and a story from Denise about why she called 911 while running a 5K.
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Trigger Warning: Infant Loss
Theo Benjamin Wolf is forever 12 weeks. His mom Lisa Wolf says he died because of unsafe sleep practices on his 3rd day at daycare. She's telling his story, sharing the unending grief of losing a child, and being his voice thought the foundation she created in his memory to raise awareness about safe sleep. She is a safe sleep advocate and infant safe sleep ambassador through Cribs for Kids, as well as the President and Founder of the Theo Wolf Foundation
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Miranda Mendoza is corporate and crunchy. She's a successful realtor who also specializes in birth work - as a student midwife, doula, and postpartum provider. She's sharing the story of her outdoor home birth for her daughter and how she set up the dream postpartum care situation for herself and her baby. Her mission is to share how all women can have thriving health postpartum. Plus, Denise is celebrating her son's 5th birthday by sharing his birth story.
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Katie Richards is an experienced nurse of 14 years, taking on a new job at Revive at the Group Med Spa. Her nursing career has brought her so many experiences, as she's raising her three kids, including a set of twins. She served in the South Dakota Air National Guard and went active duty in the months after 9/11. She talks about her deployment at 19-years-old, sleeping with the lights on, and how she views the events in Afghanistan, now 20 years later.
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Nina Struss is a no shame dietician. She's not here to tell you what to eat. She's here to help you understand the why behind your food choices. That, in turn, will help the picky eater in your family! Nina shares her birth story with her 4-year-old son, how she got into her career in nutrition and a perhaps controversial theory about serving dessert with dinner, rather than after the meal.
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Alyssa and Jordan adopted their daughter Collins in 2019. Now they're hoping to expand their family again and are reaching out to find a potential match. In this episode, Alyssa talks about the decision to pursue adoption, the match that didn't work out, open versus closed adoption, and how their daughter has expanded the family in even more unexpected ways.
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Amy Liz Harrison's new memoir explores the problem of mommy wine culture, where it's become normal to use wine as a way to celebrate with friends, cope with being sad, or destress from a long day.
From her website:
"Here’s the nutshell, Cliff Notes version : “Mommy playdate drinking“ coupled with the high flying lifestyle of an airline executive’s wife, led to my disintegration into the depths of alcoholism. By the time I had my first 4 kids, I was drinking around the clock and eventually hit a soul-crushing brokenness I had never known. (Spoiler Alert = I have a mugshot out there at King County Jail.)
BUT, I managed to get sober, my husband stayed with me, and I’ve given birth to four MORE kids. Yup - that means 8 in total - and I’m not even Mormon. (NO offense to Mormons, it’s a joke because I’m often asked if I am one.)
This spring commemorates a decade of continuous sobriety for me, and it seemed like the perfect time to share my journey. From essentially being the “Fyre Festival” of motherhood to becoming a sober mom of 8, it’s a wild ride and I’m so honored to have you along for it!"
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Stacy Bogguess lost her mom when she was just 15 years old. The grief she felt as a teen hit hard when she then became a mom herself. Now she honors her mother's memory through "Tina Kindness Co.". It focuses on random acts of kindness, big and small
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Nyilah Sulaimana declared this the Year of Habit. She's the mom of an 8-year-old boy working on her first children's book, inspired by her son's dreams. She talks about studying to be a marriage and family counselor, building her creative team for her book, and small ways to make this your "Year of Habit".
Here's how to join the VIP launch team for "Milo and Mason: A Journey to the Stars".
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Motherhood didn't necessarily come the way Lisa VanWiel pictured. It upended her relationship, delayed her career, and left her with a lot of questions about the traumatic birth of her daughter. VanWiel (PT, DPT, CPPC) is honest about her journey because it all pointed her in a new direction. She opened a cash-based pelvic floor physical therapy practice called The OB-Gym. Her goal is to show women that common is not normal - you can demand better care postpartum, and you don't have to live with problems like incontinence just because it's considered "normal". But this story has several happy endings.
Learn more about The OB-Gym, for moms who move.
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Musician Tim Stop, father of 2, is joining Denise to talk about recording his new album in a side room of his house in the pandemic. He discusses how his inspiration for song writing changed after getting married and having kids. He shares the family history behind the names of his son and daughter, touring with Chicago and the experience of performing overseas for servicemen and women. Then Denise and Tim dive into the evolutionary theories of why babies look like their fathers.
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Jarek Bakken is sharing his side of the story after his wife Jill joined us for episode 79. He's talking about his new role in the mornings with his family of four kids and why the family is considering continuing a homeschool education.
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Jason Fechner is our first guest for Dad's Month 2021. His wife Brittany was interviewed in Episode 78 - Someone's Mom. She walked through the experience of having 2 rounds of IVF to get pregnant with her baby boy, now due in September. So in this episode, we are getting the man's take on IVF. What are they thinking as they help out with shots, pandemic appointments and deviled egg cravings? The episode wraps with a fun Father's Day quiz.
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Have you put Mother on your resume? Making the case for the addition is Hey Mama CEO, Katya Libin. She says we should stop apologizing for gaps in our resume and start bragging about the ways motherhood prepares us to win in the workplace and at home. The episode finishes with guest recapper Mary, joining Denise to share thoughts on the Friends reunion on HBO Max.
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A jury finds Cristhian Bahena River guilty of first degree murder for the death of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts. In this episode, Law and Crime Network correspondent Angenette Levy is joining Denise to talk about covering the trial, the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution's case, and the bombshell new story the defendant told on the stand.
Angenette also talks about her appearance in the popular Netflix documentary "Making A Murderer" and why she left her local news job and joined the growing Law and Crime Network.
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Regina Knoblach was once told she may never be able to have kids. Now she has 8, ranging in age from 24 to 12. Over the years she's gotten really good as responding to the comments people make about her big family. She talks about growing up in a family with 12 siblings, dealing with the loss as a young girl and looking forward to a life after kids. You're going to want to hear her simple advice for keeping lines of communication open, especially in those difficult teen years.
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Everyone's talking about the concept of "clean beauty". But what does that mean? Here to talk about her passion for better products is mom of 4, Jill Bakken. Jill discovered the importance of treating your skin better when she started looking more closely at the ingredients in the products she assumed were safe. She's explaining how to make clean swaps, while also chatting about her big family and her 10-year-marriage.
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What a gift it is to be "someone's mom". On this Mother's Day episode, we are sharing one hopeful woman's journey to being "someone's mom". Brittany Lewis is grateful to be expecting her baby boy in September, after undergoing 2 rounds of IVF. She shares the process- her hopes, her fears and the wonder of how science made it possible for her to get pregnant. She also talks about the unexpected guilt, the intense pressure she put on herself through her diet and finding odd places to give herself the shots she needed while on the job.
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Riley Kate is the name of Stephanie Beaver's newborn daughter. Stephanie is especially proud of that choice, because it took some guts to change it, about a month after her baby was born. She's sharing the story of changing her baby's name to talk about trusting your gut in difficult situations. It's seen her through thus far - in her marriage to her husband, her decision to change careers, and even in the way she sees herself postpartum.
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Leanne Anderson thought it would be fun to check out their family history through one of those 23 & Me kits. But it would reveal way more than she ever imagined about her family. It turns out her husband has a daughter he never knew about... until now. He fathered a child when he was 19, with a woman from his neighborhood he had a relationship with. It was years before he met Leanne. The daughter is grown now, with 2 daughters of her own. Leanne and her husband have embraced them all as their daughter and granddaughters, and they are building on those bonds. "I don't think you can ever have too much family," Leanne tells host Denise Hnytka, in this conversation about keeping an open mind and heart in the face of a confusing situation.
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Crystal Joy is a contemporary romance writer, crafting love stories that make her readers swoon. The mom of 3 from Iowa is sharing how she started writing in 5th grade, self-publishing her books and now coaching other writers. She talks to Denise about the hardest new baby transition, honoring the struggles in your relationship, and the pandemic's impact on marriages.
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Adult conversation with Karli Johnson, an Illinois mom and motivational speaker. She brings her brand of honesty to this episode, speaking about surviving the shooting on campus at Northern Illinois University. She also reveals that she will report her rape to police, nearly 10 years after it happened. Much of her work revolves around speaking to high school and college classes about sex education, trauma, and better communication between sexual partners. She even explains how you can talk to your kids about consent, starting as young as two-years-old. Check out Karli's podcast : Asking For It.
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Tammy Pescatelli is happy to be working again, after the year that almost killed comedy. She's a touring stand-up comedian and mother of 13-year-old boy. She talks with Denise about being the underdog, starting her comedy career in the Quad Cities, and why she couldn't walk for 3 days after leaving a party at the Playboy Mansion.
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Julian Reeve had his dream job as the music director for Hamilton. He was at the top of his game. But in the middle of a performance in Puerto Rico, he knew it would be last show he would ever conduct. A debilitating injury caught up with him. But out of that pain, comes a new mission to teach the lessons he wishes he would have learned as a child. It's all in his new book called Captain Perfection & the Secret of Self-Compassion: A self-help book for the young perfectionist.
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Cold feet, broken hearts and an icy after 'After the Final Rose'. We look back on the season with Jillian Mahen.
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Zay Davis is my guest recapper, bringing a guy's perspective on the show as Matt James narrows the field to his final 2 women.
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***This episode contains some salty language that you may not want your kids to hear. The message of this episode is "You are enough". It comes from mother of 3, Jennifer V. We sat down to talk about yoga but instead had a conversation about speaking honestly with our children, making sacrifices and mistakes, and getting rid of negative self-talk.
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Three women working in the same newsroom are all pregnant at the same time. A short time later, three babies and a podcast were born! They are the AnchorMOMS of WLOS-TV in Asheville, North Carolina. Kate, Ingrid and Karen are broadcasters working crazy schedules while managing their families at home, a pandemic pregnancy and bonding over their secret hatred of social media.
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The families of the remaining women meet Matt and bring questions about his future with their daughters. One woman decides Matt "is not her person".
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Kara Boeldt gave birth to her daughter at 31 weeks. Her baby girl was 2.5 pounds, delivered early because of complications caused by preeclampsia. Kara took a traumatic birth experience and turned it into an online support group that now reaches 30K women in more than 115 countries.
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It's the week before hometowns and all through the house... mean girls! Join Denise and guest recapper Sarah for a breakdown of who was the meanest, why Matt has no game and how he chose his Final 4.
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She's got 99 problems, but motherhood isn't one. Tara Clark built a mom empire based on the most relatable of all "mom probs". Her book combines them all. Modern Mom Probs: A Survival Guide for 21st Century Mothers is coming out in April, sharing Tara's take on everything from the best chicken nugget, to potty training in a weekend to parenting to parenting an LGBTQ child. Peppered throughout the book are funny illustrations and pop quizzes.
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A white minivan pulls up to the resort, with a new woman behind the wheel. Will Matt let Heather stick around? Katie gets sent home, while Abigail continues to fade into the background. Are you having trouble picking his top four? Because so are we. Denise is joined by guest recapper Mary S. from the Quad Cities to break down Week 6.
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Jessica McKearney wanted to have an honest and authentic conversation about childhood cancer. Her 3-year-old son Hudson has been fighting leukemia since his diagnosis in March 2019. That was back when she also had a 10-week-old baby to care for, while navigating the complex and terrifying world of childhood cancer.
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Now an easier way to find Denise's Bachelor recaps! This time Denise and guest recapper Elizabeth Wadas focus on how the girl drama is impacting enjoyment of the show.
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Dena Witte is a mom of 2 looking back on the "pivot points' in her life, She started as a news reporter in Iowa right out of college. Now she's a lawyer, with her own firm, living in her hometown in rural Texas. She talks about the gentle and sometimes not-so-gentle nudges that changed the direction of her life. That includes losing her father and the tough transition of adding her baby boy to the family. Reflecting on that struggle helped her make adjustments before welcoming her baby girl in 2019.
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Doctors recommend pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine when it's available to them. Denise asks Dr. Clare Harney all the questions about why she's making the recommendations. Plus, Alma Brunson is back on the podcast to talk about mental health nearly a year into the pandemic. After losing her teen daughter Micaela to suicide, she's working to end the stigma about mental health problems and keep the conversation going.
It's okay to not be okay."
The Brunson family is hosting it's annual blood drive in Micaela's honor next week. It's at the Muscatine Donor Center Feb. 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th. To schedule your donation, contact Chris at 563-349-1608. You can also donate elsewhere by using the group code: 3427.
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Every woman needs a "hype girl". Meet Mariah Danielsen, the creative energy behind Wander Design Co. She's drawn to the dreamers and the doers, helping them find their "why" in business and in life. She's talking to Denise about how confidence has led her in the right direction, declaring herself a "hat person" and why her house looks like a Jurassic Park movie set.
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Casey Cox is joining Denise for a conversation that ranges from pandemic fitness to infertility and to finding better ways to connect with your spouse during a stressful time. Casey is a nurse practitioner, working for doctors who specialize in pediatric heart problems. She talks about getting the new COVID vaccine and why she understands people's hesitations. The conversation wraps up with how counseling has helped her relationship with her husband.
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Jillian Mahen is making the most of new opportunities, as she introduces herself to a new community and workplace with new attitude. She joins Denise to talk about fleeing her downtown Chicago condo with her husband and daughter in the midst of the pandemic. They talk about meeting on a "blind mom date" and the unique competitive nature of the television news business and how it's evolved. Plus, they break down the first episode of Matt James' season of The Bachelor.
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Kim Feeney from Butterfly Beginning Counseling is talking about kids mental health as we go into 2021. She describes the warning signs that your child may need help dealing with their emotions, how parents can better interpret their kids' behavior, and the concept of "connection over correction". Plus, some very happy news to end the year!
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Comedian Chris Schlichting is back to talk about new the gigs he's getting while he can't do in-person stand-up shows. Chris shares a sweet moment he had during a driving lesson with his teenage daughter. And Denise celebrates a true Christmas miracle on the side of the road.
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Mike Curkov, morning news anchor for CBS 58 in Milwaukee, is featured today to talk about COVID dad life and the amount of time he spends wrestling with his 2 boys, Benjamin and Alexander. He also very reluctantly shares the story of how he met his wife and the grand gesture that should have inspired a Hallmark Movie.
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If you've had COVID-19, you could help the next person get better too. Your donation of convalescent plasma costs nothing to give, but it will dramatically help a sick patient recover. In this episode, you'll hear from a man who spent 5 days in the hospital, briefly on a waiting list for a plasma treatment. He talks about the difference it made in his recovery and how his family rallied around him.
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A brand new baby, a new business, and a passion for beautiful spaces. Courtney Lawrence Studio is one mom's way to nurture others and share joy.
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Jamie Schwind is here to convince you that stuffing is the best Thanksgiving side dish. She talks about starting her business, Garlic in my Wine, offering made to order family meals.
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Michelle Gibson Lake works in the ICU, caring for COVID-19 patients. For her, wearing a mask is personal. It means you or your loved one won't end up in one of her beds, on a ventilator. She talks about the mental and emotional toll this pandemic is taking on healthcare workers.
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Dr. Naurin Ahmad and Dr. Briana Barclay are answering your questions about the new COVID-19 surge, masking up and how to plan for the holidays. Then, Lauren Jackson returns to talk about Clare's finale episode of the Bachelorette and her new obsession, Dancing with the Stars.
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It's Halloween week! Denise invited Angela Snyder back to discuss "American Murder: The Family Next Door". The documentary is out right now on Netflix about Chris Watts, the Colorado man who admitted to killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters. Angela breaks down the interview techniques that led to his confession, plus commentary about what may have been really going on in their marriage. Denise also includes her thoughts on weeks 2-3 of "The Bachelorette". Warning: Save this one for when there are no children in the car listening.
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You all adored Maryann's last conversation on the podcast. So she's back to catch us up on life as a pawn shop junkie, post quarantine. Maryann and Denise discover they both have the same quarantine vice. The conversation gets witchy as Denise breaks out the affirmation cards.
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Katie S. is a minister's wife living in rural Illinois with her two boys, Henry and George. When her hometown of Cedar Rapids was hit by a major storm, she loaded up the family van with diapers and headed there. What happened next became an opportunity to show her boys what it means to be selfless in a time of need. Plus... after night one of the Bachelorette, Denise and Liz talk about the concept of "love at first sight".
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The relationship between two brothers inspired their mom Kelly to write a book about them. "Little Brother, Big Hero" is the story of Brady and his little brother Patrick, who has autism. Kelly talks in this episode about her husband's role as a stay-at-home dad, facing the pandemic with a child who has special needs and how she got more TikTok followers than Brady.
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Angie Sharp is sharing her story of timing. As a little girl, she wrote in a music book that she wanted to be "a teacher and a mother" when she grew up. In this episode, she reflects on what it took to make that dream come true, and she's putting it all in perspective as she waits for her baby boy to be born in December. Check out her podcast "Wonder Women" on your favorite podcast platform.
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Leticia Ordaz is a mother of two boys living in California. Her passion project is writing bilingual books for children. Her first book is out now - "The Adventures of Mr. Macaw", and a second book is due for release this fall. She talks to Denise about the inspiration behind Mr. Macaw and her "hour a day" philosophy for meeting a goal.
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Mollie Tibbetts went for a run on a summer night in 2018. She never came home. A month later, her body was found not far from her running route in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa. Her disappearance sparked a massive search to find her that led to a campaign of kindness in her honor, known as Mollie's Movement. Two years later, that movement has expanded to include resources to help families with a missing loved one. In this episode, Denise talks to Joy VanLandschoot about the evolution of Mollie's Movement. They talk about the small town reaction to violent crime suddenly in their midst, the outpouring of love for Mollie for and by her family, plus the impact of the upcoming trial for the man accused of killing Mollie that summer night.
Join Mollie's Movement here.
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The cutest, sweetest, baldest little babes are ONE year old! Katie Licht, Davenport triplet mom, is back to tell us all about the first year. (Get caught up on her full story first with Episode 13). We talk about how quarantine challenged roles in the home, developmental differences between the 2 boys and their sister, and the post-traumatic stress of a NICU stay.
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Denise is joined by social worker Angela Snyder - mother of 2 studying for her masters in forensic psychology. Together they break down some true crime cases that have been in the headlines recently - new evidence in the Madeline McCann disappearance, when the Mollie Tibbetts case will go to trial, and a development in a Utah cold case involving the Susan Powell and the murders of her 2 little boys.
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A Davenport realtor is trying out reality TV on the new season of "Worst Cooks in America".
Johannes “Yo” Phelps is getting married soon and will live in a home with seven children between him and his new wife, and he is now realizing just how bad he is in the kitchen. Growing up a military brat, he lived all over the world but never gained any cooking skills. Capable of boiling a hot dog until it literally catches fire, this 6’4” goofball has a lot to learn in boot camp. “Worst Cooks in America” premieres Sunday, June 21 at 8 p.m. on the Food Network.
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Lauren Jackson bids farewell to the Quad Cities with a final (for now) podcast appearance. Denise and Lauren break down the latest Bachelor developments, debate how productive people are working from home, and why a celebrity dress giveaway may have been a total sham. Thanks for sticking with On A Mother Level during the ups and downs of the quarantine!
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Katrina Keuning is in the "any day now" phase of her pregnancy with her first, a baby boy. Pregnancy is a whole new world in itself, but when you throw a gobal pandemic into the mix, things get a lot more uncertain. In this episode, Katrina talks to Denise about going from worried about going to the grocery to working from home to a socially distant baby shower. Plus, they debate what this generation of kids should be called - Quaranteenies? So pour yourself a Quarantini and listen in.
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Time for a pep talk from Jon at 8one8 Fitness. In the middle of this pandemic, maybe you've eaten your feelings one too many times. Maybe you're gotten away from your fitness goals now that you're trapped in the house. Are you struggling to find motivation right now? I chat with Jon Hunt, personal trainer, about how to keep your mental game strong when everything seems so chaotic.
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Bev Coulter describes what it's like to be alone in the ICU fighting a strange virus, how close she came to losing her life, and the gift from her nurses the day she finally left the hospital.
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Matt Randazzo is surviving on chicken nuggets to get through this pandemic with his 4 boys. WARNING: We discuss the magic of the Easter Bunny in a way that may ruin things for your kids.
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We need to lighten things up. Lauren Jackson is joining Denise for a very random hot takes conversation about anything and everything OTHER than coronavirus. Okay, fine, it snuck in there a bit. But enjoy this chat about Lauren's very real concerns about a candle shortage, the importance of "jean disclosure", and Governor Cuomo's nipples. Please forgive the audio, as we are recording from a makeshift at home situation.
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Fit4Mom Quad Cities is all about promoting "Strength in Motherhood". Sure, that means physical strength. But more important to this group of women is strength in community. Chelsea Schroeder is bringing women together through this fitness and motherhood group in the Quad Cities. And despite current challenges, she's keeping her members together virtually. It's Denise's first record from home podcast, so forgive the lower quality audio!
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All the questions you're asking about the coronavirus outbreak, answered. Dr. Naurin Ahmad is the mother of 2, trying to navigate this unprecedented situation just like the rest of us. But her background in medicine and epidemiology is going to help you better understand WHY it's happening, what our government is doing to contain and how to stay sane through the process. But if you need a break from virus talk, Dr. Ahmad is sharing her favorite skincare products, what's a waste of money, and Denise's movement to own her fair skin.
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Jon Hunt, personal trainer from 8 ONE 8 Fitness is talking with Denise about the postpartum snapback. It's been 3 months since she joined his fat loss program. They're talking protein, progress and "Love is Blind". Plus Lauren Jackson is here to wrap up the dumpster fire season of The Bachelor featuring the highly indecisive Pilot Pete.
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This episode remembers and celebrates Ada and Brayden, two angels born sleeping. They are so loved that they are inspiring their mothers and families to "do better" for other families through an important project for the Quad Cities. Lyndsey Day and Jess Buntemeyer join Denise to talk about raising money and support for the No Foot Too Small Birthing + Bereavement Suite at Genesis East Hospital in Davenport.
From NFTS: "NFTS envisions a world where families experiencing infant loss are offered options, privacy, peace, and a place for healing.
Imagine delivering a baby - stillborn at 39 weeks - in a room surrounded by other healthy babies breaking out in their first cries.
Imagine your 20 week ultrasound and learning there is no heartbeat. Where would you want to deliver?
Imagine delivering your baby - knowing (s)he will only live a few hours - would you want to be somewhere quiet - somewhere private - to soak up those precious + fleeting moments before your child takes his/her last breath?
Birthing + Bereavement Suites don't currently exist in the United States - although they are common place in other parts of the world. We are working to change that."
Click here to learn more about NFTS Bereavement Suites, Ada Marie Day and Brayden Buntemeyer.
How to donate to Brayden's Fund.
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Sara Sampson, owner of Bamboo Baby Boutique, is pregnant with Baby #3. She's anxious to find out the gender, while living that boy mom life as a local business owner. But pregnancy after loss comes with complex emotions. Sara had what's called a "molar pregnancy", and she's sharing her experiences with miscarriage, the health complications that followed and the emotions that came with what should have been her "due date".
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Alma Brunson lost her 16-year-old daughter Micaela to suicide back in 2016. Through her grief, Alma's mission now is to change the way families talk about suicide, depression and anxiety. She and her husband have been working to honor Micaela's life through scholarships, organ donation awareness, blood drives and programs to offer more resources for those facing mental health problems.
Micaela Brunson Memorial Blood Drive
Visit any Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center
Monday, Feb. 10-Friday, Feb. 14
The group code to donate in honor of Micaela is #3427
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Karen Johnson never expected the feelings she experienced after having her second son - guilt, shame and fear she would never bond with her new baby. Those feelings were a dark cloud over those early days of mothering two little boys. Today she's sharing what brought her through it and helping Denise continue the conversation about postpartum depression. The ladies talk about the most important thing you can say to a mom friend in need.
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Dr. Ashley Kaiser, OB/GYN joins Denise to help celebrate her little boy's first birthday with a conversation about strength, growth, and the challenges of the first year of motherhood. Denise opens up about her own experiences with repeat c-sections and post-partum depression, plus the Facebook post that led to an important diagnosis.
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Maryann Tyler confesses her deep dark secret - a love for pawn shops. This hilarious conversation starts with a strange love affair for a good jewelry bargain. Then, she tells Denise about raising teenagers, the anxiety that seems prevalent in today's teens and how she's trying to establish relationships with them that are built on trust.
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Your sleep questions answered! Greta Zude from "My Baby Can Sleep" (an Amazon best seller!) is in studio to tackle the challenges that are keeping you, your baby, and toddler from getting a good night's sleep. She's offering some tough love to moms who are sometimes afraid to just say NO! Quiet nights are ahead if you heed her advice. Plus, Denise gives an update on the freeway frenzy toy debacle and News 8's Elizabeth Wadas helps break down the first episode of a brand new season of the Bachelor featuring "Pilot Pete".
Learn more about the "Sleep Guarantee".
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We are ending the decade with Sara Kershaw, mom of 3 girls and high school English teacher. She tells Denise why 9 is her favorite "kid age" so far, the big transition coming in her house in 2020, and the best way you can help your child succeed in school that has everything to do with attitude.
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My gift to you - a round of holiday hot takes with Denise and return guest Lauren Jackson. We break down the Kardashian family Christmas, Denise's heartbreak involving a rock tumbler, and Lauren's least favorite holiday trend this year.
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In the spirit of Christmas, Denise is sharing her fascination with the art of ballet through a conversation with Claire Cordano and Domingo Rubio - professional dancers with Ballet Quad Cities. Ahead of their performances of The Nutcracker, they talk about what it takes to go pro, on-stage mishaps and how they've overcome injuries in their careers. Claire shares the magical moment she had on stage and the most important people to have in the audience. Plus, WQAD reporter Lauren Jackson makes her podcast debut with wins and fails for the week.
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"On A Mother Level" goes on the road to Fort Lauderdale! Denise invites her sister-in-law Erika Hnytka to answer an important question, "What do you really think of our family?" Erika is the general manager of an eclectic antique and home accessories store called Vintage Vault. She's also curated a collection of clothing for her new online boutique called Thread & Theory. Erika gets real about the toughest part of motherhood so far, and you'll hear why Denise calls her "the worst kind of person" because of this airport offense.
Find Erika on Instagram @thecasuallystyled
Florida listeners! Visit the Thread & Theory pop-up shop on December 14th from 10am-6pm at 1510 E Oakland Park Blvd in Fort Lauderdale.
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Ally Billhorn started food blogging before it was cool. Ten years later, she is the chef behind Ally’s Sweet & Savory Eats, where she shares her original recipes, cool new products to try, giveaways and gift ideas. She introduces Denise to the “Iowa Ham Ball”, her biggest food “fail”, plus they discuss how long it takes the average American to get irritated with their families around the holidays.
Check out Ally’s blog here.
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Julie and Johnnie Jindrich join Denise for this special Thanksgiving episode. They talk traditions, raising stylish women, and the thrill of a natural childbirth. Johnnie explains how she missed the first trimester of her pregnancy and Denise celebrates a prestigious hair award.
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Denise shares a bizarre connection with this week's guest. Maggie Reckhemmer is the eye behind Iron & Lace Photography and the mother of two kids. Back in 2016, Denise and Maggie were both in the same place, at the same time, naming their baby the same thing. Weird, right? Maggie also talks about turning a passion into a career, despite a lack of sleep.
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Emma Hicks is an entrepreneur, a dreamer, a creator. The Iowa girl is taking life at a slower pace, on the farm with her three kids and husband. She tells Denise about letting go - embracing the mess and harnessing your failures.
Learn all about Camp Climb, a weekend getaway for goal-oriented women coming up in August 2020.
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Denise's friend Rob Gimmy levels with her about parenting boys - the highs, the lows and the conversations you don't want to have.
Enjoy Gimmy's rich vocals during this funny conversation about food poisoning, dingles and hand crank car windows.
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Ashleigh Petersen from Carbon Cliff had a decision to make. Faced with a long family history of breast and ovarian cancer, she chose her life over her breasts. For the first time, she's opening up about the decision to have a preventative mastectomy, starting a family, and feeling like herself in a "new" body.
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Our Halloween episode! Minda Powers-Douglas is the owner of QC Haunts and History Tours. She tells us the creepy encounters she's had while exploring the most haunted places in the Quad Cities.
Check out her tours here.
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Our first mother-daughter duo! Katy Miller and Kathy Anderson are partners in Katy's natural skin care business called Lillie & Pine. Katy shares how one recipe launched the line of fresh, natural products.
Shop!
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This is your brain on ADHD. Jessica from the Quad City Moms Blog shares how she was diagnosed with ADHD at 42 years old and how she's now able to help her son deal with it too.
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Chris Schlichting is making dad jokes great again. A father of 3, Chris is also a high school teacher and stand-up comedian hustling for his next great gig (not this podcast). Chris talks to Denise about the early days when his twin boys were born at 28 weeks and the time they went viral because of a sucker punch.
Follow Chris on Facebook: The Schlick Team
And look for his comedy events “Tomfoolery on Tremont” at the Renwick Mansion.
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Katie Licht tells all. She is a triplet mom from Davenport, Iowa who waited seven years for her babies to come. She opens about dealing with infertility, the treatment that finally worked, carrying 15 pounds of baby and life in the NICU after her triplets were born.
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In this bonus episode, Denise interviews former Vice President Joe Biden. This is the interview as it aired on WQAD News 8, plus the special podcast question Denise asks all her guests. Denise also gives the behind the scenes of covering a presidential campaign with special guest Jim Mertens. They talk about how the interview came about, the puking toddler that almost derailed the opportunity and whether women apologize too much.
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Wake up and do the work. Life and relationships coach Rumaisa Khawaja shares her strategies for staying on track and going after the things you want. She shares her morning habit that changes her mindset before she even has her coffee.
Sign up for "Evolving 2019" here.
Fuel up with the QCMB's Coffee Shop Guide
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Stephanie Bauwens-Rivera believes in the power of the velvet hanger. The stylist and closet organizer is making it easier to get dressed in the morning through her business Simply Stephanie. It all starts with the right hanger.
Stephanie's business grew after a short break from the workforce to help her son after his doctor was concerned about developmental delays. She talks about trusting her mama instincts during an uncertain time, and the progress her son made because of it.
Reach out to Simply Stephanie!
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A Geneseo, Illinois mom has faced heartbreak... twice. She's turned that experience into a mission to support other families experiencing infant loss. Drew's Faithful Feet honors her two baby boys in heaven - Drew and Owen. We also hear from Jessica from the Quad City Mom's Blog to go over "Moms in the Headlines" with Denise.
Learn more about the mission of Drew's Faithful Feet and sign up for the 5K.
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Natasha Funderburk - writer, creator, runner, cross-fitter, designer, business owner, survivor. The woman who does it all as a wife and mother is sharing her highs and lows - including the trauma that fuels her every move to this day. We cover it all - how she lost 70 pounds, got mentally tough and launched her own active wear line!
Find Natasha on Instagram @tashfunderburk
Shop - Harper and Sky
Read - Natasha's Blog
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You go the hospital for kidney stones and leave with 3 newborns. How can this be?! Denise does some light facebook stalking to get to the bottom of this bizarre story. And, that's inappropriate! Jessica shares stories from our listeners about all the times kids are embarrassing in public.
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Denise sits down with sports anchor Matt Randazzo to talk about the early days of his career, teaching his kids how to curse, and why he thinks he's a better dad than Tom Brady. Denise shares what she admires most about the Randazzo family and what sport she wants her boys to play.
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What's your number? By that we mean your enneagram. Jessica from the Quad City Moms Blog explains how figuring out your personality type could help you be more successful in your relationships at home and at work. Or you could be like Denise and discover what a terrible person you truly are.
The Happiness Project
Enneagrams - What's your number?
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The patron saint of pregnant ambition, NaRhea Salzbrenner, joins Denise to talk about running a business, working with your spouse and the time her son jammed a ninja foot up his nose. Denise explains why toddlers and porta potties don't mix.
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Kids are so gross. Let us count the ways. Jessica from QCMB is back to talk about backhanded compliments and how to find couple friends in the QC.
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Denise is joined by her friend Kevin Walker, a former DJ at B100 to talk about The Bachelorette for old times sake. Kevin shares the story of having a daughter through surrogacy and adoption and explains why the quality of Easy Bake Oven treats has gone downhill.
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Would you know if you had an ugly baby? Denise celebrates passing the test.
And Jessica from the Quad City Moms Blog opens up for the first time about a terrifying experience after having her second child.
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