Gotcha Mama: Recent Episodes
Amanda Bennett
Moms of young children share the joys and struggles of their motherhood journey to inspire and entertain you. Listen in on honest discussions about how none of us know what the heck we're doing as moms and the beauty in figuring it all out together.
Moms just like you and experts talk about a range of topics from awkwardly making mom friends, to finding purpose in life, to managing crippling anxiety and depression.
The show is all about tearing down our insecurities as moms by honestly sharing our stories and a little of what we've learned along the way. We believe it's a whole lot better riding the rollercoaster of motherhood together!
Big announcement in this episode!
Transition happens all the time.
Maybe you’re going through a transition right now too.
I've talked to other moms who are feeling it.
If you're wondering "What's the next thing?" for you, you aren't alone.
After the interviews with Merritt and Mary Kathryn in episodes 85 and 86 about pursuing dreams as a mom (and lots of thought, prayer, and conversations with friends) I’ve felt a confirmation in my soul that it’s time for a new season.
Not just personally, but also with Gotcha Mama and what I’m doing to support and encourage moms...
Tune in to find out more!
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
No parent wants to see their child struggle.
But there's a point when our help isn't actually helping them learn the skills they need to be responsible, resilient adults down the road.
Coming to their rescue every time they forget something at home...
Resolving arguments with friends for them...
Once or twice is not an issue.
But when it becomes an all-the-time thing, it can set them up to be the college kid whose mom calls their teacher because they didn't get the grade they wanted. Yikes!
So how do we teach them to be resilient when all we want to do is protect them?
That's what my guest Meredith Brough and I discuss in this episode.
Meredith has a lot of experience raising children and working with children. She's been married for 24 years and has 5 children ranging from 12 to 21-years-old.
She also has over 30 years of experience caring for kids in various roles, as a nanny, preschool teacher, running a daycare from her home, and more.
We talk about:
- Some of the challenges and obstacles that she experienced raising her five kids
- Some ways that moms sometimes try to make things “perfect and protect our children from reality” and How we can stop doing this so much
- The importance of resilience and learning consequences for kids
- How to know the balance of teaching and protecting and how she’s tried to teach her children to “struggle well”
Connect with Meredith:
www.sweetslumbertime.com
www.instagram.com/sweetslumbertime
www.facebook.com/sweetslumbertime
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Maybe you realize that NOW IS the time to pursue what God has put on your heart.
Right here in the middle of motherhood with little kids, you're going to pursue this dream.
But you don't want to pursue it in a way that creates anxiety and overwhelm.
Not in a way that's driven by comparison of what someone else is doing or guilt for "not being enough" for your children OR in your business.
Good news. There's a better way.
And my guest this week, Mary Kathryn Tiller, shares her heart for encouraging mom entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams in a way that "moves at the pace of Jesus".
Mary Kathryn is a mom of two and a writer.
Her passion is helping entrepreneurial mamas connect more deeply with Christ so they can find the strength they need to thrive in all He’s called them to do.
Mary Kathryn is full of wisdom and encouragement.
We talk about:
- How we can embrace motherhood AND our calling without “hustling harder”
- WHY it's important for moms to pursue what's on their heart in the middle of motherhood
- That if Jesus is the center of everything we do, we can move at His pace and trust that He'll unfold our dreams in a way that gives us life- not anxiety. THIS is SO good!
- And her free resource Five Pockets of Time and How to Make Them Work for You as an entrepreneur and mom with young kids
You're going to walk away from this conversation feeling lighter and inspired. I know I did!
Connect with Mary Kathryn:
https://www.instagram.com/marykathryntiller
https://www.facebook.com/marykathryntiller
www.marykathryntiller.com
www.newmerciesformoms.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
How do you know it's the right time to pursue your dream?
You've got kids and all kinds of other things to worry about right now, right?
Maybe you think to yourself "I'll start when the kids are back in school" or "next year when it's not as wild". Ha!
Okay, hold on. Let's back up a minute. First, how do you even know what your dream IS?
Did you know all along and are maybe just hesitant because it feels "selfish" or "irresponsible"?
Did God drop it in your heart in a moment - BAM - and you knew!?
Or do you still wonder and struggle to figure out what your dream is? By the way, you're not alone if this is you.
No matter where you land on the "dreamer spectrum" (just made that up), you will find all kinds of value from this conversation with my guest Merritt Onsa.
Merritt is the host of the Devoted Dreamers podcast.
She's a trail guide for the passionate and creative Christian woman who wants to get over her fear of failure, comparison, and imposter syndrome so she can get moving on her God-shaped dream without wasting more time second-guessing herself, procrastinating, or trying to be perfect.
Sound like you?!
Merritt believes it would be a tragedy if your God-shaped dreams stayed hidden. She helps you to unpack and sift through what God has uniquely gifted you with. And speaks truth and love over you as you navigate the journey forward.
We talk about:
- How what she learned through her motherhood journey also helped her to listen to her heart in pursuing her God-shaped dream as a mom
- What her God-shaped dream is
- How she gets past fears and insecurities to pursue her dream
- How we can live out what God has called us to do without putting too much value on what WE are doing
- Letting dreams percolate for the right timing
Connect with Merritt:
Devoted Dreamers podcast
www.merrittonsa.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/devoteddreamers
https://www.instagram.com/merrittjo
https://www.pinterest.com/merrittonsa/_created
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
If you’re feeling a lack of focus or direction. Or generally feel like you're spinning your wheels- this episode is for you.
For the past several months I've had a lack of focus.
I feel scattered and overwhelmed by pretty much everything.
And I KNOW I’m not alone in this.
When I feel like this, even when I’m doing my quiet time with the Lord and praying, I notice that I still search outside myself for direction and information.
It’s like information quicksand.
The more I sign up for courses, webinars, and freebies and read blogs, and books, the more I move and let information in, the more stuck I feel.
So, I did what (I think) you’re supposed to do in quicksand: stop, relax and move slowly and intentionally.
I am NOT going to tell you 15 ways to declutter your mind.
We're trying to simplify and focus here not try to take in MORE information.
I’m going to share with you ONE easy starting point to declutter your mind today.
I talk about:
- The question to ask yourself to help you decide what you need to focus on.
- What I did that helped me to immediately feel more focused and lighter.
- One thing you can do after listening to this episode to help you clear out the mental clutter that’s keeping you feeling lost and distracted.
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Change and uncertainty are difficult for most everyone.
And 2020 has been a roller coaster of emotions, loss, change, and uncertainty.
Especially for kids.
As a parent, you want to protect your kids. You want to help them grow into resilient and confident adults.
Part of that is helping them process difficult discussions and situations. Sometimes it's hard to know how to talk about things like illness, loss, or big transitions and change.
Things that can make adults anxious and feel overwhelmed.
Changes and uncertainty are part of life though. So how do we help our children process and deal with change and uncertainty in a healthy way?
My guest on this episode, Susie Harder, talks about a creative way to do that. Pulling from her background as a speech therapist and a mom, she created an innovative way to help parents guide their children through difficult discussions of change, loss, and uncertainty.
Susie is the founder of the Junior Author’s Program, a community project that engages students around the world in collaboratively writing a children’s book.
Not only does it help students participate in a meaningful project, but the storyline of the book itself is written to help the children who lost their home in the Central California Creek Fire.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will be given to the families who lost their homes in the devastating fire.
We talk about:
- What a speech pathologist does to help kids
- How being a mom has affected being a speech pathologist
- The unexpected moment with her son that sparked her idea to create the innovative Junior Author’s Program
- What the Junior Author's Program is all about and the bigger vision for it
- How she suggests navigating conversations with your kids around sensitive topics
Connect with Susie:
https://www.juniorauthorsprogram.com
https://www.facebook.com/juniorauthorsprogram
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to keep it all together as a mom of a newborn, you feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed.
On top of the enormous hormonal shift that's happened after having a baby, there are outside factors that can cause additional stress on you as a new mom.
Maybe your husband got a new job that requires him to travel more so he's not there to help as much.
You're moving to a new city.
You got laid off from your job.
Your baby has colic.
You don't have family near you.
You're sleep-deprived...
It all piles up.
But you feel alone and like you don't know who to talk to.
My guest this week, is Keisha Reaves. Keisha has been counseling and working with women in the mental health field for sixteen years.
She's a mom herself and is certified in perinatal mental health.
After witnessing the stigma of mental health, she’s made it her mission to normalize therapy.
Keisha candidly shares her own challenges with postpartum anxiety and the stressors that not only affected her but that she sees affect other moms who come to her also.
Keisha shares so much wisdom around mental health for moms in this episode.
We talk about:
- What her personal postpartum experience was like with her two children
- The key things she did with her second pregnancy and postpartum that made a huge difference in her mental health
- Factors that may make mental health issues more likely for a mother
- The differences women of color experience in pregnancy and postpartum health and why she’s so passionate about providing access to resources and mental health services to women of color
Connect with Keisha:
www.pushthrumom.com
https://www.instagram.com/pushthrumom
https://www.instagram.com/keisha_reaves
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
"Is he sleeping through the night yet?"
How many times have you heard that question as a parent to a new baby?
You might be surprised to hear what a Certified Sleep Expert has to say about what "sleeping through the night" really means...
"Sleep when the baby sleeps" is another common piece of advice for moms of newborns.
So what happens when the baby DOESN'T sleep?!
Dare I mention sleep training?
I know it can be a controversial topic (like so many decisions in motherhood, unfortunately).
So I wanted to get some answers from Certified Sleep Expert and Founder of Good Night Sleep Site Alanna McGinn in this episode.
Alanna sets the record straight on what sleep training is, what it isn't, and some reasons you might decide to do it.
Alanna has established the world-wide brand of Good Night Sleep Site as being a #1 sleep resource for families.
She and her team of sleep consultants help families (baby to adults) and corporations overcome their sleep challenges to have well-rested smiles in the morning.
We talk about:
- Why she started sleep coaching
- How to know the right method of helping your child to get sleep
- The 4 key tools involved in her sleep training method
- What “sleeping through the night” really means
- The piece of advice about newborn sleep she gives that I wish I would’ve known with my first child
Connect with Alanna:
www.goodnightsleepsite.com
https://www.facebook.com/GoodNightSleepSite
https://www.instagram.com/gnsleepsite
This Girl Loves Sleep podcast
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
When Ellie and her husband received unexpected prenatal test results, it changed everything for their family.
Doctors told the Sanazaros that their baby girl would be born with a genetic condition - the test detected an extra chromosome.
With no history of genetic conditions, Ellie and her husband were shocked. But prayerfully went through the whole pregnancy preparing their hearts and home to receive a child with special needs.
When Rosalie was born, follow-up testing revealed that there was nothing atypical. The test that claimed to be 99% accurate had been WRONG.
But that happy birth was just the beginning of Ellie's story.
She and her husband continued to feel like God had been preparing them to be parents to a child with special needs.
And that's the path that led Ellie and her husband Scott to Down Syndrome adoption.
A little over one year ago, Finn joined her family with the help of the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network.
Ellie shares her amazing journey to adopt Finn and all about her passion for raising inclusive children that led to writing the Image Bearer children's book.
We talk about:
- Her pregnancy story with her first child where she received incorrect and shocking prenatal test results and what that was like for her and her husband
- Why she and her husband decided to adopt a baby with Down Syndrome and the process they went through
- How she, her husband, and their two girls prepared to welcome a child with disabilities into their family
- Why she felt called to write Image Bearer children’s book
- How parents can help their children celebrate other children who are made “wonderfully different” and be more inclusive
Connect with Ellie:
Imagebearerbook.com
https://www.instagram.com/imagebearerbook
https://www.instagram.com/mr.finncredible
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Postpartum can bring hair loss, low energy, crazy skin and digestion issues, anxiety, or poor sleep.
You may have experienced one or all of these after you had a baby. [Raising my hand]
They're definitely common issues.
But are they symptoms of something that we should be paying attention to? Something that we don't have to just live with.
After talking to my guest this week, Maranda Bower, I started to question everything I knew about how to take care of my body postpartum.
She brings up some fascinating perspectives and compelling information about how nutrition plays a part in our healing not just in the months postpartum, but YEARS postpartum.
Yes, years. Did your ears just perk up?
Maranda is a Postpartum Bliss Coach and Womb Whisperer® who's supporting women in experiencing deep authentic healing, while eliminating postpartum depression and anxiety.
If you are experiencing any of the "common" postpartum challenges around mental or physical health, I highly recommend taking a listen to this episode!
We talk about:
- Her own postpartum journey that led her to want to be a postpartum coach
- How the work to heal your mind and body in the few years (not months or weeks) after you have a baby will impact your life FOREVER
- How the “common sense” approach to eating and recovery after having a baby is actually ruining your body and hormones
- Some signs and symptoms that you may have hormonal imbalances postpartum. Don't miss this!!
- What types of foods will help and hinder your recovery postpartum
Connect with Maranda:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PostpartumMaranda/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/postpartummaranda/
Website: https://www.marandabower.com
Free download: Transformative Healing in the Years Postpartum
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Connecting with moms in your own community and neighborhood has been hard this past year. But the rewards of investing in the moms right in your own backyard can be huge.
Reaching out to connect with moms in your neighborhood or community can be exactly what you need when you feel lonely or exhausted.
You can find deep friendship and tangible physical support.
But you can also find a sense of purpose through giving back to the community where you live, work, and raise your family.
My guest this week talks about exactly how to do that.
For as long as she can remember, Hannah Stephenson has always had a heart for investing in her community, serving others, and joining like-minded people together to do good.
Between the challenges of mothering, working, and longing for a stronger sense of community, specifically in her Nashville neighborhood, Hannah saw a need for a group where women could come together to deepen relationships with each other and give back to the community.
So three years ago, she co-founded the Crieve Hall Women's League, a community-centered nonprofit membership group that serves the Crieve Hall area of Nashville, TN.
The Crieve Hall Women's League has brought women together in this unprecedented time to provide tangible and emotional support for people living in the Crieve Hall neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee.
If you're craving to connect with moms in your own backyard to make and nurture friendships, this is a conversation for you!
Connect with Hannah:
https://www.instagram.com/stephensonhomeco
https://www.facebook.com/stephensonhomeco
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Reading a great book can be a simple and affordable way to practice self-care.
It's even better when you can connect with someone else to talk about what you thought about the book.
One of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves as moms is to connect with other moms and women.
But, let's be honest, connecting with other moms is harder than it should be sometimes.
Coordinating schedules, our own fears, and beliefs around friendship, make it difficult for the connecting to actually happen.
And with Covid coming into our lives last year, it introduced an added layer of challenge to make meaningful connections with other moms.
My guests this week, Aleah Dechant and Maija Walters Stutsman, saw this challenge and also saw an incredible opportunity.
They believed that when women are not able to connect with other women, to share their lives, it has a profound effect on their mental health. And I totally agree!
So with their love of fiction books and desire to connect women in meaningful conversations, they set out to create a subscription book box - in the middle of the pandemic.
They took a difficult situation and used their creativity to make a fun and meaningful experience for women.
If you love reading fiction books and you care about supporting other women, you’re going to LOVE this conversation with Aleah and Maija…
We talk about:
- Why they decided to start a business in the middle of a pandemic
- What’s inside the innovative subscription boxes and how the unique products are selected
- How the subscription box creates meaningful and needed connections for moms
- A few of their favorite fiction books that they recommend
Connect with Aleah & Maija and sign up for your own Shelfrighteous Box:
Shelfrighteous.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelfrighteous.box
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelfrighteousbookbox
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
SO much changes when you become a mom.
Your body.
Your priorities.
Your sleep - or lack of - hello!
And your relationship with yourself and your spouse.
But of all those changes, navigating the changes in how you view both yourself and the dynamics of your relationship with your spouse isn't something most birthing classes will cover.
That's where my guest this week wants to fill in the gaps.
Through her own challenging postpartum journey, Laura Spencer became passionate about supporting and nurturing moms as they learn their new role.
She’s now dedicated to guiding new moms in restoring their relationship with themselves and their partners by learning to redefine expectations, embrace the new, and cultivate hope.
In this very candid conversation with my friend Laura, she shares how she's transitioned from full-time teacher to postpartum coach.
And the challenging personal journey of discovery and growth both with herself and with her husband that she's been on in the past year.
We talk about:
- Her challenges early in her motherhood journey with her first child
- Her journey from full-time teacher to postpartum coach
- What she's learned about herself since becoming a mom
- How she navigated challenges in her identity and relationship with her spouse after having a child
- What lessons from the past year that she's applying to her relationship with herself and her husband, with baby number two on the way
Connect with Laura:
https://www.instagram.com/motherhoodmentoring
Motherhood Mentoring Facebook Page
Motherhood Mentoring Facebook Group
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Remember getting your first "period"? Yep. I just went there.
Chances are that you were a little excited (and maybe also embarrassed or ashamed) by this milestone and rite of passage into womanhood.
But you probably didn't really understand what was happening inside your body.
Sure you knew the biology involved, but not about how it was connected to the way you felt or the other functions in your body.
And I can almost guarantee that you didn't know that getting more familiar and in tune with your cycle could actually help you reach your goals and not work so hard. Say what?!
My guest this week shares her amazing knowledge and personal experience with cycle alignment and using the power of her menstrual cycle in her daily life.
Ali B. Cranmer is a Body and Business Integrator. She helps menstruating entrepreneurs break free from burnout and reclaim their power by aligning with the rhythm of their menstrual cycle.
Side note: If you're postpartum or are an otherwise non- menstruating female, we get into that in the conversation too! So there's something for everyone.
Ali believes women feel undeniable pressure from society to be able to do it all. And we’ve been doing our businesses and our bodies a disservice by glorifying the hustle.
She's built her business and membership coaching program on the belief that if we awaken our intuitive powers to listen to our rhythm, we’ll be able to align our businesses with our bodies and experience a deep sense of peace, freedom and self-trust.
If you're thinking this all sounds a little too "woo woo" for you. And you're not sure about being so in tune with your body or how that's going to practically help you in your mom life, I'm going to ask you to give it a chance.
I think you'll find it to be enlightening, refreshing, and motivating in the best possible way.
We talk about:
- What a Body and Business Integrator does and how she came to be one
- How we can use the knowledge of our menstrual cycle to benefit us in our daily lives - even if we don't currently menstruate like newly postpartum mamas!
- The four phases of our menstrual cycle and how we can align certain tasks to our cycle phase - it is amazing!
- How she teaches her daughter about loving and understanding her body
- And more!
Connect with Ali:
https://www.instagram.com/alibcranmer
https://www.facebook.com/alibcranmer
http://alibcranmer.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Recently, I was listening to an episode of Amy Porterfield's podcast Online Marketing Made Easy where she had several of her successful entrepreneur friends share their morning routines.
And I found it fascinating.
I listen to her podcast a lot, and I thought that one, in particular, sounded intriguing. I was curious to see "behind the curtain" of these successful entrepreneurs' lives.
I thought I could learn some new tricks or inspiration to start to get my act together in the mornings. But what I heard in that episode was SO much better than that.
And it inspired me to give in to several listeners' requests to share my daily morning and nightly routines with two young kids.
My hope is that when you hear my routines, it encourages you. So you don't feel like you're behind. Or like you have to do what other people do.
Maybe it'll spark some ideas for you or just make you feel like you're doing great with the routines you've already got in place.
In this episode, I share:
- MY morning and nightly routines with a 9-month-old and an almost 5-year-old
- When I find time to work on the podcast and projects
- My tips for creating your own routines and rhythms
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
The fourth way to have a stress-free and more peaceful holiday season is to move your body and take care of your physical body.
In addition to creating healthy eating habits, it’s going to help you with your stress and anxiety if you just move your body every day.
Now, I’m not saying you have to buy a Peloton and sweat your life away every morning (but you totally do that if that's your thing).
Moving your body can be the first area that gets put on the back burner when things get busy or stressful, especially for moms, right?
I know it is for me.
There's absolutely no denying all the volumes and volumes of research that show how exercise helps relieve stress.
But how do we make that happen when things are so busy in an already chaotic year? I've got a few tips to help you...
In this episode I talk about:
- Some simple ideas to get your body moving
- A few tricks to help you make it a priority when you're busy
- And why you shouldn't beat yourself up when things don't go the way you wanted them to
This was only one of the 5 Simple Ways to Beat Holiday Stress. YOu can get your free download of the guide to read ALL the ways to help you have a stress free and more peaceful Holiday Season.
Go to gotchamama.com/holidaystress to get your copy right now!
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
This episode is all about the third way to have a stress free and more peaceful holiday season.
And that is by Saying No. Setting boundaries!
More specifically, HOW to say no as someone who tends to be a helper and occasionally, a people-pleaser.
Honestly, saying no is still really hard for me sometimes
The holiday season presents lots of opportunities to do things and be involved in things.
And saying no isn’t something that comes naturally for the majority of people.
It can be really hard.
But with practice, like anything, it can get easier. And I'll give you four easy tips that have helped me in the past, and I hope will help you too.
I talk about:
- Four easy tips you can start using right now to help you say 'no'
- Why you should say 'no'
- What you're really doing when you say 'yes' to something
This was only one of the 5 Simple Ways to Beat Holiday Stress. You can get your free download of the guide to read ALL the ways to help you have a stress free and more peaceful Holiday Season.
Go to gotchamama.com/holidaystress to get your copy right now.
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Let's be honest, holidays and weight loss go together like peanut butter and mustard. Sorry if peanut butter and mustard sandwiches are your "thing".
The special memories and moments that happen during the holiday season are often associated with and happening in conjunction with food.
Delicious, rich, buttery, sweet, juicy food.
And I realize that if you're already struggling with creating healthy habits, wanting to lose weight, or change how you eat and view food, this time of the year may be especially difficult.
So I want to bring you this story of my guest Martha VanCamp.
Martha began dieting when she was nine years old. NINE!
And at forty years old, Martha turned her life completely around.
She lost over 100 pounds, transformed her lifestyle, and is now on a passionate mission to help other people get their relationship with food right to change their lives too.
She's a mom of seven and the Founder and Head Coach for #beMarthaFit, a nationally-recognized online wellness, and weight loss coaching program.
We talk about:
- Why she started dieting at 9 years old
- Her journey from overweight and unhappy to healthy and confident
- How her health affected her as a mom to seven kids
- What it means to "Be Martha Fit"
- Why slow is better than quick when it comes to being fit
Connect with Martha:
https://bemarthafit.com
https://www.facebook.com/marthakerrvancamp/
https://www.instagram.com/bemarthafit/
https://www.pinterest.com/bemarthafit
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
This is the second Bonus episode this holiday season. The second way to have a stress-free and more peaceful holiday season is by connecting.
Mental Health America found that 71 percent of people surveyed turned to friends or family in times of stress.
You can reach out to talk to a friend.
Call them on the phone or meet up for coffee (with your holiday mask on of course).
This year has been a HARD year for connection.
Both making new connections and nurturing current ones.
Social distancing and quarantine have made it extra challenging.
But I would argue that it’s almost MORE important this year to be intentional about connecting with friends and family this holiday season.
Connecting may look different this holiday season.
But connection can actually happen a lot of ways, it’s not always a super deep heart to heart in-person conversation.
I talk about:
- Why connection is so important to combating stress
- 5 ways to create connection
- How you can dig in and go a step further learning how to connect with friends
This was only one of the 5 Simple Ways to Bust Holiday Stress.
To get your free download and read ALL the ways to help you have a stress free and more peaceful Holiday Season, go togotchamama.com/holidaystress !
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
"I literally think I feel better at 43 than I did at 23 or even 33." - Hollan
If you've ever doubted the power of food on your health, listen to my guest Hollan's story of health transformation.
My guest on this episode is a mom and a cordon bleau trained chef who’s been eating and cooking vegan food for 13 years.
After suffering through endometriosis, kidney stones, gestational diabetes, and battles with weight loss, she finally decided to try a vegetarian, then a vegan diet.
She knew something needed to change or her health would continue to suffer. So once she made the decision to eat vegan, she never looked back.
Her view of food changed, and as a result, her health dramatically changed too.
We talk about:
- Why she decided to go vegan 13 years ago and how her life and health is different now versus when she first started
- The most challenging thing about eating vegan has been for her and how she's made it work in her life
- Tips and super quick recipes for healthier alternatives to those sweet treats that you crave (get a pen ready!!)
- How you can simplify and streamline cooking quick healthy meals with kids
- And so much more that I can’t wait to share with you
Connect with Hollan:
https://www.hollanhawaii.com
https://www.facebook.com/hollanhawaii
https://www.instagram.com/hollanhawaii
Her Good Food Gratitude Cookbook
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
I LOVE the hoilidays. Nostalgia, traditions, cozy sweaters and hot drinks.
All the delicious food, the friends & family, and celebrating Jesus just warms my heart.
But, like anything in life, there are ways that stress, anxiety, comparison, and overwhelm can creep into this busy season if you let them.
Especially after the year we’ve had, right?!
You may already be starting to feel the holiday stress creeping up.
You might be in the middle of the holiday “to-dos” “shoulds” and “have-tos”.
You know what I’m talking about. Those things that you put pressure on yourself to do because you think you should or because you've always done it that way.
Or maybe because you don’t want to disappoint someone...mmm hmmm.
This is the FIRST of FOUR bonus episodes around the “5 Simple Ways to Beat Holiday Stress" and have a peaceful holiday season.
Yes, I’m only doing 4 of the 5 so if you want to know ALL 5, you’ll need to download the free guide at gotchamama.com/holidaystress .
The first thing you really need to do before you do any of the other Four things to beat your holiday stress is to schedule peace.
In this episode, I'll give you five easy tips so that you can schedule your peace this holiday season. Yes, you CAN do it!
Take a listen and let me know what you think.
Download your FREE guide "5 Simple Ways to Beat Holiday Stress" to read ALL the ways to help you have a stress free and more peaceful Holiday Season.
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
2020 has allowed me to be more open to the possibility of new things and not trying to fit things in a neat box.
In fact, I’m going to expect things to be different and look different than what I thought they might be, from here on out.
And I’m going to acknowledge what this year has taught me.
There are LOTS of lessons in challenges and in hardships.
Some people choose to see the lessons. Some people choose to see only what’s been hard or unfair or how they didn’t get what they want.
I’ve talked to SO many moms on the podcast who’ve overcome incredible challenges, even before Covid came along.
Go back and take a listen to any of the episodes listed below and you’ll be inspired to pick up, regroup, and push forward with hope and resilience into 2021, no matter what it brings.
Ashley Bugge in episode 68
Larken Lech in episode 26
Kristina Dulaney in episode 45
Kristin Dillensnyder in episode 44
I know it’s hard and things probably aren’t looking the way you thought they would when you envisioned December 2020 at the beginning of the year.
I want to share with you 7 lessons I took from 2020. And I'd love to hear your perspective and what you learned from this year too! Please Email or DM me.
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Yes, this episode is about divorce.
BUT, it's about SO much more!
No matter if you're married or divorced, my guest Stephanie offers great advice on how to gain control in your life and let go of "old" beliefs that aren't serving you.
She helps show you how to stop feeling out of control and create the life you desire.
When you go through challenges and difficult transitions in life, like divorce, it gives you an opportunity to discover more about yourself and what you value.
What you really want your life to look like.
Stephanie Nichols is a divorced mom of two young boys, author of the book “Create Your Calm: A Guilt-Free Journey to Peaceful Motherhood”, and Certified Life Coach for Divorced Moms.
We talk about:
- What it was like going through divorce with young kids
- One thing that she’d like moms who have a friend going through divorce to know
- Her definition of flourishing after divorce and how she helps other moms do it
- One simple way to feel in control without trying to control the world around you
- Steps to combat negative thinking and negative beliefs about yourself
Connect with Stephanie:
https://www.facebook.com/stephanienicholscoaching
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlourishAfterDivorce
www.stephanie-nichols.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Ah "self-care." It's become such a buzzword around mom communities.
My guest, CC Sutton, and I get to the heart of what real self-care is, what it's meant to do, and practical ways to do it as a busy mom.
Things like saying no and setting boundaries are important to EVERYONE’s mental health.
And since this month is NO THAnks November, this conversation with CC was perfect!
CC is has been a professional speaker for 13 years and is a certified John C. Maxwell Speaker, Coach & Trainer, and a certified Life & Relationship Coach.
At just 24 years old, CC had a health scare that caused her to totally change her life.
And since then, she's had a passion for helping other women to get out of the place of feeling guilty and unworthy of taking care of themselves.
We talk about:
- Her personal story of how she took control of her work-life balance for her health
- What self-care means to her
- Her answer to the Work-life "balance" debate
- Her formula for taking action and control of your self-care
- The number one reason women don't practice self-care
- Three simple tips for making it easy to say ‘no’ and setting boundaries for self-care
Connect with CC:
https://www.instagram.com/ccsutton_
https://www.facebook.com/ccsuttonspeaks
https://www.twitter.com/ccsutton_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccsutton
www.ccsutton.com
Now Back to You! Self-Care planner: bit.ly/ccselfcareplanner
Now Back to You! Self-Care Masterclass: nowbacktoyou.teachable.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
At six months pregnant with her third child, Ashley Bugge received a phone call that would forever change the path of her life and the lives of her children.
Her husband, a Naval officer, died in a tragic scuba diving accident.
Heartbroken, pregnant, and alone with their kids on the Island of Hawaii, she summoned every ounce of grit and sheer determination to figured out how to move forward.
Not only did she move through the greatest adversity she's been through, but she also grew from it. And turned this tragedy into triumph.
I could not think of a better person than my guest, Ashley Bugge, to interview to kick off this month of 'No Thanks' November.
We talk about:
- The epic romance story that finally joined her and her husband together
- The day that everything changed for her when she got the call that her husband had passed away
- What she did to move forward with her kids
- What it really means to live a life with no bucket list
- How she's honoring his memory in living a life with no bucket list
Connect with Ashley and get her book 'Always Coming Back Home':
https://www.ashleybugge.com
https://www.instagram.com/ashley.bugge
https://www.facebook.com/ashleybuggexo
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
ALL month long is 'NO THANKS' November!
Ok, you may be wondering what in the world is 'No Thanks November'? Is that like no shave November?!
Not exactly.
And you’re probably also thinking, "Isn’t it supposed to be the month we focus on how THANKFUL we are?"
It certainly IS.
Sometimes you say 'no thanks' to things BECAUSE of the things you’re grateful for.
Follow me on this. I know it seems strange.
This is about saying NO to some things in order to say YES to better things. To those things that bring you more peace, joy, and contentment.
You can absolutely be grateful for what you have and at the same time say 'no thanks' to things.
For example, 'no thanks' to negative self talk because you are grateful for the dreams and skills you have.
And after this crazy year of 2020, I feel like it could be really cathartic to just say you know what this month I’m saying 'NO Thanks' to those things that aren’t serving me in my life right now.
My guests this month will talk about topics that fall into the 'No Thanks' category. Things like...
- Living a life with no bucket list- just living life in the present moment
- Saying no to excuses for not taking care of yourself and negative self-talk
- Literally saying NO to set healthy boundaries. (All the praise hands!!)
- Not letting circumstances in your life control you. And saying no thanks to toxic relationships in your life
Stay tuned and absolutely be grateful for all the things you have, and also allow yourself to say 'NO THANKS' to those things that aren’t serving you and the life you want to lead.
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Unfortunately, there's no official manual for parenting. All of us are just trying to do our best. Wondering if we're even close to "doing it right" most of the time.
No matter how many kids you have, you're always learning. And always learning about yourself.
My guest on this episode was not a new parent when she learned she was having twins. But she definitely learned a lot of new things about parenting and about herself in the early days and years with twins.
I'm talking to Nina Garcia, the mom and blogger, behind Sleeping Should Be Easy. The goal of the blog is to provide overwhelmed moms with helpful and encouraging tips and advice to actually enjoy parenthood.
She shares resources to answer parenting questions and to encourage parents. There can never be too much of that!
We talk about:
- The evolution of her blog and her motherhood journey
- The physical and emotional differences between her pregnancies and postpartum periods with twins and with a single baby
- Tips for how to survive the early days with newborn twins and a young child
- A different and very practical approach to managing mom anger
Connect with Nina:
Sleeping Should Be Easy
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sleepingshouldbeeasy
Pinterest- https://www.pinterest.com/ssbeblog
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/sleepingshouldbeeasy
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Do you wonder, like me, how to instill healthy self-confidence and resilience in your kids?
This conversation with my guest Tanya Meessmann made me think a lot about my responsibility to model confidence and resilience as a mom to my son and daughter. But especially for my daughter.
I remember the challenges of growing up and trying to learn and love myself as a teenager in the 1990s. (Raise your hand if you were passing those notes in class and rockin those Steve Maddens too!)
With even more amplified challenges - terrorism, financial crisis, 24/7 connection to technology, oh, and a worldwide pandemic! - how do we as parents give our kids a sense of stability, safety, and confidence in themselves?
Especially when we can struggle with anxiety, insecurity, and overwhelm ourselves. (Raising my hand)
Tanya and I talk all about these issues and much more in this episode.
Tanya is a mom and the founder of Girl Shaped Flames, a social enterprise dedicated to developing competence, courage and entrepreneurship awareness in teenage girls by connecting them with female role models.
The goal of Girl Shaped Flames is to raise the strongest, most confident, skilled and determined generation of teenage girls this world has ever seen.
We talk about:
- How she became the confident mother and businesswoman that she is
- Her ironic imposter syndrome moment, which I know you will appreciate
- Why she started Girl Shaped Flames and the bigger vision for it
- The challenges that she sees that teen and tween girls experience today that erode their confidence
- And most importantly, what we as parents can do even as early as preschool to help our daughters to develop healthy self-confidence throughout their life
Connect with Tanya:
https://www.girlshapedflames.com
https://www.instagram.com/girlshapedflames
https://www.facebook.com/girlshapedflames
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
If you've ever doubted that you're a leader as a mom, you need to listen to this episode!
If a potential employer or organization you wanted to volunteer with has ever told you that you don't have any applicable skills because you're a stay at home mom, you NEED to listen to this episode!
And if you believe that mothers are incredible leaders (which I think we are!) then this conversation with Carmen Westbrook will get you FIRED UP and motivated to go make more impact.
After very personal heartache and the outpouring of support from her friends and community, Carmen created Aina Giving.
Aina Giving is a unique leadership community, built on the principles of servant leadership, empowerment, and equality.
We talk about:
- All the specific ways you ARE a leader as a mom and the VERY applicable skills you already have to be a great leader
- Her very personal story of how Aina Giving came to be
- The philosophy of conscious leadership, system leadership, and servant leadership as it applies to motherhood.
- The Becoming Superwoman Club, its community purpose, and its benefits to moms.
Connect with Carmen:
https://www.ainagiving.com
https://www.facebook.com/ainagiving
https://www.instagram.com/ainagiving
https://www.twitter.com/ainagiving
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
In August I introduced the idea of focusing on three main areas to discover and connect with your identity as a mom.
After having kids, a LOT changes. And it's common to have some struggles trying to understand who you are as a mother and not get lost in the role of "mom".
From my experience, I know there's a way to navigate those challenges and that friction to get to a place where you're discovering your ever-evolving identity as a mom.
That's what I've been talking about over the last several solo episodes.
-
Giving yourself permission to be a new version of yourself
-
Finding or creating a system of support around you
-
AND in this episode, I'm talking about the BIGGIE...
The third area to focus on to connect with and discover your identity as a mom is by... taking action.
Well, let me clarify for all of us perfectionists out there - taking imperfect action.
I talk about:
- Why taking action is the most important step in discovering your identity as a mom
- How to combat perfectionism
- 3 ways that you can take action and get to know yourself better this week
- And a story about why you will never see me in the Cirque de Soliel
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Who do you talk to when you're having an issue with a friend or feeling really isolated and in need of a shoulder to lean on?
What if there was someone who was a supportive, knowledgeable, and an unbiased party who was there just to help you get through whatever that issue was?
Enter the Friendship Coach. Yes, really.
I didn't know there was such a thing until very recently so don't feel out of the loop if you have no idea what that is either.
My guest on this episode is Danielle Bayard Jackson. Danielle is a wife, mom of a two-year-old, PR strategist, author, podcaster, and Friendship Coach for women.
We've talked before on the podcast about how there's no shame at all in asking for help as a mom. This concept applies to asking for help with your friendships too!
Friendships can be complicated as an adult.
On top of that, there are lots of myths and stereotypes about female friendships.
Certain seasons of mom life can feel very lonely. Feeling surrounded by people in your home every moment, but at the same time feeling isolated and disconnected.
Like when you move to a new city. Or when you have a new baby.
It can be hard to make that first step and put yourself out there.
Danielle knows all about it, both first-hand as a mom, and as a Friendship Coach who's helped many women navigate their friendship journeys.
We talk about:
- How she went from teaching to starting her PR business and becoming a friendship coach.
- What exactly in the world a friendship coach is and why it's so important for moms
- Some common friendship challenges that moms come to her with
- What she has to say about that excuse that we are all guilty of, "I'm too busy for female friendships"
- Her incredible tips on how to make friends in 90 seconds or less! Yes, she fully delivers on that!!
- And so much more, including the fascinating science of friendship and how it plays out in our lives.
Connect with Danielle:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellebayardjackson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giveitarestmovement
Website: https://www.giveitarestmovement.com
Podcast: https://www.giveitarestmovement.com/podcast
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Do you ever look around as a mom and think "gosh, everyone else has so many friends and I don't? I'm definitely the odd mom out."
Well, guess what? You aren't alone if you said 'yes'. It's actually more common than you may think.
So what do we do about it?
Why does it seem so hard to make friends as an adult?
Well, that's exactly what I talk about with my guest on this episode, Emily Siegel.
Emily is a corporate mom and fierce friend. Host of The Connected Mom Life Podcast (formerly The Corporate Mom Life Podcast), she believes that authentic connections are not a nice-to-have, they’re a must-have!
And she is on a mission to help moms create more of them. Because she knows we weren’t made to mom alone, and it’s time to stop trying.
We talk about:
- Why she pivoted in her podcast
- Her perspective on how your support system affects your personal identity as a mom
- What she did to build consistency into her friendships with no pressure and low stress. You're going to love what she talks about here. So don't miss it!
- She gives us some easy and practical first steps to take for finding and building your village, yes even if you're an introvert:).
Connect with Emily:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconnectedmomlife
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theconnectedmomlife
Website: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com
Podcast: The Connected Mom Life
Free Guide to Growing Your Village
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Motherhood isn't glamorous. And sometimes, it's just plain gross. I mean who hasn't been pooped on or spit up on or had to clean up some bodily fluid at an inconvenient time or place? That's motherhood.
So when God put it on the heart of my guest on this episode to create a business, a platform, and a community around motherhood, she was hesitant.
After resisting the call and trying it her way for a while (aren't we ALL guilty of that) Shilene Aaron created The Mama Mogul and has been lifting up and blessing mamas with her wisdom and faith since.
We talk about:
- What held her back from creating The Mama Mogul and what made her finally pursue it
- Her bigger vision for the Mama Mogul
- The ups and downs of her motherhood journey
- Leaning on God for strength as a mother when we feel like there's no way we're capable on our own
- And lots more!
Connect with Shilene:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/themamamogul
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/shileneaaron
website - https://www.themamamogul.co
Podcast - The Mama Mogul
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
If there's one thing I've learned about being a mom over the past four years it's that making new mom friends can be super uncomfortable.
It's that weird feeling of being back in middle school and trying to find someone to sit with at lunch. And NOBODY wants to sit alone!
You look around and you see a couple of girls sitting at a table and you hesitantly walk over to them to ask to sit down.
It's vulnerable to put yourself out there, not knowing what kind of response you'll get back.
"Will they like me?"
"Will they think I'm a complete loser, roll their eyes, and leave?"
But having a community of friends who support you as a mom is SO important.
Sometimes you need that outside voice to let you know you aren't crazy for crying because your toddler smeared poop all over the bathroom. (We've all been there!)
Connecting in person can be challenging under normal circumstances for moms (schedules, naps, getting out the door in under an hour. etc).
And now with social distancing measures in place, it's pretty much impossible to connect with another mom in person.
SO...we go to the next best place - ONLINE!
Virtual community is different from in-person community, but it IS community.
My guest today is Haili Murch, a mom of two, podcast manager, and manager of an online mom community.
Along with her THIS is Legit Motherhood podcast, she started The Legit Motherhood Community Facebook Group, which is a place for moms to interact and support one another in their motherhood journey.
We talk about:
- Why she started her Facebook group for moms
- How to cultivate a supportive online mom community
- The unique challenges and benefits of virtual versus in-person community
- How to find your mom tribe online
Connect with Haili:
THIS is Legit Motherhood Podcast
Legit Motherhood Community Private Facebook Group
Haili on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hailimurch
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
"It takes a village to raise a child".
Chances are if you're a mom, you have lots of thoughts on this topic...especially in this age of social distancing and digital communities...
"What if I don't have a village?"
"How do I find my village?"
"How do I create a supportive village that helps me to be the person I want to be?"
"Why does her village seem so much better than mine?"
At one point or another, I've thought all these things. Maybe you have too.
In this episode, I continue the conversation about identity in motherhood and talk about how support systems, or lack of one, affect your identity.
I'm SO excited about the next several interview episodes this month too. They all relate to important aspects of your support system as a mom.
And they are full of motivating, encouraging, and super practical content for improving your friendships and growing or simply nurturing your current community. SO GOOD!
In this episode talk about:
- Lies and misconceptions we believe about villages and community as a mom
- How a supportive community helped me and where I found that community that I craved
- Understanding how your village changes in different seasons
- How community affects and shapes your identity as a mom
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
I don’t know about you, but the change of pace we’ve gone through in the world over the past several months has me thinking about busyness and what it means to slow down.
Like really slow down and do things with a purpose. Without stressing about it or being forced to.
My guest Jen Brazeal has a business teaching and showing moms how to live an unhurried life with little kiddos.
How nice does that sound?!
Is it even possible? That’s what we talk about in this episode.
Jen is passionate about showing mamas how to slow down, get all the laundry done, and live as the best version of themselves!
We talk about:
- Her journey to living an unhurried life
- What it means to her to live an unhurried life with three little ones
- A few small changes she made in her life that led to a big difference in how she shows up for her kids
- Her family’s transition to screen-free and some tools she relies on now to keep it up - without pulling her hair out on the daily!
Connect with Jen:
jbrazeal.com
The Unhurried Life podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenbrazeal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jen.brazeal
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jennib/
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
When you think about how you learned to view nutrition and exercise, who do you think of?
I'd say my parents. (Well, my parents and Denise Austin. If you don't know Denise from her leotard-clad workouts on Getting Fit with Denise Austin, give her a Google.)
Whether we realize it or not, a lot of the beliefs we have about food, exercise, and our bodies come from who we looked up to growing up.
Sometimes that's a great thing that sets us up for creating healthy habits.
And sometimes our role models are not so great at helping us create healthy habits for ourselves as adults.
I'm super excited to share with you the guests (yes plural!) in this episode!
Kim Sorey and Kalee Dillard are a mother and daughter fitness and nutrition duo who help women transform their lives through healthy habits, personal development, and coaching.
This is the first time I've had two guests and it was so fun to get two perspectives (one from the mom and another from her daughter) on how to raise kids with healthy habits and healthy views of food and exercise.
It was also really great to hear how we as moms can take care of ourselves by giving ourselves a little grace and balance instead of an 'all or nothing' approach to being healthy.
This was a fun episode full of honesty, laughs, and great parenting AND wellness wisdom!!
We talk about:
- How they work together as a mother & daughter health & nutrition team
- What happened that made them want to quit their jobs and start a business together
- Why a healthy, active lifestyle is so important to them
- How Kim approached meals, healthy choices, and exercise as a mom while raising Kalee
- What Kalee learned growing up and forming ideas around healthy choices and exercise
- How they create balance in their lifestyle and give themselves grace when it comes to nutrition and fitness
- The best piece of advice they give to a mom who has young kids and maybe isn't quite sure how to incorporate healthy eating and exercise into her busy day with kiddos running around
Connect with Kim & Kalee:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KimandKalee
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kim_and_kalee
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/kimkalee
Website - https://www.soreyfitness.com and https://www.kimandkalee.com
Podcast- The Kim & Kalee Show
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com/blog
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
What was you and your spouse's first fight about after you got married?
Was it which way to put the toilet paper on the roll (Over the top always!!)?
Or maybe how you load the dishwasher?
OR did it have to do with money?
That's a biggie for a lot of couples. And maybe it wasn't your first argument, but my guess is that you've had at least a couple discussions about how to spend money with your spouse.
You may have heard that money is one of the top reasons for divorce in America. There's a lot under the surface of a couple's money arguments. And we're going to dig into those things as well as all things personal finance in this episode.
In this episode, I talk with married couple Dan and Kay Ockey of Centsei Financial about personal finance, marriage, and parenting.
This episode is full of relevant advice (financial and beyond) for any married couple.
If you and your spouse don't see eye to eye about your family's finances...
Or maybe you have big dreams of all the ways you'd invest and grow wealth for your family if you could just get out of debt...
This is one you definitely do NOT want to miss!
We talk about:
- Their individual views on money before marriage - they couldn't have been more different!
- What pivotal moment happened that made them realize they needed to get on the same page with personal finances
- What they did to get out of debt and create wealth - FAST!
- How what they teach builds on AND is different from popular personal finance courses out there (we still love you Dave Ramsey!!)
- What they plan to do to teach their daughter about financial education
- And SO much more!
Connect with Dan and Kay:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centseifinancial
Website: https://www.centseifinancial.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com/blog
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
How would you describe your transition into motherhood?
Confusing. Exhausting. Uncomfortable. Challenging. Amazing.
There's no right or wrong answer here.
Big changes happen physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally during pregnancy, postpartum, and long after your baby is born. Things that aren't talked about as often as they probably should be.
There are other times you may struggle in transitions and phases of motherhood and understanding your identity too.
If you've ever struggled with feeling like you've lost who you are in motherhood. Or that something was missing. Or maybe you love your children so much, but you feel a little guilty for wanting to pursue dreams outside of being a mom.
You are totally normal. And so many moms I talk to share those thoughts, including myself.
I’m just a mom like you who has gone through some pivotal moments and experiences that have shaped me into who I am and I'm sharing what I've learned. My hope is that maybe it will help you too.
There are three big ways that I found helped me to discover my identity in motherhood after struggling with the physical and emotional transition immediately after birth and through the following year postpartum.
In this episode, I’m talking about the first way that helped me in the journey to discovering who I am as a mother: giving yourself permission.
Permission to move forward as a new version of yourself.
Not a better or worse version of yourself, but a different version of yourself.
I talk about:
- What is personal identity
- Why I think so many women struggle with the transition into motherhood and their identity as a mom
- The first step to discovering your identity as a mother
- How and why it's important to normalize the challenges and realities of motherhood
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
So, we've talked about clutter and meaningful inspired actions in the past two episodes. And in this episode, we talk about something that's at the intersection of BOTH decluttering and meaningful moments...
PHOTOS!
In the mission to try to simplify, declutter, and organize some of our life, photos might be an unlikely culprit for that "clutter stress".
I talk with my guest, Jenna Arvidson, about how to both capture and organize those precious moments with your kids so you aren't overwhelmed and you have photos that actually mean something to you.
Jenna is a mom of three, a photographer, blogger, and podcast host for The Simple Home Podcast. She helps busy moms live differently by creating simpler homes and simpler days.
Her mission is to inspire you to do it from a place of intention, rather than overwhelm.
She loves teaching moms how to take beautiful pictures of their family and organize and manage those photos so they can be cherished.
We talk about:
- How she got into photography and decluttering
- Where she recommends you start if you’re brand new to photography (you can do these with your phone)
- Some fantastic tips on how to get better pictures of your kids and what types of things you should try to capture to tell the story of the moment
- How to organize photos on your phone or laptop so you’re not overwhelmed
- Including a couple of tools and resources she uses and recommends
Connect with Jenna-
The Simple Home Podcast: https://www.athomewithkids.com/itunes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennaarvidson
Website: https://www.athomewithkids.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Nod your head in agreement if this has been you...
You get so frustrated and fed up with all the stuff in your house that you have to constantly pick up. It's covering all available surfaces.
And all you want is a clean, peaceful, clutter-free space so you can concentrate and relax.
So, you go on a decluttering frenzy.
If it doesn't "spark joy" or been used in the last 12 months, it's gone!
The 10 extra shampoo bottles under your bathroom sink...gone.
The fancy shoes you bought on clearance because you "just knew" that you would have "somewhere" to wear them (but never did!) and still have the price tag on them...gone.
The tiny cheaply made toys that you got at the fast-food restaurant that got played with once for 30 seconds...FINALLY gone.
After a week's worth of time and effort, your house feels lighter.
YOU feel lighter and more relaxed.
And you have a crisp new $20 bill in your pocket from selling TWO CARLOADS WORTH OF STUFF.
Oh well, it's out of your house, right?
And then two months later...
You notice things starting to pile up again.
Your recycling bin is slowly filling up with various sized Amazon shipping boxes. And cheap, tiny toys seem to have multiplied.
Ugh! Are you kidding me?
Well, tune in to this episode because my guest, Krista Lockwood, knows all about how to declutter and stay decluttered FOR GOOD.
Krista teaches moms how to declutter their homes so they have more time and energy for the people inside of it, instead of spending all the time on the stuff in it.
She’s the mom of five kids herself and always keeps it real when talking about decluttering your home with messy kids living in it!
She became passionate about decluttering after a cross-country move and has been living a decluttered life since then.
We talk about:
- What sparked her decluttering passion
- Her journey with decluttering and Motherhood Simplified
- Why decluttering is about more than just stuff!!
- What to do to keep clutter from entering your house through well-meaning friends and family who love to give gifts
- How to save money by decluttering -but probably not how you think
- What you can do RIGHT NOW to start decluttering
Krista on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motherhood_simplified
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/motherhoodsimplified
www.motherhoodsimplified.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Are you in the "messy middle" of motherhood trying to thrive when some days you feel like you're barely surviving?
Beginnings and endings are relatively brief compared to the amount of time we spend in the middle of things if you really think about it.
And motherhood is no exception.
Our precious children are born and there's the newness and excitement and fear all at the same time.
But it doesn't take long before you start to find your rhythms.
And it starts to get messy.
You try to figure things out... and you mess up.
And you clean up messes. Again. And again. And again.
You might feel like this season will never end. Maybe you've said to yourself:
She'll never sleep through the night.
He'll never be potty trained.
They'll never eat vegetables.
THAT'S the middle!
And in this episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast, I talk with my guest, Becca Starr, about how to thrive, not just survive in the messy middle of motherhood.
Becca is a wife, a mom of two, and a Master Certified life coach with a strong focus on goal success.
She helps you get crystal clear on your priorities, take Micro-Actions that cause powerful shifts, and embrace your purpose and intuition through her BITMOR method.
She hosts the “BEAUTIFUL YOU with Becca Starr” podcast and has coached and trained hundreds of women since 2001.
We talk about:
- Her transition from spa owner to life coach
- The challenges of the “messy middle” in relation to the motherhood journey
- How moms can live with peace and thrive in the messy middle of motherhood
- She also shares more about her BITMOR method for overcoming negativity, trusting your intuition, and using inspired actions to live a meaningful life
- She explains what an Inspired action is and how taking one each day instead of lots of busy actions can get you out of survival mode and into actually thriving in the messy middle
- And so much more!!
This conversation with Becca was refreshing and just what I needed on so many levels. I know you are going to love her too!
Find Becca:
https://www.instagram.com/mrsbeccastarr
https://www.facebook.com/mrsbeccastarr
https://www.pinterest.com/mrsbeccastarr
www.beccastarr.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Who's someone you want to recognize who has had your back as a mom? Someone who's said or done something to let you know "I gotcha, mama"?
That's the question I ask most of my guests on the podcast. And it's always one of my favorite things to ask because I can hear how thankful my guest truly is to have that person or people in her life.
Maybe for you it's a friend, your sister, your mom, or your husband.
If your fortunate, you may have a lot of people who've had your back as a mom when you needed it.
For this 50th episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast, I wanted to highlight some of the different people who've been recognized by doing a compilation of several of my guest's answers to the question - Who's Gotcha, Mama?
You'll hear from past guests: Michelle Purta, Kaylan Thompson, Kristin Dillensnyder, Erica Willis, Larken Lech, and Tricia Baumhardt
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
"As a mom, you can have it all, BUT, you can't have it all at once."
There's lots of debate around that statement. Do YOU believe it?
Does hearing that make you feel defeated before you begin or does it fire you up to prove it wrong?
My guest this week on the Gotcha Mama podcast is Megan Stratton. Megan feels strongly that you CAN have it all as a mom.
And she shares how she manages her priorities to achieve that in her life as a full-time working mom (with a side hustle/passion) to a toddler and one on the way.
Megan is a wife, mama, and corporate full-time digital marketer. She has been in the digital marketing industry for almost a decade and loves to share her industry knowledge with other women looking to grow their business, increase sales, and make a big impact!
We talk about:
- What sparked her desire to create a supportive community of moms and women called Unshaken
- Her perspective on being a mom and being able to 'have it all'
- The biggest challenge she faces as a working mom of a toddler and one on the way
- Her top 3 tips for getting so many things done & feeling accomplished
Find Megan at:
http://meganstratton.com
https://www.unshakenpodcast.com
https://www.instagram.com/megstratt
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Imagine yourself five years from now. What are you doing? What have you achieved?
I know what I'd like to achieve this year and a couple of five-year goals. But friend, if I've learned anything as a mom and through the Coronavirus pandemic, it's this - make plans, but don't be surprised if life throws a wrench in those plans and brings something different your way.
My guest on this week's episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast is Alessandra Pollina.
She knows how much can change when running a business and growing a family at the same time. She is a wife, mom to her four-year-old son, owner of Pollina PR and marketing agency, and host of the Female Millennial Entrepreneur Podcast.
Alessandra has had her own business for eight years and has learned a LOT about expectations, changing needs and desires, and the ability to be flexible in business and in motherhood.
We talk about:
- Why she started her PR agency,
- How she grew a business while raising a child, as well as some of the unexpected challenges she experienced along the way
- What changed in the eight years that she's had her business
- And the advice that she would tell a mom who's in the first year of trying to run a business and may be feeling discouraged.
Find Alessandra on:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pollinapr or https://www.instagram.com/femalemillennialentrepreneurs
Website - http://pollinapr.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Originally, months ago when planning this episode, I was going to talk about a productivity tool I really like using. As we got closer and closer to release date I thought, “Is this really the most helpful for YOU right now?”
Is it what you want to hear right now?
I prayed about it and came to the conclusion that I didn’t think so.
I thought that giving you my quick postpartum update would be more relevant and real for you and also offer more hope and joy than a productivity tool.
On this episode I talk about:
- How I'm feeling mentally & physically during my immediate postpartum weeks with my second child during the coronavirus crisis.
- What my days look like
- And I offer some encouragement for you
Keepin it brief this episode because I'm tired, friend. Did I mention I have a six-week-old baby?! LOL.
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
When did you know your family was complete?
Maybe you haven't wrestled with that question yet or talked about it with your spouse, or in your prayers.
It's a tough question and often I hear moms go back and forth frequently on this before making a final decision.
After 8 years of being a family of four, my guest today followed God's call to adopt a baby.
With school-aged children, time for herself firmly set in the daily routines, and a full schedule of projects and activities, Erica Willis obeyed God's calling. She pressed into the vision that God put on her heart to grow her family in this next season.
She shares her motherhood journey with each of her very different biological children. And also the journey she and her family have been on with the adoption of their third child.
We talk about:
- How God put it on her heart to adopt a baby
- The unexpected things she learned through the adoption process
- And how she and her family have prepared to bring a new baby into their home after 8 years of being a family of four
Connect with Erica:
https://www.instagram.com/believeboldly
https://www.facebook.com/believeboldly
Believe Boldly and The Fives ministry
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
I’m continuing the theme of "less-talked-about motherhood topics" for the month of May this week.
Not only to celebrate all mothers' stories but to hopefully lessen the stigma of some topics and help create a safe space for all mothers to feel loved and worthy, no matter where their motherhood journey takes them.
My guest for this week is Kristina Dulaney.
Kristina lives in Northeast Tennessee with her husband and two young girls. Just over four years ago, she experienced the rarest of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders - Postpartum psychosis.
She is the co-founder of the Appalachian Perinatal Mental Health Alliance, an alliance formed under the Postpartum Support International. And she founded the nonprofit organization Cherished Mom that's focused on changing the educational landscape around Perinatal Mental Health.
We talk about:
- Her powerful story of going through postpartum psychosis
- Why we likely don’t hear more stories about postpartum psychosis
- How she is now using her story to help other mothers
- What she hopes changes about perinatal mental health and postpartum care in the future
- How we can all help to create the change that is so obviously needed in perinatal mental health care
Connect with Kristina:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kristinadulaney and https://www.instagram.com/cherishedmomorg
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cherishedmomorg
Cherished Mom website - www.cherishedmom.org
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
According to a past National Survey by the CDC, 1 in 8 couples (or 12% of married women) have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. That statistic proves just how common an issue that infertility is.
But infertility has a strange way of making a woman feel isolated and alone in her situation. Creating shame, fear, and anxiety around her own body.
If that is you or has been you, I want to acknowledge your journey. You need to know that you are absolutely not alone. Your journey is no less worthy of support than a mom who has become a mother through any other path.
So on this episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast, I talk with Kristin Dillensnyder, also known as Kiki. She is a big sister, a wife, a mom, a bonus mom, and an infertility coach.
As an infertility coach, she helps women take back control, prepare for the bumps ahead and get emotionally supported by someone who gets it. Her goal is for women to feel like their big sister is there holding their hand, no matter what the outcome is during their fertility journey.
We talk about:
- Her journey with infertility and all the physical and emotional processes that she and her husband went through to get her daughter
- All the insight into technical infertility terms and the procedures
- How she knew it was time to stop treatments
- How best to approach baby showers and pregnancy announcements to friends who are going through infertility
- Her super valuable advice for someone going through infertility right now
- And if you're not going through infertility, how you can be the best friend to someone going through it
Find Kiki at https://bigsissays.com/
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Mother's Day can be a day where moms feel loved and celebrated, but it can also be a day (or month) that isn't easy for every mom.
I want to acknowledge that Mother’s Day and the month of May can bring up complicated emotions and challenging memories for some moms.
I feel so grateful and humbled, and totally unprepared or qualified for most of what motherhood brings.
But motherhood and being a mother figure isn't always rainbows and tulips.
I don’t want to overlook the sometimes difficult paths and parts of motherhood. Because sharing those tough stories connects us.
It comforts us.
It reassures us and encourages us to fully embrace who we are. To know that there are others who are experiencing similar situations and emotions.
And feeling seen and understood is important. You need to know that your story, your journey, is worthy and your challenges can be used to help others.
The hard and painful things you go through can help another mom. Your compassion and encouragement may be exactly what she needs to move forward and thrive as a mother.
I talk about:
- What this particular Mother's Day means to me
- What I hope changes before my daughter becomes a mom
- Celebrating all kinds of moms (bio moms, bonus moms, foster & adoption moms, those waiting to be moms, moms who have endured postpartum mental health disorders, etc.)
- The importance of sharing your motherhood story
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Comparison and positive body image.
It can be a constant struggle for moms. I'm guilty of thinking negative things about my body and feeling insecure about my cellulite or my flabby arms or the stretched out skin on my stomach.
But having a positive body image is not just looking at other mom's bodies and loving your own. It's just as much about looking at your body before you gave birth and loving the body you have now postpartum.
I'm finishing out the month talking to other amazing mom podcasters by chatting with Megan Dahlman this week. She is the host of the very popular Strong Mommas podcast.
Megan is a trainer, a nutrition coach, and a Christian mom. And she's passionate about helping other moms discover peace and freedom in their body.
Her mission with Strong Mommas is to guide women away from obsession, shame, and guilt and point them toward a lifestyle of health and fitness that brings freedom.
She's convinced that your exercise nutrition habits could be a catalyst for a closer relationship with the Lord. Hold on to your yoga pants, my friend because you're going to feel like you're going to church in this episode. It's awesome!
We talk about:
- Her perspective on positive body image as a mom.
- Why she so passionate about helping moms through fitness and nutrition
- How she grew her business while her family was also growing
- What she did to gain a positive body image postpartum
- The different body types
- And some great advice around what she does to stay motivated to work out when she doesn't feel like it. Come on, we've ALL had THOSE days!
Connect with Megan: https://www.strong-mommas.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strong_mommas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongmommas
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/strongmommas
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
In this week's episode, I talk with Laura Lynn LaPointe, who is the host of the Parenting Clubhouse podcast.
On her podcast, she helps parents understand and manage their child's unwanted behaviors. She offers easy to implement behavioral strategies, backed by science, that can make a positive impact with your child today.
I learned so much from this conversation. It really felt encouraging as a parent of a toddler when there are so many behaviors to navigate.
Laura Lynn is a wife, mama, a board-certified behavior analyst, and an entrepreneur. She understands the struggles of the daily grind that parents face. She knows we're busy. We have so many things pulling at us.
Laura Lynn helps parents who want to be the best parent they can be, but really just feel like they have limited time, maybe insufficient resources and really no direction for where to turn.
We talk about:
- What ABA therapy is and who it helps
- How we need to start the discussion about our children's behavior, digging into our behavior as parents.
- What affects behavior both internally and externally
- How to handle inappropriate and unwanted behavior from children like throwing food or whining or stalling at bedtime.
- She gives some really good actionable advice. And don't worry. We also talk about challenges in actually carrying out some of the strategies too. Because I like to keep it real. Parenting is often easier said than done. AmIright?!
Connect with Laura Lynn at www.lauralynnlapointe.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauralynnlapointe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauralynnlapointe
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
If you've ever wondered what in the world goes through your kids' heads when they behave the way they do sometimes, you are going to LOVE this episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast!
My guest on this episode is Sandra Etherington. Sandra is the mom of two young kids and the owner of Family Personalities, a business that aims to help families through the use of Personality Type.
Sandra helps families determine the personality type preferences of each family member using the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator. Then walks you through how to use that information to determine how you can more effectively communicate within your family.
How amazing is that?!
We talk about:
- How she uses her Myers-Briggs preference knowledge in her everyday mom life
- If and how you can accurately determine your child’s personality type
- Some practical ways to use Myers-Briggs preferences to discipline your children effectively
- The widespread confusion and misunderstanding of the Introvert versus Extrovert preference
- And several other misconceptions about personality typing tests
- And so much more!
If you enjoy personality type tests, definitely take a listen to our conversation.
Connect with Sandra at https://familypersonalities.com
Family Personalities Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familypersonalities
Check out her new podcast for more on Myers-Briggs and Enneagram applied to family dynamics and issues! https://familypersonalities.com/podcast
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
How are you feeling?
It's a really common question to get when you're pregnant. But it has a whole different layer to it when you're pregnant and about to give birth in the middle of a global pandemic.
I recorded this solo episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast when I was 36 weeks pregnant as I prepared to give myself some time and mental space to enjoy my new baby and family.
What I didn't anticipate was that the Coronavirus would change so much about daily life. And of course, plans for the delivery of my son.
I talk about:
- What I'm doing differently for my second pregnancy
- How pregnancy the second time around at the age of 40 has really been for me mentally, emotionally, and physically
- Thoughts, feelings, and changes to plans during the Coronavirus pandemic
- And how I'm preparing differently for postpartum this time around
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
If you've ever Googled "work from home", you will quickly see that there are around 10,380,000,000 results. Really! Try it.
And that is WAY too much information to sift through. Mama ain't got time for that!
But if you're like me and you've ever been a little curious about your money-making options that are not either working 40+ hours a week at an exhausting 9-5 job while paying for expensive child care or staying at home making no income, then this episode is for you!
My guest for this episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast is wife, toddler mama, and Virtual Assistant Taryn Sowa.
Taryn helps online businesses run and manage their business while she takes care of a toddler at home. Her background is not in marketing or business administration, but she quit her traditional full-time job to start her Virtual Assistant business. And get this, she started getting clients right out of the gate!
She shares lots of great real-life experience with starting and running her business as well as some tips and advice so other mamas like you can avoid the mistakes she made when she first started.
We talk about:
- Her experience and expectations in motherhood based on what other people told her
- Why she quit her fulltime 9-5 job to start her Virtual Assistant business
- How she runs her successful business from home with a toddler (and one on the way)
- Her advice for transitioning into a successful Virtual Assistant role, even if you think you don’t have any skills to offer.
Taryn's website: https://www.tarynsowa.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tarynsowa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taryn.shescreatingherdreams
FREE Essential Guide to Getting Freelance Clients Quickly & Easily
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Imagine life feeling more joyful and less stressful in your home and in your work. You stop forcing yourself to do things that don't align with what you're really great at in order to reach the goals you have.
My guest on today's Gotcha Mama podcast episode is mom to a toddler, wife, and super-creative, team-building, and hiring consultant, Kaylan Thompson.
She helps business owners (entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, small businesses, and large businesses alike) to make strategic hires so they can scale their businesses. So cool, right?!
She is all about using your strengths and "zones of genius" to bring more joy to your life. And don't just think about this in a business setting!
It can be in your home with your spouse and kids, in your community organizations you volunteer with, your friend group, your church family, etc.
Her passion for building teams and communities of support is contagious. It goes way beyond building businesses!
Find Kaylan on:
Website: https://www.joytolead.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joytolead
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joytolead
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Wouldn't it be nice to have ONE reliable place you could go to find resources that would answer your questions about parenting and health and wellness for your family?
That's what my guest on today's episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast, Samantha Barkley, set out to do when she created her website and blog A Mom Around Town.
Samantha's own experiences with a newborn left her needing help finding breastfeeding support, sleep guidance and someone just to have coffee with.
I love Google as much as the next mom, but it can get a bit much to wade through to make a decision and find exactly what you are looking for.
Samantha created the website resource A Mom Around Town to help other moms find confidence in themselves and the best health, wellness and parenting information to help them get there.
We talk about:
- How A Mom Around Town serves moms and what types of parenting and pregnancy resources she offers
- The biggest challenges she faces as a mom to a toddler
- Ways we can be confident in our motherhood journey
- How to conquer to-do lists and feel accomplished as a busy mom
Find Samantha on:
Website - https://amomaroundtown.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/amomaroundtown
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amomaroundtownstl
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/amomaroundtown
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Imagine that you've achieved something amazing that you've been dreaming about for a while.
You've put in the work and you're finally getting some recognition. And you're asked to make a live appearance to talk about what you've done and tell your story.
What song would you choose to play while you walk out?
I'll leave you to ponder that while you listen to my guest on the Gotcha Mama podcast today, Felicity Fox. (And you'll find out what my 'walkout song' is:)
Felicity has turned her long-time love of writing and rhyming into a career as a children's book author and editor. She is also a wife and a mother of two young kids.
Felicity was born and raised in a small New England town in Upstate New York. And from a young age, she's loved reading, writing, and playing the piano.
She took to heart her father's advice to "find something you love to do and find someone who will pay you to do it".
In this episode, we talk about:
- How she discovered her love for writing
- Why it’s important to her to pursue her dreams while her kids are young
- How she became published (And how You can become published too!)
- How she manages her schedule and deadlines working from home with a toddler
- Her practical tips for sustaining belief in your dream, even when things don’t go quickly or as planned
This was such a fun, light-hearted episode with some great reminders and practical tips for pursuing your dreams while being a mom to young kids.
https://www.facebook.com/felicityfoxwriter
https://www.instagram.com/felicity_fox9
Website: www.thefelicityfoxhouse.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
I messed up!! I made a mistake. Nobody likes to admit that.
But I learned something from my mistake. And I realized that this may be something other pregnant women run into, so I wanted to share with you in the hopes that you wouldn’t make the same mistake I did.
This is my cautionary tale of one thing I highly recommend you consider before hiring a doula...
In this solo episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast, I talk about:
- My birth experience with my first child
- Why I decided to hire a birth doula for my second child
- How I messed up in my decision-making process for hiring a doula - it probably isn't what you think.
- And how to avoid the mistake I made
Regardless of whether you're planning on having more children or not, I hope you learn something from my mistake. And if you have a friend who is pregnant or trying to conceive and is interested in hiring a doula, please share the episode with them!
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
What's one word you think of when you think about love?
For my guest today, her earliest memories of what she thought love was centered around anxiety and feeling uncomfortable. Later, as she began dating, she found herself in a cycle of toxic relationships.
Stephanie McPhail is a mom, wife, transformational life coach, and a domestic abuse survivor.
She has a Bachelor's in Psychology and a double Masters in Education and health from Hofstra University.
Her experience working as a specialist, trainer, and educator for a crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline led to her passion for educating people on how to live their most fulfilling lives.
Realizing a greater calling to inspire others, after she overcame her own personal hardships, she became a Transformational Life Coach and certified Dream Coach.
I’m continuing the February theme surrounding all things love by bringing on Stephanie to share her dramatic story and her incredible transformation of learning how to love herself, her spouse, and her children.
Stephanie’s story is intense and may be difficult to hear. But I think it’s valuable to share stories like Stephanie’s for many reasons.
Learn. Be encouraged. Grow in your compassion for what may be going on behind closed doors, either now or has in the past, for moms you know.
We talk about:
- Her journey from extremely low self-esteem and a toxic mindset about love to having a healthy marriage with two little kids
- What led to her initial cycle of toxic relationships
- Her terrifying experience in an emotionally and physically abusive relationship
- Lessons she’s learned through her journey of healing
- How to work through self-doubt as a mom
- And she also shares a unique way she practices self-care
Stephanie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeingLovedShouldntHurt/
Website: www.beinglovedshouldnthurt.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
We haven’t talked much about marriage on the show yet, and well, it’s TIME!!
My guest on this episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast is Michelle Purta. She's a mom of two boys (with a baby girl on the way), wife, and super smart, no-nonsense marriage coach for moms.
Michelle gives some amazing advice on how to navigate a healthy marriage with little kids running around the house.
She is on a mission to help moms empower themselves to create the marriage they want, so they can have a thriving relationship. Even while raising little kids. Yes!!! She knows because she's there right now too.
She believes that you can have the partnership, connection, and joy that you desire as a mom.
We talk about:
- Why she decided to become a marriage coach for moms
- How to realistically prioritize your marriage WHILE raising little kids
- Examples of healthy boundaries and why they are so important in a marriage
- Practical tips for engaging in meaningful connection with your spouse even when you’re exhausted
- Ways you can keep moving forward and continue to grow within your marriage once you get to a healthy place
Michelle on socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herconnectedfamily
Marriage & Motherhood Facebook Group
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
What dreams has God put on your heart in this season of life as a mom of young kids?
Maybe you haven't even given yourself the time or freedom to let yourself dream.
Or maybe you're discouraged because you feel like there are so many obstacles in the way of achieving your dreams right now. You think that you don't have time, or money, or skills you need to make it happen.
Whatever your situation, my guest on this episode of the Gotcha Mama podcast, Jess Carey, has some inspiring and motivating words to share with you.
Jess is a wife, the mom of two, an author, and a student at Hillsong Leadership College.
She has navigated the transitions and detours life's presented her into some practical ways to continually seek God’s direction. And she's passionate about sharing how you can do that too.
Her heart is for every person to step into the next part of the journey God has called them to. Whether you are in a season where you are unsure of what to do next, or you're feeling discouraged by your circumstances.
Get Jess's book Chart a Course: Taking a Journey With God at the Helm
Jess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_careyaz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicacarey.co
www.jessicacarey.co
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Episode 30 of the Gotcha Mama podcast feels kind of like a milestone to me, so I wanted to do something a little different.
I asked my friend and fellow mom podcaster, Rachel Olson, to chat with me to share the things she has learned through interviewing other moms and subject matter experts who serve and work with moms, from pregnancy well into parenting.
Between the two of us, we’ve interviewed close to 40 moms and subject matter experts!! That's a lot of wisdom, experience, and lessons to learn from.
I’ve learned a ton and had a lot of takeaways from my conversations with mamas on the Gotcha Mama podcast. And I know she has had lots from her conversations too. So I was really excited when she agreed to share all that with you!
We talk about:
- Why she started the podcast
- What kinds of challenges she’s going through right now in motherhood
- Common struggles and challenges she’s noticed moms deal with based on her podcast interviews
- Her most impactful interviews to date
- And How she decides who to interview on her show
Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetestandtoughestjob
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Have you ever looked at Marie Kondo or Martha Stewart and felt for even just a moment like you were somehow "less than" as a mom because your home or crafting or cooking didn't look like theirs? I know I have.
Upon the first impression, my guest on this episode of the podcast may appear to be a modern-day Martha Stewart. But this homeschooling mom of five is all about simple and, get this, realistic, ways to organize your home.
Kristi Clover is a wife, homeschooling mama of five kids, speaker, writer, and host of the Simply Joyful podcast. She's a home organization and efficiency expert. And she's passionate about encouraging and inspiring families through offering simple solutions for a more joy-filled life. I'm all about simple, my friend.
We chat about:
- How she became passionate about home organization and how that led to helping other moms
- How she gets so much done in life with five kiddos
- What advice she would give an overwhelmed mom who wants to take control of her home organization
- And a common misconception about home organization (TUNE IN FOR THIS!)
Kristi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristiclover
Kristi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristiclover
Website: www.kristiclover.com
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Do you ever feel like you are doing something because you "should"? Not because you want to do it or even because you need to do it, but because of some unspoken expectation that you should do it?
If you said 'yes' (that'd be me too, friend), then hang on for this first interview episode of season 3 of the Gotcha Mama podcast.
In this episode, I'm chatting with wife, mother to two beautiful girls, and executive and life coach Regan Walsh.
Regan Walsh is an NYU-certified executive and life coach who focuses on helping women who are over-programmed and underwhelmed to reclaim their lives, both personally and professionally. She strongly believes in the power of instinct, optimism, and honoring your own unique gifts.
We talk about:
- How she quit a job after only four days and the lesson she took from it that changed the way she lives her life
- How being a mom has changed the way she approaches business and life
- Why finding clarity of purpose can be such a challenge for moms, and women in general
- The difference between purpose and passion
- And her top practical tips for living your best life
Regan on socials:
https://www.facebook.com/reganwalsh
https://www.instagram.com/reganwalsh_lifecoach
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reganwalsh/
https://reganwalsh.com
https://school.reganwalsh.com/p/your-life-your-terms/ - Your Life. Your Terms. is a nine-course program for the overworked and underwhelmed woman who’s ready to stop saying yes when she really means no, to break through barriers of fear and perfection and to finally, and dramatically, show up for herself.
USE THE PROMO CODE “gotchamama” and you can get access for only $197 ( a $300 savings!!!)
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Although I know we're 26 episodes deep already into the podcast, I wanted to take this opportunity as the new year and new decade begin to back up and tell you the back-back story of not just WHY, but also HOW I decided to start the Gotcha Mama podcast.
I tell you in Episode 1, Another Mom Podcast?, why this podcast means so much to me to put out into the world. And all that is absolutely true.
But what I DIDN'T share in that episode is how I got to the point of actually deciding to create the podcast. Cliff's Notes - it was a lengthy process. And I'm going to share with you all the important details in this episode.
I talk about:
- How I felt stuck and unfulfilled on a path that didn’t feel aligned with my goals and desires
- What happened that sparked creating the podcast - before I even knew what it would be about
- The process I went through internally to realize that starting a podcast was what I wanted to do
- What three things contributed most to me figuring out that the podcast was the next thing for me to invest time and energy into
- And a few things you can do as we start 2020 to you set yourself up for the best year ever!
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Did you know that the intense postpartum mood swings commonly referred to as "the baby blues" are reportedly experienced by 80% of mothers?
Okay, maybe you knew that already. But are you aware of the range and variety of postpartum mood disorders outside of "the baby blues"? Mothers can experience anything from postpartum depression, postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder, postpartum bipolar disorder, and even postpartum psychosis.
I'd love to contribute to the conversation around the importance of maternal mental health and appropriate postpartum care for mothers. Sharing honest stories, without judgment can play a vital role in creating awareness around the issue. So I've asked my guest Larken Lech to share her story of postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Larken is a mama of two and a powerhouse COO. She shares openly and transparently in this episode about the terrifying mental health challenges she experienced postpartum with her first child. And she walks us through her mental health journey since the birth of her daughter and then her son.
We talk about:
- How the birth of her daughter affected her overall mental health
- The terrifying and intrusive thoughts she had postpartum with her daughter
- How those thoughts took over her life and what she did to get through them
- What happened at her lowest point
- The responses she received after sharing her self-diagnosed postpartum OCD
- When she stopped experiencing symptoms of OCD (her answer may surprise you)
- And what she learned about herself through this difficult season
Larken on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/pretty_digital_
Larken on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/digitallypretty
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
What do you do when all the beliefs and methods of parenting that you use in raising your older children are being challenged by your youngest child?
You desperately want to help your child, but you don't know how. What do you do?
That's the situation that my guest today was faced with. Lindsay Leiviska went through six challenging and painful years searching for answers to help her son manage his unpredictable and sometimes dangerous behaviors.
As she gained knowledge about her son from doctors and books, she also uncovered and worked through her own beliefs around parenting. All in hopes of helping her son.
On the other side of her incredible heart change and finding answers, she created her business called A Heart for All Students.
Lindsay truly has the heart to help children who think and process the world differently. She does this by equipping the amazing moms and dads who raise them with the tools to manage difficult behavior.
We talk about. . .
- What happened when her adopted son was 18 months of age that radically changed everything for her family.
- The challenges and struggles she went through navigating her son’s unpredictable behaviors and desperately trying to find answers.
- What trauma can look like in children.
- Why it’s important for adoptive parents to have the right tools and knowledge.
- And so much more!
Lindsay on Instagram
Lindsay on Facebook
A Heart for All Students website
For show notes and resources mentioned http://www.gotchamama.com
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show so more amazing mamas like you can find it!
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama
Halloween is over so now it's officially the holiday season! Pull out your Christmas tree, cue up the Hallmark (or Netflix, love me some Netflix) movies, put on your ugly sweaters and let's do this!
Not that you need permission to give yourself a break, but if you do - I’ll give it to you. Give yourself a break from things you don’t have to do over the holidays. Cough cough, that little elf may have to retire from the shelf. It WILL be OKAY.
Try to simplify where you can. Enjoy the season with your family!
This episode I share the ONE thing that changed how my husband and I (and now also our daughter) do Christmas that reduced my stress tremendously AND put more money in our pockets over the holiday season. It's wonderful!
Even if you don't do this one thing, stick around to the end. I also share a super simple tip that can help you own your holiday season this year.
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Today’s episode is going to be especially interesting if you are currently breastfeeding or will be in the near future.
Even if you are way past that phase and don’t plan to go back- I totally understand! You’re still sure to enjoy the mama I talk to today and be inspired by her story.
You already know that you go through a lot of physical and mental changes when you become a mom. No matter how many kids you have, you're always a new woman, and a new mom, after each one is born.
My guest on today's episode is Brookelynn Espegard.
Brookelynn is the mama of two girls under two years old. She says that she started her real work when she reluctantly slid out of her work as a yoga and ayurvedic educator and writer, and into full out motherhood.
Her postpartum story recounting the physical and mental challenges she experienced after her second child are sure to resonate with lots of mamas.
Those postpartum challenges led her to create the innovative new leakproof nursing bra and Booboos brand. She is the creator/founder of Booboos Bras- the first leakproof nursing and pumping bra.
Through her innovative nursing bra and the Booboos Bras brand, Brookelynn's passion is empowering women and mothers to be the amazing women that they are. To feel confident and comfortable, and to love themselves as much as they love their babies.
I also LOVE the brand’s mission to empower, support, and celebrate the strength of mothers. That's what Gotcha Mama is all about too!
We talk about. . .
- Her mental and physical challenges in postpartum with her second child
- Her journey to finding the new version of herself after baby #2
- How and why she created Booboos leakproof nursing bras
- Why the bigger mission of Booboos is so important to her
- And some ways that we as moms can help other women transition into motherhood feeling confident and empowered
Booboos Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/booboosbras/
Booboos Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/booboosbras/
Booboos website: https://booboosbras.com/
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
On this very positive episode of the Gotcha Mama Podcast, I chat with my guest Elle Benson. Elle is the mom of a toddler, an author, and a nonprofit director in Tennessee. She is what many would describe as a typical working mother. She’s the one on mute during the conference call, balancing her phone on one shoulder and her toddler in the other arm.
Elle doesn’t believe there’s a science to motherhood but does believe that women need to stop judging others. And, more importantly, stop judging themselves. YES, Mama!
She began studying positive psychology to help people finish the phrase, “I’ll be happy when...” Her desire to assist other moms and women with being happy in the present moment is contagious.
She recently launched an amazing business and workbook for moms-to-be called Cultivate Your Happiness, which we dig into a lot during our conversation.
She is funny, positive, honest, and she has a passion for supporting other moms. So basically, she’s my kind of people!!
We talk about:
- What is happiness and why it's important for people
- The various factors that determine happiness in your life
- Why she decided to launch Cultivate Your Happiness
- How the "Cultivate Your Happiness" book she authored and the vision for her business benefits moms at every stage
- How to pass down happiness to your children
- And much more amazing conversation about happiness, positive psychology, and how it all relates to motherhood!
Elle's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cultivateyourhappiness/ Elle's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CultivateYourHappiness923/
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Have you ever had to choose between career aspirations and being a parent? Or felt like you were burning the candle at both ends to be the superstar career-woman and also superstar mom?
Unfortunately, overwhelm and burnout is a life-crushing epidemic for working parents in the U.S. And it's time someone came up with a better way.
Enter today's guest, Sarah Argenal! Sarah is a mom of two boys on a mission to eradicate the burnout epidemic that's crushing working parents so they can finally enjoy these precious years of their life.
With over two decades of experience in areas such as psychotherapy, professional coaching, and complex project management in global law firms, Sarah offers a sustainable and long-term approach to personal fulfillment for working parents.
She's the founder of The Argenal Institute, host of the popular Working Parent Resource Podcast, and creator of the Whole SELF Lifestyle™ framework.
We talk about:
- How she went from working full-time in corporate litigation support to working as an entrepreneur and homeschooling her boys
- Why she believes burnout is so common now and what she proposes as a solution
- Life balance and if it is actually attainable for moms who work
- The real underlying issues that we blame on poor time management or other surface-level symptoms
- She also shares why the Whole SELF Lifestyle framework she's developed is different from the other personal development tools available
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Argenal Institute: https://argenalinstitute.com/
Sarah on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/argenalinstitute/
In today's episode, I’m talking with a mom I know well, Tricia Baumhardt.
Tricia is a continual source of wisdom and spiritual encouragement for women and moms. And I'm inspired by how honest and candid Tricia is when she talks about how she navigates unpredictable and sometimes uncomfortable parenting situations.
I appreciate, and I know you will too, how honestly and transparently she shares her family's journey loving and growing with a child who has special needs.
Tricia's oldest child, daughter Ava, was diagnosed as having Autism when she was just three years old.
We talk about:
- What it was like for her and her husband when they got the diagnosis that Ava has Autism
- The range of reactions she's experienced from other parents when she's out in public with Ava
- What she's learned about herself and other people since Ava's diagnosis
- How she and her husband talk to her youngest child about Ava's behavior and Autism
- Her advice to other parents who've received a diagnosis that their child has Autism
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Almost twenty years ago, I was 20 years old and it was the year 2000! Wha?! With my 40th birthday coming up in December, it seems appropriate to take a look at this milestone and appreciate the journey that’s gotten me here.
So as I reach the big 4-0 as a mom of a three-year-old daughter, I'm reflecting on some things that would've served me well in my 20s, had I really let them sink in.
These things also happen to be things I strive to remember now, as well as things I'd like to pass down to my daughter too.
In essence, this episode is a list of the "top 5 things I would tell my 20-year-old self". Some of these are things I learned before becoming a mom, but they didn’t really sink in good until after I had my daughter.
Motherhood changes you. I would argue that it changes you for the better. I have no scientific proof to back that up. But I DO know lots of really awesome, talented, resilient, strong, wise, loving, and resourceful moms!!
I talk about the FIVE things I would tell my twenty-year-old self. And consequently, things I actually tell myself often now too.
Failure is a normal part of life and a necessary part of success.
You can't control what other people think about you.
Work on YOU first.
Plan that things won't go as planned.
It's never too late to start something new.
And bonus*- Especially when it comes to people, there’s always more going on than what you can see on the outside.
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
This is the second part of my conversation with my guest and Physical Therapist, Katherine Sylvester. We get to some REAL real talk today about our post-baby bodies. And you don't want to miss it!
We get into so much good stuff in our conversation that I could NOT cut anything out for you. So I had to make the Q&A a Part 2 that you'll hear in this episode.
Katherine answers listener-submitted questions like:
What can I do to prevent vaginal tearing during childbirth?
How can I get rid of the "pooch" above my c-section scar?
And more. . .
She shares some super practical tips to help before, during, and immediately after you give birth, as well as tips to help with a smooth recovery during the months after you've given birth. You'll get your strength and energy up and your confidence maxed out with her guidance!
Katherine has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and psychology from Mercer University and her doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia. She lives in Macon, GA with her husband and her five-year-old son.
Through education, encouragement, and accountability, she gives women permission to redefine motherhood and debunk the myth that childbirth means wearing pads, losing your abs, having energy deprivation and not feeling sexy anymore.
Katherine works with moms to help them rediscover their muscle flexibility, urinary continence, sexual fulfillment, internal confidence, and core stability.
For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com
Katherine on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rediscoveryourmusic
Katherine on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/rediscoveryourMUSIC
www.rediscoveryourmusic.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
On today's episode, I’m talking with my guest and Physical Therapist, Katherine Sylvester. We get to the REAL real talk today.
Katherine has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and psychology from Mercer University and her doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia. She lives in Macon, GA with her husband and her five-year-old son.
We talk about why she’s so passionate about helping moms, some common misconceptions about postpartum recovery, and some surprisingly easy ways to tackle those physical challenges of pregnancy and postpartum recovery that will make you feel more confident.
Through education, encouragement, and accountability, she gives women permission to redefine motherhood and debunk the myth that childbirth means wearing pads, losing your abs, having energy deprivation and not feeling sexy anymore.
Katherine works with moms to help them rediscover their muscle flexibility, urinary continence, sexual fulfillment, internal confidence, and core stability.
If you don’t walk away from this episode having learned something new, you weren’t listening!
We got into so much good stuff that I had to make a part 2 that will be a Q&A with Katherine next week.
Katherine on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rediscoveryourmusic
Katherine on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/rediscoveryourMUSIC
www.rediscoveryourmusic.com
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Ten years ago, my guest, Mamie Simmons, would've considered it a joke if someone said that she would own and operate an exercise group for moms. The thought was so far removed from her everyday life.
Funny enough, Mamie is now a self-proclaimed fitness lover! Not only is she is a wife and mom to two young kids, but she is also the owner and an instructor at iStroll Macon. iStroll is a national franchise fitness group for parents.
She proudly shares that the practices, lessons, and friends she gained from iStroll influence her every day.
We talk about what kept her from consistent workouts, the unexpected way she got involved with iStroll, what iStroll is, what she's learned as a business owner and mom of two, and some very practical ways you can get out of your own way and get started with your health and fitness goals.
Mamie and her husband live in Macon, Georgia with their 5-year-old daughter, 4-month-old son, and Goldendoodle.
iStroll Macon Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/istroll.macon
Main franchise iStroll Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/istroll.fitness
More about iStroll: www.istroll.co
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
It's Season 2 of the Gotcha Mama Podcast! So awesome to be back with you.
It's a new season of the podcast, a new season of school, and Summer will be transitioning to Fall soon (my favorite season ever!). So I want to take a minute and recognize all the new.
It's so easy to rush into new things because we're excited or anxious about getting it started. The beginning of something new is exciting and can be a little scary. But I don't want to blow past this.
There is as much transition and new in the seasons for moms as for kids and if we don't acknowledge it, process it, and maybe grieve the old season a little, I think we miss out on some of the beautiful parts of motherhood.
In this episode, I'll talk about how we can overlook new phases and seasons of being a mom, what you can do to work through uncomfortable changes and new seasons, the beauty of new opportunities, and how change is the only thing that is constant.
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For show notes and links to resources: https://www.gotchamama.com
How did you feel about moving to a new place and being the "new mom"? Maybe uncertain, or uncomfortable. It can be scary to put yourself out there. My guest today knows ALL about being the new mama on the block and finding a community of support, again and again, and again.
Today, I’m talking with Meagan Riggs. Meagan is a military spouse and mama to five beautiful young children, currently living on her adorable farm in North Carolina.
As a military spouse, she has moved many times, so she is no newbie to finding community and wanting to belong. We talk about her experience finding and creating authentic community anywhere, things we can do to help moms feel less alone, the ups and downs of moving over and over as a military mama, and of course her goats!!
Megan is a passionate lover of sunshine and open spaces as well as homeschooling and homesteading. Making her home fills not just her days, but her heart to overflowing. She finds joy in gathering with friends and loved ones, studying the enneagram (she's a 3), and that entire 30 seconds when all the laundry is done.
While she says that she’s far from perfect, she's found the beauty of true belonging in her faith and in grace that never fails.
This wraps up Season 1 of the Gotcha Mama podcast so beautifully! Meagan is an absolute delight and I have some fantastic takeaways from this conversation. I know you will too!
Did you know that only 2% of teen mothers graduate from college?! That's a staggering statistic that my guest today is included in.
On today's episode, I talk with single mom Sara Starr Huth. Sara lives in Denver, Colorado with her now 17-year-old son. Although she doesn’t have little kids anymore, she has a powerful story that any mom can learn something from.
For close to 10 years Sara has dedicated her professional life to teaching teen parents about healthy relationships, parenting skills, and practical sexual health in her local school district.
Her motivation for her work with teen parents came from her own very personal experiences as a teen mom. Sara got pregnant at 17-years-old and gave birth to her son soon after her 18th birthday.
She has walked the path of both a teen mom and a single parent and knows first hand many of the challenges that moms face when the odds are stacked against them.
It was during her most challenging times, that she knew she wanted to be a source of support and strength for other moms.
She recently established "Momma, You Got This" with the mission to build an online community for women who are parenting under challenging circumstances. "Momma, You Got This" is dedicated to providing support, resources, and community to young mommas, single mommas, divorced or widowed mommas and any momma who needs the help and resources.
We talk about what it was really like to be a teen mom, where she went for support as a new mom and now that her son is a teenager, effective co-parenting tips she’s learned, and how being a young, single mom shaped her view of herself, her dreams, and her son’s future.
I really hope you enjoy Sara’s full-circle story!
Momma, You Got This Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mommayougotthis/
Learn More: https://www.mommayougotthis.com/
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“Mom guilt”! If you’re a mom, you’ve likely experienced what that dirty term feels like first-hand. My guest today knows all about it and how to manage it so it doesn't get in the way of being the mom she wants to be.
On today's episode, I talk to Jaymee Castle from Your Milk Shoppe Knoxville. Your Milk Shoppe is a business started by moms that offers affordable maternity services to mothers from the beginning of their pregnancy into the many years of parenting. Their goal is to empower and lift up moms by assisting them in planning for their new arrival and also providing them with helpful tools and resources along the way.
Jaymee is their Knoxville, TN representative. She lives in Knoxville with her husband and three young children where she works full time at a corporate job and also works to grow the services and reach of Your Milk Shoppe to help more moms.
From grade school through college and up the ladder in Corporate America, Jaymee always found a straight forward formula of hard working equaling success.
Then she and her husband welcomed the first of their three young children and she quickly found that hard work didn’t always lead to what felt like a success.
Navigating multiple pregnancies, maternity leaves and back to work transitions, all while parenting three very different babies has led Jaymee to fully understand how critical it is for mamas to have a strong support system in place.
Jaymee and I talk about "mom guilt", knowing when and how to ask for outside help, what being a “successful” mom looks like, and why so many moms struggle during postpartum.
Jaymee has experienced both sides of the coin - working full time and also staying home full time. So I know you’ll be able to relate to her story no matter your current situation!
JAYMEE'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeecastle
YOUR MILK SHOPPE KNOXVILLE INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/yourmilkshoppe_knoxville
Learn more: https://yourmilkshoppe.com/
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GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Waiting for something you want so much and not knowing when, how, or IF it will happen is one of the most difficult things. My guest on today's episode shares her story of grief and desperation in waiting and also the incredible miracles and hope on the other side of it.
Today I talk with Ashleigh Mackey. Ashleigh is an Arizona adoptive mama of one who married her high school sweetheart, Bobby, in 2010. Ashleigh’s story of adopting her daughter Charleigh is truly amazing.
Her husband's childhood illness made the chances of conceiving a child very slim for them. But her desire to be a mother still weighed heavy on her heart. Through extreme ups and downs, Ashleigh leaned into God for comfort and guidance.
Ashleigh's story is about adoption, but maybe not the kind you immediately think of. Ashleigh's story is about kinship adoption. This happens when children in foster care find permanent homes with relatives when they can’t return to live with their parents for some reason.
Ashleigh and I talk about the pain and desperation she experienced during uncertainty while waiting for a child, how God met her at her lowest point, the miraculous series of events that occurred for Charleigh to become her daughter, and the unique set of challenges and benefits that come with kinship care and adoption.
Ashleigh’s heart to be a mother, along with her inspiring faith in God, make this story of kinship adoption one you do NOT want to miss. SO many goosebump moments.
More about Ashleigh:
Ashleigh is a part-time special needs caregiver and a full-time stay-at-home-mama.
Her little family of three enjoy lots of travel, exploring the outdoors, and cultivating a strong community of friendship. The Mackey’s value building a home together steeped in love and a sense of belonging to all who enter.
Over the years, Ashleigh has built a deep love for home & event decorating. Making “something out of nothing” is what she’s known for, but what really brings her joy is all things vintage!
Following the encouragement by her family & friends, she is currently in the beginning stages of building an online thrift shop called “Mother of Thrift” where she intends to sell unique vintage finds that she collects on a weekly basis.
ASHLEIGH'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/littlemissashleigh/
Ashleigh's online thrift shop - MOTHER OF THRIFT INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/motherofthrift/
GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/
GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Today I’m giving you permission to let yourself off the hook because that’s what I had to do. As moms, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up for something we did or didn’t do because we just didn’t know.
As a new mom, I expected there to be sleepless nights and lots of crying - mainly my daughter, but also me. And when things were hard, and I mean really hard, those first two months after my daughter was born, I thought maybe being a mom just IS this difficult.
My daughter's two-month checkup at the pediatrician confirmed my worst fears though. Something was not right and I had been clueless while my daughter suffered.
In today's episode, I talk about the challenges I encountered breastfeeding a baby who was diagnosed with a dairy protein allergy after months of struggling with her sleeping, eating, and endless crying, how we got the diagnosis, what we did to turn things around and get going in the right direction (her and me), and where we are now with dairy in our diets. Hint - I did NOT have a good experience with dairy-free pizza!
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GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/
Your hearing gets muffled, the room starts to go dark. Your world is turning upside down in that very moment. As you sit in the ER staring at the awful pastel curtains, you try to make sense of what the doctor is telling you.
My guest on today's episode, Stefani Klinedinst, experienced that gut-wrenching situation.
Stefani is a wife and mom to two young boys living in Washington, D.C. When her son Brody was just sixteen months old, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and a terrifying series of events followed.
I’m going to warn you now that today's episode is a graphic and emotional one. But Stefani’s story doesn’t end in the middle of a tragic situation! If you know me at all, believe that I wouldn’t leave you there.
Through it all, Stefani has shown strength and tenacity in navigating what I can’t imagine having to go through in order to just keep moving forward and survive.
I so appreciate her bravery in sharing the really tough and messy things she’s experienced as a mom. And I hope you will too.
I don’t want your takeaway from this episode to be fear or guilt or sadness. My goal in having Stefani share her story is for you to see the value of persistence, hope, strength, and grace for yourself and for other moms in difficult seasons.
My guest today is a new mom to an adorable baby boy, but she is no newbie to waking up multiple times a night. She's been doing that pretty much every night for the past 14 years!
Rachel Mayo is the mom of her IVF miracle baby Noah. She lives and works just outside of Nashville, TN at a nonprofit that's close to her heart - JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).
Rachel has lived with the autoimmune disease Type 1 Diabetes, sometimes called Juvenile Diabetes, for 14 years. She's spent a majority of those years helping other people like her navigate their disease with a positive spirit.
Type 1 Diabetes can be a challenging and frustrating disease that requires constant monitoring of blood sugar levels, correcting, and adjusting in order to stay alive.
One more added weight to the mental and physical exhaustion of being a mom.
But there's no pity party here my friend. You are going to love Rachel's positive attitude and how she cares for people. Her genuineness and light-hearted spirit come through as she shares her literal highs and lows of her motherhood journey as a mom with Type 1 Diabetes.
At one time or another, we've all let our circumstances determine what we think we're capable of doing. It's only natural. My guest today is going to completely change the way you view your limitations as a mom though. I guarantee it!
Megan DeJarnett is a wife, mom to two small boys, speaker, and blogger. At 2 years old, she was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. In a wheelchair since childhood and told that she would likely only live to age 15, Megan chose not to let obstacles limit the desires in her heart or taking action to make them a reality.
She recently celebrated her 30th birthday as a healthy mom of two biological children!
Megan and I talk about removing labels, how anything is possible even though it may look different, and how we're all trying to figure out motherhood, no matter what "kind of mom" you are.
Her journey in motherhood, and in life, is summed up so beautifully by her statement, "You are capable of more than you know!"
Hold on to your mom bun, I'm doing something a little different today! To kick off a new month, I wanted to try something new. There's no guest on this episode. It's just me telling one of my motherhood stories. . .
Ever have one of those days where your plans get derailed by something out of your control and then everything after that makes you frustrated? I had a day like that and then something unexpected happened that changed everything for me. I'll tell you all about what happened.
Have you wondered what it's like to be a mom with OCD and severe anxiety? My guest on today's episode talks about just that. Caroline Broadbent is a wife, mom to a toddler, a nurse, and a blogger. She was diagnosed three years ago with OCD and severe anxiety and has been battling them ever since.
She started growthspurts blog as a form of therapy, and an emotional outlet from the stressors of her profession and every day triggers.
Caroline talks about living with OCD and severe anxiety while raising a toddler, how OCD and anxiety affected her life during pregnancy and after her son was born, her thoughts on "mom guilt", hitting rock bottom, and what pulled her out of the darkest place imaginable.
If you've ever felt stuck, or feel unfulfilled in your life as a mom, or maybe you deal with anxiety, then you NEED to listen to this week’s episode with my guest Ryan Swanson. Ryan is a wife, mom of three adorable young kiddos, a former (very successful) lawyer who is now an Executive Director with BeautyCounter (don’t worry, there’s no pitch at the end of the episode).
Ryan talks about how she went from feeling like she was drowning and unfulfilled with two small kids at home and a fulltime job she hated to now living a life she loves, pursuing her purpose, and continually working toward being the best version of herself as she also manages her anxiety. She talks about how she totally transformed her life by taking the next imperfect step and why she has decided to say ‘yes’ more.
So Buckle up, you’re going to be so inspired and motivated by her story.
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Lots of things change when you become a mom. The way you view your own beauty may be one of them. Guest Jennifer Duvall is a makeup artist, beauty blogger, and mom. We talk about how she built and runs a business she loves while she is a mom to three kids, the importance of loving yourself FOR your kids, and her favorite inexpensive and painless way to look younger. We also talk about that dirty word "comparison" and the unrealistic beauty expectations that bombard us as women and moms.
Does the mere thought of traveling with your kids make you start to sweat? Tantrums, changing schedules, unpredictable situations, and the packing! It can be stressful and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. My guest today knows all about it.
In this episode, I talk with mom and blogger Maggie Bailey. She blogs about her faith, DIY, and her travels all over the world with her husband and three young kiddos. She’s been crossing things off her very long bucket list with her family for years, including recently going Zorbing in New Zealand!
Her refreshing perspective on traveling with kids and her practical travel tips for reducing stress and making travel more fun will give you the confidence you need to make that trip with your family that you’ve always wanted.
Being a mom isn't always a day at the spa. It can be frustrating, exhausting, and lonely. It can also be the most wonderful and fulfilling role you'll ever have.
Whether you have one kid or enough to fill a sports team, you mama, are part of the BEST club around - Motherhood. And if we're all really honest, most of the time none of us know what the heck we're doing. But one of the many truly special things about moms is how we can have each other's backs.
This episode I talk about what Gotcha Mama means and why in the world I started apodcast about motherhood. Pull on those yoga pants, throw in that mom bun, and let's do this!