Maintaining Mama: Recent Episodes
Jen Butler
The musings of a former wine mom, diet culture survivor, recovering perfectionist, and sometime supermom maintaining my sobriety, sanity and self. I am a recovery coach-in-training and proudly alcohol-free since July 5, 2018.
"I think it's important to realize that you can miss something, but not want it back." - Paulo Coelho
Does this resonate with anyone else when pondering pre-pandemic life versus our ever-evolving new normal? Join me for my final episode of season one where I discuss how this idea applies to so many stages of life (hello, drinking days versus sobriety), yet is particularly relevant right now.
Don't forget to share this episode, and follow and/or subscribe to this spanky but sincere little podcast!
Questions? Comments? Reach out!
DM me: @maintaining_mama on Insta
Email me: jen@maintaining-mama.com
Do you struggle with staying present in discomfort? How do you face your inner critic? In the past, I have tried drinking, eating, and scrolling her away... all to no avail. But today, on a rainy Monday while sitting at the car dealership enduring the world's longest oil change, I invited her to ride in the backseat.
Join me as I discuss contending with our inner critic. It can be icky work, but it's worth it.
Parts of this podcast are available in this blog post: https://maintaining-mama.com/2021/06/14/contending-with-our-inner-critic/
Don't forget to share this episode, and follow and/or subscribe to this spanky but sincere little podcast!
Questions? Comments? Reach out!
DM me: @maintaining_mama on Insta
Email me: jen@maintaining-mama.com
In this episode, I share a homework assignment for my Neuroscience of Joyful Recovery course: "Isolation Island," a story that explains the brain, joy, and addiction in a way that is easy for others to understand. I would love to hear what you think of this story, which I plan to use in my coaching, and how it impacts you. Please drop me a line and let me know your thoughts!
Also, I have a new microphone. Also, much to the chagrin of my inner perfectionist, the mic cuts out right at the start of the story so here is how it starts:
This probably started out as a vacation. A trip you were looking forward to, once upon a time. Honestly, it's been so long since you've seen family or friends you can't remember exactly how or when you got here. This is Isolation Island.
The full story is also available on the blog: https://maintaining-mama.com/2021/06/07/isolation-island/
Don't forget to share this episode, and follow and/or subscribe to this spanky but sincere little podcast!
Questions? Comments? Reach out!
DM me: @maintaining_mama on Insta
Email me: jen@maintaining-mama.com
It's June 2021. The world is opening back up, masks are coming off, and the pandemic fatigue is REAL Y'ALL. We are at mile 24 of the marathon, which is a challenging and complicated place to be. But by doing what we can to reduce our stress, we can start to clear the brain fog and recover some energy. At least I hope so. Pop into this episode for a little camaraderie in the pandemic trenches, where we'll mix metaphors, fill our cups, and get ourselves into a better headspace as we head into summer.
This episode was inspired by an Instagram post I wrote last week. Find me there @maintaining_mama.
Parts of this episode are also available in a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2021/06/01/checking-in-at-mile-24/
Don't forget to share this episode, and follow and/or subscribe to this spanky but sincere little podcast!
Questions? Comments? Reach out! Email me at jen@maintaining-mama.com.
In this episode, with my snoring French Bulldog at my feet, I talk about what a coach is (and is not), and why I decided to become a coach. If you are curious about coaching or have thought about hiring a coach, this episode is for you!
Questions or comments? Want more info or to be considered for some pro bono coaching as I set up my new business in the coming months? Reach out!
DM me: @maintaining_mama on Instagram
Email me: jen@maintaining-mama.com
Don't forget to share this episode, and follow and/or subscribe to this spanky but sincere little podcast!
In this episode I discuss why cycle awareness is important and what it means. I talk about the "four seasons" of our cycle, as described by Maisie Hill in the excellent book Period Power: Harness Your Hormones and Get Your Cycle Working For You. I also share four tips for navigating cycle awareness. Cycle awareness has helped me be more in tune with my body and appreciate it on a deeper level. The more you know, you know?
Please let me know what you think about this episode!
DM me: @maintaining_mama on Instagram
Email me: jen@maintaining-mama.com
Don't forget to share this episode, and follow and/or subscribe to the podcast!
Oh hi! I'm still doing this! Now that I have recovered from my post-launch vulnerability hangover, I share a little more about why I'm here and what I plan to discuss on this podcast.
Here are the other places you can find me:
Blog: https://maintaining-mama.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maintaining_mama/
Email: jen@maintaining-mama.com - I'd love to hear from you!
Oh hi! I just started a podcast! Give a listen to learn about me and my history with gray area drinking, and why I decided to stop.
In this bonus episode direct from the blog I talk about going with your gut and how to tell your inner critic to pipe the F down!
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2021/05/03/take-the-compliment-and-run/
In this bonus episode straight from the blog, I'm celebrating 1,000 days alcohol-free!
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2021/03/30/one-thousand-days/
In this bonus episode, which took me almost a year to share, I talk about working with a nutritionist whose extreme body transformation approach was, frankly, a terrible fit for me. Hear how I dealt with a month of hanger which coincided with the start of lockdown, and where I am now. TW: lots of diet and body shame talk. A few bad words too.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2021/01/12/truce/
I am one year alcohol-free!
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/07/04/day-365-independence-day/
Day 330 and feeling pretty darn good.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/05/30/five-weeks-to-go/
At eight months AF, I'm still not ready to give it up. What is my last remaining tie to alcohol?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/03/05/eight-months-alcohol-free/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/02/05/a-three-part-conversation-about-alcohol-with-my-seven-year-old-daughter/
One month, one hundred days, and now six months. Woohoo! What is different at six months alcohol-free? Tune in to find out!
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2019/01/05/six-months-off-the-sauce/
New Year's Eve 2018: reflecting on a year spent on this journey to alcohol freedom.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/12/31/a-180-in-2018/
I turned 38 on the day we bought a 240-year-old farmhouse. Alcohol played no part in the day, and I couldn't be happier about that.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/11/15/my-first-alcohol-free-birthday/
How I surfed the urge on a challenging day when the wine witch dared rear her gnarly head.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/11/12/the-wine-witch-returns/
Sobriety brings with it many benefits, including the gut hug.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/11/02/from-gut-punch-to-gut-hug/
Celebrating one hundred days alcohol-free! This is a good one.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/10/12/one-hundred-days/
My first parents' night out during my One Year Alcohol-Free proves that I can schmooze without booze. It's different, but it's good.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/09/24/schmoozing-without-boozing/
On my ninth wedding anniversary - and my first alcohol-free wedding anniversary! - I reflect back on my wedding day and how alcohol played only a minor role.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/09/19/wedding-day-gazing/
My daughter's first day of first grade brings back some not-so-fond memories as I look through the photos of her first day of kindergarten.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/09/07/bringing-family-to-the-foreground/
Day 60 of my One Year Alcohol-Free and I did a brave thing: I put my last name on my Instagram account. Give a listen to find out why, and what this milestone means to me.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/09/02/putting-my-name-on-it/
I survived my first alcohol-free trip! With two kids and two dogs! And hit my Day 50 milestone! It wasn't easy, but that's ok.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/08/26/tracation-contemplation/
In appreciation of sobriety on a very practical level: I had an allergic reaction after being stung in my front yard. What ensued was not enjoyable, but it was a heck of a lot better because I hadn't been drinking.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/08/02/practically-speaking-fu-bees/
In grieving the loss of my father-in-law, I realize that being alcohol-free makes me a better mourner.
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://maintaining-mama.com/2018/08/01/an-unexpected-and-most-unwelcome-milestone/
The first milestone of my one year alcohol-free: celebrating my husband's birthday without booze. Spoiler alert - it was lovely.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/07/17/a-booze-free-birthday-and-bonus-bootcamp/
July 5, 2018: my commitment to one year alcohol-free begins!
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://maintaining-mama.com/2018/07/05/no-day-but-today-day-one-of-my-oyaf/