Mighty As A Mother

We are so excited for you to listen to today’s episode with Monique Volz, a corporate marketer turned blogger and cookbook author. Monique’s goal is simply this: to inspire us all, both in and out of the kitchen - and she does that and then some. Together we discuss how to confidently leave behind a “dream job” in order to ruthlessly pursue your dreams and Monique shares what began as a personal journey to share her favorite recipes while processing the loss of her father has blossomed into a multifaceted brand known for its innovative dishes, vibrant photography, and heartfelt storytelling. Beyond the kitchen, Monique is a fellow mama (three toddler boys!) and entrepreneur, balancing the demands of motherhood with the responsibilities of running a successful business. Monique shares her personal practices for balancing the many demands of life while making time for herself, and she does it in the most authentic and approachable way. We close with a discussion on how she manages running successful businesses and raising three, energetic toddlers and it left each of us feeling so inspired. This episode is filled with so many pearls of wisdom that we’ll remember as we approach our own daily lives. We adore how honest and approachable Monique is, and how despite growing her team, still manages to stay close and connected to her community. If you’re ready to sit down with three girlfriends and chat openly and honestly about all things ambition in motherhood, this is the episode for you. Links: Monique’s IG Monique’s cookbook Monique’s blog For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

It’s Stress Awareness Month and we dive head first into the complexities of maternal stress with fellow mom and PhD, Molly Dickens. As a scientist, writer, advocate, and founder, Molly has the fascinating insights to share around the physiological and psychological impacts of chronic stress on mothers, along with personal lessons learned throughout her career journey from academia to maternal health advocacy, and her latest initiative, The Maternal Stress Project. In this episode you will learn: What is “The Maternal Stress Project”? - Molly maps the stressors related to modern American motherhood in a way we’ve never seen before with the goal of better understanding and supporting the health and wellbeing of women and working caregivers around the country. What is “Maternal Stress” and what are the societal acceptances of maternal stress and its impact on health outcomes, with an emphasis on the need for targeted interventions that actually help! The physiological and psychological impacts of chronic stress. Spoiler alert: they each have significant effects on both the body and mind of mothers, influencing our overall wellbeing and health. Coping strategies to help manage your day to day life, emphasizing the importance of taking care of your body and mind, while identifying and leaning on support as often as you can. What is needed from a policy and domestic initiative perspective to better support us mamas in managing stress and advocating for systemic changes. We took away tons of actionable insights from this conversation and hope you love it, too! Links: Maternal Stress Project Substack Maternal Stress Project LinkedIn Molly’s LinkedIn For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

In today’s critically important episode, we’re talking all things gender equity and working parenthood with Lauren Smith Brody. Fellow mom, gender equity advocate, and former Executive Editor at Glamour Magazine sits down with us to discuss the crisis facing working parents and caregivers today - and what’s needed to advance women’s leadership and overall economic growth. Lauren shares her own experiences as a working mother and interviews with other women to offer practical tips, anecdotes, and guidance on navigating the professional and personal aspects of life after childbirth. Lauren’s work has been featured in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and on Good Morning America and we know you’ll love this episode regardless of where you are on your motherhood journey! By the end of our conversation, you’ll learn how we as mothers can successfully navigate our own careers (whatever that looks like for you) and the actions we can (and should) take to challenge the status quo. Links: Lauren’s book: The Fifth Trimester Lauren’s website: https://www.thefifthtrimester.com/ Chamber of Mothers Episode referenced: Mighty as a Mother E11: Beyond Birth: Unpacking Maternal Mental Health with Gayane Aramyan, LMFT For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

Today’s episode with none other than CNBC's Julia Boorstin is such a treat. As a mom to two boys and esteemed journalist and reporter, Julia shares her experiences and perspectives on reframing what leadership is for women. She has interviewed some of the most notorious and influential men (and women) in business over the last few decades but only once becoming a mom did Julia ditch her fears of what others thought. In this episode, be prepared to take away: ♥️ How women are breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings, paving the way for future generations ♥️ How to trust your gut, decision making abilities, and experiences versus following other people and their decisions of what’s right for you ♥️ Why the lens of motherhood brought even deeper purpose and meaning to her career ♥️ Regardless of where you are or are not in your professional career, mothers are all inherent leaders and it’s up to us to remember what truly matters Links: Julia’s Book: When Women Lead: What They Achieve, Why They Succeed, and How We Can Learn from Them Julia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaboorstin/ Julia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaboorstin/ For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

In today’s episode we sat down with the multi-faceted, multi-talented Rachel Mansfield! As the co-founder of grt sht ventures, food entrepreneur, cookbook author and podcast host, Rachel has merged her love of food, business and family. She is known for her engaged cult following, easy recipes that taste delicious, lifestyle tips and tricks, and raising her three adorable boys in New Jersey. In this episode, we chat with Rachel about: ♥️ How getting fired from an uninspiring corporate career catapulted her into successful entrepreneurship ♥️ Rachel’s personal journey with infertility and why she’s always chosen authenticity and transparency in sharing her story to hopefully help others ♥️ The ways we can find balance and fun in the food we make and serve our families ♥️ Maneuvering food variety and healthier options with our littles ♥️ Why striving for what’s next is needed to keep us constantly evolving and growing ♥️ At the end of the day, we’re all just mamas doing the best we can, and that’s more than enough Links: Rachel’s Blog: RachLmansfield Rachel’s Book: Just The Good Stuff: 100+ Guilt-Free Recipes To Satisfy All Your Cravings: A Cookbook For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

In honor of American Heart Month, we’re tackling a special topic today: Happiness. When we think of juggling motherhood alongside any passions or responsibilities outside of our kids, guilt and overwhelm often kick in - but does it have to? To better understand this phenomenon, we sat down with esteemed Brown University Assistant Professor and Licensed Clinical Psychologist Yael Schonburn to discuss her work around the science of happiness and how our careers and motherhood can actually compliment one another. Yael also writes about parenting, work, and relationships, drawing on scientific research, clinical experience, and real life experiences with her own three small kiddos. We were first introduced to Yael via her work as author of the incredibly helpful book Work Parent Thrive, 12 Science Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like Too Much). I mean, how relatable of a title is that?! Join us for today’s conversation as we discuss: The two different types of happiness and why we as humans need both How self-compassion is the most treasured gift we can give ourselves - and why! How to observe our thoughts in a non-judgemental way Why creating whitespace and allowing ourselves and our kids to “be bored” is actually better than packing more activities in Links: https://www.amazon.com/Work-Parent-Thrive-Science-Backed-Strategies/dp/1611809657/ref=asc_df_1611809657/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=564704744805&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14094078586807344666&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031565&hvtargid=pla-1636771075583&psc=1&mcid=e1a3159cd6e43b2d8f9dd5b05a4b31f9&gclid=CjwKCAiA44OtBhAOEiwAj4gpOSfMhb9AHc2i3ptVzvsfVnd-SiNuOps4ppLJBUgsxTvCptSsFLDosRoCbDAQAvD_BwE https://yaelschonbrun.com/ https://www.instagram.com/yaelschonbrun/ For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

We’re kicking off American Heart Month with our first MD and OBGYN, Dr. Tasha Kalra! By the end of this episode you'll feel inspired and ready to make some small tweaks to your daily habits in order to live a healthier life. Tasha is a busy mama to two toddlers and just 'gets it' - there's not enough time, not enough energy, and sometimes not enough resources to prioritize your own health. But she serves up some helpful and realistic tips and tricks to ensure you're identifying and implementing super simple ways to live well and nurture yourself as you nurture your kiddos. Join us for today’s conversation as we discuss: Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women - what can we do to prevent illness? How to be an advocate for your own health The feel-better effect of movement on your mood and mindset - even during pregnancy Reaping the benefits of exercise without having to “fix” your body Creating sustainable health habits that stick How, as a busy mom to two toddlers and as on-call physician, Dr. Kalra prioritizes herself and her well-being Low libido and painful sex The one health hack Tasha says anyone can start today for a healthier tomorrow Links Eat Everything: How To Ditch Additives and Emulsifiers, Heal Your Body, and Reclaim The Joy of Food by Dr. Dawn Harris SherlingDr. Tasha Kalra bioAll About Women's Care Instagram For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

If you’ve ever been forced to return to work so soon after welcoming a child, or taken unpaid maternity leave, or wondered how you’d juggle your career and caring for a human, we see you. Frankly, American societal infrastructure is stacked against mothers and caregivers, which is why we sat down with esteemed author, columnist, and fellow mom Jess Grose to discuss why it feels so hard to be a mother in America. Jess is an opinion writer at The New York Times who often writes about women, parenting, and culture. She was named a Glamour Game Changer for her realistic coverage of parenting during the pandemic and is the author of several books including Sad Desk Salad, Soulmates, and Love, Mom, and most recently a book appropriately titled Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood - which was voted by People Magazine as one of the best books of 2023. In this episode, we discuss: Jess’ own motherhood journey and the motivation behind her column and best-selling book The history behind American parenthood, and how we are now in a modern world with an antiquated infrastructure that leaves working parents and caregivers hanging How to embrace being a “good enough” mom and avoid feelings of failure Jess is kind, humble, and brilliant. This episode on motherhood is one you surely won’t want to miss! Links: Screaming On The Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood by Jess Grose https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/next-question-with-katie-couri-131117/episodes/the-parenting-deep-dive-part-1-156582216/transcript https://www.nytimes.com/by/jessica-grose https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/04/opinion/women-men-work.html For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

Becoming a mother is such a fundamental shift in our identity, and one of the most significant physical and psychological changes a woman will ever experience. On today’s show, we have Lauren and Megan — the founders of The Matrescence. The Matrescence was born out of a desire to help other women navigate their personal experiences with motherhood while providing a community to support, uplift, and empower one another. They have a desire to sift through the overwhelming opinions of today’s digital world and curate an intimate and personalized experience for each woman who comes to this space with a promise that all guides and support will come directly from experts. And this is personal for both of them. After experiencing bouts of anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, and rage, Lauren and Megan felt called to create a digital community to connect and educate women, grounded in the belief that mental health and wellness should be a priority for women who too often put themselves last. Join us for today’s conversation as we discuss: Loving our kiddos, but not loving motherhood all the time. How to find a sense of community in motherhood. Understanding postpartum depression (PPD) and how to know if you have it. And if you do, what to do next. Evidence-based exercises and activities to build resilience and make space for more joy in motherhood. Links: The Matrescence https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/08/well/family/the-birth-of-a-mother.html?_r=1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9765384/#CR31 https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300076523/the-cultural-contradictions-of-motherhood/ For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

If you’re finding yourself in need of productivity hacks, actionable suggestions for self-care, habit stacking, and mindset shifts as we kick off the new year, we have the episode for you! Jeanelle Teves, General Manager of Bugaboo and mama to two, shares her journey and helpful tidbits on how she intentionally (and unapologetically) creates boundaries and sets herself and her busy family up for success. Together, we will chat about how we can reconnect with ourselves in the New Year to create space for the things that matter most — ourselves, our families, our passions outside of motherhood, and our cherished relationships. Join us for today’s conversation as we discuss: Leading remote teams and being the change we want to see. Supporting women in leadership. Curating a business travel routine that supports your needs. Finding the morning routine that works for you. Proactively creating boundaries. Working parent productivity hacks. Links: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2022/12/07/the-rise-of-the-stay-at-home-dad/?sh=27c433297921 https://www.instagram.com/jeanelleteves/ For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

And just like that, our first year is coming to a close! We’ve sat down with some incredibly respected thought leaders, met many mamas IRL, and laughed and cried along the way. As two executives juggling the demands of motherhood while building our careers, we know the plight all too well and couldn’t be more proud of this community we’re building alongside you - a community in which all mamas feel seen and heard. We’re grateful for all the support and blown away by the traction Mighty as a Mother has achieved in the first six months of our show. Join us for today’s conversation as we: Celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved during the first season of the show Share our favorite listener stories and discuss the impact your words have on us Reflect on the joys and the learnings from our first year Look ahead to 202 and how you as our listener community will be a part of it! We thank all of you for being loyal listeners and contributors of our show, and look forward to season two beginning on January 2, 2024! None of this would be possible without you all, so please know how grateful we are to be on this journey with you ♥️ Links: Our Most-Downloaded Episode of the Year: Calling BS on Balance: Let’s Strive For Integration Instead For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

Marriage is a living thing. Early on in our relationships, we shower our partners with love and attention (obviously, we want them to want to marry us!) Yet once kids enter the scene, it’s not uncommon for partners to begin living parallel lives, with passion and deep connection unintentionally falling by the wayside (hello sleepless nights, toddler tantrums, and packed schedules!). In today’s episode, we sat down for part two of our compelling conversation with expert Dr. Molly Millwood to unpack just how everyone - parents included - long for a sense of attachment. When we reach out to our partners, we want to know that they’ll be there. We want answers to the questions: Will you be there for me? Can I count on you? Do you have my back? Do I still matter to you? If you’ve ever wondered the answer to those questions, dreamed of rekindling the connection you had pre-kids, or are looking to establish some technology-free ways to connect with your partner, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Molly breaks down the ways in which we can approach sex, intimacy, emotional attunement, while also challenging ourselves to manage our expectations based upon the season of life your relationship is in. Join us for part two of this important conversation to ensure you’re properly investing in your marriage, knowing what it is you’re fighting for, and creating small, shared experiences with your partner to ensure you’re set up for a joy-filled, healthy marriage to last the long haul. Links: Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain Happily Date Box For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

If you have ever looked in the mirror and felt disappointed with what you see, you’re not alone. In this episode, we get vulnerable (as per usual!) talking about our own body image challenges from young childhood through those difficult teenage years and beyond. Jenn shares her struggles overcoming an eating disorder and obsessive exercising and sheds light on how she got to the place she is now, where food is considered fuel and exercise is seen as a privilege. Join us for today’s episode where we discuss: Why we should all consider seeing ourselves the way in which our children see us How impressionable we are as children and what we see from our parents influences how we see ourselves Why it’s time to start appreciating what our bodies CAN DO versus merely what our bodies look like Prioritizing the internal health of our bodies vs the physical appearance of them The importance of curating a wardrobe that simply feels good on your body as it is today Links: https://now.org/now-foundation/love-your-body/love-your-body-whats-it-all-about/get-the-facts/ https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/02/social-media-body-image For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

We are thrilled to have Ashley Neese on the show to talk about something much needed for all mamas. REST! Over the last fifteen years, Ashley has helped thousands of people with crippling anxiety, exhaustion, boundary setting, emotional regulation, grief, anger, overwhelm, and chronic stress. In this episode, you will learn: How to soothe your nervous system Manage feelings of anxiety and overwhelm What are grounding practices and can you easily weave them into micro moments throughout your day Reconnect to yourself by quieting your mind and body Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_neese/ Her substack: https://thedeepercall.substack.com/ Her latest book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690360/permission-to-rest-by-ashley-neese/ Her first book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-breathe-ashley-neese/1129663433;jsessionid=18116B5158D0DE63CCEFF1F3EA5D4C7E.prodny_store02-atgap13?ean=9780399582714&st=AFF&2sid=Linktree%20Pty%20Ltd_100589976_NA&sourceId=AFFLinktree%20Pty%20Ltd For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts

In the wake of motherhood, women are facing a new, modern dilemma. Becoming a mother affects so much of who we are - psychologically, emotionally, physically, and professionally. By listening to today’s show, be prepared to understand how our well-being as new mothers and the well-being of our relationships impact our identities. In today’s episode, we are joined by the esteemed Dr. Molly Millwood - a mother to two boys and a clinical psychologist and licensed psychotherapist with an advanced specialization in women's mental health, intimate relationships, and marital therapy. She's also the author of one of our favorite books, To Have and To Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, & the Modern Dilemma, which serves up a blend of her personal narrative, a plethora of scientific research, and real-life stories from Molly’s clinical practice, which provides a much-needed lifeline to new mothers everywhere. In today’s episode, Molly dives deep into many topics facing mothers today, including guilt, shame, mourning life before baby, and navigating marriage after welcoming a baby. We have some real talk around: ♥️ What the "modern dilemma" is and why Molly believes mothering might just be harder now than it has ever been ♥️ The double-edged sword of social media for new mothers, the "mask of motherhood" and performative vulnerability ♥️ The challenges that our intimate partnerships face when a baby arrives, how parenting widens the gender gap and is often hardest for people who've strived for equality in their relationships ♥️ Practical tips around how to put a hard stop to martyrdom and begin prioritizing ourselves We hope you love this episode and feel less alone, more heard and a heck of a lot more normal! Links: Molly's Book For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

Today we bring you our first ever bonus episode - Honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. In maybe our most raw conversation yet, we unpack the prevalence of pregnancy and infant loss and the lack of adequate support in the modern medical community and Jenn shares her own personal story with pregnancy loss, pregnancy after loss, and how to support those who are grieving, and those supporting a loved one through loss. As always, we send love, light, and support to all mothers and families affected by pregnancy and infant loss. Links: https://pregnancyafterlosssupport.org/support-bereaved-parent-pregnancy-infant-child-loss-awareness-month/ For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

We had so much fun sitting down with Dr. Morgan Cutlip to talk all things maternal mental health. A highly sought-after relationship expert with a PhD in psychology, Dr. Morgan knows firsthand what it feels like to lose yourself in motherhood and she's determined to help the next generation of mothers. Through her work, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people learn how to form and maintain healthy relationships and has been featured on Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, Women's Health Magazine, and more. Her new book, Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, is available now (spoiler alert - it’s great!). Morgan is not only relatable and approachable, but she’s downright hilarious. As a wife and mom of two, she understands firsthand the challenges many of us encounter as we learn how to mother while not losing every single piece of who we were before we became mothers. In this episode, you will learn: ♥️ How regular check-ins with ourselves help us mamas stay in a healthy mindset ♥️ Why we can control our intention around parenting but we cannot control how our children will interpret our parenting ♥️ How changing our relationship with traditional mothering belief systems can change our experience in motherhood for the better ♥️ What the starvation principle is and why we shouldn’t wait until our marriage is starving to schedule that date night We hope you love today's episode as part of our ongoing maternal mental health series. If you have a topic you want covered on our show, please send us an email: mightyasamotherpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you! Links: Dr. Morgan Cutlip website Dr. Morgan Cutlip Instagram Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself book For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

Continuing on our Maternal Mental Health Series, we are honored to speak with Gayane Aramyan, LMFT. Gayane is a mother and licensed marriage and family therapist practicing out of Sherman Oaks, California (she also treats patients virtually!) and has been featured in Huffington Post and The LA Times. We sat down for a candid conversation about adequately preparing for postpartum (it’s more than registering for the DockATot!), practicing self-compassion as a mother, identifying and understanding postpartum depression and anxiety, and how to know when you should talk to someone about your mental health. Our goal is to create a safe space in which we break the stigma surrounding maternal mental health and while medication is sometimes the ultimate treatment, self-awareness in tandem with therapy can often aid many women who are unknowingly suffering. If you have a maternal mental health topic you want covered on our show, please send us an email: mightyasamotherpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you! Links: 1. https://www.therapywithgayane.com/ 2. Therapy with Gayane Instagram 3. The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality by Kimberly Ann Johnson For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

Our first episode of our new Maternal Mental Health series is for you if you've ever felt like OMG why did NO ONE tell me how hard this was going to be. We sit down with fellow mom and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jessie Hines to discuss everything from why the "6 week postpartum check-up" is simply not enough, how prevalent anxiety and depression are inside motherhood, and ways in which we can prioritize our own mental well-being before caring for others (kids included!). This has been by far our most requested topic and we are so happy to create this safe space to talk hard things with you. If you've struggled saying goodbye to the life you left behind while simultaneously loving your kids, felt overwhelming waves of "mom guilt," or suffered with shame in silence, this is the episode for you, mama 💗 Jessie helps us normalize the conversation around some really raw, difficult topics, including: ❤️ How sometimes motherhood can feel boring, stifling, suffocating, and/or mundane ❤️ It's okay to mourn the woman you were before you became a mother ❤️ Why following "influencer moms" who get paid to show their seemingly perfect lives might not be helping your mental health ❤️ Why we weren't meant to mother alone, and how to build your village ❤️ Normalizing mothers to be humans who DESERVE to feel big emotions just like we teach our children Links: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/parenting/mothers-not-martyrs.html National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA https://www.aha.org/news/blog/2022-04-07-making-maternal-mental-health-priority https://www.whattoexpect.com/news/first-year/gen-z-millennials-perfect-parent MAAM Village episode https://www.motheruntitled.com/ For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!

In today’s episode, Jenn sat down with Talia Kovacs - a child development expert who helps children tap into their inherent resiliency. Talia has worked with kids as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, and as a children’s resilience coach and has been focused on Forbes, The Today Show, Newsweek, and more. She joined our show to discuss: - How children are competent, capable people - Why we as parents should observe our children to find their competence and skills - Why giving children space can lessen their anxieties and allow them to simply explore themselves - The importance of allowing children to contribute in their home vs always “receiving” from their parents Talia is on a mission to empower children and their parents to see themselves as people who are capable of tackling even the most difficult challenges! Through her three-part framework to resiliency, she gives parents and kids freedom to be themselves, develop their own independence, and deepen their relationship in a co-creative way. In changing how we see our children, it changes how they see themselves and what they believe they are capable of doing. We hope today’s episode helps improve the way you see your children and the way you see yourself. And remember, mama - you’re doing a great job. XO - Jenn & Laura Links: Talia’s website: taliakovacs.com and the link to your free gift: taliakovacs.com/gift For more authentic and honest motherhood conversation, subscribe to Mighty as a Mother: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Podcasts | Google Podcasts Join in on the conversation and follow along with us on Instagram: ⁠@mightyasamotherpodcast⁠!